Title:Dark Angel
Author:Tapestry
Email:Shaddow_Cat@hotmail.com
Rating:R 
Standard Disclaimer Apply
* denotes mind speaking
15/6/02

AN: SailorMoon characters belong to Naoko Takeuchi.
    The vampire's abilites are based on Christine Feehan's Dark Series.

"Woman was created from the ribs of man
 Not from his head to top him
 Nor from his feet to be walked upon
 She was made from his side to be his equal
 From beneath his arms to be protected
 From very near his heart to be loved."
         --Anonymous--

AN: First, I'd like to say thanks to everybody who reviewed. :) Just to
    clarify some of the readers, yes, Darien's a hunter and is here to stop
    all the blood suckers. But, remember the undead were once part of his
    race. Therefore, he needs blood as well. But he doesn't kill his prey.
    The undead do.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 He was of a dark and ancient race on the verge of extinction,
 She was a mortal thriving on the light and beauty of the world,
 They met on a night of unspeakable horror...
 With her strange abilities, she ensnared him in a web of desire even as 
 their souls called out to each other,
 Promising eternity and a passion more fulfilling than anything on earth.


 ~ Chapter 3: Geoffrey's Warning ~

  Serena sat in the limousine and watched as the usual night routine of the
city came alive. She could feel his damn blue bedroom eyes boring into her
back. She did not have to turn to know. He was always watching her.
  This made shivers run up and down her spine.

  It was just so unfair. She had finally met a man who evoked sexual 
feelings in her and he had to be a vampire. She could feel his gaze that 
made heat run through her body. She knew she wanted him, but it was wrong.
One of his kind had killed her bestfriend... 
Besides, the both of them were different species for God's sakes!!

  "You are stressing yourself for no reason, baby." came his voice. It
slithered over her skin like velvet. She felt goosebumps rise on her skin.

  She sensed it before she felt it.

  His hands came around her to wrap themselves about her slime waist. His 
dark head landing on one of her shoulders, startling her. She turned her
head to glare at him, but it froze on her face at the amount of feeling she
saw in his eyes. Her breath caught in her throat.

  She felt his hands that rested on her belly, stroke soothingly. Warmth
invaded her belly, pooling down embarrassingly. She wanted to snap at him
but his eyes and hands still made her unable to use her voice. God, she just
wanted to lean into him and take all that he was willing to give. But at the
same time, she wanted to hide away in a dark corner and cry her heart out.
She decided to do neither and turned her attention away from his eyes.

  "I want to return to my apartment. Even if I'm not to live there, I still
want to collect Claire's things and return them to her parents. I need
clothes too, I don't want to trouble you into buying anything for me and I
still have work tomorrow-"

  "Hush, slow down. We will go to your apartment. But I have already 
arranged for leave where you work." he said carefully.

  She turned furious eyes on him. "You can't do that!! I need money to eat!
I don't have a big bank account like you and I won't take charity!!"

  The exasperating man merely grinned, flashing pearly white teeth at her.
The damn vampire made her go all gooey inside.

  "I own the company you work at, baby." he answered simply.

  She merely hissed at him, thumped him on the shoulder and turned back to
face the window, sulking. The heat in her belly still burning. She hated
the man. "Stupid vampire." she muttered as she pushed at his arms around 
her waist.

  That only brought another deep chuckle to her ears as he released her, but
not before brushing her hair away and planting a light kiss on her exposed
neck. She felt as if he had just branded her neck instead of merely placing
a simple kiss. Her hand reached up to rub away the tingling sensation on her
bare skin.


  Darien watched her hand rub her neck where he had kissed her and smiled.
He turned to the window that seperated the driver's compartment and rapped
on the window.
  Speaking briefly with his driver, he sat back and continued to watch the
blonde woman sitting with her back to him. He exercised rigid self control
not to pounce on her.
  His action in rubbing her belly had aroused her instead of soothing her,
as had been his intention. This was one of those times he cursed his special
abilities.

  One of the preternatural gifts granted to his race was the increased
senses. Much to his discomfort, his sense of smell had picked up the scent
of her arousal and he had had to bring forth great strength of will to keep 
the demon in him leashed. This truly was insanity. Usually the males of his 
race didn't need to exercise such control with their mates, as usually the
females accepted them right on after their claiming. Females of his race
knew the importance they played in a male's life.

But this one was human...

  He had reminded himself on that fact, over and over. She was human and 
therefore had to be treated extra gently than if she were a female of his 
race. Humans were proven to be more fragile than his race. So, he had kept 
his control, and bided his time when they would come together as true mates.

  He had been brooding so long, he did not even realize the moment the
car stopped in front of her apartment block. He only realized it when Serena
had shoved at his large unmovable frame.

  Stepping out, he surveyed the area and scanned even farther with his
senses. Trying to pick up any danger at all. He was taking no chances.
Satisfied there was no trace of evil about, he allowed Serena to get out of
the limousine whose exit he had blocked with his larger frame.

  He watched her step out of the limousine and glare at him strangely. He
saw the tension that etched her features and immediately, instinctively 
sent her waves of comfort. She turned to him in surprise and offered a tiny 
smile. He merely wrapped her more securely in a cocoon of warmth and love.


  Serena could not say she had not been surprised when she felt warm and 
fuzzy. Invisible arms wrapped around her like bands of steel, providing love
and comfort. She knew who had sent it and had smiled tentatively at him.

  She couldn't understand herself. She had only known the man for one day
and already she felt so connected to him. Trusted in him. She felt as if 
she had known him forever and knew he would never hurt her, or any other 
woman. She felt such an affinity to this mysterious being that she felt 
like he had in some way, completed her and touched her very soul. 
It was scary.

  She shook her head and pushed her thoughts off, blaming them on her close
proximity to such a possessive and demanding male. Walking up the steps,
she punched the security numbers into the panel by the door. It opened with
a click and much to her discomfort, he followed her in.

  The elevator ride up to her apartment floor was silent. She could feel
him like a shadow in her mind. Like he belonged there, firmly entrenched
in her mind, deep in her soul. The ass.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  They spent two hours in her apartment sorting out Claire's belongings.
He had ordered food for her which she barely touched as she sifted through
all the things that had belonged to her bestfriend. After the things had 
been packed in boxes, she packed a suitcase. The damn man had demanded she 
stay at his mansion. If she didn't, she knew he was just going to drag her 
there, kicking and screaming. So, she might as well lose gracefully. 
Dragging her suitcase out, she saw he had called his driver up to help with 
Claire's belongings.

  The driver merely picked up one of the two large boxes and walked out.
She watched as Darien lifted the other, tucking it under his arm. He held
his hand out for her suitcase. Shaking her head, Serena clutched the case
to herself, but for some reason, he was the one who ended up carrying it
in the end.

  Inside the elevator, she peeked into the box he was holding and realized
he had the heavier of the two. Yet, the man was carrying it as if it 
weighed less than a feather. 

  *My race is not known for their lack of strength, baby.* came his voice.

  She knew it was all in her head. He was mind speaking to her once more.

  "I've told you to stop it, Darien. It's not normal."
  *It is normal to my kind, baby.*
  "I'm not your baby. So quit it."
  *You are MINE. And I shall kill anyone else who dares think to lay a 
finger on you.*

  Serena sighed. "You really need a therapist, you know that?? You've got
possessive and jealousy problems. Also a tendancy to dominate."
  *Do not be impudent. I will have respect, baby.*

  "In your dreams."

  That was the end of the conversation.


  They stopped by at the home of Mr and Mrs Roland. The couple had been 
glad to see her, and had cried along with her. The pair had invited her and 
Darien in for a cup of coffee. Darien had declined any drink and had merely 
sat by her on the couch as she talked.
  She had felt touched by his actions. He had provided her the courage to
face Claire's parents. Provided her the strength she needed to keep from 
breaking down in front of the couple.

  It was almost midnight when they left. Darien offered his condolences
to Mr and Mrs Roland as she hugged Mrs Roland and kissed Mr Roland on the
cheek. Whispering her condolences to them and thanking them for the coffee.
They had invited her to Claire's funeral which was to be held next week.
She had never felt guiltier in her life, wanting to tell them the truth.
But she hadn't.

  Darien had felt her weary sadness and wrapped her up in his coat, bidding
Mr and Mrs Roland, goodnight. Serena had not missed Mrs Roland's smile. She
thought she, Serena, had gotten a good catch in Darien Alessandros.

  It was this thought that had made her want to laugh on the way back to
the mansion.

  Reaching the great silent mansion, it was almost eerie when she stepped
in. What had happened to the rest of it's occupants? The ones she had seen
last night. The mansion was deserted.

  "My family had gone out, it seems. The housekeeper and servants are 
probably asleep already." answered Darien. He took her suitcase and made 
his way up to his room.

  Serena stopped at the entrance of the room and frowned.

  Darien felt her discomfort.

  "What is the matter, baby?"
  "This is your room." she stated.
  "Yes. So?"
  "I want my own room." said Serena stubbornly.
  "This will be your own room, Serena. I rarely use this room, anyway."

  She shook her head. "I can't."

  She watched as Darien laid her case easily on the comforter and then turn
to face her with a strange expression on his face. Her breath froze when
he came toward her. She would not budge...she would stand her ground. But
right now, what she really wanted to do was run like a chicken.

  "You have nothing to fear of from me, Serena. I would never hurt you. I
only want you to take this room because it is the safest one in the house."
he said softly.

  *I only want to protect you, darling...*

  "But if you are in the mansion, I AM protected!!" she blurted suddenly.
Her face flamed. Was that what she had meant to say??

  Darien smiled at her flushed face. Confusion reigned in her mind. She was
attracted to him, yet tried so hard to resist. His heart warmed in his 
chest.

  "No, baby...I cannot always be in the mansion with you. I want to know 
you will be safe when I leave you in the mansion." he told her, shaking his
head as he gently placed his arms on her shoulders.
  "Then I shall come here when I am alone." she argued.
  "In the morning, I will not be able to hear your calls."

  "You're just finding excuses not to give me my own room." she pouted.
"I already let you drag me off here to live, postpone my job, let you call
me whatever the hell you like and see me naked!! What more do you want???
I'm not going to let you just walk all over me, you know." she exploded.

  Darien merely smiled smugly.

  She gritted her teeth. Holding her temper in. Right now, she really 
wanted to sock him. Right in the kisser, too.

  *Violence, baby...is not accepted.*
  *Go drown yourself.* she hissed.
  *You forgot, you let me talk to you, mind-to-mind.* came his infuriatingly
voice laced with superiority.
  *Go away.* snapped Serena as she spun on her heel, determined to walk out
of the room. Better yet, right out of the mansion.

  A gentle hand caught hold of her wrist as she began to leave. It was a 
gentle grip, yet it held her there like an iron manacle.
  "You are MINE. You are not leaving. You cannot."

  "Want to bet?"
  "Serena..."
  "I just want my own room. Is that so much to ask?" she whispered, staring
up into his hard sexy eyes.

  Darien saw the pools of melting blue and melted, himself.

  "Alright. But if there is any danger at all, or if I tell you so...you 
are to come to my room and lock the door, do you understand?" he asked,
trying to sound menacing.

  A brilliant smile lit her face that turned Darien's insides into knots.
  "Of course, I will!"


  Leading her to the next room, Darien opened the door and she peered in.
It was large, not as large as his room though, but she smiled.

  Darien placed her suitcase on the bed and watched her walk around the
room in awe. The room was furnished in pale pastel colours.
  "It's beautiful. Thank you. Who furnished it??" asked Serena as she ran
a finger down the peach coloured silk drapes.

  "I did."

  Serena turned surprised eyes at him.
  He merely smiled.

  "I have to go out now." he said gruffly.

  Her head came up to look at him. "Go out? Why?"
  "I have to hunt." was his reply before he stepped out of the room.

  To hunt...hunt...hunt...hunt...
  The word echoed in her brain and she shivered. For a moment, she had 
almost managed to forget he was a vampire. A hunter. Destroyer of the 
undead. She should fear him, but for some inexplicable reason, she did not.
In fact, what she feared, was he would never return...

  Her heart was twisting itself into knots.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  Dawn was only an hour away when he returned to the mansion. He had fed 
and battled two undead that night. The city seemed to be teeming with 
them. What was drawing them here was unknown.

  Entering the mansion, he nodded to his sister and Jayden along with the
others. It was clear all of them had just returned. He spoke briefly before
making his way to Serena's room. Upon entering, his enhanced eyesight 
noted immediately that Serena was not in the room he had left her.

  Red appeared before his eyes before he managed to calm himself down. The
bed had only a slight impression in it, telling him Serena had not spent a
great deal of time in the bed. Her clothes were still here, that meant she
had not left. There was no sign of struggle or even the smallest trace of
taint anywhere in the bedroom. Not the undead. None even knew where he 
resided. Except maybe one. But he could not have reached America from Europe
that fast, even with the abilities granted his race.

  That meant Serena was out wandering. Fanning out his senses, he searched
for his missing mate. He found her. Right in his bedroom. The very bedroom
she had declined.
  Scanning her mind lightly so not to wake her, Darien breathed a sigh of
relief. She was unharmed in any way and was asleep.

  He exited and entered his room. There she was.

  She was tiny in his bed. Cocooned in covers and dozens of soft pillows 
under her head. She clutched one pillow tightly to her. The blanket had
risen on one of her legs, exposing a pale creamy thigh to him. Need once
again slammed into him as his loins tightened.

  He wasn't as quiet or careful as he thought, because she awoke, coming
straight up in the bed. She saw him standing in the darkness, felt his
hungry gaze on her. Warmth slithered once again down her spine to her belly.
Pooling heat between her legs. She flushed and thanked heavens it was still
dark. It was unknown to her that he saw her clear as if it were day.

  But wisely, he kept that knowledge from her, seeing she was embarrassed 
enough as it was. She was aroused once more. The scent of it slamming right
into his barely there, rigid will power. How he wished he could at this 
moment, shut off his senses. It would help a whole lot more. He felt the 
demon clawing at his self-control. A growl left his throat before he could 
stifle it.

  Serena's eyes widened at the growl. She was sure her flaming face had
extended right down to her toes. She could not help but shiver at the feel
of the burning gaze directed at her. At the animalistic quality of his
deep sexy growl. She wanted him.
  Pushing her heavy blonde hair back nervously, she swallowed, trying to 
explain why she was sleeping in a bed, she had denied earlier that evening.

  "I-I'm sorry. I tried sleeping in the bed in my room, but I had a 
nightmare and I didn't feel safe and it didn't feel comfortable, so I came 
in here to sleep...I-...I mean, are you angry with me?? I know I said I 
didn't want to sleep in here and I-" she rushed, trying to explain.

  But he was already by the bedside and shushing her.

  He chuckled at her bewildered expression. "I have said you may make use
of this chamber any time, baby. I am not angry. How can I be angry with you?
You are my mate for life." he smiled, caressing her cheek. Her nervousness
had brought out the protective streak in him, driving him to sooth her 
fears and uncertainties, leashing the snarling demon once again. 
For the time being.

  He saw her grip the covers to her body, tightly. Wide blue eyes locking
with his. He felt the flames leap in her eyes, his own responding in a 
similar fashion. Too bad it was almost sunrise. He groaned at that thought.
He brushed back her hair one last time and started walking for the great
doors leading out of his room.

  "Darien?"
  "Yes?"
  "Where are you going?" asked Serena.
  "It's almost sunrise, baby. I have to rest." he answered calmly. 
  "No, don't leave. This is your room!! I'll go back to mine and you-"

  Serena watched in confusion as he threw his head back and laughed.

  "Oh, baby...if I slept in here, I would not hesitate at all to lie beside
you, but I must sleep the sleep of my people. Underground."
  She wrinkled her nose at that.

  "Underground? Why??"

  He chuckled. "To perform and complete secret rituals and masculine rites,
that every one of our males must go through everyday, little one." he 
teased easily.
  Her frown told him she did not believe him.

  "Alright, to regenerate."
  "Regenerate?"
  "Yes. The earth heals and provides comfort for my race. It also acts as
a safety while we sleep as we usually shut all our organs down."
  "Okay, you're confusing me now. If you're asleep during the day, what am
I to do 'til you wake??" she questioned, not pleased if she had to stay
in the mansion all day.
  "I have already arranged bodyguards for you when I cannot be with you.
Though I am not pleased you must be around other males." he answered with 
a petulant frown.

  Serena snorted. "I thought you were going to sleep."

  Darien merely laughed and walked out.

  Damn infuriating man. How could she want him and still want him to stay
away?? 

  *Because you are mine and you know I'm just too irresistably sexy.* came
his laughingly taunting voice.

  She tugged the covers tighter about her, feeling he knew everything under
the sheet.

  *Because I do.*
  *You know, for an ancient vampire, you sure have a very modern ego and
sense of humour not to mention your speech. As well as lack of modesty and
decency. Oh yes, also a whole ounce of manners.* she snapped.
  *You wish I would be more Old World like?? I can if you wish it.*
  *Don't patronize me. Just go do your smelly rituals or something.*

  Laughter merely echoed maddeningly in her head at that comment.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  It was the day of Claire's funeral... Serena dressed in black, bit her
lip. She almost wanted to avoid the funeral, but this would be her last
chance to apologize to Claire. To bid her goodbye.

  Stepping out of the mansion, a large man the size of a wild gorilla 
opened the door to her limousine. Two bodyguards usually flanked her sides 
while another two followed close behind in a car.

  These men had watched over her during the day for the past week. She
turned her eyes to the mansion. Darien was in there somewhere. Underground,
asleep. Oh, how she wanted to speak to him at this very moment. Wanted him 
to wrap mental arms about her and tell her everything was going to be fine.
But unfortunately, she wouldn't be getting any of that now or tonight.

  Malcolm, Darien's right hand man had reported a new wave of undead had
entered the city once more and Darien and his men needed to go out early
tonight to patrol. She shivered. How many more good people had these new
monsters killed? How many more people were there who had to grieve over
loved ones? Dear God... how was it she never realized there were so many
murders happening in the city?

  The words of one of her bodyguards broke through her thoughts.

  "Miss James? We're there."


  She felt numb inside. Everyone was weeping. Claire had had a special sort
of aura about her that made everybody love her. Maybe Darien would have
liked her better too if she had been alive.
  She shook her head. Why was she thinking about that arrogant being now?

  She watched as they lowered her bestfriend's coffin into the ground. 
So final. So cold. Claire did not deserve that. She should have been alive.
She should have been living in the sun. Claire had always said she, Serena
James was carefree and so joyful. Borned to live in the sun and beauty in
the world.
  Claire was wrong. Claire was the one who should have been living in the
light. Gods...why?? Why couldn't her bestfriend have lived???

  A light hand dropped on her shoulder and squeezed her, comfortingly.

  Looking up, Serena's eyes met green. It was Andrew Roland, Claire's
brother. Beside him was Elizabeth, Claire's younger sister. All good 
friends of hers.

  "Hey, don't be sad. Claire wouldn't want it. She would have wanted you to
be happy. She's in a better place now." whispered Andrew soothingly.
  "How are you guys and your parents holding up?"

  "Best as can be expected. Claire was the family pride. It's a real blow
to Mom." sighed Elizabeth. "I guess those two giants back there are yours?"

  Serena nodded.

  "Mr Alessandros hired them, huh?" laughed Andrew weakly.
  "Yes, and he's very jealous." quipped Serena. "Look, I really have to
go pay my respects and leave. I don't want to stay here too long. I- I can't
stand it, I shouldn't have left." she whispered sadly.
  "Right...see you around, Sere. It's not your fault." murmured Andrew 
softly, his hand dropping to his side.

  As Andrew watched her go, he wondered for the millionth time...Why could
she never have loved him as he did her?


  Serena paid her respects to Mr and Mrs Roland and then stopped in front
of the deep grave. She tossed a white rose down into the grave and stared
sadly at the coffin.

  "I'm sorry, Claire. I miss you."

  With that, she made her way towards her waiting bodyguards and left the
funeral. She couldn't take anymore of it. She couldn't. Her mind was 
chaotic, unable to concentrate. God....
  She needed Darien.

  Reaching back to the mansion, she made a beeline for his room. She fell
into the large bed and wrapped herself up in the covers, trying to drive
away the chill in her bones. The aching loneliness. She buried her head in
one of the pillows and wept like a heartbroken angel.

  Deep below the mansion in an earthen chamber, a single heart began to
beat where there was only eerie silence. The single powerful being in the
chamber, awoke disorientated. Something had awoken him prematurely as he
knew it was still noon. A quick scan determined the cause. Serena.

  She was upset and had, with her untrained psychic abilities, broadcasted
her emotions widely to everyone in the mansion. He was aware of the 
awakening of his family, of their confusion and disorientation and their
understanding of what had awaken them.

  With his mind, he reached out to the tiny heartbroken being in the 
mansion above, in his room. He flooded her with comfort and love. Showed 
her how much she meant to him and the protectiveness he felt for her. He
sensed her astonishment and with childlike curiousity, reached out with
childish mental hands to touch him. This brought a smile to him. Mentally,
he reassured his family nothing was wrong with Serena.

  Serena had been crying her eyes red when she felt a flood of love and
protectiveness wash over her. A warm dark aura shielding her from harm.

  Darien!!

  She tried reaching out with her mind like he did his. Tried to touch him
in awe. Tried to convey the torrent of emotions she felt at the moment.
He soothed her and very soon, she was calm. She hugged a pillow to herself,
trying to think it was warm and loving... like Darien.

  *Thank you.*
  *You're welcome.*
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  Night had fallen and Serena was alone in the mansion. Looking out the
window, Serena stared out into the night sky. There would be a storm
tonight. The trees swayed with the wind that was beginning to pick up in
strength. She shivered. It was so cold and dark...

  The clock struck 10pm. Darien and the others were not back yet.

  Making a decision, she opened the garden doors and walked outside into
the night sky. She wore only a sweater, white loafers and a pair of sandals.
From the garden, she could hear the waves crashing on the beach not far
from the mansion. Deciding to pay a visit to the beach, she headed down
that way.

  She neared a cliff that connected down to the beach. The wind was steadily
picking up pace. The dark waves crashing onto the sand suddenly became
ominous to her. Her body tensed. Someone was watching her.

  She never knew how she knew it. She just did.

  Moving away from the cliff, she turned her head to the direction of the
house. Then there was a buzzing in her mind. Dark evil whispers. Seducing
her, calling to her. Exactly like as before when she and Claire had 
encountered the undead that had claimed the life of her bestfriend.

  She wanted to run. To flee back to the mansion, but her feet would not
respond. It was as if they had been nailed to the earth. Oh why had she 
left the safety of the mansion???
  Wrapping arms around herself, she tried to drive away the chill that was
invading her. The insidious buzzing and whispers grew louder.

  It appeared suddenly out of thin air. She choked in fear. It was a 
handsome looking man whose eyes seemed to burn like flame. Her fear mounted.
The man looked beautiful but a dark choking aura seemed to repulse her.
  The man moved towards her, and she let out a piercing scream. Mentally
as well as literally.


  Darien who was returning to the mansion, felt a sudden fear from Serena
grip his insides. Her scream echoed in his mind. Boiling rage and anger
unleashed the demon in him, exploding in his gut, his eyes turning into 
burning red flames behind his stormy blue.
  Whoever was scaring his mate this way... he was going to kill him. He
sped faster towards the mansion.

  Serena tried to scramble away from the man reaching for her. She watched
in horror as the man's face contorted into hatred, the skin stretching
across his cheek bones. Drool was beginning to dribble from his snarling
mouth. A mouth that had VERY sharp fangs. He was an undead.

  "Foolisssh mortal, you are already dead." hissed the creature in a snake-
like way.

  Memories of blood flashed before her eyes. Of a vampire like this one,
with it's fangs, ripping into Claire's throat, her green eyes going wide and
pleading. Of the blood that had dripped down her pale throat. Dripping onto
her clothes, onto the gravel.
  All the blood that had been splashed on herself. The choking stench of
evil. The mad gleam in the demon's eyes as he felt Claire go limp beneath
him. The memory when he turned crazed blood red eyes on her, the way he
licked his lips of the blood dripping down his chin.

  She screamed once more.

  She heard his laugh at her voice, the fear lacing it.

  "Yessss...sssscream for me. I like adrenaline in my meals." laughed the
creature. He revealed teeth stained brown and sagging gums. A clawed hand
shot out to grab her.

  *Please God...let it be quick.* she pleaded as she squeezed her eyes shut.

  The hand never came. One eye opened. She saw another's hand had caught
the undead's wrist merely inches from her. She gave a choke and scrambled
backwards.
  The undead hissed at her rescuer.

  The man was unfazed and attacked the undead. She saw blood and the vampire
who spat and snarled, lacerations appearing on his skin. The other being
was moving so fast!!
  Finally, the end came when the undead tried to strike out blindly at the
quicker creature only to have the man bury his hand into the undead's 
chest and pull out a black organ that was tossed away, landing quite close
to where she sat.

  She realized it was a pulsing heart that writhed and wriggled on the 
ground, the patch of grass dying where the organ had landed. She gave a cry
and moved away once more, feeling bile rising up her throat.

  Suddenly, lightning incinerated the organ leaving ashes in it's place.
Her head flew up and she saw only the man atanding there. She had been so
engrossed with the heart, she had barely realized the man had destroyed the
body of the undead.

  Serena squinted at the man. He was tall and lean with dark hair. She felt
his eyes on her. He spoke then... "Come here."
  Eyes widening at the sound, she shook her head.

  The man frowned. She sensed he was confused. 
  "Come here, girl." he ordered once more, she felt the push in his voice.

  "No..." she croaked, still shaking her head as she watched him walk 
purposefully towards her. *Darien!!*
  To say the least, she was surprised when Darien actually materialized
before her eyes, blocking her away from the other man.

  The other man stopped, surprised. "Darien."
  "Geoffrey." he acknowledged with a snarl. "What are you doing here??"
  "I bring you news. But we must see to the mortal, first."
  "You...stay...away...from...her." he growled.
  "What? Darien-"
  "The mortal, is MY mate."

  Geoffrey turned surprised eyes towards the tiny blonde behind Darien. His
eyes widening.
  "But she is human."
  "She is mine. I am sure." snapped Darien as he sheltered Serena under his
arm, tucking his jacket around her as she clung to him.

  "Alright, if you say so. I destroyed an undead who sought to make a meal
out of her." shrugged Geoffrey in a steely voice. It was a subtle reprimand.
How could any male leave his mate alone like that, without protection?
  Darien felt anger. He understood what Geoffrey was insinuating.

  "Why are you here? You are supposed to be in Europe with my father."
  "As I said, I bring news."
  "What news?"
  "He has left Europe and has reached America...we believe he is coming 
for you..."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
To be continued...

Reviews! Emails! Whichever!! Tell me what you think so far. :) I just
might give you the next chapter. In fact, I'm going to write it now. :)
Are you curious yet??
16/6/02
Edited: 17/6/02