Title: Never More
Author: Night Of The Land
Disclaimers: I own none of the characters you recognize, the ones you don't either belong to me or a friend. Alex is mine. All others belong to the fabulous Sherrilyn Kenyon. I will attempt to describe her Hunters but I honestly can not do them justice. If you wish to learn more about the Dark-Hunter go to Mrs. Kenyon's web site. Read the profiles.
Rating: T
Summary: For nearly 11 thousand years Alexandra has lived in the shadows, much like her mysteriously missing bond mate, Acheron. On a very strange night in New Orleans the two are reunited, but Alex does not realize that the mysterious man who saves her life is her bond mate. She and Acheron must reunite before Stryker rips the world asunder.
A/N: Hey, ya'll, what's up? I've been a little sick recently so sorry about the crapyness of the last chapter. Anyway, please read, enjoy, and review. Can't stress that last part enough!!! Anyway here goes another chapter…
Chapter Four: Strange Pasts: Atlantis (flashback)
Acheron Parthenopaeus sat on a ledge at the open window watching the sky darken, and listening to the waves crash against the cliffs edge down below. He knew something was not quite right, that something horrible was about to happen. He could feel it in his bones.
Two soft delicate arms wrapped around his neck as Alexandra came to stand behind him, also watching the setting sun.
"My favorite colour." She said as she pressed herself against his back.
"Hum, you have mentioned that before," he told her, leaning back and resting his head on her shoulder gently. He grabbed a lock of her silky ebony hair, and toyed with it, grinning as she squeezed him tightly. "My personal favorite is this." He said giving her hair a light tug.
She cocked her head slightly to one side. "Such a drab colour, my love, why not chose something more robust?" she asked with a gentle smile.
He shrugged, not replying, as dread tugged at his heart. For all this enjoyment of their playful banter, the fear of what might happen in the next few hours killed the moment.
"Is something the matter, my love?" she asked, sounding quite concerned, a frown creasing her brow. She hated it when he became all distant with her. It annoyed her to no end.
"Nay, dear Alexandra, nothing is wrong." He replied his thoughts still leagues away.
Alexandra pursed her lips slightly, "Acheron, I know that you know I know you better than that. There is something wrong. Please, tell me."
Acheron turned in her embrace, placing his hands on her hips, and staring deep into her sparkling brown eyes. In a place where everyone was of fair skin, eyes, and hair, her dark complexion made for a great change. He didn't love her for her looks, though that was part of it. No, he loved her more than life because she was bold and cared about others so deeply it made him want to weep. When they had first met her compassion and love of life was an alien to him as Atlantis was in the beginning. They were so different, yet so alike. Whereas she was open with her emotions, he was closed and reserved. When she had wept for the families of the men who had lost their lives in the Thermodanian Wars, he had not shown that he cared, even when he was affect just as deeply. Despite their differences, there could be not stronger love. Their differences made each other whole.
"There is…something not right this evening. not right at all." He said frowning at the thought. He pulled away from her, and began pacing the room in a small circle, leaving her sitting at the window. "I fear this will be the night the gods unleash their wrath and furry for our sins."
A look of fear mingled with worry crossed Alexandra's face. "Do you think they will destroy us?" as asked fearfully.
Acheron shook his head, "I do not know. Mayhap they will, but I pray that they have compassion enough to spare us." He told her turning so his back was to her so she could not see his worry.
Alexandra made her way over to him, her soft blue gown blowing as the wind gusted and blew in the open window. She placed a gentle hand on his arm. "Acheron, you can not know everything there is to know in the world. It the gods chose to end the reign of Atlantis over the world then let that be on their consciences."
Acheron shook his head again. "Gods don't have consciences, Alexandra. They do not care about the people who worship them. They would not hesitate to destroy anything, anyone, or anyplace that make them angry." He said with a sigh.
She pulled him around to face her. His swirling slivery gaze was worried, and it scared her witless. The wind gusted again, blowing her curly ebony hair out of its knot. Acheron reached out and brushed a few stains from her face, and tucked them behind her ear.
"Alexandra, you remember what I told you a few nights past? To go to the boats, get as many people as you can?" he asked.
She nodded fearfully, for she knew not what was happening.
"Good. If anything happens tonight, get there as fast as you can, you hear me?" he told her, "get out of here, go the Greece, wait for me there, I will find you." He placed his hands on her shoulders.
"Don't speak like that, Acheron. Nothing will happen." She said firmly, the repeated only softer this time, "Nothing will happen."
Acheron pulled her to him and held her tightly. He would die if anything were to happen to this woman, he knew that he would. She was his life, the very air he breathed. Gods how he loved her.
She rested her head on his chest, listening to the beat of his heart. She found it almost calming, like waves crashing against the shore of a beach on calm weather. The wind blew stronger now, and thunder clapped in the distance. She jerked back startled.
Acheron looked out the large window grimly. He had hoped to have more time with Alexandra before they were separated. He knew he could not go with her to Greece, that he could not escape the fate that waited Atlantis. He would share in its fate, and die likes it people were meant to.
"Acheron?" Alexandra questioned her voice shaking, and she hated herself for her weakness.
He said nothing, but kissed her firmly on the lips as if he would never kiss her again. When he pulled back he swept her ebony hair from her face. "I love you." He said to her quietly.
She replied, running her hands through his longish blonde hair, "I love you too."
He grabbed her hand, and led her to the door. His eyes racked her body as if he would never see her again. She was shaking horrible in fear and anticipation of the storm that was brewing.
"Go to Greece, and wait for me. I'll be along soon, I promise." He told her gently.
"You'll be there?" she asked, her hand on the door to push it open.
He nodded, "I'll be there as soon as I can."
Their gazes locked and Alexandra saw the worry in Acheron's eyes. But she trusted him completely, so she blinked the tears form her eyes and fled out the door, a grim feeling settling in the pit of her stomach that that would be the last time she ever saw him.
Acheron turned back to the window. Leaning out over the edge, he watched the storm grow larger and come closer. Lightening spilt the sky, as rain began to fall from the heavens, and the ground shook beneath his feet. He stared out grimly.
"And so it begins." He said quietly, before he turned and disappeared out the door, never to step foot in the quarters he hand long shared with Alexandra.
The ground shook again, and then the screams began, filling the night, harmonizing with the falling rain and the thunder to create a symphony for the gods.