1
Growling in annoyance, Helen knocked on the door again, not intending to give up until Vaughn talked to her. After leaving her in the yard, he’d made his escape to the bedroom, and not come out since. She remained at the door, talking through the wood in an attempt to get him to talk, giving up only when the sun rose. 2
Going back to the room she had been given, she barely slept as his words ran through her mind. Loving you and protecting you…she needed to know if he meant what she thought at first, and so far he was being an ass by avoiding her. 3
“Vaughn?” she called out again, knocking once more. “I know you’re in there, I can hear you breathing, so stop being a prick and open this door.”4
Silence greeted her, which was really starting to get annoying. Pounding on the door, she added a few kicks to get her point across. Looking as the door beside Vaughn’s room opened, she stared as Nim stuck his head out. 5
“Don’t pound,” Nim said. “It hurts Nim’s head.”6
“Sorry,” Helen said. “If Vaughn would open his door, then I wouldn’t have to.”7
“Maybe Helen should leave him alone for a whiles?” Nim suggested. “He’s like Jared in that way.” 8
“What way?” Helen asked tapping on the wood. If anything, she was determined to annoy him enough so that he’d open the door if only to get her to stop.9
“He’s messed up too many times and doesn’t want it to happens again, so he does what he doesn’t want to do just so that others won’t feel the pain.” Nim looked at her warily. “You should sleeps in case Asya tries to get to you because yous tired.” 10
Helen watched as Nim closed the door, then her gaze slowly flicked to Vaughn’s door. “Vaughn?” she said gently, unsure what she was going to say. Not finding the words, she took a step back and slowly walked towards the stairs. Making her way slowly down, she paused as someone walked out of the small office just at the bottom of the steps. 11
“All done pounding?” Peter asked.12
“For now.”13
“Good.” He watched as she continued down. “When you continue, try not to break the door down. It’s alarmed, and this house will be full of squires within minutes.”14
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Helen said, then looked at him. “How well do you know Vaughn?”15
“Not very, actually,” came the reply. “I’ve only been here for a little over a year.” 16
Sighing, Helen headed for the kitchen area. She turned when she realized that Peter was following. “Can I help you?”17
“Nope. Just doing the guard bit.” He motioned towards the upstairs. “His royal grouchiness would probably geld me if I let anything happen to you while he was moping… I mean sleeping.” He leaned in and motioned her forward. “I think he’s got a huge crush on you,” Peter whispered conspiratorially. 18
“Crush?” Helen asked, laughing at the term.19
“It’s about the most polite term I could think of,” Peter replied drolly, then nodded to the kitchen. “Go on ahead, I have to grab something from my office, then I’ll be right there.” Keeping the smile on his face until she walked around the corner, he waited a few more seconds before pulling a small radio out of his pocket. “She’s in the kitchen,” he reported to the person on the other end.20
~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~21
Time was quickly running out, although Brin had yet to allow his panic to bloom to a full-grown freaking out. Caras had kept on his ass about getting to Helen, but Brin had yet to be able to find a way on to the property.22
He’d shown up at Helen’s and been completely pissed off to find out that she had left for places unknown. Only through complete luck at following her scent was he able to track her to a general location. Teleporting himself onto various properties had helped in narrowing down his search… which was completely halted when he found himself blocked from entering one specific property. By the look of the place, he knew for a fact that this was indeed the home of the very annoying Dark-Hunter that seemed to be intent on protecting Helen. 23
Although, there really should be nothing that could keep him from gaining access to the property. Daimons couldn’t make there way in since they would have to be invited, but that wouldn’t count for a regular demon…unless…24
Sighing in annoyance when he realized that Jared had probably placed some sort of protection around the area to keep everything out. Which meant that Brin had to wait for Helen to either come out, or for someone to leave a door open long enough for him to slip through. Once in, finding Helen would be a breeze, and then he’d just grab her, and get the hell out before the Hunter or the other demon even knew what was going on. 25
Shifting from foot to foot as he studied the large wall in front of him, he looked for a possible way over the top. There was nothing in the way of footholds, and while he couldn’t see any protection at the top, he could plainly hear the gentle hum of some electric device. 26
Vanishing suddenly as the gate next door opened, he waited until the Jeep departed before appearing again. He’d already been to both properties on either side, and the wall was basically the same all around… too big to scale, and obviously protected by other means than those noticeable. 27
Smiling at a sudden thought, he pulled his cell phone out and placed a call to Helen’s cell phone. Although she probably wouldn’t answer a call from him, he knew she’d check the messages if he left one. 28
“Helen,” he said pleasantly when the answering kicked in. “I dropped by your house again, but you seem to be out. So sorry to have missed you.” He paused for a moment as annoyance tried to seep into his tone. “Maybe I’ll drop by and visit you at the new place. Eleven West Brownell, is it?” 29
Closing the phone, he smirked. If that didn’t get a rise out of her, then nothing would.30
~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~31
Sighing in annoyance as the pounding grew, Vaughn stared at the door across the room from him. He wanted to answer it, but logic forced him to remain sitting on the corner of the bed. He’d really slipped up when he mentioned ‘loving forever’, and wished he could remove those words from her memory. 32
Even more annoying was the fact that he’d actually said it, and up until they slipped out of his mouth, he had nursed that strong dislike of her. Hell, he wasn’t even sure how he felt about her… at all. Hate, love, like, tolerate… they all collided together when he thought about Helen.33
Standing up to pace around the room again, he tapped a hand against his leg as he ran too many problems through his mind. Things were so much simpler when he just killed and then got a little action in some alley corner. Now, even though it should be easy, he found it indescribably difficult to entertain thoughts of a future that didn’t include him being a soulless demon killer. 34
His eyes had changed back to black about an hour after being hit, accompanied by the heightened senses that nearly knocked him to the floor. The ache in his head that came with the return of power had thumped its way down to a dull pounding, which was doing a rather impressive beat in time to the knocking Helen was doing.35
His eyes shifted to the door when he heard the room next to his open, and could plainly hear the words that Nim spoke. Missed up too many times…. There it was in a nutshell. It never ceased to amaze him just how astute that young demon was. 36
Helen reminded him too much of his sister, and he couldn’t take the chance of hurting someone else he cared about. Stopping at that thought, he stared at the door, sorely tempted to open it when Helen knocked lightly and called out his name. 37
This time there was no demanding in her voice that annoyed him, and no threat to piss him off. Her current tone was one of wanting to talk to him as an equal. Going to the door, his hand was on the knob when he heard the faint creak of the banister that let him know she was leaving. 38
Jabbing at the intercom by the door, he spoke in a low tone. “Keep an eye on her.” Knowing that Peter would comply, Vaughn turned away and forced himself back to the bed and to hopefully a sleep that wouldn’t condemn him to images that he had no right dreaming. 39
~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~40
Staring over the table at the man who sat there, Helen could tell that he wasn’t reading the newspaper as he seemed to be doing. Peter’s eyes were fixed more on her than the page in front, and she had a hard time believing that anyone would spend twenty minutes reading his horoscope.41
“You’re making me nervous,” she finally said. 42
“Sorry,” he replied, not moving from pretending to stare at the paper. “Maybe you should get some sleep or something. Pounding on a door all night must be tiring.”43
“I’m fine.” Standing, she took a few steps form the table, sighing in annoyance when she heard his chair being pushed back. “Don’t follow me.”44
Nodding briefly, Peter folded the paper, and then walked to stand in front of her. “Regrettably, that would be in direct contrast to my orders.”45
“I could make you not follow me,” Helen said, not hiding the threat in her voice.46
“And I could drill you through the head with a bullet,” Peter replied easily. “Which oddly enough, was not covered by my orders.”47
“Don’t ever threaten me.”48
“I never threaten,” Peter said, mimicking her cool tone. “I merely point out the end result of your not doing as I say, and then allow you to come to your own conclusions.” He took a step back. “Now, I’m going to politely suggest that you go to bed. If you choose not to, then you can help me with a few things around here to prepare for when this goddess manages to breech the security.” 49
Forcing herself not to punch him in the face, Helen stared at Peter in annoyance. “And if I don’t want to?”50
Leaning back against the counter, Peter had to give her credit. By now, he would have expected her to at least take a crack at him. Shrugging, he crossed his arms over his chest. “Nothing, really. Protecting against Daimons, gallu, and assorted demons isn’t really worth jack when it’s a goddess that wants entrance, and it would be a great help to be able to know what can be done to hold her off a long as possible.”51
Staring at him, Helen couldn’t help but admit that he was right. If Asya could find the smallest sliver in the protection surrounding the property, then she’d be here faster than one could think. “How long will I be here for?” she asked, suddenly needing to know. 52
Pushing himself off from the counter, Peter shrugged. “Guess until either Vaughn’s dead, or your soul is no longer yours.” He motioned to the door. “This way, please.”53
“That’s not very comforting,” Helen said, not following. 54
Turning in the doorway, Peter gave her a studied look. “If there’s one thing I’ve learned since being Vaughn’s squire, is that things said in this house are not to be glossed over. Anything, regardless how uncomfortable to hear, should just be said…then dissected to hell so that it can be molded into something that is acceptable.” 55
~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~56
The day was spent following Peter around as he proficiently went through the entire house upgrading or replacing security issues that he hadn’t been able to get to the previous day. Doors were reinforced or replaced, while windows in certain areas were tinted to block just enough light out to make is feasible for Vaughn to walk through during the day without too much harm. 57
The work was hard and tiring, but seemed to pass quickly due to casual chatter between the two. Helen discovered that Peter wasn’t the hard-ass that he portrayed, and was actually fairly easygoing, bright, and found humor in the smallest things. Although he was an interim squire while Vaughn’s regular one was on a personal sabbatical, Peter took his job very seriously. 58
And through him, Helen learned a little more about Vaughn. She’d already reevaluated her original opinion of him, but found more to push that conclusion to the curb. Peter had divulged that although his boss seemed a huge grouch and eccentric to the extreme, that Vaughn was actually a rather basic individual with only a few peculiar quirks. 59
Brushing dust from her hair, Helen jumped slightly as he cell phone sounded in her pocket. Pulling it out, she growled at the number, then shoved it back into her jacket. Glancing at Peter, she shrugged. “Just Brin again.”60
“Can he get a bead on you through a cell?”61
Helen nodded. “That’s why I’m not answering.” Grabbing the large door, she easily hoisted it up and placed it in the frame. “No worries…he’ll leave a message.”62
Raising an eyebrow in respect at the strength the woman had, Peter quickly secured the door in place. “That’s the last one,” he said. “Thanks.”63
“No prob.”64
Taking a step back, Peter looked around. “Well, I think we’re as secure as we’ll ever be.” He glanced at her. “Code for emergency exit.”65
“Five-three-zero-six-one,” Helen replied easily.66
“Good.” Peter motioned to the door. “Remember it, and guard it with your life. If anything happens, get your butt through this door and just run. Don’t worry about anyone in the house.”67
“But-“68
“Orders,” Peter said, his voice not leaving room for argument. “Yes, it would be noble to stay and fight, but this whole thing is to keep your soul in your body. Don’t screw up our attempts by sticking around. Understood?”69
“Fine.”70
“Good.” Checking his watch, Peter glanced towards the stairs as he heard movement. “Nearly dusk,” he said, standing still as a small flash appeared not too far away. 71
Helen had to give him credit for not jumping, even though it was just Nim. All the talk of security had made her nervous as it was. 72
Peter shrugged lightly. “Nim walks a little harder than Vaughn.” Peter told her. “So I knew he would be popping down here fairly soon.” He looked at the young demon. “How’d he sleep?”73
“Not bads,” Nim said. “Yelled out a few times, but everything was okays when Nim popped in, so I left.”74
Peter nodded. “Just nightmares,” he said. “Nothing to worry about.” 75
“Nothing?” Helen asked. 76
“Nothing,” he confirmed. “Happens a lot, and since Vaughn’s Oneroi was with him, he’s fine.” He looked from one to the other. “Since Nim’s up, I’m going to get to a few things that I should have done earlier.”77
Helen watched as he turned and left, then looked at Nim. Rolling her eyes as her phone sounded again, she took it out, looked, then went to put it away. Bringing it back up when she noticed the small light blinking to show that she had a message, she waited until the ringing stopped before opening the phone to check.78
Going through a few messages from various people, she cringed at a few left by Brin. Rolling her eyes at the threats and pleading that she give herself up, she was ready to close the phone when she came to the last message. The time stamp at the beginning placed it for just after sunrise that morning, and caused fear to course through her.79
Nim watched, confused when her anger suddenly morphed into a terror strong enough to make him wince. “Whats?” he asked.80
“Uh, nothing,” Helen said, distracted. “Um, I’m hungry, are you hungry? Let’s go eat.”81
Staring as she quickly walked away, Nim followed, positive that the message she’d heard had been anything but a ‘nothing’. 82
~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~83
After a quick dinner, in which she had expect Vaughn to at least appear, Helen left feeling annoyed that he had remained in his room. Excusing herself, she walked out the front door and wandered around for a few minutes before ending up in the small area by the pool. 84
Pulling her phone out, she exhaled, dialed a number, then quickly shut the phone. If she called, Brin would know where she was. Then again, he’d told her Vaughn’s address in the message he’d left, so he already knew… which meant he was playing with her since he couldn’t get on to the property. 85
Flipping the phone open again as sat in one of the lawn chairs, she dialed, then waited. “What’s your game?” Helen asked as soon as it was answered.86
Smiling in triumph, Brin waited a few moments before replying. “What do you mean?”87
”Cut the crap,” she said, tempted to close the phone. 88
“Oh, you mean how did I know the address?” Bring asked, innocent. “The Dark-Hunter told Asya.”89
“You’re lying.”90
”Am I?” Pausing long enough to make her uncomfortable, he then continued. “Face it, Helen. You’re nothing more than a cheap lay to him, and he was very willing to sell you to Asya in return for her getting him out of servitude to Artemis.” 91
“He’s not like that,” she said, then grimaced at how much information she’d just given Brin.92
“Aw, you’re sweet on him,” he replied sarcastically. “Isn’t that cute. Giving your heart and body to someone in order to protect you. But, I guess once a whore, always a whore.”93
Flipping her phone shut, Helen resisted the urge to throw it into the pool.94
Turning, she stormed back to the house, intent on finding out from Vaughn just exactly what was going on.95
~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~96
Feeling slightly better, Vaughn stretched lightly as he made his way into the kitchen. Grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge, he took a drink, then turned to the silent individuals that were sitting at the table eating. 97
“Where’s Helen?” he asked. 98
“Outside,” Peter replied as he took a bite of his salad.99
“Alone?”100
“Property’s safe,” Peter said. “And she looked like she needed a few minutes alone.”101
“I wanted someone with her at all times.”102
“Then maybe you shouldn’t have spent the day sulking in your room.”103
Not as pissed off as he should have been at that remark, mainly because Vaughn knew the other man was right, he opted for giving a completely nasty glare instead.
Looking across the table, Nim wondered whether to speak up or not. Usually he would keep quiet to avoid being noticed, but since he was sure neither of the men meant him any harm, he opted to take the chance. “Nim can hear Helen in his mind,” he said quietly, cringing as both looked at him. 104
“That’s good,” Vaughn said. “Anything happens, get there as fast as you can, and grab her.”105
“Okays,” Nim said, immediately going back to his hamburgers, salad and rolls. 106
“Nothings coming on this property unless invited,” Peter guaranteed. “Although, I’m not exactly up on my knowledge of this Asya and her powers.” 107
Snagging an untouched hamburger from his squire’s plate, Vaughn took a bite as he turned away. “Front or back yard?” he asked after swallowing. 108
“Front, I think. And that was my dinner.”109
“Was,” Vaughn agreed, taking another bite. “Nim?” 110
Stopping short as if taken by surprise, Nim looked at Vaughn. “Yes?”111
“Do you know a Jaden?”112
Nim shook his head. “Helen doesn’t like Jaden,” he said.113
“But you know him.”114
“Maybe.”115
Choosing his next words carefully, Vaughn tried to keep himself calm at what he was asking. “How can I contact him?”116
“Humans can’t,” Nim said. “And Nim won’t.” 117
Gritting his teeth, Vaughn nodded. “All right,” he said in a low tone. “That’s okay. It was just a thought.” Turning, he walked out of the kitchen intent on finding Helen so he could clear a few things up.118
Watching him go, Nim bounced lightly in his chair as he tried to decide what to do. Jaden was bad news, but Nim knew that the demon broker would be able to help… with whatever Vaughn had planned. The only one who would be able to call Jaden was Nim, since Helen would refuse; and Nim wasn’t even considering summoning anyone at the moment. 119
Slightly confused, and not even sure if he wanted to know who this Jaden was, Peter eyed the extra burger on Nim’s plate. Frowning when the young demon hissed lightly as if hearing his thoughts, Peter grabbed one of the rolls from the basket in the middle of the table. 120
Nim jumped slightly as the door from the backyard slammed open and Helen stormed in. Not sensing anything wrong other than another bad mood, Nim traded a look with Peter, before going back to the food in front of him. 121
“Where’s Vaughn?” Helen demanded. 122
“Front yard,” Peter said warily. “Went to find you, actually.”123
Not knowing whether to trust the man or not since his first loyalty was to Vaughn, Helen stared at him for a few moment. Growling in annoyance when all she got back was a patient return stare, she looked at Nim for confirmation. “Where’s Vaughn?”124
"Vaughn went that ways,” Nim said quietly with a nod to the door that led to the rest of the house. “He said that Helen is to stay here.” Sort of.125
Sighing, Helen looked at Peter, then back at the young demon. Although she had no real demon powers, she could sense that he was hiding something. “What’s going on, Nim,” she demanded lightly.126
~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~127
Staring out at the stars twinkling in the night sky, Vaughn’s hand tightened slightly around the article he was holding. Taking a peek at the pendant that he’d kept since his sister had died, he held it up to so it was spinning slowly in front of his eyes. It meant a lot to him, and reminded him what could happen if he acted without thinking.
He needed to bear in mind that little lesson for what lay ahead. Doing the wrong thing or even talking to the wrong person could do far more harm than good. Tilting his head as he heard soft footsteps coming across the lawn, he smiled before he could stop himself. Helen seemed to bring out a part of him that he’d thought had been lost over the years, and he only hoped it wouldn’t be his downfall as it had been last time.
Gathering the pendant in his hand as he heard her stop behind him, he turned and started to speak, the words dying on his lips as she glared at him. From the emotions pouring off her, he felt his own danger senses starting to work. Something was not quite right.
“What’s wrong?” Vaughn asked.
“Are you planning on turning me in to get your soul back?”128
”Am I what?” Vaughn asked, confused. “Wait, what? Why would you think something like that?”129
Taking a step back from him, she crossed her arms over her chest. “Brin told me that you were willing to sell me to Asya in return for her getting you out of service to Artemis.”
“Brin was here?”
“Don’t change the subject.”130
”I’m not,” he said. “Look, I don’t know what he told you, but I’m fairly certain it was a lie.”
“So you say.”
Staring in shock, Vaughn couldn’t think of what to say that didn’t include a scathing insult. “Um, okay.” Running a hand over his face, he shrugged. “What do you want me to say?” he asked. “Seems that your mind is already made up, and you’re expecting me to betray you. Fine.” He took a step back and then turned.
Helen jumped slightly as he spun back and stalked up to her. Standing while he grabbed her easily by the upper arms, she returned his searching gaze evenly.131
“Tell me,” he said, his voice heavy with demand. “Tell me that you believe that I’m going to betray you.”
“I…” She trailed off, not really sure what to say. Even though he looked angry, his grip on her arms was gentle.
“Tell me!” he ordered.
Staring at him, she was ready to say what he wanted to hear. Then, she looked deeper into his eyes and realized that her accusations had nearly broken through his resolve.
“I can’t,” she said.
“Can’t, or won’t?”
That stung, but she knew she deserved it. “I don’t believe you’re going to betray me.” Moving her arm slightly, she looked at him. “Something’s digging into my arm.”
Realizing it was the pendant, Vaughn let go of her and took a step back. Holding the pendant up so that it dangled between them, he stared at it. “Ever since I betrayed my sister’s trust, and caused her death,” he said slowly, “I’ve used this to remind myself to look at things objectively, and to think things through before acting.”
Helen watched as he continued to stare at the small stone at the end of the chain. Bitching at herself inwardly, she couldn’t believe that she’d actually even entertained the thoughts that Brin had planted. Vaughn had been a lot of things, but he had never deceived her.
Lowering the pendant, he placed it over her head, letting the stone settle on her chest. Wanting to snatch the stone back and yell at her for not trusting him, he instead leaned forward and gave her a brief kiss. Taking a step back, he turned and walked away. 132
Not knowing what to say, Helen stared at his back as he went around a corner. His gait was quicker than usual, a sure sign that he was upset about something… most like the way she had acted. She’d hurt his feelings with accusations and not trusting, and he still gifted her with his most prize possession. 133
Look at things objectively… the words ran through her mind. Ever since she met Vaughn, she’d waited for him to betray or disappoint her in one way or another. Even after she’d insulted him completely in the alley, he stuck around to make sure she was safe… albeit while giving her dirty looks. Raising her hand to caress the stone, she set off to find Vaughn so she could apologize for always assuming that he had an ulterior motive. 134
~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~135
Walking through the dark, Vaughn kept alert although his mind was busy. Every idea he came up with to save Helen was quashed before he even had time to think it through. The option of trading his soul for Helen’s only ended up with him nearly frying himself in the noon sun, while the idea of talking to this Jaden ended before it began. 136
Something had to be done, and soon. He didn’t think that Asya was the type to give up easily, and he couldn’t spend eternity looking after Helen. Not that he wouldn’t overly mind, but he doubted Artemis would let him put off his Hunter duties for much longer. At least he was able to get out for a few hours each evening to kill Daimons, but even while doing that, Helen had been in the back of his mind, and him hoping his place was secure enough to protect. 137
“Fuck,” he whispered. “You’re the only one who can save me, so why would I trade you?”138
Not expecting any sort of answer, he wandered to an old oak tree that had been around longer than he could remember. Sitting down he leaned against the trunk and brought his knees up so he could rest his arms on them. 139
Beings were expecting him to protect someone from a goddess, and he honestly had no idea how he could continue. Circumstances over the past centuries had left him feeling lost at times, and this whole deal just added to that feeling. The only time he didn’t feel like he was barely in control was when he was with Helen. 140
Unfortunately, he would do or say something to completely mess that up.141
“I’m no good at this,” he said to the dark surrounding him. “I’m totally, completely lost here.”142
“It never hurts to ask for directions,” a deep voice said from behind.143
Vaughn was to his feet, and a weapon in each hand so fast that the stranger nodded once in approval. Staring at the person, Vaughn tried to get some sort of feeling from him. His senses hinted at demon, but he was getting such a weird vibe that he couldn’t be certain. All he knew was that absolute danger and power emanated from him, and although a smile was on his face, it didn’t reach his eyes…neither the green one nor the brown. 144
“Who are you?”145
“Jaden.”146
“And you got onto my property how?”147
“I go where I want, when I want, and you’re taking this rather calmly for someone that should be protecting Helen Vandis.” 148
Vaughn lowered the weapons in his hands, and slowly put them back into their hidden sheaths. The sensation he was getting from this being was oddly along the same lines that he felt when around Ash or Jared, and something told him that if this Jaden wanted Helen dead, then there wasn’t a damn thing Vaughn could do to stop it. So, he opted to get to the point of originally wanting to summon him in the first place.149
“Can Helen get her demon powers back?”150
“Of course,” Jaden said. “Her powers were bound by a novice, and have been leaking over the past few thousand years. Helen just has to get herself angry enough to…bust the dam, as it were… built around her powers.”151
”And how would she do that?” Vaughn asked, striving for patience. 152
Jaden smiled lightly. “You die.”153
Not sure that he heard correctly, Vaughn just stared. “Die as in dead, or die as in she returns my soul?”154
”Either or,” Jaden said with an unconcerned shrug. “That happens, and she’ll probably get her powers returned.”155
“What’s the catch?”156
Giving an approving nod, Jaden’s smile widened. “You’re not as dumb or annoying as most humans,” he said. “Yes, there’s always a catch, isn’t there.”157
“And this one would be?”158
“She gives her soul in service to someone.”159
Taking a step back so he wouldn’t be tempted to punch Jaden, Vaughn gave him a dirty look. “It always comes down to that,” he said. 160
“Yes, it does.” 161
Closing his eyes briefly, Vaughn exhaled. “I won’t die so she can be someone’s slave.”162
“There’ll be a fifty percent chance that you’ll be dead, permanently,” Jaden said. “What would it matter to you what happens, as long as she has her powers back.”163
“It would matter a hell of lot,” Vaughn said, taking another step back. Turning, he walked away, not looking back once as he quickly made his way across the area towards the lights of the house in the distance.164
Watching as he basically vanished into the dark, Jaden shrugged, then vanished. Appearing in another part of the property, he watched as two figures talked, then one walked away. 165
Waiting while the person approached, Jaden tapped his hand on his leg impatiently. He really shouldn’t be doing this, since technically it could be seen as going against a bargain that was made a long time ago… but, somehow it just seemed like the proper thing to do, especially in light of yet another bargain that had been dealt long before.166
“Helen,” he said, as she walked past where he had been hiding.167
Stopping with a small shriek, Helen spun, took a step and punched out. Her hand connected with a solid chest, and she jumped back in shock when the person didn’t so much as flinch. 168
“Yeah, don’t do that again,” Jaden warned lightly. 169
“Keep away from me,” she said, taking another step back.170
“I know why you hate me,” he said. “Don’t really care, but I can understand the reason.”171
“Good to know,” she said, turning to walk away. Stopping as he appeared in front of her, she sighed. “Nothing good ever comes from talking to you.”172
That was true, but it was something that Jaden had long since come to terms with. “There’s a problem here,” he said. “Your husband traded for power. He was told to remove all those in his way. Ideally, it would have been prison for you, but…” he shrugged. “Demons are seldom wise when it comes to things like that.” 173
Returning his duo-colored gaze warily, Helen had to admit that she was intrigued with why he was telling her this. And, although she hated to admit it to herself, the green and brown eyes held a soothing effect.174
“And here’s where the problem lays,” he continued. “Long before your husband bartered with me, a descendant of yours made a deal.”175
“What?”176
“Your great-great-great grandfather made a deal that his descendants would always find happiness and be safe.” Leaning back against the tree behind him, and feeling the soothing natural powers flowing though it, he continued. “That is why you didn’t die when your husband did, and also why you’ve managed to survive since then.”177
Shaking her head in confusion, Helen tried to absorb it all. “Wait, so… I’m still alive because of a trade, and I’m in this predicament because of another trade?”178
”Basically.”179
“When does the happiness and being safe kick in?” she demanded.180
“I only give people the means to do things,” he told her. “How the rest plays out is really dependant on others.” Standing, he gave her a penetrating stare. “Everything that happened so far has done so for a reason. Happiness will be the end result with your being as safe as can be.”181
“So you say.”182
“My word is about all I have,” he told her. “And as such, I keep to it.”183
“So…” Helen stopped, not sure that she wanted to continue. 184
“How do you get to the end point?”185
“Yes.”186
”The Dark-Hunter has to die.”187
~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~188
“My hell is my own making.” Staring into the darkness as he walked, Vaughn tried to work through that idea Ash had mentioned a while back. He knew that his death was a result of being too stupid to realize that his wife had been playing him for the ultimate fool, and his sister’s death came from him trusting the wrong person. 189
Over the years, hell had come in many forms, and most indeed from his own making. But now he had the chance to find some heaven amongst the brimstone, and there seemed to be a thousand and one things blocking his path. 190
Too many powerful beings were on the sidelines, expecting him to do the right thing… only Vaughn had no idea what the right thing was, and only knew that he’d somehow mess up horribly and screw another person over. The first choice would be to just walk away and let the demons sort out the mess of their own family. 191
He couldn’t do that to Helen, though, and every other option so far just seemed to dig him further and further into a hell that, for once, wasn’t his own making. And that realization was scaring the heck out of him. The only good thing in the whole scenario was Helen… and the chance that she might be able to return his soul to him. 192
But for that, he’d have to die…which would, according to Jaden, unlock Helen’s powers. And, unfortunately more than likely tie her soul to someone for eternity. He’d be dead, maybe, she’d be a slave again, and everything would be just as it was two thousand years ago when he created his own hell. 193
Sighing at the odd cyclic nature that history seemed to have, Vaughn stopped suddenly when he realized that he wasn’t alone. A quick check confirmed that it was Helen, but she seemed too deep in thought to notice him. Stepping off to the side to seclude himself behind some trees, he watched her. 194
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The Dark-Hunter has to die. 195
There was no way Helen would kill someone for her own gain… well, at least someone that she’d been intimate with. Had it been the Vaughn of a couple weeks previous, she would have skewered him without a second thought. Now, she’d gotten to know a little more about him, and discovered that underneath that asshole attitude was someone desperately trying to keep things together so he could protect others from an evil they didn’t know existed. 196
Not that he was actually a neurotic mess, but more of someone that thought too much and had things affect them on a higher level than others. He seemed to base things on needing to have the truth out front, and then compared it to his pre-Dark-Hunter life. She could understand it to an extent, but to her it seemed like he was giving far too much power to the event that had set his future in motion. 197
Suddenly realizing that she was being watched, Helen turned around, not sure what to expect. Standing about twenty feet away, Vaughn stared at her, like a statue in his black jeans, black shirt, leather jacket and boots. The wind gently tousled his light brown hair, and she had to admit that he made a rather magnificent image. 198
Relieved that it wasn’t someone she’d have to fight or barter with, she approached. Stopping a few feet away, Helen returned his stare, nervousness starting when he didn’t move. “Something wrong?” she asked.199
“I was about to ask you the same.” 200
Remembering what Peter had said about Vaughn preferring things not be glossed over, she decided to tell him. “Jaden appeared.”201
“Yeah?” Vaughn asked, feeling a dread that she’d found out about his conversation. 202
“He told me how to get my powers back.”203
“How?”204
“You have to die.”205
Studying her, Vaughn waited while she stared. “Just how badly do you want your powers unlocked?”206
“Not that badly,” she said, wondering why he wasn’t overly concerned about the revelation.207
“You’re a terrible liar, Helen,” he said, slowly reaching into his pocket. Pulling out a butterfly knife, he expertly flipped it open while he continued to stare at her. Spinning the knife, he held it out for her to take, sighing when all she did was stare in confusion. 208
“What are you doing?” she asked, not understanding. 209
“Giving you the opportunity to reclaim yourself.” Leaning over slightly he placed the hilt of the knife in her hand, and then closed her fingers around it. Raising her hand, he took a step forward, bracing for pain.210
Shocked, Helen pulled out of his grasp and dropped the knife before it had a chance to penetrate past his jacket. “You idiot!” 211
Returning her incredulous look with a calm one, Vaughn merely shrugged, then bent over to retrieve his weapon. Spinning it closed, he placed it back in his pocket and went back to her fuming gaze. Not like the stab would have killed him anyway, but he needed her to get some practicality into her thinking. She could feasibly return his soul, and for that to happen, he would have to die. That alone could be the key to releasing them both from hells over their own making. 212
“Sometimes we want something so bad that we’ll do anything to get it,” he said in a soothing tone. “But when the time comes to do that anything, we realize that we can’t.” 213
“I could never kill you, you dumb ass,” she said, forcing her self from smacking him upside the head. 214
“Why not?” 215
“Why not?” she repeated, not seeing how he could even ask such a question. 216
“I’m a shadow in the night, and not given second consideration,” he told her. “I’m nothing.”217
“Damn it, Vaughn! Do you really have such a low opinion of yourself?” Running her fingers through her hair, Helen looked at him with disbelief. 218
Taking a step back, he shook his head. “My opinion doesn’t matter,” he told her. “What matters here is your ability to get your powers back so you can protect yourself from someone that wants to destroy you.” 219
“I know,” she whispered, suddenly tired. 220
“It’ll be okay,” he said. “I promise.”221
“You can’t make that promise,” she told him. 222
“Yes, I can.”223
Tilting her head at his conviction, she tried to see some hint of a plan in his features. The only way she could see how he could keep that promise was for him to die… and that thought made her angry. “Please don’t sacrifice yourself for me. I couldn’t take it if something happened to you.”224
Blinking at the words, a small smile graced his lips. “Really?”225
Realizing what she’d said, Helen shrugged. “I didn’t mean it like that.” Feeling bad as hurt sprung to his eyes, she shook her head. “And I didn’t mean that like that, either.” 226
Tapping down the confusion that wanted to surface again, Vaughn inhaled deeply. “You’re beautiful,” he blurted out.227
“What?”228
“Nothing.”229
“Vaughn,” she warned.230
Ready to kick himself for even saying it, Vaughn was ready to walk away. Then, he saw the hope in her eyes that his words had given her, and decided for once to actually imagine that maybe a woman could return the feelings that he felt for her. “You’re beautiful,” Vaughn told her. “I just never realized until now.”231
Arching an eyebrow at that comment, Helen wasn’t sure how to take it. “Gee, thanks.”232
“I mean I’ve always thought you were very sexy, and indeed beautiful, but…” he trailed off, and gave her a crooked smiled as he slowly walked up to her. “I’m talking about inner beauty, Helen… and it’s something you’ve snagged me with.”233
“Come again?”234
Raising a hand to slowly run through her hair, Vaughn lowered his lips to just above hers. “You’re beautiful,” he whispered, and kissed her briefly. “And a bitch,” he added, kissing again. “And a demon,” he said, giving a third kiss. “And I think I love you.”235
Raising a finger to cover his lips as he went for another kiss, Helen moved back slightly so she could look at him. “Repeat that last part,” she said, surprised at her self for the excitement that coursed through her body when he’d said it. 236
Walking around her, he circled like an animal looking for a weak spot. “There is no escape for the likes of us,” he said, his voice sending an erotic chill over it. “But when I’m with you, I feel like anything is possible… even the return of my soul.”237
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Comments
1 - 7 of 7
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Astounding
Sweet! I absolutely love it when Jaden appears. That guy is like the Devil only sympathetic. He gives you what you need to get what you want and then lets you mess it up yourself. Evil but interesting. So cool that Vaughn admitted how he feels about Helen. Keep it up!
beginning: 5, language: 5, plot: 5, ending: 5, dialog: 5, characters: 5.
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I love this chapter! And I love Vaughn! Keep on writing, you are so good at this!
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aawwww. vaughn confesses his love. how sweet and lovey-dovey. but vaughn is a fat fatty for eating peter's hmaburger. fat fatty! he should stop be lazy and make his own damned food XP.
there are time when i think i want to kill jaden for the choices he gives people. like i reallly want to say 'bad jaden, bad!' and slap his hand like he is a little kid or something. that would be halerious!
he would be like 'what did u just do?' with a stern glare
'i slapped ur hand and called u a bad boy. deal w/ it.'
i would sooo want to witness that. =huggles nim- i still wuv nim. i think i included that in all my other comments. i lovey lovey nim. he is sooo cute. i wander wat he would do if u tried to dance w/ him? ?_? i want to try! lol
beginning: 5, language: 5, plot: 5, ending: 5, dialog: 5, characters: 5.
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Well, the squire is there to make sure that Vaughn's taken care of
.... but the snagging of the burger was to show that Vaughn's slightly greedy in certain things.
Jaden...
I really didn't like him at the beginning, but after a few novels, I actually do, and want to know why he likes to give people the means to screw themselves over... since it always seems to turn out that way.
Nim is a cutie, and I go 'awwwww' everytime he appears. -
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XD knowing me w/ my food i woulda slapped vaughn and be like 'no, my fod, u have hands, get ur own.' then again i am a fat fatty XP
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I've been following this series of yours and I really have been enjoying them. I am curious though, I'm not familiar with the Dark-Hunter series. Is it a book or a movie?
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Thanks! Appreciate you reading and enjoying the series.
The Dark-Hunter Series is a book series by Sherrilyn Kenyon, which includes Dark-Hunter, Were-Hunter, Dream-Hunter and whatever else her mind creates. Currently, there are over 20 books, with more to come. She also writes historical fiction under the name of Kinley McGregor (MacGregor?), although I prefer her paranormal romance/adventure of the Dark-Hunter realm. http://www.dark-hunter.com is her web site in case you're interested.
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