Night's Children: Nox Noctis

Chapter Two

The sound of the waves crashed in the distance, and a faint breeze slightly disrupted the otherwise tranquil night on the Los Angeles beach. The air contained more than just a wind, however, and seemed to be filled with a darkness that could choke anyone who was unfortunate enough to cross it.

And she loved it.

The faint outline of a red sunset outlined her retreating figure as she walked the shoreline of the luxurious beaches that seemed to only be found in California. The surf crashed and caressed her bare feet, which were unadorned save for a small silver anklet around her left ankle. The muddy sand was crushed between her toes as she slowly headed down the beach towards the piers.

Once the woman had reached her destination, she quietly walked under the pier, whose support beams were crusted with barnacles and mulch from high tides past. There, she saw what she had been aiming for all along.

There was a group of people, all dressed for a special occasion, with tuxedos and evening gowns. Some of them she recognized, some she didn't. But all, she knew, were there to celebrate her triumph.

Among them, she first noticed her old friend Tymmie, looking extremely handsome in his black, clean-cut tuxedo. His once bleach white hair was now dyed a jet black, and his hard blue-gray eyes were still the intimidating shade they had been over fifteen years ago.

Also in the crowd were the familiar faces of Yvonne and Kelly, now also an Immortal. All still held their youthful appearances, and looked at her with admiration.

Tonight was the night she had been waiting for. The night that had been anticipated for over 20 years.

The night that she would step into the Cold Fire, and become immortal.

She nodded to her peers, and slowly made cautious steps towards the ice blue flames that sent frozen patterns around the sanded area. Her eyes searched the crowd frantically, a tiny part of her hoping he would be there. And another tiny part wishing she would never lay eyes on him again.

Somewhat saddened, yet somewhat relieved, she noticed he had not come. It made sense, she supposed, Incinti members hardly attended such trivial matters as a lowly Frigidus Ignis ceremony.

In the background, she vaguely heard Tymmie start the chant.

The chant of her destiny.

"Lecta." They whispered.

"Lecta." They spoke.

"Lecta." They chanted.

And, "Lecta" They cried.

She hesitated at the mouth of the roaring flames, and slowly drew a hand over one. She was amazed at the sense of euphoria that flowed through her after the simple motion. The Atrox was calling to her.

After a few more seconds she stepped into the fire.

And while most Initiates in her position would have been fixated on the flames that burned away her mortality, the women's gaze was staring at something else. Something far off, that no one else seemed to see.

Her mouth gently parted and she called out a single name.

"Riley."

"Riley?!" asked a frantic Jimena as she rushed into the spare bedroom she had.

Riley bolted straight up from her bed, panting heavily with cold sweat streaming down her brow. The nightmare. The same vision that had been calling to her for almost two months now, was now stronger than it had ever been before.

Every night the nightmares grew steadily louder, more real, and seemed to be more and more like a calling that an actual dream.

"Dios!" Cried Jimena as she wrapped Riley in a huge hug, "Are you alright?"

Riley's heart was still thumping violently in her chest, but now she took a turn to survey her surroundings. The orange Christmas lights, the posters of sulky new wave bands like The Cure or Echo and the Bunnymen, and the lunar calendar on the far wall marked the area as Riley's room.

The setting seemed strange and foreign to her though, as if the dream were reality and the reality was the dream. A vague remembrance of going to the RockOut came to her and suddenly realization struck, "I passed out again, didn't I?" she whispered hoarsely.

Jimena nodded solemnly, "Each time it keeps getting worse." She muttered, more to herself than to Riley.

Riley groaned and rolled over a little, trying to get a glance at her alarm clock, "What time is it?"

"3 in the morning." Was Jimena's blunt reply, "Riley-"She let it hang in the air.

She gripped her forehead, a dull ache in her left temple, "Yes?" She whispered.

"In your dreams, is," She paused, "Is Cassandra in them?"

Riley swallowed a lump in her throat, "Yes. In everyone of them except the first two I had." She slowly shook her head, "And each time she steps into the Cold Fire and invites me to join her."

Jimena heaved a sigh; "I will ask Selene for guidance." Her dark eyes narrowed dangerously, "These aren't usual dreams Riley."

She sighed, "I know." Her voice was tinged with remorse, as she looked Jimena straight in the eyes. Her dark brown glare was hard and intimidating to some, but to Riley all she felt from the commanding eyes was a worn out sense of concern. She was tired. "Do you think I'll end up like her?" She asked quietly.

Jimena's eyes narrowed, "No." She stated bluntly, "There's too much good and light in you Riley, to ever become your mother."

A moment of silence passed between the two as they each registered their doubts and concerns. Riley tried with stinging realization to avoid the pulsating waves of reservation from Jimena that followed immediately after her statement, and Jimena tried to convince herself that the scared tired pale gray eyes she had just looked at were devoid of the malice which Cassandra's held.

Jimena slowly eased herself off of the foot of Riley's bed, "Get some sleep chica," she stated, looking at the clock, "It's two in the morning."

Riley nodded, wanting to put everything off till tomorrow and simply allow herself the joy of sleep, "Good night." She muttered as Jimena went to the doorway."

"Night." She mumbled back as she gently closed the door on her way out.

Riley rolled on her side and turned to face her nightstand. She knew she wouldn't be able to sleep without the nightmares, but fatigue was slowly making her eyes heavier. She slowly began to close them, expecting to see the red digital numbers of her clock before she fell into subconscious.

But something about her clock made her jump wide-awake. It was at an angle, turned towards her wall. She swallowed a hard lump in her throat. Moved timepieces were the calling card of a Follower.

Had a Follower been inside her house?

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Bum bum bum.... And that my lovelys, is where I leave you for today!

Sorry such a long time for an update. Between strolling strings, my garage band, gigs, teaching religious education, managing a Christmas play, choir practice, schoolwork, and bowling league, I've been having a hard time trying to find free time. My apologies again.

Btw, those of you that are interested, I'm picking the story ...And Everyone was Dancing back up again, expect an update within the next week or so.

Next up: Riley spends a day on the town with her best friends, and has an unfortunate encounter.

Reviewers (love y'all )

Lover of Rain: Thank you very much :-)

Christine Marguez: Yay! Another seer of truth. Me so happy. I thought I was the only one. Don't worry about the lyrics, they're going to be few and far between ; )

Sleepneeded911: oy. Don't get me started on Sons of the Dark. Lol , I'm glad you're liking it. Book 12 had way too much new information in it for my liking. I mean, it was like bam! Here's a huge and relevant plot point that comes into play right...now! Background, what background? Lol sigh.

Angelie: lol k I wont. Looking forward to it.

Shadow Goddess Akhet: I'm glad you're liking it!

Toodles

!nym!