Here we are guys. The sequel to The Sun's Moon. I know that you've guys been waiting for this for some time and I've been working to bring it to you. I will continue working on The Goddess Among Us as much as I can, but I'm back in school now and I really have no idea how much time I'll get. Since I've been delayed with that story, I figured that I should publish this one. A little present after I've been silent for so long. I would like to apologize for the long absence, it has been longer than I had planned for it to be at first. I hope you all enjoy this chapter.
Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight, the Mummy (2017), Dracula Untold, Frankenstein, or any of the franchises that appear in this story. The only character I own are my OCs, all others belong to their respective owners.
The Light's Shadow Ch. 1
Lyon walked down along Tiltree Avenue, mud covering the soles of his shoes as water droplets dripped down along the sides. Thunder clouds brewed up above the 12-year old boy, the heavy rain slowing to a drizzle. Once he got to his house, he ran up the driveway to the front door... only to stop when he heard the sound of whimpering. Peering around the side of the house, Lyon could hear rustling coming from the backyard. Gripping what courage he could, he walked around the house to see a deer lying on it's side, its' hide bloody and one of the antlers broken. Lyon ran up to the creature, noticing the upturned and crushed vegetation around the yard. Turning his eyes back down to the exhausted creature, the young boy saw the bullet hole that was almost coughing up blood as the deer cried out. Dumping his backpack and running inside, Lyon turned off the alarm before grabbing a few paper towels from the sink.
Darting back outside, he ripped one of the towels free and moved to put it against the wound. Just then, the flesh surged outward and took hold of the boy's hand, the animal's eyes turning a crimson red. He was pulled through the deer into a dark hole, the young boy yelling out when he felt his arm snap from the impact. Whimpering, Lyon cradled his arm as he pulled himself up, looking around fearfully. Above him, light shined through the hole and into the chamber, dirt surrounding the boy with passages shooting off in different directions. Climbing to his feet, Lyon shouted "Help! Mommy! Daddy! He-!"
The sound of rustling caught his attention and he peered into one of the passages, yelling out "Hello? Is someone here?!"
Rustling was all that answered him and that's when he felt it. Something brushed along his leg, pain shooting up the limb and causing Lyon to collapse again. Tears slipping down his cheeks, Lyon looked down to see a long line of red going up his leg, blood starting to spill from it onto the ground. The pain renewed his cries "Mommy! Please help me!"
A growl resounded through the chamber and Lyon spun around just in time to see something black slip around a corner. Curling up, the young boy cried in the darkness for someone, anyone to help him. Behind him, a shadow rose from his own, taking it's own shape as it leered down at the boy. Feeling an encompassing cold pass over him, Lyon turned and his scream echoed from the chamber, the last thing he ever saw being crimson red eyes.
Nick rubbed the bridge of his nose before taking a swig from his cup, the hot coffee running smoothly into his throat. He walked back to the table as he brushed some dust from his ruffled brown jacket, the dark green shirt beneath shifting at the touch while his black pants rustled with every move against his sneakers. Turning his eyes back to the table, Nick took a pin from the jar next to him and planted it into the map, the metal piercing a spot in New Mexico. Hearing footsteps pounding against the steel stairs, he looked up to see Vale come to a stop at the bottom. His friends now wore a beige shirt with navy blue pants, his hair freshly brushed and his beard trimmed down. Chris slid a file across the table to Nick before speaking "There was another one."
A groan escaping his mouth, Nick picked up another pin before asking "Where?"
He heard Vale's breath hitch before his friend asked "Hey, you doing alright?"
Nick considered lying for a moment, but decided against it. Turning his tired eyes to Vale, he admitted "No, not really. Do you ever wonder what would've happened if none of this crazy shit had happened?"
Vale shrugged "Not really. I mean, I'm already sure that we would've gotten court-martialed eventually."
Chuckling, Nick took another sip from his coffee "Yep. Probably. Maybe Bella would've gotten with somebody eventually."
Vale took a seat at the table, tinkering with the red pins in the jar as he said "She does have somebody."
Shaking his head, Nick said "That's not what I meant."
Nick noticed how his friend flinched at the words and focused on Chris again, trying "I mean, do you really buy this whole switcheroo that Ahmanet pulled? Bella's a great girl and all, but come on. The Princess of the Undead gives up her dreams of world domination just to get down and dirty with her? You and I both know that's too 'fairy tale' to be real."
Chris shrugged "I don't know. I guess, but Ahmanet's not... well, she's not a good person, but she's not downright evil."
Both turned at the sound of footsteps just in time to see Jenny appear. The archaeologist now wore a red T-shirt with a beige vest covering it, matching beige shorts covering most of her legs. She looked between the two guys and asked "What are you two talking about?"
Nick, already putting the new pin into the map, replied with an annoyed tone "The weather."
Vail sent a scathing look to his friend before answering "We were just thinking about this thing."
He motioned to the map, Jenny nodding solemnly as she sat down. Twirling a pen in her hand, she replied "You aren't the only ones."
Nick chimed in "Each of these fucking pins are on him, you know that, right? Henry just sits there in his office and hands us reports while more and more people disappear day after day. When are we going to take this freak down?"
Jenny sighed "It's not as simple as that. Contrary to popular belief, there's no set formula for killing something like this. As much as I want to say we'll get a happy ending after this is over, that'd be a lie. It'll just be... more of the same."
Nick huffed "Yeah. I'm going for a walk."
He pulled himself up from his seat and as soon as he was out of sight, Jenny leaned over the table "Okay, what were you guys really talking about?"
Chris looked stunned for a moment before shaking his head humorously "I told you. We're just frustrated with this whole thing and it's taking a toll-"
Jenny scoffed "If you think I'm gonna buy that, you're dumber than your haircut, Vail."
Chris shot to his feet "Leave my hair alone! It never did anything to you."
Jenny shot back "Then tell me the truth, Vail. Don't I at least get that much?"
Chris sighed "He's thinking about Bella. Or rather, Bella's choice for company."
Jenny arched her eyebrow "Ahmanet?"
Chris nodded and looked back to the map "If I'm being honest, I'm a little worried too. When I was... dead and she was inside my head, it felt like a freaking force of nature. I could tell that she wouldn't stop until she got what she wanted, but now?"
Jenny looked in the direction Nick had gone "I get it. To be honest, I'm just as confused as you are. Maybe Bella influenced her somehow?"
Chris shrugged, a defeated breath escaping him "I don't know, but I've never been one to look a gift house in the mouth. I'm just glad she's on our side."
For a moment, both were silent until Jenny finished what they were both thinking "For now, at least."
Vlad walked along the dirt road, the night sky clear enough for him to see the stars above. Thinking back over the centuries, he remembered the nights where he could once see far more. He remembered the nights that had once been illuminated by the light of the moon and stars rather than the strobes of skyscrapers. Pulling his mind back, he sniffed once and caught the scent of blood on the wind. Calmly walking over, Vlad picked the backpack up from the ground, spotting the name stenciled into the fabric. Setting it back down as he knelt to the ground, Vlad reached down to the grass, his hand roaming across the ground for anything. He let out a breath when he felt something wet glance across his knuckles. Raising his hand to eye level, Vlad closed his eyes in mourning when he saw the all too familiar sight of blood. Taking in the scent of the blood, Vlad recognized it as the same from the backpack lying in the grass. Pulling himself up, he sniffed the air again, trying to pick up another scent.
His eyes shimmered red for a second when he smelled something else other than the blood. It was... different than the smell he had been tracking. Older, perhaps. It had a strange tint that he couldn't really place. Before he could think further, lights shined in from the house as the sound of an engine made itself known to the vampire. His heart going out to the boy's parents, Vlad disappeared into a flurry of bats that disappeared into the dark night.
As the sun began to rise, Vlad turned the dial on the armrest of his chair and windows began to dim around his penthouse. Pulling his computer back over, Vlad typed in a few commands before the screen lit up with pictures. Pictures of an old man. CCTV footage, traffic cameras, everything Vlad could use, he did. He still remembered that fateful day and the night that followed. The eyes of the older vampire glowing in the darkness as a guttural growl echoed in the caves. The feeling of that grotesque tongue over his throat as a small cut bled. Vlad's eyes met those in the central picture, glowing red as his fangs slipped down.
Just when he felt an inch of control slipping away, Vlad forced himself to look away, breathing deep as he felt his nerves calming. Feeling a vibration in his pocket, Vlad reached in and pulled out his phone, the 4-year-old device's screen lighting up to show a picture of Mina with her name below it. Pressing the "Connect" button, he held it up to his ear "Hello?"
Mina's voice came through on the other end "Vlad, it's me. I'm sorry if I woke you."
Vlad swiftly replied "No, I've been up for a little while. Is something wrong?"
Mina answer, her voice a little shaky "N-no. I... I was just wondering how long you'll be away?"
Vlad sighed, his eyes drifting back to the computer "A few weeks at the very most. These cases can be very delicate and I want to make sure my client receives what they are owed. I'm sorry."
Mina paused for a moment before she replied "No, it's fine, Vlad. I understand completely. Believe me, I've seen my fair share of courts."
Chuckling, Vlad asked "Oh? You haven't stolen anything since I left, right?"
His smile widening when he heard her laugh, Vlad listened intently as she said "Oh, shut up. Just a few jury duties that I wish I could've skipped out on. Just hurry back, okay?"
Vlad's smile faltered for a second, but he promised "I will. As soon as this is over, I'll come back."
Mina hummed "I can't wait. Be safe. I love you."
Feeling the smile return, Vlad replied "I love you, Mina. Goodbye."
He hesitated for a moment, but eventually hung up and sighed.
Eve shivered in the cold wind, hugging herself as she walked along the street as cars drove on by past her. Her eyes drifted upwards as thunder cracked above her before she looked around, settling on the scrap yard at the end of the road. Shrugging, Eve ran as fast as she could through the rain until she got to the entrance. Cursing when she saw the lock on the door, she reached and took it in her hands, pulling it off with barely a flinch. Pushing the gate open, Eve shut it behind her and wandered the abandoned junkyard until she spotted an older truck cab. Pulling the door open, she threw her pack in and jumped in, settling herself in the driver's seat before reaching back. Pulling her backpack up onto her lap, she unzipped one of the pockets and pulled a tarp out, wrapping it around herself as she put her feet up onto the dashboard. Rubbing her hands together, Eve pulled out one of her last energy bars and ripped open the wrapper, taking a massive bite out of it.
As she ate, her mind drifted back to the diner she had seen walking into the town. Her mouth watered as she remembered the steaming plates of food being carted back and forth through the restaurant, imagining the amazing taste of French fries. Another bite of the bar brought her back to reality and she resisted the urge to spit it out. Eating the last of it, Eve tossed the wrapper away and glared out of the window of the truck. Grabbing her pack, she reached in deeper until her fingers wrapped around a small metal chain. Pulling it out, her gaze softened when she saw the pendent hanging there. Clutching it tightly, Eve's finger tapped the top and it popped open, revealing a the picture inside. A beautiful woman looked back at her with jade eyes, the sun hitting her darker skin with a sheen, her lips curved into a soft smile. Eve smiled back... until her foot slipped and hit the horn.
A massive honk sounded out for a moment, but when it stopped, Eve's eyes widened when she heard the dogs barking and someone shouting. Rapidly pulling herself up, Eve jammed the tarp into her pack as fast as she could, grabbing the necklace again before kicking the truck's door open. Jumping down, Eve ran through the scrap piles as fast as she could. She turned her head for a moment and saw two dogs right on her heels, but she kept running.
Grabbing onto one of the pipes holding a pile up, she yanked it out just as one of the dogs came close, a portion of the pile collapsing in front of them as she kept on running. Just as she started to get close to the exit, a hulking man grabbed her hand, but she slipped out of his grip. Before she got away, his hand managed to grab the necklace. When she felt the pull, she turned to him with murderous eyes "Let go!"
He growled "Stay still! The police will deal with you, kid."
Eve pulled again "Let go of it!"
He started to pull her back as the dogs came rushing closer, but then... the chain snapped. Eve's eyes went wide as she watch the pendent fall into the mud before her eyes were engulfed with green flames. An animalistic roar sounded as a wall of fire rushed out from her body, incinerating both the man and his dogs in an instant. As the flames died down, the metal around her glowed from the heat while her skin started to grow back around her body. Not even flinching when she grabbed the still hot metal of the pendent, Eve backed away from the bodies. A sob spilling from her throat, she turned away from them and started running again.
Bella breathed in the cool, fresh air as she sat on Leah's Firebird with a water bottle in her hand. She watched the sun climb over the horizon, filling the night sky with light while the stars began to fade from sight. She heard the car's door open, closing again after a few seconds before she felt a presence shift over to sit on the hood next to her, Bella breathing in the scent of her mate. Ahmanet wrapped her arms around Bella as she asked "Good morning. How long have you been awake?"
Bella turned to her, giving a small shrug "Just a little under an hour. I needed to think and this place... it looked like a good place to do it."
Ahmanet turned to look over the bay before she spoke again "I don't think I'll ever get used to views like these. There weren't that many like them back when I was growing up."
Bella hummed "I bet. I wonder what you would think of Asia?"
Bella felt Ahmanet gently turn her head before her mate said "I doubt that anything there would be more beautiful than you, my Bella."
Her smile growing wider, Bella slid off the car before she took Ahmanet into her arms. She saw a spark of mischief in her mate's eyes before she leaned forward, capturing Ahmanet's lips with her own. The brunette moaned as Ahmanet pulled her closer, wanting nothing more than to claim her mate again right there. They slowed, breaking apart as Bella took a breath. She looked right into Ahmanet's amber eyes as she spoke again "You have no idea what you do to me."
She leaned in again, but Ahmanet stopped her with a single finger against her lips "As much as I would love to continue..."
Bella groaned as she rested her head on the princess's shoulder "Yeah, I remember. We've not really gonna get anywhere if we sit around watching the sunrise, are we?"
Ahmanet shook her head with a slight pout "I'm afraid not."
Bella sighed "I can't wait until we can settle down somewhere someday. Not have to keep moving on the road, you know?"
Ahmanet nodded "All too well."
Bella chuckled "Okay, I'll get the car started."
Her hands pulling away from Ahmanet, Bella walked over to and pulled the driver's side door open before sliding in, reaching to turn the ignition when pain shot up her arm. A growl coming from her throat as she clutched it with her other hand. That's when she noticed the black claws resting where her nails would usually be. Confused, she glanced up and her breath hitched when she saw her eyes. As she watched, her normal brown had started to shrink into the white. That's when she felt it. Her muscles went taut as Bella felt something surge inside of her. Taking a breath, she closed her eyes and started pushing back. Little by little, the feeling started to fade and her claws started to recede. She took another breath... nearly jumping out of her seat when she heard "Hey, you okay?"
Her eyes darting to the voice, Bella relaxed when she saw Ahmanet peering in before replying "Yeah, all good. Just a little car trouble. I'm gonna try again."
Reaching in again, Bella turned the key and sighed in relief when the Firebird's engine roared to life "We're golden. You coming, beautiful?"
Shaking her head playfully, Ahmanet opened the door and slid in next to Bella as the brunette drove the car away from the ledge. Turning slightly, Bella shifted the car into gear and gently pushed in on the accelerator, driving down the road along the cliff as waves clashed against the rocks below them.