Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Angels and Demons ❯ The Last Battle ( Chapter 12 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

A/N: This is it. The last chapter. *Tears* I hope you all enjoyed reading it, and don't worry. I've already started a sequel! So if you like this one, please send me a review and tell me what you thought. I'd love to hear from all you guys!

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Amber stood on the front steps, surveying Inverleigh. It was lovely in the late-morning sun, and the serfs chattered happily as they went about their daily chores. All stopped and greeted her, even the young children who lived on the estate.

She gazed down the road, a carriage coming into view. She watched as it pulled into the estate and stopped before her. A foot man leapt to the ground and opened the door.

“Milady,” he said. He held out his hand.

“Thank you,” she said, allowing him to help her inside. She sat calmly as he closed the door and the carriage started to Ikbar.

Once there, she was helped out. She walked up the steps to the front door. The Baron greeted her there.

“Good morning, milady,” he said. He held out his arm. “Allow me to escort you.”

She took his arm.

“We'll be in the garden,” he said. “I hope you don't mind.”

She shook her head. “Not at all,” she said. She let him lead her around to the garden, where a table was set for two. “This is sweet.”

He smiled and pulled her chair out for her. “Please,” he said. “Sit.”

She sat down and watched as he sat across from her. His servants brought them tea and small cakes. After a moment of silence, the Baron sat back and looked at her.

She returned his gaze and smiled. “Something on your mind, my lord?” she asked.

His gaze shifted to surrounding trees, then back to her face. He sighed. “I was just thinking,” he said. “About my proposal. I know it hasn't been more than a day, but…” His eyes searched hers.

Amber looked at the tea cup on the table. “I have been thinking about it,” she said. She let her hazel eyes meet his. “And I, regrettably, am going to have to say no.” She saw his eyes fall and his shoulders tense. “Don't think it was you,” she said hurriedly.

He looked at her. “Then what was it?” he asked quietly.

She dropped her gaze. A small smile graced her delicate features. “My heart belongs to someone else,” she said softly. “And I am willing to make sacrifices for him.”

The Baron's eyes hardened. “Are you?” he asked, his voice suddenly threatening.

She stared at him. She suddenly realized something wasn't right.

He smiled ruthlessly, moving to his feet. He walked over to her, pulling her to her feet. “I wonder if he's willing to make sacrifices for you,” he hissed, yanking the silver whistle from around her neck.

“No!” she yelled, grasping for it.

He held it just out of her reach. “So, tell me, Amber,” he said, “did he bewitch you or did you really fall for him?”

“No, my lord,” she begged. “Please.” She was afraid. How does he know about Dante? Then she saw Abbadon and his followers step from the trees. “You,” she whispered, her eyes narrowed.

He grinned. “Sorry, milady,” he said, “but you'll thank us later.”

The Baron handed him the whistle. “Summon him,” he growled.

Abbadon nodded, placing the whistle to his foul lips. He blew softly. No sound was emitted, but Amber felt a shiver run down her spine. She could feel Dante searching for her. She wanted to warn him, but his conscience was too separated from hers. All she could do was wait.

“What will you do to him?” she asked, her voice shaking. “You can't hurt him. He's not like you or me. He's invincible.”

Abbadon laughed. “We're gonna kill him,” he growled.

Amber looked at the Baron. “You can't,” she pleaded.

He pushed her into her chair. “Be quiet, woman,” he snarled. He looked up as a rustle came from the trees.

“I think it's him, my lord,” Abbadon whispered.

“Dante, run!” Amber cried.

The Baron turned to her. He raised his hand to slap her. “Silence!”

Amber cringed. She was surprised when she felt nothing, and she opened her eyes. Dante stood just outside the shelter of the trees. The wind blew his silver hair about his face. He was relaxed, but his eyes blazed angrily.

“Baron,” he said quietly.

The Baron stared at him, as if not believing his eyes. “So you do exist,” he snarled. “I'll show you to steal away what rightfully belongs to me.”

Dante's eyes narrowed.

The Baron turned to Amber, pulling her to her feet. He looked at Abbadon. “Take care of him,” he said, pushing Amber ahead of him toward the mansion.

“Dante!” Amber cried. “Run away!”

His eyes softened. He stepped toward her, but his path was blocked by Abbadon and his three lackeys. He couldn't hide an amused smile.

“You intend to fight me?” he asked.

Abbadon drew his dagger. “I intend to try,” he growled.

In the blink of an eye, Dante had disabled the man, snapping his wrist. He turned on the others, growling. “Any one else want a go?”

Fear was plain on their faces, and they turned and fled.

Dante turned and looked toward the mansion. He could hear Amber's protests as the Baron forced her along. He felt her distressed thoughts and could smell her fear. He could also sense the Baron's wrath. He intended to harm Amber.

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The Baron forced Amber into the mansion. She struggled against his grasp.

“Where are you taking me?” she asked, her eyes wide with fear.

“Somewhere where that abomination will never find you,” he growled. He forced her up the stairs and toward the west wing tower. Once there, he shoved her to the floor, walking toward the window.

Suddenly a shadow fell over them. Amber looked up. Dante was crouched on the window sill, looking the Baron in the eye. The Baron backed away, fear and surprise on his face.

Dante stepped into the room, his arms crossed in front of his chest. He stepped toward the Baron. “You're really getting on my last nerve,” he said quietly.

“Oh yeah,” the Baron growled. He drew a dagger. “I feel the same way.”

Dante's eyes seemed amused. Then he realized the Baron's target wasn't him. He watched as he pulled Amber to her feet. He held the dagger to her throat.

She met his gaze, her eyes begging.

“Don't hurt her,” Dante said quickly. His voice was calm, but his eyes were distressed.

The Baron smiled crazily. “She's mine,” he said, his voice deadly. “Are we clear, vampire?”

Dante watched him, his brow creasing in confusion. “You would kill her so that none could have her?” he asked.

The Baron's grip on her tightened, causing her to wince in discomfort. “Yes,” he growled. “I would. Now go back to your cemetery and never make an attempt to speak to her again.”

Dante stepped toward the window. “As you wish,” he said, bowing.

Amber stared at him. “Don't leave me,” she whispered.

He glanced at her, then at the Baron. He noticed that his grip had loosened, and he seized the moment. In less than a second, he was on the Baron. He managed to free Amber, but, in their struggle, the Baron managed to slash his arm.

He stepped back, in severe pain. His skin burned from the silver, and his blood flowed freely. Amber ran to him.

“Dante, are you alright?” she asked.

He nodded, watching the Baron. His senses were dulled from the pain, but he saw the Baron twitch. Then he saw him move toward them. Amber was in the way.

Almost in slow motion, Dante pushed Amber out of the way. He vaguely recalled catching the Baron's arm, just before his dagger plunged into his rib cage. He remembered pulling the Baron's arm toward him, slamming him into the wall. He watched as the Baron slumped to the ground, unconscious.

Then Dante grasped the dagger in his chest. He could feel his breathing labored already, and the silver burned his flesh. He yanked it from his body, letting it fall to the floor.

“Dante!” Amber cried, running to him. She caught him as his knees buckled, and she eased him to the floor.

His face twisted in pain. “Damn him,” he growled.

Amber cradled his head in her lap. She brushed his silver hair from his face. “Shh,” she whispered. “It's alright.” She felt tears threatening to choke her. It frightened her to see him this way. She had never heard him speak so or seen him hurt before.

He sensed her fright. He did not want to scare her more, but he knew he was going to die. His green eyes shifted to meet her hazel ones. “No,” he whispered. He winced as he drew a breath. “It was silver.”

She stared at him, not understanding. “But you're not like us,” she pleaded. “You're not weak like mortals.”

A faint smile came to his lips. He was pleased to hear that she though so highly of him. “But it doesn't mean I don't have a weakness,” he breathed. He lifted his bloody hand so he could see it. “I am not totally impervious to death.”

Amber blinked away the tears that blurred her vision. She felt them roll slowly down her cheeks. “But you can't die,” she said quietly.

He met her eyes. It was then that he realized that her very existence hinged on him. If he left her, there would be nothing left. She would truly be alone. He felt a pain in his chest, one that had nothing to do with his wound. He couldn't do that to her.

He opened his mouth to speak, but a violent pain silenced him. He felt as if something was tearing apart his insides.

“Dante,” she whispered. Her heart ached for him, and she noticed that his blood had begun to cover the floor around them. She touched his face, only to find it cool against her fingers.

“I don't think I have much time left,” he whispered.

Amber felt desperation sweep her. “Maybe if we could move you,” she said through her tears. “Then we could get you help.”

He shook his head. “No,” he breathed. “I can't be exposed to the world. It wouldn't accept me.” He met her eyes, his pleading with her. “Things are better this way.” Humanity was not ready for his kind.

Amber thought of any option she could use. Then she remembered the amulet her father had given her. She looked at Dante. “What if you were human?” she whispered.

He smiled. “Then I would want to live,” he whispered, cringing again. Now it hurt him to speak. “I would want to stay with you. I want to stay with you now, but not in this form. I want to remember how it feels to love some one, and in this form I can't. I would rather die than continue to exist this way.”

Amber's voice shook. “You can't,” she cried. “You can't. What do I do with out you?”

He met her gaze. He didn't realize it, but a tear came to his own eyes. “I'm sorry,” he whispered.

She thought for a moment, unable to speak. “What if I got the amulet?” she whispered. Her eyes became hopeful. “Then I could heal you.” She moved to her feet.

He managed to catch her wrist. “I may not be here when you return,” he said softly.

She knelt next to him, kissing him softly. “I have to try,” she whispered. Then she turned and ran from the tower.

Dante watched her go, wondering if he would ever see her again.

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Amber ran swiftly from the mansion. She ran to the Baron's barn and found his black horse waiting. She was surprised that it was saddled, and she guessed the Baron had intended to escape.

She led it into the sunlight, swinging onto its back. She spurred it into a gallop and rode quickly toward Inverleigh. The journey was only a few minutes, but they seemed an eternity.

Once she arrived, she rode to the front steps of the mansion. She leapt off the horse, bursting through the front doors. The servants panicked at her blood-stained clothes, but she ignored them. She ran to her room, nearly kicking down the door. She ran to her dresser and desperately dug through the drawers. She almost felt relieved when she found the amulet exactly where she left it. But then her thoughts turned to Dante. Her journey was only half over.

She raced back to the horse, leaping onto its back. She spurred it on to Ikbar. She had the feeling that Dante's conscience was slipping away from her. She felt panic and spurred the horse faster.

Once she reached Ikbar, she ran into the tower. As she raced up the steps, she could feel him slipping farther and farther away. She had just laid her hand on the door handle, when she lost all contact with him. She threw open the door, tears falling from her eyes. The sight before her brought her to her knees.

She fell next to Dante. He lay on the floor, not moving. His head fell to one side, and his silver hair was stained from the blood around him. His eyes were closed.

She softly touched his face, brushing his silver bangs away. His skin was cool. She let her tears fall, unchecked. He was gone. She rested her head against his chest and wept.

“No,” she whispered. “No. You can't leave me yet. I need you.” Deep in her heart she wished he was alive. She sat back and looked at him. She would give anything for him to be alive and well, and happy.

Suddenly a bright light began to filter between her fingers. She looked at the amulet in her hand. It glowed brightly, and she realized it was responding to her unspoken wish. The light grew, filling the room. Amber closed her eyes against the light.

Once it subsided, she blinked and looked around. Everything was the same as before, except for one thing. Amber stared at Dante.

He suddenly turned his head.

“Dante!” she cried, throwing her arms around him.

He hissed, his body still healing. “Careful,” he breathed. He sat up, looking around.

Amber stared at him. He appeared the same, but something was different. His green eyes were innocent and he didn't seem as alert as before. His gaze landed on her and he smiled. His fangs were gone.

“What happened?” he asked, pulling his silver hair away from his face.

She looked at the amulet in her hand. “I saved you,” she whispered.

He took her hand, gazing into her eyes. “Yes,” he said quietly, with a genuine, eye-touching smile. “You did.”

She returned his smile. She again felt tears come to her eyes, but they were tears of joy. She closed her eyes as he leaned toward her, pressing his lips to hers.

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Amber sat in the shade of the willow tree. She watched as the wind blew the branches, causing them to softly brush the surface of the river. The day was calm, as were the waters of the river. The breeze blew gently, carrying the scent of jasmine upon it. A strange sound startled her, and she glanced over her shoulder.

“What are you doing?” Dante asked, walking toward her. His silver bangs fell across his eyes as he sat next to her. His green eyes met her hazel ones.

“Dante,” Amber whispered, her eyes surprised. She felt a blush coming to her cheeks. “What are you doing here? You're early.”

Dante smiled softly. “I came to tell you something,” he said, his eyes dropping and turning to the river. The smile slid from his lips. His expression became unreadable.

Amber felt her heart catch. A warm shiver went down her spine. “What is it?” she asked.

He was silent for a moment, then he looked at her. His green eyes were anxious as he took her hand in his. Amber felt her breathing stop as he leaned toward her, placing a soft kiss on her delicate lips. She felt the blush return to her cheeks when she looked at him.

“Is that what you wanted to tell me?” she whispered.

He shook his head. “I love you,” he said quietly, holding her gaze.

She felt her blush deepen. Then she noticed the look in his eyes. She suddenly felt there was more. She felt an odd sense of deja vue.

“Amber,” he said, his eyes on the grass. “Can I ask you something?”

She nodded. “Of course,” she said. “Anything.”

He pulled something from his pocket. A small smile crossed his face. “Will you marry me?” he asked, handing her the object.

She took the small box, opening it slowly. She felt her hands shaking as she stared at the ring inside. Then she lifted her eyes to meet Dante's. She smiled as she nodded. “Yes,” she said softly. “Yes, I will.”