Part 5

With the setting of the sun Cailean resumed his place in the hall taking the seat that was only for the Helmer, no one else would dare sit. The moon had reached its highest by the time he had finished his business, sitting back he thought himself lucky as only a dozen or so of his clan needed to speak with him. Hearing footsteps he looked up, he froze as the young woman approached him, he felt her confidence waiver a bit as she drew closer “Eirene?” he murmured almost to himself. “My Lord” she waited for him to adjust to her new look, to be a teen one minute then a woman the next was not normal, like all life children took time to grow but these were not normal times nor was she a normal child.

Stepping towards her he breathed in, his nostrils filled with her scent, her unmistakable perfume there was only one person who smelled like this “It is you!” Eirene smiled weakly, maybe she should have told him, explained the need for her fast growth but she had been afraid he would be angry “Why would I be angry, your childhood was so short to become an adult was no surprise” The reason for his surprise was his reaction to her, his body had burst into flames and still smouldered. “It’s necessary” Cailean nodded, his hand cupped her face “Tell me, is there to be any more ageing?”

Vega’s blood boiled with anger, her Helmer’s reaction to the Fae, no not Fae, a Hybrid a mutt. Either way she was trouble, if not stopped soon she would taint the clan and that could not be allowed. Shoid snuck up behind her “Now what or who are you spying on?” he murmured. Vega jumped, her heightened senses always told her when someone was around but Shoid had the ability to be undetectable “I was going to speak with him” she nodded towards Cailean “But he seems otherwise indisposed” Shoid chuckled “Lost out again Vega, maybe he’s not interested in cold heartless bitch’s” With a snort she turned and disappeared in a puff of smoke.

Shoid studied them for a moment then turned away, good luck to them. Flying to the parapet he watched the dark clouds move across the sky, he had been in love once in a way still was but that was before, the love of his life now thought him dead and it would stay that way. He smiled as he remembered the night he had woken and found himself a Vampire, god he had been an idiot. Pleading and crying like a lost child till Lykaios in his wisdom gave him a slap and crikey what a slap, then the shock had set in, the realisation that he could not go home, see his family, Jane….. Thirty years later and it could still tear at his heart.

With lush green grass underfoot and the flowers and trees dotted around Kelsa guessed she was in Clearlyn. Having found a stream of clear blue water she drank heavily then sat and watched the fish, they didn’t look that difficult to catch? Laying the sword on the grass she gently entered the water and stood still, waiting. A couple of small fish swam past Kelsa ignored them, spotting a large one heading her way she watched her hands ready. Suddenly she lifted her head and smelt the air something was coming this way and from the smell she knew exactly what it was. Lunging towards the bank she climbed out and grabbed her sword.

The bushes before her moved with the sound of branches breaking, just above the tops she could make out horns. Lifting her sword she took her stance, the Hellion broke through the bushes and seeing her stopped. She looked at it, for one of those he was big, huge in fact and strangely wore a gold face mask. Looking down she saw he carried no axe but his fingers were long steal blades, this should be interesting she thought as they sized each other up. The Hellion broke the silence first with a low growl as it gradually made its way towards her. “So beast you want to die today!” Its growl grew louder as it charged.

The sky turned red as the sun started its descent but neither paid any attention, each to busy trying to kill the other. They were indeed worthy adversaries, strong and stubborn with a passion for fighting it was a pity they had no honour. Swinging her sword towards his head she saw his arm swing round to block, and immediately changed her manoeuvre. She felt the sting as one of the tips of his blades grazed her skin; she would have to watch both hands. With another swing of her blade she quickly jumped back as it dodged and lunged towards her, back flipping she landed behind it but the Hellion had guessed her move and swinging his arm she felt the sharp cold finger go deep into her neck. Putting her foot out and catching his left leg she pulled it from under him. Falling onto its knee it looked up as her blade ran threw his neck taking his head off. Kelsa felt unwell, dropping her sword she too fell.

The moon was high when she next woke; the fire that burned inside her was as if she was lying on hot coals. Gaining her feet she staggered then grabbed her sword “What was in those blades?” she asked the corpse beside her. Washing the wounds clean and splashing water on her face she set off in the same direction with determination and without question. Passing several villages she thought of stopping and asking them for food and rest but each time she changed her mind, driven on by something she didn’t know or understand.  

It took another day and night before Kelsa reached the Vaxur province; the poison had surged through her body and now consumed. Finally unable to go further Kelsa slumped against a door and closed her eyes.

Shoid walked the castle, he was bored. He hated this part of his job, the time he spent alone wandering keeping an eye on his home but it was his turn and he couldn’t say no. The others were out hunting, blood, the thought made his body ache, he was starving. Hopefully they wouldn’t be long and they would bring him something to sink his fangs into. He stopped and sniffed the air, something didn’t smell right. Searching the rooms he found them empty, the scent was faint, almost undetectable but there all the same. Crossing the landing he looked downstairs, in the gloom his acute vision picked up the flags that hung on the walls and the odd statue but nothing else.

Changing into a bat he silently flew downstairs his large furry ears twitched back and forth in a search to pick up the slightest sound. Reaching the bottom he heard it, the unmistakable sound of breathing, it was faint very faint. Turning back into a man he opened the door and almost fell over the prone body of a female. Shoid stared at her, what the hell was she? Bending down he checked for a pulse which was there...just. Picking her up he carried her into the hall, Lykaios would be furious but then he always was and didn’t he answer to Cailean? Christ he wished she’d let go of that damn sword!




Part 4                                                               Joining Part 1