A/N: I don't own anyone but my OC's…though I wished I owned the rest…*sighs*

The muse made me write it :p

Alessa is a new OC that is only for PriestVerse...Her story will unfold in flashbacks and how she is connected to Orleas and Chamberlain along with a few other notables ;) And yes this will be Black Hat/OC pairing with past Hicks/OC

Note: Flashbacks will include abuse, rape, bondage and angst...

"I wish it didn't come down to this."

Hicks narrowed his eyes at the woman standing several feet in front of him. Standing beside her was a man dressed in dark pants, boots, shirt and long coat caked with dust. His eyes were masked by the hat which rested perfectly a top his head. He knew who the silent figure was.

Hicks felt heartsick as he stood face to face with her. Why did she do this? Why was she choosing him?

"I gave you a choice, Hicks, and yet weren't smart enough to run. I really don't want to do this."

"He made his choice." The taller one growled in unmasked hatred. His words were more of a command than an observation. Her head and shoulders dropped and eyes closed as though she was about to say a prayer. But it wasn't guidance that she sought.

"I understand," she whispered sadly and felt the warmth of the single tear racing down her cheek. A part of her screamed not to kill the Sheriff; he was the remaining grain of her humanity; the shard of light that illuminated the last sliver of her soul.

Hope….

Love….

I know this is difficult for you….

She simply nodded in response to his silent words. What ripped shreds of her heart remained were silenced by the painful truth. He would hunt them down if he was allowed to live and that was something she couldn't allow to happen.

I can't let him hurt you…..

"I'm sorry…" she choked back a sob as she glanced down at the shifting sands. "But you leave me no other option."

Her head shot up revealing the feral yellowish hues with hunger ringing around the edges. Her lips parted back exposing the perfect daggers of pearl that hungered for blood. Already her amplified sense of smell was pulling the richness of his life force into her body, eliciting the promise of sweet rewards. Instinct swooped in taking control with such ferocity that she was rushing across the sands and hurling the weak pathetic human towards the ground.

"Goodbye Hicks…."

5 years before….

The Wastelands were perfect. Perfect for her kind. Out here she was liberated from the chains of hypocrisy of the Church and the hollow lies indoctrinated upon the masses. They were so willing to sacrifice personal freedoms for security from what lay beyond the walled cities. At least out here the sun was constant, providing life giving light and warmth for those willing to risk forging a life. Her body was able to breathe in the fresh air of the world around her unlike the cities where the smoke and pollution blanketed the masses in a cloud of degeneration and sickness. Sandstorms were common but survivable and she would easily brave the rages of Nature over the lies and the wolves dressed in robes residing behind their tall concrete walls and precious thrones that were built on pain and deceit.

She gritted her teeth and slammed her fists on the counter which was followed by the smashing of a glass against the opposite wall.

"Damn it," she sighed loudly. Her abilities had matured a little too well. That was one reason she was here. She didn't have any tattoos like the priests or priestesses which had been done purposely. The tell tale marking that crossed the forehead and bridge of the nose would've alerted the vampires to what she was.

She was special they told her before taking her away from her family. She was given the Gift by God to smite the soulless demons that roamed the lands.

That was before the wars had ended and she, like the Priests and Priestesses, were cast aside like trash; unwanted and ignored they were reviled and ignored by the city dwellers. They were now in the shadows, watching the world around them continue but leaving them behind. They were empty shells of their former selves, the highly respected and revered warriors. But the vampires were dead or safely locked away onto reservations where they couldn't harm anyone. The threat was gone or so the Church boasted with arrogance which was why the Priests and Priestesses were easily cast out as their services were no longer required.

That was total bullshit.

The vampires were still out there, in the deep corners of the Wastelands, stalking along the fringes of the outlying towns that were open and vulnerable. The visions would haunt her at night. Images of men women and children fleeing in vain from the faceless horrors that sought out the screaming humans, hungering for the sustaining nectar pulsing through their bodies. Blood would soak her vision as it was shed across the land. The pathetic screams and wailing of the dying still echoed in her ears on occasion but she had learned to cope with such. The last vision had been several months before and since then her mind had been free.

But now something else troubled her. The sensations were new to her for if it was a vampire threat she wouldn't be standing there in her kitchen gripping the edges of the counter so fiercely it caused her knuckles and fingertips to be void of blood.

"Hey," Hicks suddenly appeared in the doorway. She screamed and jumped up then landed hard with angered slivers in her eyes.

"Damn it don't do that," she smacked the Sheriff on the arm. "It can get you shot around here."

"I'll take my chances," he grinned. "Besides I haven't seen ya around the last few days and started to worry."

"I've been doing some things around here. I had to repair my roof and fix the loose boards from the last sandstorm we had. Besides don't you have a town to keep watch over?"

"Well technically you do reside within my jurisdiction so therefore…"

"I can handle myself thank you very much."

"Well aren't you just the independent one?" Hicks teased playfully.

"I'd rather live out here and face the sandstorms then live in those damned cities. At least out here I can say and do what I want without being stigmatized for it."

"True," Hicks shrugged.

"So really what brings you out here?"

"I got your supplies on my bike. I figured since they came in and I was heading out here I would just bring them for you."

"Well aren't you the gentleman?" She rolled her eyes at his gesture.

"Alessa look…." Hicks was serious all of a sudden. "About what happened…."

"Don't even start," Alessa shot her hand up silencing him. "It didn't work out between us okay? I understand that."

"But I didn't…."

"You can't help who you fall in love with I know. Why do you insist on ripping the wounds open again and again?"

"Because of what I did to you." Hicks could see he had struck a very raw open nerve with Alessa but despite her claims he could see she continued to hurt after she caught him and Lucy together in his home. The blade of betrayal had been dull and cruel to her that day as she had snapped then slipped into a deep depression for several months.

I'm going to be alone until I die….Perhaps that's what my path is….One of pain and solitude…..

"Damn it Hicks!" Alessa slammed her hands on the counter. "Drop it okay? It is in the past where it is going to stay."

Besides…..Who would want someone like me anyways?

"Alright," Hicks surrendered reluctantly. "But can you at least let me bring in your supplies?"

"Yeah," Alessa sighed.

"I didn't mean to snap at you earlier but you need to leave that in the past. Period."

Her eyes glared towards Hicks, issuing him a final warning in the matter.

Just move on…..Or I will kick your ass….

"Alright, I'll drop it." Hicks flung his hands up in surrender. "But you're still my friend and I worry about you."

Alessa felt her hard stare soften slightly at his admission. "You're my friend too. I won't kick your ass….this time."

"I appreciate that," his face brightened back up.

"You should get going back home," Alessa hitched a thumb behind her gesturing towards the setting sun.

"I suppose so," he reached out wrapping her in his arms. "Be careful."

"Always..." She buried her face against his shoulder. His scent was painful for her to inhale as it stirred visions of what was and what will never be again.

"See ya soon okay?" Hicks started for the door but Alessa lunged and gripped his wrist. Her pupils had dilated until miniscule rings were all that remained of her charcoal orbs.

"Something bad is coming. I can feel it. You need to be home with Lucy."

Her voice was steady but held a troubled pitch that made Hicks unnerved.

"Go, now," she shoved him off and slammed the door then went and secured the other windows and doors. The roar of the bike drew her back to the window as the Sheriff raced off towards Augustine. The frigid shivers slid down her spine, fanning out like tendrils of ice. Whatever was out there was coming. And it was moving fast.

TBC