I'm so sorry it has taken so long to update. I detest writers block.

Well I hope you like this instalment.

Xx Jez101 xx

The Rise of the Darkness

12

Ciara woke suddenly. Damon was fast asleep by her side. It was a still night. She could see the moon. It was nearly full.

Something wasn't right. She didn't know what it was. She slowly got up and got dressed.

Ciara slipped silently out of the room and made her way noiselessly to where Ben was sleeping. She went into the room without a sound, and saw that Ben was fast asleep.

Ciara checked his temperature and then went on to check all his cuts to make sure he was healing alright.

# He'll be up and about tomorrow I would have thought.#

Now that Ciara had done something slightly constructive she decided to head back to Damon. It was still in the wee hours of the morning and she didn't want to disturb the rest of the place.

Ciara crept in silently and started to get undressed again. Suddenly she stopped. She was sure she had heard something outside. She moved over to the big window that overlooked the back of the grounds. It was dark, but with the light from the moon she was sure she could see something moving. She was about to open the window to look out, maybe even climb out but a hand closed over her mouth and pulled her back onto the bed.

"Damon what do you think…"

"Shh!" Damon interrupted her. "Put your top back on. We're going outside." He whispered. Then in one fluid movement he was off the bed and pulling his clothes on.

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"Thierry will you please just come to bed!" Hannah said to him softly. He had been pacing the room like a caged animal.

"They tried their best sweetheart. And Thea and Blaise said they would try again." She paused looking at the look on her soulmates face. It pained her to see him like this, "We will find her."

Thierry stopped the sighed. "You're right." He said quietly.

With that he turned, climbed into the bed and put his arms around his soulmate and just held her.

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Maria dropped Fleta off at the bottom of the drive.

"Take care of yourself." She said to Fleta as she got out of the car.

"Thank you." Fleta replied quietly.

"Oh and if you need our help we will know."

There was a sparkling, mischievous look in her eyes. And she had a knowing look on her face as she drove away leaving Fleta looking even more confused.

Fleta turned and took a deep breath then strode off up towards the mansion. She crept in silently as she didn't want to disturb the sleeping household and cause a fuss.

She climbed into bed, and tried to get to sleep. But so many thoughts were rushing through her mind, reflecting on everything that had happened. That she had finally found out.

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"Damon, what's going on?" Ciara asked as Damon lead her out onto a balcony.

"I woke up to find you not in bed. My first initial thought was of concern, then I realised that you would be nursing Him." Damon paused and looked at her. "I am really proud of you, taking on that task when no one else would." His voice was softer, and he pulled her closer to him. Wrapping his arms around her lovingly.

"Well nurses in the first and second war would tend to the enemy. It didn't matter, they were still people."

Something moved.

"So… you were saying?"

"Well I was about to come along and get you, and as I was about to open the door, I smelt someone. So I waited then crept out and saw them head out to the garden." There was another movement. "Come on. Let's go." Damon said climbing over the balcony and dropping down. Ciara followed.

As with all vampires, they were used to blending in with the shadows, and stalking prey quieter than the most skilful wild cat.

Ciara and Damon moved with great speed, silently through one of the many gardens here. They found a safe place to observe, and where they were downwind from the intruders.

Two dark figures were conversing under the ornamental cherry tree, a light breeze was about and the loose blossom petals were falling about them.

# All we need is a full moon shining down, some music and maybe a fountain and that would be a romantic couple moment.# Ciara giggled in her head. Damon must have heard as she could see an amused look on his face.

Ciara could smell something she recognised, but couldn't quite place it. She could just make out the two figures, one looked really familiar, however, he had his back to her. She started to concentrate and listen in to the conversation.

"They are getting restless. the boss wants to know what is going on." The smaller one was talking. He seemed quite edgy.

"Well, if he wants to fufill this legacy then he best be paitent." The bigger one was saying. Ciara recgonised the voice...

"This is not the time to be speaking ill of the leader..." The little one paused, obviously not wanting to offend the bigger one. "You just keep up your act. They still believe you are on their side right?"

"yes yes. they don't suspect anything."

"Good because we can't afford any mistakes." He paused again. "I'll report back, and you just be prepared. I've got a feeling we will be seeing each other again very soon."

They both laughed and the smaller one then slipped away, melting into the darkness. The bigger one turned and headed towards Ciara and Damon's hiding place. Ciara held her breath as he walked by.

#oh my god! i don't believe it!#

#shh.# Damon said mentally. #we don't expose him, it's too risky. but he'll not get away with this.#

She sent him a mental nod.

#Poor Bonita# Ciara sighed.

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Fleta had a deep, dreamless sleep. Which was probably for the best. She wasn't looking forward to facing them all in the morning. However she didn't have to worry about that, as from all the night's thrilling activities, she slept soundlessly on.

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Elizabeth awoke to find herself alone. The space where Julian had been lying was cold. So he had left quite a while ago.

Elizabeth got up and went to the door, already knowing that it would be locked. She could hear someone outside.

"So it is time then?" A slimey voice spoke.

"Yes. We've got to get into position and wait for the signal." Elizabeth recongized that voice. It was Bash's.

"Those daybreakers won't know what hit them!" the slimey one laughed. "though i don't see how its fair that HE gets to keep one."

"Well if u see any you like... keep it!" Bash said in a hushed voice.

"What are you two doing hanging around here? go and get prepared for the attack!" Elizabeth gasped. That was Julian.

"Yessir."

Elizabeth jumped back as the door opened.

"What is going on!" she asked Julian, trying not to panic.

"The attack is going to happen tonight." Julian said in a hushed voice.

"Oh Goddess!" Elizabeth exclaimed. "My friends! My family! You have to let me warn them! Please Julian. I'm a chosen one. We can win!" She looked at him pleadingly.

Julian knew what he had to do. No one had ever returned feelings of love to him. "I will get u there. and i will help u fight."

"Oh Thank you!" Elizabeth said as she threw herself around his neck.

"But mind we must maintain the act that i am working with them still. ok?"

She nodded in agreement.

Now they just had to wait till nightfall. Then Julian would sneak her out. Elizabeth just prayed that they weren't caught or that they weren't too late.

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Well there we go i'll try and get the next chap up ASAP! tho im going away for a week so we mite have to wait... or see how i feel later on tonight.

Xx Jez xx