She woke up long before she had to. There wasn't any light coming through her window. Starring above she mulled over the night before. Today was a new start, or a possible new start. Why then had she had that dream? Many times she swore she could see the future with her odd dreams. Running her hand through her hair she shook her head. Reaching over she pulled that card off the night stand.

Her new possible employer. Drake Jones. He had asked that she call him Drake rather than Mr. Jones. He said it made him feel old to be called Mr. Jones.

But how hard would that be for her now? After that dream. When she'd gone seeking him out she had no clue what to expect, but he shocked her. He was young, and handsome. Tall, taller than a lot of men she knew. She was used to being the tallest in the room but even in her boots he had towered over her. He wasn't human, she had known that before she saw his face, she called it a gift to be able to tell who was what around Rhydin. Many of the people she worked for weren't human. Rhydin was full of creatures, and she was used to it.

She paused now in front of the wall length mirror. Without even a thought those long graceful wings spread from her back. But they were black, with soft undertones of blue. Not white and pure. Once upon time they had been white. But that life seemed long gone now. She'd been cast out for disobeying. For breaking the rules.

Angels were known for their rules, for their many rules that could not be broken. Cadaria had broken three. And was cast out. She was never to be welcomed back no matter how she might try. It didn't matter any more, Rhydin was her home now. It was the first place shed been cast to, she hadn't always remained here. But now she had settled in to her life here, as healer, tutor and jack of many trades.

Shed done a lot over the last century. She'd gained a good name for herself at least among those in Rhydin who knew her work.

Her wings faded hidden once more. Even though dawn was still two hours away she got dressed and went through the motions of her morning work out. The little apartment served her well, it had cheepish rent and her fellow renters were all right people, she lived on the top level, where only one other person lived. Down the hall a young man. Vance. He wasn't human and gave Cadaria a wide birth, she wondered if he feared her because he was in fact a vampire. But other vampires didn't seem bothered by her. She went through her routine till she saw the sun was going to rise.


She showered and changed in to her day clothes. Something fitting for her possible first day, nice enough to impress but not so nice that it would matter if she got dirty. Dark colors filled her wardrobe only a few of her shirts were of light tones, Grey, white, lavender, a few green, some darker than others. Today she settled for a gray shirt something a little more feminine. Black pants and her black boots, not her knee high ones though just the ankle ones that still gave her height but looked more professional under her pants. She wanted to look like shed done this before.

She walked around the room, packing up her bag, a set of denim pants, another shirt which was paint splattered. Just in case her new possible employer needed her to do something really messy. But it didn't seem likely that shed be mucking up horse stalls. Shed seen that Mansion of his there not far from the apartment she called home. It sat on the East side, six or seven blocks down. She'd walked past it many times, thinking it likely a home of a wealthy family.

Now she knew who lived there. She went about making her lunch trying not to think about that dream. Not that it hadn't been nice and all, but she was gonna have to work for this guy, why did her mind have to place him opposite of her romantically?


And it had felt too real. She stuck her lunch bag inside her messager bag, near that change of clothes, and her books. She slowly took out the books, her apartment was full of them. Books for different subjects for different clients. And there were colored note books stacked neatly along a bookshelf. The last book she took from her bag wasnt a normal book, it was magcial and it was hers. Her notes, her throughts, her journal. It appeared thin, but if she opened it it would appear much thicker. A full account of her life thus far. It had been a long one already.


She opened it now and the pages flew past,magic pulsed through them. Then they stopped on the open blank page. She knew she should write something.

With a few hours still before she had to leave to be early to her new job she sat at the small table and took out a pen.

Slowly she wrote the date out, the hour, and the subject.


Starting Over..

A new job. Possiblities.


I will be going to the east side of town early this day to Drakes Jones's home. His mansion, his manor. To see if I can land a job.Yes another job. I love tutoring nad helping my students. But thats not enough any more to pay rent and Mr. Gilbert is getting antsy. I have done some odd jobs for some of my "families." Cooking and cleaning, housekeeping work doesnt pay much more than my tutoring. So I am hoping I get this job. I am worried though I had this dream about him. My possible new empolyer. Drake.

Yes hes young and cute... okay so more than cute. But I swore to myself long ago never to get connected to anyone. I have known a lot of guys. I have tried to date, but things always end. I am not what you would call a normal woman. Not that anyone in Rhydin is normal... but.

I admit hes very attrative,and if I wasnt being totatlly professional I might flirt with him. But this is my life, my new possiblity and I will not ruin it. I can't do it... its just to painful .



She didnt know what else to say so she closed the book and it went back to looking thin. She then hid it away as she always did when she didn't have it on her. And not a moment too soon a knock on her door seemed to echo through the room. It was dawn now,it could only be one person.

She tossled her hair. And wlaked to the door.

When she opened it an elderly man stood there. He was short and balding, and human, as human as anyone could be in Rhydin. He must have been in his late 60's. "Mr. Gilbert, Good Morning . What can I do for you?"

As if she didnt know already.


"Rent. Miss Naedda ." He held out his caloused hand. She nodded and reached in to her back pocket and pulled out the bills and coins. She handed them over. "Thats a years worth." She been saving up, which meant she didnt buy as much food, went with out a few things. So she could pay him off. Shed been late, and now she woudlnt have to pay till January. He took the money and grumbled somethng then walked off. He stopped downt he hall and knocked on Vances' door.

The young man known as Vance Malloy came to the door. Cadaria watched. He was a nice looking guy, for a vampire. She was always shocked that she found him attractive.

" Mr. Gilbert..." He greeted the landlord.His voice was smooth and sounded like velvet over glass .His eyes looked down at Cadaria then back to the elderly man.

"Mr. Malloy, Rent.." The rent was handed over and Mr. Gilbert muttered his thanks and went on his way and disappeared down the hallway.

Cadaria notcied that Vance was looking at her. They'd never been friendly,he seemed to keep to himself and she did the same. Something must have changed in the last day because now he nodded to her then went inside his apartment.

Cadaria blinked and shook off that odd feeling, then went inside herself. She ate some breakfast,nothing fancy shed been saving up so much there was barely any food in her little fridge or in the cabnets. After breakfast she grabbed her messager bag and a hair tie and headed out. She locked the door and headed down the hall way. Thend own the stairs. The other tenets were waking up now,getting ready for their day, some were just getting home from long nights.

The sun was up now as she crossed in to the street.


Seven blocks later and fifteen mintues early she stood in front of the door to his manor. Her new job lay beyond it. Hed said to be early, it was almost 7 am. This was early. She lifted her hand to knock on the door.

She looked to him when he opened the door. "You said early , this is early. " He looked like hell,like hed gotten no sleep. But she didnt say anything. She stepped inside and watched the door close behind her.

The manor was huge, massive. She'd seen some big houses in her day but this place was nice.Its eemed to sit him too. He gave the tour like a man torn from bed. He mentioned things of note, but seemed to have his mind on other matters. Some of the rooms loked eady for guests others did not. Cadaria nodded along as he showed her about. She got the full tour and wouldnt loose her way easily.

When the tour was done she nodded to him. "You have a very nice home. But if I may be so bold to say you look like hell."She hoped she didn't piss him off she usually wasnt to forward with her empoylers.

"You look like you could use a good nights rest.And maybe a good meal too. I could come back tomorrow if it would be better so you can get some rest" What are you saying.. her mind screamed you need this job. "Or " she ammened. "If you would like I could clean and set up the other rooms.Or anythign else you might need done.. " She didnt want to loose her chnace at this job but he did look like he needed some sleep.

She nodded softly. She wondered who went missing.He must be a good friend , to loose sleep . She didnt have any friends like that. She was glad she ahdnt pissed him off. She wasnt oftent hat blunt.But he did look like hell. "Get as much sleep as you need I can clean up the rooms, set them up. and Get used to the manor." She watched him go upstairs.

She changed in to her second set of clothes to clean, leaving her nicer clothes folded inside ehr messager bag. She pulled back her hair annd foudn the cleaning suppies with no help. Then she went room to room.Dusting and wiping down things that were dusty. She didnt want to vacum and wake him so insetad she made a bucket of sopy water and washed the floors that were not carpet. Then hoping she woudlnt wake him she vacumed and made the rooms look very neat.

She worked over two hours making each room perfect. She knew which room he was in and left the door closed. She made the beds,and stocked the linen cabnet with fresh towels.

Then she cleaned the downstairs rooms, and kitchen. Three hours had now passed with her cleaning humming to herself. She was good at this,quick yet she didnt miss a spot.

She let him sleep all the while wondering who this friend was. She wished she had friends like that. She didnt have any friends. She had clients, and clients families and they might miss ehr wonder if she went missing. But no one that would loose sleep over it.

She let him sleep. Maybe he would be hungry when he woke up. A long sleepless night,maybe days of looking for his friend. So she washed ehr hands and went to making some lunch. As it was now almost ten. She didnt find much in the fridge. But she was good with working with less. She put together a nice looking soup. She found some bread and cheese. She hummed alittle tune while she chopped and peeled. Sauting the veggies first before adding the water.And some left over chicken, at least it smelt like chicken. It smelt good already.

The same song had gotten her through most of the day. She wasnt going to wake him shed let the smell of food do that. While the soup boiled away she made a list of things hed need if he wnated guests. Like more food. She added some new cleaning suppiles tot hat list. She knew this place now. Shed been up and down the stairs, in every room but his. She cleaned every room even the bathrooms, which there were more than one of. Getting messy never bothered her.


She did a little spin back to the sink while the soup boiled lowly. She washed the dishes.Letting herself sing the lyrics of the song shed been humming all day.


"Down and out is overrated
And I need to be elevated
Looking up is not enough
No, I would rather rise above"

"So can you lift me up,
Turn the ashes into flames
?Cause I have overcome
More than words will ever say
And I've been given hope
That there's a light on up the hall
And that a day will come
When the fight is won
And I think that day has just begun"


Then she hummed some more. Not continuing in her song.

She kept busy tiding things up, cleaning cabnets,the pantry,anything that she ahdnt gotten to. ,keepign the soup on low so it wouldnt cool too much. But after a while she had to let it cool, shed heat it up for him once he woke up.

She stopped her singing.Blushing softly.She didnt mean for him to catch her,she wasnt usualy very sing songy around others. "Thank you." She watched him go to the soup which had cooled some. "I can heat that up for you, it be much better that way."Just a suggestion. She let him do as he pleased though. She hoped she would get hired,but even if she didnt it was good practice. She watche dhim go with his soup and tea then taking ehr bag from where she stashed it she went to change back in to the clothes shed worn over.

Aftera quick change, she folded the dirty cleaning clothes in to her bag, but kept her hair up. Back to her basic dark on dark look. She came back down stairs and rehung her bag up. She wondered if he needed her to do anything else. But she didnt want to bother him while he ate and enjoyed his tea so she waited, going over her lesson plan for tomorrow.

She nodded and heated up his soup.Quickly. She carefully handed him backt he bowl. "Carefull its hot." She then sat down as well. "I don't mind." She watched him rub the sleepyness from his face. He must be working hard to find his missing friend.She really mind didn't she had rearraged her tutor sessions , at least most of them to the night. She did have five clients that she couldnt move to the night.

They were underlines on her paper, and the days circled on her self made calender. Which sat on the table with her books. She moved thsoe out of his way putting away her books, and all the note books but one.

"There are a few days I may have to come in at about noon.. I hope thats alright.I couldnt rearrage all my students to night tutoring.." She didnt like going places at night, even if she could handle herself. She didnt want to not be hired, but she was not giving up her students either. They needed her, at least for now. "I can write the days down.."She lifted the notebook shed left on the table up and opened it then carefully penned the dates she to come in at noon. Polite, and well orginized.

That was her. She tore the page free and sat it down where he could reach it. "I hope thats alright.." She knew he needed her help, the manor had been a mess. And hed needed his sleep. Slowly she put her things away and sat down. "This friend of yours.. the one whos missing." She began. "He or she must mean a lot to you." She could tell thats what had been on his mind, when hed taken the cold soup. She was willing to bet his friend was someone special to him. She hoped who ever it was, that he or she would be found alive and safe. But she kept her hopes to herself.

She didnt dare sit down. "I'll go do the dishes.." She swept upp her notebook and bag and walked off to go do the dishes and grab a bite to eat herself. She left her bag on the coat rack near the door and disappeared in to the kitchen. Where she washed, and rinsed and dried.She had a small bowl fo soup and crakers herself as well. She sighed while she worked, as she held up the laddel to dry it she left her wings out and looked tot he reflection in the laddel.

Once upon a time she would have gladly offered her help to him, in finding his missing friend. But she wasnt in the guardian business any more. She let those black wings disappear and continued to dry the dishes. She hoped he wouldnt change hsi mind about hiring her, she wasnt in it for the money.More the experience. She tried not to tie herself to people, immortal or mortal.Not since being cast down. She put the dishes away slowly.

She listened when she came back for his empty bowl.She sat,nodding along. She was glad he understood she coudlnt abandon her students. She felt the same way, a good education would get many of her stduents far from Rhydins dangerous streets. She listened carefully to hsi words about his missing friend, so it was a she.

Family,someone clsoe to him. He wasnt working alone at the very least , he meantioned a brother. Whow as also his mentor, shed like to meet that man. "A dragon..?" Or dragon.. depending on the circumstances. In Rhydin family wasnt always flesh and blood. Could a dragon get in to the manor? She supposed one could, magic abounded in Rhydin. "Yes I could set up a room for her, where ever she might be most comfortable, perhaps down here would be better as a smaller room wouldnt suit a dragon." Nor its wings, she knew a little bit about wing space. "I could set anything up that she might need. A cozy place to sleep,and recover. Water, food, bedding.." What did dragons eat she wondered, shed have to do some research. Shed be glad to help in any way, even if that meant giving a dragon a bath every day.

She folded her hands over one another lookign across to him. "Your a very good friend to do this for her, loose sleep.Risk your life, as it sounds like you might be doing. If I didnt know better I'd think you were an angel. "She slowly took his bowl now that it was empty. "Just let me know what I can do and I will do it." She didnt mind taking orders. She smiled to him then went to finish the dishes.

Perhpas this job would be a good fit for her. She could help, and not feel helpess. She could possibly save someone, or help to save someone and not be cast down for it. Once the dishes were clean and drys he walked back out to where he sat. "Is there anything else I can do for you, while I am here?" Not that she had any where to go.Not today.

She nodded to the first part. athat would be one large incubator. But with the money or magic someone could get about anything they wanted in Rhydin. She agreed that would be the best thing for an injured Dragon. She hoped his friend wasnt injured but the likely hood of that would be ..well she wouldnt bet on it.

She let him tell her what he was though she already knew that. Shed known from the moment they met. It was that little special sense she had.She liked to think it came with being what she was..But maybe it was from living in Rhydin all these years. "You were taught well then." Was all she said to hat. Family above all else. That was a good thing. A good quality to have. He wasnt cocky about it either she liked that. But she knew that he was fiercely loyal.

"Alright.. "She grabbed her bag and as he headed out so did she. She walked away from his house, towards home. She rolled her shoulders a bit and hummed once more to herself.

She showed up when she was meant to.Usually on time a few days she showed up with paint in her hair. Or a pencil holding her bun up. The days went by and she watched him.He seemed distressed, some how missing himself . She knew his missing friend was weighing heavily on him.On a few days she would come to his manor and find it empty.She figured on those days he was out looking for his lost dragon friend. She didnt knock on those days she sensed her wanst there.

She wanted so badly to offer something more thans he could. Some more help in the matter. But What else could she do? So she came by did anything he needed ehr to do. She pulled weeds from around the house, fixed broken hinges in doors and cabnets.Cleaned every window inside and out. The manor looked better. But Drake seemed worse with each passing day.

All she could offer was her hope, her faith... a smile in the dakrness to light the dawning day.

Back at the manor, Drake was getting back from another long day of helping out Syndel on guard duty at the lair. As well as spending a few hours helping out Elektra inside with caring for the hatchlings, with both becoming rather routine as of late. Eyes and ears open for any word of sight that it was the time to rescue Icer.

Pausing to yawn as he stretched his frame out, before moving towads the room that was being set up to serve as the dragon's recovery room. Putting sleep on hold again, as he started to set the room up. A small incubator set up in the middle. With couches and a few tables set up around. For those that wished to visit Icer while she recovered.

When Cadaria show up for another day's work. She just might find him crashing on one of the couches in that room. One arm lying over his chest, with the other drapped over his eyes. With one leg dangling off the side of the couch.

It wasn't long after Cadaria had drapped the blanket over his form, that he would slowly wake up. Having gotten used to cat napping as of late, as he slowly sat up before taking note of that blanket. A faint smile crossed his lips as he tossed it off, then moved towards the kitchen. Stretching his frame out with a groan.

"Morning." Murmured as he moved to get himself a cup of coffee, only to sink down into one of the chairs at the table. Inhaling the scents of the fresh coffee before taking a long slow sip of it.

He nodded lightly to that. "I got a few hours of rest, and it looks like you didn't get much either." Murmured as he moved a hand up to rub his face, followed with another sip of the coffe. Only for his gaze to snap up from it to the shattering of glass.

Without a word he set the coffee cup to the side, as his brows furrowed slightly. "Who in the word would be breaking out windows here?" Muttered as he rose to stand up, then moved out of the kitchen. Not giving her time to say anything towards him, as he was already stalking up the stairs.

Now moving down the hallway towards the room where the shattering of glass came from. One hand grabbing the handle to it, before pushing it wide open, and stepped inside to see what had shattered the window.

Drake quirked a brow to the male as he mouthed off, and was about to speak when Cadaria spoke up. Listening to the pair, before she blew by him only to get captured. His eyes darkened to that, as he looked towards the male. "You vastly underestimate who you are dealing with." Was all he managed to say before that blast of holy fire washed over him.


He grinned his teeth as he snapped his arms up in an X in front of his face. Closing his eyes as he barely managed to bring up a magical barrier to wrap around is form. Forcing him to take a few steps backwards, as he knew how this type of spell worked. It was supposed to last till the target was destroyed.


Suddenly snaping his arms down, in a dual slash. Causing the spell to flicker hard before it just flickered out completely. Twin swords in his hands that seemed to be humming with a white light. Yet Drake was breathing a touch deeply at the moment, as his eyes were a glowing dark red.

"So much for your plan to kill those around her. Let's see how you fair when the tables have been turned." Sheathing those swords in a fluid motion, only to lift his right hand up. Palm facing towards the intruder. Power started to cackle around his frame, then around his arm.

Eyes darted as he watched Cadaria hit the wall, then back to Dominic with those eyes darkening even more. First the male broke into his home, attacked him..then was low enough to attack a woman. "Let's see how you handle this." The energy that had been cackling around his arm finally centered into the palm of his hand.

A moment later he released the full force of that energy, with it streaking outwards from his fingertips. Harsh lightening flew towards the offending male, striking him full in the chest. The lightening coursing through every fiber of Dominic's body while lifting him to over in place.

Drake was allowing his full anger to flow into the attack, strenghtening it as time passed. It was a rare moment for the youth as he had allowed himself to be blinded by his own anger, as he normally kept it under control. Before an explosion happened, sending Dominic flying out the window.

Lowering his arm to keep those streaking bolts of lightening from starting a fire. While shaking his head clear of the daze and worn fatigue that had rocked him. As he moved over to Cadaria's body and carefully picked her up, and carried her to a spare room. Laying her down on the bed so she could rest.

He would also carefully examine her, and found some bruising but no broken bones. He would bandage her cut hand. After nodding he would pull up the covers on the bed, stopping just under her shoulders. He slipped out of the room to clean up the mess of the broken glass. He'd fix the window later, as he took the broken glass downstairs and dumped it in the trash.

He blinked out of the daze he had been in to hearing Cadaria's voice and lifted his gaze to her. The burn marks that the holy fire had caused had healed by now. But his magical energiues were low at the moment, as well as his own energy being drained. As one hand came up to lightly wave off her words.

"I do not blame you for what happened here today. He was foolish to think that he was all powerfull and finally paid for it. Nor will you be fired over it. Yet I do wish to know what he was after, and if any others might show up." HIs voice a touch ragged at the moment.

The full effect of the fight for pretty much both of their lives showed in his eyes, which were very dull and glassed over looking at the moment. As well as there being a deep slouch in how he was sitting. Actually looking frail now.

He started to say otherwise for a moment, then shook his head lightly. He was just to tired at the moment to mount a decent agruement on waitting to rest later. Slowly pushing himself to stand up, after finishing the cup of coffee. With a hand grabbing her shoulder to let the dizziness pass, then turned to move towards the stairs leading up towards his room.

"I will hold you to your word to tell me everything later." Same ragged reply as he slowly shed his cloak. Revealing his clothing had nearly been burnt off his frame. He looked over his shoulder to her, with a faint smile.

"Stop looking so worried about me.. I'll be fine in a few days." Just as he moved into his room, then shut the door. True be told..He knew it could take a week or even more to regain the lost energy he had used. Yet he wouldn't tell her that, as he changed his clothes. Tossing what was left of the ones he had on in the trash.

The moment he laid down, and his head hit the pillow. He was in a deep sleep. Where he would probably remain for now, till the need to eat someone roused him from that healing sleep.

As it had been the case over the last few weeks, Drake only slept for a few hours tops. As he moved to sit up with a yawn, and one hand rubbing the back of his neck. Tossing the covers off, before moving to stand up followed by him getting dressed fully. Cloak and all, thne made his way downstairs.

Once in the kitchen, he would fix himself a plate of the food that Cadaria had whipped up. He then moved to sit down. "Tell me everything..as well as how many more that you think will show up." Voice a bit tired as he really needed to start sleeping more. That thought shaken off as he started to eat slowly.

Drake remained quiet as he listened ot her story, with a nod here and there. As well as continuing to eat the food, till pushing the plate to the side. Washing it down with a sip of coffee, pondering on her words as she spoke them.

"May I see it?" Pointing to the necklace, as he then heldout his hand for it. A poilte smile to made it look like he wasn't up to anything. Not that he had a reason to be up to anything with her.

"And don't worry about me. I'll be able to handle anything they can throw at me..and if need be. I can get a few firends to help out." Hand still out for the necklace.

The moment she let go of the necklace, once it was in his hand. He would lift it up closer to look at it, and before she could utter a word in protest. It would slipped around his neck, then tucked under his shirt. Before he lowered his hand back to the coffee cup, lifting it to his lips for a sip.

"You let me worry about them, and this from now on." Tapping where the lockect laid against his chest. His look and tone telling her in that moment. That it was a final say and nothing she could say would get him to change his mind.

There was a thin smirk to hre concern on him wearing that necklace, but to him it would force the ones that would be coming in the next few weeks to face him. He wasn't in the least bit worrid about it, or if he was..He wasn't going to show it.

After finishing the cup of coffee, he took it to her and set it on the counter. "I'll be back later. If any more show up, do not fight them. Come get me." Said as he turned from her and moved for the front door. Pausing to get his swords and a new cloak. Once both items were in place, he moved to head out.

It would be another hour before Drake returned to the manor, as one hand came up to cover his mouth to hide a yawn. Pausing inside the door to look around a moment, while reaching out mentally to scan the house. Everything seemed in order, as he moved through the house towards the kitchen.

Not seeing Cadaria so far, as he moved to fix himself something to eat. And while it cooked, he took a moment to remove his cloak and drapped it over the back of one o fthe chairs. As a soft whistle left his lips as he went back to cooking. Guessing she had went upstairs to lay down for a few hours.

He looked over his shoulder to hearing Cadaria's voice. "Gotten a few more people to help out at her lair, but still nothing on the dragoness." A light smile as he looked back to the food he was cooking. As he had taken note of her frazzled look. He then turned to set the table.

"Is everything alright? You look a bit frazzled about something." Looking to her again as it looked like he had fixed enough food for two people. Nothing fancy or anything, just a simple dinner.

He nodded as he listened to her telling him about what had happened, before coming to a stop as he took a casual lean on the kitchen counter. Shaking his head lightly, as he was pondering on what to say in return. Following a soft sigh, as he ran his hand through his own hair for a moment.

"If you are unsure about going on a date with him, then you should be honest with him. It wouldn't be fair or nice for you to string him along." Now leaning off the counter to finish setting the table.

Another pause as he looked over his shoulder to her. "Be true to yourself, Cadaria. For trying to do otherwise is not how one should live." A smile to her as he was merely offering her some advise on her problem.

When Vance showed up right on time dressed very nciely she was a bit glad she handt changed, and gone through with it. He looked at her for a long moment ebfore she stepped out in to the cold with no jacket. She expalined to him, that she was unsure about going on a date and that she was sorry for misleading him. He seemed to understand when she told him her abridged hsitoryw ith dating. He agreeed to let ehr come to him and then left.

She went inside and leaned hard upon the door after she closed it. Then off to the kitchen she went to clean.Cleaing always helped that and her usual routine of a work out, which she hadnt done yet. But cleaning would have to do.

She washed he dried and she hummed. Trying to get the look Vance gave ehr out of her head. He'd been hurt, but she'd done the right thing. Maybe it would be better if they were just friends, that way he woudlnt get hurt by the truth.

The question stopped her as she tidyed the table and floor and anything else. "The real reason?" She had been unsur e about it.Vance seemed like a nice enough guy, who just happened to be a vampire. There was the whole angel assassin thing,she wasnt sure she wanted anyone else mixed up with that.Then of coarse there was the whole she liked someone else thing. That tended to make going on dates a little hard.

" I wasnt sure about it. He seems like a nice guy. I havent really known him that long, though we've been neighbors a while. It might have been a bit soon for a date. Also angel assassins on the loose.Its bad enough they are after you, I don't want anyone getting hurt. "Those were part truths atleast. Of corse while she spoke her mind was saying. 'Because I wish it was you, not him..' But she wasn't about to say that. "I havent had many relationships, with anyone mortal or immortal. Things don't tend to end well. And honestly." She sat down. " I don't know him well enough, I am not a very..refined woman. formal dates arent my thing." She sighed.. " And I like .." She almost said it outloud but shut her mouth. "To know someone a bit better.."She filled in with soft shrug.

Her brows perked to him . " I can't just let you worry about them.They are my enemies.. and I want to help.. somehow. " She nodded softly to being true to herself. " Tell them.." She couldn't do that. Though she wished she could. "Carpe Diem.." Was the basis of what he had just said, to live in the moment, the now,seize the moment. But she couldnt do that about who she liked. She watched him go upstairs and after he was in his room she went up herself. She closed the door of the rooms he was staying in and leaned against it.

"Tell them, sure...that always ends nicely..." She sighed, and inched down till she sat upon the floor. She got up eventually changed in to her pjs and streched out, in her usual nightly routine.As long as she was going to stay here she might as well get a little comfortable. But she missed her apartment. Though shed brought most of her things with her. She didnt own that much stuff. She kept things rather light.

She sat there on the floor and staried at the grain of the wood under the nice little oval rug. She couldnt very wel tell him,no.Nor could she try and date someone else.She just had to find her focus in her work.Though till the angel threat was gone her work was all in his house, near him and his things... "Oh bloody hell..I am screwed. "

She woke the next day,long before dawn.No light came throught he winodw. But she knew what had woken her. She sat up in bed and ran her fingers through ehr hair then down over the top of her left wing. The dream again, the waking nightmare. She had muffled her blody scream in to her pillow and hoped she wouldnt wake Drake.

The dream before the nightmare had been nice,though she knew it wrong to dream about him. "Better than the nightmares."She muttered and rose to her feet, her wings gone again as she moved to strech. It culd have ben worse she could have woken screaming his name..She was sure shed muttered it in hersleep a few times.

She sat on the floor after her long slow strech. He hadnt come running, so he was either so knocked out dead alseep or he wasnt even there in the manor.Either guess could be right. She didnt want to check, she was just sit there and think.

Luca was coming, she knew that. Dominic had been a pawn, someone she would have wipped outherself if she had the power. She looked to her balled fist and opened it letting a litle flicker of magic race across her fingers. It didnt do much, it lit up the room for a moment then was gone.Her holy magics worked well onc reatues of darkness, those who fed on rhydins innocense. If it had any left...

She used it to defend herself before. Her healing magics were at their best, she could ehal almost anyone, or anything. Her own quick healing powers had lessend some. The cuts from the glass had harmed ehr more than they should have, but then it had been an angel attack. Maybe it was all connected.

"Some how someway, I will get back what I have lost." She rose to her feet and went to change for the day as the first glimmer of sun started to show in eastern sky. She woudl get her powers back,a nd her memeories,some how she would rememer who she had been before she had been a angel.

Once she was washed up and dressed she headed down stairs, to put on some coffee and think about what to make for breakfast. She heard the music before she saw him at the piano.She watched him sielntly, then left him to play to go fix some food for her self. She didnt know he was so musical, it had ehr missing a few things she hadnt brought with her. She poured a mug of coffee and stayed hidden away in the ktichen.

She looked down at the coffee in her hand then to him as he came in to the kitchen. "I didnt want to intrupt your playing." She took a long sip of coffee to avoid looking at him after he said thsoe last few words. "You play very well." She had seen his room full of different muscial items. And that loevly piano. He didt seem to be the musical type ont he outside, but he had the soul of a muscian.

She wasnt really sure what to do today.The manor was clean, the outside as well. The room were tidy and dust free. She really had nothing to do.She missed her students, and ehr second job. But then she was hoping thats oon shed be too busy to have her mind wander. She would need to stop by the RoseVine to grab her mail as she was sure Vance wouldnt be dropping by ehre with it again, after she shot him down.She also was going to grab the last of her things.Maybe Mr. Gilbert would give her , some of the rent back. But she doubted it.

"So any thing you need me to do for you today?" She eneded to do soemthing, so she wouldnt reveal her secret.

She finsihed her food and followed him. She walked gently in to the dragons room. She looked at the moniter and nodded along as Drake told her how to read it and what to look for. Then she went to go and get the plate of meat shed seen in the fridge.

She brought the plate upstairs. "Here we go." Shed never fed a dragon, never cared for any creature besides a few stray cats now and again. She would let Drake show her the ropes, then try it herself once he said she could.


* double posted to Icers Recovery*

** New Beginnings will be put on hold till Icer is back to being healthy.**

While Cadaria headed off towards one of her tutoring jobs, Drake had spent his time going through a few paces of what he had learned back in Nosgoth. Mostly to keep himself from getting rusty as he knew the angels that were after her, would one day show up and come for him.

He knew he had placed a larger target on himself the moment that he took the necklace from her. And as time passed since that day, he knew that it had been a choice that he would of eventually made. And while he praticed, his mind went back to that kiss in the inn.

It got him to grin as he took a break, as he moved to have something cooked up till he heard voices outside. So he would make his way through the house to the front door. Flicking the light on before openning the door to look outside.

Seeing the three men running from the manor, got him to quirk a brow before he shut the door. Taking note that Cadaria hadn't gotten back yet..Unless she was forced to find another way to get into the manor. So he turned on a heel to search the rest of the house. " Cadaria?"

She came down stairs dressed as she had been for the walk home. Bundled up for the cold weather that had settled over Rhydin.She only now took off her gloves and stuff them in the pockets of ehr new long black jacket. She spun the pretty violet scarf off her neck and stuff that in her side bag. Not like he wouldnt have noticed all those things. She hung her bag at the edge of the stairs banister shed pick it back up when she went up stairs, she un-buttoned her jacket and hung it there too.

It was hard for her still to face him and not burst in to a vibrant blush. But her cheeks were already red from her light "jog" and her climb.Good thing she was in execlent shape. Her mind was now constantly on that kiss, she had wanted to kiss him back, she had wanted to kiss him for weeks now. Her plans to go back to her old palce had been put on hold now, with thugs roaming the streets.

She watched him as he took her things and laid them on the table. He was trying to get her to focus. "I'm fine." The thugs had seen her but not closely enough for her to worry and they enver got close to her. She relized he must have seen the thugs and maybe hed been worried about her. " I am used to Rhydins ruffians.." Shed never run from a fight before, but times wee different now.

"I think I'll make some tea though."She moved throught he kitchen. "Would you like some?"

Cadaria had been on a steady walk for the kitchen when she felt that towel pop her int he behind she whirled around and looked at him as he darted away around the table. She rubbed her back side softly. "What was that for?"

Her hands on her hips her brows risen at him. Shed never seen him this way, so playfull. She eyed the towel in his ahnd and now was trying to spy another for her to use.

She darted around the table and reached for the towel that normally hung on the back of the door. But there was nothing there. Her brows rose at his question, "your quite bold." She kept him at arms lenght. There was no towel in sight, as he snapped the one he had at her again she reached for it. If she couldnt find her own to use against him shed try to steal that one.


He seemed to be enjoying him self, and honestly it was nice to see him relaxed after so long of being so worn out and busy.

She tugged back on the towel not to be out done. Even if he was physically stronger than she was. She wasnt giving up. She pondered the question and gave a tug. "Then you wouldnt be you."

She tuggedon the towel again more than likely the towel would rip in two and shed be left running away from him.


Or shed end up in his arms as she was sliding on the floor as it was to keep the towel in her hands.

She was caught in his arms instead of landing on the floor. "Yes you have caught me."She shook her head at him, the joke was bad but she smiled at him any how. She tapped his nose softly then with the towel still in her hands she got hima good whack on his rear. "And now were even."

Balance wasnt the issue,not was timing or speed. She had the stenght to hold the blade as well. Cadaria didnt call her self a fighter.Not really. She had a few daggers,not much more. But this was a barrowed sword. It was likely of elven make being as light as it was in her hands. It was slightly curved, and very light weight.

She had found it in one of Drakes many rooms. She figured he wouldnt mind it she barrowed it. ANgels would be coming, and amoung their skills besides magic was sword play, Luca was known to hold a very nice sword indeed, known for slicing in half demons,witches, and angels who had fallen from grace as she had.


She would need to study up on anything she could. Luca was coming. But sword play had never been a strong suit. She could tosse dagger, twril short swords,bloack and parry with ease. But Luca was a trained fighter and she was.. well lacking skills. She sighed and shetahed the sword again. She then padded downt he hallway and put it back where she found it.

With the manor clean, tidy and well ekpt she had nothing to do. She rubbed her arms idly. If Luca came bareing not only his magic but the sword he was said to carry shed be dead. He wouldnt need magic or a sword to kill her through she knew that much. She padded back towards her room.

She looked at the daggers she had, from simple to elven, to one shed found, that looked like something awitch would use in a ritual. Mosts he kept only beacuse she might need them, she kept on in her bag at all times, and one close on her night stand. The others all had their proper place which they were being returned to now.

Once that was done she sat on the floor her journal open. It had been days sicne shed written anything. Not since the kiss at the inn, or rather the day after.

Icer was home now, with her dragon kin. And the manor was so quiet. No more visits. She flipped to and blank page. She didnt write there only drew slow curly lines, curving along the edge and top of the page. It was a dance of lines. She sighed and closed the journal returning it to its place in the nightstand dawer She eyed her even lyre and lap harp, but wasnt much in the musical mood.

She lay back on the floor looking up at the ceiling. She had ment to ask Drake about what he had said to Mr. Gilbert, or if he had cleaned her angel busted apartment. It would have a new owner by now. She lay there starring up.

She had her rent back at least, a few hundred dollars. Shed keep it all for a rainy day. She didnt buy her self much, a new jacket this past winter, a scarf. and gloves as she had none. But she had meant to be some how repaying Drake for letting her live here. Sure she cooked, cleaned kept the manor looking nice. But she still felt like she was some how usuing him. His niceness. Maybe she should look for her own place, not that she had the money for anything besides a small studio apartment.

She sighed and lay there wiggling her toes.

Drake knew that Luca would be coming one of these days, and was spending his free time to focus his mind to the fight that was coming. Sitting in the middle of his room on the floor, with one of his swords resting across his lap. As well resting across the palms of his hands, before his eyes slowly opened to hearing the knock to his door, and Cadaria's voice.


Looking over his shoulder to her with a tilt of his head. "Something wrong?" Shifting the sword to one hand as he stood up, then laying it on the nearby table. He then turned his attention to her, while clasping his hands behind his back.

His brows rose to her wishing to ask him a favor, and before he could say anything one way or the other. She laid it all out on him, and to a point the reason why. Once she had finished speaking, he would nod lightly, before moving towards her.

"I had a feeling you were going to ask me to either spar with you, or to train you. I do agree that Luca will show up, and if he is bringing others. It would help if we are both ready. We'll start in the morning." A smile as she had gotten her wish granted.

The following morning, Drake would knock on the door to her room. "Let me know when you are ready." Said through the door as he headed downstairs to eat a light breakfest, as he looked through the various weapons he had. Picking out one that he figured would be best for her to start with.

He would be sitting down to eat as he waitted for her to come down, and once they both ate something. "We'll start out with the basics." He would lead her to the indoor sparring room. Nothing fancy, as it had a thin layer of padding on the floor and walls to ease falls.

"Draw the sword I gave you and show me what you already know." Said as he removed his cloak and tossed it to the side. Drawing one of the two swords that he carried, as he shifted into a defencive stance. Waitting for her to start the sparr off so he could gauge what skillls that she already had.

"And don't hold back either." Smirking to her as he waved for her to come at him with everything that she had.

He watched her as she held the sword, picking up that she wasn't used to it. As well as picking up that she wasn't used to attacking others as he stepped to the side, while slapping her sword away. Continuing the motion, as he turned to promptly send a light boot towards her rear end.

"Don't act scared. You do that in this upcoming battle, and Luca won't hesitate to kill you." HIs tone soft yet firm at the same time as he waitted for her to regain her balance. Probably wiht a glare shot his way.

He smirked to her. " Focus your mind, and allow the sword to become part of your body. Once you are able to do that.. You will be able to master the sword. " Just as he slapped the forward slash to the side.

With his sword snapping around for a slash towards the back of her neck, as he had twisted to the side. Now gauging her ability to react and defend herself. She'd have to learn attack and defence before she would be able to fight against Luca.

From basics they move don well, a progressive start for her. She found her footing more easily. She could strike and slash with out too much hesitiation. Though it was hard still, she didn't like the idea of possibily hurting him.

She could dodge, deflect , and advance with no issues at all. Attacking, and counter attack, not being too distracted by the fact that it was Drake she fought againts.


She watche dhim often, learned from what he did, how he moves and where he placed his feet. She also learned not to watch his eyes, for even if his eyes moved here or there, his attacks never followed where his eyes did. He was good at deception.


At the end of every sessions he had bruises and some little cuts, and with every passinf session she had scored a few more hits on him, but she never drew blood.

The end of every session left her soked in sweat, hungry ,sore and tired. But it was all needed.

From the first session, to the next time flowed and she leaned well. When she wasnt practicing by hersefl, or sparing with Drake she read as much as she could on sword play.

One session turned to two, two to three, three to six...One week, two weeks,three weeks. They all assed like nothing. Learning to fight, working around the manor. She still felt unsure about taking up students, she did help some through the mail.

There was still no sign of any angels.. No Luca.. nothing.


She wasnt going to stop training, she wnated to be ready.. she needed to be.

Better yes, but with every day she found a new place that was sore. All in the greatness sof learning she told herself.Though this tye of learning was far more physical than she was used to. Drake told her often she was getting better and that made her spirits sore. She liked the ends of the sessions, streching out, working out the kinks, and new flexiblity. Though it was hard not to blush when he worked out the kinks in her shoudlers or back.

Harder still to hlep him get all the kinks out of his own back.


She got used to the new menu, she was an ease at that.Cooking new food and a diet fit for battle were no issue for her. Sword play would become like second nature she hoped before Luca came. Hed bring friends, they wouldnt all come at once... no theyd time their attacks. Luca was ther general and while eh was willing to die, he would likey let some others die first.

There would be no teeling who he brought with him or when they would come. She had to hope with every passing session that she would be good enough to stand with Drake and fight. To be brave.

At the end of every night when she sat alone in her room she wrote a short entry in her journal of what she had learned and what she knew she needed to improve upon. That and her ever growing feelings for him. Often she couldnt sleep, not for lack of being tired or wore out.For thsoe she was.. surely wore out.

But shed sometimes look out her window to the moon or the clouds and imagine what it would be like to just tell Drake how she felt. She winced at the idea of Luca hurting Drake or worse still killing him. She clentched her fist ... no...

No she wouldnt let that happen she would help defeat Luca.. she wouldnt let this go on. It was her life.. and she wanted to live it...