I heard her voice in a small part of my mind but the Nightmare
inside of me didn’t respond. Suddenly she dropped out of the sky onto my back
forcing me to the ground then she snarled, “Look at me. I said enough.”
There was a soft sound in front of and slightly above me. I looked up as
best I could with the girl kneeling on my back and saw the Greater Named standing
in front of us sneering.
The Demon rasped out a taunted,“Nightmare is weak if his woman
can control him.”
My Beloved’s weight slowly disappeared from my back then I heard
her speak in a voice that was deceptively uncontrolled, “He isn't
weak.”
I watched her leap across the space between her and the Greater
Named attacking the Demon by sinking her fangs into its throat. The Demon threw
her off easily and advanced towards me slowly.
I got up from where I had been forced to the ground my armor
growing darker, “Demon...”
Mutt came running up panting,“Sir don't do this... We'll see him again in the end. He
isn't the ugly bastard you want remember?”
Out of the corner of my eye I saw Allacia shoot him a dark look
as I answered with a voice that was as hard as iron, “But... I... want... Them... ALL!”
Mutt’s voice was of one who was trying to reason with a child
throwing a tantrum, “Sir please. Do what your Beloved has asked. It is enough.”
The Demon started laughing, “It's never enough. You want more. I
feel it. Come and get me. If you can, Weakling.”
Suddenly I dawned on me who this Demon was. Completely cowed I
looked down, “No... You are Temptation... To kill you would let you win. To let
you win would mean that I have failed. No.”
I heard Allacia growl her agreement and before I could stop her
she jumped up. With a speed that was almost impossible for the eye to follow she
pulled out a bow and had nocked an arrow ready to fire. As she released the
bowstring she yelled, “Tincya en’russe tuulo’ moriloomir!”
Her arrow split into millions of tiny lightning bolts and struck Temptation, but
they did not kill it they only seemed to hurt it.
Temptation backed away and screamed the retreat, “We will see
each other again...” Then Temptation walked away.
I fell to my knees as all of the fight left me then removed my
helm saying to Mutt with dispair, “This will never end Mutt...” The shadows
glimmered over my armor then they dissipated taking my armor with them. “Go
Mutt. Give Varren command of the army... Then go and see your family...”
I got up and as I walked over to where my Beloved was standing
trembling faintly I shifted back to my human form. I sensed Mutt leave to obey
my orders but my words were only for the girl in front of me, “Put it away Luv.
It's done... For now...” My arms circled around her in a hug that I wanted to
show her just how little I wanted to let go as I whispered in her ear my voice
breaking, “Thank you... You've saved me again.”
I shuddered, thinking about how close I had come to giving into
temptation, then I let go of her to keep her from thinking that it was her fault
I had shuddered. I held onto her hand and spoke with a smile that was faintly
touching my lips, “Let’s go and see about your wings.” I smiled for real then
and brought her hand up to my lips quickly and kissed it enjoying the look of
surprise on her pretty face.
She returned her bow to the quiver on her back with her other
hand and at the same time pulled her wings in against her back saying, “My wings
are fine. They won't kill me.”
I raised my eyebrow but didn’t say anything. Suddenly she shook
her hair out of her face and pulled her hand out of mine. I was startled then
she placed her hand against the side of my face startling me more with her
action than what she said, “You are strong. You are NOT
weak.”
I chuckled smiling broadly, “My little hero… Yes a strong man
heeds his… Woman. A weak man ignores her.”
It had felt so natural calling her my woman that my smile had
actually gotten even bigger as the words left my
mouth.
I guess she heard the smile in my voice because she started to
laugh softly. Her laughter was like bells, music that I never wanted to stop
listening to. Like a song I could listen to on repeat for days on end without
growing tired of hearing it.
Depression came up the hill with the Council and the Clan
following closely behind him saying, “Danger, don't you have somewhere you need
to go?”
I looked at the girl in my arms with a question on my lips as I
felt her flinch.
Her voice was pained, “It can wait.”
Depression smiled evilly, “But your family is waiting for you.”
Allacia tore out of my embrace and whirled around to face her
tormenter. Suddenly her hands caught on fire as she snarled, “My family tried to
kill me!”
The boy continued in a mocking tone, “But Danger. Your people
have been waiting to see you ever since you ran
away.”
Allacia, Danger as Depression had called her, looked at him sadly and said with resignation,
“I have no people. Half Death Warrior half Night Elf, remember?”
Depression’s smile became even more evil as it became apparent
to everyone that he was purposely trying to upset my girl, “Who knows? Maybe
they've changed the laws and their minds and will accept you.”
She snarled at him darkly then vanished. Depression looked
around, “Great. Not again.”
He turned to me pleadingly, “Look I know I'm a pain in the butt
sometimes but could you try to locate her?”
The other Vampire looked at Depression accusingly, “You're the
one who brought up her past. Why don't you locate her?”
I looked over at Depression waiting for him to answer that
question as well.
Depression looked down and said with a sigh, “You know she won't
let me into her mind.”
Ming-Lynn looked at me pleadingly, “Please KJ?”
I closed my eyes preparing myself to reach out for Allacia’s
mind. Her voice came from behind me, “Why should he try to locate me when I'm
right here?”
I turned to face her smiling then I walked over to her saying,
“You’re a Death Warrior... I'm a Nightmare. Odd combo.”
I stopped right in front of her then reached up and stroked her
face smiling even broader as she closed her eyes and leaned her face into my
hand. I grew serious then, “People tend to forget, it is not the race of a
person that defines them but the actions of the person. Maybe we should remind
them... Now about you not having a people...”
A faint smile played on my lips, “You do now... And you always
will... Now me Engel, if this is not delving too deeply into the past... Tell me
of those who ran you out... If you’re comfortable with it, if not that is
alright too.”
I felt a slight ripple in her mind and she left her eyes closed
as she began to speak slowly, “This is not Allacia’s past but
mine.”
“Who are you?”
Her eyes opened slowly as she answered my question, “I am
Danger, Allacia’s Midnight Sister. Just as Lord Nightmare lives in you KJ, I
live within Allacia.”
I nodded my understanding as she continued, “To save you from
the sob story Allacia and I were born of warring Clans. When the leaders found
out that there was a child who was both Night Elf and Death Warrior my parents
were killed. The leaders could not find us to kill us so they issued an order.
We were exiled for life and if we ever showed ourselves in their lands our lives
were forfeit.”
I looked at her confused as Danger faded back into the darkness
of Allacia’s mind and Allacia came out again, “I am not one with Nightmare. But
the way Danger speaks you two are one. How is this possible?”
She looked up at me and smiled sheepishly, “When Danger was born
she was born with a second consciousness inside of her. Danger allows me control
of our body until she is needed to win a fight or to do something that we cannot
do as a human.”
I looked over at Kari as I sensed her move, suddenly she slapped
Depression on the back of his head, “Ye‘ave to be nicer ‘hen you remin’ people
o’ somethin’ they ‘ave pain bout. Then again…” She held Depression tightly and
buried her head in his neck.
Depression wrapped his arms around her pouting for a moment then
smiled and said with a mock whine,“That
huuuurt.”
John smiled in Kari’s direction then looked at To-huan and
wrapped an arm around her, “Looks like she's about to drag him off to get
hitched. I'm thinking of doin’ the same thing”
To-huan smiled and leaned against his side.
Immortilis looked at Ming and twined his fingers in with her's causing
her to giggle. He smiled and said, “I think we all are.”
I laughed then looked at my girl and hugged her tightly, “Why
they would run out someone so... Beautiful is beyond me. Stupidity is...
contagious. They're right you know, John and Immortilis... I know, WE have to
wait and see, but they already have seen and waited. Not fair. But every moment
we wait will make every moment together that much more... Awesome.” A shudder of
anticipation ran through my body.
She leaned against me lightly for a moment then slipped out of
my arms. I felt her hands on my shoulder from behind then she started to rub
them, “Relax.”
Kari purred with contentment then fell asleep murmuring, “Yur so warm.”
I relaxed obediently as my girl massaged my shoulders gently,
“Be gentle Depression. She LOVES you.”
Depression’s smile widened then he gently started to stroke
Kari's hair.
John moved so he was standing behind To-huan then started to rub
her shoulders, “How’s my werewolf doing?”
To-huan smiled and relaxed under the work of his hands.
Immortilis shyly wrapped his arms around Ming and started to hum
to her.
I smiled and slowly turned to face Allacia then started to trace
her face lightly. My voice was soft and gentle as I tried out a new pet name for
her, “You’re sweet on me Chala. I would kiss you right now if I could... I...” I
smiled even wider and held her close to me. “Hey To-huan, did you bring your
pets?”
To-huan pulled out a whistle and blew into it creating a shrill
note in answer to my question, “They had better come when their mistress calls.
Ah there they are.”
Stephen and Alexis slowly walked up the hill towards us together.
Stephen’s voice was sarcastic when he reached us, “You called?”
To-huan giggled and leaned back against John with her eyes
closed, “I'm good now.”
Stephen looked angry, “If you don't have a reason for calling us
then we'll go back to where we were.”
To-huan’s eyes opened and flashed dangerously, “Stay.”
I whispered in my girl’s ear chuckling, “Cintras with Stephen
and Cissra with Alexis. That is sweet.” I sighed happily and smiled, “Peace has
come for a time. Your hair is a mess again. Can I brush
it?”
My heart soared when I heard her laugh softly then say, “My hair
is always a mess. Yes, you are permitted to brush it.”
I watched as Ming leans into Immortilis smiling happily, then
suddenly I felt Allacia’s head against my chest.
Everything was quiet until Kinow said, “Hey Allacia? The wolves
are coming.”