Bastard!! Fan Fiction / Gundam Wing Fan Fiction / Macross Fan Fiction / Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Shades of Humanity ❯ Chapter 3

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

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Chapter 3 0x01 graphic
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They sat in the great throne room of Seth in the Vampire Domain.
Colombe had provided them with the remaining eleven names before she
found out of her mother's death. She had cried helplessly for a few
hours before Nerouki slid her something in her water that made her
sleep. They enjoyed the silence of the palace as the Vampires mourned
the Queen's death. Freedan remained expressionless but Ice and Airiad
talked quietly about how he didn't seem to be handling the whole
situation too well. Though they had known the High Lord a shorter time
than Nerouki, the High Lord seemed to have bonded with them in some
way she could not. With a sigh, she uncrossed her legs and stood. The
entire population of the Domain was in that huge throne room and she
threw a subtle spell over her voice so she could talk quietly but
still have the person in the farthest corner hear her as if she was
talking to them from two feet away. The room's silence thickened and
she cleared her throat.

"I'm going to call out eleven names and those people can either step
forward themselves or we will hunt them down."
"What are you doing?" Ice hissed.

"No, this is what I would have done," Airiad said.

"Exactly!" Ice threw up his hands in exasperation and turned away,
looking at the despondent High Lord who sat sprawled in the King's
seat, next to the Queen's throne.

"What makes you think the guys who managed to betray you will be dumb
enough to be here as we speak, lest you recognize them?" A man asked,
stepping forward. His long black hair swung about his face as a woman
jostled him, trying to get him to remain silent.

"I swept the Domain. Everybody in this Realm is in here."
"And what will make you think that we will speak? You ask us to betray
powerful wizards. We will die if we do this."
Freedan stood and the murmurs of discontent died. He looked at Nerouki
and she felt that powerful rush of sexuality sweep off him as his gaze
took in her face, those black eyes searching. "Give it up," he said
quietly. "These people would rather die in a massacre than leave the
guilty to be punished."
"What is he talking about?" A teenager shrieked. He looked angry but
scared in the flickering torchlight, tucked between two burly men.

"I'm talking about death, kid." He said, his eyes locking on the green
eyes of the lad before him. It seemed as if Freedan had tuned out the
entire Universe, narrowing its population down to him and this punky
teenager who thought to say something. "You're mother's death, your
sister's death and your death. Everybody in this room will die. And it
won't have anything to do with us."

"This is madness!"
"All we're asking for is names."
"Darien." Came one voice, hesitant and almost too faint for even the
High Lord, Vampire himself, to hear. He nodded.

"Kefka and Jon!" Came a female this time, indignant.

"Jeffrey, Angel, Tamara and Jezebel." Came the angry teenager, looking
scared now of the two men on either side of him.

"Linda and Felix."
"Daniel."
"Sara."
Freedan turned to Airiad, Ice and Jemis. "Kill them all." They stared
at him. "Do it!" He yelled suddenly and Nerouki jumped. Her hand flew
to her heart and her eyes widened with terror at what he was saying.
Hesitantly, Jemis turned to Nerouki for guidance. She felt Freedan's
anger flare and then he turned and swept a hand over the crowd. A
spray of blood erupted from each body and when the Vampires' screams
had died off, only twitching bodies lay on the floor, each with their
hearts tucked between their teeth. Freedan walked down the steps of
the throne and out the door, not so much as looking back. The four of
them gulped and followed.

"Why the Hel did you do that?" Ice snapped angrily.

"They were lying to us, couldn't you tell."
"No, and I bet you truly couldn't either!" Ice snapped. "You're just
angry you ended up killing an ex-lover who expressed an interest in
you before you had her eliminated! If you think blowing yourself up in
the process somehow atones for the blood on your hands, then you truly
are mad like those people said! I wouldn't lay down my life for a man
who would indifferently--"

"Enough!" He snapped, whirling around to face the shorter man. "Stop
talking to me as if I am cold and uncaring. Make me to be that way all
you want, but it broke my heart to destroy her, to even be betrayed by
her a second time. I killed myself and it didn't even touch on the
pain I feel. And I never asked for anybody to lay their lives down for
me, I never asked to be High Lord of the Worlds and I never asked to
be charged with saving the Universe! I asked only to be left alone to
govern my people as I saw fit. I asked only to have my sister and
myself safe from harm, both physical and emotional. And I asked only
that the Universe die quickly so that nobody would have to suffer. But
no! Now I am saving the fucking Universe and millions will die because
of our efforts. I will not hold back in my duty just because I do not
want it! I will do as I see fit, what I think is right, and if you
don't like it then leave, but pray you're never on my list." He turned
around and began walking faster towards the Portals. "I can only be
who I am, no more, no less." He seethed, shoving his hands in his
pockets.

"The Prophecies--"

"Fuck the Prophecies! I didn't want to be mentioned in any bloody
Prophecy! I only ever wanted to become a hermit or a sensei of some
lowly type of ninja nuns from Canada. But I'm neither a hermit nor a
sensei and I don't think the nuns in Canada study the martial arts.
All my dreams have been destroyed. The least you could do is either
leave me to do this my way or not argue with me when I do!"
They stared at him, then at each other. He stopped before the Portal
and turned back towards them, his cheeks slightly flushed but his face
otherwise expressionless. "I'm going to walk through that Portal and
I'm going to go home. I've done my duty so far, and I don't care what
any of you think." He stormed through the Portal, slicing his hand and
slamming it against the cube for Shadowia. The others swiftly cut
their own hands and joined them before Nerouki grabbed the High Lord's
free hand. They returned to Shadowia safely and told the Universe the
news.

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Freedan looked down at his handwriting and wrinkled his nose. He had
never liked his handwriting much. He thought it looked too feminine.
There was a knock at his door and he quickly sealed the letter and
sent it on its way to the capital of Galbarsch before announcing them
audience. Nerouki entered, wearing a black shirt with sleeves that
came down to the middle of her forearms, a long flowing black skirt
and soft soled boots. She bowed and he wondered why she never
curtsied. He inclined his head and folded his hands before him on the
desk, looking at her with mock interest.

"How may I help you, Takashi?"
She flopped down on the couch on the other side of the desk and gave
him a sheepish grin. "You scared the shit out of us three days ago
when we were in Seth."
"Poor baby."
She stood and walked over to his side of the desk and sat down on the
edge of it, her thigh brushing his hand through the soft fabric of her
skirt. She leaned forward and kissed his forehead.

"I just wanted to let you know that I support your decision and I
think I under-stand why you did it, too."
"Enlighten me," he said, leaning back and propping his feet up on his
desk, lock-ing his eyes with hers.

"You were unsure of whether they were lying." His eyes narrowed. "So
rather risk the World by believing them and possibly killing eleven
innocents, you killed them all and risked killing uncountable amounts
of innocent people, i.e. the Universe."
The corner of his mouth twitched and he finally broke out into a
genuine smile. "It's so rare that somebody understands me. Where in
the Nine Worlds did you come from, Takashi?" He stood and placed his
hands on her shoulders gazing into her eyes before letting them turn a
relieved light blue. She stroked his cheek, wondering what it would be
like if she leaned up slightly and kissed him. Would he be angry,
would he go into regressions, would he be flattered, would he return
it? His hands were massaging her shoulders and she was finding it
harder to think. What would he think if she came onto him and he was
merely just showing his appreciation for her? She figured she would
wait. But then, a warm soft mouth was pressed against her forehead and
the arms tightened, drawing her head to his chest. When they separated
he was sitting again.

"Freedan, can I ask you something?"
"You just did."
"Thanks," she said, pointedly ignoring him. "I was wondering if you
would spend a day with me." He raised an eyebrow and she gave him a
sheepish grin. "I've been with the dead for a good chunk of my life.
Well... all of my life. I was wondering if you would take me out for a
day and just show me Shadowia. Had I grown up with my rightful mother,
I would know Sarcasia, and I plan on asking her next, but right now I
think it's safer with you."
"'Safer with me?' Why do you say that?"
She smirked. "You don't hesitate."
He thought a minute before quietly said "Alright. When?"
"Tomorrow alright with you?"
"Um... no. Not good. I expect Verdezzni to mail me a letter with a
list of demands that will have to be taken care of tomorrow. How about
Thursday, the day after? I don't think Sadi would mind having to take
care of the prisoners for me."
"Prisoners?"
"Some people here commit treason, trying to sell me out to my enemies,
of which I have many." He flashed her a rare grin and she noticed for
the first time, his dainty little fangs. She smiled unconsciously,
finding them most adorable. He would absolutely die if I described any
part of him as `most adorable!' she thought gleefully. "So we lock
them in the Dungeons and torture them for three days before they get
killed. They only die on Thursdays."
"Why Thursdays?"

He shrugged. "Tradition?"
"Liar."
"Indeed." He gave her that grin but then a letter appeared in
Freedan's lap bearing the official UGG stamp. He sighed and shooed her
away. "Noon, be ready by noon on Thursday, alright?" She nodded and
left to see him pulling out a thick wad of complaints, which he
groaned at the sight of.

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"General Kershaw to see you, sir."
"Thanks Sadi." Freedan waved a hand, still facing out the window. He
heard the door shut and the double thud of a salute. He smirked and
gestured for Kershaw to sit. He heard the creak of the leather sofa
and then he turned, the darkness from beyond melting and becoming a
part of him. "What is the problem this time, General? I hear during my
absence your men not only got massive cases of diarrhea, but you also
found five of your best men piss drunk harassing my sister?"
Kershaw blushed furiously as he slowly nodded. "Aye sir. It happened
before I knew what was going on, a man goin' by t' name o Felix left
his mark on me men. Said he'd be back for ye when he got t' chance.
Left in a hurry, t' lad did."
"Felix..."
"Was a Vampire, they said. Word is ye eradicated the Vampire Domain.
Why's this fella still `live I wonders?"
"Your job isn't to question your authorities, but to obey them, as
your men do you isn't that right, Kershaw?" Freedan sat down, placing
his hands palm down on his desk.

"Aye sir." Freedan leaned forward, his eyes narrowed.

"Then don't question me. What happened now?"
"One o yer personal men got himself perished, sir."
Freedan paled. "Who?"

"Man goin' by t' name o Darien. Darien Stone."

Freedan sighed. "My uncle. It's no big deal, Kershaw."
Kershaw's bushy eyebrows almost shot up into his receding hairline at
Freedan's dismissive attitude. "'No big deal?' Pardon me for
questionin' ye sir, but blood is thicker an' water if ye ask me."
"I don't believe I did, to be quite honest." Freedan said dryly.

"Plus, if this killer is a rampagin' through t' Palace, it's me duty
to stop his mangy arse and I can't do that if me men have got t'
runs!"
"True. How true. Kershaw--"

"Furthermore," Kershaw ranted, "Me wife has gone missin' and ye only
love once, sir. If ye ask me, ye only love once."
"I beg to differ. I have loved twice."
"Then yere a lucky man, sir. But if we was talkin' about this dead
Queen yeve taken a likin' to, would ye be more anxious t' help me?"
Kershaw's sharp eyes narrowed. "Because me wife is t' me as this Queen
is t' you."
"I think you're mistaken Kershaw, there's nothing going on between the
good Lady and I."
"On the contrary, sir. She's been gushin' about Thursday and how
excited she is t' be spendin' t' day with ye. I think there's
something `tween ye."

"Get out of here Kershaw. I'll find your bloody wife."
Kershaw stood and thumped his fist from his heart to his shoulder in
two quick snaps before he bowed deeply. "I thank ye, sir. Tisn't
anything I could possibly be wantin' more from ye than this little
favour." He turned and left and Freedan frowned before calling
Nerouki, Jemis, Ice, Truisch and Airiad into his study.

"Yes?" Truisch asked when Freedan sat there, staring at his hands.

"A Vampire killed my uncle, gave my troops massive diarrhea, and also
kidnapped my general's wife."

"Damn! When did all this happened?"
"During my leave. Do you think everybody in Seth was innocent?"
"No." Nerouki said before the men could honestly voice their opinions.
On a shielded line she `Pathed -We have to tell him what he needs to
hear. He's fragile, and I don't think you people realize this.-

-I think he's insane!- Truisch seethed back.

-Partly that, but there's a trickle of humanity left in him, too. Give
me a chance, will you guys? I was born on the day of Cultural
Awareness or something.-

-You were born on the same day as the High Lord and his twin sister.
Be careful.- Airiad said solemnly and she gave him a reassuring smile
before turning her full attention back to the High Lord who was
twisting his hands nervously, something she had never seen him do
before. Ice stepped forward and flipped open a gold cigarette case.
Freedan gave him an appreciative smile as he removed one of the
slender black cigarettes and lit it, inhaling deeply for a moment. He
exhaled the smoke through his nose and it curled in tendrils about his
face.

"Why don't you think that, Takashi?"
For once, I wish you would call me Nerouki! She thought angrily.
"Because at least a few menacing Scents would have to be located in
order to assure that you would destroy Seth. I think Darien and any
remaining members of his clan are trying to make you do their dirty
work for them."
He sighed and put out the cigarette before folding his arms on the
desk and resting his head on them. Nerouki frowned as she watched his
shoulders slump and his breathing slow. Airiad peeked around Nerouki's
shoulder, his handsome face tight with concern.

"What are you thinking about High Lord?" He asked softly.

Freedan raised his head and a ghost of a smile played on his lips. "I
was thinking of giving up, but how you'd all ride my ass if I decided
to do so."
"Go ahead and give up." Truisch said with a shrug.

Freedan shook his head. "I can't."
"Freedan, Darien was the man who sent you to that awful boot camp. He
is responsible for the destruction of your teenage years. You don't
owe him anything!"
"On the contrary, Takashi. I owe him this kingdom. He was the one who
relinquished the throne to me after I murdered Kiri and David. And his
wife, Margaret, was against it, but she still loved him in a warped
sort of way."
The door opened and as if on queue, Margaret walked in. She had the
fullest set of waist long red hair, making Nerouki rather envious. Her
large eyes were a beautiful shade of sapphire and her blood red lips
were full, drawing steadily into a thin, tight line.

"Where is Darien?" She asked, her voice smooth yet husky.

"He's dead." Freedan said coldly.

"How could you have let this happen?" She shrieked, seeming to not
notice the four other people in the room who shifted uncomfortably
from one foot to the other.

"How could you have let me happen?" He countered viciously and she
winced.

"Freedan, I love you. You know that..."
"Do I?" He stood and lit his half smoked cigarette, sticking it
between his lips as he paced. "I'll find the man who did this. I have
a name and a race attached--"

"Oh well good. Because only one person in each Realm is named the same
name!" She snapped, rolling her eyes.

"I destroyed all the Vampires except for him." Freedan yelled angrily,
his eyes snapping with fury. "And I can get a description easily
enough. Go home to your blasted daughter and your fucked-up boyfriend
and leave me alone! I'll send you the killer's head on a pike!" He
turned from her and looked out the window. He could see Shadowia
bustling with people who were going about their lives, oblivious to
the heartless bastard they called their King. He sighed and turned
back to see Nerouki comforting a sobbing Margaret. When the woman
finally regained her composure she looked Freedan dead in the eye and
spoke to him with venom oozing from her voice.

"You are no real man. You are a useless bastard who knows only killing
and torture and you think because you were abused as a child you can
abuse others as you please! Well I won't let you live this down! I'm
going to the Universal Government of Galbarsch to see what the Pass of
Hand has to say about this!"
Nerouki pushed the woman away and spoke, her voice equally cold. "Then
I will have to testify against you. I have traveled with this man, as
have these men, and we know the compassion with which he deals with
problems. He doesn't act as cruelly as you think, you just don't
understand him."
"Don't understand him? Don't understand him! My husband helped make
him who he is today!"
"No, you helped make him what he is today."
"What? You little wench--"

"Did you not lie with Darien and come with child? Did you not allow
your daughter to have a regular Shadow man that created the bastard
half breeds Kiri and David, who lacked in strength so poorly that you
were disgusted with them and even the vile deeds they committed upon
your great-grand children didn't phase you? Don't tell me you're
innocent, Margaret, because you're not!"
There was a crack and Nerouki's head whipped to the left. Without
thinking, Freedan lunged forward and gripped Margaret's throat in his
hand, holding her off to one side as he checked to see if Nerouki was
alright. She flushed angrily and nodded she was fine before he turned
back to his great grand mother, a woman as youthful looking as
himself, and narrowed those cold black eyes.

"How dare you! Unhand me!" She gasped.

"You have harmed the Queen of the Dead, Margaret. Someday she will
Rule you. Are you sure you wanted to risk that?"
"I haven't risked a thing!"
"Get out." Freedan released her. "You are hereby banished from
Shadowia."
"I am as powerful as you! I have even greater power than you! I am--"
"Pissing me off. No go!" Freedan pointed toward the door and Margaret
huffed, straightening herself, trying to regain her composure. Then
she stormed out before settling a curse over him under her breath. He
ignored the curse when he realized nobody else had heard it. Maybe it
would finally kill him. Although now that Nerouki had arrived he
wasn't too sure he wanted to die. She listened when he talked and
encouraged him not to give up. He looked into her sparkling eyes, they
had settled into an indifferent blue, but the handprint was still on
her cheek. She blinked and looked at him with a start and then gave
him her sheepish grin. He smiled faintly at her and then sat down
again at his desk.

"What to do, what to do?" He mumbled as he picked up a pen and began
to sketch his sword on some official looking documents. He sighed and
plopped his chin in his hand, turning his gaze to his companions as
they sat on the leather couch opposite his large mahogany desk. "Well?
What do we do?" He asked, his eyes suddenly looking older than the
rest of him.

"We should go about our normal lives. This killer, Felix as it were,
isn't hesitating at all. He's moving at his own rapid pace and I don't
think we need to hunt him down, eventually he'll come and start
killing us off one by one. If he can get to us." Truisch said, his
eyes twinkling with mischief.

"General Kershaw said his wife has gone missing. I can't let that
alone..."

"Then we find her. It's that simple. And we start with the catacombs."

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Nerouki led Truisch, Ice, Jemis and Airiad through the catacombs,
trying to decipher the ancient map Freedan had produced. He regretted
not being with them, but he had audiences to grant and couldn't spare
any more time running around playing games with elusive killers and
the such. Unless his superiors made him.

Nerouki came to a fork in the dirt caverns and frowned, sweeping with
her newfound Gyft to try to discern any human life. It washed over her
in a stifling wave, and she staggered back into Jemis' powerful arms.
She heard the ring of steel as blades were drawn and the men swept to
the sides, flanking her efficiently. She regained her composure and
guided them down the left. They kept their protective circle around
her, moving at a brisk pace down the tunnels. They saw, through the
darkness that their eyes had grown accustomed to, a strange glow at
what seemed to be the end of the tunnel they traversed. Their paced
eased, caution increased and they traveled with their swords aloft,
but out of harm's way in case they had to attack. It wouldn't do to
kill Queen Takashi, they had reasoned, as it was obvious the High Lord
was courting her. She had whapped them in their heads at their words
and blushed furiously. Truisch, who seemed to be closer to her than
when they had first met, smiled weakly and turned away.

"I see we have guests." They froze at the masculine voice, deep and
cultured. A figure stood against the glow, black on black against
green.

"Who the Hel are you?" Airiad growled.

The man smirked. "Aren't you looking for me? My name is Felix
Du'urmont."

"And your reason for attempting to weaken the High Lord?" Ice asked
sharply.

"World domination. Isn't it obvious?" Felix looked confused and
Nerouki threw up her hands with a groan of disgust.

"How cliché of you! Don't you have anything better to do with your
time?"
He sized her up and she could sense Jemis and Truisch's anger rising.
How she could sense them, she was unsure of, but she knew that if this
man pushed them a step more then there'd be a fight in the cramped
confines of the tunnel. "I was thinking of taking myself a wife..."
Truisch and Jemis exploded in a snarl of whirling blades and cries for
people to watch out. Blood splattered and Felix laughed, a hysterical
laugh. He dodged every blow and the blood that fell belonged to either
a F'Dorian, an Elf or an Elemental. Finally the dance with death
dissolved and Truisch and Jemis stood glaring at each other before
they fell to the ground, bleeding and weak.

Nerouki sighed and stepped forward. "Hi Felix. I don't think we've
been properly introduced." Felix gave her a bland look, stepping over
the limp bodies on the ground. "My name is Crisjanis, the Queen of the
Dead." And with a single, searing thought she killed him. Her
remaining conscious companions stared at her in awe and horror. She
shrugged and lifted Truisch, gesturing for Ice to get Jemis. Then they
began their journey back to Geria.

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Freedan held back a yawn. The meeting over who would take over and
rebuild the Vampire Domain was more than tedious and he was having a
hard time finding the energy to look like he cared. He sipped some of
the offered wine before tuning back into the conversation with mild
interest.

"... And this does make him the last remaining Vampire, so he should
do it."
Freedan frowned. Aren't I the last remaining Vampire... Oh no! "NO!"
He cried out and they all stared at him.

Jilopshi Verdezzni, the Pass of Hand, narrowed his eyes. "High Lord,
you are used to responsibility, I'm sure you can handle this."
Freedan regained his composure swiftly. "It's not that I doubt my
abilities, I know my own strength and limits, it's just that I don't
care about Vampires nearly enough to govern them."
"There's nobody but yourself to govern." Verdezzni snapped.

"But you told me to rebuild the Domain. That would require infecting
people and thus, becoming and Original. And if I become an Original
then..." He shrugged, trailing off as he stared into his blood red
wine. He felt his hunger arise and suddenly everybody in the room was
deliberately wearing low-neck uniforms. He groaned inwardly as he felt
his fangs begin to elongate with the pangs of hunger.

"High Lord, as you know, you're supposed to be married by your third
decade. You have two choices. Find yourself a wife to help you Rule
and rebuild, or remain single until we come back again in three weeks
to execute you."
"Why does there have to be a High Lady?" He whined.

"Because it is already difficult enough for you to govern every World,
but a Domain now will make thing extremely hard. Also, because you
need guidance."
"I do not--" He started indignantly but he was cut off.

"Wedding or execution. You'll go to one or the other."
Freedan thrust his chin forward. "I'll see you in three weeks then.
Dismissed." With a huff, Verdezzni stood, and with a sharp gesture led
the UGG out of the High Lord's study, just managing to dodge Nerouki
and her wounded band of renegades.

Freedan groaned. "Now what?"

"Felix is dead." Ice said, looking stunned.

"Are you guys stoned?" Freedan asked suspiciously, hope shining in his
eyes.

"No, she can kill with a single thought, it was amazing!" Airiad said.

"Good for her." He watched as she morbidly sat the bodies up in the
chairs, arranging them to look attentive, in their sleep. Then she
flopped down and wiped a hand across her forehead, leaving a bloody
streak. Freedan shook his head when she inquired how the meetings
went.

"The first few started out with people curious as to how I wiped out
the Domain, and in the end the UGG told me I either marry or die."
"You chose death, didn't you?" Ice asked, narrowing his cold eyes.
"You idiot!"
"Marry for strength," Nerouki suggested.

"It doesn't matter. I'd need an heir. They're using the Dynasty as a
breeding farm for more powerful Shadows," Freedan ran fingers through
his ice blond hair and sighed, slamming his forehead down on the
mahogany table.

"Find somebody who will produce a child that will be of no worth to
the Government."
"Yeah, like dead kids. Get a chick who has dead kids." Suddenly they
all froze and Nerouki felt a blush creep up her cheeks.

"I am not marrying! I'm only sixteen!" She roared.

Freedan glared at her. "I see I'm so desirable."
She flushed deeper. "No... it's not that it's just... I don't know..."
She twisted her hands nervously before slumping back, resting her head
on Truisch's shoulder.

"You wouldn't be doing it for the High Lord, but rather for the
Universe." Ice said to Nerouki with a voice that radiated such warmth
she almost fell off her chair. She stared at him and down at her
hands. Silence turned into eternity and finally she nodded.

Freedan sighed and rolled his eyes. "Great. Fucking great."
"Won't they check to see if you two have been sleeping together?"
Airiad asked with a grin. Freedan sent him a searing glare and the
Elemental huffed and sat back.

"We would have to share my suite when they come over to do studies,
and they will want an heir within a year."
"Born? Or on its way?" Nerouki asked, horrified.

"Either."

Nerouki suddenly gave Truisch and Jemis a shove, waking the two. Then
she dismissed everybody so she could talk alone with Freedan. When
everybody was gone and Nerouki had thrown up spells that blocked
anybody from hearing their conversation, Freedan looked up and gave
her a meek smile.

She walked down the length of the table and sat beside him, giving his
large hand a squeeze with her small pale one. She turned her full body
towards him and he gave her a haunted look. "Why are you so scared?"
"You're like your mother, you know that?" He said, ignoring her
question. She listened, wondering what her mother was like. "Beautiful
and inquisitive yet dangerous and serious. Funny and smart, wild and
free. You understand more than you let on and can even appear
harmless. However, nothing can diminish your air of royalty. It shines
like an aura on you..." He sighed. "And yet, you're like your father
in some ways. You sit and think things through, you never let on how
horrible life is, you ignore the pessimism that floats about you and
cheer people up, even when you're beginning to lose hope. You lie, but
only for the good of the people."
She smiled. "You don't know--"
"But I do. I'm like my parents."
She froze, remembering the disgusting things Kiri and David had done
to their only children, and how Freedan had gone insane shortly after
he hit puberty.

"I am evil, uncontrollable, arrogant and rash." He looked her dead in
the eye and she saw a terrible sadness in the glittering depths of
those black eyes, those almond shaped eyes, those beautiful and
somehow innocent eyes... "I am a tortured, wounded soul with more to
hide than I know how to show..."
"What are you worried about?"
"That I'll harm you. I wanted to die, that was the option I chose
because I don't want to hurt people. I do it because it's in my blood,
it comes naturally." His eyes had locked onto her neck and she
frowned, watching his mouth carefully when he spoke. Then, as he
opened to speak some more, she saw it. Fangs, deadly and sharp,
usually so dainty were now long and twisted, wicked looking. "I'd kill
myself before I ever do to you what they did to me. To us."
"You won't live long enough to hurt me. I'll kill you first." She
said, unaware she had spoken. She was reacting to the threat of a
hungry Vampire.

"I hafta to make you one of us... I mean, a Vampire." He said, his
eyes looking at her neck as if gazing into the eyes of a lover. She
took a deep breath and nodded.

"When?"
"Not now." He said, his voice husky. She could feel the sexuality
buzzing in the room, feel the warmth of his thigh next to hers, of his
hands holding hers. She wasn't even aware he had picked up her hand.
His body was warm, his flesh soft. She blinked back her surprise at
her desire, her lust and he suddenly coughed. He stood abruptly,
unfolding. She looked up at him. He was tall and slender but from the
angle she was looking at, he seemed powerful and deadly. He extended a
hand to her and she took it, realizing his nails were growing into
talons. She winced, thinking of him ripping apart his victim with
ferocity and violence, anger and lust. Her looked down at her and gave
her a sheepish grin.

"I'm hungry."
"I can tell..." His face didn't look any different, a little paler
than usual. He bent his head down, cupping the back of her head in one
claw like hand and she felt her heart race with fear. He said not now!
Not now! But she lay there and was surprised when soft lips brushed
hers in a fleeting movement. Then she was standing alone in a room.
She left, shaken.

8/27/01

Jilopshi Verdezzni, I have fulfilled the Prophecy listed below, as
have my companions and that explains my unexpected leave of Shadowia.
I have only been gone for a fortnight and doubt any trouble has
arisen, but on the off chance that it has, I will take care of these
problems immediately upon being informed. I apologize to you and the
UGG for any inconvenience.

My life is all for you,

Freedan Freno