Whispering? Whispering drug me out of the blackness. 'Crow?' I could hear but I couldn't move, couldn't see. "I'm sorry, but I have to find out on my own. Somehow I will put you in danger, put others in danger," I felt small fingers brush across my cheek, pushing back hair. "As you had to, I will learn on my own. Away from people, from... humans." 'No! You are Human!' "I will live by your rules; none shall die, save those that hurt the innoscent." 'NO! I must move. Please, just let me open my eyes, speak, MOVE!!' "I am no longer your little bird. Time for my to leave the nest," I felt lips brush my forhead, they pressed down hard enough that I could feel the monster's teeth behind them. 'NO! Remnant, no...' "Goodbye, my Bloodmother." I heard the echo of the lid as it closed, it sounded for what felt like an eternity. The connection I had come to be use to faded into nothing. He was gone! Away from me, away from this place, from this demention.
"NO!" I exploded out of my coffin, the lid clattering against the wall as I raced down the stairs. The connection was there! I followed it down the stairs, "Crow," I wrapped my arms around him before he even had time to turn at his name.
"What the hell?" Crystal was looking at the ceiling, I heard the lid give one last clatter as it settled.
"Crow," I held him tighter. 'He's here. He didn't leave.'
"What are you rambling about?"
"Knives... can't... breath," Crow took a deep breathe as I released him. "What in Gale Winds has gotten into you?"
"Are we suppose to say, watch your language?" Crystal glanced at Jake, who smirked.
"You shouldn't even be up yet. The sun won't be down for... another... hour," the look I gave him caused him to stall.
"How could you know that? We are below the earth, with no natural light."
"Uh, yeah. Wasn't I helping with," I grabbed his arm before he could walk away.
"Crow." He gave a weak smile, "The same way I do," he nodded and I released him. "One more thing, have you been out today?" He dropped his head then shook it. "You're too pale. Have you eaten?"
"I was just helping with dinner. I'm not hungry."
'Has he eaten since I've been asleep?' I looked at Jake, he blinked as if startled then shook his head.
Nothing. He's dranl some water and juices but nothing to eat that I've seen. I took meals to him, they were untouched when I went after the dishes.
'We should move on. I need to find a place that I can teach him, somewhere I can stay in control.'
Doesn't get more controlled than here. We can keep everything... contained if sh!t hits the fan.
'Not when it comes to this.'"Crow," he turned to me, his arms full of dishes. "You know how you draw up energy for your spells?" He cocked his head but nodded. "Do it... but target Jake as the source. Brace yourself," I smirked at him as I felt the fermiliar prickle of magic across my skin, this time it just brushed me, it didn't take anything. Just searching for its target.
I saw goosebumps spread across Jake's arms as the magic touched him, "What... is... it?" His teeth started chattering as it stole his heat, his life force. His body started shaking as his skin paled.
"Break the connection," I looked and saw Crow's eyes were a pale red, his cheeks were flushed as if he was suffering from a fever. "Crow?"
"Huh," he took a deep breathe and looked around as his eyes faded back, just a reddened ring told his difference. "Is he ok? I didn't hurt him, did I?"
"I'll have to let you know after my head stops spinning," Jake gave a laugh and wobbled on his feet.
"Easy brother," Crystal was suddenly there to catch him. "You need to sit down. You look awfully pale."
"I'll be fine. Hold still, you're making me dizzy."
"Oooohkay, whatever you say big brother. I think it's time for you to lie down."
"I'm starting to think you're right. I feel like I maxed out." So tired... His eyelids fluttered down.
"I've got you," Crystal picked him up as if he was a child and carried him up the stairs.
"I hurt him?" Crow looked... wounded.
"No, he's just tired. If you're careful, that's the only side effect there is. Don't worry, you'll get better at it. Are you feeling better?"
"Fine. What about Jake?"
"He'll be fine. Are you sure you're alright?" I saw his eyes flash pale red as he looked at me, annoyance showed in his face. "You'll have to be careful of that. It'll give you away." He flashed a sharp-toothed smile at me and went back to work.
I shook my head and slumped into an empty chair. "Did you have fun last night?" I blinked up at Damien, he quickly turned his eyes away and slid a paper across the table at me.
"Only mine were found? Impressive Kage," I smirked at the picture of a mummified corpse. They couldn't show what the others looked like and, for the glimps I took at the article, they couldn't find any missing 'residents' at any museums. "If I had known she was going to clean up... I wouldn't have left such a mess."
"Kage knows to keep her... fun underwraps," Crystal took a seat near me. I shook my head at the look she gave me.
"... I will treat you as I treat others," I bowed my head, as I had done to so few others that have proven their... humanity. "With your... permission, I will harm none save for those that... harm others and none shell be found of my... deeds, while I am within your territory," I changed the barest minimum of the oath, as to not scare the children with my words.
"See no evil, as we have always said," I gave a nod at Crystal's words and looked up at her, she wore a soft smile. "Is this where I just nod in approval or...?"
"You can either accept it and I hunst as I see... morally fit, only accational missing persons flyers are seen, or you can decline...," I forced myself to stop. 'Only one other has been stupid enough to decline... I slaughtered all those of his race withing a twenty mile radius of his territory. Needless to say,... they blamed him.' Crystal's eyes widened a little. "A girl's got to eat, and he gave no rule against his own kind."
"Accepted."
"Smart Human. Where is my partner in crime anyway?"
"Probably taking advantage of having her room back," Damien smirked. "I know I would be..."
I caught the sound of giggles behind me, they stopped the moment I turned my head. With a frown I turned back to him, " I have no need for a bed and Crow has no want for one. You may have it back at any time, I only need a safe... place...," the giggling had started again, "For my... What is so ...?" I spun too quickly for them to hide a small compact. "Mirror..." I let out a huff of air. "Is it that humorous?" The giggles started again, I couldn't help but smile and shrug, "It's a life choice."
"Don't you mean death?" Damien got up and came up behind me. "Interesting...," he was looking at the mirror over my shoulder, only seeing himself. "I guess some legends are true."
"Nope, I just hate my reflection, so I don't let it show."
"So... What? You can just turn it on and off like a switch?" I smirked at Crystal.
"Yeah, thought I will admit, it's been so long since I've 'turned it on' that it's probably stuck on off." I smiled and closed my eyes, consintrating on letting myself drop all my anger against my image and heratage. Opening them, I blinked at the image in the mirror, blue eyes blinked back at me. They grew red as I scanned the image seeing my mother's face in mine and my father's too dark hair and pale skin. The mirror was too small but I could remember my build was like his, tall and strong with mother's femanin curves. The mirror shattered as I sneered and turned away from it. The only thing about me I can clame are my eyes.
"Woe. Hostel much?"
"I don't like mirrors." I looked over and saw Crow eyeing me, he was worried, I smiled to reasure him. He cocked his head but smirked back. "Kage!" I called to the ceilling, " I'll take that rematch now!"
"About time Blades," she suddenly appeard in the shadows of the stairwell, "And this time, no holding back."
I couldn't help but smile, fangs fully exposed, "Wasn't planning to." A thought took me to the front of the house, I smiled at the setting sun and waited for Kage and my rematch.