Sorry it's pretty long, word count is over 3700 :o well, I hope you enjoy! :) R&R, tell me what ya think! C:
I closed my eyes as Steve came up behind me. "What, no hug? Not even a simple hello after all these years?" I slowly turned and gasped. Steve had gotten taller, leaner…more scarred. He looked seventeen…could that be right? He held up his hands and wiggled his fingers. He had ten small scars on his fingertips. I looked into his blood red eyes and shivered as I looked into his soul. He shrugged and started to circle me.
"Hmm…the tattoos are new." He noted to himself. Mr. Crepsley grabbed his arm. "I suggest you step away." He said in a menacing tone. Steve's eyes filled with hatred and anger. "Get your hands off me before I kill you." He snarled. My eyes widened as I remembered the promise he made all those years ago. I slid in between them. "Its okay, Mr. Crepsley." I said, looking him in the eyes. Hesitantly, he let Steve go, who continued to glare. "Thank you, love." He said. Kurda glared at Steve.
"Love? Who the hell are you?" he questioned. Steve held up my left hand and pointed at the silver ring that I always wore on my thumb. I flinched at the touch. "I just happen to be Vanessa's boyfriend." He paused and then looked at me. "Or would it now be fiancé?" he asked, winking. My cheeks turned pink. "Is that so?" Arra asked, glaring at me. I ducked my head, she had always wanted me to be my cousin's mate…I thought it was awkward, but apparently it was okay back in her day.
I looked back at my throne and froze. "What happened to Desmond?" I asked. Everyone looked around. "He must have left." Paris said simply. I looked at Paris. "Are we really going to go through with this?" I asked, aware of Steve's gaze on me. He sighed. "Vanessa, you are young, very young, and have longer to live than the rest of us, we will not force such a decision on you, and you may make your own choice." I smiled thankfully. "Thank you, Paris." I said. He nodded. "In the mean time, we must make our…guest feel welcome." I nodded. "I'll take him to Seba." I said. "I'll come with." Darren said, speaking up for the first time since Steve walked in. I hesitated. "That's up to Steve." I said looking at his face. Steve frowned. "No thank you." He said, disgusted. I sighed and took his hand. "Come on you big lug."
He rolled his eyes and followed me out of the Hall of Princes. We were silent for awhile. "So, how have you been?" I asked quietly when we entered Seba's chamber. Steve stared at me. "We haven't seen each other in over five years and you ask how I've been?" he asked, disgusted. I flinched. "I'm sorry, I—" He cut me off. "Don't, if you were sorry you would have come back and visited." He said angrily. I glared at him. "Visited where? Steve, you look seventeen and we haven't seen each other since we were fifteen, you were obviously blooded before I could come back and visit." I hissed. He clenched his teeth. I walked off and brought him back a set of black clothes. He stared at them.
"What are these?" he asked. "They're robes; it's what we wear here." I said. He looked at my dress and raised an eyebrow. "It's a gift from Lady Evanna." I said. He frowned, not recognizing the name. I sighed. "Let me show you the showers, no offense but you stink." I muttered. He frowned but didn't make any comment. When we got to the showers I looked at him. "I'll be waiting outside." I muttered. He nodded. I walked through the wide arch and sat down, leaning against the wall, feeling the cool stone on the back of my neck. I couldn't believe it. After all this time, I've been reunited with Steve, the one I love…but it didn't feel like he loved me still. I sighed, playing with the ring on my thumb, losing myself in our happy memories together.
He came and sat next to me, wearing the black clothing I got for him. I don't know how long we sat there, but after awhile he sighed, breaking the silence. "What are we doing?" he asked, annoyed. I paused and shook my head slowly. "Nothing, I was just thinking." I mumbled, standing up. He stood up too and took my hand. "What were you thinking about?" he asked curiously." I shook my head. "Don't worry about it." I said. He nodded, understanding that I didn't want to talk about it. "Okay, so where am I staying? I assume I'll be bunking with you." He mused. I looked at him. "Uh, except for the fact that I bunk with Kurda." I said. He frowned. "Who's Kurda?" he asked. I rolled my eyes. "He's my cousin, you dweeb." I snickered. He frowned. "Hey!" he said, tickling me.
I squealed and started to run. He laughed and chased after me. We received weird looks as we ran through the mountain's many halls, screaming and laughing. Finally he tackled me to the ground. I squirmed. "Steve, you're crushing me!" I laughed. He snickered and leaned in. I flushed as my heart started pounding. It was more embarrassing now that he could hear it. He laughed softly and pressed his lips to mine. Despite my new fear of Vampaneze men, I moaned and wrapped my arms around his neck. Then someone cleared their throat. Steve jumped off me and I got up on my feet, fixing my dress. I looked up into the eyes of an unhappy Kurda. I flushed.
"Um, Steve this is my cousin Kurda." I said. Steve frowned. I looked at Kurda. "Am I needed?" I asked him, secretly annoyed that he interrupted my much wanted kiss. He glared at Steve as he said, "Yeah. There's been no sign of Larten or Darren anywhere, have you seen them?" he asked. My face paled. "Just Darren and Larten? Has anyone else gone missing?" I asked him. He shook his head. I turned to Steve. "You're a Vampaneze; a Vampire would never let a Vampaneze in here, not unless they were overpowered." I said, putting the pieces together. Steve smirked at me. "It wasn't hard, considering that there has been some hiding out in here for the past few years." He sneered, looking at Kurda. I froze. "Kurda…how much more elaboration was in your plan?" I asked. He looked down at his feet. "About twenty Vampaneze." He muttered. I froze.
"Kurda, how could you!" I shouted, tears forming in my eyes. Hen looked up at me and started pouring out his soul when he saw my tears. "Nessie, I'm so sorry! I only brought in the Vampaneze who dreaded the arrival of their Lord, they never wanted a war!" he pleaded. Steve laughed. "Well, didn't that backfire? They have no choice but to obey me." He said. That's when I heard someone slip behind me. My eyes widened.
"Kurda, run!"I shouted grabbing his arm and running as far away from Steve as possible. "Go get them!" he shouted, chasing after us with five Vampaneze hot on his heels. That's when we hit a dead end. I turned around and came face to face with Steve. "Steve, what are you doing?" I gasped, pressing myself against the wall. He snapped his fingers, never taking his eyes off me. The Vampaneze came and circled Kurda. I screamed. "No, stop! He's outnumbered!" I shouted, trying to break away as Steve restrained me.
Kurda stared at me. "Vanessa, I'm so sorry!" he shouted. As soon as the words left his lips, a Vampaneze stabbed him in the stomach with a sword. "No! Kurda!" I screamed. Steve clamped his hand over my mouth. "Shut up." He hissed. I wriggled under his grasp, sobbing as my cousin fell to the floor, gasping and bleeding. "Let me go!" I cried as I finally wrenched his hand from my mouth. He pushed me towards my cousin. I fell to my feet and pulled his head onto my lap. I kissed his face over and over again. "Kurda, I'm so sorry! I love you so much!" I whispered between sobs. He smiled weakly. "Vanessa, don't cry over me, I love you too." He said, squeezing my hand with what strength he had left. Still sobbing, I reached over him with shaky hands and dipped my fingertips in his blood. I ran my fingers over his face, marking it with his blood. I pulled him up as my teeth sharpened into fangs. "Even in death may we be triumphant." We whispered in unison. He smiled sadly and closed his eyes. I wiped my eyes and, taking a deep breath, I bit his neck and began to drink his blood. The Vampaneze around us gasped.
"What? What's wrong?" Steve asked one of them. "To drink the blood of a Vampire or a Vampaneze is suicide." He said as I slowly sat up, wiping Kurda's blood off my lips. I looked at the Vampaneze. "Except for me." I said quietly. I turned to Steve. "Are you happy now? Is this what you wanted?" I hissed between my teeth, tears of anger and sorrow running down my cheeks. He stared at me and turned to the two Vampaneze next to him. "Take his body somewhere he'll be found." He ordered. They stared at him, incredulous. "But then they'll know we were here." One said. Steve glared at him. "Just do it." He growled. They nodded.
I hugged Kurda's body one last time and took off my amulet, kissing it. I laid it on his chest and placed his hands over it. "Have no regrets, Kurda. You were amazing, even with your plan. I'll see you soon." I said. Sniffling, I stood up and stepped away, watching as they took away my cousin's body. I wiped my eyes, now angry at myself for crying in the face of my enemies. Pathetic. "See you soon?" Steve asked, raising an eyebrow. I stared at him. "Yes, in Paradise. I assume you'll kill me too." I muttered, running my hand through my hair. He stared at me. "Now why would I do that?" he asked me. I frowned. "Um because, I know you're here and I know you killed Kurda, and that you're behind Darren and Mr. Crepsley's disappearance." I said. He laughed and walked closer to me. "Yes, but no one will know that if you're not here to tell them."
He said, slinging me over his shoulder. I gasped. "Steve, put me down!" I whispered furiously. I didn't know why I was trying so hard to be quiet, I should have been screaming for help. He just laughed quietly and turned to the remaining Vampaneze. "Lead the way boys." He said. I remained silent as they snuck their way out of the mountain and into the surrounding forest. After walking for what felt like an eternity, Steve slammed me down on a cold, rock floor. I huffed as the wind got knocked out of me. "Ouch." I wheezed, rolling over onto my stomach. I looked up and saw Darren passed out in a corner. I gasped and got up, running to him. "Darren? Darren! Are you okay?" I shouted, shaking him. He started blinking. "Ugh…I have a headache…Vanessa? What are you doing here?" he asked, confused. That's when he saw Steve. He glared. "You're behind all this." He growled. I blinked.
This was the first time Darren has been truly ticked. Darren pulled himself up and stood in front of me. Steve towered over Darren, but Darren could probably take him, he'd been a Vampire longer than Steve had been a Vampaneze, was more aware of his strength. Steve didn't seem to like Darren's bravery. "Back off." He hissed. Darren's eye narrowed. "You really are a piece of work, aren't you?" Darren muttered. I stood up and squeezed in between the two before things could really get bad. "Guys, stop! I won't tolerate my best friends fighting!" I shouted. Steve just pushed me out of the way. I glared and smacked him. He stared at me, shocked. "What the hell was that for!" he shouted. "Don't ignore me, Steve. Now where the hell is Mr. Crepsley?" I demanded. Steve paused and looked around. "About that…" a familiar voice said. I turned and my eyes popped out of my head.
"R.V.?" I cried, surprised. He glared at me and then turned to Steve. "He got away…" he trailed off. I sighed in relief. "He got away?" Steve seethed. I cowered behind Darren, afraid of what he might do. He started shaking and punched a wall. "Damnit, R.V.! They're going to know where we are now!" R.V. bit his lip. Steve sighed. "Oh well, I guess he'll just be killed in the battle." He muttered. I froze. "Battle?" I repeated, confused. Steve turned to me and smiled sickly. "Why yes, don't you remember what your pathetic cousin said?" I clenched my teeth and fists, resisting the urge to hurt him. Steve clicked his tongue. "He told you there were over twenty Vampaneze involved in his scheme, and they will attack your precious clan." He explained. I glared.
"Okay, that's bad tactics on your part. There's hundreds of Vampires in the Mountain, and you sent in a little over twenty Vampaneze? You're just uselessly throwing away their lives, that's cruel." I said, angrily. He shook his head. "Oh, no. The battle will only last long enough to get the Stone." He said, sitting down on a rock in front of me. I mashed my teeth together and then froze. Oh no… I fell to my knees. "No….no….no, no, no!" I moaned, my head falling into my hands. Darren and Steve stared at me. "Besides the obvious, what's wrong?" Darren asked, immediately coming to my side. I looked up at him. "When the Vampaneze attack, all the best fighters will welcome it as a challenge, which means…" I choked on the thought. Darren was still confused. "Which means what?" he asked. I looked at Steve. "I'm going back." I said, standing up.
The Vampaneze that were in the cave with us blocked the entrance. I glared at Steve. He sighed and stood. "I'm afraid I can't let you do that." He said. I continued to glare. "I wasn't asking for your permission." I said. He walked right up in front of me and looked down into my eyes. "Is that so? And why should I let you go?" he asked in a low voice. I stared at him. "They are my people, some of them need my immediate attention." I urged. He just shook his head and turned away. I grabbed his wrist. He stopped. "Steve please, I swear I'll come back, you just have to let me do this." I begged. He stared at me, looking into my eyes, searching for something. Steve sighed. "Then I'm coming with you." He said. He walked over to a Vampaneze. "Give me your sword." He ordered. The guy stared at him, incredulous. "But my Lord, its suicide." He said, exasperated. Steve growled. "I didn't ask for your opinion, I asked for your sword." Hesitantly, the man gave Steve his sword. Darren stood. "I'm going too." He said. Steve glared at Darren. "Fine." He muttered. He looked at the Vampaneze.
"Stay here, we'll be right back." He said. They nodded and stepped away from the entrance of the cave. And so, we began to run. We got to the mountain in a matter of seconds. I became worried as I heard the sounds of clashing metal. "Oh, god I hope I'm not too late." I muttered. I jumped onto the side of the mountain and quickly scaled it, Steve and Darren struggling to catch up. I flipped into the nearest opening and froze. It was chaos, Vampires and Vampaneze fighting. That's when I saw her…when a Vampaneze was sneaking up on her.
I took a flying star out of the wall next to me and expertly threw it, hitting the Vampaneze in the back. He shrieked and fell over. Arra looked behind her and then up, looking for the attacker. She grinned when she saw me. I jumped into action then. I picked up a sword from the floor and started fighting, channeling in on the river that flows through the mountain and the somehow melodious clinking of swords. I stabbed a Vampaneze to my right and ran to Arra. I pressed my self against her back and raised my sword, deflecting the blow of a Vampaneze. I Spartan kicked him and stabbed him in the gut, wincing as I recalled my cousin's last moments.
"Vanessa, where's Darren and Kurda?" she asked, swinging her sword in an arc, cutting of the hand of her attacker. He shrieked and backed up a few steps when a man with fiery hair stabbed him. I hesitated. "Kurda's gone, he was killed during the initial ambush." I shouted. Mr. Crepsley looked at me. "Initial ambush? Vanessa, this is the initial ambush. What is going on? You know, do you not?" he pressed. It hit me then that Larten didn't know that the Vampaneze who had attacked him and Darren earlier were part of the same group we were fighting now. I hesitated and then everything went into slow motion as I turned to look at Steve…who was about to be killed at the hands of Mika. I screamed and ran as fast as I could, shoving through the people.
"Vanessa!" Arra cried. I reached him just in time, sliding on top of him and raising my sword, which was met by Mika's. Mika stared at me, confused. "Vanessa, move out of the way! He must die!" he shouted. I took a dagger out of Steve's pocket and threw it at a Vampaneze who was trying to sneak up behind Mika. "Mika, let him be!" I shouted, pushing my sword up, giving Steve space to slip from underneath me. "Steve, run!" I screamed as Mika pushed me out of the way. Steve knocked Mika's leg out from underneath him and ran to the entrance of the cave. He stared at me. I nodded and he jumped. I turned back to the battle and froze. I looked around me frantically, looking for something I could throw. No, no, NO! I screamed in my head. "Arra, look out!" I shrieked, running over to where she was. But I was too late. She cried out as a Vampaneze stabbed her in the back. I screamed. "No!" I kept pushing my way, almost reaching her. The Vampaneze cackled.
"Stupid woman, Vampiredom was not made for your kind." He sneered. Finally I reached them. "Oh, yeah?" I challenged. He looked over at me, slightly confused. That's when I pulled back my hand and let it snap. He shrieked. "You broke my nose!" he screeched. He took his sword and roared, charging towards me. I took the sword from my mother's hand and deflected his blow. I rolled to the side and stabbed his foot. He cried out and sliced my arm. I hissed. Then I began to swing my sword in little circles before I finally charged, spun around, and stabbed him in the stomach. He stopped and suddenly I felt blood dripping onto my shoulder. I yanked the sword out and he fell to his knees behind me. Dropping the sword, I ran to Arra's side. I looked at her.
"Arra? Arra! Answer me!" I cried out. She rolled her head to the side. The battle was ending. Suddenly a group of Vampaneze started running from the passageway that led to the entrance…carrying the Stone, and the rest retreated, none of us able to stop them. I started sobbing. "Arra!" I shrieked. Mr. Crepsley's head snapped over to us and he ran, abandoning his friend Vanez, who was trying to talk to him. I started sobbing. She smiled weakly. "Don't cry, love." she whispered. My mentor dropped to his knees. "Arra…" he whispered. Darren saw us and ran over to other vampires, getting their attention. Soon they rushed over and started to carefully pick her up.
"No! Don't take her from me!" I sobbed as my mentor pried my fingers from her arm. She smiled at me. "I love you, my dear. You've grown into such a beautiful young woman." She murmured. I cried even harder as they took her away. My mentor held me in his arms, rocking me back in forth like I was a child again. I soon realized he too was crying. I peered over his shoulder towards the entrance of the cave and saw Steve leaning against it. I cried even harder and buried my face in Mr. Crepsley's chest.
Three days later…
I stared at them body as they burned Arra and Kurda, holding Mr. Crepsley's hand. I had cried all my tears two day before as Arra, Larten and I talked. My eyes were still stinging and I felt sick. Mr. Crepsley and I were the last two people in the room. I looked up at him. "What are you going to do now?" I asked. I ended up telling him everything that had happened between me and Steve. He sighed. "I will most likely stay here for a little bit longer." He sighed. I nodded and then hesitated. He stared at me. "Vanessa, what is the matter?" he asked. I looked him in the eyes. "I'm sending Darren back. I'm not going to let him suffer for my mistakes." I said quietly. Mr. Crepsley cocked his head to the side. "But Vanessa, you promised Steve that the both of you would return. Besides, if Darren were to be returned, he would immediately be subjected to the trials and all the best trainers are either wounded or…" he choked up, staring at what remained of the woman he loved. I smiled. "Don't worry, I have a plan." I said. He nodded and we walked together to go have what could be our last meal together.