JT: So Close Yet So Far

"Yeah. Things are going to get bumpy." Devon reaches for Marks arm and looks him in the face to let him know he will be there for him. "One last meeting before the harvest." With a smirk he nods in agreement. "Luitenent! Your in charge. Finish the obsticles and dismiss to the kitchen." His finest soldier follows his orders as they leave the courtyard. They walk by Cyth with a lady in his arms. They both glanced with a look familiar to him and continued out the front door. Cyth excuses himself from the pretty lady and heads out the front as well. Cyth speaks softly. "There is no place were we can talk." Smiling Mark starts a conversation about his boy while looking at the tombs at the bottom of the hill. "My boy had a girl he liked. He used to ask me should I tell her how I feel or be friends first to see what she was like." He caught on to what Mark was asking and joined in. "Yeah I had a daughter that asked me that. I told her to see what the young man was like first to know for sure he is what you thought." Noding his head as they chuckled a little. "I suggested the same thing." Putting his hands together he turns to them. "Enjoy the night gentlemen. I have a lady friend waiting on me." Laughing Mark and Devon retreat back inside the mansion. The clans mingled for fun and compasion. Devon greeted a young blonde in a forest green open back top and blue jeans. He takes her hand bringing her close to him. Leaning forward he kisses her hand. She smiles to his advances. Pulling her close he leads her up the stairs looking down at me with a big grin on his face. Mark laughs to see him enjoy his evening when his eyes are covered by someone behind him. "Come with me." A soft voice whispers in his ear. The hands are removed from his eyes to see a woman in a shoulderless black top and a black skirt. "What is this about." She puts her finger to her lips and motions him to follow her. They head down a hallway making a bunch of turns to come out to this balchany. She takes his hand and leads him in the center. "Isn't the moon beautifull tonight?" Not sure of what she is up to he looks up at the moon. "Yeah it is." He looks over to her and notices she has her fingers around the string tied infront of her top. "I saw you had no one to be with and thought you might like some company?" She pulls the string. Her top loosens and falls to her feet. Mark looks to the floor and grabs her shirt smiling. "You are very beautifull but my heart lies with my former wife." She leans close to wrap her arms around him pressing her chest to his.1

He tries to push her arms back not desiring what she is giving to him. "Your mortal wife is gone now. Let me fill the emptiness within." 2

Leaning away from her as she tries to kiss and hold him closer to her breast. "I appreciate the offer but I can't." Mark pushes her away and hands her top to her. She puts on a pouty face and inches closer. "Please." A mothering voice breaks her attempt. "He did say no did he not?" I step out of the shadows to reveal myself. "Lady Nia." She puts her blouse back on as I walked closer to them. "You made your offer. He is not ready. If you don't push he might come around to be with you." Mark apologizes. "I'm sorry but my heart is taken." She bows her head ashamed. "Forgive my lady. Mark." I motion her to leave. She runs down the hallway to be with the others. "Forgive me but I was walking around and heard you with her." Smiling he answers. "It is alright." I walk out and look across the land. "I see the moon is drawing near full." I lean my body against the edge of the wall. "Yes my lady it is." Mark slowly steps closer to the wall with me. "So you still love your former spouse too." He rest his elbow on the ledge. "Yes. If you don't mind me saying I was told you have moved on to your new life." Smirking to his comment I rest my side on the wall with him. "Yes but I still love my mortal husband. Tevarus and I are closer than before but I guess my love for him will never leave." I tilt my head on my shoulder like a school girl. "You remind me so much of him." Mark moves closer to me. "Really!" Shaking my head I smile. "Yeah. He didn't have long hair as you and his eyes were hazel." Mark laughs. "Forgive but doesn't our transformations change our appearances?" Looking toward the cemetary I slowly answer. "Yes..but the hair usually doesn't change much." Confused of why she stares at the cemetary he looks down as well. "What is it my lady?" 3

"Huh. Oh. His calls are louder now." I still sound mesmorized by the calls.4

Mark is not sure what to make of it so he puts his hands on her arms and incourages her to head back in. "Lets go my lady." Going inside she snaps out of it. "What happend?" Walking with her he lets go. "You were hearing someone call you." 5

"Oh. Sorry our conversation got interupted." I smile at him. "It is alright my lady. If you will excuse me I will bid you goodday." He bows to leave. "Goodday Mark." Sam walks up to be with Nia. Mark heads out to his room. 6

The door cracks open. "Hey Mark. Care to join us I have three girls in here." He says with a grin and raised eyebrows. 7

Hearing the girls giggle in the back Mark smiles. "No. Goodday." Cyth waves and shuts the door to go back to the women. 8

Looking out the window the next night I see the harvest is just a night away. I watch the servants come and go frequently from the tomb. My hands shake to even think about going back there. I have a prophecy to fulfill. I can feel Oranis all around me. Like he knows what I am thinking and can see me. I can't hide from his powers drawing me closer to him. I walk out of my room to see the dress being carried out to the tomb. Just behind them was a servant carring a dagger with ancient markings and skeletons all on the handle. "A dagger!" Sam stands behind me. "My lady you are to go to the preparation room tonight. "So it starts. Where is Chris?" We look all around the main room. "I have not seen him for two nights." I am puzzled by his disapearance in hopes he would walk with me to the room. Two servants walk up to us. "My lady you are to come with us." I nod and take one mans arm while Sam takes the others arm. Mark watching ontop of the stairs tightens his grip on the railing. His nuckles crake as he grips harder. Devon walks up to him. "In time my friend. In time." Just before I step across the threshold of the mansion I look back to see Mark standing their watching me. They tug my arm and we continue to the tomb. Down in the colisium I see a masked man being lead to the top of the left stairs facing the center of the room. I thought to myself this must be the one who will be the host for Oranis. I was lead to the top of the right stairs. To my surprise the masters voice was silenced. I was releived to hear such peace but still cautious being in the tomb again. A door opened just behind the man to a room with clothes hanging on the wall. They walk him in as my door opens behind me. Sam walks in with me. The door closes us in. My body shivers to be in isolation. The dress hung beside the bed. I could not stop looking at it. "I am to be another mans wife. Tevarus is going to be flaming in rage." Sam finds a bottle of blood next to the styling brushes and makeup. "Here drink some. We do what we are told." We take a sip from our glasses. "The scary part is I was walking in the mansion to find a place to hide so I would not have to come." 9

I start to cry uncontrolably. The clear sky outside begin to get cloudy and the thunder roared. Cyth, Mark, and Devon stood on a balchany watching the servants seal the tomb when the clouds began to pour. "She is very upset." Cyth said shaking his head. "She is crying isn't she?" Mark comments as he keeps his eyes on the tomb. 10

"She must be scared too." Devon added. Mark looks at him wondering how he knows. "Here comes the lightning." The sky lite up like fireworks to my fear. Flashing here and there taking down trees in the distance. "My lady you must calm down." I rocked myself back and forth as the tears ran down my face. "He found me everywhere I went. Calling me, controling me, I wanted to stay away from the balchonies but he calls me closer to fill my head with his thoughts of love." Sam sits beside me holding me in her arms. "I'm sorry my lady." I wipe the tears from my face tring to calm down. After a while we settle in the bed to get some sleep. My dreams were filled with images of his real face. My name is called again to be at his side. I am handed a drink to toast our union. I lift the glass to my mouth and sip the blood. He says something in his own language smiling then laughs. I start to see myself falling down in a dark hole. I toss and turn to this nightmare being played. I see something below me. At full speed I crash inside a coffin. The lid slams shut to silence his laughter. Sam wakes up and nudges my shoulder. "My lady it is time to get up." I do not wake by her. "My lady! Nia! Please wake up this is the day." Suddenly I open my eyes as the servants open the door to bring in fresh blood. "You are to get the queen ready." The servant points to Sam and then leaves. She looks at me with a frown on her face. "This must be his doing." Grabs the brush off the table. Evenly she brushes my hair hand over hand. Taking sections at a time she pulls my hair on the side and braides one then the other side. Pulling both braids back she ties them together with a black lace. The rest of my hair laid down flowing straight to the floor. Picking up the dress she starts to undo my dress. "I will my grace." I spoke outloud. Sam dropped her hands smiling. "My lady." I blinked my eyes letting go of this trance. My body was no longer tense. "Sam!" She hugs me to see I am myself. "He has been talking to me in my dreams all night. He must save his strength for the transition." I look to my hair to see it is made up. "Come we must finish this." Sam says. I sit to let her finish. 11

My old dress is hung up as the new dress is slipped on. It forms to my body perfectly. Not a single crese is shown. My eyes painted with slightly dark shades of the earth. Lips glossened for the evening. With the finishing touches done I look at her and hug her tightly. The clans dress in their finest clothes. Mark and Devon are dressed in newly fitted clothes suited for a military general. 12

Black pants with midnight blue coats, and shirts under. Black gloves, wide brim hats and swords to address who is who. The squads were in the same pants, blue shirts and swords to march with. Cyth walks up to them as they put on their gloves. "You two are the first ones out. You will march along the walls to meet in the front center. Mark you take the right and Devon has the left. The soldiers will form a border around everyone." Mark grabbing his sword stands infront of his squad. Devon does the same. Mark takes a deep breath as he closes his eyes. With a stern voice the command is said. "Ready march!" In unison they place one foot after the other. Their feet echo like thunder as they leave out the mansion to the tomb. All watch in awe to their perfection. One by one they leave to attend the transition. I let go of Sam to the sound of rumbling getting closer. Their marching gets louder the closer they come. The time has come and I sit with my head down waiting for the door. The marching stops and the sounds of peope talking slowly enter the room. An hour goes by as everyone comes to the harvest. Sam holds my hand as I start to shake. Silence suddenly fills the air. Slowly the door opens and we stand. Sam and a servant take my hands to lead me infront of the crowd. I look at the faces to see were Chris is only to find Mark standing at my feet in the front of the row. Looking at me he grins. I nolonger shake and smile back. The top of the colisium opens to reveal the night sky. The moon is full and orange in color. It is just moments from lineing in the center. I constantly look around at everyone getting more nervous. The moon centers the ceiling above us. Gradually a shadow forms on the moon as the eclipse begins. The servants pull the dagger to place on a table next to his casket. The eclipse goes through its run over the moon for all to watch. As it covers it completely it seemed to stop in full darkness. They walk me behind the casket. The man still in a black mask and red and black clothes exits his room. 13

They cheer to his arrival. Step by step he goes to the table with the dagger and holds it in his hand. He studders his steps to see me then continues. Standing over his casket he lifts the dagger high above him and drives it in the dried skeletal structure of his body till it turns to dust. A wind blows through the tomb to roll his dust away. The servants stand infront of him and remove his mask. I gasp to my surprise it is Chris that was chosen. Tears form in his eyes to see me in the dress. "My love. I wished you could have told me. 14

I'm sorry it has to end this way." I shake my head no to know he has to die for him. They walk us to stand infront of the casket. We hold hands. Tossing his head back and forth he cries. All he has waited for is here and now he wishes it wasn’t happening. "I don't want to do it." Looking to the moon he beggs. "Please." He reaches down for a kiss. I hold his hand tightly. "We can't fight this." He tells me. The servants were figity as time was drawing short. Mark watches nervously to see him fight with himself. The master is free from his body now. Chris finds himself holding me close. "Forgive me." His cries were terrifing me as his body is controled. I lean back from his hold on me. His grip was tight enough I was still pulled back in. He leans in to my neck to sink his fangs in my skin. His tear falls on my shoulder right when he draws blood. He drinks holding me tighter than before. I scream as tears fill my eyes. Mark twitches to my scream but Devon reaches his arm to steady him. Without warning he lets go of me taking a few steps back. I stand their cring as he looks at me sadly. His body begins to shake to my blood blending with his. Flames begin to burst on his body. I hauler and the ground shakes. "NO!" Raising his hand out to me he speaks his last words. "I love you!" I wanted to run to him but they hold me back. Struggling to free myself I begg to be released as he screams in pain. I stop pulling to see the flames die down not to a pile of ash but the same face and body. They let me go to see him. I put my hands to his face. "Chris." His eyes open up as black as a demon. "No my dear." Putting my hand down I knew it was Oranis. He walks over to a servant who hands him the necklace and ring. Lifting my hand he pulls Tevarus's ring off and place his on my finger. A tear falls down my face as he walks behind me to put the necklace on. Looking to the rest of the family he announces. "Your new queen!" A roaring cheer echoed the halls. I stared at the crowd not moving. 15

My heart has taken all it could and I finally given up to just shut down. Taking my hand he leads me through the families and out the tomb. I do not smile or look at anyone while we head to the mansion. Here the festivities begin. Food, dancing, and music engulf the mansion. Oranis stands at the top of the stairs to get everyones attention. "A new life begins. Come let the harvest begin." Oranis urges me to come with him. I turn my head in refusal. Grabbing my arm furiously he speaks closely in my ear. I refuse to look at him. "You will eventually come to love the hunt. You cannot deny who you are." Pushing me back as he lets go and leaves with Brian and Tevarus's clan to head out to the village nearby. Cyth's and Dillans stay behind. I head down the hall away from everyone to my room. Sam knocks as she cracks the door open. 16

"My lady. Are you alright?" She comes in to see me by the window. "How is your arm?" She holds my arm to see if I am hurt. I did not respond to her questions but my emotions were heard loud and clear. The candles stayed burned out. Cyth and Dillan headed down to the courtyard. "I want to test something." Dillan stands looking up to the sky. "Oranis. You are a coward to hurt your new bride!" He shouts to draw him out. No sound or movement was made. Dillan looks around to see him appear or use his powers. He starts to laugh. "What is so funny Dillan?" Bending over from laughing so hard he puts his hand on Cyths shoulder. By this time Mark and Devon go to see what the camotion was about only to be baffled by laughter. Walking up they are not sure what to think. "Did you just insult Oranis?" Dillan trying to stop wipes a tear from his face. "Yeah, but haven't you noticed?" Looking around the room Mark speaks out. "He can't do anything. He is bownd by his new body." Dillan points to him and his nose. Cyth fascinated by the news he start to smile. "He can be killed." Devon brings everyone back down to earth on what is different now. "Has anyone noticed that the clans are split now. They hunt and we don't." Their smiles change to dissapointment. "It has already begun." Mark says as he looks to Nia's bedroom. "He hurt her for not following their ways!" Angry he heads to see her. The men follow to see if she is ok as well. Her door was open for them to see Sam looking at her arm. Mark walks in slowly. "Is she alright?" 17

He looks at her arm in time to see the bruises before they disapear. "She is just bruised a little but they go away quickly. I am more worried about her heart. She refuses to speak still angered by the arrival." Dillan wonders how she knows. "Did she tell you before she stopped talking?" 18

"No, the candles won't light." Devon tries to light a candle near the chimney only for it to die down as soon as it caught the wick. "We have to do something soon!" Cyth angrily shouts. Mark stares at her holding her hand. "We must wait for the right moment. If we go on like normal he will eventually order all the clans to hunt." Dillan explains to Cyth what they have thought of all along. Devon adds his thought on the subject. "The clans will split and we are at war again." Mark turns his head slightly to Cyth placing his hand on Marks back. "Please be patient while we show our independence. Your time will come and we will help." 19

Noding he realizes he must wait for the clans to split. He tightens his grip on her hand begging. "Please be strong. I will always be near you." He stands to kiss her on her check. The kiss lingered on my check as they leave the room. I turn to look at the door close. Sam spots a candle slowly growing a flame by the bed as she turns down my sheets. I turn back to the window when she turns to see me. The night goes to sleep as he comes back from the hunt. The fragrance of blood left on their shirts perfumed were they walked. Oranis opens the door to our room were I lay in bed. The one candle dies out right when his foot hits the bedroom floor. "Hello darling. You missed a delicious night." Taking off the clothes to get into bed he climbs under the sheets. He inches closer to me laying on my side. "Still not talking. That's ok. I like my queen quiet." He pulls my shoulder to get me to lay down but I resist. "Playing games are we? We'll see about that." He pulls harder quickly tring to place his body onto mine. I push at him get off but he puts my hands above my head and begins to kiss me. I struggle to get him to stop only to have his hand slap my face. My screams and cries can be heard down the hall were Mark stood at a balchany staring at the moon in agony hearing him hurt me over and over. Night after night I would cause the candles to flame uncontrolably by my anger. I would come out hours after everyone else to hide what he has done. Sam headed down a hall to hear some of Brians members informing him how others don't share the way we live. 20

Ducking against the wall she listens closely. "Sire. The other two clans don't take in feeding like vampires should." Brian agrees. "They do still stick to their ways of survival when we have plenty of food saved over the years. I will talk to Oranis." Heading away before they leave the room she runs to find the others. Cyth was already with them drinking in the courtyard. Running in the yard she stops in front of them. "They know we don't follow them and soon Oranis will know." They all look at each other noding. "It starts. Where is Mark?" Devon smirks a little. "Where do you think he has been the past month or so?" Leaving to go up the stairs they find Brian and Oranis walking down. "So. I hear you still want to eat from bottles instead." Cyth stands firm with Dillan. "Yes. We would rather keep life going and our lives a secret from the rest of the world." Stepping closer he looks at the floor as he comes close to his face. 21

"I see. Our way has changed. The time has come to endure who we are more often. Join our ways or die." Fixated on his eyes and the knowledge boiling in is mind he agrees to not join them and smiles with an evil look. They leave his sight to find Mark. He jesters Devon to be by his side. "Go and get the squads together. I will find Mark." He looks back while walking. "Dillan gather everyone willing to fight with us." He leaves to send the message to met them. "Sam stay with Nia." She leaves to her room. Mark still in the same balchany is met by Cyth. "What is happening?" Seeing him come quickly to him. "We are gathering to fight. We must go." At that moment Nia's bedroom door is blown away. Sam runs out into Marks arms. "I went in to be with her and Oranis tried to take both of us. He ripped our tops while we pushed him away. I told him no and bit his hand. He threw his fist across my face to send me across the room. She pushed him down to get to me and he hit her. She stood up to face him and ball of fire grew in her hand. She threw it at him but missed and got the door." Angered but amazed at what she did they run to her room to see what happend. "Nia!" Mark yelled. She was not in the room. "Mark we must go. Now!"22