Only in the Shadows Darkness (Chp 11)

"So that's when he went psycho boy?" 1

It was just Brandon and I, sitting in his room. I was balled up on his bed, bruised and sore. Brandon sat in one of the many chairs by the bed, moved closer to me so he could hold my hand. Why he was holding it, I wasn't sure. Then again, he had this sad look behind his eyes, probably from the look of my swollen face. A comforting gester then. Yeah, we'll go with that.2

We were talking about last night and the attack from Rok. It was once again night, but the guys didn't want me out tonight. In fact, I'm banned from and patroling until i'm nearly healed. I protested, but they pushed and Brandon was set as babysitter. I don't mind. After all, it is comforting having someone who is as human as I am nearby. Oh, and Darien, of course. He is around here somewhere as well. We got up to the part of when Frost went Red Eyed... at the moment, I was thankful for his moster moment, but the more I look back on it, the more freaked I get.3

"It was like he was possesed with something rabid. He wasn't himself. He tore into the others flesh like it was nothing but a thin layer of paper. The sound of it tearing, their screams..." shuddered. "I know they were all vampires and it was kill or be killed, but it was so morbid and brutal. God."4

Brandon's hand tightened around mine and he scooted a little closer to me.5

"Well, whatever it was that happened, I'm sure it is in him. Do you think we can trust him? What if he goes crazy on us? By your discription, I'd say we would ahve a big chance of losing."6

I shook my head and shrugged at the same time. 7

"Frost is a good guy. He fights the good fight. But that thing inside him was far worse than any vampire I'd ever seen."8

"That's because it wasn't a vampire." Darien suddenly appeared behind Brandon, which scared him out of his chair. He let out a curse and took in a few breaths. I didn't jump. Somehow I knew he was there...9

"Don't sneak up on us like that! I could have hurt you."10

"Sorry. I thought it'd be amusing to watch you freak out." Darien replied with a smile. He sat down in Brandons chair and folded his arms across his chest. 11

"Well, you know what I'd think is amusing?" Brandon said, not smiling, holding a fully concentrating look on his face. His magic trickled over my skin, and I'm guessing Darien's as well because he tensed in the chair.12

"Guys." I said, and they both glanced my way. "Seriously, now is not the time for your macho shit, so knock it off." The tension lowered a little between them and the room seemed more relaxed. Brandon shrugged his shoulders as if to loosen them, I guess to just show Darien that he could kick his ass if the opprotunity rose. I just glared at him and he backed off. 13

"So, as I was saying," Darien continued. "The creature in Frost that you witnessed is not a vampire. It's a god." 14

"A what?" Brandon asked, pulling another chair over to the bed. I sat up and did the best I could to not burst into laughter.15

"A god?" I chuckled out. "Are you kidding me?"16

But Darien held a straight face and shook his head. "Nope." 17

"Isn't that sort of... against the rules?" Brandon asked.18

"Rules? What rules? The rules of a vampire?" Now Darien laughed at us. "C'mon, I thought you guys were hunters. You should know that they have no rules. If you mean laws, then technically you'd be right. But this god isn't just any god. Frost contains the Blood God, forced into his body by a ritual that Frost himself conducted. It had made him stronger, faster, and insane."19

"Wait a minute." Brandon said, standing up suddenly. "So we have this crazed blood god living in this house with us and no one even thought itd be a good idea to mention it?!" I reached up and grabbed his hand, but he flung it off. "And you are falling for this guy?" He said pointing to me.20

Before I could respond, Darien jumped to my rescue. "Now wait. Just because it is in him doesn't mean that it is him. Frost has changed greatly over the years, going from the worst vampire on American soil, to fighting against his own kind. Sure, he couldn't get rid of the creature he ahd released in himself, but he has learned to control it. How he managed that, we don't know, but everytime he has used it since he became a good guy, he has used it for good purposes. Like saving your life, for instance."21

I thought of last night, remembering how quickly Frost had changed into that powerful creature when he saw me on the ground. He ripped through all of them so fast to protect me. And before I even knew it, his red eyes had vanished and he was Frost again in seconds flat. It was the only evidence I really had, but it was a start to prove that he really did have control.22