Dark Secrets Author: aria Rated: R thanks to LS for editing and putting up with my neuroses. hope you all enjoy the chapter. Chapter 10 Serena closed her eyes and tossed back another shot. It glided slowly down her throat, stinging like acid on its way to pool in her stomach. But it wasn’t nearly enough to make her forget what was going on. Hidden amongst the throng of people and comforted by the loud throbbing music, she felt relatively safe enough to sit back to try and think. She knew that if any of them wanted to find her, there was nowhere she could hide. This was as safe a place as any. And at least there were plenty of people around. Serena didn’t feel like going back to her empty apartment just yet. She waved the bartender over and thrust the empty shot glass at him. “Another.” She watched as he poured more of the clear drink. Taking it, Serena silently toasted him and downed it. “Can I buy you another?” Serena looked him up and down and sent him a look that let him know she wasn’t interested. As far as she was concerned, she wasn’t interested in men anymore. Especially ones that looked like he just crawled out of a vat of gel. “I think I’m doing fine on my own, pal.” “A pretty girl like you shouldn’t be out drinking on her own.” He sat on the stool next to her and did his best ‘I-am-handsome-it’ll-just-take-a-few-more-drinks-for-you-to-notice’ face. Serena swung herself around to look at him, contemplating calling out to Darien just so he would get rid of him for her. She shook her head, she couldn’t do that to the poor slob. “Leave me alone.” When he gave her another one of his looks, she quickly added, “My boyfriend just went to the bathroom. He’s having a bad night and had a few too many drinks,” she feigned a cringe of fear. The man took the promise of violence as a hint. Serena almost laughed as he scurried away. She couldn’t believe how mean spirited she was being. It was completely uncharacteristic. But then again the recent events wouldn’t have cheered anyone up. And how was she taking it all in stride? She lifted her arm to look at her empty glass. She slid her finger into the shot glass and collected the last few beads of alcohol on her fingertips, quickly licking them clean. Maybe she was drunker than she thought? She pushed it aside and got up, slapping a wad of bills onto the bar. “Thanks. See you tomorrow.” The bartender took a quick glance at the bills and waved in thanks. Serena wound her way out of the throbbing mass of bodies, ignoring the inviting glances and blatant attempts to get her to dance. Outside the air was cold and misty, the roads completely deserted. Serena wrinkled her nose and shuffled along, ignoring the fist of fear that immediately clamped down on her stomach at the thought of being alone. The cold air was like an icy blade slicing through her forehead. Rubbing her head she forced her feet to move. The sooner she got home, the better. She shook her head to try and clear it but she succeeded in the opposite. Serena fell heavily against a wall when the world careened wildly from side to side. “Why do I do this to myself?” “Because you are self destructive.” The smooth feminine voice came from somewhere in the dark; Serena was too disoriented to know where for sure. But it did sound very familiar. She forced her head up to peer into the darkness. “Mina?” The blonde strode out from the shadows and smiled dangerously. “Hello, Serena.” Serena blinked a couple times. She couldn’t believe that she was seeing her friend. A dozen questions piled onto her tongue. “Where have you been? Are you ok?” “Better than ever.” She slowly made her way up to Serena and circled her. “Which is more than I could say about you.” Mina paused to take a look at Serena’s dishevelled appearance and bleary eyes and clicked her tongue. “My, my, you have let yourself go in my absence.” Serena vigorously fought her eyes to focus. She knew there was something wrong with her best friend. She knew her almost as well as she knew herself, and this wasn’t the woman she remembered. As she moved closer, Serena squinted and studied Mina. Tall, slender, and beautiful as always, there was something different about her. She had a different quality she couldn’t quite put her finger on. Then Serena caught the look in her eyes. They were pale and predatory, glittering intensely as they watched her. It was the same look she’d seen several times before—in her vampire acquaintances. Serena felt the icy blades of fear slide up her spine. She stepped back convulsively, stumbling over her feet. “What happened to you, Mina?” Mina grinned slowly, voraciously, as she replied in that silky new voice. “The same thing that’s going to happen to you.” She paused a moment, seemingly listening to the night. Serena could just make out faces watching her intently from the cloak of darkness. She might have been drunk, but there was no way she was going to let them take her and ‘make’ her into one of them. “That’s not going to happen.” The blonde vampire tilted her head, a move characteristic of the old Mina. “Why do you make things so hard for yourself?” Serena could see her features changing, morphing into the image of a predator. She took a few more steps away, “Back off, Mina.” “Sorry, can’t do that.” She replied flippantly as she smiled, baring her fangs. Just as Mina lunged at Serena, a blurry figure dashed in between them, grabbing Serena and knocking Mina far down the alley. Serena blinked to see Diamond standing protectively over her. “Can you walk?” He glared at the others, daring them to attack him. “Walk?” With her liquefied limbs she couldn’t even stand. “You’d better help.” He shook his head and picked her up, cradling her carefully like a child. “You really should take better care of yourself, Serena.” “You can lecture me later.” Serena heard him chuckle and let her eyes close when she felt him start to move. She only opened her eyes again when she felt the movement slow and something press against her back. Diamond had placed her on a soft white chaise in the middle of a very elegant living room. Unlike Darien’s, his place was modern, monochrome and sparse. She found herself vaguely wondering how much something like that would cost. “Not as much as you think.” He put up his hand and looked at her with an embarrassed smirk. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to do that.” Serena put up her hand to stop his apologies. “Whatever.” Her head was throbbing; the last thing on her mind was Diamond’s probing her head. “Got any coffee? Headache pills? A sledgehammer to take the edge off?” He chuckled sympathetically. “I’ll see what I can find.” “Thanks.” She fell back against the chaise, swearing never to touch a drink again and trying to will the world to stop rocking. Diamond returned with a tray carrying water, coffee and some headache tablets. “This is all I had.” Serena tried to smile but failed miserably. She reached for the pills first and the water. “Thanks.” He smiled and sat down on the couch across from her. “So how do you manage to get yourself into all the predicaments that you do?” “I have a talent,” she replied dryly. “Most definitely.” He reached to the end table near him and picked up a decanter and tumbler, proceeding to pour himself a drink. “Couldn’t you have just taken me back to my place?” Serena finished the water and started on the coffee. “I thought it might be safer for you here since Mina was your friend and knows where you live. If they are serious about getting you, there isn’t much that will stop them.” He took a sip of the golden liquid and smiled at her. “You are welcome to stay here for as long as you’d like.” “Thanks for the offer. But I…” she shrugged. It was an awkward situation and she really needed some time to get to grips with everything that was going on. She looked up at him knowing he would understand. “Of course. I will try to find you somewhere you can be safe and have the solitude you crave.” How many times could she thank this guy? She opened her mouth to say it once again but he shook his head, stopping her. “You’re welcome.” Serena sat there silently for a while just staring off into space. She had to admit that he was a nice guy and she felt comfortable with him. It was like sitting and chatting with an old friend. The thread of thought headed back to a familiar patchwork of memories. “You know that stuff…I saw earlier? Was it real?” “What do you think?” He winked at her confused expression. “It doesn’t matter. All that matters is what you feel is real.” How was she going to figure out what was real when everything was up in the air like this? “Why don’t you take a nap while I sort things out for you?” Serena shook her head. “I’m a little too keyed up to sleep right now. You know with they whole thing with you and Darien. Not to mention almost being turned by my best friend.” He smiled almost wistfully and stood up. “Do whatever you like. My home is yours.” Serena nodded jerkily and got up too; she was too anxious to sit still much longer. She wandered to the window and stared out into the darkness searching it, knowing there were things out there that were looking for her. Darien, of course, was the first to come to mind. Everything they had shared had been a lie. It wrenched her heart to think about what had happened. She was hoping that it had all been a lie on Diamond’s part, but tonight Diamond had been the one to protect her, not Darien. The fact hurt her. It seemed that it all really was an illusion. A solitary tear slid down her cheek as she did her best to force Darien out of her mind. ---- She sat there for an hour or a minute, she wasn’t quite sure which. However long it was, Diamond had returned with a key and an address. He placed them in her hands. “Would you like me to take you there?” Serena just looked at the key numbly. Was it such a good idea to be running off on her own? Especially now that she knew of the dangers that lurked in the night? She turned to Diamond. “As I have said, you are more than welcome to stay here.” “Maybe just for tonight?” Serena nibbled at her lower lip fully expecting him to say no, thanks to her indecisiveness. His smile was reassuring. “Of course.” “What about Raine? Won’t she be a little annoyed?” Diamond chuckled as he placed the key and paper on a sideboard. “Don’t worry about her. She won’t bother you.” He took a tentative step closer and when she didn’t move away he put his hands on her shoulders. “I’ll take care of you.” Overwhelmed with a dozen conflicting emotions, Serena stepped into his embrace and let the tears fall. “I’m so confused.” He stroked her. “I know. If I could clear things up for you, I would.” “You’re not going to give me all that bullshit about finding things out for myself are you?” Serena shoved him back and started stalking around the room. “I want someone to tell me what the hell is going on right now!” Her words may have been strong but even as they echoed on the walls her lip trembled. She looked up at Diamond, saw that he was obviously torn. If she hadn’t been so messed up herself, she would have felt sorry for him. But at the moment all she cared about was rebuilding her sanity. “What does Darien want with me if he’s not who he says he is? What do you want with me, for that matter?” Diamond nodded his head in agreement. “I can understand how you feel. If I were you, I’d be trying to find out the truth as well.” He pulled a small, ornately carved mahogany box off one of his shelves and unlocked it with a key dangling from a chain on his neck. Serena stepped next to him to get a look at its contents. Diamond pulled the few items out, treating them as if they were made of spun glass. He handed them to her one at a time so she could get a look at them. One item was a brilliantly coloured feather. The next was a silk handkerchief with the fancy monogram of an intertwined S&D. The last item he handed over was a simple silver bangle. Serena touched them one by one. The threads of familiarity started to weave themselves in her mind, but there was nothing concrete except that she felt she knew what these objects meant. She just didn’t remember what. She looked up at Diamond with a questioning glance. “Who are you?” That question brought a wistful smile to his face. “You’re not going to tell me.” “Not yet.” He touched the feather tenderly. “I just want you to get used to things first. You have had too many shocks in too short a time.” “Are you saying that the knowledge of whoever you are will shock me?” His smile grew into a grin. “I think you are too inquisitive for your own good.” Serena couldn’t stop the urge to stick her tongue out at him. Diamond chuckled and stroked her hair gently. “Get some rest. Your room is up those stairs. You should find it easily enough.” “Thanks, I’ll try to get some rest.” She stepped back. “Will you be going out to feed?” “Yes, I’ll be back shortly.” Diamond smiled at her and strode out of the room. Serena stared out the window for a little while, waiting for him to leave. She watched as his shadow moved rapidly down the street and grinned. He’d fallen for her act. She definitely was not going to bed. Diamond actually thought that she was just going to believe him just like that? Serena’s hands closed into tight fists. She’d been manipulated enough. It was time to find out the truth. Carefully, she thought of waterfalls and pretty rainbows and anything else that was calming and that would distract anyone who was trying to get into her head. She knew it probably wasn’t enough but she had to try something. Wondering if there was anything else to be found inside, Serena grabbed the box Diamond had used to store the three mementos and opened it. Luckily, he’d left it unlocked. Serena yanked the lid open to find it empty. Disappointed, she slung it onto the couch. She changed her focus to the things he had pulled out of the box and stared at them. Were they really hers? What special meaning did they hold that made him want to keep them for all these years? The feather gleamed even in the subdued light in the room. She’d never seen a single feather with so many colors before. It made her think of a peacock and a macaw all mixed into one. It was beautiful to look at, but brought nothing to mind. She put it down and picked up the handkerchief again, running it between her fingers, feeling the exquisite quality of the fabric. Serena stared at the embroidered monogram, tracing the design with her fingertips. The beautifully entwined letters seemed to imply the intimacy between the holders of the initials. The ‘S’ was obvious, but to whom did he ‘D’ belong? There were two very evident options. Obviously, she wasn’t picking anything up from that. Serena set it down with the feather and picked up the bracelet. It wasn’t perfect. It was crooked and dull and was obviously created by hand. She slipped the cool metal around her wrist. It fit perfectly. Serena fiddled with it as she wandered around the room. Diamond’s apartment was immaculate. She couldn’t find one thing out of place. The minimalism of the place gave the impression of a man whose mind was as spotless as his home. She cruised the bookshelves, hoping to find a little insight into the man. She wondered how old he was. Was he as old as Darien was supposed to be? Maybe he was older? His manner would have her thinking otherwise, but who knew? His shelves were packed with scientific journals and books related to mythology. A strange combination. She noted that all the spines were cracked from frequent reading. Maybe Diamond wasn’t as flighty as he seemed. She cruised past eclectic artwork and marvelled at them all. He had a hodgepodge of art, some looking as old as Darien’s and others striking in modern flair. Somehow he made them work together. Serena, having seen everything, decided it was time to head up to the room he had ready for her. She quickly put the box and its contents back where she’s gotten them from and then climbed up the spiral stairs to the second floor. As she suspected, it was more like a floating bedroom than an actual ‘floor’. Several cables held the platform aloft, making it feel as if it was floating on air. The large bed dominated the space leaving a small section for a curtained changing area and glass wardrobe. Serena headed back downstairs: If he thought she was going to sleep in his bed, he had another thing coming. She wandered around the spacious apartment for a while. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. She even tried to see if he had any hidden rooms like Darien had, but she couldn’t find any. Bored now, she sat down on the couch and tried to keep her mind on unimportant things. The longer she sat the more agitated she felt. She didn’t belong there. Serena levered herself up off the couch and found a notepad and pen. She quickly scribbled a note to tell him she was going to find somewhere else to stay, signing it off with yet another thank you. Hopefully he would understand her hesitance. She grabbed what was hers and headed out once again. The night had grown even colder, but she didn’t mind since it brought her mind to sharp focus. Pulling her coat tight around her, Serena hailed a cab and headed back to her apartment. She was almost amazed that she remembered where it was. It felt like it had been years since she’d been there last. At the building, she stood for a moment and looked at it. There was no telling what she was going to find when she actually went inside. “Only one way to find out.” Serena braced herself when she opened the door. When nothing leapt out at her throat, she took a strangled breath and stepped inside. She tiptoed into the dark living room and grimaced. The air smelled stale and old and she could just imagine the cleaning that was awaiting her. But at least she was alone and back in her own home again. Sighing, she flipped on the light and surveyed the damage. Other than a light layer of dust over everything, it wasn’t too bad. She eyed the windows. Those, she would be opening in the morning. Serena pulled all the curtains shut and made sure the doors were locked, securely. Futile, she knew, but it gave her a little peace of mind. She sat down on a chair and curled up her legs, doubting that sleep would come. ---- He couldn’t feel any dangerous presences near her so he relaxed a little, happy in the knowledge that she had enough sense to stay at her own place rather than at Diamond’s. Darien sat down, satisfied that Serena was safe. Once again he was alone. The house felt lifeless and empty and he hated it. Without Serena around, he didn’t have the need for a fire or lights and it suited his mood just fine. He had felt what was going on and tried to return before she left. But as he ran back, he knew that Serena needed some time to sort out her thoughts and feelings. What she didn’t need was someone pushing her around, especially after the thoughts that Diamond put in her head. So rather than confront her now, he decided to hang back and wait until he felt she was ready. Darien stalked through the house trying to ignore the feeling of hollowness within it now she was gone. He kicked himself for letting this happen. He should have known that Diamond was out to destroy their relationship. His fists clenched convulsively against his thighs. Diamond was more powerful than he had let on. He even had Darien fooled. Darien got up and wandered. How had things gotten so out of control? He slumped back down in his chair, concentrating on the problem of Diamond. What was he up to? Whatever it was, Darien was sure to dislike it. He stared out of the window at the moon, sneering at the icy globe. He stood up and kicked the chair across the room. Something was going on out there somewhere and he was going to find out what it was. He opened the window and leapt out, heading in the direction of Raine’s club. As usual, the club was packed with a seething mass of young vampires. He caught the gaze of a few people who didn’t belong there. He watched the blushes brighten the girls’ cheeks and shook his head before taking a table in the back. He hoped they enjoyed their last night of being human. He could hear vamps talking about him, felt them staring at him. It was quite funny to hear about himself. According to what they had heard about him, he was able to do incredible things, had seen amazing sights. He could sense their awe and fear. Perhaps he could use that? Darien scanned the room and winked at a young one that caught his eye. She couldn’t have been more than a few hundred years old, a mere child by their standards. Her hair was what caught his attention—the silvery tresses gleamed like the moonlight, reminding him of Serena when he first met her. As he has expected, she immediately made her way across the room. “Master.” Darien waved his hand dismissing the title. “Darien.” “Darien.” She was trembling with barely concealed excitement. “It’s an honour to meet you.” “It’s a pleasure to meet you too…” “Diana.” “Diana, what a beautiful name.” He motioned to the seat next to him. “Would you like to join me?” She looked over her shoulder at her friends in triumph before almost lunging for the seat. “What brings you here tonight? I’ve heard that you don’t like to be around us.” She stopped abruptly and her eyes shot down to her intertwined hands. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to pry.” He grinned charmingly at her. “I decided it was time for a change.” Staring into her eyes he asked, “What have I been missing all these years?” Her lashes fluttered and if she had blood in her veins, Darien was sure she would have been blushing from head to toe. He felt little guilt in influencing her to tell him all. He was after information and he’d get it anyway he could. “There wasn’t much going on, not until a few months ago. Well, not nothing, just the usual stuff.” She slowed down when Darien put up his hand. “Sorry. Up until a couple of months ago it was the typical dull…stuff. Then a stranger came into town; they say he’s older and more powerful than you. He’s been getting vamps together.” “Do you know why?” She shook her head. “No idea. They are saying he’s building an army. But then again, they said you would have killed me for even looking at you.” Darien chuckled. “The night is still young.” He patted her hands when she started. The reaction pleased him. “I’m kidding. Let me know if you find out anything more.” “Of course!” “Thank you.” Dismissed, she bounced out of her seat and hurried back to her friends, obviously wanting to relay everything that had just happened. Darien got up. “Where are you going?” Raine sidled up to him. “You think you can bother my patrons and just leave without buying anything?” She handed him a bottle. “You can probably use it as much as I can.” “I take it you know about Serena.” “Of course, she ran off with Diamond,” she snarled. “I say we go pay them a visit.” Raine flicked a red nail viciously. “We are not going to pay them a visit, Raine.” “You are not telling me that you are giving up just like that? I guess the better vamp won, eh?” Darien’s eyes were like ice when they turned to her. “I’d mind your tongue. I made you. I can just as easily destroy you.” “Please, Darien. You know you would never do that to me.” She smiled and circled around to stand in front of him. “As much as you’d like to forget, there was a little spark that night you made me. I know you too well. You’d never have been with me if you weren’t interested.” Darien’s hands clamped on her shoulders as he shoved her back. “Listen closely, Raine. There never was nor will there ever be anything between us.” He growled low in his throat as the anger was starting to take over. “It was a moment of weakness. A stupid mistake.” Her lips twisted to bear her teeth. “Mistake or not. You made me. I will never let you forget that.” He tossed the bottle at her. “Trust me. I could never forget.” Darien could see her spluttering as he made his way out. “Master?” Darien could see Diana and her three friends waiting for him around the corner. “Yes, Diana?” She looked nervously around the alley. “Can we talk somewhere?” “Of course.” He noticed that the others looked just as agitated. “Do you have anywhere specific in mind?” They all nodded but Diana was the one to speak. “Yes. Follow us.” Darien followed them into the night, sprinting along side. Diana kept up pace next to him. “I hope it’s not too cliché…” They slowed to a stop amid old grave markers. Darien chuckled. “How apt.” He slowly inhaled the stale scent of the earth and decay and leant up against a tree. “So what is this all about?” he easily suggested to them that they should be completely honest or fear his wrath. Diana wrung her fingers. “Well, we thought it would be better to talk away from the club. You know, from all the prying.” “I’m listening.” The tall, willowy male at her side looked at him with his big owlish eyes. “There has been a lot more going on than Diana told you.” He twirled a length of dark hair. “The clans have been at full out war.” Darien shrugged. “Clans have always been vying for power. It’s been going on for centuries.” The meek, petite blonde shook her head. “No, master. Not like this. All of the other clans have been eliminated except for two. You either join or be destroyed.” That bit was new. Darien had encountered a few clans here and there in the past. He had heard of hundreds of different ‘families’. It was strange that all of them had been wiped out to leave just two. “Who leads them?” “Diamond leads us.” The fact didn’t surprise him. “And the other?” “His name is Rubeus.” “What do you know about this Rubeus?” Darien was paying closer attention now that he was getting somewhere. “He’s very powerful,” said the blonde. “And ruthless.” The male tucked his hair behind his ears. Diana nodded. “It was easy for us to choose between them. To work for Rubeus is almost certain death. He sends you into any situation without hesitation. As long as he comes out on top, he doesn’t care.” “And Diamond?” “I care about my clan.” Diamond stepped out into the moonlight and grinned at Darien. “Surprised?” Darien’s smile was cold. “I should kill you for what you did to Serena.” “Why? Because I pointed out the truth to her?” Diamond winked. “What do you have to fear if you have been telling her the truth?” “Why does it matter to you?” The four young ones back away, sensing the tension between the two elders. “I care about everyone. I think she deserves to know that she can easily be fooled.” Darien grabbed him by his expensive lapels and hurled him into a mausoleum, shattering it. “And I think you’re lying.” Diamond somehow managed to land on his feet. He flicked off the remnants of stone from his coat and shrugged. “Think what you like.” “You’re lying and you know it.” Diamond shrugged coolly, not bothering to acknowledge his accusation. “What are you doing here with my young ones? Planning to join us finally?” Darien snorted. “You must be joking.” “Why would I be? As I can see it, you would do better to join a family than to be a lone vamp on his own.” “I’ve been on my own for centuries; I think I can take care of myself, thanks.” Darien noticed that they had all grown still and silent. In the tranquil night there was an eerie sound, like screams mingled with a howling wind. And it was heading towards them. “What the hell is that?” Diamond and the others were on the alert. “Shut up and keep an eye out. It seems that you are about to get your first lesson in modern vampire relations.” Darien watched them all morph into a group of angry vampires, ready to fight. One by one, their features sharpened, their eyes changed to pale piecing hunter’s eyes, hands strengthened into those of a killer, and though he couldn’t see it, he knew their teeth were elongating into fangs and their senses were coming into sharp focus. The changes gave them the preternatural beauty and dangerous air vampires were known for. Fighting against changing himself, Darien stood where he was, waiting for something to happen. And something did. Out of nowhere, three young vamps rushed around them at dizzying speeds. Diamond reached out and grabbed one out of the air, breaking his neck and tossing the lifeless body aside. “If you don’t want to fight, I’d suggest you get out of here.” Darien resolutely stood his ground. Within seconds, a crowd of young vampires that looked hungry enough to do anything to feed surrounded the group. They circled them slowly, pleased with their catch. “Lookie what we’ve got here.” One grabbed Diana by the chin and licked his lips. “Delectable.” She bit at him and he chortled. “I like this one.” The lanky one beside Diana growled and shoved her assailant aside. “Leave her alone.” The ones from the other clan took offence and flew to attack. Darien couldn’t stand by and watch them get slaughtered. Even with Diamond on their side, they were out numbered. He grabbed two that were on Diana and slammed them together. “Get out of here.” He snarled, throwing them back. They didn’t take heed and tried to attack him. Darien broke the branch off a tree and forced it straight through the chest of one before breaking the neck of the other. It was only then that the others took notice of him. They hesitated for a breath before all converging on Darien together. Darien had little trouble in dispatching them all like the first two. He stood over their broken bodies when it was over and shook his head slowly, before turning to Diamond and his brood. “Are you alright?” Diamond looked a little dazed at the display of physical prowess from the elder vampire but was smiling just the same. “Thank you.” Darien waved it off. He only did what he felt was right at the time. He looked over at the other four to check that they were ok. “Are you hurt?” Diana was nursing the wound on the chest of the dark haired vampire but nodded. “Nothing that sleep won’t cure.” “Good.” He straightened his clothes and raked his hair back into place. “I think I’ve had about as much fun as I’d like for tonight.” He started heading back home, but noticed that Diamond was keeping up with him. Slightly annoyed, he slowed. “What do you want?” “Can’t you see why we need your help?” He stared the other vamp in the eyes. “Yes. But you still haven’t made me see why I should help you. You speak of helping me out, but the first thing you did was convince Serena she was being influenced by me. I don’t see how I could possibly trust you.” He suppressed the anger the memory invoked. “Now, unless you are completely honest with me about your intentions, you can forget about me ever joining you.” Diamond sighed heavily. “Alright, I’ll level with you.” He looked around at their surroundings. “Mind if we do it somewhere a little nicer?” “Does it matter?” “It would be nice if we could sit down. It’s quite a long story.” He flicked his silvery hair out of his eyes. “Besides. I’ve given Serena the urge to visit you at your house. She might as well hear this too.” Darien had a few words for Diamond, but chose to hurry home first. He didn’t want Serena changing her mind and running off again. They arrived at an empty house. There was no trace of Serena ever having been there. Darien looked at Diamond. “I sent her here.” He looked just as puzzled as Darien. “I suggest you find out why she isn’t here.” Darien quickly scanned the building with his mind and found no evidence of anyone there. Diamond was searching the grounds. “Maybe she’s running late.” Darien silenced him with a glance. “Well, it’s a possibility.” He sniffed the air and stopped abruptly. “You smell that?” Darien inhaled. It was blood. Serena’s blood. He grabbed Diamond by his lapels. “What have you done to her?” He shoved Darien back easily. “I would never harm her.” Disgusted by the accusation, he knelt down next to a small puddle of blood. “I would say that we work together to find her before she loses even more blood.” He looked over his shoulder to find that Darien was already gone. Diamond shook his head. “And they say the young are the impetuous ones.” ---- Serena watched in horror as Darien ran off closely followed by Diamond. Her only chance for help and it was gone. She had come to the mansion because she had a feeling she should be there. She thought that it was a message from Darien and against her better judgement had come. But the moment she arrived something hit her on the back of the head and knocked her out. She woke to find herself somehow suspended in the air, staring at the world below. She was screaming for Darien and Diamond when she saw them arrive, but they didn’t hear or see her. Serena struggled against the invisible bond binding her arms to her side. That was when she felt the breath against her cheek. She immediately froze. She realized now that whatever was holding her was alive and breathing. Looking down she saw long hairy arms materialising around her. They slowly returned to the ground and she was slung roughly to the side. Serena looked up slowly fearful at what she might see. She saw hairy feet and long misshapen legs. The long arms reached almost past the creature’s knee and were attached to an impossibly wide chest; its long, dripping tongue lolled out of its mouth past rows of pointed teeth. Serena stared into its greenish eyes and couldn’t force her petrified muscles to move. Wide eyed, she watched as it turned back into a reasonably normal looking man. The only things betraying his secret were his eerily green eyes. He straightened his clothes and grinned at her evilly. Whatever it was, he was able to cloak Serena and himself from both the vampires’ heightened senses. She now had no way to contact them and was effectively at his mercy. He ignored her for the moment, carefully sniffing the air the way a dog would. She guessed he was figuring out where the two vampires had gone. Satisfied that they were no longer a threat, he picked Serena up like a doll and started running. Serena found the strength to start kicking then. She was more afraid of what he was going to do with her when he got to wherever he was headed than what he would do to her out in the open. Thrashing didn’t have an effect on his iron grip, so Serena bit him. Bit him on the arm, on the side, on the hip; but he didn’t seem to feel it. Instead, he changed his grip on her and twisted her in a way that she was left immobile. Serena blinked back the tears of pain as she cried out. There wasn’t anything to do now but to just let him take her wherever they were going. She just hoped that someone would catch onto their trail soon. ---- Darien kicked himself for letting Diamond distract him. If he had been paying attention he might have been able to stop whatever happened to Serena. First he’d deal with whatever had taken her, and then he’d deal with Diamond. Darien sped along the scent trail until it stopped abruptly. He skidded to a halt. What the hell? He spun around looking and smelling but there was nothing. Confused, he backtracked hoping there was something he missed, but Darien couldn’t find any other trail except for the one he’d followed from the mansion. Swearing under his breath he made his way back. Did he miss something there? Diamond was gone when he got back, lucky for him. Darien would have throttled him if he had to listen to him anymore. He quickly searched the grounds again. It was the same as before. Nothing out of the ordinary except for the puddle of blood. Darien knelt down beside it again. The scent was unmistakable; it was Serena’s. He touched it lightly. Still wet. Darien frowned. It had been drier than that when they first noticed it. And the run must have taken him another ten to fifteen minutes. Yet the blood was wet. He looked up and saw nothing but the night sky. It was like it had dripped there. But there hadn’t been anything there when they looked the first time. “Give up. Just forget about her.” Darien stood up and faced Raine. “Will you just go away?” “No, I won’t. Look what this girl has done to you. All the trouble she has caused you. Can’t you see that she’s the cause of all of this torment?” Darien shoved her away. “Leave me alone, Raine. I’m asking for the last time.” Raine put up her hands. “Fine. Try to help someone…” she shrugged. “You might want to take a look inside though.” She pointed at the house. “I heard some activity.” Darien rolled his eyes and listened in the direction of the house. He did hear someone thrashing the inside. Growling, he ran into the building directly at the source of the noise. His collection of art was being flung around the room when he got there. It appeared that someone was going through his things for something. “What do you think you’re doing?” The man looked up at him, startled. He looked bewildered for a split second, and then broke into a sprint that Darien had to work to keep up with. Dashing through the house, he dove through a picture window and ran across the grass. Darien watched in amazement as he crouched and started running on all fours. Sick of the chase, Darien jumped at him, tackling him to the ground. The beast fought ferociously even resorting to biting and scratching. Darien held his jaw shut with one hand and slammed him in the face with the other, dazing him. He pinned him down with his knees and slugged him a few more times for causing him the inconvenience. “Now, who are you and what are you looking for?” Darien was rewarded with an ear-splitting howl. He slammed him into the ground again to shut him up. “Tell me.” The creature slobbered and grinned at him. “I’ll have you for breakfast.” His eyes looked over Darien’s shoulder. Darien jumped up to face the vampires circling him. How had they managed to sneak up on him like that? The slobbering beast ran to the side next to the one vampire not circling him He stood tall with wild red hair and dark searching eyes. He smiled at him coldly and walked into the circle. He openly studied Darien and nodded as if appraising him. “So, you are the elusive Darien.” He extended his hand. “And you are?” he snarled, ignoring the offered hand. He’d given up on pleasantries. He’d had his home invaded, had been chased and attacked and the one person he cared about was gone. It was lucky they were still alive. “Rubeus.” The redhead waited for a moment but when he saw no recognition at the name he shrugged. “You haven’t heard of me?” Darien looked at him blankly. “You hear so many names, it’s hard to keep track.” Rubeus kept a sneer in check. “It’s strange to have one of our own alone. Do you not wish to be with your own kind?” “No.” “Why ever not? It’s better to be with others that are like you than to be alone.” “I’m nothing like you.” “Aren’t you now? I can feel the hate, the malice, the pure lust for blood coming from you right now. What makes you think you are so unlike the rest of us?” Darien glared at him. “Unlike you, I don’t want to be what I am. It’s a temporary affliction that hope to be rid of soon.” That raised Rubeus’ brows. “I was aware that you and your little blonde mortal friend were doing something of the sort but I didn’t know you were that close to your goal.” He licked his lips. “Fascinating.” It was all Darien could do to stop from rolling his eyes. “Look, I’ve got better things to do than to chat with you.” He went to walk out of the circle. “So if you’ll excuse me….” “It’s not that easy, my dear Darien.” Rubeus waved a hand and no less than eight vamps grabbed him and brought him back to the center of the ring. “You see we need to talk.” “We’ve talked enough.” Impatient now, Darien flung the flunkies off and force himself to smile pleasantly at Rubeus. “I must get going now.” Rubeus grinned at the challenge. He jerked his head at Darien and a dozen more of his goons leapt at him. His dark eyes watched with interest as he dispatched them effortlessly. He felt no remorse of the broken bodies piled at his feet. Nor did he feel any guilt in sending the rest of his vampires to test the strength of the elder before him. “Very nice. See if you can handle all of them.” Darien was dragged to the ground by the clamouring vampires. He could sense their mindless need to please their master. Their fear of Rubeus was stifling. Disgusted, Darien threw them off as fast as he could, sending them hurtling into anything in his path, but they kept coming back for more. He snapped the necks of two of them just as he heard a cry from the side. Diamond and Raine joined the fray, pulling vamps off of Darien. “Well I guess that proves who you ally yourself with.” Rubeus sniffed disdainfully. “Pity.” He waved the rest of his minions in. “Kill them.” Rubeus sped off as Darien watched. He turned his attention to Diamond. “Why are you helping me?” He threw a vampire to the side. Diamond shrugged as he broke the back of another. “I don’t know.” Raine gleefully attacked a couple of females. “I think he’s taken a shine to you, Darien.” It didn’t take them long to kill enough of the vamps to scare the rest of them away. Darien shook the dust out of his coat. “Not very brave, are they?” Diamond straightened his hair. “Would you be, facing the three of us? It’s different than being up against only one elder.” Raine hissed at a few stragglers, obviously delighting in the terror she inflicted on them. She laughed as they scrambled away. “That was fun.” Darien rolled his eyes at her and shook his head. “Shut up, Raine.” He stretched his muscles and sighed. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, there’s someone I have to find.” Diamond put a hand on his shoulder. “Darien. I think we should talk.” “I haven’t got the time. I appreciate the help.” He pulled his coat tightly around him, preparing to start running again, but Diamond held him back. “Please.” Darien looked at them and relented. “What is it?” he sighed. “I know you’re tired and I know that all you want to do is find Serena, but we should sit down and talk.” Darien was fed up now. He was sick of fighting, he was sick of chasing the unknown and most of all, he was sick of listening to Diamond. But if listening to whatever story he had to tell would get him to leave him alone, Darien was willing. He fell back to a sitting position among the dead vampires. “Fine. I’m sitting. Talk.” Diamond did the same while Raine opted to lean up against a tree nearby. “We’re pawns,” he said simply. “Excuse me?” Darien thought he misheard him. “It’s that simple. We’re pawns. In a very sick twisted game, yes, but we’re pawns just the same.” Darien smoothed the crease between his brows and stared at Diamond. “You are telling me that someone is toying with us?” Darien started to stand up. “I don’t know what you’re playing at Diamond, but you are a piece of work.” Raine put and hand on his shoulder and held him to the ground. “Please listen to him.” He turned his gaze back to Diamond, expecting him to talk. “Don’t you see? The gods are toying with us.” Darien guffawed. “I gave up believing in gods a long time ago.” “You were made by a woman, weren’t you? A beautiful stranger who said that she wanted to help?” “Perhaps.” Darien’s suspicions grew. He hadn’t told anyone about the woman. The only person who knew about her was Serena. “Serena told you.” Diamond shook his pale head. “No. She didn’t have to.” He picked up a pebble and toyed with it for a moment before throwing it into the night. “I was in love with Serena once.” He chuckled softly, “I guess I still am.” Darien looked at him when he changed subjects. “I had guessed that. When did you meet her?” “In Rome. She was sneaking away from the Coliseum. The Emperor had made her attend.” He sighed wistfully. “Even then she was against the savagery.” Darien remembered Serena abhorred the brutal sport that the rest of the civilized world celebrated. “I remember. I do not remember you, though.” “I was a failed suitor. I vied for her hand long before you came along. She had even told me she loved me once.” He put up his hand, warding off a verbal attack from Darien. “And before you beat me to a pulp, I can say that it was a plutonic love. She said she felt there was someone else out there for her. Someone she was meant for.” He smiled sadly. “Every time we met up, it was the same. She was always waiting for you.” “How did you become one?” Darien waved a hand at himself, obviously asking about Diamond’s transformation. “A woman came to me.” He laughed humourlessly. “I drank hemlock thinking it would heal the ache in my chest.” Again, blonde tresses brushed his shoulders as he shook his head at his own incredible stupidity. “She said she wanted to help me. To give me a chance to prove to Serena that I can be the man that she wants.” He shrugged and leaned on one elbow. “Stupid, I know. But what can I say? I would do anything for her.” Darien smiled wryly; he knew what it was like to do anything for her. “I can sympathize.” He pondered their situation for a moment. “Where does that leave us?” Diamond sighed as he smoothed his lapels. “Well, I obviously can’t compete with you. You and Serena were made for each other.” He shushed Raine when she snorted at his comment. “We all know how you feel about the situation Raine, so shut up.” “Give it up, Diamond. You’re not as righteous as you claim to be. You know that if Serena gave you the slightest bit of encouragement you would be at her feet, grovelling.” “I could say the same about you and Darien.” Darien was amused by the display; watching them bicker lightened his mood a little. Diamond turned his attention back to Darien. “As stupid as it sounds, I would do anything to help her even if it meant giving up my existence.” He nodded at Raine. “I know underneath that bravado she would give up her life for you. So I guess that means we’re with you.” Not one to quietly take her place, Raine hissed at them but didn’t otherwise protest. Darien took that as a good sign. He nodded at them. “Thanks.” They sat silent for a moment before Diamond straightened himself. “I guess that leaves us with a certain woman to find.” “Does anyone know where to even start looking?” Raine brought up a good point. None of them knew where to look for Serena. She could have been anywhere in the city or beyond by now. Rubeus had taken up a lot of their time and they could have moved quite a distance since then. Diamond shushed her and motioned for them to be quiet. There was a faint rustling coming from the trees nearby. Slowly the three made their way to the crouching figure and Darien pulled him to his feet. The terrified vampire shrieked and did his best to get away but was unable to break Darien’s iron grip. “Please don’t hurt me!” Raine smiled dangerously and tipped his chin up with her nail. “He won’t, but I might.” Her smile softened as she cajoled, “I might not if you can tell me where Rubeus is hiding.” His eyes widened as he stared at her. “I cannot tell you.” “Aw, wrong answer.” Her nails started to dig into his throat slowly. He made choking noises and fought against her. “H-he’s at the warehouse near the docks!” Darien and Diamond shared a look of admiration; Raine was quite good at extracting information. Impressed, Darien took a menacing step forward, “What about Serena? “ “Does he have a blonde woman in his possession?” His eyes shifted uneasily from the between the two men back to Raine. “N-no!” Raine snarled and tightened her grip once again. “Are you sure?” He hesitated. “If you don’t tell me, I’ll hand you over to those two and believe me they won’t be as nice as I have been to you.” It wasn’t hard to see the menace emanating from them and the scrawny vampire shuddered visibly at the though of being left to them. “H-he doesn’t have a blonde woman.” He shrieked when she lifted him off the ground and swung him toward Darien and Diamond. “But!” He sighed with relief when she stopped. “But, he has mentioned a blonde woman from time to time. Something about setting a trap and getting what was owed to him. He had those two…things,” he spat the word out in disgust. “Go and retrieve her.” Diamond crossed his arms. “Things? What things?” The vampire sniffed at him. “Ask your friend. He’s tangled with them. He stinks like them.” Diamond and Raine turned to Darien. “I don’t know what it was. It was strong and absolutely disgusting. I have never seen anything like it. My first guess would have to be that it was one of the infamous hybrids we keep hearing about.” He glared at the vamp still struggling to get away from Raine. “Tell us about those things.” “I know enough to stay away from them. They’re animals. They’ll finish off you three in a flash.” He started laughing inanely, cackling at the thought. It was obvious he either didn’t know anything or wasn’t about to tell them anything more. Darien nodded at Raine and she executed him with deadly ease. “Yuck.” She dropped him to the ground and wiped her hands rather indelicately on her dress, grimacing. “Well, it’s obviously a trap.” She watched as the two nodded in agreement. “But it’s all we have at the moment so we can’t afford to not go.” Diamond looked as though he was heavily weighing the options. Darien sighed and bowed in and exaggerated gallant fashion indicating the direction they should go. “After you.” The warehouse was deathly silent when they arrived. It looked as though no one had been near it in years. The perfect place for a family of vampires. Darien tapped Diamond mentally letting him know to go around while he went in the front. Raine leapt onto the roof to act as lookout. Darien pushed back the door and found the inside was dank and rotting. Old pipes lay discarded on the floor and scaffolding from forgotten repair work stood up the middle and around the outer perimeter. There was nothing living or otherwise within the building. Darien leapt up to the top of the scaffolding in the middle of the room and scanned it. Nothing. “Diamond! There’s nothing in here!” Within seconds, the blonde was next to him. “Let’s get out of here.” “Wait.” Darien put his hand on Diamond’s shoulder. There was a whooshing noise and then nothing, but below them had appeared no less than thirty vampires. “Wonderful.” Diamond flicked his hair over his shoulder. “Ready for round two?” Darien sighed. They both leapt down into the midst of the crowd landing on an unfortunate few. Between the kicking, biting and killing Darien noticed that Diamond couldn’t be bothered to toy with them anymore either. He mechanically made his way through them at an alarming rate, discarding the lifeless forms in the wake behind him. But no matter how many they could kill, there seemed to be a never-ending wave coming in. The tide of vampires was smothering Darien and he could see Diamond was in the same predicament. Forcing himself to keep going, Darien snarled and renewed his attack. There was no way he was giving up. As long as he could still move, he was going to fight them off. As long as there was life in his body, he was going to find Serena. He had managed to kill a further dozen when an explosion rocked the room, sending them all hurtling into the wall. Darien flung the dazed vampires off of him and sprang to his feet to see what was going on. “It’s amazing what you can do with gasoline and a bit of fire.” Raine drawled. She leaned against the door, lazily flicking a lighter, smiling a smile that Darien was learning to be very dangerous. Several of Rubeus’ clan swarmed toward her but she shook her head making tutting noises. “Now, do you think that is such a good idea?” She glanced lazily at several drums near her marked ‘flammable’. They slowed a little, but stopped completely when she waved the flame near an oozing drum. “You don’t think I’ll do it?” Her teeth gleamed in the dim light, daring them to test her. “Now back off or we’ll all be finding out what hell looks like tonight.” As one, they moved back, letting Darien and Diamond out the entrance. The three quickly shut the door on them and started to run. Diamond turned to Raine. “It’s not a good idea to just leave them there.” “Who says I am?” She tossed the lit lighter to the ground, into a trail of gasoline. “Don’t ever say I’m not prepared.” There was a blinding explosion and the three turned to witness the flaming building. “Fire is so pretty, isn’t it?” there you are. let me know what you think. aria