Kerissa dreaded more visits from that strange presence that invaded her mind, thoughts, body, and senses. The thought that she no longer had control over her own body terrified her.
She took to the library, in hopes that the peaceful atmosphere would keep the unwelcome visitor away. She dove into the mythology books; she loved reading about the ancient deities.
The visitor came close to once a week, giving her a taste of forbidden fruits, and evil desires. She resisted, but that voice pounded in her brain like a drum.
Stanton did his best to help, after all, he knew the most about the Atrox, but he knew nothing of what she was facing.
Serena also had no idea what was happening to her. The closest thing that she knew of was possession, the actual act of taking over one's body, but this was far different.
This was another reason Kerissa had taken up studying mythology. Maybe, somewhere, among the books, would be the answer to her riddle. An ancient mystery, solved by ancient myth. This was highly unlikely, but it gave her hope. The others knew about the visitor, of course, but not how often it came.
However, despite the visits made by the presence, there was a bright star on her horizon. Alex was returning. She had received another note, saying to meet her at Planet Bang on Friday. She looked forward to it all week.
On Friday, she chose her outfit carefully.
A deep blue halter-top, with sparkles spread across it like stars, coupled with a short, swishy skirt. She wore spiked heals, along with her moon amulet and star earrings. She added mascara and liner, and brushed shimmery blue eyeshadow across her lids. Her hair fell down her back in waves and curls, glittering clips sparkling when the light hit them.
Upon arrival at Planet Bang, she waited anxiously for Alex. He was coming, he was coming!
A hand tapped her shoulder, as a slow song began. Alex. He gave her that secret smile, as he took her hands and led her out onto the dance floor. Kerissa could sense Serena and Stanton watching them, as well as occasional glances from Catty and Kyle and Jimena and Collin. Vanessa was onstage, but Kerissa could still practically feel Vanessa's eyes on her.
Suddenly, she felt the presence. The visitor was back. Not now, she told herself, not now!
The presence was pushing into her mind harder than ever before. She broke away from Alex and ran from the dance floor, colliding with couples all the way.
"Kerissa! What is it?" Alex asked, trying to follow, but being blocked, inconveniently by Jimena, Collin, Catty, and Kyle who pretended to be focused on the dancing. "Excuse me!" he said, impatiently.
"Sorry man, but if your girl's running, don't follow," warned Collin in a 'I-feel-for-you-man' voice. "It just makes them mad."
"Yeah," echoed Kyle.
"Let me through!" Alex pushed by.
"Whatever, man," Collin said. But they had given Kerissa enough time to disappear, and Serena and Stanton to melt into shadow, and re-form right next to her.
"Kerissa! Is it…" Serena trailed off.
Kerissa nodded. "Stronger… than… ever…" She gasped, and her eyes rolled back into her head. She began to shake, her body jerking violently.
"Stanton! Do something!" Serena begged.
He shook his head, sadly. "I don't know what's happening. If I go in now, through her protection, it will kill her."
"Why didn't we remove it?" Serena moaned.
They could do nothing but wait until the shaking subsided. Kerissa blinked, and looked up at them.
"Are you okay?" Stanton asked, deftly removing the shield while she was still groggy.
"I… I need to go home…" Kerissa choked out.
Not a good sign. Stanton and Serena exchanged looks. "I'll take her," Stanton offered. "You get the others."
Serena nodded.
Stanton took hold of Kerissa and they dissolved into the shadow.
This was what she wanted, Kerissa thought, dimly, someone to hold her, take care of her. Like Stanton did for Serena. Someone to love her. Someone to love.
That was her last conscience thought for several days.
When she awoke, the sun was up, high in the sky, and it was next Wednesday. The Daughters were at school, except for Vanessa, who was on watch. They were taking turns watching over her. Tianna also sat in a corner.
Upon seeing that Kerissa was awake, Tianna rushed over to her. "What do you remember?"
Kerissa frowned. "Nothing, really…. just… a lot of white light, and agony… something clawing at my body… trying to get out… hands on my forehead…. 'Human carrier'…" she trailed off. "I don't remember anything else."
Tianna's eyes widened. "Please, Lady Selene, no…" she whispered, closing her eyes. "I am so sorry, Kerissa."
"What? Why?"
Tianna's eyes swam with tears. "I'm afraid that you don't have much longer with us…"
"Why?" Kerissa panicked.
"Careful, you probably have a month, or so."
"Why?" Kerissa repeated.
"Kerissa, have you heard of the Nine Planes of Hell?"
Kerissa nodded. The Nine Planes of Hell were often talked about in her mythology books.
"Well, on each plane, there is a Demonic Ruler. This demon rules the plane. All the Nine Demonic Rulers are sons of The Demon. This Demon is the creator of all the evil in the universe. Some say the Atrox originated from The Demon." Tianna paused. "Prophecies state that a human carrier will be chosen from the 'Pure Ones'. The human carrier will carry the final, greatest son of The Demon."
"Yes?"
"Oh, Kerissa," whispered Vanessa, who had caught on quicker.
"Kerissa… you are the human carrier. The Last Demon is living, growing somewhere inside of you. It will kill you as it matures and consumes your life."
"Is there anyway to stop this?" Kerissa whispered.
Tianna shook her head. "Not that I know of. Except to turn to the Atrox."
"I will never do that." Kerissa stated.
"Good… because then, you would live, for eternity with the Last Demon inside of you."
Kerissa shuddered. She was silent for a long time. Finally, she raised her head, "If it's true that I am dying, then I may as well go out with a bang."
Vanessa frowned slightly. "How?"
Kerissa smiled, wickedly. "Oh… I'll find a way…"
Tianna raised an eyebrow. "Kerissa…" she said warningly.
"Oh, all right." Kerissa's wicked smile disappeared. "But," she sat up straighter, "Before I die, I'm going to fight till the end. And I'm going to take as many Followers with me as I can."
Tianna smiled sadly. "And we will help."
Kerissa was in bed for another whole week.
She met Alex as soon as she was well.
"Sorry, for leaving like that," she said, shyly.
"It's okay…" His gaze was on her lips… did she have something in her teeth? "Are you okay?"
"Yeah," Kerissa said, in a preoccupied way, "yeah, I'm fine."
"Good," Alex murmured, leaning forward slightly.
Kerissa shivered. Something about him made her feel so special…
Alex cupped her face with his hands. With his eyes, he asked a question, and with her eyes, she answered it.
Kerissa's eyes closed as his mouth touched hers. His mouth was soft and gentle, molding to hers. The distance between their bodies shortened, until it was nonexistent. The kiss grew hungry, impatient, and suddenly, Kerissa felt sad.
Lost dreams, hopes, and tiny disappointments rose to the front of her mind. Hope fled…she felt lost, as she kissed him. As he kissed her. The kiss of death.
Suddenly, she pushed him away. Alex looked surprised. The hurts were still fresh on her mind, but she now had control.
Or did she. A mind was attempting entry, and it wasn't Serena's, Stanton's, or the Demon. It was strangely familiar.
"You…" she whispered, turning wide eyes towards Alex.
Me. Alex smirked. Me.
Kerissa shivered… a Follower. Alex was a Follower. He couldn't feel love. He couldn't like her. He just wanted her because she was a Daughter. Turning her, would earn him Immortality, or something better.
Get away from me! Kerissa screamed, jumping up, and growing dizzy. She swayed, and Alex caught her, barely, before she hit the ground.
The feel of his arms, strong, and around her was nearly her undoing. She wanted so much to believe that it wasn't true. He couldn't be a Follower. Please, Selene, no…
"Get away from me," Kerissa repeated weakly, attempting to push herself away from him.
"No," Alex said quietly, looking deep into her eyes.
She knew she shouldn't, but she couldn't help herself. She gazed into his eyes, a strong, dark gray-blue. She expected to feel her hope draining away from her, but nothing happened. He simply gazed at her, as if his eyes were drinking her in. As hers did him.
"Let me go," Kerissa whispered. She knew that if she didn't leave now, it would be too late.
"No," Alex said again, quietly, still gazing at her.
Kerissa summoned the little strength she possessed, slipped into the shadow of the nearest tree, and surrendered. The Demon howled its delight, and immediately, she knew her mistake. Using the shadow's powers only made it stronger. But she was shadow, so she might as well flee.
A light breeze among the trees, Kerissa zoomed away. Alex watched her go, his eyes intent on her. When she disappeared from his sight, he slipped into shadow and disappeared, going in the opposite direction.
Kerissa arrived at her house, breathless and scared. Tianna was waiting for her. "Did you use a Follower's power?" Tianna asked, her voice shaking.
"Yeah-
"You mustn't!" Tianna grabbed Kerissa by the shoulders and shook her, hard. "You mustn't. It strengthens the Demon inside of you!"
Kerissa nodded, "Yeah, I'd figured that out." she murmured.
Tianna stared at her. "Don't you even care?"
"Yeah. I care. After all, it's my life, isn't it? MY LIFE! I'M THE ONE THAT WILL BE CONSUMED BECAUSE NO ONES EVEN TRYING TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO STOP THIS! I'M THE ONE GIVING UP MY LIFE! OF COURSE I CARE!"
Tianna ignored Kerissa's outburst. "Don't do it again," Tianna warned.
"Or what? You'll spank me?" Kerissa asked sarcastically, and stormed out of the room. Kerissa kicked the door shoot, her insides boiling. Who did Tianna think she was kidding? Lecture, lecture, lecture.
"And I'm the one who's gonna die," she murmured, "This is great. I feel so very loved." She began to cry.
"Who said anything about dying?" Stanton asked, stepping from the shadows.
"What, can you think of an alternative?" Kerissa asked, still sarcastically.
Stanton raised an eyebrow, and she sighed.
"Sorry, I'm not in a good mood right now." Kerissa wiped the tears from her face.
Stanton nodded and sat down on the bed across from her, "Betrayal hurts."
"How…?" Kerissa stared at him. How did he know about Alex? "How do you know, about, about that?"
Stanton sighed. "I've known Alex a long time. Thousands of years, in fact. He's one the Inner Circle, immortal, you know." He waited until Kerissa nodded. "Well, one of the reasons we got on so well was the fact that we were both invitus. Neither of us had a choice. Neither of us had committed our entire souls to the Atrox."
"You had a choice. You chose to become Prince of the Night."
"Later on, after I'd met Serena. After I'd fallen in love."
"Aren't you a little young for that?" Kerissa teased.
"I'm thousands of years old," Stanton reminded her.
"Oh, right."
"Anyways, once I'd fallen in love, the Atrox couldn't take that from me. I still had a piece of me."
"And Alex?"
"Still has that piece of him. He never fell in love, but it was never taken from him."
"So…"
"So, its possible that he does have emotions."
"Right. A soulless being can't have emotions."
"Aren't you listening?" Stanton demanded. "He's still got a piece of his soul, deep down inside. And he loves you."
"He doesn't know me."
"I'd bet you that he knows everything about you, from your deepest fear, to your darkest secret. He knows what makes you laugh, cry, smile, or jump up and down with joy.
"You might say that he has a slight obsession with you."
"How do you know this?" Kerissa asked, wanting so bad to believe that it was true.
"I've talked to him. I know him. When I saw the way he looks at you, I knew. I asked him, that night outside of Tianna's house, just to be sure. I was right. He can't lie to me, I'm higher than he is."
"But why did he just drain me of hope back there, when he kissed me?"
"He kissed you?"
Kerissa nodded.
"Then he's fallen harder than I knew. He vowed not to, swore that he would not. He must have fallen. Harder." Stanton grinned, and then the rest of her words registered. "Old habit, I suppose. It is so hard to break, you know. Why, sometimes, I have the desire to turn Serena, but I just have to pull back. If you trust him enough, he won't. Distrust makes the desire grow."
"Serena what?" Serena entered the room, sounding thoughtful.
"I was talking to her about Alex."
"Oh, how's that going?"
"Do you know?"
"That he's a Follower, yeah. Known since I saw him."
"Do the others?"
"No. They don't understand how someone can fall for a bad guy." Serena grinned at Stanton. "I do, though. They hold a certain appeal."
"So," Stanton said, "Shall I call Alex?"
"Um… no. I don't think I can face him right now."
"So sorry," Stanton sounded anything but, "I've already called him. Enjoy yourselves!" He took Serena's arm, and they departed down the stairs.
"Great." Kerissa mumbled. A dark shadow swooped inside her room, materializing into the form of Alex. Kerissa sprang from her bed, smoothing the wrinkles from her jeans as she did so.
They stared at each other for a minute.
"You've been crying," Alex whispered, softly, striding forward, and touching her tearstained face. They stood still.
Slowly, ever so slowly, as if an eternity was passing them by, Alex leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers. She melted against him, her heart pounding in her ears. She was pressed so tightly against him that she could feel his heartbeat mirroring her own. The kiss deepend, the kiss of lovers who had all time.