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Post by Thea on Jul 6, 2022 4:12:29 GMT -5
He wasn’t human, if his eyes were any indication. She’s never seen or heard a human with irises the color of gold. And no human that she’s ever come across gave the vibe that he did. The aura of dark and mysterious and fatal was palpable.
However, she tried not to be upset that he hadn’t felt what she felt. Hallie, like her other siblings, never gushed about finding mates. If their parents were any indication, mates weren’t as important as it was made out to be in books or movies. It just so happened that Jasper and Jade found each other, and so it seems she with this man. But if he had felt them, then that meant that she wouldn’t have to explain what she felt or what he was supposed to be to her.
That was, if there was a chance that they would see each other again.
If he found her reaction to his touch strange, he didn’t show it or let it deter him. A gasp escaped her mouth, inaudible because of the music, but out of character for her still. She let him interlock their fingers, surprised that he was so cold. A thought started to form in her mind; pieces of the puzzle that was him started to find their places. Yet the music change and his free arm wiped that puzzle to the floor as it made its home at the small of her back. The chill she felt from him helped cool her body down.
Yet her heart was going a million miles a minute it seemed. His smile elicited a flirtatious one of her own, and she looked down at his lips for just long enough to see that flash. She could have sworn she saw fangs, but before she could confirm they were gone. Her body moved with his in the familiar way it did when she danced, letting him take the lead. She was glad he wasn’t the type to just stand and sway to slow songs. That shit was boring and, in her opinion, spoke volumes about a person.
His words sent a thrill within her; she was told all the time how breathtaking and beautiful she was. Her mom mentioned once or twice how big of a head she had and attributed it to that. Her excitement wasn’t that he complimented her, but how she seemed to have as much of an effect on him as he did on her. Before she could respond, she felt gravity shift. Her hands gripped to him tighter in reaction but felt that he wouldn’t have let her fall. Those butterflies seemed to melt into slick heat pooling at the bottom of her belly. Her tongue touched her bottom lip and her eyes changed from the dark chocolate color she inherited from her mother to the Constantine Yellow she gained from her father. Gods, this man was doing things to her that she didn’t even feel with her ex when they were together.
When she was brought back up to his chest, where she felt she was meant to be, she tilted her chin up to keep looking into those eyes. “Enchantress is new,” she finally replied, glad that she didn’t sound as breathless as she felt. “And me being yours, but I’ll let it slide tonight.”
Her reaction to his hip roll was immediate: her head tilted back, baring her neck for just a moment as she closed her eyes. Images flashed before her, erotic and sexy and in no way decent enough to confess to her sisters and best friend. This was a complete stranger, the logical part of her brain protested, tingles or no. And she really wasn’t one for one-night stands. But fuck she understood the appeal now.
No matter if she understood it. She knew that with him she would want the pleasure for the rest of her life. Like a drug that she wouldn’t be able to put down, the high was too good to drop. “Mmm. They must be in mine, for you to be with me. Something tells me you’re not much of a dancer.”
**
Her hand was so small. Jasper had made that revelation from the first day they met, but it never ceased to amaze him. How one as small as she was made for him. Yet her physical size wasn’t what he fell in love with.
The sunset was beautiful, sure. That wasn’t what he was really looking at. It was how she looked right in this moment. She had that expression he had seen countless times but never could get enough of. Wonder painted her features in gorgeous hues as she stared out from their perch, as if this was the first time, she had seen something like it and there was a possibility that she never would be able to see it again. His heart squeezed at the overwhelming amount of love he felt for her, and when she looked his way, he couldn’t help but to smile bashfully. For a minute, he forgot why he was so worried – so anxious.
The mention of her birthmark had him straightening a little bit, turning more to face her to better giver her his attention and waiting for her to continue. Before he could tell her that she could go first – that she can always and will always come first, she had cried out.
Immediately, his free hand moved to her hips to steady her. His eagle, who had been sitting in the back of his mind quietly and contentedly, started to move restlessly beneath his skin. Fear iced his veins, not knowing what was happening but ready – willing, wanting - to come to her aid however she needed it. “Jade?”
When she went down, he fell to her knees in front of her. “Jade! What’s wrong?!” Her tears were what frightened him the most. He knew she was in pain. In so much pain. He felt helpless, like a lump on a log. He caught sight of her hand moving to her shirt, gripping it as tight as she had his. What was going on?
“Jade!” he said again, that same fear that chilled him lacing his words in panic. His eyes, going from the hazel to the inherited yellow, searched her body for any foreign object that could be causing her to curl into a fetal position. But nothing was apparent.
It wasn’t obvious to him that time stood still until after he called out to his fellow sightseers for help. “Is there a doctor? Help! My girlfriend is hurt!” But when no one even looked his way, his breathing stopped.
What the fuck?
Dad? he yelled through the link his family shared. He could hear the near hysteria even in his mind. Mom? It’s Jade! She’s in pain and I don’t know what to do!”
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Post by Ventia on Jul 6, 2022 17:31:04 GMT -5
His grip tightened a fraction on her back when she tipped her head back in pleasure, his eyes flicked back and forth from her lovely face to her arching throat, in that one instant everything fell away as his vision deepened seeing past her lovely skin to the jumping jugular with rushing sweet intoxicating blood making her skin blush and redden and her heart race. Specks of red started to fill in his gold gaze, his teeth began to ache, that siren call to her wrapped around him once again begging for him to take a taste, just a small little taste it taunted to him.
When she opened her gaze, Davion had steeled himself once more, the gold burning over the flames of bloodlust, he was a master vampire, old enough to control his bloodlust-only the young and ill mannered lost control-if that wasn't enough, Davion was royalty with only the purest of blood of their ancient ancestors, so why was he acting like a fledging with this woman?
He had a few guesses but wouldn't know for sure until time told him all he wanted to know. He chuckled at her words, little did she know he planned to do just that, to make her his, to explore her vast soul down to every nook and cranny, Davion didn't speak of this not wishing to alarm her, but it would be so.
"Then we are both lucky to have found each other on this moon." He gave her the reins for a moment, letting her lead him around on the dance floor, enjoying the feel of her legs pressing against his, her warmth warming his skin, before answering.
"I haven't quite found the appeal to this era's way of dancing, the women are bearable but I wouldn't be caught dead doing some of the things I've seen male dancers do." He lifted a brow, in a silent challenge and shifted the dance again, gaining control he moved her in a tight circle before easing her away for a spin, she was a magnificent dancer he thought again as he pulled her back close to his heart.
"Are you dissatisfied with me, is that why you haven't told me your name yet?"
-
The time had come.
If Jade was honest, she never believed the old wives tale story that had been passed down in her family, not even when she bore the fated mark that was warned about in the tale. Her parents had raised her to be a sacrifice since birth, since the faint yet undeniable mark of the Shinigami's curse was etched onto her infant skin.
They secluded her away, tucked at home safe and sound, pure and untouched by the world, she was home schooled for the majority of her life, the only reason why she ended up attending a real high school was because her father had to move to the city for his job and Jade had beg them endlessly for a real school experience. She had promised she would be good, that she wouldn't get involved with sin and definitely would stay away from boys. After long nights of her crying herself to sleep, they finally accepted.
She finally felt normal once she met the Constantine's, when Hallie pulled her in to this sweet family and they instantly took her under their wing. Falling in love with Jasper was the best gift this world could have given her, she had cherished each and every day and as the years passed, her doubts of the tale being true began to change, she began to fear it, to wonder what if it was true, that fear that had never been there before Jasper and his family was capsizing into her greatest worry.
And now, when she finally believed the danger had passed, it erupted into action and threatened everything and everyone she loved. She forced herself to look up, to push pass the excruciating burning in her chest, to latch on to Jasper's gaze.
"I love you!" she hissed, the tears flooding down her cheeks, her body began to feel heavy as the floor below her began to give. She was slipping, slipping from this world, slipping from Jasper. She clung to him anyway, wishing she could take him with her.
"Jasper I love you, I love you so much baby, thank you for giving me a life I only ever dreamed about, thank you for showing me true love, you will always only be the only man I will ever love." She spoke quickly, her voice full of sorrow and pain but of happiness and love as well. She began to sink into the ground, her legs disappearing inch by inch.
Jade pushed herself against him and claim his lips one last time, she was sobbing then, her whole body shaking in pain and fear, as her body continued to be pulled down into a realm long forgotten. She kept telling him that she loved him, that she was sorry for leaving him, that she wished she could have stayed forevermore by his side all while kissing him between every word.
Nate's voice rose in Jasper's mind, What's happening? Where is she hurt-bring her back Jasper so that your mother can help. Are you guys still at the Eiffel Tower? I'm on my way.
"I'm scared Jasper, I'm-" she hadn't realize how much she had sank into the veil until her breath was cut from her lungs, only her arms and hands still clung to Jasper, her vison blurred as she was looking up at Jasper through a murky water like barrier. She tried to speak, to yell out for him, she could barely even hear his voice even though she saw his lips moving, it was then she realized he was crying too, she could feel his strength in her hands, could feel him trying to drag her up, but nothing could stop her from sinking and sinking.
A echo of a laugh filled the space around her, and since Jasper still clung on to her fingers, that echo of a dark and evil being taunted him for the pain he was causing. A thousand years! Hagar crackled high, eager for the new soul that would soon be at his mercy. With one final tug he would have her.
Their entwined fingers was the only thing visible anymore to Jasper, and after a long strained moment, Jade's fingers slipped and were sucked into the dimension. Only the one carrying the birthmark could pass through and Jade watched as Jasper pounded on the floor, even as time returned to the second floor of the Eiffel Tower, he still screamed for her.
Jade smiled as everything went dark.
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Post by Thea on Jul 7, 2022 2:26:10 GMT -5
Hallie found herself giggling at the poetic way he spoke. It could have been the high she was riding from being so close to him, because if it had been – say – Melchior that was feeding her these words she would have just rolled her eyes and told him to get on somewhere before she shoved her foot up his ass. Looking back on this night, she would have laughed at herself for falling for that nonsense because who says ‘on this moon’? Like he was from a different time or another planet.
She didn’t hesitate to take the lead in the dance yet was surprised that he let her have it. Hallie’s dark knight gave the impression that he was in control always, having a hand in every decision to make sure that the outcome favored him. As they did their little game of back-and-forth, she couldn’t help but to wonder if the reason why he relinquished his lead to her was a way of staying in control? To better gain her trust?
Regardless, she didn’t have it for long. His words caused her to raise her own eyebrow in return, seeing the challenge in his face as he took back the dance. Once again, she marveled at how beautifully he moved, even in the clunky boots he wore. Like a predator, and the circle they performed wasn’t too far away from what a large cat would do when they’ve got their prey cornered. Never once was she afraid; she held onto his hand as he spun her out, her free arm extending away from her body and her left foot sweeping out in an arc on the floor before letting herself be tugged back in and tucked against his chest, with her free hand pressed against the center of it and her left leg raised to wrap around his right one. “So am I just bearable to you, then?” she teased.
His question regarding her name had her narrowing her eyes. The more he spoke the better she was putting that puzzle back together, no longer looking through the lens of unabashed horniness. In her time spent at Suck Them Dry she knew that it was best not to give her name to strangers, because in the wrong hands it would give someone unfathomable power over her. Even as the mate tingles had her whole body buzzing, she hesitated.
Just because he was her supposed other half didn’t mean that he had good intentions.
Thea, she suddenly heard her mother in her mind, her stern voice reverberating through her skull. Take your sisters and get to the Eiffel Tower. Something’s wrong with Jade and I need y’all to meet Jasper and Nate there and get home.
On it, Thea replied, seriousness coating those two words like lead.
At the mention of Jade, she had stumbled, and if it hadn’t been for Mr. Dark Knight she probably would have fallen. She had been cooled down by his proximity but worry for her friend had her organs turning to ice, chilling her from the inside out. Her eyes, which had been unfocused for the duration of the telepathic conversation, refocused on the concerned looking man. “I have to go. I’m sorry.” She detached herself from him relatively easy, the desire to make sure Jade was all right the defining factor in why.
She was going to just turn around and leave him on the dance floor. Jade was more important, mate or no. Hallie couldn’t justify standing there any longer than necessary, pining after him. But she really couldn’t settle with the fact that there was a high high high possibility that they might never see each other again without at least doing something about it. So she turned to look at those golden orbs one more time and murmured three words.
“Come find me.”
Then she was gone, threading her way through the crowd to meet her sisters at the front door.
**
This was a nightmare.
A nightmare that Jasper wished he would just wake up from already!
“Hey, hey, I don’t know why you’re saying these things, Jade but you need to knock it off with the doom talk.” His hand gripped hers so tightly that he might be hurting her, but he had no intention of letting her go. Looking back, he wished he would have spoke more gently to her but he was so scared. So, so afraid of the floor of the viewing deck that was now pulling his mate down into it like quicksand. He and his animal counterpart agreed that what they were seeing shouldn’t be happening. Logically it couldn’t. That if they just tried enough to open his eyes that they would be back in the barn.
His father’s voice was the least of his worries right then; he didn't answer him, even after Nate's attempts to get him to answer. He was trying so hard to pull Jade out from the hole she was sinking into. But the more he pulled toward himself the more she disappeared. He kissed her back desperately, trying to convey to her in that one single kiss that everything was going to be all right. He was going to get her out of here and everything will be all right. “It’s all right I got you – Jade!”
At first, he didn’t register the laugh or even his own tears. It wouldn't be until later, when he came to at the estate and his parents would ask what happened, that it would come back to haunt him a second time. All of his attention was on her. His other half. The one that would have his heart always. There was a dull roar in his ears. His vision tunneled until all she saw was her hand holding on with ghostly white fingers to his. And then, like sand in an hourglass, they disappeared with the rest of her.
"Jade!"
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Post by Ventia on Jul 9, 2022 16:05:26 GMT -5
"You are by far the least bearable thing in here," Davion reassured her honestly as his eyes glowed with interest once more, the hunger he had for her went beyond just that of blood, Davion was quickly understanding. He wanted to etched her name into his chest lest he forget, wanted to know how she sighed herself awake in the mornings, her gaze still lazy and sleepy and if he had anything to do with, still filled with warm lasting pleasure from the night before. He wanted to see if that fire burned in her gaze when she was angry, and how long it would take him and his kisses to blow it out.
"Unbearable is a better word-" His voice and thoughts cut all in one when she was slipping away from his grip, as if he didn't have a good hold on her, he was sure he had and that she shouldn't have left him so easily, and already weaving through the closest people around them.
"Wait-" The word had already been leaving his lips before Davion could catch himself, his hands curling into fists, as he watched her almost out of eyesight. Just before she completely disappeared, he watched her turn back, her lips moving softly, a tightening claimed him in his chest, he clenched his fingers tighter as a new emotion rolled through him and watched her as much as he could, moving through the crowds as she took the quickest route to the exit.
He watched as she followed her companions out of the club, the door shutting close behind them. Davion slowed his pace, still nearing the exit, but not rushing anymore. His body still felt warm from where his mystery woman had touched him, he chose to enjoy the sensation as he pushed through the exit door, the night air felt cold, the scent of rain was coming, he walked out to the street and turned both ways looking, but she was no where in sight.
He sighed, checking the time and flagged down his car that had been waiting for him just down the street. He might as well get on with his night, he would start looking for the girl once this business was over and was quite looking forward to their next meeting.
-
Nathaniel didn't like the fact that Jasper wasn't responding no matter the continued onslaught of questions he sent his son. He had Lucian and Dimitri stay with their mother, just in case of anything and was already flying over the estate, his eyes set on the faraway tower that seemed to stand separated from everything else.
That nagging feeling that had been bothering him for months now was starting to itch between his feathers, and Nate felt as though this was only the start of it all. Whatever was happening was big, they all knew it even if they couldn't figure out why, and now it was beginning to show itself. He only wished that everyone would be okay in the end, and would fight for that exact future.
His carnivorous yellow gaze ran over the grounds, just checking on it as he passed, when he immediately spotted something that made his wings change course. He was diving straight down to the front grounds of the mansion, where dark bodies moved with inhumane speed that no human eye could catch.
"We got trespassers, Lucian come to the front and give me a hand, Dimitri keep your mother safe, Jewel stay inside if you can honey." Nathaniel's message went through the whole family link, he knew the girls would hurry back home once they were done meeting up with Jasper. They were closer and as much as Nathaniel was concerned for his son, he was needed here.
It was only when he was almost to the ground that he saw Archard staring up at him with empty eyes from below a dark figure. Nathaniel instantly dropped down, raking and catching the neck with his black sharp talons and shifting his weight quickly, dragging the head off the shoulders in one clean cut. The body dropped and Nate shifted instantly, his arms moving in front of him to check Archard out, dark blood pooled out of the unresponsive butler in multiple places.
"Jewel change of plan, Archard's hurt I need you to come and treat him-I'm coming from the side of the house. The trespassers are vampires so aim for the neck or heart, be careful we don't know why their here."
"Dad!" Lucian shouted as he ran out of the house, seeing a vampire heading straight for his father's turned back, he tackled the stranger to the ground, as vangs tried to take a chomp at him. He shifted into his wolf, like his father he had always been blessed with a quick shift, and in the next instant was slashing at the body with his claws all while trying to lock his large maw of a mouth against the man's neck.
Not having enough time Nate did the one thing he knew would help a vampire, he shifted one finger to a talon and sliced through the palm of his hand, then he stuffed it into Archard's mouth all while picking up the guy and heading for the house.
"Hold on for one minute Lucian!" He shouted as he got Archard to safety.
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Post by Thea on Jul 9, 2022 20:19:06 GMT -5
Leaving him there was hard. Hallie knew that it was rude, and she should have at least given a nickname. But there was something within her that knew he would at least try to look for her. And after she got to Jasper and Jade, she would look for him.
She hoped that if he knew he would understand. But as fear for her best friend and brother powered her steps to the exit, she also wished that she didn’t have to leave so abruptly. The farther the distance between her and the mysterious man became, the harder it became to breathe. It was like she had left the ability to breathe with him. Was it the tingles that made her feel that way? Or something else entirely?
Thea led the charge through the throng of people and motor vehicles, her borrowed heels dangling by two fingertips. Hallie knew it was only a matter of time before she had given up on them; the tops of her bare feet were laced with angry red marks where the straps had dug into her skin, but if it hurt Thea didn’t say a word.
Harley was right after her, but periodically looked back and even stopping at one point to make sure that Hallie kept up. Thea didn’t forget her two younger sisters, but when something was on her mind, that was all she had to think about. With a growl of frustration Hallie paused at one point to take off her own heels and grabbed Harley’s hand. The squeeze she gave was seeking reassurance.
It took half as much time to get to the Eiffel Tower as it would a regular tourist taking their time getting there, but if they had exerted the speed their shifter abilities gave them without raising suspicion they would have gotten there sooner than that. Yet every step they took felt like stepping in quicksand, every second that passed was like a countdown to something. A sense of foreboding seized Hallie, causing her hold on Harley to tighten to a near-death grip.
Finally they were there, and with all three sisters there meant three pairs of eyes looking for Jasper and Jade. They didn’t have time to travel all the way up to the second floor. But with the way their mother spoke earlier, one would think the two lovers would be on the ground already, making their way to the estate’s car waiting for them.
Jasper, Thea barked, worry turning her voice to stone. Where are you? Didn’t you hear Nate?
Hallie sure did. Trespassers at the estate? Her throat closed up, a thousand scenarios coming through her head. The spell that was cast shouldn’t have let them in, but Archard had been hounding her mother to reinforce it. Was this the reason why? Why would anyone come to the estate anyway? It was a place of refuge, filled with so much positivity that it was difficult to see anyone coming to destroy such peace. And it was so far out that she didn’t think that it would be at risk for home invaders; the risk far outweighed the benefits. Didn’t it?
Jasper didn’t respond, even after Thea threatening him with bodily injury if he didn’t “fucking answer me right now”. Thea wasn’t ever violent with the quads or Harley – Hallie knew that Thea was scared just as much as she and Harley were for him and Jade. But it was clear that he wouldn’t answer or that he was even here, after asking around for him and Jade for a few minutes. Only one good Samaritan had given them an answer.
“I only saw the man. He had to be escorted off the Eiffel Tower and he went that way.”
“That way” was a broad direction. Jasper could be anywhere in Paris at this point. Dad, they’re not here, Hallie said, her voice high in fright. What do you want us to do?
We’re coming back to the estate, Thea didn’t give Nate room to say otherwise. I know Jasper will come back on his own.
**
Archard had asked. And asked and asked and asked.
But when he met his foe on the battle field, his last thought hadn’t been anger toward his employer. It had been the desire to protect those in his care. In his pocket was the Ring of Solomon, an important artifact that had never left the inside breast pocket of the blazer he wore that bespoke who his loyalties lied with. And as he was struck down by the vampire whose orders were to get that ring, he did his best to keep them from seeing it.
The last thing he saw was the golden eagle swooping down toward him.
But the last thing he tasted? Blood.
Nathaniel would have felt Archard’s tongue, stone cold, flick against his palm tentatively before gaining a lively fervor, lapping at the life-giving substance before registering any kind of taste or who was feeding it. A deep rattling inhale shook his useless lungs. One hand shot up to take Nathaniel’s hand and press it against his face, demanding more of it before he regained his sight. Had he been sane, more … alive, he would have stopped.
He had been so close to death, though. His vampiric instincts kicked in, fighting for survival.
**
The urge to shift had been riding her since before five out of her seven children left the estate to take on Paris but was able to withhold it for a good long while now. Much to her wolf’s chagrin; Jewel had been this way since she came home from Drethinov, unable to get much sleep during the night because the animal part within her was more than persuasive to let her out at night. She had no control over it at first. But after a while she could hold off on shifting longer and longer. Tonight was one of those nights.
Which was a good thing. I’ll try, Fancy, Jewel responded, but as far as Dimitri keeping her safe? She didn’t doubt that Dimitri couldn’t. It was more along the lines of, being a mother, she had to protect him. “Demi, I need you to go upstairs to the second floor. In Uncle Simon’s lab there’s an old chest. I need you to bring as much stuff in there down as you can. Be careful not to drop the vials.” In that chest were old weaponry and bottles of dubious liquids, some of them very volatile if they were to be dropped. She knew that her Demi couldn’t shift and thus couldn’t go out to defend the estate like his brother Lucian. But with her ongoing predicament of human vs. wolf, she didn’t want to leave him defenseless. This was the best she could do.
Then it started to happen.
When she wanted to, shifting wasn’t hard or painful. But now was definitely not the time to go wolf. She fought hard to keep her human form. In the end, after a series of painful bone snaps and disgruntled growls, she sent one last message to her husband: Leave that door wide open. Archard is going to have to wait.
**
Maddox didn’t think he would ever have the need to bring his armor out. It had been so quiet and peaceful being stationed at the d’Guillory estate that the potential threat for the ring had been locked away in his mind, forgotten until now.
He had almost fallen asleep on his couch when he startled awake by his hounds’ frenzied braying. It had been ages since they sounded like that, but he knew that something was wrong.
It really hadn’t taken him long at all to get ready for battle. Beauty took a little bit longer but soon they both wore gleaming silver armor. The three hounds stayed inside, locked safely away in his one-room shack. As for his large cat and bird of prey? They were already out there, taking out the intruders with preternatural speed and strength.
There was a high chance that he would lose his precious animals, but that was the name of the game as a Beast Master. Right now, they were doing what they were bred to do, and so he must too. With a “hyah!” he charged toward the oncoming vampires, broadsword in hand.
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Post by Ventia on Jul 9, 2022 23:56:09 GMT -5
Harley had waited only until they were in a deserted location before handing Hallie her phone and wallet, she didn't know why her clothes and shoes seemed to survive the shift fine enough yet not what she kept in her pockets. "I'll meet you guys there." She told both her sisters, even though Thea was still a few yards ahead of them. She gave Hallie a quick wink of reassurance before letting the shift roll over her, a few quick sounds of bones breaking and resettling with a whoosh of air flowing over her, and Harley was already halfway up in the air.
She made a beeline in the direction of home all while keeping her eyes peeled for her little brother, a part of her worried that this wasn't a singular attack and maybe the vampires had something to do with Jade and Jasper's disappearance, she couldn't guess why for as far as Harley knew they had nothing to do with vampires. She knew of some clans fighting over territories but the estate had centuries worth of claim to the property it sat on.
Harley groaned, so much for their relaxing summer, it seemed like all hell had broken loose.
-
Dimitri nodded to his mother, it was precisely at these moments where he felt the most disgusting hatred for himself and his deformity's. Even though he trained on the mat, range, and lab for what he lacked as a Shifter, it never seemed to add up when he needed his beast counterpart as the greatest weapon any Shifter could ask for. Even now, as he took the stairs by twos, he could feel his deformed beast letting out a cry for battle, he caged it in, knowing that him starting a change was the last thing his family needed right now, and burst into Uncle Simon's room.
It didn't take him long to find the chest and he flipped it open, not pausing to think as he began stuffing his pockets with random objects, and strapping any kind of weapon he could to his body. The training hall was on the other side of the estate, too far for him to consider to get any weapons he was trained in, so these would have to do.
-
"Alright, but be ready for a fight when you get here. I saw seven up in the air, though there can be more. Stay together as much as you can." Nathaniel told the girls as he eased Archard onto the floor, he had left the door open to his wife's request and tried not to think about having Jewel out there with vampires loose. He knew she was much of a warrior as a medic, but no man liked their woman on a battlefield.
He didn't register what Archard was doing beside for the fact that he could feel the vampire coming alive and sucking on the blood in his hand. That was good, it meant Archard would live, then he diverted his attention down the hall, where the sound of loud thumps could be heard. He watched as Jewel's wolf raced past him, looking bigger and faster than she usually looked, her eyes glowing in the dark like a dangerous beast.
It was one of the few time's he had seen her since her coming back from that other planet, for she tried to lessen the amount of times she would shift. He had understood why before when she told him of her worries about how she felt like the wolf was growing and getting stronger-almost out of control-but now seeing her in action, it took that understanding to a another level.
He immediately wanted to run after her, even raised himself to his knees a bit before squatting back down, he needed to give Archard a bit more time. A minute, he reminded himself, that should be enough blood by then. "Give them hell gorgeous." He told his lovely wife, watching her behind as she entered the fray.
It was only till after Dimitri passed him, only pausing to look down at his father's hand and then seeing his son's face pale a little that Nathaniel finally turned to look at what Archard was doing.
"Is he sucking your blood?" Dimitri asked, momentarily stunned.
"What else was I supposed to do?" Nathaniel huffed and began trying to pull his hand away from Archard's death grip. When it didn't budge, he cursed under his breath and jerked his head towards the door.
"Go out there-" But even as he was saying it, Nate saw a woman sweeping into the house. Dimitri saw this too and pulled the long sword out of its sheath in one fluid motion, the vampire rushed Nathaniel and Archard, practically ignoring Dimitri.
Dimitri's blade met blade-like fingernails as the she tried to slash his father and butler in two, "like hell you will!" Dimitri cursed and pushed back the female vampire as best as he could, she seemed incredibly intent on what was behind him rather than the sword he kept flinging in her face.
He gave her a false opening and like a inexperience fighter, she fell for it, dashing around him her gaze on the floor. Dimitri rolled his wrist, turning in a half circle and yanked his sword upwards fast and true, he got only a little resistance as the old yet recently sharpened blade met flesh and bone. The head went flying upward as the body stilled then collapse to the ground. He felt no remorse only a deep calm going over him. He would do anything to protect his family.
"I think they want Archard," he told his father, making the calculations in his mind, as he stood to guard the door and offer support to the field in front of him.
Nathaniel nodded his agreement, it was clear they were targeting the butler, he shook the man in question, trying to shake some sense back into the vampire. "Archard enough." he demanded in a authoritative voice, he wasnt in pain from the vampire sucking out his blood like it was some Caprisun-Nathaniel's pain tolerance was too high for that-but it was starting to become a hindrance to protecting his family. "You need to get a hold of yourself, old man." He all but growled, as one minute turned to plenty, and finally done with being patient, Nathaniel pried the older man's fingers off of his hand and yanked his hand out of the man's vanged mouth. His blood spilled over the floor but Nathaniel didn't noticed nor mind.
"What do they want?" He asked Archard needing answers to settle this mess.
-
Out on the field Lucian had killed two intruders so far, they were coming out of the shadows like flies now, swarming the house and seemed to be focused on getting inside of it. He was about to be touch and go as a group surrounded him until his mother broke through the circle, the sounds of her growls and battle howls filling the night air.
Feeling a rush, Lucian answered the cry with a loud howl of his own before following her lead and engaging in another battle of vang and wit.
-
"We almost had it but they're retaliating, we've lost some but don't worry Your Highness, we'll get it." Seth said on the other side, Davion told him their eta before clicking on the phone. He hadnt expected a retaliation from the d’Guillory Estate, with it only having one butler and one trained hand. There was a distant owner, a Jewel Dahlia, that was usually never in-he frowned, loosening the first three buttons of his suit, it seemed like he would have to do the dirty work himself if he wanted that ring. And Davion did want that ring.
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Post by Thea on Jul 10, 2022 2:25:15 GMT -5
Archard was too weak to resist the blood that was offered him. In the servants' quarters, where he resided, had a small cooler filled with rations of blood - both human and animal, with all different types - by the foot of the bed. It was hard to get them, especially since he wasn't allowed to leave the premises of the estate. But he managed to have a friend who could pull some strings for him.
Most cases, however, refrigerated blood could never compare to fresh blood. This? This was sacrilegious. Dark, vagrant, vile. His throat seemed to be conflicted. One moment, it worked with the rest of his body's need for survival. The next, it was closing, not wanting for the near-black substance to enter his stomach and thus bloodstream. If he didn't know better, he would say that he was drinking from a corpse.
There was something else, though, as he fought for consciousness. Something that was all too familiar to him, but with his state it was difficult to form coherent thoughts.
Nonetheless, he drank his fill. His wounds were beginning to heal, slowly but surely. He started to stir, eyes bright with need as he looked his way toward Nathaniel. A low hiss of displeasure escaped his mouth that was otherwise suctioned to Nathaniel's wound.
Finally, Nathaniel wrenched himself away, breaking Archard's hold on him. With the momentum came some of the sense he was renowned for. He coughed once, that blood that was healing him coating his lips and staining his teeth. "The ... ring," he rasped finally, turning his face away in shame. Usually he wasn't so animalistic. "Eye of Solomon." He clutched at his chest, wrapping his fingers around his lapel in a death-tight grip. "It's power is ... what he needs."
***
Jewel's form was, indeed, larger than what it should be. The fur that she inherited from her biological father was still that colors that range from chestnut to sand, but it was now thicker and coarser. As she landed by her son, it was evident that when she had slightly smaller than him before, she now almost towered beside him. Her ears were pinned back, snarling in-between her battle-hungry howls, the she-wolf ready to defend both her pup and her territory.
It was clear that the intruders weren't sure what to do with this, but attacked anyway. Jewel's wolf snapped in warning at any advances. For a few moments, there was a game of cat and mouse, where she lunged at any one that dared to get closer to Luc. But once one of them went for it, she matched that same energy and collided with him. Teeth met flesh. Canines pierced bone. With a jerk, she ripped an arm out of its socket. She registered a screech of pain, but didn't let it deter her; her target was free and she took it.
The neck had the consistency of paper, making it terribly easy to tear. Death entered her senses with a spray of cold blood and a noxious odor. The body beneath her went eerily still. That same screech still rang in her ears, joining the rhythm of drums that always accompanied her in this form since coming home. Although she couldn't feel it, her eyes were losing their color, getting paler and paler until they looked like twin moons, with her pupils to be the only color in the orbs.
She didn't waste any more time playing games, then. Any appendages that came toward her mouth she snapped off. She used her body weight to bowl a few over. One gave chase, and she couldn't help but to run right after him, using her powerful jaws to rip his head clean off his body like it was a grape off a vine. This ... this was not the Head Healer for her packs, whose soul priority was to preserve life.
Jewel had become an entirely new entity, hell-bent on destroying those who dared destroy what was hers.
***
The ride back to the estate was long. At least, it felt that way. But the chauffeur, Auguste, did his best in driving without being pulled over.
Thea rushed the man, which wasn't the best idea because a stressed driver led to a high chance of getting into a wreck and didnt get them there quicker than what he was driving. But it helped to get there in little over half the time it would normally to return from the city. Twelve minutes. Hallie was counting.
In between stressing Auguste out and being stressed out herself, Thea hashed out a plan with her younger sister. "I'm going to shift here. Tight squeeze, but I don't want to take even a second before going in. I need you to avoid as much of the fight as possible on the outside and get inside as quickly as you can."
"I can fight too!" Hallie intervened, and she could. She knew just about as much fighting as her brothers did, and she's had to utilize that experience to break up too many fights from work. But the thought of going in blind? With the lives of her family on the line? It had her hands shaking and throat working to swallow a rock.
"I know you can," Thea said in a scolding tone. "But I need you in the house with Dimitri in case they are able to get in. You guys are killer with the blades. If you get chased, don't engage. Send me a message through the link and I'll dispatch them."
There were a few more minor details, but after they agreed on it Thea ordered for Auguste to take them to the gate and no further. She didn't want for him to be in the crossfire. He agreed, and as soon as he got there, he opened the door for one arctic wolf to spring out and a young woman to jump out after her.
I'm having Hallie go into the house. Where is everyone?
***
Maddox used Beauty's sheer size to barrel down any vampire that had gotten in her way as they made their way to the side of the manor, where the battle was being waged. He saw two wolves from his perch atop his Clydesdale, and his large cat Birdie and bird of prey Vulcan using the tools they were gifted to dispatch their own set of vampires. They weren't just any regular animals though, as the vampires acted very annoyed at first.
Vulcan was able to pick one up off the ground, taking him so high into the air that Maddox wasn't able to see his silhouette. It was a minute before he heard the scream of the vampire that Vulcan took as his prey, then it got cut short as the body landed on the ground in a sickening splat. Birdie had pounced from the shadow of a tree, falling onto her own victim and climbing on him to get to a vulnerable spot. It didn't deter her when he threw her off of him. In fact, she came back with an almost excited yowl and spilled the contents of his stomach.
Maddox knew that his animals were bred with the intention of making them ferocious in battle, but it was a sight to see when in action. He couldn't help but chortle as he swiped his broadsword at a passing vampire's head. It came off with a clean squish and fell at the same time the body did.
He didn't stop to marvel at his work and rode on to the manor, where the battle was thickest.
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Post by Ventia on Jul 10, 2022 19:31:31 GMT -5
"By the front and side of the house Thea."
Nathaniel could feel the frown on his face growing as Archard finally filled him him, he gave the man's hidden pocket a suspicious look, and wondered why he was never told of this to begin with. Then again, if Nate was told every little thing that the estate held on its premises, he would probably be up for a whole week with Archard and still not know everything.
"Alright, let's get you to the vault then." He told the man, already moving to wrap one of Archard's arms over his shoulder. The vault was under the library, it was the safest place for a still healing vampire and a ring that their enemies wanted. Impossible to break into, it could also be known as their emergency panic room.
Once he had what they wanted locked up, there was a good chance the trespassers wouldn't stay and risk death. Not that Nathaniel planned on letting any escape if he could help it, he was itching to get back out there and shed blood on those who dared to hurt what was his. And if that did happen, Nathaniel would prolong his trip until he finished hunting every last one of them down.
It was only his faith in his wife and children, and those on the Estate that let Nathaniel feel comfortable in letting them fend for themselves until he could get back to them.
"Dimitri how's it looking out there."
"Mom and Luc are holding their ground, I can see Maddox now he's about to reach them. Harley's here too." He paused, he had switched weapons to a bow and arrow and had been sending them flying with their arrows dipped into one of Uncle Simon's potions, it made a blast of fire explode on impact and Dimitri was beginning to make a line of fire separating the front of the house. He knew vampires didn't like fire which was the only reason he was being so extra with them, hopefully the land would survive being scorched a little.
"Okay Thea should be showing up any minute now, they'll be okay, come with me and be on the lookout for Hallie and anyone else. Pass me a weapon." He lifted Archard up from the floor and held out his hand towards Dimitri, who threw a small sized dagger his way. Nate caught it, popped the sheath off and held it upside down in his free hand ready for anything that lurked in the shadows of the house.
-
Harley watched as chaos erupted on the front and side yards, fire was beginning to eat the earth, there seemed to be a line blocking the front entrance and little spots catching on fire from the random arrows she had seen Demi loosening whenever a vamp came to close to their mom or brother. She was strategically swooping down here and there, lashing out with her talons or beak, at one point she hovered attacking a vampire that was on top of Luc's white wolf form, her angry shrills all that needed to be told of how she felt about that particular fact.
She was keeping a eye out on the perimeter and giving support as best as she could, when she rose up to avoid a very jumpy man and spotted while in the air another group coming in from the west. She saw only four figures before they disappeared from sight, only a distant echo of glass shattering added on to all the battle sounds that were coming from the outside.
"There's another group from the west-four bodies-I think they crashed into the house." She warned no one in particular, trying to keep everyone up to date. Then she continued in with her dives and controlled violence.
-
"Keep them busy, be ready to retreat as soon as I give the signal." Davion said into the ear piece he was given, makin sure to stay out of sight as he sent his three men onward. They were a higher rank than the servants he had sent in the beginning, and would put up more of a fight. He didn't want there to be as much bloodshed to begin with, in reality this mission was supposed to be a easy one.
If only the stubborn older vampire would have handed over the Ring of Solomon without a fight, they could have avoided this distasteful event. The sight he had seen from up front made him reconsider the whole plan, there were way too many trained shifters here and his people were dying, it meant the information he had been given was false. It meant one of his own had been turned by someone of the Court, Davion knew what this was then, a trap that wanted him dead and he had walked right into it blind.
No matter, the Ring of Solomon would be worth it all, it would stop any future mindless bloodshed from being spill, a few of his children was a justifiable sacrifice he was willing to make. Davion stalked through the dark house, the power of the ring felt like it was thrumming into life, sensing its new master, he could feel its pull, leading him deeper into the shadows. He would wait until the perfect moment showed itself and then he could be finished with this play.
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Post by Thea on Jul 10, 2022 22:09:33 GMT -5
Hallie always had hated her shift.
It was big and burly, and moving in it could only be described as "lumbering". It had been months before she finally could come to terms with it, how her body just seemed to have stopped in the middle of the transformation like doing so was exhausting. Her father was the one to coax her out of her depression, giving her words of encouragement and telling her that he thought it was "pretty badass". After all, she still had her opposable thumbs. That's something that Lucian, Thea, and her mother didn't have.
Besides, it wasn't like she had any right to complain about her shift. At least she could. Her brother Demi couldn't without the threat of death looming over him.
Despite her tendency not to shift, she had a feeling that she was going to have to by the end of the night. As she skirted around to avoid as much of the fight as possible, she watched in terrified awe at her brother and mother in their wolf skins, slowly but surely pushing back the vampires they were facing. Never had she seen such ferocity. And she could have sworn that her mother was smaller than that....
She had taken her ear plugs out in the car, so she heard plain as day Beauty's thundering gallops. If it wasn't a life or death situation she would have stopped dead in her tracks and watched in awe as the horse rounded the corner from the back of the house. She was dressed in deadass armor; with the smell of impending rain and lack of light coming from the manor there was no light to shine on it, but with how it seemed to glow with an ethereal light there was no question that it was a pure silver color. Who was driving her into the thick of it was none other than Maddox, who had his own set of gleaming armor on, sleek and unblemished as if it had never seen battle. He even had a helmet and a sword, looking every bit a white knight coming to rescue a princess in distress.
If only she could send Evanna a pic of him right now. She bet her cousin would feint.
The front of the house was her brother's doing, Hallie was sure. The wall of fire rose easily fifteen feet high, licking up at the sky hungrily for fuel to keep going. Even yards away, she felt the heat of it against her skin - a product of her late uncle Simon's experiments as an Alchemist. Dimitri must have gotten into the old lab their mother never was too keen on letting anyone in. She only hoped that the wall stayed where it was, a defense to keep the vamps from getting inside the front way.
Finally, she made it, having heard Thea's bounding footsteps right behind her for part of the way before she intercepted a particularly stronger vampire from tackling Hallie. If they make it into the house I'll stop them, Hallie responded to Harley, crossing the threshold quickly. Dad, Demi, I'm inside. They didn't need to respond to her though; like her mother, she had a keen sense of smell. Hallie grimaced as she smelled her butler first, a faint smoky scent that hinted at death, then her brother and father, who smelled similar with subtle differences that she couldn't pinpoint since they were so close together. She followed all three of them further into the house, the dark blood dotting the floor a helpful visual if her nose decided to go kaput on her.
***
The vault wasn't part of the original blueprint for the manor, but was installed shortly after Nathaniel and Jewel were married. At first, it had rubbed the old butler the wrong way. Was the magickal defenses not good enough? Jewel had to explain to him that her newly-made husband was only thinking of every possible scenario that could happen. Until tonight, it had seemed like Nathaniel was just an anxious thing, always thinking the worst.
Archard didn't have the strength to argue with Nathaniel, though hissed inhumanly at the pain that lanced down his body when the lord of the house wrapped his arm around his shoulder. It took all he had to make sure his legs stayed under him, consciously telling his feet to keep moving forward. He saw his vision, usually able to spot a small bird flying through the trees around the edge of the property, going black around the edges. The blood he had been given was enough to make sure he didn't die this night, but he knew that he could very well pass out from the pain at any given moment.
"Archard!"
He swiveled his head to look behind him. With his narrow vision he could barely make out Hallie's silhouette, getting closer and closer to the three men. "Mademoiselle," he huffed out, the smile that was supposed to have been reassurance was more like a snarl of pain, exposing his bloodied fangs.
Without any instruction, Hallie hurried to take Archard's other side. With her short stature, she couldn't put his arm over her shoulder, but she did hook her arm around his thin waist, using her side as support to make him stand up straighter. "There's no need -" he started to protest, but Hallie gave the butler a shake of her head.
"Do we know what's going on?" Hallie asked instead, her voice holding the slightest bit of tremor.
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Post by Ventia on Jul 19, 2022 2:06:00 GMT -5
"They want the ring Archard has, Eye of Solomon he calls it, I was tempted to pass it along but since they're saying hi with such a ferocity, they can kiss the ring goodbye." He told his daughter, not enjoying the sound of fear in her voice, it only deepened his rage at their uninvited guests. Their group made quick work in navigating through the house, taking shortcuts that only those who were familiar in the large mansion would know, and had already found themselves entering the massive library wing.
Nathaniel paused, as Dimitri locked the doors behind them, the library laid in darkness, the only sounds coming from outside the manor, the glass stained windows trembling from the wind, he sensed something was off immediately, yet still urged his kids onward, towards the side where the vault waited for them.
Be ready. He warned them as they halted by a wall of books by the east corner, take Archard inside the second the door opens Hallie, his fingers brushed along the bookcase until he felt the familiar indentation, the air felt heavy with anticipation, he knew they were being watched, could feel their eyes on him like ants crawling over his senses, he shifted his gaze in the dark, his eyes glowing with yellow, his spirit ready for battle.
Pressing his finger firmly against it, the scan only took a second to approve of his print before the wall gaped open, revealing a inner chamber fully furnished and large enough to fit the entire family and staff, the library in that single moment sprang into action. Nathaniel dropped Archard and pushed him and Hallie into the vault in one fast shove, Dimitri started the close function, three vampires rushed them, Nathaniel charged the two closest to him, the door began to slam shut, Demi stopped the third vampire from escaping into the vault, then two blurs of movement seemed to pass right by each other, straight in the middle of them all, exchanging places, as the metal bookshelf slammed back into place, where it would stay close for at least ten minutes due to a safety precaution it was built with.
At first, Nathaniel didn't notice anything amiss, he was too busy fighting with the vangers to look behind him, his dagger making clean cuts on their bodies with quick slashes, the adrenaline seized him, there was a tingling in his hand, the same hand he was squeezing the dagger's hilt with, the same hand that Archard had sunk his vangs into, greedily slurping on his blood, a cold slow burn grew in his hand, making it feel both heavier and lighter all at one.
He was moving faster, the slashes getting deeper, flecks of something brighter began to peek within the angry yellow, Nate wanted blood, wanted to tear into his enemies until only bodies and bloodshed was left, in the next few seconds, he was pulling the dagger free out of the second vampire's chest, looking down at them with empty eyes, watching as their eyes became as empty as his.
He turned, making sure Demi didn't need any help and was glad to see him leaning against the bookshelf, breathing in roughly, the dead vampire at both of their feet. It was then Nathaniel acknowledge the fact that Archard was standing next to Demi, his hands covered in blood and holding a unmoving heart.
His senses went towards the vault, where he still felt that cold presence of a vampire's. If Archard wasn't the one... Nathaniel grounded through the link, fear and dread causing him to go cold, "Hallie!"
The second the vault slammed shut, the remaining vampires fled from the estate grounds and the fights they were partaking in, only a handful made it out while the rest met their end during the pursuit. Their bodies slowly withering away to their true ages.
Davion found himself pausing after giving the order, his focus entirely on the back in front of him, her scent called to him as it had the first time only a hour or so ago, the sound of her heartbeat filled his ears, fear led the tempo and it made him instantly angry, he hadn't wanted to make her fear him.
"Looks like I found you a bit earlier than we both expected."
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Post by Thea on Jul 19, 2022 14:30:24 GMT -5
Hallie's fear wasn't for herself.
Was it scary that there was a whole horde of vampires in the estate yard? Yes. Never had she seen so many at one time and never this ferocious. But she was afraid for her family. Don't get her wrong, she was very confident in their skills. She was grateful now that her father pushed everyone to learn some form of combat, even if she was very vocal about not wanting to do it when she was younger. But there was always a chance that something could go wrong, no matter how minuscule.
Not to mention, her brother and best friend were currently missing. Did what was currently going on have anything to do with Jasper not responding to the link the family shared? Was Jade okay? Gods she hoped she was but there was something in the back of her mind picturing the worst outcome: broken and bloodless in some dark Parisian alleyway, with Jasper not too far away from her.
If she had to bury anyone tonight....
"Yeah, fuck them," she agreed with her father, tightening her hold on Archard both to keep him upright and in a protective manner. Archard had been in her life since the beginning; she saw him as more than a butler. He was family, and seeing him like this struck a chord within her. She hadn't seen her father feed him, so she wondered how he was even still moving, with how badly beaten up and bloody he was.
She followed her father's command, trekking through the house silently but feeling what he felt - like they were being watched. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end, not unlike back at the club when her mysterious not-knight had stalked her through the club. Her eyes stayed forward with the occasional glance toward Archard to gauge how he was doing. Every time he caught her looking at him, he only gave her a nod of reassurance that said "I will be fine". The she-wolf hoped that he wasn't doing that to ease her worries.
Her chest tightened when her father told her to take Archard into the vault, momentarily slighted. Did he not think that she could fight? That because she was scared that it was better to lock her in the vault and wait out at least the next ten minutes? She felt indignant - at first. But one more glance at Archard cooled her body into steely resolve. Now wasn't the time to lash out at her father for treating her like a pup. Hell, he probably wasn't even thinking that way, a logical part of her brain rationalized. Besides, while in there Hallie planned on feeding Archard, making sure that he was back to his normal self.
With her father's shove she used the momentum to drag Archard farther into the room. Or at least tried to when Archard planted his feet firmly and detached himself from her side. "Hallie, you must listen."
"Archard, you need to feed-" but before she could finish the sentence as she turned to look at the butler her eyes caught sight of the reason why they were there in the first place.
It was ... smaller than what she would have expected. The band was bronze in color, simple in design until it got to the top, where there was an opal set in the center of a filigree circle. It wasn't Hallie's cup of tea personally, but she understood when Archard called it an eye.
What she didn't understand, however, was why it was so important to warrant the war that was going on outside. "All of this for that?" she asked, eyebrows raised in shock.
Archard nodded, and surprisingly quick for the condition he was in he took one of her hands and placed it in her palm before curling her fingers around it in a tight fist. "Whatever you do, mademoiselle, protect it with your life. It cannot leave your person for any reason."
It emitted a warmth that only beings full of life had, practically humming against her skin. She was stunned, having expected it to be just as cold as Archard was. Before she could think of any words to say to him, he was gone, and the door closed behind him with a quiet snick.
Her fear came back, causing her heart to thud erratically against its cage, like a wild animal caught in a trap. Panic started to creep in, icing her veins and causing her breathing to go shallow. The sounds of fighting - blade meeting flesh and gurgles and screeches of death - were muffled, but they could still be picked up by her shifter hearing. She shook her head once, forcing her to breathe in through her nose and out of her mouth, counting in her head her inhale and exhale.
Was this what an anxiety attack felt like? Dad? she asked him in response, not yet knowing that when Archard left someone took his place within the vault.
She heard his words before she registered his scent. Without her protective wear, his voice was clear, deep and full of mystery. She had no trouble in figuring out who it was, however. With the ring still firmly in her fist, she turned on the ball of her foot to face the man she danced with, placing the last piece of the puzzle firmly in its place. "You."
Hallie said it with a snarl, feeling herself grow hot with the upcoming shift she was about to welcome with arms wide open. Her eyes beheld his handsome features, golden orbs holding anger of his own. She wasn't sure what the anger was for, but it if was for her then he had another thing coming. "Let me guess." She held up her fist, the Eye of Solomon's filigree circle digging into her skin with how tightly she was holding it. "You're here for this."
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Post by Ventia on Jul 21, 2022 21:59:51 GMT -5
"I am," Davion said slowly agreeing with her, he was as surprised as she was having not noticed her earlier in his attempt to stay hidden till the last possible second, only when the hidden door shut itself did the vampire prince finally notice his mystery woman's presence, and felt as if all his quick yet careful plans had dissipated into dust.
What was he supposed to do now, Davion mused to himself, he needed the ring that was a fact, he wasn't going to let his people's deaths be in vain though wouldn't beat himself up that much if that ended up being the case. People always died whenever there was a chance for something great, even if they failed greatly it would have been acceptable in the end. He wasn't worried about the consequences this night would surely give him later on in the following days, no Davion found himself hesitating all because of the angry wolf in front of him.
He realized in that moment, no matter what he did from that moment on, she would never forgive him for tonight. It shouldn't have bothered him, for she was in all essence of the word, a stranger to him. Some girl he had danced with when it had been hundreds of years since he last danced at all. It shouldn't have mattered, not to the Crown Prince who always put his Clan first. Placed the Fight for the Throne first on his list. Not for a shifter that he suddenly felt drawn to.
He had his duty and having that ring would get him one step closer to getting what he wanted. To become King. "If I asked nicely, you wouldn't happen to hand it over without a fuss will you, my enchantress?"
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Post by Thea on Jul 22, 2022 0:41:35 GMT -5
He was a vampire.
She had her suspicions before, back at the club as they danced. The flash of teeth, how cold he was. The way he spoke, as if he was from a different era. Before she came home to an absolute shitshow, she briefly thought about asking Archard if he knew any other vampires in the area that would match her dark knight’s description. But she didn’t need the old butler’s confirmation now.
Another thing that Hallie was confident in was that he was the one to plan out this attack. He still gave off the vibe that he had to be in control of everything. Even though her family was out there giving the vamps hell for stepping onto their territory and hurting one of their own, he stood there, face smooth as marble, golden eyes that were once bright and gravitational but now cold and distant. As if he intended for this to happen.
Or maybe he didn’t really care. Hallie saw that potential within him, too.
Then again, how well did she really know him? He was, after all, a stranger. In the end, it didn’t matter that they were mates. That meeting him and dancing with him sparked something within her that she wanted to explore with him. She shouldn’t feel such betrayal, as if they had lived all their lives together only to find out he never cared for her in the first place.
A scoff passed her lips when he confirmed it for her. Rolling her shoulders back, she opened her hand and let the ring drop to the cradle her fingers created. She grabbed it with her other hand and shook her head slowly, tsking all the while. “Oh, no, dear knight,” she murmured, letting him in on what she had equated him to when she first met him. Her voice had taken on a gravelly tone, and she seemed to be getting taller with each passing second. Every inch she grew, her clothes started to tear. Those shoulders she had rolled back moments before were now hunched forward. Her pores opened to let dark gray fur through. Accompanied by the sounds of bone cracking and reforming to better accommodate her wolf self was her face contorting, elongating into a snarling muzzle.
All the while, she had slipped the Eye of Solomon on her right middle finger, warm to the touch. If she broke it during her shift, all the better, she thought. If the ring was so important that he had to have a whole horde of vampires infiltrate the estate, nearly kill Archard, and put her family at such a risk to get it? What better way to ruin his night than to have it destroyed while she tried destroying him.
In all, her shift didn’t even take ten seconds to change into. She might not have been blessed with the Constantine ability to keep her clothes on during her shift, but she had been with both her parents’ fast shifting times. Fully formed, even hunched over like she was currently, she stood a foot taller than in her human shape, with dark gray fur from the tips of her ears to her sweeping tail. She had humanoid hands with thick, sharp claws at her fingertips. And as she continued to speak in her animal form, she revealed rather large, finger-sized canines. “I’ll only give it to you over my dead body.”
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Post by Ventia on Jul 22, 2022 2:57:23 GMT -5
Davion watched his eyes widening as the lovely wolf started her change, he did see this coming but hadn't expected her to rise to violence so soon, not that he blamed her he thought next, he did just order a attack on her family. What he didn't see coming was the form she was taking, he knew her to be a werewolf and was expecting a wolf similar to the two he had spied briefly on the battleground, but not one like this.
Momentarily stunned, he watched as she finished the transformation, he found her beautiful and royal like, as if a wolf anthro god had descended down from the moon. Or the stars. Davion paused, hearing his voice, the brief memory flashing before him in his mind's eyes, as if trying to tell him something. If she had chosen to lunged for him in that moment, he wouldn't have reacted in time from how distracted he was.
"You are beautiful even in your anger." He said once the memory of the old king went away and he found her staring him down, her eyes shining with something fierce, he didn't wish to fight with her, to hurt her would be a mistake-another fact very clear to him, yet there would be no other way.
It wouldn't be long before they would have company if the sounds on the other side of the wall were any indication, Davion sighed feeling torn another emotion he hadn't experienced in a while, "I do wish things were different," he loosened the buttons on his wrists and glanced down her seemingly soft grey fur, to her right hand where the ring seemed a perfect fit to her finger when only moments ago had definitely been a smaller size.
The wheels were turning in his mind, he didn't like what he was seeing, and waved his fingers at her for her to come for him. As his fingers moved in the air, his nails began to grow to dangerously sharp lengths. His vangs ached with the need for blood, for hers as it had while they've been dancing, and he smiled at her sweetly, showing her his teeth.
"I'll make sure to keep you alive lovely. It would be such a waste if you died."
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Post by Thea on Jul 22, 2022 13:24:04 GMT -5
Hallie wasn't going to lie - the look of shock on his face sent a quiver of satisfaction down her spine. Not a lot of people took her seriously when she threatened to beat their ass simply because she had a small frame and was very confident in her femininity. It wouldn't be until afterward, when she broke a bone or had them lying prone on the floor that they saw her in a new light. But she hated that she had to follow through with her threats to make them believable.
For a few brief moments, as they stood at eye-level, she wondered if he would turn tail and try to run. She didn't lunge at him, even though it would have been a perfect opportunity for her to do so. Despite her satisfaction, she didn't want him to be downright scared of her. She had seen herself in this shift multiple times before. Hallie knew that her shift was grotesque, like straight off the set of The Wolfman. And while she wanted him to realize just who he was fucking with, the part of herself that recognized him as her other half would have shattered if he was genuinely terrified of her.
What he said did take her aback though. Her ears flattened to her skull before straightening again and her head tilted in the canine way of "what did you say?". Whatever she was expecting, it wasn't him looking at her in a sort of awe. It had her heart, the traitorous wench, skipping a beat painfully before kicking up its pace.
His next words sent a cold wash of reality over her, drenching her with the fact that she was supposed to be protecting the ring from him, that he was here to take it and he had put her family in danger for it. A low growl, more of a warning for herself than for him, rumbled from her chest as she prepared to close the distance between them.
I wish things were different too.
She took two quick, large strides at his beckon and reached for him. She knew that in this form she was slower, and with how vampires could move quick as shadows, she wasn't sure that making a grab for him would have been a good idea. It was too late to change her strategy, of course. The wolf remembered her father's words, At this point, follow through, and so she did, her left hand grabbing his outstretched wrist while her right went for his shirt to use it as a sort of handle to throw him over her head and further into the vault.
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