Night's Children: Nox Noctis
AN: I'm sorry this chapter took so long to come out, but it was very difficult to write. Nothing is worse than wanting to write something, yet having no inspiration to do it.
My side story focusing on Art, Lance (Zahi), and Trysten is posted! It's called Night's Children: Dum Spiro, Spero and I'd appreciate it greatly if you told me what you think of the first intro chap!
I noticed I describe clothing a little more than usual in this chapter, do you guys like that or hate it? Please let me know!
I drop the f-bomb in this chapter a few times. I'm sorry.
Also, the part about records and leases is pure and utter bullshit. I am not, nor have I ever been, a police officer so I'm not a one hundred percent reliable source when it comes to these things but I hope I was able to make it sound slightly convincing.
Okay, final thoughts before I actually let you, oh, I don't know READ the chapter, I am looking for a beta-editor for this story! Message or review if you're interested!
Chapter Sixteen: Into the Underworld
The car ride was deathly silent, awkwardly so as Tessa and Aria shared furtive glances between each other and their driver, who was radiating invisible waves of anger. The conversation that had happened a few moments ago was still fresh in everyone's minds- that much was apparent, and the words exchanged were still reverberating throughout their skulls.
"What now?" Aria whispered quietly, as the car sped through the night.
Her question was met with silence, as Lance stared out the window, blowing his choppy bangs out of his face in irritation and Tessa sat absently picking at the dirt that had accumulated under her nails. Trysten stared ahead at the road blankly, lost in his own thoughts.
"We've got to do something." She attempted again.
No answer.
Aria sighed in defeat, and shifted uncomfortably in her seat, "Well," She prompted, trying a different approach, "Do you know where this Isaac is?"
Again no reply.
"Shouldn't we try to figure that out?"
"Aria, please, just shut up." Tessa growled, rubbing her temples.
Aria sent a look of pure venom to the blonde, "Excuse me for trying to accomplish something!" She spat, crossing her arms in irritation.
"All you're managing to accomplish is getting on my damn nerves!" Tessa hollered.
"Like that's so hard you bit-"
"Both of you are behaving like children." Lance said icily, cutting in, "Can you two at least pretend that you're the bearers of the fate of the free world for three seconds?"
Both of their heads lowered like scolded children.
"Good." He stated, turning to the window, "If we're going to attempt this half-assed, suicidal rescue mission-" At this he looked pointedly at Trysten, who ignored him, "We need to evaluate our resources and determine a plan. These aren't your run-of-the-mill mallrat Followers, these are professionals, the elite." He paused and turned to the two Daughters of the Moon, "What is it exactly that you do?"
"I heal." Aria said numbly.
"That's it?" Lance questioned.
She nodded.
Lance sighed and slumped a little in his seat, "And you?" He directed at Tessa.
"I can cast illusions, trick people's perceptions."
The once Immortal straightened a little in his seat, interest piqued, "That might actually be useful. To what extent can you control them?"
Tessa shifted awkwardly, a tinge of pink in her cheeks indicating her embarrassment, "I can make a person appear six feet to the left of where they're actually standing."
The pseudo hope that had appeared on Lance's face fell instantly, "You're serious?"
Tessa nodded slowly, blonde locks falling in front of her face.
"We're fucked. We're so fucked!" Lance hissed slamming his head into the window sideways. The girls cringed a bit at the sudden outburst, both feeling somewhat ashamed for their lack of usefulness.
"Calm down." Trysten's voice broke through for the first time since that rather dramatic confrontation with Tymmie and Cassandra.
Lance snorted, rolling his eyes and facing out the window, "Calm down? CALM DOWN! It's over Trysten! All we've worked for, tonight it's OVER."
"Only if we let it." Was his irritatingly tranquil response.
"Only if we let it," Lance mocked bitterly, "We don't even know where this Isaac lives!" He exclaimed.
As if on cue, the cell phone began to ring in Aria's purse. The three other occupants of the car sent her looks of irritation, but she ignored them, flipping her phone open, "Hello?" Her face transformed into one of absolute ecstasy, "It's Jimena!" She declared excitedly, and the three perked up.
Aria cleared her throat, "Jimena, we need your help…" Her voice trailed off, "Are you familiar with a Regulator that goes by the name Isaac?"
OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo
Riley stared at the ground numbly, alone and silent in the room she had been held prisoner in at Isaac's apartment. Inside of her, she felt the distinct urge to cry and weep, yet had not the willpower to go through with it. There was something heavy in the pit of her stomach, a weight slowly crushing and smothering her.
But it wasn't the fact that she couldn't cry or the fact that she felt this horrible sensation gnawing at her insides that scared her.
It was that she didn't care enough to put a stop to it.
Riley inhaled shakily, her hands trembling even though she couldn't feel it, she couldn't really feel anything at the moment. The words of Trysten and Imy kept re-circulating throughout her head like a broken record, the emotions of betrayal overcoming all other rational. They hated her now. Most likely, so did Jimena and the others.
She was alone.
Alone, except for the Atrox and its Followers.
Crossing over didn't seem so bad a prospect now, and briefly she wondered why she had been so against it to begin with. It was a chance for her to seek the solace of those who had already experienced the aching emptiness that she was currently experiencing, and it was in all actuality where she already belonged.
She simply had nothing left to fight for anymore- her best friend hated her and Trysten had already crossed over. The Daughters were over before they could even get started, inner bickering and the refusal to cooperate killing this generation before they could ever get off the ground. Riley snorted inwardly, that would be the day when Aria and Tessa would work together.
Everything was gone from her, except for her unlikely savoir, the Atrox. It would be her redemption, if she were capable of any.
Her thoughts returned to the conversation she had held with Tymmie only an hour or so ago. She shook her head slowly; it seemed so much longer than an hour ago. He had said something, damnat quod non intellegunt, they condemn what they do not understand.
She sighed bitterly, well, she understood now.
A sour taste acquired in her mouth, "I understand perfectly." She muttered to herself quietly.
There was a hesitant, but nevertheless clear, knock on the door that disrupted her from her reverie. Riley's tired eyes shot up to look at the door as it gradually creaked open, revealing a choppy head of platinum hair.
"Hey there," December said gently, stepping slowly into the room and closing the door softly behind her.
"Hi." Riley said flatly, not making eye contact.
"How are you feeling?" The older girl asked with concern uncharacteristic of a Follower.
"Like shit." Riley replied, still staring at the ground.
December nodded with understanding, "Dorian had you for a long time."
"Yeah."
The white-haired girl sighed, scratching the back of her neck, "I'm sorry."
"Don't be."
December bit her lip, slightly worried at the detachment in all of her words and wondering what exactly Dorian had done in his twisted mind games. She recalled her own perversion, and how she had started to sob and weep uncontrollably for hours. Despair was an acceptable reaction, fury another. Yet the calm apathy that Riley was demonstrating was cause for concern and December knew that something had been lost to her forever that night.
An awkward silence ensued as each of them mulled over the situation. December inwardly battled her conscience, or what was left of it, and even briefly contemplated releasing her. Yet she knew she could not do that. Riley was a Lecta, an important one, and if she were to offer her freedom she would have to face the repercussions, even maybe become outcasted. Not only that, but December could see simply by the look on her face, that Riley would not run. The fifteen year old had resigned herself to her fate, and she wasn't going to back down.
December gave a breathy sigh and plastered on a fake smile, "So are you excited?" She asked innocently.
"No."
December rolled her eyes at Riley, "Are you just going to use monosyllabic words throughout the night?"
Riley's only response to December's banter was to tilt her head up sluggishly and stare at her blankly. December wanted to recoil a bit at the empty look in the girl's pale eyes but she restrained herself, it was not like she hadn't seen that emptiness before, she confronted it in the mirror everyday.
"Why are you here, December?" Riley asked flatly.
"What do you mean?" December responded flippantly.
"Are you checking up on me?" Riley clarified.
Her fake smile slipped for a moment, "In a sense, yes."
"Why?"
December's voice was devoid of its usual swaggering arrogance when she answered, "It's almost time."
Riley paled and it felt as if something bitter had made its way into her mouth, knowing December was referring to her Cold Fire ceremony, "When?"
"In about an hour. Isaac went ahead and called our circle's leader, and she set it up with the Incinti." She answered.
Riley's eyebrow twitched in curiosity, "Circle?" She wondered out loud.
"Most Followers, at least on our side, live and cooperate in smaller circles, or packs if you will," December explained, "For instance, myself, Isaac, and Dorian are all underlings to an older and more powerful Immortal." She gestured with her arms to the room, "This is our leader's apartment. She gives us food, clothing, shelter, and training- in return we do her bidding until we're strong enough to go out on our own." She paused contemplating, "Actually, Isaac has been talking about forming his own circle. Can't say I'd be disappointed to see him leave."
"Who's your leader?" Riley queried, knowing that she most likely wouldn't know the Follower anyways.
"Her name's Yvonne." She said simply, "And she's one tough bitch, so don't get on her bad side."
"Hm." Riley said dismissively, as the name did not hold any familiarity to her.
There was another pause before December once again plastered the false smile across her face, "Let's get you ready then, shall we?"
The maroon-haired girl looked up in lethargic curiosity, "Ready?"
"For the ceremony, you can't go dressed like that." December stated matter-of-factly in regards to the girl's torn jeans and ragged tank over her frayed long underwear shirt with the muddy sneakers. "You have to dress nice for this sort of thing."
Riley shifted uncomfortably, for a moment drawing a parallel between the Follower and her former best friend Imy, as their attitudes towards her apparel were remarkably similar. "I don't have any other clothes." She stated dumbly staring at her hands.
December snorted, "That's no problem, you'll just wear something of mine. We're roughly the same size."
Riley was sure her eyebrows had shot up to her forehead, as she looked at what the older girl was wearing. The clothes were tight, the shirt see-through. She doubted that even with her current lack of interest in anything, she would feel comfortable.
December gave her trademark barking laugh, "Don't look so mortified, I've got something a little more…" She paused, attempting to find the right wording, "Tame for you." She stated, walking over to the room's closet and rummaging through the articles within. It then dawned upon Riley that the room she had been imprisoned within belonged to her, and she felt even more awkward, feeling as if she had invaded her space.
But she shrugged the sensation off, albeit a bit reluctantly. What did it matter if she disrupted the Follower girl's privacy? It's not like it bothered either of the girls, Riley very much doubted anything would truly unnerve her again- not after the ritual tonight.
"Here we go!" December exclaimed triumphantly as she pulled out a hanger from the closet, "What do you think?"
Riley stared at the garment in her hands blankly, shrugging with indifference. What did it matter what she wore? The end result would be the same, "It's fine." She said off-handedly.
The platinum blonde rolled her eyes in exasperation and mumbled under her breath. "Could get a little excited." She placed the hanger gingerly on the surface of the foot of the bed, next to Riley who stared at it as if it were a science specimen. December walked back to the closet and chose some articles of clothing after much deliberation and strung them over her arm, "Go ahead and get ready, I'll use the bathroom to change." She ordered, walking slowly out of the room and closing the door with a gentle 'click' behind her.
Riley ran a hand over the silky material of the dress and sighed to herself deeply. It was best to not put up much of a fuss; the sooner she changed the sooner the inevitable events would be set in motion. If she were honest with herself, she knew she wanted her Frigidus Ignis ceremony to be over and done with as quick as humanely possible. Then she could put her destiny, her burden, and those she had betrayed with her weakness behind her.
"Let's get this over with," She muttered to herself resignedly, before shrugging off her dirty clothes and preparing to change into the simple, off-the-shoulder white dress December had loaned her.
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December trudged from her room, the flimsy garments hanging haphazardly over her arm as the thick soles of her boots echoed on the hardwood floors. She made her way slowly towards the apartment's sole bathroom, trying desperately to forget the haunting look in the doomed girl's eyes.
Her hand rested on the doorknob, but she paused when she heard voices coming from the living room. She let out a hiss, most likely Isaac and Dorian, gloating over the shattering of Riley's mind. Well, Isaac gloating, Dorian sitting there with that sadistic and feral grin plastered on his face. Her fist clenched and her teeth ground, they had acted that way after her own breaking anyways.
"December."
She froze at hearing Isaac call her own name from the room, and she let out a shaky, "Yeah?"
"We have company." Was all he stated.
Sluggishly, December hung up her clothes on the doorknob and carefully approached the living room, her breath catching when she saw who was seated comfortably on the couch beside Dorian and Isaac.
"Long time no see," Came the deceptively friendly voice of the visitor. Long, blonde hair curled tightly in ringlets that fell perfectly against her tanned skin and hovered over her crystalline blue eyes. The girl was wearing a clingy lavender sundress and tie up sandals with spiked heels. Obviously expensive silver jewelry hung from her delicate wrists and neck.
December gave a dry swallow. Beautiful, charming, and ruthless. All qualities that belonged solely to her mentor, "Hello Yvonne." She said nervously, inclining her head in a gesture of respect.
"According to these two morons, you were able to catch and prepare the Lecta." Yvonne disregarded the greeting, and gestured to a no longer smug Isaac and a stoic Dorian, "Is that true?"
She hesitated before she nodded, a gesture that did not go unnoticed by Yvonne's experienced eyes, "I gave her something nice to change into." Was all she muttered.
An expression of distaste flew across the older Follower's features, as if finding the words 'nice' and 'December' in accordance was a ridiculous notion, "How long? The Incinti is growing impatient."
"Not too much longer," Isaac answered.
Yvonne set her icy sights on the tracker, "I don't remember asking you." She spat between pearly white teeth.
Isaac cringed like a dog beaten by its owner, but December noticed the flicker of rage that went through his eyes for a brief moment.
Yvonne tapped her foot against the floor, "Well?"
"Any moment now," The younger of the two females answered, staring at the muddy toes of her combat boots.
"Hmph," Was all she said dismissively, "Then I'll let you three oafs in on the plan." The three underlings gained calculating looks, awaiting instruction, "I've been sent as a chaperone for you. As it's more than likely the Infidi already know of the plan, the Incinti has advised that we don't travel to the ceremony by shadow, instead taking a longer route with you all as guards to prevent escape and to evade any spare Infidi Followers sent by Lambert or Tymmie."
"Easy," Isaac snorted.
"Perhaps," Yvonne drawled, "But if any of you," Her eyes narrowed specifically at Isaac, "Any of you screw this up, it's my neck." A flash of something dangerous crossed her features, "I have not been kissing the bloated asses of the Incinti for three punk Initiates to ruin my reputation by failing a simple delivery. Any slip up and I'll personally make sure all three of you are Outcasted."
The trio looked at each other, studying for weaknesses.
"Are we perfectly clear?" Yvonne said crisply, picking at her perfectly manicured fingernails.
Dorian nodded stiffly while Isaac let out an irritated grunt of approval. December sighed, fidgeting with the buckle of her collar before giving a half-hearted, "Of course."
Yvonne gave a curt nod, blond ringlets bobbing, "Good, then get presentable. We leave in ten minutes."
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Gordon watched Jimena with a sense of detatched observation as she attempted to dial a different set of numbers. So far, the woman had attempted to call the younger Zalank, and then the Ormond girl but neither answered. This was her third try, and she was calling the third Daughter, named Aria.
He reclined back, his fingers fidgeting from their place behind his head. If there was one thing Gordon hated in the world, it was waiting, and he seemed to be doing plenty of it today. It had been Jimena's idea to contact the Daughters after discovering that Cassandra had deleted all of her messages, but Gordon could hardly see how that would help. Four teenaged brats against an ancient evil older than the devil himself? Hmph, hardly a match. But Jimena had been insistent, giving him that irritatingly pompous grin of hers and instructing him not to underestimate them.
So, here he was. On his ninth cup of quite frankly horrible coffee watching a middle-aged, ex-gangster desperately try to get a hold of some mallrats. Typical.
"Aria!" Jimena suddenly cried out, causing Gordon to loose his balance on the chair and almost crash to the floor, the Magna Mater turned to him excitedly, almost like a teenager herself, "It's Aria!"
He resisted the urge to roll his eyes, "Wonderful." Was all he said gruffly.
The excitement on her face faded instantly as her mouth pressed into a grim line, once again regaining the appearance of the intimidating woman he had met earlier, "Yes…" Her voice was low, "I know of him. Why do you ask?"
Gordon raised an eyebrow, prompting an explanation, but was met with silence. Sighing, he scooted his chair closer to Jimena and the phone, craning his neck to eavesdrop on the conversation.
She suddenly let out a string of rapid, angry Spanish words that Gordon didn't know, but assumed were swears from her tone, "What do you mean he's the one who has Riley!" She pinched the bridge of her nose, something he had noticed had become a nervous habit, "This is bad, very bad Aria."
Gordon cleared his throat, once again hoping for her attention, but she ignored him, deadly focused on her telephone conversation.
"He runs with an almost Incinti Follower named Yvonne, she's-" Jimena's voice trailed off and Gordon drew the conclusion that she had been interrupted on the other line, "No! Aria listen to me this is dangerous! I have half a mind to stop you myself, you don't want to get involved in this type of-" She stopped short and the worried look that had etched its way into her face receded slightly. She let out a long breath, "You're right, I know Riley's with them and it's the only way but still…I worry."
There was a pause as the other, muffled voice that must belong to the girl named Aria began talking. Jimena's head started to give a grave shake, "No, I don't know where he would live," Suddenly, her gaze snapped for the first time to Gordon throughout the conversation, "But I can find out." She said somberly. A quick switch from a heavy to light tone of voice was made as she turned away from the bemused cop, "Aria, I'll call you back with an address." Some short goodbyes were uttered before Jimena placed the phone on the receiver.
"What was that all about?" Gordon muttered suspiciously.
Jimena ran a nimble hand through her black tresses, "Mr. Jacobson, I'm going to need a rather substantial favor from you."
His eyes narrowed, "And that would be?"
"I need to find a list of tenants in the Los Angeles area, and I need them fast." She said coldly.
Gordon shook his head violently, "I can't do that. Records isn't my department, I have no clearance."
Her onyx eyes glinted sharply, "I don't really give a damn, Mr. Jacobson, one of my Daughters is in danger and I don't have a whole lot of time." She clenched a fist tightly, "You said you wanted to help, if you're going to play with the big boys you're going to have to make sacrifices."
He snorted, "And why should I? I don't even know what the hell's going on!"
She gave an irritated huff, "Riley is being held captive by a Regulator named Isaac, a rather ruthless one that belongs to a sect of Followers under the command of a bloodthirsty Immortal bitch and I need their goddamn address!"
Gordon allowed a slow blink, for once taken aback by crassness, "And how do you know that this Isaac doesn't own a house? Or is even using his real name on a lease?"
Jimena gave a growl and lifted a finger, "One, it wouldn't be his name on the lease, it would be his mentor's," She lifted another, "Two, his leader, Yvonne isn't one for subtlety or gimmicks nor would she stand for the bullshit of a pseudonym," She lifted yet another finger, "And three, this is L.A., almost nobody owns a house."
Gordon grunted and an extremely annoyed scowl lit his features, "You realize how much shit I'd get if I was caught rifling through files for no apparent reason?"
"You realize what's going to occur if Riley gets crossed over tonight?" Jimena demanded, hardly one to back down.
That thought snapped his head back. Riley, the scared little Zalank girl whose own mother had tried to kill her earlier that day. Riley; the emotionally weak one, the depressed one, the one who made herself willingly self-isolated. Riley. Emil.
Emil.
Gordon ran a calloused hand through his graying hair, licking his cracked lips, "You promise you'll be fast?"
Jimena gave a smirk of victory, "I do fast. You're talking to the former premier car-jacker in all of Los Angeles."
He gave a sigh of despondency but nevertheless grabbed his keys off of the kitchen table, "Then let's get this done and over with," As an afterthought he grumbled under his breath, "I'm going to loose my badge if this stupid shit continues."
OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo
Dorian straightened his silk black tie smartly for yet another time as his cold, calculating eyes surveyed his appearance in the mirror, determining if his apparel would meet Yvonne's extremely high expectations. To his left, Isaac gave a snort of derision as he sent an unwashed hand through his grimy locks in an attempt to make himself look presentable.
"You're taking too long," Dorian said lowly, noticing that his counterpart had yet to button his surprisingly clean white shirt, and that his black suspenders hung from his waist, dangling.
Isaac shrugged and mussed with his head for the final time, "December'll take longer."
"Bastard." Came a voice from the hall, and the two slowly let their gazes drift from the mirror to the girl in question. December stood in front of the doorway, placing a small silver loop through her ear. She had on a skin-tight spaghetti strapped black dress with tall, skinny black stiletto boots that went up to her thighs. Her jaggedly cropped hair was styled into clips that fastened on the side of her face, giving her a pixie look as the rest jutted up in back.
"The Lecta?" Dorian asked dispassionately, refastening his ponytail.
"I just finished getting her ready," December popped a hip and looked at Isaac in barely disguised contempt, "Funny, I finished getting two people dressed up, and you couldn't even find the time to take a shower."
"Piss off," He grunted, buttoning up his shirt but letting the suspenders hang as he charged out of the bathroom and towards the living room, shoving passed December.
"He's such a dick sometimes, don't you think?" December snarled, looking at Dorian for assistance in her statement.
He didn't give an answer, and opted instead to follow Isaac's path. December sighed, she didn't really expect one from the most cold-hearted of the trio. She turned smartly on her heel and knocked on the door to the room across from the bathroom, her own.
"Riley, hurry it up," She insisted banging on the wood with her knuckles.
The door opened hesitantly, and December saw a pale gray eye through the crack, "Is it time?" She asked monotonously.
The older girl nodded moving aside so Riley could exit, watching cautiously when after a few moments she didn't walk out. "You coming?"
A heavy sigh was heard opposite the door and Riley slowly emerged.
December allowed a self-appreciating smile to grace her features, "You look great, am I a good stylist or what?"
Riley said nothing but shifted her weight awkwardly between her two feet. The white dress that reached to her knees was off the shoulder and tied up corset-like in the back with pale gray ribbon. There was a ribbon choker around her neck the same color, and her maroon hair was fussed into a simple French braid with longer strands falling down the sides of her face. "I'm not comfortable." Was all she said quietly.
A crooked smirk made its way to the blonde's face, "But you look good."
"I don't care."
December exhaled in a mock huff, "Killjoy."
"Move it along!" Came a female shrill that echoed throughout the apartment.
Riley raised an eyebrow and looked at December in curiosity, "That wasn't Isaac."
She failed to cover the grin that formed on her features when she concocted the mental image, "That's Yvonne."
The girl's large gray eyes widened in recognition, "Your boss?"
The Follower nodded, "She's our chaperone for this little excursion." December raked a hand through her hair and held out a hand to the fifteen year old, "It's time to go."
Riley hesitated, and she began to inhale deeply, this was it. The pieces were set, and everything was in motion, all she had to do was take the hand offered to her and it would be finalized, all of the hurt and pain and fear would be gone if she just did the simple action. She lifted her hand-
"What the hell is taking you two so long?" Isaac bellowed, suddenly appearing in the hall. When his eyes set on Riley his look of irritation transformed into one of a leer, "Nice dress." He commented smugly.
Riley let her arm drop and she shifted away from him, not liking the way his eyes drifted up and down.
"She's not a piece of meat," December remarked crisply, standing in front of her and effectively blocking his view.
Isaac opened his mouth as if he were about to say something, but was interrupted when a loud crash was heard from the apartment's entrance, "The hell-?" He opted for instead.
Riley's eyes drifted towards the source of the disruption and looked at December, "What's going on?" She questioned softly.
December gave a shrug of confusion, her eyebrows drawing together, "I have no idea." She muttered honestly.
The three watched as a beautiful young woman Riley didn't recognize with blonde hair came running up to them, "We're leaving," She said crisply, her eyes lingering on Riley as she then seemed to give a nod of approval.
"What's going on?" Isaac demanded; his arms crossed over his chest.
The crashing noises became louder, and for a moment Riley thought she heard a familiar voice spewing out some Latin.
"Yvonne?" December questioned softly.
"Complications," Yvonne said matter-of-factly, "We're going to be traveling by shadow out the window, Dorian's staying behind to clean up the mess."
The pair of Followers caught on immediately as each grabbed one of Riley's arms and began to jog towards the window. Riley craned her neck, trying to get a view of the entrance. Sure enough, Riley caught sight of curly brown hair, "Aria!" She exclaimed in utmost confusion, why were the Daughters here? She had betrayed them!
…Hadn't she?
The head looked up in recognition of the name, revealing the startled features of the Daughter in question, "RILEY!" She cried, sprinting towards her.
The three Followers that held her were beginning to disappear into shadow, and Riley peered down to see her feet dissolving as well.
"Way to go," Grumbled Isaac under his breath, his grip tightening on her bicep, "Now they know you're with us."
"Shut up." Yvonne snapped, to which he begrudgedly obliged.
A mixture of raw terror and confusion filled the Lecta as the four faded into the night sky, wondering exactly what was going on and whether or not her memories were absolutely genuine.
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(flashback, kinda)
Aria held the worn paper in her hands, noticing how it trembled. About ten minutes ago, Jimena had called her, miraculously with an address. When she had called, Aria could have sworn she heard some male cursing rather loudly in the background, but when she had asked for his identity all Jimena had replied was 'He's a new friend' and had abruptly ended the connection after giving her a final 'Be careful'.
Her eyes drifted to the number written hastily on the sheet and the number on the door. This floor of the building was elegant, posh, and gloriously clean, yet the brass numbers were somewhat rusty and there was a suspiciously red stain on the corner of the door. Aria looked hesitantly behind her at Trysten, Lance, and Tessa, "This is it." She muttered.
Lance stood by silently, his hands tucked into the pockets of his black jeans, and Tessa began to fiddle with her hands in either anticipation or nervousness. It was Trysten who approached the door, and with one, quick solid kick he rattled the door off of its hinges.
"You know," Lance said darkly, "It could have been unlocked."
He merely grunted, which caused Lance to smile despite himself, and entered the room. Lance was immediately behind him, while Tessa shot a look to Aria before taking after the dark haired mind reader. After a few moments of vacillation, Aria reluctantly followed.
The apartment was surprisingly huge on the inside and Tessa let out a low whistle of appreciation at the pristine décor.
The first thing to register in Aria's eyes were the two occupants of the room. One of which appeared to be their age, a gorgeous blonde woman dressed in finery. To the side of her was a silent, imposing figure clad in an all black tux, black shirt, and black tie. He was handsome, but gave off an aura of raw horror.
Beside her, she sensed that Lance had stopped breathing, "Yvonne." He stated between clenched teeth.
The blonde looked at him, her thin arms crossed over her chest, "Well, well, long time no see Zahi."
Aria continued to stare at the man in black, who she was quite sure had not even blinked during the whole exchange.
"Where is she?" Trysten said, his voice cold and detatched, but his party knew better.
Yvonne's elegant eyebrows shot to her forehead, "And look at this! There's no doubt you're Stanton's little spawn."
Trysten gave away nothing but the slight downward twitch of the corner of his mouth. "Where?" He reiterated.
Yvonne gave a false, tinkling laugh, "I don't know what you're talking about," She turned to the stoic, unidentified man, "Dorian, dear, take care of this will you?" She pulled on his tie and whispered into his ear, her voice dripping venomous honey, "The Lectus cannot get away." She shot an acidic glance at Lance and said louder, "As much as I would positively love to reminisce, I've matters to attend." She turned quickly on her heel and stalked off.
Lance sneered and sprinted after her, but he collided straight into the stoic man's chest, "Sorry." He said, his voice low and not even remotely apologetic.
Lance reared back his hand into a fist in an attempt to give him an uppercut to the jaw, but Tessa beat him to it, "O Mater Luna, regina nocis, adviuo me nunc!" She yelled like a war cry instead of an ancient prayer, a golden light hissing and crackling around her. She launched an illusion at the Follower simultaneously with Lance's fist and the man identified as Dorian took a few steps back, colliding with a bookshelf behind him. He brushed the attack off quickly, swaggering slightly as he got into a fighting pose.
Aria's eyes darted frantically, watching Tessa's fists clench in concentration as she fought to maintain her illusion and Lance loosely shaking his hand. Trysten stood there somberly, his arms crossed, but Aria could sense rather than see the dark aura beginning to surround him as he called upon the Atrox's power.
Aria began to flutter her eyes closed, trying to search for a way to be of use, when a barely audible cry caught her ears.
"Aria?"
Her head jerked up, and sure enough she saw the girl they had been chasing all night, standing bewildered between two other Followers she didn't recognize and Yvonne, "RILEY!" She screamed, springing to action with urgency, determined to get to her before she met interference.
Aria's cry did not go unnoticed by either the rescue squad or the captors as she saw them dart towards the open window, becoming blurry.
"RILEY!" Trysten cried launching himself out of his trance and towards the fleeing four, Lance quickly going after him.
"Trysten, it's no use! They've gone into shadows!" He argued, chasing after him.
Aria's head connected into a well-muscled arm and she collapsed on the hardwood floor, effectively breaking her sprint. "Ouch." She hissed, bringing her hand to the back of her head and dispelling the pain with minute concentration.
Her eyes connected with the dark and foreboding ones of Dorian and she tensed as he stared down at her like a severely pissed off bear. Tessa skidded to a stop next to her, quickly grabbing her arm and hauling her into a standing position.
Lance and Trysten both paused in their chase to stare back at their two allies, obviously hesitating when they saw the possible danger they were in.
It was Tessa who realized the predicament first, "Lance, you two can transform into shadow?" She barked.
Lance nodded slowly.
"Then what the hell are you gawking at! Go get Riley, Aria and I can handle this punk!" She snarled, drawing up her powers once again. She looked at her partner Goddess for confirmation and Aria gave a slight nod, also calling upon her gifts.
"He's strong," Lance said, but he noticed how Trysten was already struggling through a transformation, "Merde." He swore under the breath and began transforming as well, "Be careful."
The Follower's eyes darted back and forth between the escaping boys and the Daughters before him. He sighed angrily through clenched teeth, "Two Daughters will compensate for one Lectus." He reasoned aloud, pressing his fingers to his temples and concentrating.
Both girls watched the two disappear into the night, and Aria gave a thick swallow staring at her partner who seemed just as nerve-wracked as she did. The two were truly on their own.
"Okay," Tessa exhaled, flipping a curtain of blonde hair over her shoulder, "Let's party."
OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo
Four pairs of feet echoed gracefully as they landed on asphalt. Yvonne held up her hand, and Riley could sense her casting her mind out into the night, "Damn!" She swore, raking her long nails through her hair, "We're being followed."
Isaac snorted and his fingers tightened once again around Riley's arm, causing a slight grimace to flash across her face. December immediately let her arm drop from Riley, knowing she wasn't about to run off.
"Who were those guys back at the apartment?" December questioned her leader, trying to make the inquiry sound polite and not demanding.
"A couple of rodents," Yvonne seethed, not giving a direct answer as she was still concentrated on locating those who were following the party, "There's two of them behind us, strong ones." It appeared that she was processing mental calculations as her eyes darted back and forth between Riley, Isaac, and December.
Silence reigned and Riley tried to ignore the warm breath that Isaac was letting loose on her neck and the occasional sympathetic glances December gave that she thought she didn't notice. Her mind drifted back to Aria at the apartment, once again wondering why they were coming after her. Perhaps they were still angry at her betrayal? It was plausible that they were thirsty for revenge.
"You two!" Yvonne snapped, breaking Riley's train of thought, "Will destroy those following us and I will take the Lecta to her ceremony," She gave a phony smile that was all teeth to the girl, "We can't have you being late, now can we?"
Riley stared at her, noticing the feelings of panic and anxiety that were beginning to fill up the oldest blonde, "Why are you afraid of them?" She questioned softly.
Yvonne gave a fake laugh, "It's not them I'm afraid of honey, it's the Incinti." She turned her gaze to her loyal sentinels, "After you kill them, meet up with Dorian and immediately proceed to the ceremony." Her vibrant blue eyes narrowed, "No slip ups."
Isaac immediately relinquished his death grip and rolled his shoulders, preparing for the upcoming battle, looking over his shoulder to give Riley one last leer. December gave a weak smile to her, before she proceeded to get ready as well.
Yvonne grabbed her arm, not as tightly as Isaac but firm enough to imply that she was in a hurry, "Let's get you going, Lecta, we've got a Cold Fire to attend."
Riley tried to find the words to voice her confusion, about the situation and those following her, but was whisked off into the night before she was able to say anything.
OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo
Aria gave a grunt of pain as Dorian's fist connected with her abdomen, sending her backwards. "Well, shit." She muttered, heaving as she placed her hand on her stomach, focusing her powers to relieve the pain instantly. She wasn't sure who had thrown the first blow, but she knew that odds certainly weren't in the two rookie goddesses' favor. Dorian was in fact much stronger than he looked, both physically and mentally. And two fifteen-year-old girls pitted against what could be a nineteen-year-old bodybuilder was certainly not a fair match in any circumstance.
Tessa wiped some blood off the corner of her mouth where Dorian had socked her jaw and waved slightly on her feet before she brought up her fists defensively, "Aria?" She asked, her tone falsely saccharine.
"Uh?" She responded intelligently.
"Any ideas?" She queried as she narrowly dodged another blow for her head.
"Um…"Aria stated absently as she searched the room. Her eyes landed on…a lamp. Darting passed Dorian who was currently focused on beating the living daylights out of the blonde, she wrapped her hands around it and positioned it over Dorian's head a millisecond before slamming it down on the back of his skull with all of her might. A dull 'thunk' noise was heard as Dorian collapsed to his knees, a dazed expression on his features, and then face planted into the floor.
"Good thinking," Tessa panted, her hands resting on her knees as she tried to catch her breath, "Mind healing me a bit?" She gestured to the nasty bruise forming by her chin as well as a black eye.
Aria nodded and drew blue light at her hands, hovering them over Tessa's injuries. Slowly, the skin began to heal and the process was almost complete when Tessa suddenly dropped to the floor.
"Tessa!" Aria cried, leaning over her, and she noticed a pained expression wrenched on the blonde's face.
"Heh," the low chuckle was heard and Aria slowly turned around, eyes widening in horror as she saw Dorian slowly pick himself up, rubbing his head, "That hurt." He slurred, standing up and glaring at a witless Aria.
"What? How?" She stammered, crouching over Tessa protectively.
His features remained flat and emotionless, "I'm an Immortal. Regeneration comes with the package."
Aria's attention was diverted as she heard Tessa give a low whimper, "What did you do to her?" She whispered astonished.
"I have a hold of her memories, she's under my control." Was all he said, his words clipped and short, he gestured to the couch, "Sit, and don't move or I'll kill her."
Numbly, Aria stood up and plopped herself on the couch, an expression of fear etched on her face, "Shit, Tessa, wake up!" She cried softly.
Tessa looked around to discover that she was no longer in the pristine apartment.
Somehow, she had managed to end up in a hospital, one she knew horribly well. The linoleum was polished underneath her pointed boots, and her eyes widened as she saw all the stretchers and gurneys moving about hastily. A look over towards the receptionist indicated that she was currently standing in the entryway to an emergency room.
She shook her head hazily as the events began to unfold around her; the last time she had been to this hospital was when-
She was cut off as the automatic doors to the place opened abruptly, and frenzied EMTs wheeled in a gurney with a figure strapped to it. Tessa's eyes caught a flash of blonde hair so much like her own but she ignored it, her attention focusing instead on the occupants that entered quickly after the crowd.
One was a man, a boy really, with brown hair that reached to the tops of his ears and ocean-colored eyes. He stood there, his eyes bloodshot and wide as he kept an arm wrapped around a smaller person protectively.
Tessa's own eyes widened in horror as she recognized the boy. Ezra, her older brother, which could only mean that the little person was-
She felt her heart stop when suddenly she was met with an extremely familiar pair of tear-filled blue orbs. The little blonde girl paid no attention to the person who looked exactly like herself if she were about six years older. She tugged on Ezra's jacket sleeve, "Where are they taking her?" The little girl asked painfully.
Ezra simply shook his head slowly, "They're going to try and make her better."
"Why? What's wrong with her?" The little girl's voice rose in pitch, trying to hold back frantic sobs that Tessa knew were coming anyways.
"She's-"
"I want mommy!" She demanded fearfully. "Where's she?"
"Tess, mommy's really sick right now-" Ezra attempted to explain, managing to hide the grief in his own voice.
Tears had begun to flow down the nine year old's face, "I don't care!" She cried, breaking away from Ezra and sprinting madly after the EMT team and the gurney.
"Mom! Mommy!" She screamed, grabbing the attention of many of the occupants in the waiting room.
Ezra took after her immediately, "Tessa! Stop!" He yelled, disregarding the appalled stares.
The fifteen-year-old Tessa stood where she was, trembling. She knew this night. One of the worst in her life. Her fingers dug into her palms and her breathing escalated, before she slowly followed the path that her younger self and brother had taken. She gave a hard swallow, knowing what was about to happen yet being somehow compelled to see it through to the end.
She stopped when she saw her younger self, clutching desperately onto her older brother's jacket as if it were a lifeline, screaming and crying and blubbering. Ezra had his own tears falling down his face and he clung just as desperately onto his younger sister.
Tessa overheard the doctors' voices talking, their somber tone echoing throughout the hallway.
"Patient Morgan Page, dead on arrival-"
Older Tessa gripped herself in a fierce hug.
"-Time of death approximately 1:23 am-"
She dropped to her knees.
"-Cause of death-"
The tears began to fall down her face.
"-A self-induced overdose of heroin and painkillers."
She screamed.
Aria felt herself freeze at the cruel, and feral look that had made its way into Dorian's eyes as Tessa let loose a blood-curling cry. A small "hmph" of satisfaction came from the man as he watched the tears pool onto the floor.
Aria stood there, shaking and pale, "Leave her alone." She whispered.
Dorian ignored her and his eyebrows furrowed in concentration. Tessa began to squirm on the floor in pain and grief.
Aria felt her fist tighten, "Leave her alone." She stated a little more firmly, but she was once again ignored as Dorian narrowed his eyes and Tessa started to sob violently.
"Leave her alone!" She exclaimed, standing up.
Tessa was starting to convulse on the floor.
"LEAVE HER THE HELL ALONE!" Aria screamed as she threw herself at Dorian, for once without hesitation. She caught him by surprise as her arms wrapped around his waist and she tackled him to the floor.
His head hit the ground hard, and momentarily his concentration was broken.
Tessa reacted violently, springing up from her fetal position on the floor and backing away quickly, her body shaking and her breathing labored from raw terror.
Dorian wasted no time gripping Aria by the collar and launching her into the nearby wall like a ragdoll, snarling like a rabid dog. "Bitch!" He spat, as a sick crack was heard and Aria slumped to the floor, unmoving.
Tessa shook her head, desperately trying to clear the horrifying images from her head. Her eyes widened as her memories began to rearrange themselves correctly, and her eyes blazed with a hellish fury as she stared at her tormentor. The bastard who had made her re-live her mother's death. Her fists clenched as she turned her attention to the obviously unconscious Aria.
"Hey, fucker," She growled, her body rigid as she prepared to unleash vengeance, "I sincerely hope you're ready to die." She hissed.
Dorian gave a twisted smirk and readied his stance.
She flew at him, her rage manifesting in a severe lack of concentration as her fists were launched sporadically and fast, desperately trying to nail him in the face.
Dorian had no time to react offensively as all his attention became focused on sheer defensive tactics, trying to block the sloppy but impossibly fast blows. He sighed, knowing that now was the time to play dirty. The girl was erratic, blinded by her hatred for him, she had even neglected the tools at her disposal that Selene had gifted her with.
Tessa reared her arm back for yet another strong punch, but stumbled when she realized that she had been swinging at nothing but air. "Damn," She swore, realizing a fraction of a second too late that the Follower had transformed into shadow. She spun around quickly, just in time to duck a kick sent at her head.
However, she failed to realize that Dorian, far older and much more experienced in fighting, had begun to back her into a corner, and it was only until her next attempt at a dodge, when her head collided with the wall, did she notice that she and Aria had both gravely underestimated their opponent. Blackness commenced to creep into the corners of her eyes and she swore at her stupidity.
She had just enough time to hear Dorian's smug declaration.
"Game over."
OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo
Trysten landed in a crouched position on the rocky pavement, his head snapping up immediately as he waited for Lance to land. In a few moments, a hardly noticeable shift in the night occurred, and Lance appeared immediately, his arms crossed and his eyes closed in concentration.
Hesitantly, Trysten stood up and looked around, "You're sure this is where they are?" He asked quietly, the bare illumination from the sliver of moon casting shadows all over the various crates and dumpsters in the alleyway.
Lance gave a barely perceptible nod, "I sensed their auras; they definitely came this way."
Silence reigned as coffee and azure colored eyes scanned the area, tensing at every flicker of the shadows. After a few moments, Lance sighed, "We must have just missed-" But he stopped his sentence short to duck as a stilettod heel came crashing towards his head. "Never mind." He deadpanned, whirling around to face his opponent. December smirked back at him, her blue eyes lit up in excitement of the impending fight.
Trysten turned around just in time to meet the bony fist of Isaac as it came crashing against his cheek, snapping his head back. He rubbed the tender spot, "Ow." He muttered, not sounding pained in the least, as he returned the hit with just as much enthusiasm, "This is the last time I'm asking, where's Riley?" He demanded.
December giggled almost childishly, "Not telling."
Lance exhaled in aggravation and pressed his fingers to his temples, sending a mind wave to December; she appeared dazed for a moment before she abruptly broke the contact, "No fair." The female Follower pouted.
Lance shrugged apathetically, "She's with Yvonne," He told his counterpart, "There's not alot of time."
Trysten turned hastily while Isaac punched through air, snarling in irritation. "What do you propose we do?" He panted as he grabbed the foot Isaac had aimed for his stomach and twisted it, sending the male Follower falling towards the ground, but before contact he quickly transformed into shadow and disappeared.
"They're strong, even if we both fight this will take awhile," Lance muttered back as he blocked the vicious punches December was sending at his face.
"Less talking, more fighting!" Isaac growled, appearing above Lance as he tackled him to the ground by dropping on his shoulders. Lance had no time to react as he collided viciously with the concrete.
"Lance!" Trysten yelled, running towards him, only to dodge Isaac as he flew passed his shoulder to crash into a row of trash bins. "What the-?"
Lance stood up shakily, heaving from exhaustion after he had just chucked Isaac off of him, December stayed back, tensing and preparing for Lance's next blow, "Trysten." He said crossly, "You said you would be the one to bring her back, right?"
He nodded hesitantly.
"Then shouldn't you make good on your promise?" Lance asked flatly.
Trysten stared at his almost brother in shock, "You mean-?" He, for once, stammered. Confused beyond all belief why it was Lance, the one who was dead-set against the rescuing of Riley from the beginning, was proposing that he go on alone.
"You can't fight these two," He said dismissively, turning to face December, "You'll only get hurt, you might as well make yourself useful."
The auburn-haired boy's jaw dropped, then closed as he nodded somberly, "You're right." He said softly, realizing the angle his friend was playing, and his fists clenched, "Lance, thank you."
Lance turned his head to look at him, and Trysten could tell by the pain apparent in his eyes that he felt he was saying goodbye forever, "Trysten, my name is Zahi." He whispered.
"I'll come back, and I'll bring her with me." He vowed as his feet began to disperse into the night.
Zahi nodded, "You'd better," He muttered, staring at him, "I hate breaking my promises."
Trysten swallowed, his throat feeling tighter than it ever had before, "Goodbye, Zahi."
He grunted, "For now."
And with that, Trysten disappeared into the shadows.
December, who had watched the conversation with interest, tensed as she realized she had just let someone go after Riley, to stop her conversion. She was torn between two sides, knowing that if this Trysten were successful, it would be her hide. Yet…the memory of Riley's cold, dead eyes haunted her still.
The rather handsome brunette cracked his neck and turned towards her, "You ready?" He questioned quietly, getting into a fighting stance.
December's sapphire eyes darted from her opponent to the trash bins that Isaac had been propelled into and she exhaled, "You realize that if that punk's successful, it's my ass right?" Yet she made no move to follow the boy who had escaped the fight.
A miniscule smile crept onto his face, "Hm. It's been awhile."
"Awhile since what?" December snapped.
Zahi cracked his neck, "Since I've gone against an honorable opponent."
She snorted, "Honorable my-" She was cut off as Isaac made his way out of the aluminum canisters, swearing up a storm as he violently kicked one of the bins.
"Where the hell's the other one?" He demanded, peering frantically for Trysten.
December sighed, and stated smoothly, "He ran away."
"Piss!" Was the response.
Zahi cleared his throat and spread his legs so they were shoulder-width apart, standing tall and proud he said slickly, "We all have gifts from the Atrox, do we not? Why don't we fight the way Followers were meant to? I'm tired of throwing punches." His eyes darkened, and for the briefest of seconds, flashed yellow. The shadows curled around him like smoke, whipping quickly and making his hair stand on edge, his booted feet lifted slowly off of the ground as they began to make the transformation, "I may be a little rusty," He stated, enjoying the looks of reevaluation he was receiving from the pair of bewildered Followers who had clearly underestimated him, "But there's only two of you."
Isaac felt his eyes bug out, overcome by the force of power the once Follower was exerting as it began to pulse like a demonic energy. December wrapped her arms around her shoulders tightly and took a few steps back, giving a dry swallow.
"Who are you?" She asked, her voice soft and awed as she watched with wide eyes.
He smirked, pressing his palms together as he gathered his mental concentration, "Your worst nightmare."
OoOoOoOoOoOoOo
That's where I leave you today, cliffie I know. I was going to add Zahi, Isaac, and December's fight scene to this chapter but to be honest I want to make that one REALLY MEGA good and I'm too impatient to get this chapter out to do so and I figured this chapter was 25ish pages anyways so it can wait.
I'm very sorry again for the delay.
Next Up: Zahi faces off against the dastardly duo, what exactly happens to Tessa and Aria, Trysten tracks down Riley and Yvonne, and The Cold Fire ceremony begins and ends with an unexpected result!
Three chapters left people!
Oh! For those of you unacquainted with French curse words, Merde means Shit.
!nym!