Disclaimer: I own nothing… except perhaps my soul… and some ideas. But definitely not Lynne Ewing's masterpiece, which I present to you now :)
Author's Note: eeeeeeeeeeee!! Aren't you proud of me? I don't believe I've updated this quickly in… forever! But I'm also sad, because none of you reviewed my last chapter! None! Zilch… that's not very encouraging. So this time, after you read, review please! And so...without further ado, Ladies and Gentlemen... I give you!
THE STORY! :)
"I don't think this has ever been done," Ariasti whispered as she and Castrata hurried down the dark alleyway, towards their destination.
"I know," Castrata said simply, "but it's necessary."
Castrata had decided that it was time for her and Ariasti to do what was supposed to be impossible. She knew it was dangerous, and it wasn't something that was done. The majority of the Daughters who had attempted what they were doing had either been turned, or died.
"It's necessary," Castrata repeated, as if trying to convince herself.
It was New Moon. There was no moon for her to hide behind if their operation went terribly wrong. She was just going to have to hope for the best. Ariasti and Castrata were headed straight into the midst of a Follower Camp.
Camps were areas in the city that, unbeknownst to normal citizens harbored Followers in every building. This one was part of a chain that had established itself in LA. But it wasn't a place that one would normally associate with the Followers. No, this was one of the classier, upscale neighborhoods. This was the home of the highest-ranked Followers—Immortals, and Inner-Circle members.
Their mission was to enter the Follower Camp and find information. Castrata knew that it was nearly impossible for Jadyn to find the information they so desperately needed in such a short span of time. So Castrata and Ariasti were on a mission of necessity.
They had reached a wide-open area. The camp was located a mere hundred feet to their left. Castrata peered out from behind the bush that she and Ariasti were currently inhabiting.
"Ready?" She asked Ariasti, "This is your last chance to go back."
"Go back? What, and leave you here all alone to face the Followers?" Ariasti hissed back.
"The plan doesn't involve any fighting," Castrata answered, "I'll be fine." But she and Ariasti both knew that despite the fact that both hoped there would be no fighting, if they were discovered, there definitely would be.
Ariasti shook her head. "I'm in."
Castrata nodded, approvingly, and began setting their plan into action. "I already did the research. They should be coming at any moment."
By 'they', Castrata meant the two Followers she'd chosen for the job. The Followers in question were both female, Immortal, and powerful. Powerful enough that the extra flow of power coming from the Daughters wouldn't be noticed. Their names were Lizolet and Chantelle, and they had a habit of working together and being secretive. A perfect combination for Castrata and Ariasti.
"Speak of the devil," Ari whispered, as the figures of the two females rounded the corner, approaching the Follower Camp.
One of the Immortals, Chantelle, was tall and willowy, with long, shockingly red hair that always seemed to have a mind of it's own. Her eyes were long-lashed and beautifully hazel, and her features—like that of most Immortals—were perfect.
The other Immortal was smaller, so small and slender, in fact, to appear almost childlike, until one got a good glimpse of her. Lizolet was clearly the leader of the two, with long, incredibly straight dark hair and brilliantly blue eyes. Unlike Castrata's penetrating pale eyes, Lizolet's were deep and mysterious, shining from unseen depths.
Ready? Castrata whispered into Ari's mind. And… go!
In an instant, both Daughters leaped out of their hiding place, blocking the path of the Followers. The Immortals came to a quick stop, their gazes assessing the trespassers.
"Don't. Call for help," Castrata whispered. Her voice was as commanding and charismatic as her father's. "Or are you afraid of two nasty little Daughters?"
With a snarl, Chantelle threw her power at Castrata, who ducked, missing death by inches. Lizolet through a bolt of power at Ariasti, who slumped to the ground. Castrata quickly realized the problem with choosing two Immortals on the night of New Moon—the Immortals were exceptionally powerful.
But you're the daughter of their Prince of the Night, Castrata reminded herself. My blood is not weak… I have what they do not. And she did. Castrata possessed something possessed by no Immortal—hope.
Castrata summoned her power, and the bolt hit Chantelle square between the shoulders. Chantelle hit the ground, motionless.
"You will pay for that, Little Daughter," Lizolet snarled. "And when she wakes up, she will help me do it."
"Do… what?" Castrata asked, moving imperceptibly to get a better angle. She had to wait until Lizolet fired first. A Daughter could not begin the violence. Out of the corner of her eye, Castrata saw Ariasti move. She wasn't down! She was faking…now, if only Castrata could keep Lizolet talking. Or, better yet, fighting.
"This!" Lizolet hissed, and threw all her power behind the one stroke, aimed at Castrata's heart. Castrata quickly aimed one of her own at Lizolet, hitting her, and knocking her out. Lizolet prided herself, as she lost consciousness, that she had at least knocked out that Daughter, as well. But Lizolet had forgotten that Castrata was no ordinary Daughter—but the daughter of the Prince of the Night. Her bolt fizzled out, leaving the night dark once more.
"You okay?" Castrata asked, helping Ari to her feet.
"Yeah," Ari muttered. "You ready?"
Castrata nodded, "I'm letting down my mental barriers right now. Change me quickly, before the Scriers can read me, and discover that we're here. One, two…three!"
Castrata threw her mental barriers down, allowing Ariasti to call her power to life. It was the darkest night of the month, so Ari wasn't in top form, so Castrata knew it would take longer than normal. But Castrata also knew that her presence was enough to refuel the other Daughter.
With what seemed like painstaking slowness, Castrata could sense the changes Ari was making to her body. She felt herself shrinking almost imperceptibly, felt her body growing smaller, thinner. Castrata's hair, already down to the middle of her back, grew to a length that she could have sat on, if she'd tried. The hair was now dark, straight, and Castrata knew that if she'd had a mirror, her eyes would have been a deep blue as well.
Castrata through a glance at Ariasti, who now could no longer be distinguished from Chantelle. Even a DNA scan would have found them identical.
Castrata nodded, and she and Ariasti quickly tied the two Immortals up, gagging them. "I'm going to wipe their memories," Castrata whispered to Ariasti, who nodded, glancing around.
Seconds later, they stood in front of the Follower Camp. It was surrounded by a tall, stone fence, and bolted with a large, obviously expensive, iron gate. The plaque nearby deceptively read, "Heatherwood Estates".
"And here we go…" Ariasti whispered, as they approached the gate together. They both swiped their hands through the DNA scanner, and watched as the tall gates slowly swung open.
They were inside the Follower Camp.
Author's Note: Duh, duh, duh, duuuuummmmm… wow! :) Review please! I promise, if you review, I will continue to update in a speedy manner! :)