Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Angels and Demons ❯ Wishes ( Chapter 6 )

A/N: Here's the next chapter! Leave nice reviews and everyone gets a cookie!

 

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Dante shook the rain from his silver hair as he walked deeper into the graveyard. He looked up at a sound, only to see Dramuela moving toward him. He paid her no heed, lost in his own thoughts. He was surprised when the flash of silver caught his eye. He looked up.

 

Quick as lightning, Dramuela was on him, a silver dagger at his throat. She knocked him to the ground, and he could feel the silver burning his flesh.

 

“What do you think you're doing?” she snarled.

 

“What?” he breathed, confused. He stared up at her. Deadly anger burned in her dark eyes.

 

“Helping that human scum,” she hissed. She backhanded him with amazing force. “No, befriending her.”

 

Dante felt the sting of her hand on his face. He also felt the strained tendons in his neck. Had he been human, she would have broken his neck with that one blow. He turned his head, baring his neck to her.

 

“Go ahead,” he said. “Drink and kill me.” He saw her hesitate. “You think that she'll betray us. I can see it in your eyes. She can't do that if I'm dead.”

 

Dramuela was still, and her grip on the dagger wavered. Dante felt its touch on his neck lighten, and, with lightning speed, much faster than Dramuela, he grasped her wrist. With one easy move, he snapped it, and she dropped the dagger. In an instant, Dante was on his feet, the dagger in his hand.

 

Dramuela looked up at him, snarling. “You'll pay for that,” she growled.

 

Dante smiled. He watched as she healed her wrist, then lunged at him. He caught her, midair, flinging her to the ground. She was on her feet in an instant, and she came at him again. This time he used the dagger.

 

As she ran toward him, he sidestepped her, letting the blade catch her. Once she stopped, he saw blood running down her cheek. She turned on him, a deep gash across her right cheek.

 

She watched him grin as he looked at the blood on the dagger in fascination. She growled softly, her pride injured.

 

Dante sneered, touching the blood with his finger. “One drop,” he said quietly. His green eyes looked at her, challenging her to stop him. “That's all it would take.”

 

Dramuela stood up straighter, clenching her fists. Her wound was unhealed, and blood dripped to the ground. “Go ahead,” she said, the fire gone from her eyes.

 

Dante watched her for a moment. Then he tossed the dagger to her feet. The blade burrowed into the soft ground.

 

Her eyes lit with surprise.

 

“Because I let you be, I expect you to trust me,” he said darkly. “Next time I won't be so generous.”

 

Dramuela picked up her knife, sheathing it. She healed her wound, but she left a light scar. “A symbol of our pact,” she said, tracing the scar with her finger tips.

 

Dante nodded. He watched as she walked away. He calmed his pounding heart. Now he could have Amber in peace. He smiled as he thought about her.

 

He thought it was odd, but he considered her to belong to him, and he wouldn't let any one interfere. Not even Dramuela. If he must taste her blood to know her thoughts, he would, just to protect Amber from her. He knew Dramuela thought Amber would betray them.

 

Dramuela was extremely wary of humans, killing them ruthlessly. They had betrayed her in the past, driving her from her home, nearly killing her in the process. When Dante found her, she'd been clinging to existence only because of her sheer will to survive.

 

He sighed, sitting on a tombstone. It was several hours until dawn, and the rain was still falling. It was light and cold, and it stung his skin when it touched him. But he ignored it. Nothing compared to the loneliness he felt at the moment. He leaned his head back, letting the rain hit his face.

 

He felt it soaking him slowly, chasing a shiver from his body. He closed his eyes, feeling a deep despair within him. Why had Morgra chosen him to carry on her legacy? What sick satisfaction did she get out of being a vampire?

 

Then he chuckled to himself. He knew why she was that way. She craved the power. That was all she wanted. And now that she could call him, Dante, her blood-child, she had a status, too. He knew he possessed strength unparalleled to any other. But what did it matter if he felt the slow, dying agony of loneliness? Do others feel as I do? Do others long to be human again?

 

He opened his eyes, looking around. The rain had stopped finally, and the clouds were moving off. The full moon peered down at him from the heavens. The stars winked at him from a distance. The early morning was peaceful.

 

Dante breathed deeply. The smell of the rain permeated the air, but a hint of something else came to him. It was the scent of jasmine and honey. It was Amber's scent.

 

He released the breath, retreating into his mind. He could feel his consciousness touching hers still, but only faintly. He pushed harder, feeling her becoming near. He smiled as he caught glimpses of her dreams. She was sleeping. He stayed only a minute longer, but her subconscious mind found him.

 

Dante, she whispered. She shivered and her conscience felt cold.

 

Are you alright? Dante asked, not trying to shield his worry.

 

I'm cold, she said quietly, her voice faint. So cold.

 

He withdrew a little. Something was wrong with her. Do you still have my cloak with you?

 

Yes, she breathed.

 

Pull it tight around you, he said, slowly moving away. I will see you tomorrow night, but for now I must go.

 

Don't leave me, her voice was faint.

 

Dante pulled his mind away completely. He stood. The first rays of dawn were visible. He yawned. Why did the darkness seem so fleeting at the approaching dawn?

 

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Amber murmured in her sleep. She felt a cool hand against her cheek. Her eyes opened slowly.

 

“Milady?” Rupert said, looking down at her. His face was worried.

 

She blinked, confused. “Rupert?” she said, sitting up.

 

Rupert stopped her. “Please lay still, Milady,” he said. “You've come down with a fever.” He gave her a reproachful grin. “Perhaps you should consider staying home at night instead of sneaking out.”

 

She smiled softly. “Sorry,” she whispered.

 

“I know it's none of my business,” he said slowly, broaching the subject, “but why is it that you leave? Where do you go?”

 

“To the graveyard,” she whispered quietly. “To visit him.”

 

“Oh,” Rupert said. “Can't you visit during the day?”

 

“I just don't sleep well any more,” she said. She sighed. “It calms my mind. But I shall try to stop.”

 

Rupert nodded. “Good girl,” he said. “You definitely can't go out tonight. I don't want you to get worse.”

 

Amber nodded, coughing. She watched Rupert leave, and she sighed, pulling her blanket closer. How was she going to see Dante? He said he would see her, but how?

 

She closed her eyes, letting her thoughts slip away. It didn't really matter. If he said they would see each other, then maybe they would. She smiled as she thought about him. He came to her in her dreams. But was it really him? Or was I just imagining him again? She fell asleep thinking about him.

 

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A knock on the door woke her sometime later. She opened her eyes to see Rupert enter. She felt the warm sensation of sleep leave her as he walked over to her.

 

“Milady, are you feeling better?” he asked.

 

She nodded.

 

“Do you feel up to a visitor?” he asked tentatively.

 

She sat up a little. “Who?” she asked, the sleep gone.

 

Rupert felt her forehead. “The Baron?”

 

A frown creased her lips.

 

“Your fever has gone down,” Rupert said. He waited for her answer. “I can tell him you're still unwell if you'd rather not.”

 

Amber shook her head. “No,” she said. “He'd just come back later. Let him come up for a while.”

 

Rupert nodded and walked to the door. Several minutes later he returned, the Baron behind him.

 

“Lady Amber,” Griffin said, walking to her. “I was disheartened when I heard you'd fallen ill.” His eyes were filled with genuine concern. “I came as soon as I could.”

 

Amber smiled. “That's very thoughtful of you, my lord,” she said. She looked at Rupert. “Rupert, be a dear and bring our guest a chair.”

 

Rupert nodded. A minute later the Baron was seated next to her bed. Rupert left them for the time being.

 

Amber looked at the Baron. He was a fine man, easy on the eyes. He had dark brown hair and deep blue eyes. He was tall with a slightly muscular build. She could tell any woman would be glad to have him.

 

 

“How did you fall ill, Milady?” he asked. He gave her a reproachful grin. “Were you out again last night?”

 

She nodded. “Yes,” she said quietly. “I miss my father, so much that I can't sleep at night. I know I shouldn't, but I can't help myself.”

 

The Baron leaned closer. “You must be lonely,” he said.

 

She nodded. “I am,” she said, her voice quiet. She knew where he was steering the conversation.

 

“Have you considered taking a husband?” he asked.

 

Amber turned her eyes on him. “Who would I consider?” she asked, smiling. “I know not of a man suitable.”

 

The Baron dropped his eyes. “Would you consider me, Milady?” he asked quietly.

 

Her eyes widened. “You, my lord?” she said. “Why would you want to marry me?”

 

His blue eyes met her hazel ones. They were slightly relieved. “Ever since we met last summer, I have been quite taken with you,” he said. “I dared not say anything because you so clearly loved Gavin, but now I can contain it no longer. Consider me and I will make you the happiest woman on this earth.”

 

Amber stared at him. She was speechless at his brazen statement. Father, you were right, she thought. He is a good man. But would you encourage me to accept?

 

The Baron balked at her silence. “Please, don't answer now,” he said softly. “Just think on it for a while.”

 

Amber nodded. She watched him stand.

 

“I must be going,” he said, his eyes troubled.

 

Amber nodded. She watched him walk to the door. “My lord?” she said quietly.

 

He looked at her.

 

“Will you return?” she asked. “For my answer?”

 

He nodded with a gentle smile. “Of course, Milady,” he said. “Tomorrow?”

 

She smiled and nodded. “Tomorrow.”

 

“Good evening,” he said, bowing. He turned and left.

 

Amber looked out the window. She felt surprise. What came over me? Am I seriously considering the Baron's offer? She watched the setting sun. By day one way, by night another1. She felt so treacherous. But then she stopped.

 

What does Dante have to do with any of this? She sighed. Maybe part of me wants to believe that he is Gavin and that he'll still love me and come back to me. She shook her head, scoffing at the notion. And maybe I'm just a helpless little girl wishing for something I'll never get.

 

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(1)- This is a line from the movie Shrek. I didn't come up with it.