Title:Dark Angel
Author:Tapestry
Email:Shaddow_Cat@hotmail.com
Rating:R
Standard Disclaimer Apply
* denotes mind speaking
9/8/02

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: Thank you so much to all the reviewers. *blinks again at the number*
Never thought this story would be so popular. I've been busy with my
trial exams, sorry. :p Anyway, I thank you again for your patience
and support. (Yes, I read your review, CrystallineLily) On to the
story. :)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


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 6: Stranger Within ~

  They landed silently at the front door of the great mansion. Serena took
her head out of the crook of Darien's neck to look up into his solemn face.

  "Part of you? Darien-"
  "Enough Serena, I do not wish to speak about myself anymore."

  Blue eyes glared at him. He was always shutting her out. Always. He was
hiding facts from her. Why couldn't he tell her?? Did she not deserve to
know the truth?

  "Yes you do, Serena. But I cannot give you the truth until I have
destroyed him." sighed Darien wearily.

  She turned to enter the house and find someplace as far from him as
possible. The man tried her patience and sanity.
Strong arms snaked around to lock her firmly in place against him.

Serena's eyes were wide and shining with unshed tears.

  "You're shivering..." he whispered softly. "Please, do not cry, baby...
I cannot bear your tears."

  He was warm and caring. A safe haven from all the monsters and demons in
the world. Monsters that threathened to destroy her. How could she ever
leave him? How could she stay angry with him?? Reject him? In his arms,
it was impossible for her to leave because he loved her. Whether he knew it
or not, he loved her.

  And she loved him.

  A tear made its way down her cheek.

  They stood together that way for a few moments until the cold was too
intense for her to bear.
  He then quickly ushered her into the warmth and safety of the mansion.


  "You need to sleep, little one. You did not rest this morning as I lay
in the healing soil." he murmured, tucking her into bed.
  "Will you stay?"
  "Until you sleep, love. Then I must go out to join Geoffrey and the
others. We know a new group of undead have entered the city. We have to
seek them out and destroy them, less they wreak havoc in the city.
  "I hate being alone..." she mumbled.
  "Whenever you wake, I'll always be with you." he said softly, kissing her
on the forehead. "Raye will be in the mansion...so you are not alone.
  Good night, love." he whispered sending her a compulsion to sleep.

  A sleepy Serena waved a hand at him indignantly.

  "I can sleep by myself. I don't need your help." she muttered, curling up
into the covers and hugging her pillow tightly.

  Darien chuckled softly.

  "Sleep well, baby.."


  The cloud of sleep was upon her, the surroundings fogged and dark like on
a misty moonless night. She knew she was asleep, yet why did her
surroundings seem so real?
  In whichever direction she took, the paths were endless.

  All dark and ominous. Too lonely...

  A raptor swooped out of the mist, talons outstretched towards her. She
screamed, ducking from the bird's attack. It disappeared. She sat on the
ground, petrified.

  It was only a dream.

  She needed to wake up.

  Why couldn't she wake up??

  A horrendous screech filled the night air, sending a chill down her spine.
A wail and then silence.

  She shut her eyes, pressing her palms tightly to her ears. Turning around,
she saw a shadowy figure stumbling in the mist.
  She got up, wanting to run the the figure for help.

  But when she reached the person, blank eyes turned towards her. The man's
throat was ripped and bloody. Dark streams of ruby liquid gushing down his
throat, staining his shirt. His face was smeared with the sticky fluid.

  "Help me..." he croaked, reaching out a hand towards her.

  She screamed.

  Looking down onto her own hands, she saw blood....red and flowing down
into pools from her palms.

  She backed away, staring in horror at her hands, then at the pale man
dragging himself towards her, his throat still pumping blood from the
wound on his neck.

  Her back bumped into a solid body as hard as a brick wall. Her head slowly
turned in fear of the sight that was waiting to greet her eyes.

  Tall...dark...a face smeared with blood. A tongue coming out to lick at
the red liquid.

  Her blue eyes widened in horror...

  "Darien..."

  Only, the man in front of her did not display Darien's usual expression
of gentle caring or amusement. The blue eyes were hard as granite. His
expression set in a sneer.

  He smiled a wicked grin, displaying his fangs. She had no doubt what had
done damage to the dead man's throat...

  Her hand went to her own throat in fear.

  "Darien??"

  The blue eyes narrowed, a hand with nails like talons reached for her.

  She let out a scream and sat up, sweating in bed. Her breathing laboured
and blonde strands of hair clung to her wet brow. Her fingers clutched at
the bedspread tightly.

  The door burst open and Raye was in.

  "Serena??!!"

  A malicious laugh echoed in her brain. Evil and demented, it made her
feel nauseous and violated.

  The sound, so much like Darien's tones chilled her to the marrow in her
bones.

  *I'm always watching you....*


  Raye stared at Serena's heaving huddled form, shivering with fright on
the bed. Her fist was clenched tight, holding balls of bedspread in her
hands.

  "Serena, what's wrong?" asked Raye.

  Her heart was beating erratically, as if it were trying to explode from
her chest. Blood rushed to her head, her lungs were burning, locked.

  The balcony doors burst open.

  All at once, he was there...dark and intimidating.

  She screamed.

  The dark figure reached for her. She struggled in his strong grip. A
tender hand reached up to cup her face.

  "Serena...beloved, it's me."

  The voice. The voice from her nightmare. She squeezed her eyes shut,
fearful of the face that she would see. The expression of chilling hatred.

  "Baby...baby, open your eyes, sweet." coaxed the silvery tone.

  Hesitantly, one blue eye opened. Then the other. She was staring into
the face of the man she loved. There was only tenderness in his expression.
A deep worry that lined his face. It was devoid of the icy expression in
his eyes. The cruel sneer was not present on his lips.

  There was no blood on his face....

  With a sob, she threw herself into his arms, burying her head into the
crook of his neck. She felt his arms envelope her, warm hands running up
and down her back in a soothing motion.
  She felt the beat of his heart...thumping steadily in his breast. She
felt her own heart slow to match his until they both thudded in synchronized
rhythm.

  Yes, this was Darien. The man she loved. He was kind, loving, gentle and
attentive. Inconsiderate at times, but he was the man she loved. So why had
her mind created such a terrible picture of him in her mind?

  Cold, hateful, cruel, violent....evil.


  Darien frowned, his hands tightening around her. He had picked out the
thoughts in her head. The confusion and the fear.
  He had seen the nightmare vividly in her mind. The blood...him.

  His eyes narrowed.

  He soothed her as best he could, asking his sister to make a special
herbal tea for Serena. He had met her eyes over Serena's head and she had
heard the message in his eyes even though he had not said a thing verbally
or mentally.

  Raye had understood.

  He waited until she stopped sobbing. Lifting her face out of his black
silk shirt. She looked up at him, her eyes red and swollen from crying.
  She rubbed her nose, sniffling.

  "I'm sorry...I had a bad dream. I didn't mean to alarm you.."

  She had no idea how alarmed he had been when she had awakened with fear
pounding through her. He had very nearly lost his raptor form and fallen
out of the sky in shock at the myriad of emotions that had slammed into him.

  He had turned back without explaining to his comrades.

  "What was it about?" he prodded, hoping she would tell him freely, though
he already knew.

  "I-It was nothing." she stammered.

  Before he could probe at her further, Raye returned...with the herbal tea.
Why did sisters have the knack for bad timing??
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  Closing the door to his chambers, he sighed and turned to face his sister.
She was looking at him expectantly, already knowing what had happened.

  "It was him, wasn't it?" asked Raye furiously.

  Darien nodded. "It seems he managed to get into her dreams."

  "This is low, even for him!! How did he manage it??"
"I have an inkling and yet, I did not know he was able to do this
particular skill. Finding a person who has not exchanged blood with him.."

  Raye frowned. "Can that be done?"
Darien looked at his sister and nodded. "Oh yes, I can do it. I should
not have been surprised he is able to as well."
  "Can you stop him from invading her mind?"

  "Yes. But only consciously. If she falls asleep say somewhere without my
knowledge, I would not know to put up a shield for her." sighed Darien,
ruffling his dark hair.
  "That's why you're supposed to look in on her everytime, Darien."

  "Don't get too big for your skirts, brat." snorted Darien.
  "Who's a brat? You're only older by half a century." sniffed Raye
haughtily. "You half killed yourself to get back here. How do you intend
to take care of her if you do not take care of yourself?"

  "She was frightened. You know a male's first priority and instinct is his
mate, Raye...doubtless if you were in a similar position, Jayden would have
moved heaven and earth just to get to you." smiled Darien.
  Raye rolled her eyes.

  "Move heaven and earth to get to whom?" came a casual lazy voice.

  Raye turned to find her husband, Jayden amble in, a lazy expression on
his face. A gleam appeared in his eyes at the sight of her.

  Raye snorted. "This lazy oaf? I doubt it."

  Strong arms locked themselves about her, pulling her securely against the
warm body that owned them.
  "Who's lazy? Careful I don't starve you, flame." teased Jayden.
  "Like you could bear it." laughed Raye.

  Darien coughed. "Excuse me, lovebirds...remember me? A male in the middle
of the mating cycle?? Be at least a bit considerate and take your
inapropriate behaviour to an isolated area."

  Raye and Jayden chuckled. "We wish you good luck, brother." laughed
Jayden as he and Raye vanished into thin air.

  Darien shook his head. He would need all the luck he could get...

  The air beside him shimmered, Geoffrey appearing in place. His face was
grim. "You summoned, Darien?"
  "Yes. Dylan had been invading Serena's dreams."

  Geoffrey's eyes narrowed. "It is clear he is trying to split the two of
you up."
  "Mmhmm...you still haven't been able to pick up his trail?"
  "No. Not with the new arrival of undead. But the recent killings reported
are not his handiwork."
  "Damn.."
  "You will need to take stronger precautions to protect your mate, Darien.
Why not just bind her to you?"

  Darien shook his head.

  "No...I do not want to force her. Nor do I want her coming to me under
duress. It must be her choice. Her own free will. I would not take that
from her. She means too much to me." sighed Darien.
  "Yet if she were one of our race, you would not hesitate."

  "No. I would not."
  "You love her..."

  "She is my mate for life. There can be no other."

  Geoffrey's lips twisted in a wry smile.

  "You are in love with her, Darien. A passion of the heart and soul that
had nothing to do with her being your mate. Tell her, Darien. You might be
surprised how much power these words hold. You were born into this world
for her, as she was for you, and you have been blessed to be able to find
the one destined for you."

  Darien stared at Geoffrey. His hand clapped his shoulder in brotherly
affection.
  "You will find your mate someday, Geoffrey..."

  A brief smile curled his lips.

  "Perhaps, Darien....perhaps." whispered Geoffrey as he wandered off into
the night's shadows.

  Darien stared off into the darkness...a worried look on his face.
Geoffrey had been acting strangely lately and it only got worst with time.
A frown crept onto his face. What has happened to you old friend??


  Geoffrey sighed as he exited the mansion into the night.

  How much longer could he take this?? His hands shook slightly. With a
curse, Geoffrey clenched his hands into fists. He would stay as long as he
was needed. He would not surrender to the demon that was consuming him
slowly...he would not.


  Raye found her brother brooding in the library. His dark eyes staring out
into the moonless night. She noticed the storm clouds gathering outside.
It was clear Darien was displeased with something.

  "Darien?"

  "Raye. What is it?"

  "I know you still hunger. Should you not go out while we still have
this rising?"
  "I do not want to leave Serena alone in this house."
  "She's not alone. I am here. Jayden and Geoffrey are here. Even Neph has
returned. She would not be alone."
  "But I would not be here, and doubtless if she has anymore nightmares,
you and the rest would not be able to help her." muttered Darien with a
frown marring his face.

  Raye sighed and came to stand next to her brother.

  "Then it appears I will have to volunteer." she murmured, holding out her
pale slim wrist towards Darien.

  Darien stared at the wrist in front of him, then turned his gaze towards
her. He frowned.
  "What is the meaning of this, Raye?"

  "It means, I am offering, so that you may be at full strength." she
replied softly.
  "Do not, little sister. I already took from Malcolm."
"You are our leader in this land, brother. We depend on your guidance.
Drink Darien. I offer you the strength to care for your life's mate."

  Darien could do nothing but sigh in consternation at his sister.


  It was nearing dawn as Serena awoke. Above her was Darien's face. There
was such a tender look on his face that made her heart clench.

  "Darien..."

  She watched his eyes flare, turning a dark turbulent blue as wild as the
ocean on a stormy night.

  "How are you feeling? No more nightmares?"

  "Mmm...I'm fine. But you should seek the ground. It is nearly dawn." she
whispered worriedly.
  "Do not worry. I will seek the earth soon. I merely wanted to make sure
you were alright."
  "I am fine, Darien. Please, go now before the sun rises."

  He chuckled. "What is with your anxiety, baby? I assure you, I can stand
the early sun and I will not melt away before your very eyes." he teased.
  "Darien-!"

  She was cut off by his lips claiming hers. His lips were warm and pliant.
His mouth was scorchingly hot. A shiver ran through her as his tongue
brushed her mouth in tender exploration.

  He claimed, plundered and demanded...and she gave.

  Her arms came to twine round his neck, holding him securely to her. Yes,
this was the man she had fallen in love with...this familiar seductive man.

  He was not the stranger that had invaded her dreams earlier in the night.

  That had not been Darien.


  She heard a growl and realized it came from the man above her. She gasped
lightly when his hand claimed her breast, gently caressing through the
material of her nightgown.

  It was him that pulled away for she doubted if she even had the strength
or the will to stop the seduction of her senses. His breathing laboured and
a certain light was shining in his smoldering gaze.

  She could only stare up at him.

  "It seems, baby....that I have a penchant for self inflicted torture."
he groaned.
  "Darien..."

  He half groaned, half growled.

  "You cannot look at me that way, Serena...and I fear," he murmured,
casting a glance at the rising sun, "I have to go now."

  He straightened, staring down at her.

  "We will finish this one day, love. I will see you this evening." he
murmured, pressing a comforting kiss to her forehead.

  Serena sat up as he headed for the door. She watched as he opened it and
stopped, turning back to look at her.

  "Do not at anytime, fall asleep when I am not near, Serena..." warned
Darien. "Even though Dylan is undead, you might not even be safe from his
nightmares in dawn's light."

  She nodded unable to speak as her voice was still lodged in her throat
from his kiss.

  He smiled before closing the door behind him.

  Serena stared at the door for a few more minutes before falling back onto
the bed in a groan. He was battering at her will with a single-minded
determination. How could she ever stop herself from loving him?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  It was only a week later when the trouble came....

  Serena had fallen asleep one night waiting for Darien to return to the
mansion...
  What followed, had been a horrendous nightmare.

  Serena wandered around the dark corridors. Why was it so dark?? There
were no sounds. No sensations. Not even the chirping of a cricket to shatter
the silence of the dark upside down world.

  "Serena...." came a singsong voice.

  "Who??"

  "I've always been watching you." taunted the voice that was the same
eerie pitch as Darien's.

  "Where are you??! Why do you torment me this way??"

  "To get back at Darien. He was always the perfect child. Heir to the
leadership of our people. The one that could do no wrong. He is even the
first to find his mate..."

  "Dylan..."

  "Yes."

  A fog rolled in, blanketing the landscape, making it difficult for her
to see.
  "This is a dream...this isn't real!"

  "Ah...but there are times, they can seem so real...can they not?"

  Out of the mist, a shadow appeared. Just like in her nightmare and memory.
Why couldn't she wake up???
  *Darien!! Where are you??*

  "Tell me, Serena...have you ever heard the story of the scorpion and the
fox?" asked the shadowy figure.

  "The scorpion and the fox?"

  "Once, there was a scorpion who wanted to cross the river and asked a
passing fox to ferry him across. The fox declined, saying if he took the
scorpion across on his back, the scorpion would sting him. The scorpion
replied that if he were to do that, he too would die by drowning. Hearing
that, the fox agreed, carrying the scorpion across on his back. But half
way across the river, the scorpion stung the fox. As they sank into the
water, the fox asked the scorpion, 'Why did you do that? Now you too will
die.' The scorpion replied....'I cannot help it. It is my nature.'"

  "What are you trying to say??"

  "You are a human. A mortal. Darien is an immortal. You are the fox, he
is the scorpion. He says you are his life's mate now, but your bond is
fragile and easily broken."

  Serena shook her head. "No...I love him. I know he does too.."

  "Love can easily be made to be broken...how much do you ACTUALLY know
about him? His parents? His friends? His past?? Darien can easily turn on
you if he feels you will be a threat to his kind. You will find, it is
his nature to protect his species first.." laughed the figure.

  "No. Darien's not like that!!"

  "Are you sure, Serena?? Are you so very sure?? Because, I know Darien..."

  Serena held her breath as Dylan moved forward out of the mist...

 Turbulent blue eyes filled with hate and hair as dark as a raven's wing.
His lips curled in a sneer...
  "I am part of him..."

  "SERENA!!"

  Her eyes opened, focusing on the face in front of her...Darien.

  She screamed.

  "Serena??! Serena! It's me, Darien!! Serena, what-"

  She could only struggle and scream.

  "Darien! What-?" exclaimed Geoffrey.

  Batting Darien's hands away, Serena ran from the room. The nightmare
still fresh in her mind. The hatred in those eyes were chilling. She ran
from the house, out into the open air. She had to get away...


  Geoffrey frowned. "What happened?" he asked catching hold of Darien's
arm. The dark haired man snarled at him, but Geoffrey did not flinch.
  "Dylan is what happened..."

  His eyes narrowed into slits.

  "Release me. I have to go after her." hissed Darien.

  "At least inform the others."

  "I have no time." snapped Darien as he dissolved into droplets of mist
and streaked out into the night air.
  Geoffrey watched impassively as Darien disappeared into the night.


  *What do you think, Darien??* came a taunting voice.
  *Bastard, if you've hurt her. I'll kill you.* snarled Darien mentally.
  *As if you wouldn't have done that had you encountered me??*
  *I'll kill you with my own hands...*
  *Temper, temper. Your mate is so confused right now. Being mortal, she
can't really tell who is who unless she tries to connect mentally.*
  *Dylan...I will hunt you and destroy you for what you have done.*
  *Not unless I kill your mate first.*

  The link was severed but Darien had nothing on his thoughts except
reaching Serena. Geoffrey's short delay had done little to slow him down.
  Serena was in the woods ahead.


  She fell, her foot caught in a tree root. Why was she running?? What had
propelled her out of the safety of the mansion?? Darien....why was she
running from him? She loved him...and yet, she felt compelled to run.

  "Because you're under compulsion." came a voice.

  Turning to the sound, Serena saw Darien step out of the woods.

  "Darien."

  "It's alright, Serena. Don't worry."

  As he stepped toward her, every instinct she possessed was screaming at
her to run away. To get as far as she could from this man. His gaze
repulsed her and his gentle voice sounded oddly ingratiating to her. He
did not draw her gaze and she could not sense his thoughts. He unnerved her.
  His presence did not make her heart race with passion and desire. She felt,
nothing....

  "Serena? What is wrong?"

  "GET AWAY FROM HER!!" came an angry snarl.

  A second Darien dropped from the sky, landing in front of her, facing the
other Darien.

  Two.

  There were two of them...

  Dear God...

  The new Darien that had dropped out of the sky was a mass of turbulent
emotions. Anger, hatred, fear, despair, protectiveness...love. It burned
brightly in him. He drew her attention. Made her heart beat a little quicker
in anticipation.
  This was HER Darien.

  "Hello Darien."
  "Dylan..."
  "Nice to see you again." smiled Dylan, his face turning into a sneer.
  "I said I would kill you if you harmed her."
  "But I haven't even touched a single strand of hair on her head."
  "You sent her nightmares. Placed a compulsion in her to run from the
mansion. You even killed in front of her..."
  "And you have not?"
  "I brought justice to that damned one."

  Dylan's lips turned up at the corners.

  "Bringing justice and killing...what is the difference?"

  "What did I ever do to earn your hatred of me, Dylan?"

  Blue eyes identical to his met his own. They were filled with hate and
loathing.
  "You were born...FIRST."

  Dylan leapt at Darien with surprising speed and swiftness, a clawed hand
outstretched to tear into flesh and muscle.
  Darien blinked, dodging the hand.

  Looking behind him, Dylan snarled.

  Vines shot from the ground, trying to ensnare Darien in it's grip. Darien
shape-shifted, turning into a huge black owl, it's talons diving towards
Dylan.
  Not to be outdone, Dylan too transformed himself into a black owl. The
two birds fought in the air, falling to the earth to fight in the form of
huge black wolves. They were evenly matched.

  Serena watched in fear as each wolf snarled and snapped at the other.
The vines shot at one of the wolves once more. The wolf dissolved into mist,
escaping from it's clutches.

  Unfortunately, the vines shifted and shot towards Serena who gasped in
surprise. The vines wrapped around her arms and legs and yet, she felt no
pain. Looking down at her wrists, Serena finally realized Darien was
expending energy to protect her by shielding her with some type of force field .
The vines had not wrapped around her, but the space surrounding her.

  Dylan smiled.

  "Can you protect her and defend yourself, Darien??"

  Picking up a stone, Dylan threw it with amazing force and speed towards
Serena's chest.

  Before her eyes, the stone seemed to slow and stop in mid air, falling to
the ground. The air in front of her shimmered, and Darien stood where once
there was only thin air.
  Serena nearly cried out in horror as she noticed the lacerations on his
body. Dylan too had injuries of his own. She tried to go to him, but found
herself unable to move.

  *DARIEN!!*

  "You're pale, Darien. Perhaps you now realize my blood has poison?"

  He did realize. Dylan was indeed a specialist in poisons and herbs. The
poison that was slowly spreading in his blood was causing him great pain.
He was using energy to protect Serena as well as slow the spread of
poison in his body. He felt slightly light-headed.

  Dylan attacked again.

  "DARIEN!!!" screamed Serena.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  The dust settled, Serena sighed in relief as she saw Geoffrey in front
of Darien.
  "Allow me to deal with Dylan, Darien. You should see to your mate."
  "Dylan is my responsibility-"
  "And your first priority is to your mate. Go."

  Darien sighed. Arguing with Geoffrey was like arguing with a brick wall
at times.

  As he made it towards Serena, she rushed towards him. Tears were falling
from her eyes.
  "Dear God..." she murmured, looking at the gashes on his body. She
reached out a hand to touch his blood stained arm but was stopped but a
strong hand. He held her wrist in a firm unbreakable grip.

  "It's not as bad as it looks, baby. I do not want you touching the blood.
I am taking no chances you might be infected with the undead's poison.
As you are mortal, you would not be able to withstand it as I can."
explained Darien imperiously.

  "But-"

  "You will return to the mansion, Serena." ordered Darien in a hypnotic
tone.
  The sound of his voice, so pure, sliding over her skin like water,
mesmerized her for a few seconds before she shook off the spell he was
casting over her.
  "No, Darien...you need help!"

  "I need to aid Geoffrey, love. You cannot be here as I battle with this
monster."

  *Monster am I??* came the sneer in his mind.

  Darien turned to see Dylan elude Geoffrey and send a rock hurtling towards
him and Serena at bullet speed.
  "Darien!!" screamed Serena. She threw herself in front of him.

  Fear gripped his gut as he reached out and halted the stone flying through
the air, letting it drop harmlessly to the ground.

  His hands gripped her arms tightly. He glowered at her but turned to
face the sudden man that materialized behind his left shoulder.

  "Zach, take her back to the mansion. Guard her with your life!" he ordered
imperiously.
  "No!"
  "I will deal with you afterwards." snapped Darien as he pushed her from
him into Zach's arms.

  Serena felt herself carried into the air. Fear gripped her throat as she
saw Darien plunge back into the battle taking place between Geoffrey and
Dylan.

  "NO!!"

  "It is no use, Serena. This is Darien's burden to bear. He will not
listen, but you need not worry he would place his life in jeopardy. He has
you to live for.." assured Zach calmly.
  "But, his wounds! How-?"

  "Do not worry, our species is quite hardy. We do not die that easily."
murmured Zach.
  "But, why are the others not here??"
  "They would have made their way back, unfortunately...Darien has declared
none may try to aid him in this."
  "How can he do that??!! How can you let him do that!!?" shrieked Serena as
she started to struggle.

  "If you struggle anymore, I can promise you it will be myself and Darien
who will be in danger. He would feel your emotions."

  She knew the truth in his words. Felt the love and protectiveness that he
wrapped about her like a blanket.

  *Please...come back safely, Darien.* she whispered out into the night.

  *I know, love...*


  "Give in, Dylan." murmured Geoffrey.
  "Don't hope that the sun will rise in the west." snorted Dylan. "Why not
join me?? I know you're close to turning already, Geoffrey."

  Geoffrey merely watched Dylan impassively.

  "Dylan. You hurt her. I swore if you hurt her, I would kill you with no
mercy though you are part of who I am." snarled Darien.

  "Such a fiery temper, Darien. I never wanted your mercy, nor do I want it
now. Though I am curious, not getting some, Darien?? Frustration??" taunted
Dylan. "She was such a frightened little thing in her dreams. Really..."

  Darien saw red before his eyes as the demon within roared and consumed
him. With a snarl of rage, Darien flew towards Dylan.
  He evaded.

  "Predictable."

  Geoffrey acted then, heading straight for Dylan.

  Unfortunately, Dylan evaded and delivered a blow to Geoffrey, a smug smile
on his face at Geoffrey's shocked expression.

  "Geoffrey!" exclaimed Darien rushing to his side.

  He fell to the ground, clutching his stomach as blood poured over his
hands, staining his clothes crimson.

  Darien turned to see Dylan standing in front of him, his eyes filled with
perverse pleasure. Blood dripped from his hand.

  Lightning leapt across the sky as the clouds darkened and gathered. A
rumbling was heard. Lightning hit the earth, splitting a dead tree wide as
the heavens burst open, pouring rain down onto the silent battlefield.
  Tears from heaven.

  He was angry.

  He was furious.

  He was disappointed.

  He attacked.

  Darien and Dylan were locked in combat once more. A vine wrapped around
Darien's legs, giving Dylan the opening he needed.

  Red seemed to glow in his eyes along with a mad grin of triumph. His
clawed hand, straight for the jugular.

  Darien's eyes widened. He couldn't shift into mist with Dylan
locking him to solid form with his mind.

  *Serena...*

  In the mansion a mile away, Serena jumped up from the chair she was in
and ran towards the patio doors.
  Zach caught her about the waist.

  "No no no nononono!!!" screamed Serena hysterically. "Let me go!!"
  *Darien!*


  It was a blurred streak in front of him. The clawed hand sliced through
flesh and muscle. Blood spurted and poured from the wound. A deep gash at
the neck.

  "Geoffrey!!" exclaimed Darien, breaking free of Dylan's power. He rushed
to the fallen man's side. Geoffrey had staggered and crumpled to the
ground. His face was pale, his great strength seeping from him with each
gush of blood that exited his body.

  Darien swept his tongue over the wound at his neck despite the man's
protest of the poison.
  "I am already infected. I will survive, old friend."

  Dylan stared dumbly at Geoffrey before snorting.

  "Fool." he spat with a sneer.

  Darien glared at Dylan. *Hear me, Geoffrey is wounded...come at once.*
he telepathed to his unit. He knew they were close. He had forbade them to
aid him....

  Dylan was his shame to bear.

  And now perhaps Geoffrey was going to pay the price.

  "Damn you, Dylan..."

  The undead merely lifted an eyebrow mockingly.

  "Am I not already damned, Darien?? You were lucky you had a scapegoat
this time. But not the next. I know you've called Malcolm and the others to
you, so I will now take my leave as the odds do not favour me." laughed
Dylan as he disappeared before Darien had a chance to hold him to the earth.

  *You will not get away with this, Dylan. This I swear.*

  *And you would do well to watch your delight, for I swear the next chance
I have, I will rip her heart out.*
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  Geoffrey was brought back to the mansion. He refused to sleep.

  "Heal Darien first." he murmured weakly.

  "I can heal myself. You need the attention more than I do." said Darien.

  "You are too weak...you are grey and I can feel your hunger. Allow
Malcolm to heal you, and let me rest..."

  The group widened their eyes at his words.

  "NO!" Darien burst out in anger.

  Serena soothed Darien as he stumbled and winced.

  "You believe you cannot hold on anymore." whispered Serena.

  Geoffrey merely offered her a slight smile. "I have nothing to hold on
for. I am not really needed as Darien has so many good friends to help him.
He also has you now."

  "What about a mate?"
  "I know she exists somewhere. Yet I know not where or when. The demon
gets stronger everyday. Perhaps she has crossed over to the next world and
awaits me there..."
  "You do not know that for sure."
  "Perhaps not. But I am too old. Too tired of everything."
  "Too tired to protect the mate who might need you? And if you left, she
would be condemned in this world." murmured Serena.

The was silence for a moment.

  "You try to cajole me. But I still say Darien should be healed first.
The poison is painful and eats away at you. Darien has been infected longer
than I have."

Serena nodded. "I totally agree."

Darien turned to her in shock. "What?"

  "Malcolm will heal you first. Thinking about it. With yourself at full
strength, you can aid in healing Geoffrey." whispered Serena.
Darien frowned at her and muttered something about manipulative women
before finally agreeing.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
To be continued...

Whew! I finally finished this chapter. Okay, so I revealed Dylan's identity
a bit earlier. The next chapter will be about Dylan. (I think) Just a
question...should I make Geoffrey die, or not?? I really can't decide.
Review me and tell me. I have a week's holiday from school. (Thank Goodness)
Trials are over...*and I hope I don't flunk history* So, REVIEWS!! EMAILS!!
Whichever!! Some coments please!!
7/9/02
Edited:7/9/02