Laura lay on the bed with a hand to her head. She could hear the howls and muffled sounds of gunfire. Definitely a new hotel come morning she thought. Part of her wanted to be out there, killing things, defending.... defending what? Her mind was as confused and chaotic as usual. With a sigh she rose. Maybe this will help some; she grated as she pieced together her sniper rifle. With the deadly weapon pieced together she opened the window and slid out onto the fire escape. She raised herself onto the roof silently as a predator.
With her supernatural vision she could barely make out which top the fight was taking place. Keeping a clear eye on things she found a good hiding spot closer to the action. Kneeling before the ledge she perched her body over it, gently resting the gun upon it. She really didn't need the scope but chose to use it anyways. A clear up close view of everything.
Several death dealers on one roof. Some down with guns others standing cover. Why such an assault she thought, then again, unless it's their post and the Lycans are pressing the attack. Moving the scope over she viewed four Lycans around one vampire. Now he was a fool. Many more hiding in the steam vents, a common tactic. Keepem questioning how many until its too late. Catching a glimpse just below she moved the scope down to see Jake on the fire escape just below the fight. Shit! He had a look as if he'd just arrived and was just as surprised. That boy really needs to fine-tune his ears...and smell. I'll work on that later.
The vampire in the centre went down easily. No surprise. He was out manned and definitely out armed at close rang. Fool. She picked out the leader in the chaos the Lycan were causing. Keeping her eye on him, she watched him. He was tall and carried a certain amount of grace and power about him. She knew him...but why wasn't she happy about his? Despite the chaos, she continued to follow these creatures' movements. He was just as strong and as powerful as his stride had indicated. With a leap as easily as crossing a stream he covered the distance of a busy street to land on the opposite side. The death dealers quickly moved to stop him, taking advantage of their momentarily superior numbers.
One whipped out a beautiful silver bladed sword. Who the hell would bring a sword to a gunfight? She wondered. He moved fast to catch the beast in the back as the others distracted him. I don't think so, she growled mentally as she fired her first shot. The blade went flying from his hand. A startled scream ripped through his throat causing the beast to turn on the now defenceless vampire.
Seconds later several other Lycan were flying over to join their leader. The chaos was rampant. Within minutes the fight was over. There were just too many Lycan compared to the vampires. Moving her scope back she found that her little pup was having a fight of his own. I don't know you, she thought watching the behaviour of the female Lycan towards her pup. He has no chance with you does he. He only knows me. Hmm...her thoughts were distracted by a glint. The beast, now in human form was walking towards that fire escape. Jake's presence hadn't gone unnoticed. As he neared the ledge she fired one shot. It hit the ground barely inches from his feet. His foot went back a defensive step as his head shot up to look around. His glaze slid across the rooftops, and completely bypassed her. He hadn't seen her, but knew she was here.
She watched as he stepped over the ledge, confronting her pup. I will kill you Trace if you harm him, she thought. Then suddenly wondered how she knew his name. There was no time to really question her as she watched the little show. Trace let her pup run. It was clear he wasn't ready for the introduction. He probably thought after that night in the woods that meeting others would help some, but he had no idea what kind of power they had.
Watching the retreating form of Jake she then turned her view back to the other Lycans. They were beginning to spread out. They're looking for me, she thought, but not tonight. She crept away from the ledge and returned to the hotel before Jake could. Her toy safely deposited into her bag.
Lying back on the bed she waited. The radio blared 'Tourniquet' by Evanescence. It was easier than listening to the silence wondering when someone was going to appear outside her window. Somehow the song seemed fitting at the moment. She closed her eyes and listened to the music. "Do you remember me/lost for so long/will you be on the other side/or will you forget me." What side am I on? What side are you on Trace? Gentle memories began to appear from the fog. Warm arms wrapping around her.... keeping her safe. Words from the darkness "I'm sorry my cousin".... friendly laughter followed by a gentle hug. Family, she thought, he's family. But why am I so scared to go to him? What has happened to sever us like this?
She didn't get a chance to question herself further as the door opened. Jake came in with a shopping bag and two coffees. "What no beer?' she asked with an amused smile. He instantly froze at the tone of her voice. "After a battle beer is generally what they drink, and they brag a lot too." She sat up, swinging her legs to the opposite side of the bed so he didn't seem her amused face right away.
"I...I'm sorry," he stuttered coming to the bed right away. He didn't know what to say, or how she was going to react.
"Its no surprise." She said in an even tone. "I expected you to ask more or go and look when I couldn't answer your question about others. You have no reason but my word not to trust them."
"I...I..." he couldn't get the words out.
"I saw the fight so you don't have to worry." She gave him a weak smile. "What did you think?"
He sat down on the edge of the bed next to her. "It was a bit.... overwhelming. This.... creature, I can't even call her woman...was all over me...I don't know why or." his voice drifted away with his thoughts.
"You have no rank." Laura answered in a strong voice, her eyes just as distant. "You are not her leader, and you have not fought for a position in the pack. With no one to say you are his or her pup she can pretty much do what she wants. You can either submit or fight her."
"Fight for my rights.... in the most literal sense?" he asked
"Yeah, the only way to go up in the pack is to fight or take someone's place upon their death." She gave him a weak smile, "luckily its not a fight to the death. Just to the submission."
He nodded. Understanding this fact. "Do you remember any more?'
"A little. Its coming and going but getting easier." She said softly. "I know this was my pack...but still I don't know why I don't trust them."
"I still say someone betrayed you." He said firmly. "You don't know who so you don't trust any of them."
She regarded him slowly. "Your awfully astute for someone who is so new to things."
He grinned, "I got a lost teacher, I need to be."
She rewarded him with a playful swat up side the head.
The left the hotel within an hour. Gobbling down the meagre meal that he had brought back with him. Under the dim lights of the early dawn they moved locations. A plan forming in her head she took them to a much more exclusive hotel in the better end of town. He was iffy on the ideas she shared but he didn't have much choice but follow. She had been a good leader so far.
From their new location she picked up the phone and dialled a number she didn't know she knew. She didn't understand what possessed her to do this but she did.
"Its your dime." The deep voice answered. Her mind reeled with pain, and sudden fear. Her voice clogged in her throat. What was there to say? What could she say? Hi, I don't remember you but I know you and don't trust you from somewhere. No.
"Laura?" the voice asked after a long moment of silence. How did he know?
Tears formed in her eyes for no apparent reason as she could barely get the word out. "Yes".
"Laura." He confirmed. Clear emotions were heavy in that one word. Relief, pain, joy...
"Yes." She said again. She just couldn't get anything out.
"Come home Laura." He said gently, "please."
Tears trailing down her face she looked at her pup. Jake sat on the edge of the bed watching her closely. He was ready for anything. "I...I can't." she said softly looking to the floor.
"Where are you? I'll come get you." He said quickly.
"No." she said with a little more force than she meant. A soft cry escaped her lips as the words echoed in her mind almost overpowering her. Who is your enemy? The pain that followed made her straighten in her seat.
"What is it Laura?" Trace demanded. "What has happened? Talk to me?" the fear and concern evident in his voice. His voice died away as she slammed the phone down in its cradle. She stared at it as if it was alive.
"Laura?" Jake asked softly, concern in his voice as he moved slowly closer. Careful not to startle her. She looked up at him, her eyes somewhat distant. Tears still coming down her cheeks.
"Why can't I make sense of anything?' she asked softly. "I see things, I know things. More than before, but still I can not make heads or tails of it."
"It'll come back." He said softly. "One thing we can do is go with your plan...and confront the possible source of the problem."
She nodded with a deep breath. It was time to take on the source. The voice that reverberated in her head. It was time to face Darius.