Story: Dawning Radiance
Genre: DarkFantasy/Romance/Action
Rating: T. As always
Claimer: I own each and every one of the characters in this story, so pleas do not use them as they are my babies...enjoy!
I hated it. I hated how Damien always dropped everything to make sure I was safe, I hated how I was always too stubborn to thank him for it, and most of all, I hated how much I hurt him when I made the stupid decisions I so often did. But he didn't care…he never cared, as long as I ended up okay.
"It's a big brothers job to take care of his little brother" he'd told me when I'd once asked him about it, which made me feel even worse.
I leaned up against the wall and scowled at nothing in particular before pounding my clenched fist into the hard, smooth surface, my eyes squeezed tightly shut, and regretted it when I realized that I didn't live here, and they'd probably be mad if I damaged anything.
The wall however, showed no sign of my previous assault, but was still as smooth and clean as ever. "Are you having a rough morning, Little Demon?" a familiar voice inquired from beside me, causing my eyes to shoot open as I vaulted myself to the head of the bed.
Malachi sat across the bed from me, smiling serenely "What?" I hissed, glaring at him menacingly "I heard you and your friend from down the hall, and after he stormed out, I decided to come check on you" Malachi said, pushing himself closer and pressing a large, cool hand to my forehead "It seems as though you've made a full recovery" he confirmed quietly, smiling in…relief? "I don't need anyone checking up on me, I'm almost eighteen years old, and a Ravager Demon on top of that! And I'm not in the mood to deal with your crap right now Angel!" I spat, further narrowing my eyes.
Apparently he thought this was hilarious and began to laugh, holding his sides lightly and eventually wiping a tear from his sea green eyes "What's your problem?" I snarled, reaching across the small gap that separated us to grab the collar of his baggy dark blue dress shirt. "My, Little Demon, how violent" he teased, and took my wrists, twisting them as far as they could go and then a little farther until I let go. "Rey is the same way you know…both of you think you're much stronger than you actually are" he straightened his shirt and smiled at me "If someone is willing to give up their time to be sure that you are safe, you should be thankful and accept it" he told me, his unsettling eyes never once leaving mine.
"Whatever…"
His smile widened at my grumbled response "Age has nothing to do with power you know…and even then, it doesn't help the fact that you must learn first to use said power" he continued, standing up and looking down at me "Sure" I replied shortly, following suit and shoving up off the bed myself.
"Speaking of…what ever happened to him? That Rey guy I mean" I asked, earning me a suspicious look from Malachi "You'll have to elaborate a bit better Little Demon" he replied descending the very same stairs Nate and I had before my attack. "Well, he was hurt wasn't he? Not that it really matters. The less Angels I have to deal with, the better" I added upon catching his amused expression when he tilted his head towards me the slightest bit.
Malachi shook his head and hummed in thought "Rey is doing just fine" he answered finally "Nate is kinda touchy about him isn't he? They must be close…" I jumped the final two steps and felt a slightly satisfying whoosh before my feet touched the ground all too soon.
"Though Nate and Rey are virtually inseparable, you'll rarely see them together…" he informed me, becoming a bit more tight lipped than I was used to him being. "You're contradicting yourself" I commented, not noticing him stop in front of me and almost running into him "Listen Little Demon, if Nate or Rey wish to entrust you with their secret, then you may know…but unless it is of their will, I cannot discuss this matter any farther" he said strictly, though kindly, as one might scold a young child.
Valshe had just started to set the table when we walked into the room, where one of the twins; I assumed it was Rey by the dirty look he threw me when I entered behind Malachi, and Damien already sat. "Morning sleepy head" Valshe giggled when I sat down beside Damien, who looked between me and Malachi with a slim eyebrow raised, though he kept his mouth shut "Morning Valshe" I replied through a barely stifled yawn.
Breakfast had to be one of the worst things I'd ever been forced to sit through; Malachi had lead grace, during which Damien scowled at the lacy white table cloth and I glanced around the grand dining room awkwardly.
After grace, we (Damien and I) ate silently while the rest of the small group chatted about the pleasantries of Heaven; how beautiful it was, how it was always peaceful, how they had such wonderful people…that sort of thing. "It seems as though we are making our other guests uncomfortable doesn't it?" Malachi remarked after slowly, politely, taking a sip of the deep red wine that his cup was full of.
"I'm so sorry guys! I was so excited about everything I've seen the past few days that I guess I just can't help it…" Valshe apologized and, feeling guilty, I quickly told her it was no big deal, despite Damien's semi-surprised glare he shot me as I said it.
"I don't see why it matters" Rey grumbled haughtily "They're just Demons; why should it matter if they're uncomfortable?" he finished, prodding at a bit of fresh bread with his index finger in boredom.
Shaking his head warily, Malachi gave an almost sympathetic smile "I know this is no better for you or your brother, Rey, but please, we always treat our guests with respect, no matter who they are" he reminded him quietly, and Rey rolled his eyes in response "Yeah, yeah, I know…" he replied, looking up sharply as the sound of chair legs skidding across the marble floor resounded off the walls.
They all stared at me as I pushed myself up and quickly excused myself, trying desperately to hide the trembling that threatened to immobilize me "Xander?" Damien questioned, following me up, and over to the door "What's the matter?" he questioned, not even glancing at Valshe as she came to stand beside him, the concern dancing in her eyes and the expression she wore.
"It's nothing" I told them stiffly. Smile, I told myself when their faces voiced the disbelief they held to, and forced one as best as I could. "I'm fine, really" I assured them, and turned to leave the room.
"If someone is willing to give up their time to be sure that you are safe, you should be thankful and accept it"
Malachi's words echoed in my pounding head and regret washed over me once more "Do you want us to come with you?" Valshe asked, gripping at my sleeve hopefully. After a moments hesitation I nodded, and could anything but feel Malachi's pleased smile over the rim of his glass.
As it turned out, when I thought that they'd made me take my medicine, I realized how stupid the idea was; they had none of the ingredients to make it up in Heaven because it was all banned. I found out that the electricity burned up most of the blood that was sitting in my lungs and throat and the bitter sweet liquid I'd thought I'd tasted was really just water, and I had been so out of it, that I'd just imagined the taste filling my mouth.
I didn't think that I could really get around it now though, as Valshe had convinced Malachi to allow us to open a Portal in 'such holy grounds' for us to get the stuff we needed and Damien had just opened one up as I silently brooded on the bed.
Once our feet hit the ground again, we were in south New York, on a crowded street with long, narrow alleys separating every building, creating a maze that not even the people who lived there could completely navigate.
Damien and I weaved our way through crowds of people, Valshe having to jog behind us in order to keep up, when we found our target.
The boy standing in front of us had skin just a shade or two darker than caramel and dark brown eyes that told how he had seen and experienced more than his age gave him credit for. He was a half inch taller than Damien, and had a slender but muscular build covered by a baggy red T-shirt and baggier dark jeans that he'd sagged so the basketball shorts underneath showed over the hem of the waist band.
"How's it goin' Costello, Ravi?" he asked, his tenor voice confident and strong "Could be better" I replied, and he gave a short laugh "Couldn't agree more bro" he said, clapping me hard on the back. "So wha'dya need from a Phantom demon like me? I just got a new shipment in if that's what you're lookin' for" he gave a devilish grin at Damien's silent nod "Aight' anything for a friend of the family, eh Xandie?" he smirked at me and turned to face a deeper part of the alley.
While we walked down the narrow, litter filled alley, Valshe seemed to slink closer and closer to me and Damien, looking around cautiously, as if something would jump out at her if she didn't pay close enough attention.
"Hey DJ, where you bringing us?" Damien asked DJ, who tilted his head and sighed contentedly as his neck cracked loudly "Does it really matter?" he returned, and gave another wild grin "Who's the lil' lady? Got yerself another human girl again, huh D? I though you were quittin' 'em" he joked, and Damien's face reddened with irritation. "She isn't 'mine'…we're supposed to be protecting her or something like that…" Damien shot back and DJ laughed "Okay, but yer still getting' some on the side right? I mean, she's not a knock out, but she's pretty high up there" DJ nudged Damien with his shoulder, who simply shook his head blatantly.
I gave an apologetic smile back at Valshe, who gave a tiny smile in return "So lil' lady, what's yer name? Don' worry, you can tell ol' DJ" he coaxed, and put his arm around her shoulders to pull her close. "V-Valshe…" she replied, as if not sure how to react to how differently DJ acted compared to what she had probably gotten used to over the past week or so.
DJ gave a low whistle and smiled "Vee huh? You don' mind if I call ya that do ya? Aw, 'course ya don't!" he continued, and Valshe shrank more and more with each and every word that came out of his mouth with sheer nerves.
We'd walked about a mile by the time DJ stopped at a dark colored door and took a jingling set of keys out of his loose pockets, skillfully picking the right one out of the dozen on it and slipping it into the rusty old lock.
"Yo, Pop! I'm back!" DJ yelled into the seemingly empty house, all of us kicking our shoes off and padding through the entry way to the dank living room, where the TV was turned on to the sports channel, the sound muted while a football player was tackled to the ground in a heap of others sweaty bodies as he keep his ironclad grip on the ball that was tucked in his arms.
While we sat down on the filthy couch (much to Valshe's dismay), DJ moved into the other hallway that lead to both his and his fathers rooms, as well as an old, rotting bathroom. "Who's over?" a deep voice asked from down the hall before Darren's tall, built frame stepped into the room, eyes widening brightly for the slightest moment "Well, well, if it ain't Xander Costello" he said, giving an amused smirk "It's been awhile hasn't it?" he asked and I nodded in agreement.
"How're ya doin' down there kiddo? Working your way up the ladder and all that? And what's with the human girl?" Darren crashed down next to me on the couch and took a quick swig out of a silvery flask, the heavy smell of whiskey reaching my nose and making me cringe. "I'm doing good…ugh, fine, it's not going too well" I grumbled when Damien elbowed me and gave me his 'you kidding?' look. "Ah. That's too bad…but hey, that's probably why ya came right?" Darren squeezed my shoulder and grinned the very same grin his son always did.
Silently agreeing, I cleared my throat again, ignoring the blood that came up when I did so "As for 'working my way up the ladder' according to Master Paulet, I'm his top Ravager demon so I suppose you could say I am" I informed him, clenching and unclenching my hands mindlessly "Not bad kiddo, not bad at all" he commented around the lip of the flask, pulling it away and frowning "Gimme a sec, I gotta fill this stupid thing…" he said, standing up and heading back to the kitchen.
"So…why are we here again?" Valshe asked quietly, her head still turning around nervously "To get Xander his stuff" replied Damien, kicking his feet up to rest on the smudged glass coffee table.
She nodded and clamped her hands together in her lap. "Is it legal?" she asked, and we heard laughter from down the hallway when DJ walked out, holding a bag full of white powder and handing it to me. "Legal? Tha's a good one Vee" he joked, unsuccessfully trying to hold in his laughter "They're drugs? How are those going to help him?" she gasped, staring wide eyed between the three of us while she pressed further into the fraying, colorless couch.
DJ smiled innocently "Heh, sorta…see these? They ain't just any old human drugs…they're Under Dweller drugs; Xandie here needs 'em so he don't drown 'imself in his own blood" DJ explained, and I watched as Valshe's expression became more and more fearful, every once in a while locking gazes with me and giving me a concerned look I'd only seen Damien give me before.
Darren chose that moment to reenter the room, flask in hand, examining each of our troubled faces in confusion "Well, wha' happened in here? Don' think I've ever heard the house this quiet" he said, crossing his arms when none of us replied.
"Hey kiddo, you gonna tell me who yer human friend is?" he pressed, nodding his head in my direction "Her name is Valshe" I replied shortly, my eyes not once leaving hers "Yeah? What're ya doin' followin' demons around there, Valshe? Pretty dangerous for a lil' lady like yerself" he commented in amusement, leaning his huge, muscular frame against the water stained wall.
Valshe shook her head, her soft silver hair catching stray beams of light from the bare bulb that hung over our heads "I don't mind" she told him and gave a tiny smile "Xander and Damien are my dogs after all" her smile turned into an all out grin and Darren followed suit. "Now tha's what I like ta hear girlie! You whip those trouble makers inta shape!" he boomed, sending his laugh echoing throughout the room as he reached into his pocket for a pack of cigarettes and lit one up, still snickering.
Damien glared at Valshe and I closed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose in exasperation "I'm not in the mood human! Don't. Screw. With. Me." He growled angrily, and Valshe stuck her tongue out at him stubbornly.
For a long time after that, the room was silent until Valshe sucked in a careful breath "What did you mean, 'drown in his own blood'? And what are drugs supposed to help with anyways?" she asked, watching DJ with a child's interest.
DJ gave a half hearted smile "Ya see…I don' think I should be tellin' ya that kinda stuff Vee" he paused and glanced over at me "It's Xandie's thing, so he can tell ya all 'bout it" he explained, nodding in my direction.
All of the eyes in the room followed his nod to where I sat, each of them scrutinizing my pained expression; I was trying not to cough so Damien didn't worry so much, but because of that, I had to breathe shallowly and make it seem like I was breathing normally. I counted my breaths carefully, making sure I didn't breathe too deep…in, out, in, out…and as I tried to calm down enough to tell Valshe 'Yeah, I'll tell you about it later' I gagged, one hand flying to my mouth to keep the blood from spraying everywhere, causing Valshe to jump while Damien and Darren leapt to my side and DJ ran to the kitchen to make my 'meds'.
Darren grasped my shoulder tightly with one hand, and pounded on my back with the other "You gotta cough it up kiddo, come on…" he ordered softly when I tried to hold it in.
In my panic to breathe, I caught a glimpse of the face Damien was making and immediately tore my eyes away; worry was written all over his usually calmer features along with another emotion, just barely showing in the dull glint of his eyes…disappointment maybe? So now he was disappointed with me? Wonderful, that was bound to make me feel like getting better.
I watched helplessly, panting shallowly as the edges of my vision slowly started to go black when I heard Darren yell something to DJ and shivered slightly when his warm hands left my shoulder and back.
"Get his shirt off Damien, you know how it goes" I heard Darren say, promptly followed by a blast of cold air barraging my now bare chest and causing me to shake even more violently while Darren tried to steady me. Damien grabbed the syringe from Darren, full of the deep purplish liquid "Don't even try Xander" he warned when he saw the wary glare I was casting at it "Just hold still and it'll be over soon" he assured me and pressed the needle into the skin encasing my lungs.
A/N: Okay, I hope this one is to your guy's liking...sorry for the long wait, I know I should be updating on here more but RL (or school more so) is really starting to ride me. I noticed that I have lots of characters in here whose names satrt with D (Damien, Darren, DJ...) I noticed that when I was typing and all of their names showed up in the same paragraph, so my apologies if that annoys you. I thought this would be a wonderful place to cliff-hanger you all -is shot- I'll try to get the next one up as soon as I can, which I'll try to finish by next week or the week after...until then, review the story, continue reading, and avoid the purple liquid!