Hi guys. I'm reaaaally sorry about the lateness. I've been working hardout lately trying to keep up with my Uni studies. Hoping to get into medicine ^_^. 1300 candidates 100 spots O_O
Without further ado, here's the next chapter.
It's only been spell checked so I hope it's not too bad.
Disclaimer: I don't own Fullmetal Alchemist or any or Christine Feehan's work.
Ed lay on the bed exhausted, even after sleeping all day. After they came the first time, Roy had proceeded to show him the true stamina of a Carpathian warrior. He'd learned not only was Roy insatiable, but he put a new meaning to the word. Hence why Ed was currently sprawled on the silk sheets, pleasantly sated. He'd truly expected more pain afterwards, but Roy was a very good lover. All he felt was a dull ache, hardly noticeable.
He tilted his head back over the edge of the bed, and looked at the room upside down. His face grew warm as he vividly remembered their frenzied lovemaking. Hard and fast against the wall, but slow and languid in the hot spring. He'd never look at a hot pool the same again.
He put his hands above his head and gave an almighty stretch. Joints popped and he sighed happily. Ed hadn't known there were so many positions to try, and on that note, he hadn't thought he was capable of bending his body in those ways. It was quite a pleasant learning experience.
"I am glad you enjoyed it."
Still looking upside down he turned to the side. Roy stood there in all his glory. Ed could look at him all day. If there was a word for perfection, Roy was it. His broad shoulders smoothed down to a purely muscled chest and lean waist. In fact, from this angle Ed was pretty much level with his. . .
Roy smirked down at him, one eyebrow raised. Ed blushed and quickly looked away.
He heard Roy chuckle at him and then suddenly, he was in front of him. He risked a glance up and yip, he was definitely level with it, no doubt about that. He raised his eyes further and met his Lifemate's heated gaze.
The Carpathian was an addiction. He just couldn't get enough of him. And when he thought about it, he didn't want to break the habit. He wanted to touch and taste. To reach out his hand and stroke. Or better yet do it with his mouth.
"You will never leave this bed if you keep thinking like that, csitri" Roy said breathlessly.
Ed thought that that didn't sound too bad. He could live with that.
Roy's eyes darkened.
"You are playing with fire."
Ed opened his mouth to reply, but his stomach beat him to it.
"You are hungry," Roy supplied, sobering. It was a fact, not a question.
Ed sat up and smiled sheepishly.
"It's okay. I don't think I could stomach anything right now."
Roy looked at him seriously.
"That is because you have taken Carpathian blood. It is changing you."
There was silence. They looked at each other, before Ed's voice pierced the quiet.
". . . What do you mean changing?" Ed asked nervously, eyes clouded with suspicion.
Roy sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
"By taking my blood, the anti-bodies in it will overcome yours, allowing Carpathian cells to be absorbed into your system."
Roy realised he'd said it the wrong way when Ed gave a disgusted look.
"Like a disease?!"
"Do I look like a disease to you?" Roy asked dryly.
Ed wisely chose not to answer.
"Anyway," Roy continued, eyebrow twitching. "You'll start to discover changes. Your senses will heighten a considerable amount, your strength will increase, but more importantly, sunlight will start to become a . . problem."
Ed regarded the Carpathian carefully.
"Problem? What sort of problem?"
Roy caught his Lifemate's hesitant gaze and held it.
"It is very important that you understand this, Edward. Now that my blood is in you, there are things you cannot do anymore. But since you are not fully Carpathian the sunlight will not kill you."
Ed looked like he wanted to interrupt but was silenced with a look.
"I said it will not kill you. I did not say that it will not hurt you. It will. For each second that you are in the path of the sun, it will severely burn you. You will not be able to open your eyes as the harsh light blinds you."
There was a fraction of fear in Ed's eyes at that point. He didn't like the thought of being Carpathian now.
Roy carried on, as if he hadn't heard his Lifemate's qualms.
"If you ever find yourself without my protection, you will have to rely on your other senses. Your sight will fail you. Touch will be of no use as your hands burn. Your hearing will play tricks on you as your eardrums heat up and malfunction."
Ed's complexion was pale as he listened to Roy's words.
"You will need to remain calm. Do not panic. Scan the area for any places where the light cannot reach. Shelter there. But as the sun moves around during the day, so will you. One place cannot shelter you from the sun's travels for long. Keep to the shade, and keep safe until I can reach you, csitri."
Roy reached his hand up and caressed Ed's face lightly.
"There will be no more running from me, Ed. You are mine, and your protection will always be my highest priority. There is no need for concern."
He gave his pale Lifemate a quick kiss before rising to his full height. With a thought, both of them were dressed, their appearance immaculate.
Roy glanced down at his Lifemate his eyes softening.
"I am sorry for scaring you, but it is necessary that you understand. You cannot take risks like those you have previously."
Ed swallowed before nodding shakily. That certainly was interesting. Now on top of all this weirdness he was going to be a heliophobic. Great. Just great.
The smell of broth brought him back to reality. He glanced at the bowl Roy was holding out and grimaced. His stomach turned at the smell of it. Not from what Roy told him, he realised, but from a sense telling him that it wasn't right to eat that.
He made no move to take it and Roy hmmed considering.
"It is because of my blood that the thought of eating sickens you. I will have to help you if you cannot eat it yourself. Your body needs nourishment, even if your mind is telling you otherwise."
Ed continued to stare at the bowl with disgust and Roy moved the bowl a fraction closer.
"Look at me, Edward," Roy commanded, a strong compulsion in his voice.
Ed's gaze snapped up to meet Roy's. Something nagged at the back of his mind, but it didn't matter. All that mattered was those eyes. All he could see was those eyes. Flecks of midnight blue encased in their depths, only visible when Roy was off-guard. They were incredible. He could stare into them forever. . .
He was brought out of his daze when Roy's fingers drew a line of fire down his face.
"Well done, csitri," Roy whispered, not wanting to ruin the moment.
He needn't have bothered. Ed did that all on his own. He managed an intelligent "huh?" before his mind seemed to focus again.
Ed glanced at the empty bowl in astonishment. When did he eat that? Did he even eat it? He didn't feel sick or anything.
"I put you under compulsion, Ed," Roy supplied helpfully. "You would not have been able to keep it down had I not assisted."
Ed nodded. He understood. But just thinking about how much power Roy wielded made him shiver. He knew he had been under compulsion. He had felt it. Besides, Lifemate's could not lie to one another. But just because he knew, didn't mean that he could stop it. He couldn't. Ed considered himself powerful in his own right, but Roy was in another league altogether.
"You know I would never hurt you, csitri."
Ed met his gaze evenly.
"I know."
Roy smiled at him affectionately.
"Good."
He straightened up and took in the room.
"It is time we leave this place. We have been here long enough as it is."
Ed stood and followed Roy to the mouth of the cave, but not before casting the hot spring a lingering glance. He kept walking and failed to see that Roy had stopped. He lost his balance as he walked right into the rock that was his Lifemate. A strong hand caught his arm before he could fall. Ed righted himself and smiled sheepishly, clearly embarrassed.
"We will definitely be coming back to use the hot spring, csitri," Roy smirked, staring down at the red face of his Lifemate. "There is no doubt about that."
Ed cleared his throat hastily, and awkwardly shuffled after Roy.
The night greeted them as they reached the top. A few hours after sundown, the night was fresh and peaceful. Ed took a deep breath of the cold air. Roy had been right. His senses were heightened. He could smell everything, see far across the land. His hearing was impressive. He could hear the tiny rustle of animals scurrying across the forest floor; hear his Lifemate's blood flowing through his veins.
Roy said something to him then but all he heard was an explosion of sound. He painfully put his hands over his ears. What the fuck was that?!
'Tune you hearing, csitri,' Roy sent. 'You can filter the amount of sound you hear into something more manageable.'
Roy took over and showed him how, and then suddenly he could hear normally again. He lowered his hands and let out a sigh. He turned to Roy.
"Thanks."
Roy nodded in recognition albeit a little distracted. Ed noticed and frowned.
"What is it?"
Roy seemed to make up his mind and glanced at Ed.
"I was just contemplating whether we should shift or stay as we are."
"Stay as we are?" Ed's frown became one of confusion.
"Yes. However we travel tonight it will be in flight. It is up to you whether we shift as we have done before, or we stay in these forms and fly higher to avoid unwanted detection."
"You mean we can fly just like this?" Ed asked excitedly. He'd never known they could do that.
"Yes. It requires more energy but it is a more satisfying experience I assure you," Roy stated, his voice dropping an octave.
Ed caught the innuendo and looked to the side as a blush predictably appeared.
Roy smirked in male satisfaction and looked to the night.
"What is your choice, csitri?"
Ed gave him a look that said he was all kinds of stupid but answered anyway.
"Like this of course!"
"Of course," Roy agreed. "There is nothing you need to do, csitri. I will take care of everything. Just let me in your mind."
Ed closed his eyes and nodded.
Two figures hid in the darkness, observing the sky.
The taller of the two watched with lazy concentration, a devious smirk on his face as he saw his targets.
He felt his partner stiffen as he too located them. He glanced at the smaller man, at how his small eyes squinted in an attempt to see better. His short, spiky hair slicked back against his head, giving him a sleazy look.
"There!" The shorter one exclaimed.
The taller one rolled his eyes, the cruel golden eyes narrowing at the stupidity of his lackey.
"You were right about that boy. He definitely has power."
"Of course I'm right, Archer. I've dealt with him before," the taller one stated.
Archer turned to him angrily.
"If you've dealt with him before then why didn't you do anything?!"
A smirk and a shrug of shoulders was the only answer he got.
"He wasn't strong enough then. It's a different story now. You can feel his strength reverberate through the earth," the taller one said in grudging awe. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
"Even his scent is addictive."
Archer echoed his cohort, taking a deep breath. His eyes took on a hungry look as he caught the boy's scent. He gazed to his comrade for direction.
"What do we do about the hunter?" Archer asked, residual lust in his eyes.
A black smile spread across the tall one's face.
"We take out the hunter, we get the kid. Simple."
Archer's eyes widened.
"Take out the hunter? Do you have a death wish?!"
"Let me deal with the hunter. You just take care of the kid."
"Can you defeat him, Kimbley?" he asked, uncertain.
Kimbley smirked menacingly.
"Let's just say we go way back."
Exhilarating. That was the only word to describe it. Feeling the wind against your skin, flying so high you could see miles round; it was the stuff of dreams. Except for Ed, it was a reality.
His face held boyish wonderment as they flew through the sky. This was much better than shifting!
He glanced at Roy from the corner of his eye and smirked. It seemed the Carpathian was rather intent on staying annoyingly close to him. His gaze was shifting everywhere, taking in everything.
He was always in control. He wore it like a second skin, never taking it off. He needed to loosen up a bit. Ed could help with that.
Ed discovered right then that he was feeling quite frisky. Smiling mischievously he turned to Roy and grabbed onto his shirt, pulling himself closer.
Roy's attention was instantly focused on him.
Giving his Lifemate a cheshire grin, he wrapped himself around the Carpathian. He wanted to get as close as he could to the man. With his arms tightly wrapped around Roy's chest and his legs around his hips, he couldn't get much closer.
Roy's eyes darkened considerably at his Lifemate's actions. His nostrils flared as he caught the heady scent of his Lifemate's arousal. The beast in him demanded he please the boy, take him, own him. The man in him didn't object to the idea, but he needed to keep watch. Anything could happen. They were open targets in the sky, especially in their current forms.
Those thoughts ceased as Ed started laving his neck with kisses, nipping every so often. He groaned as Ed bit the juncture where neck met shoulder, before kissing the bite.
He growled deep in his throat, a purely primal sound. Ed looked up at him heatedly.
"You will be the death of me," Roy breathed raggedly, before fusing his mouth to his Lifemate's, crushing the smaller body to his.
Ed moaned as heat coiled through him, spreading through his stomach and sinking lower. Roy's tongue was quickly driving away any attempt at thinking.
Roy would never get enough of this boy. The way he tasted, the way he smelled, the way his eyes shone when he was happy. He would give anything and everything for him. Roy had never understood the way his peers would act around their other half. The way they would give themselves fully to their mate, expecting nothing in return. He had thought them foolish, trusting their lives with another. Now however, he realised he was the foolish one. Without another thought, he let himself be swept away in the moment.
Consumed by his Lifemate's actions completely, he failed to realise that they were not alone in the area.
Without warning the clouds rained red-hot embers, slivers of molten fire that fell like raindrops in a steady barrage.
Roy hissed as they hit his back, melting through his clothes onto his skin. Hearing Ed cry out sharply, he covered his Lifemate's body with his own, taking the entire brunt of the attack as he tried to sense his enemy. His body quaking with pain, he cast fire towards the projectiles, destroying them before they could hit.
His senses suddenly flared and he barely had a second before a black blur was slamming into him from above, sending the Carpathian and his Lifemate towards earth.
They hit the ground hard, Roy taking the impact for both of them. Ed tried to draw breath, taking a few seconds before the winded feeling left. What the hell had happened?!
His heart was beating a mile a minute. Although he was covered in deep burns, the pain was quickly fading as adrenaline raced through his system.
He glanced at Roy and saw he was badly injured. He could barely see unburned skin. He stared in horror at the extent of damage Roy had accumulated.
Roy didn't acknowledge the pain, his attention on his surroundings, sensing where their enemy was.
Ed made to break away from Roy to spare him from the pain he knew his close proximity was causing, but a guttural growl and the tightening of arms stopped him.
Roy stood up suddenly, dragging Ed up with him as a tall figure made itself known. He stiffened as recognition hit.
Kimblee laughed darkly as the hunter tried to shield the boy. He smirked in satisfaction as he saw the extent of the Dark One's wounds, wounds that he had inflicted. The hunter's strength would be severely depleted, meaning it wouldn't be that hard to grab the kid.
He shifted his attention to the boy, and met that shocked gaze with a depraved smile.
Ed's blood ran cold as he saw the man who had killed his family.
Those eyes.
He'd always remember those eyes.
They took so much pleasure in hurting others, causing pain to innocents.
He couldn't move, couldn't speak. He was frozen, captured by those cruel eyes.
What was that bastard doing here?! Had he come to finish him off? He saw the gold orbs flicker to Roy, and it was then he knew.
Kimblee was going to kill Roy.
Just like he'd killed his family.
Ed didn't know if he had the power to kill him, but for Roy he would try.
It couldn't be him. He had thought Kimblee long since dead. As Kimblee's gaze slid to Ed, so did his. Ed was pale, his horror of what he was seeing projecting to Roy. Did Ed know this vampire? No that couldn't be right. Kimblee was a monster, destroyed everything in his path.
His eyes narrowed as he contemplated the situation. He needed to distract Kimblee enough so Ed could get away. His first priority was Ed. With his body racked with pain and, skin blistering with poisonous burns, his strength was minimal.
He cursed mentally as he realised what an amateur mistake he had made, removing his attention from his surroundings while flying. He knew better. But Ed was too much of a delicious distraction, one he couldn't live without. Kimblee had been watching them the entire time, waiting, biding his time for the opportune moment to strike. He had found it.
In all his centuries of life, he had never made a mistake of this magnitude. It may very well cost them their lives. But Roy wouldn't go quietly. He'd take down Kimblee and whoever else tried to touch what was his.
"Roy boy," Kimblee drawled. "It's been a while."
He saw the boy start and glance at Roy in suspicion. This was too good.
"I see you've replaced me with your new . . .toy." He smirked.
"What happened to Maes? Was he too old for your tastes?" He nodded his head at Ed. "Like them ripe for the picking do you? Did you tell him the whole Lifemate facade to get him into your bed?"
He smirked as Roy visibly tensed, hands fisting at his sides. The 'toy' looked to the Carpathian, betrayal etching his features. Perfect.
"Did you tell him that you were meant to be together? Offer him sweet words as you invaded his body, manipulated his mind. You are certainly capable of that. I would know."
The rage he could see in Roy's eyes was invigorating. He knew the only reason that Roy hadn't attacked him yet was because of the boy beside him. He knew Kimblee could overpower him in his current state and grab the boy.
His eyes narrowed at Roy's in challenge.
It was his move.
Ed felt pain he'd never experienced before invade his chest as Kimblee said those words. Roy had been with this monster before him? And by the sound of it there had been others too.
He was angry and hurt. He didn't know who to believe. He knew Kimblee was depraved, would to do anything to hurt people, but how could Ed not believe him when Kimblee seemed to know everything. And it wasn't like Roy was denying it. He hadn't said anything to defend what was said. Was it all lies? It couldn't be could it? How much of Roy's words was truth?
'It's not what you think it is, csitri.'
'Then how is it?' he snapped. 'Am I just your fuck toy?'
Ed sensed Roy inwardly flinch at that.
'No, csitri. You are my Lifemate.'
He paused.
'I don't know if I want to be anymore.'
He felt Roy put on his mask, a cool, calm state that Ed had difficulty reading.
'You do not have a choice in the matter.'
Ed stiffened and stood up straight.
'You do not control me. I make my own decisions, live my own life.'
'We make decisions and live out our life together.'
'How long until you get sick of me like this 'Maes' person?'
Roy's jaw clenched.
'That will never happen.'
'How can I be sure? I'm not sure of anything anymore.'
'Trust in me.'
A pause.
'. . . I can't.'
The Carpathian's eyes narrowed.
'. . . I see.'
Roy took a deep breath. Only his ultimatum of hurting Kimblee kept him calm. The vampire had made his own Lifemate question him, telling him lies to get him away from Roy. Kimblee would pay with his very life. He knew Ed was hurt and confused but he didn't have the time to reassure him right now. His strength was running out and he needed to get Ed out of here.
'Edward I want you to run. Kimblee is dangerous.'
'I already know that, and I'm not leaving. You're hurt pretty badly. Even I'm not that cruel to leave you to fight him alone.'
'. . . We will discuss this later, on how you know him but for now, go. I can handle this.'
'Yeah, you're going to tell me how you know him too. I told you, I'm not leaving.'
Roy's eyes looked at him angrily.
'Edward! Go! Do not make me force you!'
Ed looked at him for a moment.
'Fine. But I'm going because I want to, not because you told me to.'
Roy's shoulders slumped slightly in relief, visible only to Edward.
'Of course. I would have not thought otherwise, csitri.'
Kimblee watched the silent exchange in amusement. They were going to get a whole lot more than they bargained for. He didn't need to hear the exchange to know what they were talking about. It was Roy's duty to protect the boy and he would do so with his last breath. When the boy stepped back slightly and the Carpathian's huge frame moved in front of his Lifemate completely, he smirked. There would be no fleeing.
"That would be a stupid move to make, Roy boy," Kimblee purred. "Besides, you haven't greeted our other guest. It would be rude not to say hello."
He gestured lazily to the trees at his left.
A smirk identical to Kimblee's adorned the pale face of the 'guest' as he made his way to Kimblee's side.
Archer looked past Roy and tries to catch a closer glimpse of the boy. Unlike Kimblee, he was a younger vampire and wasn't used to the hunger and needs that came with it.
Standing straight, he raised an eyebrow at Roy's widened eyes.
"You look shocked, Roy. You didn't think you saw the end of me did you? Not after what you did to me."
Roy overcame his shock and spoke to the man he hadn't seen in centuries.
"What I did to you? You tried to convert a human into a vampire. The toxins in your blood maddened her and were slowly killing her. What I did was an act of mercy."
"Mercy? She was not dying. I would have kept her alive. I can't say the same for your toy though."
Archer looked purposely around Roy, who stiffened in anger and made sure none of his Lifemate could be seen.
"You will die before you even get close to him," Roy hissed.
Kimblee stepped forward.
"Are you going to kill us both, Roy boy? Mighty big words coming from you in that state."
He smirked, and spread his arms out wide.
"A compromise. You give us the boy and we spare you. Simple and easy to remember. What do you say?"
Roy felt Ed tense behind him. He regarded the vampire through narrowed eyes.
"You already know the answer to that, Kimblee."
Kimblee sighed dramatically.
"Unfortunately I do. The hard way then. I hoped it wouldn't turn out like this, Roy boy."
He licked his lips appreciatively as he glanced over Roy's body.
"We could've had fun like we used to."
Ed stifled a whimper and started to move away from Roy, but was stopped when Roy grabbed his arm in an unbreakable grip. Unfortunately for Roy, Kimblee's sharp eyes caught the whole thing.
"Oh yes. You should've heard the way Roy moaned my name as I fucked him. How he writhed to my every touch, how his eyes darkened as he came. It was truly a sight to behold."
Ed stared at the ground. He felt sick. Roy's grip on his arm had tightened considerably but he knew better than to try to pull away. Roy could snap his arm easily.
Was it true? Had Kimblee really been Roy's lover?
"Stop lying to him, Kimblee," Roy snarled, hatred emitting from every pore.
Kimblee shrugged, smirking.
"Why would I lie? I certainly enjoyed what we had. I seem to recall you did too."
Kimblee smirked inwardly as Roy rushed him. He ducked the weakened blow and gave a swift kick to Roy's stomach. Roy doubled over, gasping.
"ROY!"
Kimblee turned to see the boy staring at Roy, his eyes wide. For the first time in his long existence he was surprised. Here he had been saying all sorts of crude things, yet here this little boy stood, still willing to help the Carpathian. Unwillingly he felt respect for the boy.
But, he thought as he watched Archer head towards the boy, not that much.
Ed gave a start as Roy moved suddenly, the warmth from his hand disappearing. He gave a gasp as Roy received a solid kick in his stomach.
"ROY!" he yelled. It didn't matter at that moment whether Roy was lying or not. He wasn't going to sit back and watch Kimblee kill him.
"Well look at you," a voice purred to his right.
He glanced sharply at the man Roy had called Archer. Pale and greasy, Archer was revolting. Ed could see through the illusion that all vampires wore. He could see what the vampire really looked like. Sunken eyes, skin stretched over bone, disgusting.
He slipped into a fighter's stance as Archer glided closer.
Archer breathed deeply, eyes darkening in lust.
"Your scent is addicting. I know why Roy keeps you around."
Ed felt the vampire's gaze rove over his body.
"At least, it's one of the reasons he does."
Archer stepped around him, making a small circle around him.
"If you come quietly, I won't have to scare that beautiful face," he suggested smoothly.
"You can rot in hell," Ed snarled.
Archer smirked.
"So be it."
Ed barely had time to block before the first attack came. Crouching quickly he swept his leg out. Just as agile, Archer jumped over it, chuckling. Enraged, Ed released a barrage of powerful hits, all with the intent to maim. The vampire blocked each one, seemingly with no effort at all.
Ed pulled back, panting. This was getting him nowhere. He risked a glance to Roy and saw him trying to fend off Kimblee's attacks. He needed to finish off Archer soon. Roy wouldn't last much longer.
"I wouldn't worry about lover boy if I were you," the smooth voice cut through his musings. "It's you, you should be worried about."
Ed bared his teeth in a silent snarl. His actions were rewarded by a depraved chuckle.
"A fiery one, aren't you?" Archer noted. His eyes took on a crazed look as he looked at Ed. "I can't wait to break you!"
Ed's head snapped to the side as a blow connected soundly with the side of his head. He had no time to recover as a solid punch was delivered to his stomach. He wrapped his arms around his stomach, trying to get his breath back.
Archer wasn't giving him time to recover though. He could do little as Archer beat him. He didn't seem to be trying to break anything, just wanted to make him bleed. The sick fuck.
Ed hit the ground hard, concentrating on breathing. Fuck, everything hurt. He could hear Archer's soft footsteps getting closer.
He needed to get up, needed to fight. He didn't give up like this. He fought to survive. Roy was barely holding his own against Kimblee, he couldn't help Ed as well.
He could do this. He was jaguar, an ancient and powerful species. They fought with everything they had, anything advantage they could use.
A flicker of light caught his eye. Looking towards it, his mind instantly started drawing possibilities.
A puddle.
Water.
He could use the water. Glancing at Archer he noticed the vampire was far too cocky. He'd thought he'd won. But he'd show him. Jaguars were very good at the hunting game.
He silently drew the water's strength to him, bending it to his will. As Archer feet appeared at his head, he struck.
Swiftly, his hand grabbed the vampire leg. He sent the energy into his enemy, moulding and shaping the energy into something new.
Archer screamed as his body began freezing, ice spreading through his decayed veins. He tried to rip his leg free from the boy's grasp, but it was no use. His leg snapped off mid thigh, frozen solid.
He toppled sideways, falling right beside the boy, his body still freezing and dying. He tried to reach out to the boy, make him hurt, make him pay, but his arms were already frozen. His body froze up entirely, face immortally etched into a face of depraved hatred.
Ed pushed himself away from the body, sickened. He'd never done anything like that before. He hoped he never did again.
He hesitantly glanced at the body and tensed. Archer had been looking at him when he froze, and he still was. But that was impossible. He was away from the vampire now. There was no way his eyes would move unless-
He gasped and tried to push himself further away. Archer was still alive! He was frozen but he was still alive. How?! A sudden thought made itself known.
Fire.
You needed to burn the heart to kill the vampire. He'd only incapacitated him.
He needed fire.
He needed Roy.
He turned towards the battle, really seeing Roy this time. Blood was all over him. Cuts and burns oozed blood, slowing the great Carpathian down. He was white, the blood loss affecting him, even though his face showed no emotion. Kimblee was enjoying every moment of it, the sick glee spread wide across his face.
As if sensing him, Roy spared him a glance.
'You need to burn the heart, Ed.'
'I can't. I can't control fire.'
'Stand back.'
He jumped back as a snap was heard, following by the sharp scent of burning flesh. He covered his mouth as he forced himself not to be sick. He hurt all over, and his head was swimming. He was losing too much blood. Groggily he glanced up, right into Kimblee's smirking face. His eyes widened and everything seemed to move in slow motion.
Kimblee drew his hand back, ready to strike. Ed tried to bring his hands up to cover his face, but he knew he wouldn't be quick enough.
He closed his eyes and waited.
For the blow that never came.
A warm trickle of liquid seeped onto his face. Confused, he glanced up.
He gasped in horror as he realised Kimblee's fist had gone straight through Roy's chest, who had jumped in front of him at the last minute.
His mind screamed denial as Roy's blood poured over him. Roy couldn't be dead! He couldn't.
With a sharp laugh, Kimblee withdrew his hand. Without the support, Roy collapsed to the ground.
Ed hesitantly reached out to touch Roy, hand shaking. It wasn't true. Roy wasn't dead.
"Had to take the hard way didn't you, Roy boy?" Kimblee drawled. "You should've taken the offer."
His sharp gold gaze rounded on Ed.
"As for you, you're coming with me."
He reached out a quick hand and roughly pulled Ed up by his collar.
"You even managed to kill Archer. I have to thank you for that. Whined too much for my taste."
He smirked at the boy in his grasp. Noticed how cloudy his eyes were from the pain and blood loss, how he weakly struggled to escape his grip, too tight around his throat. How sweet it was.
A sharp whistling disrupted the air as a knife embedded itself it the arm holding Ed. Hissing, Kimblee dropped the boy, who started coughing harshly.
Twisting around, he came face to face with a broad figure. As tall as himself but with a more muscular build than his lean one. His short black hair was spiked up, one long piece falling into his golden green eyes.
A smooth beard dusted his jaw. Small, square glasses caught the light and hid his eyes from sight.
A deep, low voice cut through the silence.
"Get away from him, Kimblee."
"What are you gonna do about it, Hughes," Kimblee sneered. "You can't take me on."
"With my help he can."
Another figure walked towards him.
Blond, he stood half a head taller than the first. Lazily, he took a drag of the cigarette between his lips. In contrast, his sharp blue eyes never looked away from Kimblee.
Kimblee laughed as if the thought truly amused him.
"Even with two of you, you're no match for my strength."
"Of course not. A woman's touch is needed."
A stern looking blonde woman gracefully made her way towards the blonde man, intense amber eyes taking in every detail of the situation.
The blonde man sighed.
"Riza, I told you to stay at home where it was safe."
She spared him a glance, watching as he covered his frame over hers, sheltering her.
"I'm safe where you are, Jean. Not at home waiting for you like some house wife."
Hughes' voice piped up.
"I love my house wife."
Riza sighed, exasperated.
"I know, Hughes. I didn't mean it that way."
Kimblee had had enough. They were mocking him. Casually conversing to show he wasn't a threat to them. They'd soon learn. He looked to the boy at his feet, semi-consciously taking in the new arrivals.
He knew he was outmatched. The two blondes he could take, but Hughes was another matter. With his help he'd be outnumbered. Hughes was as old as him and Roy.
With a cursing snarl, he threw up the earth around them, as he made his escape underground.
Ed dimly heard the voices. He didn't recognize any of them. His vision was tunnelling and he knew he wasn't much of a threat like this but he had to protect Roy.
Roy wasn't dead. He refused to believe it. He wouldn't believe it.
With some sluggish manoeuvring, he managed to shelter Roy's body with his own.
He jumped a bit when dirt hit him in the face, coughing and rubbing his eyes to get it out.
He heard footsteps making their way to him, but he couldn't make out the words.
When they got too close to Roy he looked up slightly and growled.
A clear warning.
They stopped and stared at him. The dark haired one made to take a step forward and Ed growled again, a deep, throaty sound that was in no way unclear. His grip on Roy tightened. He was so dizzy he couldn't see anything clearly, their conversing voices melting into one low sound.
Suddenly, a force pressed against his mind, seeking to force his compliance.
No!
They wouldn't control him.
With a strength he didn't know he had, he shoved at the probe, forcing it completely from his mind. He felt rather than heard the black haired one's surprise.
Good. Serve them right for underestimating him.
He tried to hear what they were saying but it was impossible.
He was prepared for the black haired man's probe. He wasn't prepared for the blonde man's power behind it as well. They seized his mind easily, sending him a strong compulsion to sleep.
He could do nothing but oblige as his world went black.
Aaaand I'll leave it there. This is the longest chap so far O_O
Once again guys, I'm really sorry about the delay. I haven't given up on this story, not at all.
Uni's keeping me busy but I should have another chapter posted end of June when Semester 1 is over.
Until then,
Sinful ;)