Appearing in her palace, Roan fumed at the attitude she had just received from Savitar. Then again, she really should have known to expect anything but disdain from the man. Angry at herself for not knowing that one of her own had created Labeve, Roan forced herself to calm down. 1
Exploding in anger would be an ideal solution, but she wasn’t about to give Savitar the satisfaction in knowing that he got to her with that little bit of news. Damn him for hiding it from her just because he was pissed off. 2
“Tria?” she said to the empty room. “I need you back, now.” 3
“No one’s around,” Tria’s voice replied back to her, soon followed by her body. “What’s up?”4
“Who is Aiden?”5
Tria’s mouth opened to speak then closed again. “Why do you ask?” 6
“Who is she?” Roan demanded.7
“Were-Huntress.”8
Giving an annoyed look, Roan took a step towards her protégé. “Let me rephrase that. Who is Were-Huntress Aiden, and what is her relationship to a certain surfing god?”9
“She’s his girlfriend.”10
“And you didn’t see the need to mention this before?”11
Looking confused, Tria shrugged. “Not really, no. I was asked not to discuss him with you, and that would definitely fall under that category.”12
Ready to basically scream, Roan turned away. “There will be a meeting in a few minutes with all the remaining… team, I guess. Time for you to meet each other.”13
Tria was about to reply at the abrupt topic change when people started to appear around the room. She blinked at the difference in the beings, which ranged from tall to short, absurdly good looking to normally plain to demonic. One man caught her eye, and she stared, sure that she’d seen him before. 14
“Little warning next time,” the man said. “Few more minutes, and you woulda caught me in the buff. And speaking of which, I don’t appreciate being whisked away from a rather fine lady that I was about to get rather physical with.” 15
“There, there,” Roan said condescendingly. “Gather ‘round, beings. We have a lot to discuss. First being a new addition to our team.” She looked at Tria, who raised a hand in an abbreviated wave to five assorted gods, Were-Hunters and demons that were staring at her. 16
“Who’s she?” one of the absurdly tall, probably gods asked. 17
“Tria,” Roan replied. “Former, uh, associate of Acheron Parthenopaeus.” She looked at the group. “Introduce yourselves later. We have much to discuss.” 18
“Like what?” the one Tria thought she recognized asked. “The fact that we’re seriously getting our asses kicked by a frikkin’ demon?”19
Roan sighed in patience before she looked at him. “Must you do this every single time, Paul?” 20
“Yes, I must,” he replied with a charming smile. “Which brings up the point of why you’re adding a new body to the hunt. She know something we don’t’?”21
“Tria knows lots of things you don’t,” Roan said with a small smile. “And speaking of things you didn’t know, care to tell me how the news of your Omegrion mediator having a girlfriend slipped your mind?” 22
The others in the groups traded glances, and took a step back. “This will probably take a while,” one said to Tria. “Those two love to argue.”23
Paul raised an eyebrow. “Aiden? She’s hardly worth a mention.”24
“So you know her?” 25
“Well, yeah,” Paul said, scratching his head. “Sort of, kind of.”26
Tria jerked slightly as she realized where she’d seen his face before. Or rather, someone that looked like him. “Paul…Kalenta?” she asked.27
“Yeah?” he said, looking. His eyes grew wide as a fireball slammed into his chest and threw him to the marble floor. “Sweet mother!” he hissed, dousing the flame before jumping to his feet. 28
“Do you have brothers?” Tria demanded.29
“Not any more,” Paul said, gauging her as he looked for an optimal attack option. 30
“Liam and Zane?”31
The surprise on his face was enough to allow Tria to get another fireball in and knock him to the floor again. “Stop that!” he growled, slamming his hands on the marble as he pushed himself to a sitting position. “What the hell is her problem, Roan?” 32
“Seems your charming brothers may have pissed her off before they died.”33
He scoffed. “If you’re using charming and my brothers in the same breath, then I think you have the wrong Liam and Zane.” He scrambled to his feet as Tria stalked towards him. “Whoa there, lady. Two shots are all you get.”34
“You,” Tria snarled as she pointed a finger. “Your brothers attacked me and a few others while trying to get at Aiden. One nearly took my head off.”35
“Oh.” He shrugged. “What can I say, they were complete, utter shitheads.”36
Roan arched an eyebrow at Tria. “You do seem to make the strangest acquaintances, Tria.” She looked at the group that was watching them with interest. “Take a break. Tria, I wish to speak with you.” 37
Sighing at the dressing down she knew she was about to receive, her head hung slightly as she followed Roan to the side. “I’m sorry,” she said.38
“Don’t be,” Roan said with a dismissive wave. “His brothers were, as he put it, complete, utter shitheads. Tell me what happened that night.”39
“Uhhh,” Tria said, not sure where the conversation took the turn from her ready for a talking to. “Aiden and I were at Dominic Olluein’s house since both Ash and Savitar were convinced someone was after us.”40
“So they left you with a Dark-Hunter?”41
“Go figure.” Tria ran a hand over her mouth. “Liam and Zane pop in, bringing Daimons with them, uh, the squire got stabbed… and basically, Dom went psycho on the intruders.”42
“Really?” Roan said thoughtfully. “And this part about one nearly taking your head off?”43
“Dom stepped in front and saved me, really.” She shook her head. “Could we not talk about this? I’m not sure how long has passed, but for me it seems like less than a week. It’s still disturbingly fresh.”44
“Of course,” Roan said with a sympathetic smile as she viewed the entire incident in Tria’s mind. Watching as her protégé walked away, she mulled over the attack. The Dark-Hunter had gone above and beyond in protecting those around him, and had indeed gone psycho on two Were-Hunters. 45
Oh, Dom, she though. Such dedication and anger. What I wouldn’t give to have you on this team hunting Labeve. 46
~~~~~~~~~~~~47
~~~~~~~~~~~~48
Savitar watched as Aiden calmly walked through the living room to the kitchen area and poured herself a coffee. Although she looked at ease, he could feel the annoyed anger radiating off her, vying with the worried confusion that threatened to erupt like a volcano. 49
She was pissed at him, Roan, and most things in general. He could understand that, and appreciate it, since he’d been fairly pissed off when he discovered that Roan had dropped in on his lady. 50
After he told her about one of the reason he’d cut himself off from the world, Aiden was silent, and remained so as she stared at the floor. He had expected outrage at admitting to killing so many, or at least a hateful look that showed what she thought of him. Silence however, was worse than both those options combined. 51
“You’re a little too quiet,” he finally said, breaking the silence.52
She took a drink from her coffee as she studied him over the mug. “I’m the last one who should complain about someone doing a vengeance thing. I killed so many wolves after my mother died. So, I can understand the need.”53
Okay. That was unexpected. “Yet you’re pissed off at me.”54
“Sort of,” Aiden admitted. “But not really.”55
“Why?”56
Studying him, she could see the anger in his eyes that he could never completely hide, but somehow it seemed not quite as dark as it used to be. “You’re omniscient. You tell me.”57
“No.” Leaning against the back of the couch, Savitar shook his head slightly. “If I say it, then they’re just words. I need you to say it so there’ll be meaning behind them.”58
“Fine,” Aiden said with a reluctant sigh. “I’m pissed off because I’ve been deluding myself with thinking that you’re just some laid back beach bum.”59
“And?” he prompted, knowing it was going to hurt to hear.60
“I’ve often imagined what anger you’ve hid inside, and although I’ve glimpsed it from time to time aimed at others, it’s still remained a mystery.” Giving him a sad smile, she looked at the floor to avoid his inquisitive gaze. “It never occurred to me that you could have killed a lot of people.”61
“Yet you knew.”62
“Yeah.” Pulling her gaze back to meet his, she nodded once. “You destroyed a complete line of Were’s simply because their Regis pissed you off.”63
“Then why wouldn’t you think that I’d be capable of other things?” he asked gently, not wanting this to turn into the argument he sensed was coming. 64
“Because you’re always gentle with me.”65
“That’s because I care for you.”66
“You cared for Roan.”67
“Touché,” he said, standing from the couch. “And I understand why you’re upset. If there was anything I could say to convince you that I’d never hurt you, not even on my worst day, then I would say it.” 68
“I know. And I appreciate it.” Exhaling lightly, she looked into lavender eyes. “I need some time to absorb this.”69
“I understand,” he replied in a neutral voice. 70
“Call me in a couple days,” she said, walking up to stand in front of him. 71
Leaning over to give her a light kiss on the lips, he then stepped back and vanished. Appearing on the sandy shores of his home, his outfit changed to a solid black wet suit as he walked towards the water. Inhaling deeply, he gave a grim smile. 72
Standing in ankle deep water, Savitar took a quick look behind him, pleased that Neratiti was back to its tranquil nature. Millennia of hosting only himself, and the occasional invited guest was something he planned on getting back to very quickly. Then again, having Aiden as company was something he looked forward to, and something he intended to incorporate in his future plans. 73
The visit from Roan had reminded him, in great detail, why he had chosen to distance himself from the world. The visit also reminded him just how pissed off he still was with her. He’d told her the truth that he no longer hated her, a fact that surprised even himself, but it was amazing how much disdain one could have for another being and not consider it hate. 74
The disclosing of part of his past to Aiden helped solidify that previous decision of turning his back on the world, and although he hadn’t told her everything, he’d told her what she needed to know.75
He could have easily kept that part of his existence a secret, but felt that if he wanted her to trust him, he had to be honest with her…to an extent. Her asking that she have some time alone afterwards made him a little annoyed, yet he accepted it, and looking back, knew it was the right thing. It had been a hell of a week, and he could feel his anger simmering just below the surface. Aiden would be able to think through things, and he’d be able to get back to the comforts that came with being alone.76
Spotting a wave on the horizon, he teleported himself and a board out to it, loosing himself in the pure comfort that came from riding it back to the shore. Hopping off the board as it touched sand, he looked across the beach again, his lavender gaze taking in… nothing.77
“This kind of sucks,” he said to himself. Wondering if he should drop in on Aiden, he fought the urge, knowing that she needed some time. The possibility of inviting Ash and Simi crossed his mind, and with a nod he decided that maybe an amazingly astute demon’s take on things was what he needed.78
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~~~~~~~~~~~~80
Trying not to bang into anything as she walked with Dom’s hand over her eyes, Angie reached out with her hands to feel along the wall. She had been excited when Dom walked out of the back part of the house, and asked her to come with him, all the while wondering what little surprise he had in store. 81
“Hold on,” Dom said, opening the door to his old bedroom. Leading Angie in, he flicked on the light, and walked her to the middle of the room. “And, open,” he said, removing his hand.82
Blinking a few times, Angie looked at the wall in front of her, raising an eyebrow when all she saw was a large workbench covered with tools. “A work bench?” she asked. “You set up a garage in your bedroom. That’s what you wanted to show me?”83
“Nope,” Dom replied, enjoying the confusion on his fiancées face. 84
Slightly annoyed at what she considered a typical ‘male’ surprise, Angie turned, and stopped as her gaze fell upon an object in a spot behind Dom. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see his smile grow and she knew she had found the real surprise. 85
Walking past him, she ran a finger over the smooth wood, smiling in wonder at the crib that sat before her. “Did you make this?”86
”Yes.”87
“How?” she asked, as her fingers went to the painted image on the footboard. 88
“Plans from the internet, and sneaking things in when you weren’t looking.”89
“It’s beautiful.” She looked at him and smiled. “Painted it, too?”90
Dom nodded as he walked to her. “The headboard is what I can remember from the area behind where I grew up, and the footboard is-“91
“The back yard here,” she finished for him. “I love it.”92
Slinging an arm over her shoulder, he hugged her close. Confused when he heard sniffing coming from her, he pulled back. “Why are you crying?”93
“Because it’s so beautiful.”94
“Ah,” he said in understanding, finally getting used to her mood swings. Staring at her, he jerked slightly as the view changed, and he pictured himself standing at a grave marker with her name on it. Just to the left of the sculpted angel sat another smaller angel, bearing the name Marcus.95
“Dom?” Angie asked, concern for him overshadowing her happy crying. 96
“Hm?” he asked, reality snapping back. Keeping his face blank, he shifted his gaze so he was looking just beyond her. “Sorry. I zoned out for a few seconds there.” 97
“Dominic,” she said, a warning in her voice. “I know that look. You saw something, and it wasn’t pretty.”98
“Nothing,” he said. “Overactive imagination.” Smiling lightly at the scowl on her face, he kissed the tip of her nose. “Figure out yet which room you want for a nursery?”99
“You’re changing the topic.”100
“Yes, I am.”101
~~~~~~~~~~~~102
~~~~~~~~~~~~103
“Are we through with the attacking?” Roan asked as she joined the group. 104
“For now,” Tria muttered, snarling as Paul gave her a dirty look. 105
Roan looked at Paul. “And you?”106
”Seeing as though you could kill my ass ten times over before I could object, then that would be a confirmation from me,” Paul said.107
“Lovely,” Roan said, clapping her hands. “Since our last meeting, we’ve come upon some rather interesting, and somewhat disturbing news about Labeve and a possible weakness.108
“I have, from a reputable, although highly annoying source, that fire can destroy Labeve. We’ve always known that she fears it, and it seems that would be the reason.” She looked at them. “There’s also the fact that she may have the power to paralyze her victims, and possibly those that hunt her.”109
“Say what?” the good looking possibly god asked. “Wait. No. She’s killed gods, and, not to brag here, but it’s impossible to paralyze a god.”110
“Not exactly,” Roan said, the annoying sensation of guilt coursing through her once again as she recalled the fate she had left Savitar to long ago. “There are certain ways, but they’re closely guarded secrets that Labeve shouldn’t have access to.”111
“Is it possible she obtained it when she-“ Tria stopped talking as all eyes fell on her. “Never mind.”112
“No, continue,” a green skinned demon said. “If you have information, we need to know.”113
“Well,” Tria began, nervous. “I talked with someone who knew the origin of Labeve.” 114
“What?” Roan asked, her mind flashing to the information Savitar told her. 115
“Greek Noble woman who lost her child, made a deal with someone to kill another woman’s child, and then sort of went crazy, making another deal with someone else for darker secrets.” She looked at Roan. “It’s in the notes I gave you,” she said, not wanting to point out that she’s already filled her in on it before. 116
“I should read those,” Roan said, relieved that Savitar didn’t seem to give Tria any names. “I’ll find out who the two were that granted her the powers, and see what they bestowed upon her.” 117
“It’s near impossible to break another god’s magick,” the god pointed out. “If they’re still around, then it’s unlikely they’ll want to rescind the powers after all this time.”118
“But if we know what we’re dealing with,” the demon said. “Then it will go a long way to help up survive encounters with Labeve. It might even be able to block this paralyzing thing since we’re now aware that it exists.”119
“Agreed,” Roan said. “Which brings us to another point. What if we were able to create a situation that would be irresistible for the demon?”120
“Can’t put someone in danger,” Paul said. “That was one of the first things you told us.”121
”I’m well aware of that, Paul, thank you kindly.” Ignoring him, she looked at the others. “I’m talking about an unborn child, and a person that is not influenced by any powers she may have to paralyze those that could kill her.”122
Thoughtful glances went around the room, yet were ignored by Tria who was staring at Roan. You can’t, she thought. He’s human now and she’ll kill him. Grimacing as Roan looked at her, Tria turned away.123
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~~~~~~~~~~~~125
The sun was low in the sky, signifying the end to another beautiful day. On a little sliver of land somewhere off the west coast of Australia, a lone figure sat crouched in the sand, enjoying the cool breezes and just kicking back in the comfort that doing absolutely nothing brought. 126
Not far off shore, two surfboards bobbed in the water, the riders lying on their backs as the surf rolled under them. Looking out from behind dark sunglasses, Ash smiled slightly at the sight. He’d been rather busy when Savitar contacted him about visiting, and since the surfer rarely extended an invitation of any sorts, Ash dropped what he was doing to see what was up. 127
As usual, Savitar had been in the water, and as usual, Simi immediately went to join him. The two had a weird understanding, and Ash was more than happy to let them experience the water while he stayed nice and dry on the beach. He could hear their conversation from where he sat, and figured that if it was extremely private, then the pair would have been further out with their boards.128
“Tell you what you haves to do,” Simi said as she stare in to the bright blue sky. “You haves to stops thinking like a god.”129
Staring at the same basic spot she was, Savitar moved his body so his feet were hanging in the water. Using his powers to keep them in basically one place as the water glided underneath, the pair were gently moving with the waves as Simi imparted her own little bit of wisdom. 130
“A god is all I’ve ever been, Sim,” Savitar replied. 131
“You’re no good to Aiden if you can’t think like a non-god. She doesn’t likes it when you go off sulking about something.”132
“I can assure you that I’ve never sulked a day in my life.”133
“Do you loves her?” Simi waited for an answer, and not getting one, turned her head to look. Savitar was still staring straight up into the sky, seemingly lost in thought. “Savvy?”134
“Hm?”135
“Did yous hear the Simi?”136
“I heard.”137
Sitting up on the surfboard, Simi brushed black hair over her shoulder and sighed. “Aidens is quality people, you know, and I think she more than likes you.” Placing a blood red fingernail on her chin, she smiled. “And I thinks you more than likes her too.”138
“I do,” Savitar finally admitted. “But then I go and do something…Savitar-ish… and then I have to fight to reclaim her.”139
Folding her arms over her chest, Simi frowned. “That’s the problem, Savvy. Aiden isn’t a prize to reclaim.” 140
“I didn’t say-“ he stopped as his words ran through his mind, and he went back to watching the sky.141
“Takes her out someplace,” Simi suggested. “Dinner, dancing, or walkings.”142
“Were’s aren’t big on romance,” he said. “Neither am I.”143
“I’m giving yous the best of my suggestions,” she said. “If yous don’t want to follow them than that’s up to yous, but remember that in the end you’ll be all alone and Aiden will be alone, and both will go back to being miserable beings, which is kind of icky to watch, really.” She glanced at the shore, and Ash. “The Simi gets enough moping at homes, thanks you very much.”144
“I told her about Roan,” he said.145
“Really?” Simi sounded surprised. “All of it?”146
“Enough so she’ll have a working knowledge is Roan drops in on her again.”147
“Can you tells Simi about Roan?”148
“No.”149
Simi sighed lightly, then laid back on the surfboard. “Roan’s not bad,” she said gently. “Sometimes it takes a big person to forgive someone and moves on.”150
Turning his head to look at her, Savitar raised an eyebrow. “The moment you forgive Artemis for everything she’s done to Ash, is the moment I’ll forgive Roan.”151
“So,” Simi said, not missing a beat, “you’s never going to forgive Roan.”152
“Now you’re getting it.” Sitting up, he looked back at the shore. “What say we slay some animal and toss it over a flame.” 153
“Is yous suggesting barbeque to get Simi’s mind off of pestering you about Aiden?”154
“Is it working?”155
“Absolutely.”
In a list
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Comments
1 - 8 of 8
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Simi is amazing. I hope you're not really planing to kill off Angie and the unborn baby. That would really be just too much FUBAR stuff to toss at Dom.
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Simi *Is* amazing. I think she's my second favorite character.
As for the rest
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Ooohhhh...Paul is back! Always wondered what happened to him (Well, not always, but, you know). I see he hasn't lost his charm(?)
You break up Savitar and Aiden, and I'll atomic wedgie you... savvy?
Eeep. I see nothing but hardship heading Dom's way.
Excellent chapter!
. Rewarded 6
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No wedgies!
And to see what's heading Dom's way, you better read the rest
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I've really been enjoying this story. As you already know (if you remember my book to movie comment, I love the dh series too). I hope this won't be annoying, but I do have a quibble or two. lol
p73 - Millenniums (should be millennia)...and the occasional invited guest were (should be was)...
It's been a little while since I've read any of the books but I don't recognize some of your characters. Are they o/c? If they are, I reallyl like them. ;. Rewarded 8
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Thanks
And I will change those errors. Thanks for pointing them out.
A lot of the characters are 'mine' ....Aiden, Dom, Angie, Paul, Tria, Roan, Labeve.... the others ...Ash, Savitar, etc, I sort of took the canon of their world and bent it
, but stayed as close to truth as I could... sort of.
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OMG! Love that last bit. "Is yous suggesting barbeque ..." classic!
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