Posting here so I can access it later..
Unbound
Chapter One
"Ikera! Get up! You'll be late!" She heard someone yell from downstairs. She lazily sat up in a big four poster bed, sighing. "I'm up! I'm up!" Stepping out of bed, she ran to the bathroom, taking care of a couple things here and there. Heading back into the main part of her room she debated for a few minutes before deciding on a form-fitting black dress.
After slipping it on she turned and regarded herself in the full length mirror on the back of her still shut door. Her eyes a bright, pulsing blood red; tilted slightly at the corners, giving her a feral look. Her normally tan skin was pale, and her waist-length hair fell in gentle waves.
The dress showed no cleavage, though it bared her neck and arms. She sighed. I look like a vampire. The thought ran through her head, and she smiled slowly. Then she shrugged and headed downstairs to the smell of bacon and eggs.
Down the spiraling staircase she went, only to find that her parents had already left, leaving her lavender-haired brother to make breakfast. This is unusual..He doesn't cook..What's the occasion? She wondered as she stood in the kitchen doorway, watching him.
When he turned around to put a plate together she noticed that he was humming some tune she couldn't quite place. Wait? He was humming?! That hadn't happened since they were kids! He looked up and smiled at her, his normally dark amethyst eyes gleaming brightly. "Hey twerp! I was getting worried. Mom called you like half an hour ago. Thought maybe you'd fallen into a black hole or something..." All said in an even deadpan.
She stared at him mutely for a moment then replied. "My Airu..What's the occasion?" He was defiantly being weird..Well, weirder than normal at least. I wonder if perhaps he got eaten by aliens in the night? Or maybe a Were-wolf... The thought flickered across her face for a split second, and she nearly voiced it. At the last second catching it, she really didn't wanna kill his happy buzz.
He raised an eyebrow. "Why do you ask Ike? I'm just happy.. Is that a crime, oh wise sister? You better eat, it'll get cold!" She grinned in delight at his use of her childhood nick-name. It had been several years since he called her that, usually never in front of their parents or friends. His made lewd comments at hers and hers all seemed to pretend to blush and fall quiet, simply so they'd be seen as 'socially correct'. Later on kicking them in the balls. Thus starting the process over. This had happened for years, and so moments like this were rare.
She blinked and started eating, noticing that he was bouncing up and down; he was manic! He grinned and poked her in the forehead. "Plus, last night, when I was exploring the town..Don't tell mom and dad about that or I'll strangle you, I'm perfectly aware I broke their little rule...And I met this really cute guy..We started talking and he offered to take me out. I'm so excited! His eyes were amazing, all emerald flecked with silver..It was incredible." He paused a moment, looking at the clock.
"Aw shit! Sis, we gotta go!..Run! Go get your bus! I'll see you at lunch." He was four years older than she, and a foot taller. He in his third year of high school she in her first, and yet they had the same lunch. She nodded, took her plate to the sink and ran out the door.
Chapter Two
She caught her bus right as it was about to pull away, settling quickly into an empty seat .She looked around, and noticed all the other students were glaring at each other with tension that verged on anger. When they came to the next stop a single young man boarded. The young man of whom all seemed scared .
Ikera stared. Even though everyone else was looking away; some even pulling their hair aside to bare their throats as if he were superior to them in some way. The fear was nearly tangible. He's beautiful! It was the only thought she could think. Like all others had been shoved out of her brain.
His hair was glossy, black and straight. Running to the small of his back it was long for a guy, but looked good on him. Held out of his face by a thin gold wire clasp, it complemented the pale gold skin. His face long, almost thin. His eyes were the most stunning feature. Golden and spiraling, spinning and boiling like a storm cloud. It looked rather odd in a human face.
His build tall, and thin. He appeared weak, no visible muscles. Although, he was wearing a cloak making it rather hard to tell. He moved like a predator, making her and apparently several others think him very, very strong.
At least, that was his guess. People had been scared of him from the start of school this year. Granted, he'd started school there only in the last week of the semester, and therefore hadn't had time to start anything. This year though all those that tried to beat him up met pain. They respected that he was dangerous, and obviously not one of them. Not a vampire, and not a dragon. His power was a mixture of both, and for that they feared him.
He smirked slightly, though he knew he probably shouldn't he wanted to see if she was perhaps the one? She was a new arrival to the school, he could smell the curiosity on her. He relaxed slightly, allowing his scent to spread farther.
While she'd been staring he'd stalked over and sat beside her. She was swaying slightly in time with his heartbeat. He watched her bemusedly for a few moments, then blinked and looked away. Carefully not meeting her gaze, though she tried hard to make eye contact again. He sat as far away as possible from her on the small seat.
"Who are you?" His voice deep and melodic, pitched softly for her ears only. By now she'd stopped swaying, but it took her a moment to realize he'd spoken to her. A moment more to remember how to speak again. Once she managed to make sound come out she stammered repeatedly.
"I-I-I'm Ikera..I-Ikera Mithra..Who, or-or what are you?" He smiled slightly at the stammering, he knew all too well the effect a vampire's thrall could inflict. Even unintentionally. He didn't want to frighten her too much. Scaring off the child could be disastrous for all the races involved.
So he continued to smile disarmingly, and answered slowly. "I'm Zyrus, nice to meet you Ikera." He rolled the 'r' slightly, intentionally. Wanting to see her reaction. He figured it would catch a nerve, make her notice at least. She found herself smiling in return, why though she wasn't certain, there was just some odd appeal here, she was drawn to him and didn't quite understand why.
Zyrus fell quiet a moment, then continued in that same low, nearly musical voice. "I am a mutt. Nothing much of importance. My curiosity here rests with you, my dear. She who appears like one of us, yet falls in thrall with me so easily...Like a Human. So I ask, what are you?" He tilted his head slightly to the side as he inquired, keeping his gaze on a spot just above her head.
Ikera blinked, slightly frightened and very confused by this person. What the hell is h talking about? She scooted over to put her back to the window, pulling her knees to her chest. The skirt fell to her ankles, so she wasn't worried about being indecent. She really didn't care what would happen to her if the bus crashed.
He cringed slightly at the defensive posture, perhaps he overdid it a bit? Before she'd been almost drawn. Yet now she seemed frightened. No power came off her however, nothing changed other than her stance. Interesting. She's unaware of what she is? Mused silently as he waited for her response.
"What do you mean? 'Like a human?' As oppose to what? A dog or a cat? Thrall, like vampires? 'One of us?' What the hell, is it a club of some sort?" Her eyes wide and dim, swirling rapidly. Her voice high, fear and anger mingling.
He blinked, watching her for a moment. As he opened his mouth to respond the bus stopped suddenly. She screamed, realizing too late that sitting with ones back to the window utterly thwarted any and all good the seatbelt might do in this situation.
Too late she struggled against the forward momentum to get back into the belt, her struggles only sending her farther and faster into the next seat. As quickly as it had started her forward momentum stopped, when she was about halfway over the next seat. Thankfully the person in that seat had disappeared, though her brain didn't register it yet.
She gasped, then squealed as she noticed that she was moving backwards. A cold arm wrapped around her waist. In a moment she was sitting on Zyrus' lap. His cloak was spread wide, attached to him only by the clasp at his throat.
Underneath he was wearing black pants and a matching short-sleeved shirt. Beside him where she'd been sitting only moments before a sheathed sword rested. He gently but quickly curled her as she had been, just with one arm around her shoulders. He tilted his thighs up slightly to warn her to stay there, unclipped the throat-clasp and refastened it around her neck too. As long as she leaned against his chest neither of them would choke. He quickly covered both of them with his cloak.
"You really must be more careful! I can not run around saving your butt all the time!" there was laughter and admonishment in his voice. She made a face. "This wasn't my fault!"
All the glass shattered inward suddenly, she screamed. He ducked and quickly covered her mouth. He felt her draw breath to scream, and knew that if she let that out they'd likely die. She nearly struggled, but realized it was a moot point. He was right, screaming her lungs out wouldn't help things, no matter how tempting it was. Besides, he was stronger then she. She wouldn't be able to wriggle free, might as well enjoy the protection while she had it. The hood of the cloak had fallen, and a solid darkness enveloped them. "Hush. It'll be okay." The words breathed into her ear before he vanished from underneath her.
She gasped and threw the hood back. Uncertain how he'd done that, the next thing she saw was Zyrus. That sword in his right hand, unsheathed. He was surrounded by a small army of shadow things, that shining silver blade poised to strike. She whimpered softly as the beings gained a humanoid shape and attacked him.
A faint squeak came out of her, staring wide-eyed as the beings attacked him. Fear thrumming through her mind, making it hard to think. Hard to breath. I need to do something, but what am I gonna do? I can't fight! Why am I just sitting here? Then again, why am I so scared for a complete stranger?! I don't even know him! I don't know anyone though.. While she struggled the fight continued, Zyrus trying to protect her.
He snarled and slashed downward, the being hit gave an unearthly howl and black blood spurted. The scream jolted her out of her trance. Sending adrenaline along already sensitive nerves. She blinked; hearing another being scream, turning to see a young woman with blond hair standing a few feet away from them. She closed her eyes and listened, listened for the music that only she and her brother seemed to hear.
It took her a few moments to sort the confused strains out. Zyrus' was deep, and calm. Like a cello or a base violin in the hands of a masterful player. Her own was like a flute, high and fast. Flighty at times. The woman and the beings music was composed of flats and sharps, horridly discordant.
She found herself suddenly thinking of fire, visualizing a bonfire. A high pitched, sharp scream was heard peripherally, cut off suddenly though it echoed in her mind for a moment. She tried to open her eyes, only to find the world spinning. She fell sideways, unconscious.
Chapter Three
Damn. This is inconvenient. Well, I wanted to know if she was the one. I guess I'll find out soon. The thoughts jangled around in Zyrus' head, the windows shattering inward were not a good sign. The bus stopping like that equally bad. It was rare, but occasionally one of the many mages in this town lost control, and when it happened all hell broke loose. The only question being if the bus would contain it.
Either way he had to protect the girl, whether she was the one, which he was beginning to think she was, or an innocent. He couldn't let her get hurt, so he did the best he could for her. Giving her his cloak, the thing was spelled enough that it was, in essence, a suit of armor.
As the bus had stopped he'd quickly ensured her safety and set his blade in easy reach. Once the threat was confirmed, the shadows coming to life, he put her in a, hopefully, safe position, and all he could do was pray that she had the brains not to try and help him. The first one fell by his blade, then he felt the air tightening. Getting hotter, he jumped back to stand just in front of the girl. If this was a new spell he just had to hope that Ikera was the cause, not the mage that called the shadows.
He closed his eyes and felt for the lines of power, finding none. Yet obviously it was a spell of some sort? His eyes snapped open as a scream sounded from the mage that awoke the shadows. A momentary pause as he looked to find that she had burst into white flames. Essentially becoming something of a bonfire. He looked to Ikera, only to find her passed out. Glancing between the two he concluded that it was a spell of some sort, cast by Ikera. With another set of unearthly howls the beings disappeared, lighting aflame themselves as their mistress burned.
He sighed, looking around and noticing that everyone was gone. For a split second he was very confused, then he remembered that the students were told to transport immediately to the school if something like that happened. He was gonna be in trouble. Or maybe not, as he stayed to protect a new student; one that didn't know and if he was right didn't have the means to teleport or fly to the school.
He knelt beside her, near the seat, gently feeling her neck for a pulse and sighing with relief when he found one. He picked her up carefully, not wanting to hurt her more than she was. And avoiding skin-to-skin contact. The little he'd been told about her, if she was indeed the one he was looking for, advised that skin-to-skin would hurt her after she Awoke.
Where to take her though? If he took her to the Trinity before making sure that she was the one they were after he'd be in big trouble. Thinking a moment he teleported them to the school, more importantly to the infirmary.
The nurse was waiting with crossed arms by the door, which he appeared a few feet away from. She glared at him, and he realized that yes, an annoyed female dragon glaring at you was scary. ?What happened to her?? A faint Irish accent there, the woman gestured for him to set her down. He laid her gently down on the cot and sat on the adjacent seat, leaning forward slightly he watched the nurse.
?I'm pretty sure she just fainted, she'll be okay in a few..She's a new student and didn't know how to respond when that happened..? The woman nodded silently, accepting his explanation with little questions. ?Fine. You may stay with her until she wakes. Be sure to tell her what to do next time, yes?? At his nod she left, going into her office. He knew that she wouldn't be out again for a while, his sharp ears caught a lock clicking into place, with a faint sigh he flipped the chair so he could straddle it and scooted it closer to her cot. Settling in to wait.
Chapter Four
Ikera awoke slowly, swimming up out of the blackness that surrounded her. Fighting to regain sensations. The first thing that returned was sound, music. Zyrus' refrain surrounded her. It was calming and happy. She floated contently on it for a while before realizing that there were other songs, all around her. Floating and weaving in and out of his. She eventually found her way out, opening her eyes slowly. Immediately shutting them again and covering them with one hand as the room spun quickly around her. She moaned softly and felt him move, one hand gently covering hers. Her head pounded, and he seemed to sense that because he whispered. ?How do you feel??
She whimpered slightly and it took her a moment to answer. ?Almost like I went and got drunk..What happened?? Still whispering.
He blinked, and gently picked her up, holding her against him. ?You lit that woman on fire..Has anything like that happened before?? She just kinda snuggled against him, he felt cool, and it was wonderful on her head. ?What do you mean? No..I've heard the music before though, like when father and Airu are fighting. Then it's all loud and makes my head hurt....Wait.? Her tone suddenly suspicious, ?Why don't you seem ruffled by this? And why is the air conditioner not working? I'm so hot.?
He nodded, she could feel the motion. ?Well my dear, I'm not ruffled by this because I'm kinda used to it. You see, this town is chock full of dragons and vampires..Pure blooded humans usually run in a day or two of coming here, though granted, things like what happened on the bus are rare. What scares them is the looks they get. For one side they're prey, for the other they're toys. The city leaders put the front up that we're all normal, but the illusion shatters easily.?
One hand moved to her forehead checking her temperature, the other untangling her gently from his cloak. She's running a fever. Damn. I need to confirm this one way or the other. Soon. Running a hand through her sweaty hair he sighed. She was getting warmer, this wasn't a good sign. She blinked at him in bewilderment. ?What? Why are you worried?? She flinched then and covered her ears. Curling against him, suddenly very tense and scared. He could feel the tension in the way she was half trying to cling to him, and felt the fear. ?Make it stop! It just got way too loud..Make it stop!? She moaned against his chest.
He blinked and hugged her, radiating calm. Trying to reassure her, and hiding the fact that he was kinda confused. It didn't quite fit.. What's causing her this pain? The nurse! Her radio, of course. If she's Awakening the music is gonna hurt like hell. I need to get her out of here, to the Trinity. Now. But I can't gate or teleport. It's a major no-no around here, and if she really is Awakening the strain of either of those could drive her insane. Hell, I'm gonna have to run..I really should have asked what to do in this situation.
He stood carefully, now that he had a plan, keeping her cradled against him. He spread the cloak over her shoulders, wrapping her in it so that the wind wouldn't bug her much. Turning and walking quickly out the door. Breaking into a run when he hit the stairs. He kept one hand on her head, projecting a gentle calm that would hopefully keep the pain down. ?Mmm....That feels good..? Her words were slurred, she tried to nuzzle into his hand.
Once they hit the roof she realized that they were going somewhere other than the school. ?Zyrus? Where are we going?? He blinked, noting the edge of fear in her voice, but the words were still slurred horribly and getting worse. He could feel her slipping away and out. His shield carefully extended to hold her in, attempting to keep her sane. Though this was temporary, it would work for now.
They came quickly upon the old citadel style building just as he was muttering. ?I'm taking you to a safe place, it'll be okay. There are people there that can help you..? She nodded slowly, and he could tell that she was getting disoriented. ?Help me...Okay..?
The guard at the door blinked at the hurry they were in, and had his blade drawn before asking who they were. It was against protocol to do that, but with the hurry they were in it looked rather odd. So it was better that the man was over cautious then under. Things would be bad if the building were taken by force. Anarchy would reign. Zyrus quickly said the access code and continued through without stopping. Thankfully the man had the sense not to follow them.
Damn. Damn. Damn. Ryan and Ares are holding Court, that leaves Isthru and she's halfway across the building. The building was deserted, and the doors that should have been open were closed, which meant that Court was being held. Topping that was the fact that he'd heard a couple guards talking about escort duty for two males. It only fit. Why didn't I take that into consideration before?
He just continued muttering to her. ?It'll be alright. Just a little longer, you're going good. We're nearly there. Just hold out a little longer.? He stopped paying attention to his words, letting them slip into Old Elven as they approached Isthru's door. They must have passed only a few people to clear that distance that quickly, perhaps everyone was at Court.
It appeared so, seeing as her door was unguarded. Isthru's door wasn't unguarded unless there was something important being announced at Court. Bearing that in mind he knocked gently. Hoping that she was there and in a decent mood. If she wasn't that would only make his job harder. While he was waiting Ikera stirred again, fainter this time. He could feel her slipping farther away as he waited. ?Zyrus? Who's the lady with the lion's roar? Why is it so loud?? Her voice a dry whisper against him. Her body very hot.
?The lady is gonna help you..It'll all get quieter once she opens the door and lets us in..You'll see.? His words barely spoken, more breathed; he could feel how the sounds were grating on her nerves. How each one echoed in her skull. Ikera's eyes rolled back into her head as she slid away from consciousness again, and he winced. The music was too loud, even in his mind. After a few moments more Isthru opened the door.
He bowed as best as he could, holding an unconscious, cloak wrapped girl in his arms. He carefully avoided her gaze as was proper for one of his rank when addressing one of the Trinity. The Trinity were representatives of each of the three primary races in the city. Dragon, Vampire, and of course Human. Isthru was the Draconian representative, Ryan the Human and Ares the Vampire. Court was usually held with two out of the three attending, and one making sure the building didn't spontaneously explode or something.
Isthru was a tall, tense looking red-head. Today she was wearing a simple brown shirt and black dress pants. Her green-gold eyes looking them up and down before nodding and stepping aside, ?You may enter.? Her vowels were rounded, the consonants dropped or rounded. He nodded and stepped inside, noting with relief that as they entered her shields dulled the music. Turning down the volume several levels.
Chapter Five
Despite the fact that she looked scary Isthru was the nicest of the three, and most likely to help Ikera with little or no begging from him. Ikera shivered again, her whole body tensing with it. He winced, and Isthru gently took her off his hands. Muttering reassurances to both of them she set Ikera on the couch and started untangling her from the cloak. He stepped forward instinctively, and she waved him off. Gesturing to the kitchen with one hand. ?Zyrus, go make tea for the three of us. Let me look at her and make sure she's alright. You are certain she's the one??
He knew the question was required, but it grated on his already tight nerves. Answering with respect, even if he was a tad sharp. ?Yes ma'am. She's a new student, just started this morning in fact. One of the others lost it and brought the shadows into solidity before they were eliminated. I was taking out the shadow-beings when the mage responsible suddenly burst into holy flames.? This reported as he went about the kitchen, setting a couple pots of water to boil and sorting through her arrangements of powders for tea. Pulling out some chamomile, ginger and cinnamon for himself and Isthru; and willow bark and chamomile for Ikera.
When he came back in from setting the teas to steep he found Isthru looking at him oddly. He blinked. ?What? You're looking at me like I grew a third arm or something..?
?Boy, your shields are more around her then yourself. You mind fixing that?? There wasn't any reproach in her tone, in fact it appeared she found it amusing that he'd done so. Her eyes twinkled, a faint smile crossing her lips.
He blinked a moment in absolute confusion. His eyes widened, he'd completely forgotten about that! She nodded to him once it was fixed, and looked back to Ikera. ?So the girl summoned holy fire? Incredible! Where'd you take her after that?? Trying to keep him reporting, and reminding him where he was. Getting him back in the flow of the story. The more she knew the easier it'd be to help.
?To the school. The nurse is a dim-wit. She didn't even double-check me when I told her that I thought she'd fainted.? Gesturing to Ikera with the second 'she' as he leaned his back to the wall. ?The nurse just left us be and went to go listen to her radio. Ikera's fever became noticeable when she awoke, and I guessed that she was the one that we've been after for so long. So, I brought her here.?
Isthru nodded quietly, but he knew she was probably only about half listening. Their auras were merged. So, for now he fell silent; looking around from his lean on the wall. She'd redecorated since last time he'd been in here, but then again, not surprising. The walls were painted a pale cream, and covered by various masks and feathers. A couple paintings. The carpet was long and lush, the kind that felt lovely underfoot; a pale green it went well with the walls. He walked slowly back into the kitchen and poured the tea. Taking Isthru and Ikera theirs before grabbing his and returning to his lean.
He swirled the cup, staring into it moodily. I don't get it. I met her only a few hours ago, and yet I feel like I've known her for years. Already I can't contemplate what I'd do if she died. I'm as fixed on her as if...If she were my mate! Or my Bounded...But again, I'm thinking like a dragon. He sighed, thoroughly confused.
Then again, there are big chunks of the original prophecy that are missing. Perhaps there's something about a partner to the One that would Unite us? Maybe..Maybe I'm just an insane overprotective loon. He growled in frustration, looking around and taking a drink of his tea. Knowing that when he started brooding like this his eyes darkened and spun faster making him rather scary, just not caring.
After a few more moments Isthru's eyes opened. At first only a crack, then gradually wider. She smiled at him and grabbed her tea, taking a sip. ?She'll be fine boy. And yes. You were right, she is the One. Now then, why are you all the way over there? Get your arse over here!? She'd turned to face him, and gestured that he pull up a chair and join them. He stared at her for a moment then nodded. He went over and sat on the arm of the couch, absently running his free hand through Ikera's hair as he waited for the Elder to speak.
She smiled, noting the way he sat, in such a way that he could defend them both if need be. Aware it was probably an unconscious effort. He's always been protective of that which he deemed his ?As I said, she'll be just fine. She overloaded her energy system when she summoned the fire. A couple hours rest and she'll be up and moving, a splitting headache probably, but up and moving.?
He nodded. ?The fever was her physical reaction to the magical backlash.? Stated, not asked. A similar thing had hit him when he first overshot his limits, just nowhere near as bad. She grinned. ?Very good Zyrus! Things do go through that thick skull of yours.? He blushed slightly, remembering belatedly that he'd been taken to her for treatment.
?So..What do we do now? I'm not quite sure how to explain any of this to her.. I mean, just a couple hours ago she was a normal kid, going to a normal school..? He looked down at her, a faint smile on his lips. She looked so peaceful right now. He didn't wanna wake her. Looking up he found Isthru staring at him with a startled look on her face. ?Wait, you mean to tell me that she is totally unaware...Of everything?! Why were you sitting by her then??
He blinked, and tore his gaze away from Ikera. ?I don't know Elder..I just had the strong feeling that I needed to..That I wanted to, almost.. She drew me like I drew her.. Interesting.? Shrugging a moment before continuing. ?I hadn't thought about it until you brought it up..?
Isthru stared at him openly now, he could almost smell the smoke as she tried to figure it out. Though he wasn't quite sure how she'd figure out something that one of those involved was baffled about, but she was an Elder for a reason. It was worth a shot, right? ?Wow. I guess we'll need to fill her in, on a lot of things won't we? I think she'll handle it better coming from you, so I'll hide in the kitchen and pop out if you need help explaining..Or when the time is right..?
She paused a moment then continued with a small smile. ?I don't believe it, you found the child that will Unite us all, and didn't even know it at the time. It's like something out of a fairy tale, but then again this whole thing sounds like a bad Brothers Grimm story. One that lost the moral somewhere along the way.? She chuckled slightly.
Chapter Six
While she'd been speaking his gaze had wandered back to Ikera, his hand playing with a couple locks of her hair. His pupils were dilated slightly and hunger glowed in his aura and eyes, they swirled a bloody gold. She stood and clapped her hands loudly, well aware it would make him jump. That was her intention, it would be bad if the prophetic child were eaten in a fit of high emotion. Making a 'follow me' gesture she headed through the kitchen to the animal pens.
Each of the Trinity kept a small food store for all the races, that way if one of the other races came visiting and grew hungry while staying they wouldn't have to worry much. A common occurrence really. Picking up a nice fat blond rabbit she handed it to him. ?Eat. We'll talk in a moment. No arguing.? All orders.
He shrugged and had little choice but to obey. He took the rabbit and closed his eyes a moment, when they reopened they were a blood red. Only a faint hint of gold around the edges. Isthru looked away, leaning against the window and examining the wall. She knew what was happening, but was trying hard to ignore it. The kill state was contagious at times, and now was potentially one of those. His fangs elongated, and the rabbit realized something was gonna happen, so it struggled. He bent its head back, bitting deeply into its throat.
It yelped in the last moments, and then it was done. Licking his lips the carcass disappeared, she looked back now. Well, he'll be a little saner now. The thought could almost be read on her face. Noting that his eyes were a lighter shade of gold now, more like a dark swirled cream. Though he looked almost worried, and very confused. He'd never been egged on like that, or thrown into the Hunting mode by another beings scent before. This was new to him. She nodded to his troubled look.
?You love her, don't you?? She asked softly, nothing but compassion in her eyes. Still, it startled him. Yes, he was well overdue for a crush, but this was ridiculous! How more inappropriate could it be? She's right though..I think I do.. Despite that thought, or perhaps because of it his cheeks turned a brilliant shade of red. ?I-I-I...? He turned an even brighter shade at the stuttering. ?I think I do..But gods, could it be much more inappropriate? I mean, she's supposed to Unite our races. Stop the wars and fighting, bring peace. The prophecy mentions nothing of a love interest! Much less a bumbling fool following her around!? Perhaps he was being harsh on himself, but it mattered little. It got his point across.
She snorted, then laughed. It was a faintly musical sound. ?True, it doesn't. However, it might have when it was first written. Now then, lets head back in there, and try and wake sleeping beauty. Yes?? She snickered and wrapped an arm around his shoulders, steering him back into the living room. ?Now get in there and start talking.? Gently shoving him through the door. ?I'll poke my head in when the time is right.?
He slightly staggered as she pushed him and nodded, stalking over to the couch, deliberately putting a sway into his steps and hips as he sat near her head again, kneeling this time and watching her over the arm of the couch. He could have sworn he heard Isthru's muffled laughter at his display, he'd done it on purpose, just to see how hard he could make her laugh. Trailing a fingertip gently over Ikera's forehead, noting with relief that though she was warmer than normal, she was still a good few degrees cooler then when he'd first arrived. He softly hummed an old Draconian lullaby, thinking that the music might rouse her.
Chapter Seven
Ikera groaned. The flashes of light and tapestry had gone away, after whispering to her to sleep. Getting a projected gentle calm, she'd slipped into the darkness again. For a moment at one point she'd been aware of a hand stroking her hair, cello music weaving its way into her dreams. At the time her mind refused to place it. Now though, the music returned, louder and more persistent. A cool hand rested on her forehead. She twitched, kinda leaning into it. Her head pounded, and the cold felt good. Her eyes still too heavy to open. The music was persistent though. She heard Zyrus' voice softly calling her name, telling her to wake up. She moaned slightly and opened her eyes.
Her first sight was Zyrus leaning over her, his hair slightly framing his face and a faint smile on his lips. Her eyes wouldn't focus all the way, but she swore she saw a black and gold bubble around him. He smiled as he saw the way she went cross-eyed to look at his finger, which was right between her eyebrows.
She jumped then. Yes, a very delayed reaction and tried to sit up. Both Zyrus' hand on her shoulder and the pain in her head stopped her, muscles stopped obeying her as he gently laid her back down. Only slight pressure on her shoulder. ?Easy, easy. I owe you an explanation, I know how weird this all looks. And I'm gonna try to explain. Okay??
She nodded and relaxed, for now willing to play question and answer until her head stopped throbbing. Her attention returned to him when he started speaking. ?Hm..Where to start? Well, the beginning is always good, right?? He waited for her nod before continuing. ?How much do you remember from before we got here?"
She blinked and looked around slowly, "Where is 'here'? And little..." She saw the masks and colors. This didn't look like a boys room, for starters it was all too neat; and the colors were slightly odd. The feathers drew her gaze, they shimmered oddly.
He smiled slightly, his other hand moving down to gently cup her chin. Pinky gently rubbing the hollow of her throat. One stayed on her shoulder though. She noticed abstractly that as long as it was there the pain and aches were numb. So she made no motion to move either of them. The hand on her throat didn't bug her. He was barely touching her, but with the skin to skin contact the music grew a bit louder. She could make out the harmonies now, not just the melody. His music was pretty.
"Well, 'here' is Isthru's rooms. Isthru is the Dragon face of the Trinity. I brought you to her when I...." He trailed off as he saw the blank look she was giving him. A faint chuckle was heard in the back of his mind, and the Elder's voice whispered, ~Try filling her in all the way. Start with our limited knowledge of the prophecy~ in the same spot. He had a feeling that she'd used a different frequency then usual mental communication for that thought. Was she paranoid? The thought almost made him snicker.
He fell quiet as he tried to find an easy way to explain it. Then realizing that there was no such thing as an easy way to explain the current situation. A soft sigh. "Okay, what are your beliefs on the supernatural? Like demons and angels, the things that go bump in the night.."
She thought about it a moment, still meeting his gaze. It was an interesting question, one that she wasn't usually asked. "Um...I'm kind of an atheist, father a Christian..Mother a Buddhist, my brother and I try to keep them from talking philosophy much. I just find it hard to believe that a being created the universe for no apparent reason, or that the way to absolute peace is to live in moderation.. That's not the question you asked though. You asked about what I believed about angels and demons...I don't think they exist, but things like vampires do I think. And were-wolves.." She stopped there, not wanting to embarrass herself any further.
He grinned broadly at her response. "Good answer my dear. Although I'm afraid you'll be disillusioned shortly, but what about dragons? I noticed you left them out.."
She blinked and grinned in return. Not having had the bit about disillusionment sink in yet. "Dragons? Oh man. I love them. Airu and I both. We hate that in most stories all the dragons are portrayed as pure evil...I think they're beautiful, magical beings. You know, I used to dream about them. About flying dragon back.." Her eyes were glazed slightly as she kept rambling. He chuckled softly, she was still a little loopy.
"Okay, okay. Ikera." She kept trying to speak, though by now she'd started repeating herself. He gently pressed one finger to her lips, attempting to slow the random flood of words. Instead, he got bitten. He jumped as she opened her mouth, not able to remove his fingers fast enough. Both of them were stunned when her teeth slid through his skin with ease. Her eyes widened as a drop of his blood dripped into the back of her throat, at first like ice water; she reflexively swallowed and it turned to fire in her gut. Her back tensed, she started to want more. Jaw clenching to stop the wounds closing.
He gasped and struggled. Left hand curling into a fist. His nails growing to claws, digging into her shoulder. His fangs elongating and he leaned forward. Going for her throat at first, then realizing that her wrist was closer, so his gaze shifted slightly. Some dim corner of his mind was saying to stop. Another voice ordering him to. Both were shut out though. He leaned in for the pulsing point of her wrist. Mouth opening and fangs bared.
She shuddered. The music grew louder, her own intertwining with his to form an oddly pounding duet. It sang steadily through her veins, body and being. Urging her on. Hot breath came against her wrist, which was wrapped around Zyrus' upper arm to hold him where she could reach him. Gaze locked on the red eyed Zyrus leaning into her wrist. His fangs were at least an inch long. She moaned softly as he carefully brushed her with his fangs, trying obviously not to scare her but he couldn't hold out long. Soon his teeth sank slowly, gently into her wrist. She moaned softly.
The contact was incredible! It felt like cool electricity was pouring through her, but it didn't hurt. It felt wonderful. His finger was abandoned as she rolled over slightly, reaching up for his throat when suddenly something came between them. Zyrus pushed back and away, herself pushed back as well, so that her feet were toward them.
Chapter Eight
Isthru was sitting in the kitchen while Zyrus and Ikera talked, looking up and reading the stars. Staring out the window, and pondering quietly what they'd be doing next if the girl really was the one. If she was the others needed to know. How to tell them? Then she grinned as she remembered that they would be coming to her soon, to fill her in on the Court's reaction to their statements.
She looked up when the silence fell, startled. She couldn't have zoned for long enough for him to have told all, could she? Standing she waited a moment, thinking maybe it was just a lull in the conversation. Waiting and listening, going to the door after a couple minutes. When trying to mentally contact Zyrus had failed she grew worried, and seeing them as they were confirmed her fears. Ikera half limp, reaching for his neck. Almost fully under his thrall it appeared, Zyrus with red eyes and his fangs in her wrist.
Well, at least he tried to control it. We'd be in trouble if he'd killed her like that. Bigger question is though, how the hell had she sent him into kill mode again? Was this mutual? Oh well, it matters little, I need to separate these dumb asses.
Once Ikera let his finger go she stepped forward and mentally pushed him back. Holding him immobile with a spell as she shoved the girl as well. Separating them and forcing them to think.
Chapter Nine
He growled softly as he was shoved and then bound none to gently, a coil of rope wrapping itself around him. The physical link between predator and prey snapped. The shock made him stagger, he'd have hit the ground if Isthru's spell weren't holding him in place. Wait..She's binding me? I did something bad...Didn't I? He watched, stunned as Ikera shook her head and came out of the trance faster then she should have been able to. She blinked a moment at Isthru, then at him. Gaze settling on Isthru she said, "What the hell? What was that for?" Zyrus noticed that she was shaking slightly, it had to be a side effect of being isolated like that.
Isthru placed her hands on her hips and glared at Ikera. Yes, full glare. He winced slightly, knowing that her glare was a scary thing on a good day. "I separated you two because if I hadn't you would have started something not easily fixed. I'm just wondering how your teeth penetrated his skin like that. That shouldn't have happened."
Ikera blinked, clearly not understanding. Yet she kept her head down, and eyes lowered. Showing respect, even if she didn't know what those gestures meant. "Isolated? How on earth does that fit in with anything? They shouldn't have, why not? Where'd you come from? You weren't here a minute ago!"
Isthru sighed softly and released him. Clearly not wanting to answer all the rapid-fire questions. As he staggered forward she muttered in his ear as she passed him. "Explain it. I'll be by the front door." He nodded, then sat carefully beside Ikera; not completely away from her, but away enough that he could think relatively clearly. Her presence was like a drug, he couldn't think straight around her.
A cushion was between them, and he was fairly certain Isthru'd make sure it stayed like that. He leaned forward slowly; elbows on his knees, and head in his hands. Neither of them noticed as she walked over to the door and leaned against the wall beside it. "Okay, you want a full explanation now don't you?" He asked; she nodded, pulling her knees to her chest as she watched him. The posture almost that of a little kid waiting for a story.
"When time first began there were three races, and only three. The Dragons, Humans, and Vampires. The Vampires came about as an effect of bug infested water that messed up their DNA, now then. Each race thought they were better then all the rest.
"Over time the Humans moved away from the others, blockading themselves in their cities and castles..Shutting out the war that surrounded them. Early in the middle ages though, the Humans stepped in. The wars that followed were called by the humans 'Crusades'. A religious cleansing of all that was not Human. At that time they believed themselves to be the ultimate race chosen by God.
"Around the time of the Crusades there was a prophecy written, one that decreed that there would be a child who would unite the races, and stop the war. The only problem is that what we have is passed down by word of mouth, so it's missing bits and pieces. As such, little is known about the prophecy, and the One...Most today believe it to simply be a myth, a legend.
"Over the years each race ended up with their own hierarchy. The Trinity is the representation of the three original races. They are the leaders of their race, the top dog if you will.. There are now at least a dozen races now, and I'm not going to list them all. However, I will answer your question about who I am. I'm a cross-breed between a Dragon and a Vampire. Did I leave anything out?"
She stared at him bewilderedly for a few moments. "Okay...What does any of this have to do with me?" A slight fear obvious in her scent, every instinct telling him to hug her. Logic telling him not to, and for now logic won. "Ikera...I believe that you are the child mentioned in the prophecy...But, I'm not sure..You appear Human, but you clearly aren't...I don't understand.." Tension in his voice, confusion as well.
"Then...Then you must know why my teeth went through your skin like that..Right? I mean, you know what happened just now, right?" Fear verging on panic in her voice, truly scared now for the first time. More scared in a way then she'd been on the bus. Purely for the fact that now she might be a freak among freaks..How was that possible?
They both jumped out of their skins when Isthru cleared her throat loudly. She was smirking faintly. Strange lady...Has far too much fun scaring the piss outta people. Zyrus smiled slightly as the thought floated to him from Ikera, purely accidental; via their still active (if weakening) link. "Ikera, if you are the one in the prophecy then you are...Bodily, anyway.. A mutt. A cross much like Zyrus, only diluted by human blood for a couple generations..So.." She paused a moment, counting things off on her fingers. "...There are various methods this kind of breeding can be achieved.. Anything from both parents being halfies to....A grandparent on either side being a full blood...Got a grandpa or -ma that's been kinda ignored, or unofficially disowned?"
"Um...We have grandparents that everyone says died or vanished..Does that count?"
"Yeah...Probably. No one's specific on how they died?"
"No..We aren't really allowed to talk about them...Even at the reunions and stuff..The speculation could defiantly be fun..It's like everyone's trying to ignore that they ever existed." A faint touch of annoyance in her voice.
Isthru nodded then. "And that's probably where the blood came from then.. The soul though, your soul is most likely human."
Zyrus was staring at her now, absolutely confused. It showed in his face, and the way that he stammered. "B-B-But...How is that even conceivably possible?...It makes no sense.. How can a body be one thing, and the soul another? It's illogical! I-It goes against everything we've ever been taught! 'Gods do not make mistakes.' That is one of our most upheld and believed proverbs..It sounds like this would be one of the impossibilities that we got preached at about not existing..How can it be wrong?"
She thought about it a moment, or pretended to anyway. "Easy, proverbs tend to contradict each other, for starters. Secondly we are mortals...We are killable.." A glance to Ikera as she clarified that, then her train of thought continued. "Thereby, logic follows that perhaps the messages that the proverbs are technically supposed to be are getting lost in the translation. Does it not?"
They both nodded after she'd finished, "True Elder. It does, but still...Why do that? And that still doesn't explain the music she's been hearing, and heard, and used.." Zyrus again, this time interjecting more respectfully. Ikera seemed to be just sitting back and listening, observing and absorbing the conversation.
Isthru grinned and held up a finger. "Ah, but it does my dear boy. It's the Lines of power that dragons hear, and the Seals of power that Vampires feel thrown through a filter.. The human mind. Thus distorting how she feels the power, how it's perceived.. Making her the oddball for mages around here, but I think we'll have fun training her.."
Chapter Ten
It was a couple hours later, and Isthru's room had been transformed. Not really for the better either, all the furniture had been pushed into one corner. Ikera was told to stay in the middle of the room and out of the way. She watched in amusement and awe as they moved it all. Not that any of it was really heavy, there was just a lot to move. Now that it was all out of the way, meaning that most of it was in one corner of the room, the wards had been set. Her training started.
"Okay. There are several places and ways in which we call energy, but the most common is from our own emotions. Lust, anger, fear, grief and arousal are the strongest.. Therefore we use them the most. Now then, I think on the bus you pulled from fear and anger. I'd like to see which one you work best with." As Zyrus finished he smirked, flashing fangs, and Ikera swallowed the lump in her throat. Unable to fight the feeling that something odd was going to happen, again.
He stepped forward quickly, fast enough that she hadn't seen him move. So in her perception he went from standing a couple feet in front of her to right in her face, in the blink of an eye. She yelped and moved back automatically. Only to feel a hand on her shoulder. She looked up to see a duplicate of Zyrus standing there, her eyes widened as the grip tightened.
The Zyrus in front of her smiled. Not a pleasant expression either- the look a snake gives a cornered mouse right before it strikes. His eyes were unreadable as he reached out to stroke her throat. She tensed, her brain screaming to run. Heart pounding as she felt the nails elongate. Still touching her jugular. A low, frightened whimper found it's way out of her voice box.
Two things happened at once, very suddenly. Pure energy struck the second Zyrus in the back, and Ikera bolted to the far corner of the room. Yes, no power had come when she'd called. Nothing had responded. The bolt had been from Isthru, who was smirking. "Zyrus, it's not fear. She couldn't even think then, though I see that you mastered empathy...I may be regretting that later though."
He nodded, and started to move after her. Now he was being all friendly like. Ikera glared at him "What the hell is wrong with you?" Unaware that her voice had grown to a yell as she went to meet him halfway. "How dare you?!" Upon seeing her move toward him though, he stepped back, leaning casually against the shield.
Ikera snarled ans went for Zyrus' throat. He sighed, waiting to move until she reached the halfway point. Even then, he simply stepped away from the wall and uncrossed his arms. He watched her charge, momentarily tracking on the bloody red sparks that followed her motion.
As she leapt, literally, for his throat he realized that she was either extremely angry, or equally inept. I hope she's just angry.. That's so much easier to fix then inept. For about a heartbeat he let her think she'd actually touch him. He side-stepped, and caught her wrist. As he brought her arm around to the small of her back he shoved down on her opposite shoulder with his free hand, bringing her easily to her knees.
He flipped his grip on her wrist, and moved onto one knee behind her. She was too quiet, he leaned forward, peering through his hair to see her a bit better. Her head hung forward, and as her eyes slid closed he noticed that she was panting harder then she should have been. This shouldn't be that taxing on her body, she's not that out of shape.... Unless.. I hit that nerve cluster.. He checked his grip on her shoulder, and winced. His thumb was right on it.
