Here it is the seventh chapter of my story The Dark One.
I hope you keep reading and giving me your honest opinions.
Also I'm sorry for any mistakes, I'm a really bad speller but when I have time I'll try to go through the whole story. So bear with me please.
I haven't updated in quite some time because my college is pretty much trying to kill me with work. I am not sure this chapter is any good since I'm so tired all the time.
Again the always depressing (at least for me) Disclaimer: Chrno Crusade does not belong to me.
-Yawn! What's taking her so long?
It had been at least an hour since his sister decided to leave him and Azmaria alone in the library.
-Do you think something happen to her?
-No, she probably when to see the sights and enjoy the day instead of working here with us.
-Rosette wouldn't be that horrible, making we do all the work.
-But she is that lazy.
Azmaria could not find an answer to that, she rubbed her eyes tiredly, she had been reading the old books in Latin for a few hours but due to the secrecy surrounding the Dark One most of the things were in such codes that she had difficulty understanding what they were about, but it seemed to her it was a description of the ritual used to trap the Dark One. The chants and objects of power used in the ceremony were rare and hard to find, but the biggest problem was that at the time the Dark One was incredibly weak because his contractor died and now his contractor as alive and well, making the ceremony pointless.
-Did you find anything? Is there anything useful at all?
Azmaria told about the ceremony and their problem, Joshua grunted and leaned back on the bed.
-And we all know the Order's solution for that problem…
His word were like little shards of glass piercing into her heart, she didn't like the superiors so called solution she found it disgusting that an organization said that wanted to defend and protect were willing to sacrifice a young girl so cold-heartedly. But still… she was raised between those walls, taught in their faith and beliefs, Sister Kate, Father Remington and the other members weren't perfect and were not a family but an institution yet they had raised her to the best of her abilities, they were good people she may lov… like Joshua very much however it still pained her to think of those she abandoned whiteout even a goodbye. It made her feel ungrateful for all they gave her, for all their affection…
Joshua must have seen something in her face since he asked.
-Do you regret it? Leaving your life behind because of us? Do you want to go back?
-No. I would never regret leaving, what they wanted to do was wrong I believe that there must be another way. I don't want to go back either, I'm happy with you and Rosette.
Joshua seemed relieved by this, his stomach grumbled the sound seeming very loud in the silent library, she giggled when he blushed and turned away from her.
-Let's go have lunch.
He got up quickly and started walking away; Azmaria rushed to his side noticing his still red checks and faster pace than usual.
-What about Rosette? Shouldn't we wait for her?
-Knowing my sister she as probably eaten half of the lunch buffet back in the inn. My sister can handle herself.
"Help me."
He was close, so close, and way too close. He was totally on top of her practically stealing her air, his chest brushed against hers with his every breath; his long hair was a curtain around them, blocking them from the outside world. Even surrounded by his dark hair she could instantly see when his face got a little closer to hers, a stray ray of sunlight caught his mouth and two sharp fangs twinkled mischievously dangerously close to her nose. She crawled backwards on the grass, panic evident across her face, his dark and seductive façade broke and his laugh echoed in the woods, a sound of childish delight unfit to the body it came from.
"That rat bastard! Does he think this is funny?"
She was about to give him a good yell in his ear, hopefully the increase in size would also mean an increase in pain, when he looked up staring intently at her face frowning, and quickly put more distance between her mouth and his pointed ear. While lost in her disappointment at the lost opportunity he grinned again and said in a rough voice, so familiar to her dreams it gave her chills.
-Well… It's not sad.
-Huh? – was her intelligent response.
"What is he saying?"
Suddenly it clicked, the dream those weeks ago, the fact the he had responded to her furious thoughts. All fear of being close disappeared, grabbing a lock of his hair and with a help on his half she pulled him down to a mere inches of her face. She did not yell, her voice was deathly whisper, soft and cold.
-Get the fuck out of my head.
- Alright! Alright! I just couldn't help it, you looked very murderous and I do read yours better than anyone else's.
-You read my mind!
She blushed at the implication, if he had been reading her mind the whole time he certainly knew that not all of her reactions towards him came from fear.
-Yes. But not all the time, I read it just now to know if you had plans to attack any other part of my anatomy it was a good thing I did too. I don't plan on becoming deaf in the near future.
She became silent, a million of places she could attack other than his ears crossed through her mind, she considered going for the eyes, since them alarmingly close to her own. Even if she did injure him she knew she could not outrun him,. Another kick in the groin was also tempting…
-You're thinking about harming me right now, aren't you?
His golden eyes seemed to narrow into slits, and she was pretty sure a vein over his left eye was pulsing.
-Are you reading my mind now? – Her voice quivered nervously.
-I don't have to; it's written all over your face!
"Blast! Why wasn't I born a better liar?"
He was angry now; she could see it in his frustrated expression. She didn't care, in fact how dare he be angry when she just found out her mind had been read by this monster. If anything she was the one that deserved to have that furious glint in her eyes.
-How dare you read my mind! One would think that even the Dark One would have some notion of privacy.
-My name is not Dark One!
She was shocked at the hurt tone of his voice; his clawed hands grabbed her shoulders violently, almost piercing her skin. At her yelp of pain he released a bit of the pressure, he breathed heavily and slowly leaned down to put his head against her neck.
-I am Chrno. If you're going to call anything then use my name.
She took a deep breath between her clenched teeth, she was really tired of this guy and his weird mood swings…
-Fine. Then Chrno… stop fucking reading my mind already!
-That is pretty hard thing to do. You're very unpredictable, if I don't read your mind I'm afraid you're going to do something crazy and I won't be able to protect you, I always have to keep a close watch on you.
-Is that how you knew we would be here? You've been following me.
-Not following, just waiting. I knew it would only be a matter of time before you would escape the cage they put you in.
-They didn't look me up or anything… They were just trying to find a way to get rid of you.
-And apparently the best way to get rid of me is to get rid of you first.
His voice was a little more than a rumble, the calm that preceded the storm. She could not help but look away from his piercing look as she recalled the Order's betrayal; she should really avoid that particular subject…
-Did you read my mind again?
-I know how they work. They hide behind they act like they are saints, protecting the world from evil, but as soon as things don't go their way they are more than willing to sacrifice the innocent for the "greater good".
She couldn't find the words to counter attack him, it was exactly what the Order did, pretended they would help and when things didn't amount to anything stab her in the back. His hold had changed during that time, equally firm keeping her from moving away but much gentler. It was like a cold bucket of water on her head. For weeks the Order had told her of the Dark One's cruelty, of his merciless, sadistic conduct now here he was, clinging to her so desperately like he was afraid she would disappear if he let go.
-Chrno let me go.
-No. You're mine I won't let them take you. Even if I have to hunt them down till the drop of blood falls on the ground I won't let them do it again.
His words awaken curiosity in her, again he had said, was he talking about his former contractor? Up until now they had not given any importance to any references to her in the records but now suspicion whispered in her ear, who had she been and more importantly how did she die?
Her stomach grumbled a bit and she was reminded that she hadn't eaten since breakfast and Joshua and Azmaria probably thought she just skipped work to rest and walk around so they would never even search for her; no one was coming to save her…
He gave a single breathless laugh and nuzzled the spot where her neck met her shoulder. She felt him open his mouth in slow motion his fangs grazed her skin.
"Dear Lord he is really going to bite me."
Her body went into complete shock, she wanted to run, scream, and go for the eyes. Any reaction at this point would be pleasant even if it was just to prove that her body hasn't turned into stone.
However he seemed not to care if she was made of granite, his teeth made just enough pressure to draw out two small drops of blood. She stood perfectly still as he replaced his deadly sharp fangs by his rough tongue. A strange heat spread from her neck to her stomach making her feel strangely queasy and tingly.
He sucked lightly on the patch of skin, licking softly the fire burned in her with such passion she thought it amazing that she didn't completely combust that the fire in her veins didn't manifest himself physically.
She had to bite the inside of her cheek to keep herself from moaning when he kissed the red skin one last time and back away. He observed her neck for a while and an arrogant, self-satisfied and absolutely all male smirk appeared on her face.
-No one would deny your mine now; it looks really good on you.
-Huh?
She automatically raised her hand to her neck, and feeling the slightly sore skin she had no doubt of the hickey on her neck.
-You…you…I can't believe you!
She attacked with the fury and grace of bear on the rampage. Finding strength in her tired limbs she jumped at him, arm pulled back. Being unable to push her off without harming her Chrno was caught in the hurricane that was Rosette's fury. Struck by her right fist, he didn't have any time to realize what was going on before she had his head locked in a painful grip, giving the noogie of his very long life.
-Ah Rosette! That hurts! Stop!
-You pervert! You have no respect, no boundaries and you expect me to lie there and take it!
-It's not like you hated it!
She blushed at his words, trying to suppress the fire in her stomach.
-Of course I hated it! What woman enjoys being attacked by a chauvinistic jackass?
-You're blushing.
-Am not!
-Are too!
This was ridiculous they were fighting like children. She would be very embarrassed if she wasn't so angry, or winning. Chrno was more conscious that he, one of the most powerful, older beings of the world was involved is a passionate, childish discussion with a twenty year old.
That didn't mean either of them was willing to stop, unless the other stopped first.
-This is stupid Rosette. Let's just stop and discuss this like rational adults.
-You stop first!
-Stop? I'm not doing anything!
-This whole mess started because of you!
-Why is everything my fault?
-Because I say so, that's why!
Somewhere in the back of his mind Chrno felt a demoniac presence near, a familiar demoniac presence. Being extra careful not to accidentally cut her with his claws he grabbed her by waist and lifted her, surprised she immediately let go of head, he carefully lowered her to the ground.
-I have to go. I'll see you later Rosette.
Stretching his dark wings he gave her one last heated look, shaking her to her very core, and took off into the sky like a rocket, provoking a wind that messed up her hair stopping her from seeing in which direction he went.
She stared at the sky for a long time, trying to take in all that happened to her. A loud growl from her stomach pulled her back to reality, her hunger, brother and friend become once again part of her world.
Getting up she raced back to inn, worried of what she would tell Joshua… if she chose to tell anything to Joshua at all.
Chrno landed a few miles away from where he left Rosette at the gates of the monastery he spent two hundred hellish years, looking intently at the three women waiting for him by an expensive Mercedes-Benz.
One a tall curvaceous red-haired woman wearing sun-glasses smirked at his bruised eye said something softly to the shorter more delicate looking woman with dark hair cut short. The other woman seemed to scowl the red haired one softly and open the trunk of the car to take out a small first aid kit.
-There's no need Florette. Demons heal very quickly.
It was the third woman that spoke; unlike the first two who were fashionably dressed she wore a loose pants and old worn out sweatshirt. She seemed to have trouble standing still, bouncing off to the male demon to observe the black eye more closely. Her cat eyes and ears twitching playfully as she giggled as poked the bruised skin.
-Stop it Shader! It will disappear in a few hours but it still hurts you know. You three shouldn't have to interrupt.
-Yeah we could hear it from here how well it was going…
The demon changed back into a human, blushing and turning away from the cat demon, for the horns near her fluffy hears were indeed the ones from a demon.
-I told you were coming on too strong. Girls need to be romanced first before the whole "you're mine" stage… not that I would mind Chrno darling.
-Are you sure you are alright Chrno?
-Yes Florette, thank you. Let's not talk more about this ok Satela?
The woman named Satela laughed and went to sit behind the wheel. The short haired woman named Florette sat beside her. Chrno walked to the car followed by the demon Shader.
-I really want to know Rosette now, she looks like such an interesting human. You really know how to pick them…
-Shader! Don't tease me please!
Shader laughed as she sat beside him in the car, then thankfully they all went quiet as they drove home leaving Chrno alone with his thoughts.
"Girls need to be romanced…"
He huffed, it wasn't like he wanted to take things these fast, it was against his placid personality but when he tried to take things slow the Order had ruined everything. He had wanted Rosette to get to know him, to feel something for him, even if for that he had to trick her into thinking he was just a regular human man.
But then that damned priest couldn't mind his own business, he wasn't surprised to see him again, as soon as Shader told him he was still alive and with the Order he knew that they're battle would continue, he just wished he hadn't brought Rosette to the Order.
He knew they wouldn't find anything, it disgusted him to feel them probing at their bond, the deepest connection they could have with anyone, it was deep and personal and unbreakable. He didn't know that the Order would try something so cowardly in these times. But it seemed that some things never changed.
Shader must have seen something on his face for he felt her squeezing his hand lightly, her normally cheerful face serious.
-I've been keeping him at a close watch; they still have no idea where she might be. We still have time and we need to get stronger before the big finish as well. Don't worry so much about the past, our revenge will come soon enough.
The car drove away from the town and into the mountains.
-Where were you? We've been doing all the work while you're here resting.
Rosette came out of the bathroom, having made sure that the new makeup kit, with the base she used to cover her hickey was well hidden in her bag.
After having left the forest, she got lunch in a dinner and as she walked to the inn, worrying about hiding her hickey to Joshua the makeup kit in a store caught her eye.
It was perfect, even if she did tell Joshua and Azmaria about her encounter with Chrno she could at least hide the more embarrassing parts of their encounter. But now that she was face to face with her annoyed brother she had already made her decision. If she told them that Chrno was here they would surely leave for another place, increasing the chances of running into the Magdalene Order, running out of money and losing any opportunity to investigate about Chrno.
That must have been his plan all along; there must be something in the records he didn't want them to find out. He thought she would run away with her tail between her legs he had another thing coming.
-I decided to take a walk and lost track of time. Sorry Joshua I promise that tomorrow I'll spend the entire day with you guys working in the library.
-Liar. I know you Rosette you'll just make up another excuse and leave us to do all the work!
-Are you calling your big sister a liar?
Azmaria watch as another fight broke out in front of her very eyes. Quickly she went to stand between the forever quarreling siblings, during those days in a car all together she learned that if she acted cute and sad they would immediately stop fighting to feel guilty about upsetting her, at least during a few minutes.
It had become her single most powerful weapon.
"At least life with them is never boring"
Remington hung up the phone in the Magdalene Order leader's faces. He had stopped caring a long time ago who he angered, after all with all he knew they wouldn't dare kick him out or kill him. He had become a double edged sword to them, too valuable to get rid of, but too dangerous to be given a place of actual power.
"It's their entire fault she's gone either way."
It had been a week since Rosette's, Joshua's and surprisingly Azmaria's escape. Efforts to track them down to any of the places the teenagers were familiar with were pointless; the Genes hadn't been contacted by them either. All over the United States there was an alert to capture Rosette and bring her back to headquarters.
"Not if I catch her first"
If the Order thought he was going to deliver an innocent girl to her death they were fools.
He would not let another girl die because of the Dark One; he could still remember sweet beautiful Magdalene bleeding to death in his arms, struck down by the Dark One's claws. That day he swore that he would spend the rest of his hunting him down; making him pay for every drop of blood she spilled on that floor.
"Don't worry revenge would come soon enough"
All he had to do is find Rosette Christopher and finally he would have the upper hand in this fight.
That night a deprived of sleep Chrno left bed to fly back to the town, he stopped in front of the inn where is contractor sleep soundly. He looked at the sky and once again wondered if they weren't all actors in some play for a higher being, whether this being was God or something else he did not know…
It seemed that someone send these amazing people that changed his life. The latest was now snoring in a room in the second floor of that run down inn.
It had been amazing really; all that time lost in the darkness words could never describe the wonder at feeling the soul of that child calling out to him pulling into the light that had been denied from him for so long.
In that first contact where he was too surprised to stop the flow of memories and emotions that assaulted him and her to control them, he knew everything about her, her name, her history what she thought, what she felt. He immediately liked the strange orphan child trying so hard not to be afraid, to look strong of her weaker brother.
He had awoken alone in the dark room in this strange new world, if he hadn't find Shader he would have been lost, probably pushing this child to accept a bond to complex for her to understand.
So he had waited content to wait in her dreams and talk to her in that short time between dreams and the waking world. She wasn't a child anymore but a young woman, still trying to be stronger then she should, he didn't want to wait anymore, he knew everything about her he wanted her to know him too.
Of course it would be harder now that the Order had poisoned her mind with their half truth and incomplete stories. Humans always liked to dramatize. It didn't matter anyway. Soon Rosette would have to come with him whether she liked it or not, the Order wasn't the only one after her.
Well here it is. What do you think?
I'm thinking about beginning to publish another story a lot different from this one. I'll see if I can find the time to do it this weekend.