Mina Avalon's Story

It's because I care that I cannot tell you anything. Aleksei thought with a smile while taking the very hand she had pressed into her cheek and leading her back into the mansion, closing the doors he explained gently "The sun's never been friendly with my eyes," he of course wasn't going to tell her what she wanted to know because it wasn't what she needed right now. Placing a hand to her back he ushered her toward the living room and there they were met with much of the staff that were providing whatever the guests there asked for. Michael and Veratos were lingering by not really doing much and they seemed to perk up a bit when they walked in.

"The place is free for you all to roam about as you will," the pureblood began to say, then his eyes focused on Mina, she was there as well, watching him with a hint of disapproval in her cute face. She knew or at least it seemed she knew that he wasn't actually present, made more by the fact that she hadn't rushed to his side as enthusiastically as she normally would had he actually been there. The pureblood princess shook her head as she went on to leave them all, she had already introduced herself to the group before Aleksei and Isabella had walked in.

Returning his gaze to the guests, he cleared his throat and finished with saying, "If any of you need anything, just ask, my home is your home." Then he looked to Isabella and nodded to her slightly, "There is a place I would like to show you Isabella, would you come with me?" He gave her his arm for her to take, gesturing toward the hall with the other hand, looking like a prince indeed.

Standing, Veratos informed them all that she would be leaving for a mission that she had just received from Hunter H.Q. which was to find the pureblood responsible for turning random people into vampires and bring him or her to the Association to be dealt with, or for her to kill which was what she was planning on doing. Why hire her if she follows her own rules? They should have known that by now, she waved the others, and Isabella good bye and told her to inform Dean on that whenever he returned. Then she was gone

If Isabella were to accept, Aleksei would lead her to another section of the manor and past a set of double golden and silver doors to an entire room built especially for a book worm's haven. A grandiose and beautiful library complete with volumes of novels of all kinds and genres and subjects. This was the place he and Mina would escape to for hours when they had the time for it. Felt like forever since Aleksei had walked into the always welcome and bright library, he was sure she would love it.



"AVALON!" The voice shouted, pulling him away, away from there, and bringing him back to what was really going on. Aleksei sighed, his view of the girl he deemed the most important person in the world to him, besides his precious Mina, faded away, taking her place was the lavish crimson and gold carpet that lead all the way up to the throne where both Éclaire and Delano sat. Both staring down at him, Delano acting very regal and pompous, and Eclaire, more distant and inscrutable -but Aleksei recognized that look, it was the same look he would have when he didn't want anyone to know what he was feeling. Usually the sort of look that meant she was in so much pain that the best way to face anything at all was to face it numb, and further protect herself from more hurt. It was the coping mechanism that he had found out long ago was useless.

The queen was just as aware as he was, that the person there, calling himself the king wasn't anything of the sort. All they needed was proof though.

"AVALON, ARE YOU NOT LISTENING TO ME?!"

His eyes roved the entire space he was situated in now, many faces stared back at him in expectation, awaiting his response to whatever the king had asked him, mostly aristocratic vampires, all congressed about him like angels flanked to a god. A very delusional god. Aleksei sighed softly, his hands in his pockets as he finally gave the king his attention, "What more do you request of me King Delroy? Have we not came to an agreement?"

The king glared at him, hating to have to repeat himself, "I said, are you going to become my slave among my army and rule the vampire kingdoms with me or would you rather be a prisoner?" he asked with a cruel smile on his face, he leaned back into his chair, resting his chin on his hand, his eyes glaring at the prince rather sharply.

"Yes, the ancestor Avalon, subservient to lord Delroy, wouldn't that be a joy?" one of the men in the group nearest the pureblood snickered.

Aleksei stepped away, his image flashed out of view for a split second before appearing again before the very vampire that had spoken, his movements fluid and swift, the pureblood latched his hand onto the other's throat, reached with the other to tear into his chest and effortlessly wrench his heart out, before releasing the body and stepping back. He would then pointedly toss it across the room toward the king, the organ would land at his feet on the carpet, blood splattering out to stain his stark white shoes and pants.

"You will pay for having done that Avalon!" The king responded as if offended, he rose a finger and the other vampires charged toward the pureblood.

"Would you like cash, or a check?" Aleksei asked, returning to his spot in the center of the carpet, he leveled his gaze with the king, his eyes bright ruby tinged, he absolutely hated this part, and wanted nothing more than to walk away, but that was just it, he couldn't.

A sudden pressure pounded against the occupants within the room, freezing them from making their advance to the pureblood for a good few seconds. Then the spiritual pressure pouring out from Aleksei surmounted, expanded, blowing out the lights, cracking the walls, and even shattering the French windows in, air currents whipped about them all, just a taste and perhaps a warning of what they were all in for.

Eclaire gasped at noticing the shadows growing from Aleksei, taking form and shifting into individual wolves that resembled hell hounds in their unnatural, supercharged state. There were more than a dozen of these wolves collected around the ancestor, their eyes luminous, reflecting the crimson moonlight outside, all of them staring ravenously at the king.

The king knew what he was doing and yet he didn't care, "Attack!" he ordered his subordinates.

All the vampires sprang forth, marionettes, to the king's words.

A dark smile like the curve of a knife slid across his lips, "Scatter." He whispered, remaining still as the wolves shot out to the charging vampires.

The game was just getting started.

Selene frowned, kicking the girl's head down and sheathing her blade before she plunged her hand through the girl's ribs, grasping her heart and tearing it out like plucking a berry from a vine. She crushe the organ in her hands, tossing it away as though it were garbage before it disappeared in a burst of flames. She winced as the blood on her hand began to sink into her flesh, accumulating to the tattoo on her arm as though it were ink. At the mention of Veratos and the possibility that she could be in trouble, Selene turned to face Dean and suddenly was greeted by the pleasant sight that was Mina.

Although the look on her face read that the news she bore was less than pleasant, she greeted the two as warmly as she could. Truthfully, Selene favored the woman above her fiancé, though she had to admit his passionate vendetta to protect Isabella was extremely admirable, especially for a pureblood, who were notorious enemies of the human race. As were the Nephilim, and she could easily detect the bond between Dean and Isabella, which was also something of a miracle.

"Go where?" Selene questioned, gripping her bow and acknowledging the fact that she would probably soon be reappearing before the council as the very thing that they loathed. "Veratos is in trouble. We have to help her first."

She glanced at Dean.

"Lead the way, partner."

The black wolf that had slunk low into the shadows, always wary of his fiance who loved to always do rash things, decided to spring out and face them all. Growling fiercely at the hunter, it wasted no time and in seconds shifted into the ancestor. Standing there, keeping himself well hidden beneath the protection of a house's shadow, his crimson eyes never leaving Salvatore he said quite irritably, "What... Are You... Doing... Here?" taking a deep breath he continued with a heavier, "Salvatore, I hired you to look after the manor where Isabella is being kept." He released a heavy sigh, this was too much for him to handle, he then fastened his piercing gaze at Mina who tensed beneath the glare of his frustration, "I'd expect this sort of behavior from you, please don't give me trouble and march back home, it's not safe for you to be out here."

Dean stared at the pureblood and answered quite simply, "I wanted to get my car, I was coming right back and Vera's in trouble-"

"A car, that's more important than defending your post? Are you out of your mind?" Aleksei hissed, nearly spitting out the words, his shadowy form effervesce with barely suppressed fury.

"Well if my ride gets towed I'm not gonna be a happy camper." Dean said with a shrug, why were vampires so dramatic? It wasn't a big deal, it's not like he left the country jeez, "Alright calm your tits, I'll go back to your place now, but you're paying for my car if it gets taken." Hating himself so much more for agreeing with the pureblood Dean turned, gestured for Selene to follow and started back from the direction in which he came. Vera would be fine, he firmly believed that. She was a hybrid too, she knew how to handle herself well, he couldn't allow himself to worry for her. She would kick him for that, the thought made him smile almost.

Mina frowned, she shook her head in disagreement, "Aleksei there's a wild pureblood out there mercilessly turning people into level-e's I have to stop him!"

"No, you have to go home. Now. I'll look after it, just go." Aleksei commanded her, his tone lowered to a whisper which was scarier than if he had yelled at her. Which he rarely ever did. She would nod silently, then turn and walk away.

Meanwhile...

"Shit, you broke my phone. Nice. I'll kill you for that!" Veratos yelled, but she was really enjoying it more than being annoyed. She had located a level-e, preying on a innocent, and she had managed to land on it, whilst simultaneously throwing a bomb at another near by -dropping her phone in the process of doing so.

((Sorry if my interpretation of the invisible woman is off, I wasn't sure what she could be so I sorta winged-it lol. If it's wrong please let me know so that I can fix it!))


Aleksei was there, pulling Isabella toward him, she was choking, and he attempted to pry her mouth open in order to check, was she choking on her tongue? Or was it gum? Her lips turning blue panic seized him as he felt for her neck and came into contact with a powerful pressure that kept him from inching his fingers all the way across her throat. Eyes flaring brightly he pushed against the force that was harming Isabella, however the enemy was so strong that as he applied pressure against the nearly invisible presence, it seemed to prick at his skin, eating up his shadow form in mere seconds.

"What the hell?" Another voice shouted, barging in just in time to see Aleksei's form burst, blood splattering everywhere, and Isabella, fall back from his grasp. "Isabella!" Dean yelled, noticing the way she weakly struggled against the woman who was pinning her down, strangling the dear life out the girl he cared for most.

And in that instant, everything slowed down, his view on them warped, and all he could see was red, red, everywhere, an anger so intense and deep exploded from within, a glowing scarlet aura emanated from his form and his fists felt hot, hot, on fire! He lunged after the threat and punched at the lucent figure, shocks of electricity bolted from him and whatever or whoever it was would definitely feel the blow. He reached out with his other hand, trying to get a grip at the lady, it was like trying to capture a slippery fish that kept sliding out of his grasp every time he thought he had a strong hold. Since there was no defining shape to this monster woman, whatever he grabbed was like trying to catch smoke. But he was beginning to feel something tangible there, it was barely present, something more deeper and stranger he couldn't exactly put into simple words. Little by he was wondering how she could be choking Isabella and not be physical. He tore his hand back, and instead plunged his hand into the space between her and Isabella's neck. That's the strongest point there, whatever this thing was (not a ghost) it had to focus on one thing, killing her. So that's what he did, fight against the pressure that was building up there, push her off. She wasn't like anything he'd ever seen before or encountered. But what he felt for her was a passionate hatred, even surpassing the hatred he already had for vampires by a long shot.

"LET HER GO!" The words were so loud and deafening, had it really come from him? The hunter felt as if he were pushing against a force field of sorts, pouring everything he had into this thing, that wasn't letting up either. For a second his fists shifted, and his eyes flared deep red, but he fought against that as well, in no fucking way was he gonna change into that beast -not again! The instinctual urge to transform passed his mind, his hands were normal again, but still glowing with the flames of fire that had formed around them, as if he were a human torch, and he pictured himself as that fiery dude from the Fantastic 4 flick. Planting his feet onto the floor to keep from falling back he shoved harder, so much that the wood gave way beneath the weight of him and the assault, but he kept at it, despite sinking in.

Mina's butterflies flitted above her home, she was trying to keep up behind the hunter that had suddenly ran off to the manor, finding the glass doors to her balcony shattered, the blue delicate insects zipped inside, shifted to her normal, full grown self and ran out into the corridors only to be blasted back by a sudden wind that exploded from the hunter at the end of the hall nearest the grand stair case. "Dean?!" Mina cried out, pushing against the wall, she brought her legs up and bent her knees to push off against it and soared forwards. As she neared the hunter, she could make out the silhouette of a woman? Trying to choke Isabella whom she was bent over, while also holding her own against the Nephilim.

Reaching for the hand rail, she pulled herself against it, and hooked her arms around it as best as she could, the air whipped her hood back and it was getting difficult to see much with the sudden light beaming from him and the ghost? She had no clue on what she could do to help, if she let go, she'd be sent flying back into the wall again, it was chaos! The chandelier above shook and was torn from the ceiling, glass shards flew everywhere, nicking her at the cheek and slicing her forehead, little injuries that would close up on their own. The picture frames on the walls were knocked from their places and flying about all over, she ducked in time as one passed over her head. "What's happening, DEAN?" she screamed at the top of her lungs, it was like a tornado developed and was causing havoc in her own home! She couldn't have him destroy this place, she had to do something fast, then it came to her like a beacon in the darkness.

"ASSACIEL!"

He heard Mina scream, fear in her vocals, but is sounded distant, so very far away. And a new thought took shape, like an ink blob in a glass of water, filling up his mind with something he hadn't thought of in ages, What if I can't save her? What if this isn't enough to protect her...? What if I fail...? Like the day mom died... I... Couldn't fight... I couldn't save her... It was enough to make the anger in him boil over, no, he wasn't going to fail, he was much stronger than that! He had the strength to protect her life, it was in his blood, and that realization calmed him. He just had to keep going, and stop thinking what-if. The same shit wouldn't happen again. Not a chance in Hell!

Dark angelic wings expanded from behind him, flapping against the air currents, providing a sort of leverage for him, he was knee-deep in the floor, then he was lifted up. he pushed against her. God give me strength, I'm begging you! He could feel his hands aching, sweat covered his entire body, soaking his shirt and jeans, his mind was spinning, and he could no longer hear the screams of Mina, or the house around him breaking against the incredible weight pressing against the walls. His ears were ringing, and everything trembled violently, his will too strong to give in, and his power too much to hold back.

Mina gasped when she saw the hunter's eyes flare bright gold, and then he shifted, half human, half monster, not going all the way, but almost there, could this be the little boost he needed to win? She looked around for a moment, but the angel was a no show, and she could only wonder if something had happened to Ly-Assaciel.

With the color drained from her face, Isabella's eyes rolled to the back of her head and she fell limp against Dean's arms. Her back arched, and a faint glow where her heart was beating slowly in her chest could be seen. Suddenly, a translucent version of her form protruded from within her gradually, like a snake crawling out of its own skin. The enigma then parted its mouth, attempting to breathe in the girl's soul- as though it were trying to capture it.

As Dean struggled against the malignant presence, a burst of light exploded from his eyes, and simultaneously the jewel around her neck began to glow. In her subconscious, Isabella could see the blurred face of a woman wearing marvelous Italian robes; they were stark white and the way jewels adorned her skull made her appear almost holy. The woman had her hands raised, carrying a golden goblet with crimson liquid in it.

The woman was rocking back and forth and chanting something in a language that Isabella could not recognize- perhaps Latin- and another soul was falling from the ceiling, spiralling into the holy grail like sugar falling into tea. A man clothed in royal clothes stood near the woman; around his neck was a medallion that Isabella found familiar.

"No!" Isabella could hear her own voice demanding. "You will not win, witch!"

Images of Dean's face and his smile flashed through her mind at lightspeed. She focused on the rare warmth that graced his features when he looked at her; the way her knees knocked together whenever he held her hand; and the kiss that seemed to break every bad spell that had ever plagued them. She remembered the feeling of unity when they were around each other, the familiarity and over all- the love that was developing.

"She's fighting me," said the woman, her voice grave and clearly irritated.

"Fight harder, Sofia," the man behind her commanded. "She is only a child."

Sofia.

The name echoed in her mind like a peal of thunder. She then remembered Aleksei's face; moments later, she recalled the joyful features of her old grandmother, and the name of the daughter she had written down in her journal: Sofia.

The witch that was trying to kill her was Isabella's mother.

A blinding flash of light momentarily obscured their vision when Dean's eyes radiated like tiny suns. The pressure around Isabella's neck released, and she crumpled to the floor in a sweaty heap, her breath immediately returning to her lungs, though her eyes were still closed. A shrill, screech-like noise burst from the shadow creature, which began to dissipate amidst the light like vapor.

Slowly, the girl regained her consciousness, losing focus of the witch and the figure that commanded her.

Dean was breathless and had returned to his natural human state the instant the 'battle' was over. Weaving a hand around Isabella to hold her close, he gently touched her neck, messaging it as tenderly as his shaking fingers could. "You're okay, you're okay..." he whispered over and over, as if trying to make himself believe what his eyes were seeing. Sofia, was that the woman's name? She looked a bit like her... Why would she want to kill her own blood? It confused him and angered him. But all of that would freeze, all of that would be pushed, shoved into the back burner of his mind as a new force replaced the one that he had helped to break.

"Dean Salvatore, she's next. I'm sorry but this is what you've decided. You knocked over a Domino. Tragedy will follow your father everywhere he goes because of you."

He looked up to see the same woman that had previously been ordered by Death to take his father's soul a few nights ago. So soon she had returned, this time to claim Isabella. "I can't let you do that."

"You don't get to make that decision this time, unless... well, you already know that." She said, her eyes as blank and distant as a stone.

What are you getting yourself into Salvatore? he could feel the pureblood's words bursting in his mind as though the vampire had shouted into a mega phone at his ear. Turning his gaze to see the very pureblood shifting tensely beside Mina who was still looking like she'd seen something she wasn't supposed to see, he whipped his head back around to see the reaper walk forwards.

"I said no!" Dean shouted, searching for his gun, and aiming it at the presence he knew wouldn't be affected by the rounds. She wasn't alive to begin with.

The reaper's lips pursed, it was sad, his shaking hand gripping the pistol, the barrel dead center at her approaching form. He would he dare pull the trigger? "You know how to stop me Salvatore. Just say the word. It will not end with her, many will perish unnecessarily, you're the one who disrupted the flow... Put everything off track... And I will not be interrupted again..." Her body morphed into what could only be assumed as a skeletal entity, with wisps of ghostly, grayish auras emitting from her, she reached out her arms offering the deathly embrace and levitated off the ground.

Dean gripped Isabella, squeezed his eyes shut as tears spilled from his eyes, "NOOO!"

The end came anyway.

Spotting his love race down the foyer and straight upstairs, Michael had followed after her, only to walk in on the angel and the hunter looking down on Isabella. What had happened? What had they done to her? The spiritual essence that had weaved about the Italian girl had dissipated from the room, like smoke. It was as if she'd disappeared, and yet she was still there. Awakening, she looked from the angel to the hunter, asking questions, even Selene demanded to know just what had occurred.

"I carved Enochian Sigils onto Isabella Lombardi's rib cage, it's a form of protection, to conceal her from the angels that's all. She will no longer be haunted by them or any demons, I could see that was the main problem from the start." Assaciel explained quite calmly despite the tense atmosphere.

"So she'll be alright then?"

"Of course. And now I must take my leave. There is another matter I must attend to."

The sound of feathers could be heard, just before the angel vanished.

Michael sighed, Dean had informed them all that he was going on patrol, and things were slowly shifting back to normal. At least this was what the vampire was hoping for. Glancing over at Selene, he offered her his best smile, and then gently took her hand, massaging it tenderly, he leaned forwards, to rest his chin on her shoulder, "all is well ma petite, they are simply extending their protection over Mlle, Isabella. That is her resolve." He tried to console her nerves further, massaging her shoulder a little with another hand, "shall we go and take a tore of this grand place, I've been waiting for you all day."

At the invite he brightened, he loved Avalon's tea, he nodded toward Selene, "I don't think you've ever had his tea, it's Heaven-sent."

{Hello my loves! sorry for the obscene delay in responding. This past week has been so terribly and wonderfully busy. I've missed you both dearly.}

Isabella watched Dean walk away like he always did, obviously unhappy that Aleksei had decided against letting her leave with him. She smiled slightly at the thought, knowing it would have been a grand adventure and something she'd really enjoy. Then again, knowing her uncanny and unfailing ability to attract every evil thing that ever existed and the difficult position that forced Dean into, she was glad she had Aleksei to fall back on. She sighed, wincing slightly at the throbbing in her rib cage, then turned to the pureblood couple seated in the parlor.

She agreed to have tea with them, but that didn't take away from the fact that she wanted to be near Dean and then there was the vision of the witch and the man that had tried to kill her just now. The woman that was named Sofia, whom Isabella knew was more than what she seemed. She wondered if Aleksei knew anything about her, or if the Italians were so indiscreet and unpredictable and altogether deceitful that whatever he did have on her was likely false or insignificant.

Her brows were furrowed as she pondered the reason why her mother would try to kill her so violently. It was enough that her hands began to tremble as she graciously accepted the tea. Her eyes danced along the floor, inspecting the sparkling tile and intricate Victorian rugs as though they were more interesting than what was currently haunting her. She looked up at Mina, then reverted her gaze to Aleksei.

"Thank you for the tea," she said softly, suddenly remembering the book she had abandoned at the top of the staircase. There was a brief pause before she said anything else, obviously deeply pensive about something. She sighed, defeated, uncertain of what she could do next.

"I had a vision when I was being attacked. Of a man and a woman; their faces were both blurred, but I heard the name Sofia, and... I think that's my mother."

Selene perked up as though she were an attack dog having heard an intrusive noise. She remained rigid for a while, studying the movement of the little Italian girl who was so obviously feeling betrayed by her own blood. She turned to Michael and with a smile accepted the tea, turning her head to kiss his knuckles tenderly before standing and debating whether or not she should join Dean in his patrolling.

"My father used to tell me stories about a woman named Sofia del Rossi," Selene began, sipping at her tea as she leaned against the wall. "She was once a human, desired by the Italians and wedded to one of their royal purebloods. She was turned, then became so committed to the Italian empire that she was appointed to some extraordinary position in the council that was otherwise occupied by an original vampire. She's legendary, but she's evil... then again, I don't know how much of this is true, either."

She shrugged. Isabella's countenance fell deeper into sadness. Not only was the young girl feeling betrayed, but she couldn't shake the rejection of her mother's acceptance either. Abandonment and confusion topped it all off, leaving her stunned and at a bit of a loss for words. Then there was a possibility that she was also a vampire and associated with the ones that were trying to end her- the girl literally had all the odds against her, and yet seated among the kindest purebloods she had ever met, she still clung to a thread of hope.

"I'm gonna keep watch with Salvatore," Selene added, setting her teacup down on a tray. "I suppose I would make myself more useful by becoming familiar with Isabella's safe haven. Michael, if you want to join us, you'll know where to find me."

And with that, she gripped her bow and bounded off to join the Nephilim hunter.

((I MISSED YOU SO MUCH YOU HAD ME WORRIED GIRL! I'M GLAD YOU'RE KICKING! WELCOME BAAAAAACKK!!!! ***HUUUUGGGGGZZZ****))

---

Aleksei listened to Isabella with mucho interest as she spoke, he always did regardless, maybe it had more to do with the fact that he just liked to listen to her voice, no matter what she said. Hearing her mention a familiar name, Sofia, his eyes took on a level of recognition, it was a flash, instant and then it was gone. He nodded when she ended speaking and said, "Yes, she's your mother. It comes to no surprise that she would commit such a horrendous act and try to kill you, the real question here is why?" He sipped his tea. He knew fully well that the woman had clearly, clearly lost her marbles as soon as she allowed a pureblood to turn her and make her their little blood toy. Who in their right mind would want to ever be a vampire's slave? It was a real shame and he was almost embarrassed about it, despite having no involvement with them. He had came into contact with the Italians many, many years ago, before he had met Maria and even before he had started his own bloodline. When the Italian vampires were still in their early youths. What a time it was, but none too pleasant, he did not agree with their methods, or their hypocrisy, it was why he had chosen to loose contact with them. Wanted nothing to to with them, yet, Isabella was the concern here and if he had to be dragged into that mess, then he had no choice.

Though it was beginning to be quite annoying, that woman, jeez.

Speaking of which, what puzzled him now, was, why would Sofia attempt at destroying the very person the Italians want? Wasn't she on their side? Or maybe she wasn't. Perhaps she was mad, but also, if she was aware of the situation, she may have decided she wanted nothing to do with it. Was this her way of thwarting them? Even if it meant sacrificing her daughter to prevent a global catastrophe? It could be that she had no other options than to consider ridding the pawn off the field all-together.

In a way, the ancestor understood. He too would take any risk and make any move necessary to protect what was most important. However, how she was handling this was something he could never agree with. She would not have a happy ending when they were to cross paths again, that was certain.

Mina glanced up to stare at Aleksei, he was such an odd ball sometimes, she really didn't get him. He was just so strangely calm at hearing that Isabella's mother nearly killed her, like that was the norm. It was his affair, it was, but, she couldn't help but be a little worried here. "I really think that for her safety, she should be far from Sable. Maybe California." She watched him closely, he seemed to have been thinking it all over.

Keeping her gaze steady on him, she went on, "I mean, if Sofia has already done this to her, she's detected her location by now. Wasn't that the point of Assaciel's hiding her? To erase her off their map? If you're going to keep her here, it's not like they'll decide not to check here first. We really are just sitting ducks Al, think about it."

Aleksei placed the empty tea cup on the coffee table, then he interlocked his fingers, resting his hands over his lap, his eyes settling on his fiance, "You may be right, but... the safest place for her, is beside me. As I've always told you, Mina." He rose his brows as if reminding her, she had also been of high interest for the vampire council once upon a time, and as he's doing with Isabella, keeping her safely beneath his wing, he had already done with her. She too needed protection, but now she knew how to defend herself. Soon Isabella would learn as well, but even so, he would never leave her alone.

"Don't you think that is best Isabella?" Aleksei asked, his gaze wondering back to her, his expression flawless, his tone calm and gentle, but all of that was just a well placed mask.

Mina glared at him, he is in despair, and though he tries to hide it with a smile, I can see through it, I have so often done before, it annoys me that this aspect of him has yet to change... she mused, disagreeing with him for the millionth time since she'd known him. It was always like that between them, they would always go back and forth on things like this, but in the end he would find a way to convince her that he was right. She couldn't read his thoughts, even if this was just his familiar, it still possessed his powers all the same. His mind would be split between this one and his real form which was still so far away from home. So in a way, they were not entirely safe after all, save for the collection of hunters outside heavily guarding the mansion. She really wished Aleksei were here though. It wasn't the same. Like he'd once told her, "No one can be a replacement for another person. That is why...farewells are always difficult." This applied to the shadow that was seated beside her, it was apart of him, yes, but it wasn't him. And never would be.

Feeling Mina's gaze on him the ancestor stared directly into Isabella's eyes, his garnet eyes intent as they locked with hers, he states rather gravely, "I'm so dreadfully afraid that one day you might throw yourself into a lost cause and sacrifice your life in the attempt...I don't want to live that a second time. So I will do everything in my absolute power to protect you. And that includes anything that involves you making some difficult choices. It may not be fair, but it is for the best. In your favor, as it has always been, and shall continue to be." He wanted Isabella to understand the reality of her world, the real danger she was being so suddenly thrust into. Of his role when it came to her concern, what his promise was, and also of his intentions. Though he of course wouldn't reveal the entirety of his own plans. Somethings he could not allowed to be known. The hunter was correct in his words, when he had said that this was all just a dream the pureblood was trying to make real. He had to step hard onto the ground and come to terms with the facts, and show Isabella the side of the world that he had tried and failed to keep from her. To protect her from. Though she may come to see the truth, and it will be difficult to take in, he would always be there for her no matter what, but there was also one crucial thing she needed to understand now, "All I want for you is to be the way you are, Isabella. I just...thought you should realize one thing though...the fact that there are things for which no matter how hard someone tries, it always comes down to nothing."

Mina wasn't as perfect at concealing her emotions as Aleksei was, and her fingers busied themselves with tangling up the lace bows of her dress, the situation was far more serious than she could handle, she looked from the one she loved most in all the world, to the girl her beloved would surely sacrifice everything for, what they had was something special. She saw it there, and she felt such a heavy sorrow for them both. Especially for Aleksei, for he seemed to be living the words he spoke.

Outside, Dean was trying to decide if the shift in movement he'd detected from a shadow behind a tree was a spy or a squirrel. He gripped the butt of his pistol and was beginning to walk slowly, nearing said tree when he heard a branch snap and he stopped immediately, from his hunt and straightened to see Selene approaching. He crossed his arms and returned to his spot near the window. Glaring at the tree, he couldn't detect any aura from there, more like discolorations writhing in a single spot, playing with the shadow cast by the sun light above. The funny thing here, was that the other hunters hadn't noticed this, none of them reacted to its presence or even of Dean's attempts at investigating it.

Maybe his mind was playing tricks on him. He would never know.

Michael placed his cup of tea on the coffee table, and was just about to follow Selene out when he heard the pureblood founder ask Isabella just what her take on the situation was, while also expressing his fear of loosing her to a lost cause. Watching her for a moment, then glanced outside at sensing the hunter's apprehension. Sticking himself half way out the window, the vampire looked around, seeing nothing else but the other hunters keeping watch, he shrugged, then saw Dean, still as a statue, keeping guard like a knight.

"Have some tea, don't just keep standing there," Michael smiled cheerfully and beckoned the hunter encouragingly with a gesture.

===-===

Assaciel found herself among enemies, not uncommon for the angel. What was uncommon was that the "enemy" was once a great comrade, someone she thought she could confide in. So much for that. Inspecting the circle of flames around her, she wondered where the angel had acquired the Holy Oil used to trap her, such a rare substance. The last place she knew were to get it was somewhere in Jerusalem. As it was, the ignited oil's flames trapped her within its circumference, it also worked for Arcangels. She knew well what this meant. Behind the man in the suit, men stood, soldiers to him, some in casual wear, others not so much. But they weren't human, at least not in that sense, they served as vessels too, the one leading them, was a male angel, Raphael.

An Arcangel.

"Assaciel, you're looking rather 'young' what brings you here?" Raphael was definitely mocking her choice of vessel, and making it a question, as if he hadn't summoned her from whatever stupidity she was about to do. A smug smile slithered across his lips like a venomous snake, and his coal black eyes sparkled with sheer amusement at his "catch", he was enjoying this.

The heavy smell of sulfur hung in the air like a cloud of dust, staining the walls of the abandoned store they were situated in. Bodies lay lifeless about them all, the empty black of their eyes telling her they had been puppets for demons. Pitiful. Had Raphael done this to them? She wondered what they had been up to, something the hunter would have to know. Just as soon as she got out of this mess. "You're working with them aren't you?" Assaciel replied, ignoring his curiosity, "how can you do that Raphael? Those vampires want to destroy the world's order, take over man-kind. You're going to allow that to happen?" She shouldn't have sounded so shocked, but she was.

The man nodded, "It's not my choice, rather, it was His. The moment he turned his back, it has all been chaos. Didn't you know? God's missing. We have no clue where he's gone and well, without anyone to take the reins on control, it's been a crazy battle up there. I'm looking forward to the Apocalypse," the man declared almost too happy, "and those vampires are just apart of it all, now, you're becoming a hindrance, and we are going to put you to an end. Right now."

The Arcangel stepped back, and he signaled his Garrison to do take it from here with a nod of his head. They all gathered around the angel, closing in on her.

"Unless," Raphael said suddenly, as if thoughtful, his voice the pause on the other angels assault, "that is, you join me, you would be an excellent asset on my team Assaciel. I could use your skills." Then his dark eyes locked with hers, "you were instructed with a Heavenly Weapon, where is it now Assaciel?"

Assaciel glared at the man in the suit, whatever he was planning, she knew it wouldn't come to be. It just couldn't. That's when she noticed something, something that could get her out of this predicament, up above were sprinklers. If she could activate them, the water would put out the fire cage and set her free.

The question was how?

At his question she shook her head with a smile, "So this is what you're on about isn't it Raphael? You're gathering the Heavenly Weapons for your own use, it's too bad. I'm not going to reveal anything to you. Such wasted effort."

"If you won't cooperate, I'll just have to end you as I already have with the others that refused to."

Raphael had already killed other angels?!

Assaciel closed her eyes and thought of her life so far since she had manifested on this world, she had a job to do and by God she was going to do it. Flickering her fingers, she tapped into her powers, which she was surprised to find that were still accessible despite the angel trap, and sent a small amount of flames toward the sprinkler. Immediately setting them off, and the instant the water rained down on the circle of fire around her and put out the trap, she disappeared.

Raphael's amused expression took no change, "I can already guess where that weapon must be. We will meet again Assaciel." he intoned, just before turning away, and he too vanished.

Avalon Manor

Aleksei watched Isabella closely as she reflected. At the idea of her "facing" them head-on he couldn't help a small smile tilt the edges of his lips, this showed him how brave she was and how fearless she could be -reminding him of Salvatore's reaction to anything that opposed him. She was equally tough beneath her unassuming visage. Of course he would agree had she been strong enough and trained enough to handle vampires, not just any vampires but powerful purebloods. It wouldn't be easy, in fact, nothing in her situation would ever be. Calmly he addressed her, shedding light on what she failed to realize, "I understand your determination to fight and to want to protect what is most important to you Isabella, but right now you have to let the hunter do his job, and that means you cannot intervene no matter how bad the situation looks." He sighed softly, his mind running ahead, he was going to develope a well devised plan for their approach. He of course would hail the hunter's attention on this matter later, "I'll be conducting the necessary movements, however what we need to ensure is that you are safe and far away from the threats... So in your leaving I believe would be best, provided that you're accompanied by someone who could defend your life if anything."

A sudden expression flickered across his flawless features, Isabella... For this walking corpse that I have become, you were the flame of life, that lit a light in my once dead heart, who gave me the joy of being needed once again... And for that I will be forever grateful, he thought realizing his true emotion sneaking through, he recomposed himself, his eyes meeting hers. His musings trailed on, when the time comes that my unstoppable heart is necessary to stop others, I will plunge in and give my all... I won't make it, and I accept my fate, it will end the wars indefinitely... He imagined her with Dean, and was comforted by the thought that they would be alright without him, but in the end you will need to worry no more, your sadness will end...

This, this was his purpose, why he had been returned to the otherwise unaccepting world. To do this one thing, for her.

Mina reached for her Lune staff, gripping it firmly in her hands she was beginning to get it all, why he had given this to her, why he had taught her how to defend herself and the realization of this scared her. She knew, or at least instinctually understood the underlying meaning of his words to her. If something were to happen to him, she wouldn't need his protection anymore, she would be alright in a sense without him. What a cruel and heartless thought, she stared up at him with a frown etching her brow.

All was left, keeping him here, was that girl. The only one.

"I can be her personal protector Al, I know how to fight them, and I do have a hunter's weapon. Also our allies will be joining me, that's something else you'd had in mind I assume, so let's use them to our advantage and I guess strike while we can. Just say when and we'll be on the heliport, going wherever you deem is safe." Mina told him, staring at him as serious as she had ever been. If she had to sacrifice herself for Isabella, she'd decided that she would, after all, they were doing it as well.


Avalon grounds

Dean stared across the expanse of rolling hills of greens, and a few hunters in their clock-work movements about the area, keeping a steady watch for anything or anyone daring to make a move. He hadn't left his spot, instinctually at ease at his proximity of Isabella. He briefly wondered what they were talking about inside, most likely anything pertaining to his charge, though he felt it inappropriate to strain and listen in, had they wanted him to know he was sure they would have invited him in for that. Staring out to the trees, using this as distraction, he clenched his jaw at following the lazy flow of the wisp of black shimmering slightly at the afternoon sunlight inching away from the trees, he stiffened at the ready.

Selene spoke, and for an instant he reverted his gaze to her, still in the back of his mind he questioned his decision in having trusted this huntress. Knowing his history with people, and the end results, he wondered if it was worth it. Nodding sharply he replied, "I hope so." He would then return his attention to the mist thing, as it drew closer and closer, a panther to its prey, and he was trying to figure out if it was an enemy or not. He couldn't get why he was the only one who could see it, and he glanced again at Selene, staring at her warily, she too tensed, her hold at the bow intent for a hit. Perhaps her reaction to his awareness.

He was about to mention something about his suspicion when his surroundings began to shift and tilt awkwardly. Something was wrong, and he turned to look at Selene, she too doubled, it was strange and freaky.

Rising a hand to touch his forehead he leaned back against the wall and found himself falling into the ground, everything was getting worse. "Morrigan, keep watch, don't worry about me," he muttered with a groan, trying so hard not to pass out.

Selene felt the air thicken and become extremely cold all of a sudden. She detected the movement, only because she could feel the brush of something moving- but being a vampire, she was blind to whatever entity was plaguing them. When she saw Dean fall to the ground, she rushed to render aid, her eyes large and glowing crimson in desperate attempt to see what the enigma was.

"I'm blind, Salvatore," she said. "I can't see it, but I know it's there. What is happening to you?"

She knelt beside him and wrapped one of his arms around her shoulder. She then lifted him, supporting most of his weight as she tried to beckon him to retreat inside. She knew very well that he wouldn't, and in that case, she gripped the bow at her free side, ready to strike with her partner at his command, though she would be firing blindly.

At the same moment, darker and larger forms crawled from around the woods, and Selene immediately detected they were the wolves by their scent.

"If you can make it inside, go get the purebloods. Julian and I can stand our ground until then. I need you in good health, or someone with the right eyes to see whatever this is, because I can't."

The wolves were snarling loudly, and they seemed to be forming some kind of battalion regimen around the manor in means of protecting it. Julian bounded from the woods to stop a ways from the hunters, acknowledging them with his steely gaze before turning to inspect the forest from which the menacing presence was coming forth. His lips curled back to reveal his thick canines, and a low rumble escaped from his throat as he crouched low, ready to attack.

Inside, Isabella could also feel herself suddenly begin to grow faint. The world around her started to spin, and she soon became dizzy, reaching out to grasp her forehead.

"I think something is wrong," she said between painful groans. "Where is Dean? Someone please find Dean!"

"He's outside, don't worry!" Mina promised her, she stood as if the upholstered chair had shocked her, her eyes scanned the area but detected no threats. Michael was still standing near the windows, and she could sense something outside. At the edges of their property, and whatever it was, it wasn't good.

Aleksei was on his feet and he rushed to the girl as she requested the immediate location of her friend and protector. Picking her up into his arms, he soothed her with a gentle kiss to her forehead, "It's alright love, just rest. That's all that is now, you are safe and so is he," he whispered to her like a parent would to their adored child. "You have nothing to worry about." He would then nod at Mina to keep her end, and he told her to have the girl's body guard escorted to a chamber he'd have prepared for guests, which had been set up right across from Isabella's boudoir for obvious reasons.

"Alright."She told him, turning to leave to the other side of the manor.

Avalon Grounds

Dean was having a difficult time keeping up with the huntress's words, he nodded, his attention everywhere and nowhere. She was asking him something, and then he was being pulled up by her --tough chick. He held on to her, opening his eyes, he could only make out a few shades of greens and blacks, everything else was blurry! What the heck? Where there wolves out there too?

"...I think it's a ghost or something... It's hiding...that's why...you can't see..." Was all he could say before his eyes closed once again and he was out.

Mina was there, she could see Julian, "We're being approached by spirits, more than one, I suspect they're either attacking us, or they want something," she was saying, then her crimson eyes flashed to the hunters, Dean wasn't looking so well. She raced after them and helped support him on the other side, getting him back into the manor.

"He's still alive," she was telling Morrigan as she quickly ushered them into the safety of her home, she glanced at the huntress with a wry smile, "he's used up the rest of his strength when we were attacked by some invisible woman a while ago, you missed that bit. Isabella is suffering the same for some odd reason." She found talking helpful in her case.

Their butler, Hansel helped prepared the room the hunter was to be left in. He offered assistance when he was required and never really spoke much about the situation.

"Get that jacket off him, and his boots, level his feet, and open the windows," Mina was in charge, ordering the servants that were piling into the large room to do their jobs while she helped as much as she could as well. Once those things were done, she looked to Morrigan, "Have you seen Holmes anywhere? Shouldn't she be here with you?" And at that note, she pondered on the whereabouts of Assaciel as well.


Alelsei had laid Isabella on the bed, he was very well concerned for her as he always was every time things like this happened. And as always he was hailed to involve himself on her behalf, allowing no one to enter this room without his consent, and anything administered to her would only go directly to him first. He was either over protective, or very paranoid for her. And with good reason.

She was breathing, and he heart settled, he'd almost forgotten that her link to Salvatore extended beyond the physical, and what happened to him, also occurred to her. He frowned at that aspect, he would later speak with the boy on better ways to care for himself, did he not realize the harm he was causing to Isabella at his negligence? How could he be so stupidly reckless? These thoughts would pin up on the giant board of more, urgent thoughts constantly crowding the pureblood's conscious as of late. He needed time, not too much, but just enough to concentrate on the situation at hand, collect all the information he'd gained from what had happened so far, and work on a strategy to achieve his own desired end result.

Because he knew what they were after...

They would never win.

Avalon Manor

Candles dripping wax with their distant glow lit up the cavernesque path before him. Creepy cave? Check. Candles to set the dramatic effect? Check. Nerves going haywire? Triple check. Dean vaguely wondered if his father was overthinking things. Merging his soul with Lombardi? Come on, something must have warned him that Dean might turn out pretty bad. Not that he would spare anytime into wondering the what ifs' had things gone south. However much to his annoyance, and because Isabella's life was literally resting on his shoulders, he second-guessed what he normally wouldn't have given much thought. But then again, hunter instincts won over cowardice in the midst of the cave, dreamland or not he was getting the hell outta here.

He really had no need for the candle-lit passageway, as he made his way through the winding passage, boots crunching into dead leaves, moist soil and pieces of rock. His sight had adjusted well to the dank darkness, his eyes catching on abstract-ish symbols carved into stone that he could somehow translate effortlessly in his mind. They spoke of a message, over and over, Entwining the paths of two souls, a choice is made, shadows to light...

The hell?

A bunch of voices disturbed the silence, sounding louder with each step he took, he followed and squinted away the light at tunnel's end. He bounded outward coming into contact with the familiar energy weaving about him. The scene below in this clearing where his eyes picked up color and movement and people --anything but a happy sight.

Cloaked figures were huddled into various groups. Obviously up to something, but before he could react, a hand so strong clamped over his shoulder, yanking him back.

"Don't intrude!" Hissed a voice, belonging to the hand that gripped him still. One that he couldn't recognize.

"Hey don't sneak up like that, you'll get shot and uh, what's with the dungeon and dragons?" He instinctively reached for his pistol, but the presence behind him willed him to remain still. Watching, waiting.

"This is a thought, meant for your witness only," the voice explained with exasperation, "what you're seeing in this dream of yours is a fragment of someone else's probing. Perhaps a warning."

"Stinks like decay, and crap. A vampire party, Joy... Purebloods--bonus," Dean felt his shoulders sag, but he acquiesce, staring.

A cloaked douche bag gripped a dark haired lady by her wrist, forcing her to stand center, she's clothed in ivory, the soft fabric clinging to her caramel flesh in all the right places. His heart squeezed painfully, he couldn't see her face.

Wave after wave of pressures, rising up from the glowing pentagram the lady in white standing on sent him swaying. The energy throbbing into him. Raw. Must be the excitement of the vampires at work, most of them lowered their gazes, lips muttering latin chants. The energies in the atmosphere shifted, more stronger, twisting at his soul.

Who is the lady standing in the pentagram of black ash? What's with this familiar vibe he's catching from her distress?

All the blood drained from him, his fingers curling into the butt of his pistol felt numbed. The familiar dread and shock of pain lanced up his spine tingling fear and hitting him with a sudden shock of intense hatred. Slightly confused he focused on the lady realizing it wasn't his, but hers. She struggled to break free, a man in an expensive, lavished white robe approached. She glanced up to meet his gaze, her eyes blazing bright as the sun in a helpless fury. Her eyes, that mouth, her face... No!

A slow triumphant smile sliced across the older man's lips.

"That son of a bitch--"

He whipped out his gun, aiming the muzzle straight for the dick in the robes but before he could shoot, his unwanted companion stayed his hand.

"Do not intercede Salvatore."

"What? Can't you see he's gonna--?" Dean couldn't pull his eyes away, gasping when the guy brandished a sharp, double edged, golden dagger. Positioning the tip to her breast bone. The chanting merged into one booming voice. The energies spark like crazy, shooting his nerves on fire.

"I'm not waiting for the grand finale." Breaking out of the other's grasp soaring down.

The sacrificial blade thrust forward. A direct hit through Isabella's chest. Red blossomed, darker than any rose, staining her perfect white dress. Her eyes grew wide briefly and she made a choked sound. Then her soul tore from her body so violently, a white luminescent mist of her all, being drawn into a sphere-like crystal another vampire held, in order to absorb the soul before it vanished.

"ISABELLA!"

He had to get her outta here, even if she was stabbed his brain raced to remind him that she'd still be alive--sans a soul. It still freaked him out. Everything started crumbling and beams of light shot through in a way disintegrating their world. The aftershock of so many emotions like a sucker-punch in the gut. Like hell. Forcing his still tired body to move, move, move, he bounded toward her fading image, his breaths hollow, mind spinning, and heart hammering fiercely in his own chest. The sensation of having been stabbed all over slowly fading to a dull ache. And then he awoke gasping for breaths, his hand grasping at open air. Shit.

Stirring he found himself in a strange room. When had he even fallen asleep?

Morrigan, she was just hovering, asking him something.

Wait, what was he doing inside? He should have been outside, he shot his partner a query look. Then the dream, fresh in his mind suddenly jolted him out of it. "Hold that thought." He stood, went out the room, navigating his way down the corridors looking through every door until he spotted the vampire. Aha, and in the bed a familiar presence.

"Hey." He garnered the vampire's attention, but his eyes were Isabella sitting up from the four poster dark wood bed, befitting a queen. Her limpid eyes like warm honey were wide and so far she seemed pretty solid. He exhaled a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.

Aleksei gazed tenderly back at her. She'd awoken at last and was evidently concerned for Salvatore. She was so sweet. Hovering near the four poster bed, he glanced toward the door way, sensing the hunter's spiking auras. "Ah, the hunter arises, he's doing well, Isabella I assure you. Easy now." He sent the hunter useful information, his mind easily accessible while in slumber, the hunter had run himself to exhaustion but as ever eager and stubbornly built, he would press on. Even more with the knowledge he carried of the past.

They were damned if they were going to let history repeat itself.

Mina sat on the antique settee, her gaze on her weapon. She would be taking responsibilities after Aleksei... She looked to him so pleadingly, but he would not allow her into his thoughts. She found herself irked by this, he was keeping her out of his thoughts, isolating her. How could he be so cruel? And yet, so delicious? Her cheeks flamed at that, and she could see the flicker of his eyes finally settle on her, and she diverted her stare to the roaring fire place.

He would keep his thoughts to himself, but she sent the powerful force of her aching, needing desires to him, in heated waves. She smiled, feeling his own energies shift from dear concern for Isabella, to an uncomfortable mixture of desire, restraint binding him in every which way. Two could play at that game.

She felt wickedly delighted at the sensation of his lust reciprocating. At least he wasn't ignoring her.


At the second ring, Veratos answered the call, "I'm in a conference, this best be life or death." Was her responce upon picking up the device. She listened shortly at the huntress's report, "I see, Salvatore has a habit of overextending himself, are you sure it's not him just simply crashing? As for the things that you can't see, try calling your angel friend. That's an easy fix," she sighed and added further, "I won't be available for the help, I have things to handle on my end. We'll meet soon enough. Take of Salvatore he can be dense sometimes. And super stubborn!"

Then the line went dead.

⌠I love Chopin, nice music taste! Oh my! Your post is excellent as always. :3 + I could see where you were leading it anyways as I read. Listening to it as I write... While you read listen to this →Classical piano⌡

---

Aleksei glanced back to see the hunter storm in, his concern obvious for Isabella. "She's alright Salvatore, just relax—" He felt her brush passed him and he stilled, his gaze snapped to her retreating frame as though she were a dancer, floating away. "I can feel her," she whispered as she flowed out of the room. He found himself trailing after her like a lost puppy, forgetting everything and everyone else. He caught up to Isabella as she took the grand stair case down to the giant lower space below. Once a grandiose sight full of lush, elegantly dressed ladies and suited, proper men, where classical orchestral pieces floated from afar, a memory of peaceful events as those momentarily flashed through his thoughts. Why the sudden trip down memory lane? What was evoking this? The pureblood kept himself at a good distance from her, he could tell she was in some sort of trance or something, he was more curious to where this would lead to, rather than concerned.

And for a moment, he envisioned her in an elegant ball gown, her raven locks piled high over her crown with inky tendrils draped like black lace loose about her face. Reminiscences of Maria made his blood sing, he could almost feel her near. He could almost see her. But that was so long ago, a love that despite the passing time, still all too much consumed him. He still loved her, even now. But was it the same love? He was confused and bewildered. Damn.

He stopped moving at registering the first string of notes echoed in his mind, replacing Isabella's image was Maria, as youthful and vibrant she had been that enchanting night. The night she had played that very soulful and heart wrenching piece for him. He took a few more slow, deliberate steps and hesitated near the piano, his focus landing on Isabella or Maria's appearance. Saltine thin rivers of her tears streamed down those golden, molten eyes and his breath hitched. Maria... How..?

He closed his eyes, part of him reeling with a strange excitement that she was ubiquitous, her soul here, somewhere connecting to his still shattered heart. The other part of him resoundingly poignant that she was just apart of his past. Painful, loving, and still missing. But he had Mina now.

The song ended, pulling him out of his thoughts. Filling his sights with her once more, he rose his hands gently touching either sidr of her face. How he longed to be with her. Even if for a moment, "Maria," he whispered, then before he could contain himself, he leaned in, his lips pressing into hers, his heart swelled. It felt right, it was, all the emotions and sensations swirling in a frenzy within him was very real. All for her. Maria. Even her lips against his, meshing in ever a gentle touch felt like Maria's, somewhere in the back of his mind, aware that he was also kissing Isabella.

He pulled back slowly, his gaze settling over her own. Maria why did you leave me...? Sorrow filled him, but then the pain in his heated gaze faded to acceptance, a slow passionate smile spread evenly across his lips as his tapered fingers gently caressed Maria/Isabella's visage.

"I could never tell you good bye my love... So this is my farewell..." He was at peace now, he could feel it whole and all-consuming, a bit of the weight lifting from him. Making it all a little more bearable. Sensing eyes on him, he turned his gaze upward, sweeping his eyes to the balcony overlooking them to see Salvatore, his expression infallible. But his sapphire eyes were blazing, with shock? Anger? He'd seen the kiss alright. Aleksei in turn frowned deeply, the tenderness in his eyes hardening instantly, why the hell was he staring at them like that? He was a body guard, nothing more. It gave him the impression that the hunter had somehow developed an emotional attachment to his charge, very unprofessional. And if that was the case, he may have to reconsider the other's position. Romance between a close protection officer and his client wasn't acceptable. Ever.

***

Isabella awashed in an aura from afar, as if she were glowing from within. Isabella not only had a fondness for nature, but a talent at the piano. For a while, Dean could only watch and listen. Something was building, the energies tugging at him were unfamiliar. Was Isabella even aware of it? When the pureblood approached, he stopped himself from intercepting between them. What he hadn't expected was the kiss. Whoa. It was like being stabbed right in his chest, inexplicably painful.

At meeting the pureblood's gaze, he gripped the banister the wood creacked beneath his grasp. Bastard. He stared right into Aleksei's glowering dead on, not intimidated by him the slightest. So it was him she'd chosen, the prick vampire. The irony almost made him laugh, but it was a fact that he should have been aware of. What the fuck was wrong with him? He shouldn't be feeling this awful pain twisting at his insides, it shouldn't hurt so much. The people he cared for most were already gone, he should have been used to this gut-wrenching sensation by now. What was he expecting, that someone like her would ever be interested in someone like him? He was a hunter, and not only that, a freaking demon hybrid.

He turned away, bounded into the room he'd awoken in, he silently shoved his feet into his boots, and yanked his coat about his frame. Noticing Morrigan he told her he'd be outside. She was free to do what she pleased. He didn't wait for her to protest as he finally grabbed his blade and swung it over so that it attached itself to his back. Pacing across the corridors, he descended the steps, then continued right passed Lombardi and Avalon as if they weren't there. Getting back to business.

This revelation was like a splash of arctic water, shocking his senses to overdrive. It reminded him of his resolve, he was going to make a decision from a vantage point of strategy over emotion. His priority was becoming Miss Lombardi's shield—which also meant that the life-line bull shit tethering her to him would have to go. If something were to happen to him, which was indefinite, then he would be the only one taking the hit. Not Isabella. He was her shield after all. He fished out his cell from his coat pocket, and dialed Jenkins.

The man picked up on the second ring.

"Hey old man how's it going? Oh yeah I'm golden... Nope I didn't go. Ya know, I got a case." He nodded and chuckled bitterly, "Sorry it uh got the jump on me, I'll show and tell when I get back. So I'm callin cuz I need you to get Solt for me. Eeyup, that Solt...." He listened further to Jenkin's rambling about being careful, responsibility, blah blah blah.

"Gotcha, loud and clear so let me know when you get her in, thanks."

Snapping the device shut he pocketed it into his leather jacket and shook his head, running a hand through his short hair. Long ass day, when was it gonna end?

The silhouette of a figure stood right outside the property line, watching from the cover of the trees. That boy, Salvatore the Nephil was the most outstanding creature there. "Your face has the look of a wild hunter..." he whispered darkly, he'd been watching the him for a long time now, it was quite obvious that Salvatore had the tendency to capture the hearts of those he encountered. Aleksei trusted him thoroughly, and already Morrigan and the other vampires were taking a liking to him—including Lombardi herself. Or perhaps that was his angel side they liked. The observer waited. Everyone's favorite Lombardi child was tucked away safely inside the manor. Once the major defenses were folded over, mainly the wolves, the hunters, and that boy, and that pureblood pest, he could find her—then destroy her before the Italians could get a hold of her.

Dean stepped away from the wall, he drew his blade and started out toward the source where he could feel the vibrations of energies shifting, heightening. What it did really, was attract him, pulling at him from within.

That mist, curled around the green hills thick as a London fog. A tugging force made it hard to move. Gasping for air, he struggled to keep standing, whatever that mist thing was, it just hovered there, like a ghost, watching him, waiting.

The hunters started yelling in terror, as a few unlucky men got crushed to bits by the fierce stomping of the monster that had stepped out of hiding. The surviving hunters, pulled out their guns, aimed and started shooting at the giant creature that looked like a being from hell, with the body of a giant lion, and the head of a golden gigantic bird. Yep, demon alright.

Dean was transfixed to the spot, as the monster's giant beak shot to one of the nearest men and chomped him in half, blood sprayed out everywhere. It was a disaster and these specially trained Vampire hunters would be no math for such an abomination. As it seemed, this was all Dean was good at, and nothing more. He couldn't even protect those he cared about, but even so, he would never give up. Unsheathing his blade, the Nephilim ran toward the monster, and he rose his blade up to meet it head on.

Mina walked out of the room and glanced into the other room across from Lombardi's to spot Morrigan, offering a slight, polite smile she looked around to see that she was alone. Where did the hunter go? Continuing down to reaching the top of the grand stair case she descended them to spot her fiance seated too closely to Isabella for comfort. What was going on?

"It's Maria, she's... present." Aleksei said cautiously, his dark eyes warily held her gaze. He had the uncanny ability to read her thoughts, either that or it was the work of his vampire abilities.

Mina pressed her lips into a tight line, of course that didn't sit well with her and all the blood drained from her face. The music, his attachment to her, it was all clear. He was still enraptured by the woman—who was dead! It was enough to push her over the edge and she stepped back.

Registering her shock, Aleksei stirred and was about to reassure her overreactions but she didn't even give him the chance to, she rose her hand, palm facing him to stop. She shook her head, "Don't. It's fine. She's obviously more important to you, if she were still kicking, you'd run to her in a heartbeat." Then she spun on her heel and ran off God knows where, leaving him stunned and winded.

What was going on? He turned to Isabella, his eyes wide, searching her for answers he couldn't find.

At the sound of the war going on just outside his property. Aleksei shot to his feet and reached for Isabella's hand, "Come I'm going to escort you out an underground passageway where you'll be safe, let's go!" He pulled her toward the direction of the stairs.


When a human being encounters that which they cannot understand, what do they do?
Naturally they search for answers, they ask themselves questions:
What just happened to me?
How do I reconcile this?
What am I supposed to do now?
Then again, the more you think about something, often times the further your mind will lead you from the truth.
Yes, your thoughts will only get in the way, of what your instincts truly desire.
To know the real answer.


So the boy had it in him to fight. The observer's lips curled into an approving grin, though the activity in the house had died down since the force had stopped a while ago, he could tell that it had Salvatore's involvement. Were the Italian vampires up to something? He could only anticipate finding her, their precious jewel, and stop her beating heart, so that he could prevent the future he'd already seen. Too bad an innocent life had to go, but there wasn't any other way. He watched the scene unfold as the hunter struggled against his opponent. It would be a grueling battle indeed. The boy sustained near fatal injuries, but kept pressing on, swinging his blade.

"Let's see how well he can go up against an S-Level demon, should be quite a show." The man said to no one in particular.

((I'm glad you liked it.))

---

Underground Chambers, Avalon manor

Aleksei turned to look down at his most precious girl, she was indeed determined and thorough as she'd ever been. Not surprising, knowing her. He smiled tenderly, and his hand caressed the side of her cheek with the back of his knuckles as she finished speaking, "I know you do, but that is something you should tell him." Then he turned to the door and after brandishing a long, skeleton key he unlocked the door, inside was a large, high ceiling room, complete with antique furnishings and an old world design throughout. From here were several other rooms connected, kitchen, bathroom, bedrooms, and even a play room, with a billiards table and other entertainment devices. This was set up for the sole purpose of the even in which case Isabella would need to be hidden from the world. No one but Salvatore and the witch knew about Avalon Manor's secret underground chamber, after all, there was another locked door down a curious passageway, inside was his tomb. Where he had once been.

"I trust that you will be safe here, with Mina of course, I will return at your side as soon I can Isabella. Under no circumstances do you open this door. I can't imagine what would happen if someone got in here and..." He shook his head and released a deep sigh, the vibrations of the chaos upstairs reverberated within him. "Mina!" He shouted, turning back to see the girl sullenly appear from around the hall, in her hands she held the Lune staff, always prepared.

"I'll protect her with my life, just go. Salvatore's... not doing so well... Morrigan is trying to help, and so is Michael..." She wouldn't meet his gaze as she reached for her charge by the elbow and pulled her into the room.

Aleksei muttered, "Be gentle," then he shut the door tightly and locked it. Resting a hand on the surface of the heavy carved door, he said a little prayer, and stepped back.

Outside Avalon grounds

Once he reached outside his nearly destroyed manor, Aleksei was nearly struck by the demon's attack. He glanced up to see the arrows shot by Morrigan pierce into the monster's flesh, whatever concoction she'd dipped it into, clearly made some damage to its body—but not enough. All it did was attract its attention to her, enraged, it went after her now.

"Shit!" Dean hissed, catching the lion-gryphon hybrid as it stomped towards Morrigan, in attempt to crush her under it's clawed paws. It was surprisingly fast, despite its height, and annoyingly hard to kill. It kept flying and spitting out the most acidic glob of spit ever. Dean knew this because it hit him multiple times already, in his attempts to protect his comrade. And failing to.

"Dean, quite trying to play that hero and kill that thing!" Aleksei demanded, seeing as his tactic wasn't working, he was waiting time and energy and not solving the problem.

As Dean sliced at the raking claws above him, he nodded, bounding up towards the gryphon's head, its ugly orange, yellow eyes snapped up to meet his form, coming down at it with his blade. The monster opened its beak and managed to clamp on to the teen's foot, slamming him down into the ground.

Aleksei shot after the creature seeing that Salvatore was out, he slit at his wrist with his nail and from his blood, grew curved, giant blades of sorts, crystallized and hardened. He disappeared for an instant, and flashed into view above the monsters head, he rose his arm up and in one swift motion, brought the curved blades down on its head. Slicing off part of its skull. The pieces of that fell away morphed into grotesque, feathered like animals with sharp canines and glowing orange-yellow eyes. They started to attack anyone within its vicinity. There were about three of them, they jumped on two hunters that were trying to shoot them, and in moments, they were nothing more but scraps of flesh, and bones.

Dean's eyes flared open, bright crimson, the pupils in them, shrunk and then expanded into thin slits, also a deep dark red. And that was it. He was up and racing after that monster, faster and more aggressive with his hits then he had been prior, he forced the edge of his blade into the monster's leg, and pushed it in, then he used the hilt as a stepping stone, bounding up, he went for its head, predicting it would open its large beak, he purposefully angled himself to dive right in.

Aleksei stared at the monster as it appeared it had swallowed the hunter whole. For a second, the creature looked rather confident, and before he could react, the little bird beasts he was dealing with, shot him a dose of acid spit that did a number on him. He clenched his teeth at the terrible burning on his arm and half of his body, he formed it into blood, that regenerated most of the damage, and slashed at the monster with his blades. It only birthed more creatures.

Inside the gryphon-lion, Dean crawled down its throat and despite the bad smell of rotten filth, and flesh, he picked up his angel blade and once he located the heart, he stabbed into it. The result, blood sprayed at him like a ripped hose, and he kept hacking at the beach-ball sized organ. The monster was thrashing and screeching, and pounding. Struggling to survive, but it only added more stress to its body.

"I'm not letting you... kill anymore ...of...my...friends!" Dean shouted, with each stab, then the weapon glowed, and at first it felt like it was burning in his grasp, but he ignored the pain and hacked away. The blade, being of celestial properties gave off a powerful aura, and pulsed in his hands. He rose it once over his head, and sliced down, cutting through the heart in half, along with its chest, and out he dropped, to the ground. The purity of the weapon was enough to tear apart its naturally evil mark-up and like the burning acid it spat out, the light from the blade, burned the creature away to mere scraps, blood rained from the sky.

Dean remained standing there, the other creatures dropped as their leader was destroyed. The sword was beginning to hurt, and the boy dropped it. His attention remained on a particular mound of demon flesh that had fallen from the monster. Dean fell to his knees, a vacant look in his face, he reached for it before it burned away and brought it to his lips. Biting into it, he sucked at the remaining blood, much similar to a vampire feeding on a human. When the flesh turned to ashes, his eyes flitted back to their normal cloudy blue color, then he collapsed, exhausted.

Aleksei was still shell-shocked, had to be his nerves. The wild hellions he'd been holding up against suddenly fell apart, it was surreal and nightmarish and something he wanted to forget. At Morrigan's call, he rushed to her side and helped carry the hunter across the lawn back inside the house. He noticed the boy's dead weight and would have worried had he not had the sensitive hearing to detect the kid's pounding heart. Good, at least he was okay. They walked over limbs, and broken shards of blood stained glass. The pureblood kept his gaze focused on his semi-destroyed house, trying not to look at the death scene around him.

"Sir, Callisen has called, she said she's on her way over here." A servant was saying as he opened a door for the two carrying the boy into a room. They gently laid him on the bed, and Aleksei turned to the man that was still standing at the door, awaiting a response.

"Ryan, get me towels and water. Now." Aleksei ordered, his tone quite fierce as he busied himself with getting the hunter out of his heavily bloody soaked coat.

"Sir, these were left behind," came a female maiden, she held two weapons, one in each hand, the longer, heavier Rebellus blade and the smaller, angelic dagger. She looked unsure what to do with them, she held them by the hilts with white, now red stained clothes as not the stain her own hands with them.

"Just drop them there," Aleksei muttered as he pulled off the hunter's boots and soaked socks. How where they going to go about with this? Frustrated he called out for Ryan again.

Avelon Manor, underground chambers

Mina bit her lower lip as the sound of her fiance's retreating steps, this was going to be kind of awkward, if it wasn't already. At the girl's explanations and apologies she simply nodded, she was telling her things she already knew. She'd seen the look on her fiance's face when Isabella had played that song and she had already seen it in his memories when he had allowed her access into his thoughts through blood drinking. She had accepted that part of him, but still, seeing him do this, it was a blow to her heart. Even if she already knew why it was.

She joined Isabella, and sat on a plush settee, her eyes on the crackling fire place, she watched the flames dancing, and she wished he were here with her.

"You don't have to apologize Miss Lombardi... I understand your situation, or at least from what I've gathered from Al. He's such a dummy sometimes." She shook her head, then looked up at the girl, "would you like anything to drink, tea?" She asked politely, being as hospitable as ever. She didn't want Aleksei to get mad at her for not being nice. So she stood and stared to walk toward the kitchen when she felt the energies shift above, what the heck was going on up there? Was the apocalypse falling upon them already? She frowned and tried not to think about it too much, Aleksei was up there, he was strong. He could handle anything. She sure hoped the hunter was okay, he did look pretty mad when he had left to go on patrol. Who wouldn't? She couldn't blame him.

Selene recoiled as they laid the wounded hunter upon his bed. The stench of the monster blood was suddenly to overpowering for her to be near him. Her aquamarine eyes flared bright jasper as she snarled in disgust, holding her arm over her sensitive nose. How she dreaded being a newborn.

"There's so much blood..." she said between gagging. "What the hell was that thing, Aleksei?"

She took a step back, trying not to heave as she helped the pureblood take the boy's soiled shoes and socks off. Every part of the little Nephilim was covered in thick, foul smelling crimson liquid. She wondered how the creature had found them when Isabella had disappeared from the radar and the Avalon manor was tucked quietly in the deepest part of Silver Mist.

"I'm going to draw a bath," Selene told Aleksei, slinking into the bathroom and running the water. As much as she cared for her partner, she knew he might appreciate a rude awakening and left it streaming cold. "Let's just throw him in it and wait for him to wake up."

She anticipated the agitated looks she might receive from Aleksei, but she smirked nonetheless, knowing that if Veratos had been there, she would chuckle alongside her. When the bath filled up, she wrapped one of Dean's arms around her shoulders and dragged him in a trail of blood to the marble tub, where she laid him and watched as the water began to turn red.

"Now let's wait for Sleeping Beauty to grace us with his awakening."

***

"You don't have to be nice to me," Isabella said softly, gently refusing the tea with a shake of her head. "I wouldn't, if some girl who keeps getting my friends into trouble kissed my husband."

She let her head drop so that her dark locks fell around her face like drapes. She sighed, recalling the events in her mind like scenes from a movie. She had never touched a piano prior to tonight, and was pretty sure she was actually quite tone deaf. She looked at her hands, recalling how they had played such a spectacular piece of music and how she felt when she was playing it; conscious of her body, but not having any control over it.

She wanted answers, but everything just seemed to get a little cloudier as time passed on.

Aleksei couldn't help the shocked expression on his face, and before he could protest the huntress was dragging Salvatore across the floor, leaving a trail of blood behind. It did smell awful, though he hadn't noticed until she mentioned it. He rose as Ryan reappeared with a pitcher of water and towels in his arms. He stood by for further instruction.

"Place it there, we're gonna need it." He said quietly.

He turned his gaze to Michael who seemed to be curiously watching something outside. What? Were there more demons present? This couldn't be good. He passed by, and peeked out the windows, but there was nothing there.

"We need to take more precaution, it's no longer Isabella they're after. The situation has changed." Aleksei said softly, a dark look clouding his usually calm features, he gave his back to the windows and ordered the servants to hurry up and change the bed sheets.


Cold, it was all he could feel, and for a moment, Dean thought he was in a dream, it sure felt that way. Most of the time his nightmares gave him the sensation that he was in a frigid place, the woods, the street, and snow falling everywhere, sticking to his skin, always painful, always the same. Memories of an unresolved past, as if trying to remind him of something that he had yet to fully grasp. It was something he'd grown used to, an endless cycle that he had accepted, lived through, as warped as it may be, but when he found himself nearly choking, he knew then and there that he couldn't be dreaming, unless the nightmare had taken a more brutal twist. Struggling for conscious he thrashed and pushed and tried to open his eyes, see something beyond the deep expanse of black that was all around him.

His vision was met with a stream of icy waters raining down on him, drenching him. He blinked against the waters, and drew a deep breath through his lips as he tensed and sat up, pain shocked into his left shoulder and he knew it was dislocated. It had to be when he had forced himself into that demon lord's throat, that was a little too reckless on his part. Isabella wouldn't be too thrilled at finding that out. He hoped she wouldn't or he'd never hear the end of it. There was a strange taste of blood in his mouth, it wasn't his. Why did is taste good? Tugging at his arm, he re-positioned it comfortably and slowly popped it right back into place. Relief allowed him to exhale sharply and he frowned as he stared at the water, dark with blood flowing down the drain. How did he get here? Then he felt a familiar presence beside him, which drew his gaze upwards to spot Morrigan's face. She must have dragged him all the way back inside the manor, then dumped him inside the bath tub... Why? And what was with that expectant smile on her face? What the heck?

Feeling his head pounding terribly, he fell back against the bath tub, just breathing. The feel of the cool water against his heated body was welcoming. He did not have the energy to attempt at climbing out of the tub even if he tried. He looked at her steadily, "Why are you still here...?" He rasped, not liking the sound of his own voice. He wondered briefly where Isabella was, then he recalled that guy was with her. He's keeping her safe, doing a better job than the hunter ever could.

"I'm not your kind..."

She was a strange woman, most people would have ran for the hills after seeing what they saw him do. Guess she wasn't most people.



Avalon Manor, underground chambers

"The thing is, Isabella, I know Aleksei, I get why he does what he does. And I accept it, because I love him." Mina continued to serve tea, for herself that is, she could use a cup of it. She filled the kettle with water to prepare it for heating, she glanced back to see the girl examining her hands. A nervous gesture? When the kettle heated the water sufficiently, she picked it up and poured a small amount of the clear water into the tea cup, then plopped a Twinning's English tea bag into it, picked up the little spoon and returned to the living room to join Isabella once again. She sat across from her, watching her curiously. This was the girl he would give his life for to save. This was someone he'd known way before she came into the picture, it was something she had no say in whatsoever.