Sable

Michael braced himself, sensing the vampire's shifting energy behind him, he jumped out of the way just as the man swung down at him, his jacket got shredded. "You missed," Michael said, watching him warily. Did his friend lose it?

"Did I?" Aleksei asked, he held up his hand to show the other the little container of blood tablets he held. He smiled wickedly.

-removed

Isabella flinched when Mina quickly approached her. She was like a lightning bolt, swift and unpredictable on her movement, and it was instinctual that the girl felt threatened. Her eyes shifted from the hooded woman to Aleksei, who watched them warily, then back to the princess. For a moment she wondered why her grandmother had failed to mention Mina within her letter, but as she smiled sweetly at her, and the blue butterfly fluttered on her shoulder, she dismissed the thought. Mina took another step toward her, eliciting more withdrawal from Isabella, who was yet apprehensive of them.

"I...what's wrong with him?" Isabella inquired, studying her alleged guardian. "His...his hand... I saw it..."

She raised her own tiny hand, wiggling her delicate fingers theatrically as words struggled to form coherent sentences in her mouth. She furrowed her brows at the woman, who seemed to watch her as if she were some intricate piece of art, or perhaps royalty of some kind. Her mind was racing at whirlwind speed; she didn't know what to think. Maybe it was a mistake to search out Aleksei, who so obviously had been trying to protect her from knowing something.

"Excuse me, Mina," Isabella said, running past her to reach Aleksei and kneel curiously beside him.

Her light eyes searched his seraphic features, tracing every curve and outline until she could recognize his face with her eyes closed. A distant memory flashed in her mind for a split second, and in that moment she almost convinced herself she remembered his face from her childhood- those garnet eyes -but pushed the thought away. She even dared to reach a little hand and touch his cheekbone with her fingertips. He was the epitome of all the characters she had ever read about in her books; such a beautiful work of literature, here in the flesh. He was tangible, not a figment of her imagination.

"Y-y...you're...beautiful..." she whispered shakily. "You're real...I...I..."

Her brilliant eyes were flickering like fireworks, encasing happiness and curiosity and wonder in their golden rings. With him there, she felt almost as if a part of her grandmother were still alive. She smiled brightly at him, though it was only visible in her demeanor.

Mina hesitated from reaching the girl at seeing the frightening look in her golden eyes. She smiled more and did her best to remain still so that the girl wouldn't turn off and run, not that she wouldn't have caught her easily if that were to happen anyways. Confusion crossed the girl's features and she questioned so openly at Aleksei's injury then before she could answer her, Isabella excused herself and ran off to reach Aleksei. So much for making friends, Mina shook her head as she too turned to face them, her smile fading softly and she stared with sad eyes at the back of the ebony haired royalty. Her quiet, normal life after all was nothing but a temporary fix, and little by little the pieces were cracking off the picture, revealing what was really there behind the screen of black. She would remember him, in another time, and know soon enough what was what.

Being a vampire had its quirks, for one, despite sleeping, Aleksei's mind wasn't entirely gone, more like almost there. His sensitive hearing picked up the delicate crunch of grass beneath Isabella's dainty feet as she paced toward him. The simple fact that he would allow himself to sleep in the presence of her was an immense mark of his trust for her. Not only as a pureblood, but even more so considering Aleksei's personality. That he didn't wake up when Isabella approached was proof that he didn't feel any threat or discomfort in the other's presence near him in such a vulnerable state.

Maybe it was precisely because Isabella was so far from the vampire's society with its harsh rules and cruel reality, that Aleksei could be so much more open around her than he would ever be with others, save of course for Mina. Isabella's feet stopped just at reaching him, she must have crouched down at his level, he could hear her breaths, her heart pounding, feel her so close to him, that when she finally reached out a hand to touch him, he wasn't surprised, a part of him knew her curiosity would out weigh her fear, it was the sensation of her skin making contact with him even if just a little that got him. It was feather light, like a butterfly's kiss and it cut through his dreaming like a shock wave only he could feel. His body remained still and he did his best not to move a muscle despite how hard the effort it was, he even dared not to breathe too fast less he frighten her more. Her soft voice echoed in his mind, weaving around his thoughts and memories, the only time she had ever held his gaze was the moment he had approached her tiny form as a child, saved her life as he was doing, even before she was born, he was always there. Would she look at him the same way after remembering? Would he even consider returning her stolen memories? What would be the point to? She already knew a small part of what was to come, the actual existence of vampires, and the awareness of not being "normal" as far as normal went.

He wanted to hold her gaze, even if for a second, but he craved her closeness, and he knew that if he even tried to peek, she would see him looking back and that would result in her drawing away from him again. So, he remained half conscious there, basking in her sweet, exotic floral scent, and her touch, it didn't burn like a fire as when Mina touched him he noticed, more like tingling warmth. And that he would have to accept.

Mina gripped at her umbrella tightly, she saw it and knew that Isabella would surely see it too. A single tear fell from his eye, gently rolling down his pale cheek, and she knew then that the nightmare plaguing his dreams was only waiting to unfold in reality. For it was his dreams that had lead him to create the two weapons that both she and that hunter possessed. Was it premonitions? She didn't know, for it would only be random moments in his past and now that he would get them.

She wondered, what was next.

If Isabella couldn't comfort him, than she would herself, she never liked seeing him this way and in the times she'd drank from him before, she'd see the pain he kept away from her eyes, she just wished it didn't have to be this way, but it always was. Swallowing a lump forming in her slender throat, she swiped at the burning tears in her eyes, who was she kidding? Isabella held another half of his heart, and would be able to reach him just as deeply as she, or even more so.

Lorenzo's bright yellow eyes flashed momentarily as they halted, stopped by Aleksei, who was anything but pleased at seeing the two together. Though Isabella was shielded by his strong arm from stepping toward the opposing pureblood, a smile curled over her lips. She had hoped he would follow her, if he was the man that he claimed to be. The full lips of the Italian pureblood hinted at a smirk, though only a slight chuckle escaped his nostrils. He observed Aleksei with eyes like that of a wolf, but not a single muscle tensed.

"Is that so, Avalon?" he mocked, his tone regal and romantic. "Because it seems to me the only purpose you serve in her life is to steal her memories, and keep her ignorant of the purpose there is no way she can escape."

He turned and looked at her over his shoulder, just as she wrapped a small hand around his bicep. She watched the two converse curiously, her smile fading, though still intrigued. She swore it was like having Louis and Lestat in front of her eyes, though she couldn't quite decipher which of the two bore malicious intentions. She had never seen two beings as beautiful as these two; quite literally, they appeared to be physical manifestations of the most eloquent literary pieces known to mankind. A gentle sigh escaped her lips, but as soon as she realized they were quarreling over her well being, she furrowed her brows and stepped forward.

"You clearly know nothing of my intentions, inbred, if you believe I desire to bring harm to the girl," he snapped cruelly. "We both know her life is severely precious to the world. And with that being said-" Isabella broke from his grasp to stand in between them, giving each a very pointed look. "-we should let her decide for herself who she so chooses to escort her... Although, I do believe I am more suitable... We are both Italian, afterall."

"Obviously I've been kept in the dark from whatever the hell it is you both are blabbering about," Isabella began, her face cutely scrunched in disapproval. "And even more obviously, I need the both of you to clue me in as to what is going on. And Aleksei-"

She looked at him gravely, standing almost defensively before Lorenzo, who watched the pureblood from behind her rather triumphantly. He crossed his arms over his chest, and the smirk that had been threatening to break over his painfully handsome features.

"All I know of you so far is that you've 'stolen my memories'-whatever that means- and not one of my friends seem to like you very much. On the other hand, Lorenzo has come to my rescue on two occasions... I trust him. So both of you need to play nice."

Selene grunted as the creature spurted offspring from itself like some twisted, evil amphibian of some sort. She took more arrows from her quiver, dipped them in the blue powder around her waist, aimed and shot. They dissipated upon impact, leaving the huntress to gaze at the enormous hellish guardian growing more frustrated as it combated Dean. She closed er eyes for a second- among the chilly, sulfuric air, a gentle, flowery and exotic scent carried- her eyes opened, revealing their hungry crimson color. As her canines budded, she realized that Isabella was nearby.

Quickening her pace, Selene darted like a bolt of lightning toward the limbless monster, running up its only good arm like a spider ensnarling her prey. She took more arrows and began to shoot directly into its skull until the creature reached behind it and attempted to throw her off, where she then leapt from her perch to land on the ground beside Dean.

"Isabella is coming," Selene warned between breaths. "Avalon is providing a temporary distraction, but we need to speed this up. Tell me how to seal that damned gate!"

At the same moment, the enormous fist of the creature rained down in their direction. Selene pushed Dean out of the way just in time, barely missing the blow herself. Then she turned and looked at Vera, swinging her weapons with such grace and precision it was almost as if it were some kind of dance. The smell of demons was though thick in the air that Selenw couldnt believe Isabella's fragrance was detected at all- perhaps the prophecy was indeed truth. All she knew was that she had to be protected at all costs.

"I'm quite certain that being Italian doesn't give you the licence for her to automatically choose you, you speak of yourself as if you're as high and mighty as a king, but you're nothing but a monster hiding behind a beautiful mask. Just like me, we can't ever be truly 'trusted' and no matter what you say I will never believe you inbred," He ignored the arrogant Italian royal vampire the instant Isabella came forward and started addressing him. HE showed no sign of being offended what so ever as the other crossed his arm triumphantly, like he won some prize of some sort. She demanded that he tell her the truth. Did she really wish to know? He could grant it to her, grant her the world if it were at his reach, if only it were all easy. Aleksei took a tentative step, inching closer, gently, he reached out to her, if only he could make Lorenzo disappear, evey thing in him screamed to just kill him now, because being a vampire was enough of a reason for the pureblood to off him. That was his intentions, wiping them all off the face of the earth. And keeping her and Mina safe. Always them.

Her warmth radiated like the sun itself, and he was standing at arm's reach from her, his garnet hues swimming with so much of everything, pain, guilt, sorrow, anger, but also love, tenderness, curiosity, searching, for her?

"I cannot promise you that I'll be able to tolerate him, but because you're asking me to, I will attempt at it." There was a smile touching his angelic features, he almost wanted to touch her, but he held back. "Do you really want to know the truth?" His voice softened almost to a whisper.

Isabella's features, which had grown a little peeved, softened dramatically when Aleksei spoke to her. His tone was so gentle as he addressed her, soft and saccharine as opposed to when he spoke to Mina or Lorenzo. For a moment she almost swore she recognized the tenderness in his tone, as though it were a distant memory. The breeze swept over the trio, carrying the girl's scent like a perfume. Lorenzo took one breath, his eyes closed, as though indulging in its sweetness. When they reopened, his yellow irises were glowing like the rays of the sun. His handsome lips parted to reveal his budded canines, and he inhaled deeply one more time.

"Oh, on the contrary, Avalon," he hissed, intensely satisfied. "The fact that I am an Italian royal means she will have to choose me... Remember what the treaty calls for."

Isabella whirled around to face Lorenzo, bewildered at his statement. She then averted her gaze to Aleksei, though she stared at him helplessly, her mouth slightly parted in shock. Her soft dark hair was billowing in the wind that had decided to pick up with the chill of the morning. When Aleksei stepped toward her, she retreated from the both of them.

"Wait, what? R-royalty?" she stuttered, turning to Aleksei. "What is he talking about?"

"Oh, forgive me, princess," Lorenzo apologized mockingly. "In all his endeavors to keep you safe, did your escort forget to mention the importance of your lineage?"

He approached her, though showed no signs of threat. His eyes were still glowing as he indulged further in her fragrance. He could see she no longer felt safe, but a bit betrayed.

"Did he also forget to inform you about a woman named Maria?" Again mockingly, he shook his head, imitating a 'no' she might have answered him with. "No? Well do you have your grandmother's journals, or has he kept those a secret from you also? She did will him to give them to you, afterall..."

When Isabella looked back at Aleksei, she seemed on the verge of tears. Here she was, ready to trust him with her life like her grandmother had, but yet he had been keeping so many secrets from her. She couldn't help but feel a bit of betrayal.

"Is this true, Aleksei?" she asked, her voice shaky.

"Amore mio, come with me, and I will teach you everything this man has failed to," Lorenzo began, uncharacteristically gingerly and soothing. "Let me take you to-"

"And you! You are no better! How many secrets are you keeping?"

She retreated once more, her steps threatening to burst into a full sprint toward the school house where the battle still raged on, unbeknownst to her. Her heartbeat quickened, an alarming song filling both of the purebloods' ears.

"I have no secrets, just information I am trying to share with you," Lorenzo contended, his arms raised. "So, who will it be, principessa? who will you choose?"

The pureblood never took his eyes from Isabella, she was beginning to calm some. As a soft breeze swept like a caress in between them, carrying with it her sweet fragrance, he basked in her scent, it felt as though it were weaving around him, embracing him and he drew closer to the girl, not liking the nearness of the other and at glancing at him for a second, those glowing orbs warned him that she just may be in danger with him so close, and his fangs showcasing them so proudly, not a good sign. As the snake hissed vile words, twisting them into a an act of betrayal in her mind, Aleksei shook his head, "The treaty... Is nothing but a lie," He whispered, returning his gaze at Isabella, she was letting herself get consumed by his speech and Aleksei regretted not having killed him. He should have, the fool was only complicating things further, his presence was not helping the situation.

Aleksei watched as the vampire kept yapping at her what he planned on already telling her when he felt it appropriate for her to know, he gripped the key in his pocket, though released it in fear it might snap, and instead silently waited for them to finish. This was not going well, and he had to intervene now before it got worse.

"That's quite enough from you Lorenzo, this was why I told you to walk away. There is nothing for her to choose, the choice was already made many years way before she was even born you're such an imbecile." Aleksei's tone was surprisingly even despite his growing irritation at Lorenzo. He wasn't going to allow this man to waltz into this precious life that he guarded, have her choose him (which he knew she just may do so considering his "involvement" in saving her life and portraying himself as a hero) and put her in danger.

He reached Isabella and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, looking at her, he softly told her, "Isabella, I'm not asking you to trust me, because "trust" is something that is earned, not given, especially not in one day either. I've been by your side even when your mother had you in her belly, I know everything there is to know about you, like for instance, your great fondness for nature," He offered a beautiful rose to her, "I kept my distance because I wanted to protect you from this cruel life fated to you, Maria was correct in her prediction, always was, and despite knowing this I still wanted to try, but I can see that it will always follow you no matter what I do." He turned his gaze to stare pointedly at Lorenzo, then he just as quickly returned his attention to his love, "I wished for you to see beauty, which was why I left a rose for you everyday, instead of me. However I regret not being in your life, and even for that I pay the price by your distrust in me." His expression was genuinely concerned for her and he gave her a sweet smile, trying so hard to make her understand him, "I wanted to tell you everything, but I always put you before everything else, you were supposed to live a full life, it was why she asked me to keep you safe, protect you from all this madness, a silly desire we both shared," he chuckled, humorlessly "a dream really, one that she was aware of herself, prepared for it even for when it all would eventually fall apart, so that you would know. She gave me everything to give to you when that time came. unfortunately sooner than expected. I would never betray you, so don't let his talk confuse you."

Then he grew more serious, and finally turned to address Lorenzo, "You speak of how precious her life is to the world, but you only say this because it is in your interest that she lives, yours and them, I know why you're here, you're being their eyes and ears. I want to protect her life because I swore I would, and I care about her more than you would ever know." Then he glanced at Isabella, "The only memories I dared to take from you, were the ones that would cause you unpleasant dreams and pain, for that I would take them into me instead. You have a beautiful mind, one that shouldn't be disturbed by violence and despair. Will you hate me for that? For wanting to protect your all, your body, mind, soul, and heart?" What Lorenzo thought was of secondary concern to the pureblood, all he cared about was keeping her safe, and far away from any threat. He could see she was wishing to flee from the both of them, and no matter where she would run to, he would follow her, and defend her.

"You seem to have forgotten that I am the eyes and ears of Italy-" Lorenzo paused for effect, his cold yellow eyes sauntering over Isabella's trembling form. "And soon enough, with my princess at my side, we shall rule the empire together."

Isabella said nothing, but instwad averted her gaze to Aleksei, who grasped her shoulder as if she were slipping away. He spoke tenderly, and there was recognition in his voice, a sincere, true love that she could almost tangibly feel. He spoke of her love for nature, and presented her with a red rose, evoking a breathless gasp from the girl. Within the next moment, memories of hundreds of red roses flashed through her mind; every day for as long as she could remember, there was always a long stemmed, thornless rose resting on her doorstep. She could even faintly recognize an infant's mobile above her crib as a baby, with dozens of roses hanging and circling around her as a sweet melody played.

She took the flower, her mind still reeling, and looked up at him with tearful topaz eyes. A gentle smile unfurled on her rosebud lips, and she reached out to stroke the side of his face, something that also felt familiar to her. It was as if her body remembered feeling his cheeks with tiny infant fingers, and his loving face gazing back at her with an emotion she had never seen any human bear before. The moment ended when Aleksei snarled at Lorenzo, who seemed on the verge of amusement at the pureblood's irritation he successfully elicited.

"Stop with the nonsense, Lorenzo," Isabella said, her tone uncharacteristically grave and dark. "I will choose neither of you. I will go to Italy without you both, if I must. You can leave us now."

As Isabella fell away from Aleksei's protection, approaching the Italian pureblood on her own whim, his demeanor became slightly cynical. The ferocity in his bright irises dimmed to a mild glow, but when he faced the girl, they noticeably softened. He took her hand, the one opposite of the rose she held, and tenderly kissed her knuckles while bowing respectfully before her. She watched him a bit quizzically, but her head still remained level and she did not waver in her stance.

"Farewell, bellizzima," he purred, meeting her gaze, which evoked slight romantic trembling. "When you do decide to come home, I will be waiting with open arms... And surely, so will your mother."

The last line caused the girl's countenance to drop immediately. She could swear her heart stopped beating for a few seconds altogether, where she was frozen in time as the statement pummeled her like a sledgehammer. The pureblood disappeared into the forest before she could collect herself enough to inquire about what he said, but she was sure that was his intention in the first place. She felt her knees buckling beneath her, and she stepped back, collapsing into Aleksei's chest, the tears she had been holding back now falling freely in silent streams.

Aleksei knew it and felt it, something changed. Lorenzo had Isabella's fate in his hands, he decided that he was going to marry her, and Aleksei could tell that it was going to be forced upon the girl. At Lorenzo's retreat he knew that the man took something away with him, and that from this point on, Isabella was left with his image forever in her mind. She would grow to love him, it was always that way, and all he could do was sit tight and watch it all unwind, all of it inevitable. In knowing this still, he would do anything he could to prevent this, anything to keep her from certain unhappiness.

Isabella was left shaken and in tears, he took her into his arms bridal style and whispered to her that all would be okay, then he turned opposite from the direction that Lorenzo left and departed the scene, he brought her to his own manor, welcomed upon first entering by a servant, Sera, he instructed her to fetch him a glass of water then he continued up to a room. Isabella's room. Laying her on the bed, he gently patted her head, willing her to rest because it would be much easier to deal with it all when she was well rested. "I'm sorry Isabella, I wish I could take this pain from you..." It was as though his voice were an echo, always telling her the same thing, he wanted to chase her pain away, and was always sorry because his efforts were never enough. It hurt him unbearably to see her tears and there was nothing he could do to console her, he wiped her tears away with tender fingers recalling how she had previously done the same for her. "Whatever you decide, to go to Italia, be with him, I'll always be right beside you...If you decide you want to fight against it all, I will be there for you, and hold your hand through it all, as I always have..." He gazed down at her, his eyes the canvas of his soul, slowly breaking down again, how many times had he pictured this happening? Loosing her over and over in his dreams to what is and what could never be? Before they were just nightmares, visions that she had warned him about, but now it was no longer just visions, it was all really unfolding before him.

"I will always protect you, my queen..."

Sera was at the door, a tall glass of water in her hands, her silver iridescent eyes watching them, she nodded when Aleksei motioned her forward and she handed him the glass of water. Then she bowed respectfully, turned then left them on cue.

Aleksei held the glass of water for Isabella, he urged her to drink some and to simply try to find calm.



"Only by either killing this thing or forcing it to retreat can the damn hell hole close up." Dean grunted, slicing quickly at the monster's leg. It toppled over, as the limb fell away, and predictably mutated into more hellish versions of the giant monster. In his peripheral vision, he caught Vera shoving something into the little cretin's gaping mouths as they tried to snap at her. She smirked and slipped away as the bombs of holy water burst within them, eliciting them to holler in agony as they burned from the inside out. She landed a little behind the hunters, the big monster was all that was left standing.

"Let's wrap this up before eight shall we?" She called out to the both of them.

[Happy New Year everyone! @St. Valentine I read your rendition of the role-play, I loved how you depicted Lyra, right on the nail! Are you writing anymore? I would like to know how Isabella suddenly awakens like that, it was like watching a television show so exciting.]

---

Michael rushed through the forest, through the awakening town and directly toward the school. Isabella was with Aleksei and another vampire, Michael wondered if he had ever felt this man's aura, it felt almost familiar, perhaps in one of the many council meetings before. Reaching the school property he saw Lyra, she was standing her guard, her hands held up before her, a white barrier protected the school its light faint and pulsing. It kept the evil things within from coming out, but he wondered if he could step through it without getting harmed, so he paused close to the girl.

"Selene is inside Michael, where have you been? There's a giant source of evil auras coming from in there, please help them, I don't know how long I can support the barrier!" She glanced back momentarily to see him, "I'll leave an opening for you, be quick!"

Michael nodded confirming, he gently patted the girl atop her head, smiling rather brightly, "Good job Lyra, keep it strong there, this will be over soon." Then he slipped away like a breeze, his hands ready with water and ice enveloping them as he burst through the doors. He saw the other night class students wrestling with a few stray demons and he helped getting rid of them.

"The culprit is at the gym, but the hunters are taking care of it," Amy, a vampire informed the pureblood when he asked for a report, smiling at her, thanking her for the imput he continued on to the gym, catching Veratos as she finished off her own demons before leaving a wreck behind her. When the smoke cleared he ran to the doors and slammed them open in time to see the hunter slice at the monstrous hell beast.

"Go after her, help her out, remember where you stand..." Aleksei's voice echoed in his mind as he though back at the fight they had before, he wasn't certain what the pureblood was planning out now, but he knew for sure that his Selene was now more involved in it than ever before. He shook his head slightly as he walked passed the ashes left behind by the huntress. He saw Selene in action, sending arrows dipped in a blue powdery substance at the giant thing. He looked up to her, "Mind if I join in?"

Outside Lyra closed her eyes, her cheeks rosy, wow, a handsome man had cheered her on to keep going, stay strong, it was enough to boost her confidence. Wait until Isabella found out about this! Speaking of, she could faintly "feel" her, she was a bit away from the school, along with her were two others that had much stronger, darker auras about them and it made her a little scared.

"It's alright Lyra, Isabella is with Aleksei, he only wants to protect her. Keep your focus dear." Katerina whispered, pulling the girl back to her task.

"Who's Aleksei?" Lyra questioned her, returning her focus on holding the barrier up, she was having some difficulty in it, takes a lot of mojo to cover up an entire school, also while keeping her mind clear for it all to work.

"A vampire, apparently he's been behind Isabella her entire life, however with this new fellow, he doesn't bode well in the mix, what he brings with him and takes away it's all so sad." Katerina expressed, she had remained long enough to know what was going on, having disappeared soon after Aleksei had explained what he could to Isabella. She'd returned to her niece to help her, and also, let her know what was going on.

Lyra frowned, "Oh so she has a guardian who's always been there for her sooo romantic -wait- did you say he was a vampire? That's unbelievable, but then again, I'm holding up a huge cage to keep the demons inside so I guess... I still can't believe it."

"Lyra focus!" Katerine urged her.

"Sorry!"

(Happy New Year my loves! I'm so happy to have met you both, and that we have all stuck together through what has it been? Two, three years now? Very safe and cheerful celebrations to you and your families! Also, thank you Angel, I tried my best to capture their unique personalities. I am writing more, and will send you both the newest edition soon. Thank you again guys! Love y'all! n_n)

Isabella wrapped her arms around Aleksei's neck as he carried her, the tears still falling, her despair ever present; yet, like all the other tender moments she had just shared with Aleksei, this particular gesture, as he held her close to his heart, again she could almost remember the same occurrence as a child. She breathed in his scent, the smell of earth on his hair and cold skin, and nuzzled her skull into the crook of his neck. Everything she had ever known was suddenly crashing down all around her, leaving nothing but chaos and confusion in its wake. Nevertheless, she knew there was no longer anywhere she could run, except directly to the source itself. A sigh escaped her lips.

As he placed her on a bed, in a room blossoming with dozens of fresh, beautiful flowers that resembled a Wonderland like garden, she watched him sadly. She could see the sorrow in his demeanor, and feel the shame emanating from his strong form. She reached out to place a hand on his, trying to reassure him that everything was going to be alright, though she was not sure of this herself. She graciously took the water, thanked him and sipped, though still observed him and felt he needed it more than she did.

"You don't have to protect me anymore, Aleksei," Isabella started softly, her small fingers wrapping around his hand. "At this moment in time, I need a comrade... Someone to help me fight whatever future is trying to force itself on me."

She sighed, looking away for a few moments and sniffing pitifully. A single tear streaked her cheek, but she didn't wipe it away; instead, she let it fall and dapple the floral quilt. When she returned her gaze to Aleksei, her smile was still there, unwavering in its efforts to provide him with some kind of comfort. Her free hand moved a few stray strands of his platinum hair from his carnelian eyes, a loving gesture she never thought she would do. That's when she remembered Dean, and how he had tried to make her promise to stay with Billie. She wondered where he had gone off to, and where Selene and her other friends were, and what their thoughts might be on all this madness.

"I... I want to go to Italy," she continued, mindful of Aleksei's sensitivity of the subject. "But I don't want to marry Lorenzo or be royalty or whatever it is he was hinting at. I just want to meet my mother, and find out why this is happening to me... And finish high school..."

Another tear streaked her cheek as she realized that, however futile that ambition probably seemed now, it was an important milestone in every teenager's life. She was determined that, regardless of this calamity, she would live out each of her desires despite the responsibility that would soon befall her. All she wanted was to keep her friends safe, allow them as normal a life as they could possibly have, and move on with her own.

"But I want you to go with me. You seem to be a very dear friend of my family's, and if I am to meet my mother, I would like to have you at my side, in case she isn't as forgiving with me..."



Selene was being overwhelmed by the spawning demons that were continuously reproducing from the monster's wounds. At the moment, they were climbing all over her, and her arrows were quickly becoming scattered. They started to rake their nails along her flesh in an attempt to tear her apart, which only angered the newborn vampire; at the same moment, an explosion resounded near her, and then a shower of Holy water rained down on all of them, destroying the demons and consequently wounding Selene as well. She hissed with the pain, but it subsided quickly, and when she recovered she glanced over at Vera to offer her an acknowledging and thankful nod.

She caught a familiar musky scent, and when she turned she noticed Michael standing beside her. With a smirk, she shook her head and began to recollect all her arrows.

"By all means, take your time," she joked, as she positioned the arrow along the bowstring and aimed for the creature, studded with her seemingly futile weapons. "It's nice of you to finally join us."

She couldn't smell Isabella in the air anymore, which meant she had been taken, and it was anyone's guess that her captor was Aleksei. At least, at this point in time, that's what she hoped for. The demons in the schoolhouse were gradually depleting in number, but the hell guardian was only maimed, or so it seemed. Hunting evil spirits and bogeymen was not something Selene listed on her resume, nor a skill she had in her repertoire. This was something different entirely, and she knew that if she was going to face future adversaries of the same nature, she would have to invest in proper weapons.

"When is this damned thing going to die?!"

((St. Valentine I hope you had an awesome new years last night! I'm just as happy to have met you, can't wait to see what you cook up next. To you both thanks for sticking with me in this role play, seems like forever since we were in this one, I think it's the longest running that promises to find an 'end' the way we're going. Keep at it guys, make me proud! lol XOXO))

---

Isabella touched his hand, his fingers wove around hers, holding on to what he could, his eyes swam with so much tenderness as he captured her gaze and listened to her with a smile curving his lips. As long as she was before him, he would do his best to make her happy, anything she asked he would grant. I'm sorry protecting you with my life is a promise I will keep forever. Aleksei thought slowly shaking his head, then nodding with the other request, "I will be your comrade, if that is your wish, I'll hold your hand, and be beside you always." As her eyes gave birth to more tears, he watched them fall, it was necessary, she would shed the tears he wouldn't allow himself to shed before her.

She sighed, seeming pensive about something for an instant, then her gaze met his and her hand reached to his face, fingers brushing away a few wispy strands of his hair from his eyes and he closed them at her contact, welcoming her touch. A soft tired sigh left him, he could feel himself gradually relax as the seconds ticked by, she always left this effect on him when ever they were close, almost like Mina. He opened his eyes once again, his eye lids felt like sand paper when he blinked, he was pushing himself too much, and even so it didn't stop him from wanting to be here with her. As though he were cherishing every single moment he was sharing with her from this point on, and not wanting a single moment to pass where she wasn't in it. He was hopeless.

Isabella voiced further wishes to indeed go to Italia, and his jaw clenched at the topic, his eyes narrowing a tiny bit, brows wrinkling in obvious concern, she was playing right into Lorenzo's hand, using her mother most likely as bait. She then expressed her refusal to wed Lorenzo, and he couldn't help the twitch of his lips, threatening to break into a smile, even a chuckle, but he didn't have the energy to muster that. Finally she made it clear that finishing her studies was a must and his expression softened at that one, for it was a wish he shared with her, that she live her life, completely. More tears streaked her face and he gently wiped them, he remained silent so that she could fill the air with only her desires. She continued, telling him that he was whom she wanted to accompany her to Italia, he would have, had she not mentioned this anyway, and he nodded, glad that she had welcomed him further into her life.

"Your mother loves you immensely, let go the guilt baggage, that's heavy weight not meant for you to carry." he said while taking in her sweet scent. "You have done no wrong, never had...Just lived, if it's anyone who should feel guilty it's me... should have told you...the truth."
He smiled, then stood up remembering something, "Stay put, and close your eyes. I want to give you a something, I'll be right back." He left the room.

A few minutes later he returned with his hand behind his back, settling on the bed across from her, he reached for her hand, looked to be sure she wasn't peeking then laid something cool over her wrist, closed it by it's clasp then held her hand gingerly as he admired such beauty. It looked much better on her, than in the box it was contained in, he also rested a bound leather journal on the bed which was decorated with rose petals. What Isabella wore was a bracelet, its white chunky beads reflected at the light faintly, pearls strung beside an unpolished white gold charm embossed with a heart set aflame. He gave it to her because he wanted to, and nothing more, just something to remember him by if ever they were to part. He hoped she would take care of it as he had for the many years he'd kept it.

◙ ◙ ◙

Dean was just as anxious to get this damn monster out of the picture, but it just wasn't that easy. "This fella doesn't know when to quit!" he said, taking a lunge for it, raising his blade over his head, he aimed for the demon's skull, but was stopped when the enraged beast shot at the hunter with his giant hand, crushing him into the wall, his jagged claws encased him, he couldn't escape.

"I know you, your face is just like your father's what a surprise that I would find myself facing the son. And defeating him!" the demon growled, forcing his weight against the kid. Then he pulled back to look at him, the demon was incredibly weakened, and his senses were fading, but he wasn't going down without bringing someone to hell with him. "Tell me son of Adacio, where does your strength come from, the fact that you aren't human or is it because of the life you've lived so far? I want to know." His voice was scary deep and grating, matching his ugliness.

Dean glowered at the glowing orbs of the demon as he pulled himself out of a Dean sized hole, "How do you know I'm not human? I'm more human than you'd ever know!" he pushed himself off the wall and attempted to strike at the demon, blade gleaming red with his aura pouring into it, now he was really pissed.

The demon expected that he'd hit a chord, what was so great about humanity? He'd never know, but he was prepared for the kid as he advanced on him and just before they met in the between, he pushed his remaining strength into one last hit, allowing the opening above his head, the blade came down on him, ending him.

Vera smiled pleased at seeing him attack the beast, this time slicing it through in half, the atrocity erupted to pieces leaving behind nothing but bitterness and the nastiest stunk of sulfur. She scrunched up her face and covered her nose with her sleeve, and waved her other hand to clear the air, then gasped, almost choking on the stringent air. What she saw almost made her heart stop, her eyes flashed a bright red at the shock, before turning back their natural dark color and she raced after the fallen boy who was on his knees, the blade forgotten on the floor, his head hung low like a wilted flower. "Dean!"

"It hurts... but I can barely feel it." Dean whispered, he fell against Vera as she ran to him, sunk to her knees and captured him just as he fell. She held onto his hand which gripped tightly at the only thing left behind by the demon boss, his gihugic claw, or what looked like it. The claw had perfectly impaled him right in the guts. He held on to her shoulder, blood rising up in his mouth, he shut one eye trying to pull it out but not having the strength to. "Get it out. Get it out!"

"You'll loose too much blood, I can't just yank it out like that!" Veratos yelled back, she grit her teeth, shaking with the fear she never knew she had gripping her. Poor kid, he was the best hunter she ever knew, and now he was gonna die, like this? The thought was unbearable. "Selene, Michael... HELP!"

[Well I thank you St. Valentine for sticking around with us, love you too! I'm on the edge of my seat waiting for more. I hope you had a super new years with your family and that you're safe. ❤ Hime, I think we've already done that lol.]

---

Michael was just about to start freezing the sucker's remaining leg, encase him in ice so that it wouldn't be able to move, allowing Dean the leverage needed to attack without getting injured, but the boy was quicker and had went after the freak of nature right when he was gonna shoot. So much happened after that, it almost looked like Dean had won at the end, when the smog of released demonic energies erupted from the defeated foe, and the hell gate closed finally he smiled, shielding his nose and mouth with a hand so as not to inhale the crap, he too stiffened at smelling blood, it was of a peculiar scent.

The air cleared a little, and he glanced at Veratos as she screamed out the other's name, then went after him. He was struck by the monster, it had happened at the very moment Dean had sliced him in two, ending its existence. A deadly opening for both. When the young lady called out to them both for assistance, he exchanged worried glances with Selene, then sprinted toward the two. Crouching down on one knee, he inspected the damage. Salvatore's face was already pale as his own, which wasn't a surprise since the boy had been at it for a couple of hours with the hell beast.

Then the pureblood remembered something, that demon had called the hunter a non-human, though offended by it, Dean had demonstrated spectacular strengths no mere mortal could perform. Michael wondered in fact, had there been truth in that? He divided his gaze from the suffering boy who hadn't yet passed out, to his companion who expressed genuine agony. Placing a hand on Veratos, he nodded his head, motioning her to step back as he took her place. Gripping Dean's shoulder, he looked the boy in the eye, his other hand seized the end of the claw, his expression inscrutable as he said in a rather distant tone, "Let go Salvatore."

⚜⚜⚜

Lyra saw the light fading from the school, felt the bad vibes disappear and she was left thoroughly exhausted as she collapsed onto the ground. The barrier she'd held up snapped as she'd stopped holding it up. Taking deep breaths she sat there, trying to recollect her bearings, glancing up with much difficulty at the still building she knew the enemy must have been taken out. She had felt a heavy vibration just before the miasma had dissipated, was it the hunter?

"The school is safe now darling, your job here is over." Katerina observed, watching her niece as she caught her breath and attempted at standing.
"But, what about the others, they're still in there, do you think they're okay?" Lyra asked more concerned for them than for herself. She wiped a sheen of sweat from her forehead with the back of her forearm and she exhaled a long breath, she didn't think she could have supported that barrier any longer had the battle lasted several more minutes. "I...I don't think I can ever do that again." She said wryly, crossing her arms around her frame, her shoulders fell, she felt chilly and simultaneously hot.

Katerina stared at the school, she sensed trouble from within, but instead of voicing her knowledge she smiled down at her precious niece and reassured her that the group inside were fine. Most likely recovering as she was now. "Come now Lyra. let's return home, your guardians will be awakening soon and-"

Lyra shot her aunt a cross stare, "DON'T LIE AUNT KATERINA! They never cared about me, that woman Miss Vandalia doesn't even look at me! And her husband is always working, I never see him! How can you say they worry for me when they don't even know I exist?! Even their daughter Serenity doesn't even know my name..." she lowered her voice as she ended the sentence, her throat ached badly. Tears burst from her eyes and she couldn't help but cry, feeling hopelessly lost. Ever since her aunt died and she'd been sent to the next of kin being distant, make that very remote, her father's sister who never even showed any interest for the girl still when her parents had been alive. She would have rather lived alone to be honest, it almost felt that way.

Katerina frowned at her niece's melancholy, the girl always displayed such an easy going countenance, she'd never mentioned having been bothered by her current living conditions with the Vandalias and now that the girl broke down like this, she knew she had to do something, anything to fix this. It was her fault Lyra was stuck in this rut, had she not passed away the girl would have still been living in London with her and they would have had been happily together. Impulsivity shocked through her and she reached down to touch her niece's head, only to have her hand flow right through the girl's head of light auburn curls. At realizing her inability to comfort her, touch her, feel her warmth, Katherine's expression tightened with a mixture of intense pain and anguish. "I'm sorry Lyra, forgive me."

"It's okay. I'm fine." Lyra said tightly, strained, which meant she was lying through her teeth as she tried to stand, then her vision got foggy.
"Lyra don't move-"
"I need to find Isabella, she's gone-" Lyra could hear herself say breathe/lessly as she wobbled to her feet, and then the world turned to black.
"Oh Lyra, no..." Katerina could do nothing, as the child fell to the pavement, she extended her arms trying to reach for her falling body, her ghostly apparition held no mercy and even in this instance never materialized, remaining unsubstantial. Lyra crumpled to the ground, her eyes closed.

"What the hell, you want to pull it out? What's wrong with you Michael he'll bleed to death!" Veratos snapped, her hands reached for the vampire that had a gleam of curiosity in his eyes as he stared at Dean. She shook his shoulder, her fingers trying to pry Michael's vicelike grip from the claw. In their struggle, Dean had remained eerily silent, maybe he didn't have any strength in him to say anything. She was so scared she felt her heart pounding hard, as if it were going to burst from chest and land several feet away. She shot Michael a death glare, her face saying "let go damn it" she elbowed him hard on the side, all in attempt to make him stop his insanity. This was not the time for fooling around.

Dean reached for Michael and glared at him, "Pull. It. Out." he growled, pain searing in him, making tears wet his eyes.

At seeing this Veratos stopped and she stared at Dean both shocked and horrified.

What did he say?

Michael felt the girl fighting against him, but he remained steady, like a stone, she was more like a child on him, even when she'd elbowed him, he'd hardly felt it, more like a little tap more like it. He watched Dean's brows furrow, the tugging and toying with the claw deep in his body was not a pleasurable sensation and that much was obvious when the boy reached for his collar and demanded that he yank the thing out of him.

"I was just about to."

Veratos shrank back, as though shocked by lightning, at the second she'd done this, Michael mercilessly and effortlessly ripped the claw from the kid, blood gushing out in a heavy and mesmerizing stream, soaking him in crimson plasma that didn't smelled anything but apatizing. What was with this sudden recoiling he felt? Normally the pureblood would go crazy at even the slightest hint of blood hitting the air. But at the smell of this, he wasn't attracted to. Odd.

Isabella followed Aleksei's instruction to stay put, sealing her golden eyes with her thick lashed eyelids. She shivered slightly at his touch when he returned, feeling something wrap around her little wrist. When she was told to loil, her eyes widened cheerfully at the sight of the pearl bracelet. She gasped softly, bringing her free hand to her mouth as she marveled at the lovely gift, followed by the lambskin journal.

"Oh, Aleksei, it's beautiful..." she cried, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Thank you. I love it."

Then she retrieved the journal, carefully observing each detail. She could almost feel her grandmother's hands opening and closing its cover, scribbling things within its pages, and imagine her ink stained hands. A gentle smile played over her rosebud mouth, her eyes dancing over the journal and then up to Aleksei, whom she gazed at lovingly. Over the course of a mere few hours, he had changed entirely in her mind, now becoming the person her grandmother had fondly spoken of.

"Aleksei, I..." her voice was cut short as she suddenly dropped the leather diary and her features contorted into that expressing severe pain. A choked scream erupted from her throat as she flew back against the mattress, clutching at her abdomen as if she had been impaled.

Her chest began to rise and fall as her breaths became quick paced and labored. She writhed in agony on top of the bedsheets which began to tangle around her violently shaking form. Another blood curdling shriek left her lungs, and her eyes were so wide in pain it looked as though she were being tortured. Then they glossed over, and as she stared blankly up into the ceiling, she could see Selene, Michael and Vera in the gymnasium, all crowded around her as if she were there. Her body began to shake and convulse, and she gasped desperately for oxygen, clutching at the sheets in search of Aleksei's hand.

"Dean... Dean..." she murmured, barely comprehensible above her shaky breaths. Another groan in pain exploded from her lips and she rolled over, curling into a fetal position, clutching her stomach. She fought through the anguish, which seemed to work in attempt to incapacitate her, but threw her legs over the mattress to stand. She crumpled to the floor, teeth clenched bitterly, but she pressed on and crawled toward the threshold. She was going to make it to Dean if it killed her- she knew he was in trouble, and for some reason, she knew that she could help him, only she didnt know how.

"Aleksei... Take... Me... To Dean..." she gasped, like a fish out of water.

Selene's aquamarine eyes glowed like marine lights as she kneeled beside Michael, who had just ripped the claw away from Dean's gut: A stream of crimson poured from the boy's wound, carrying a much different scent than she thought. It was pleasant, not quite as metallic as a human, but neither as sweet as Isabella's; and that's when something clicked inside her head.

"Michael... Do you suppose Isabella's blood will heal him?" she asked quietly, her gaze averting to Vera, as if inquiring her also.

Outside, a boy with wild black hair and light grey eyes approached Lyra, who had fallen unconscious on the ground. He smelled sweetly of earth and the forest, and there was something slightly animalistic and lupine about his handsome features. Upon seeing that she was exhausted, he rushed to her aid, accompanied by two other boys with the same dark hair but different shades of blue in their eyes. They too smelled of earth, and watched the girl with curious, pup like expressions as the boy collected her in his arms.

He lifted his nose to the air, as if trying to detect a certain scent the wind might have carried, then ran almost superhumanly fast through toward the forest. He knew school would be starting soon, but the girl didn't look nearly in a suitable enough condition to face the day. Her fiery hair bounced around her face as he tucked her head into his chest, holding her tightly in his grasp, though it was more secure than threatening. His body heat would provide her enough warmth against the chill of the morning air.

He stopped running when he came to a modest, cottage like lake house in a clearing in the forest. A vast, enormous body of dark water created by a beaver dam encircled the house on all sides, save for a driveway and a pier that granted entrance to the front porch. The three boys hurried over the pier, retreating inside, where the shades were open and allowed plentiful sunlight. The interior consisted of many native American artifacts and wooden furniture that seemed to be handmade. It smelled pleasantly of pine and sandalwood, and above all, the place was very welcoming.

"Are you sure this is a good idea, Julian?" asked one of the boys, his dark blue eyes settled on the ground. "Won't she freak out when she wakes up?"

"Quiet, Lukas... Get me some warm water and honey, and start burning some sage. This girl has been fighting evil spirits... They've weakened her. I can smell their odor all over her," the boy responded, his tone warm. As he laid Lyra's small body on a full sized bed, he looked over at the only one who had said nothing. "She will be hungry when she awakens. Do we have any bread for her honey?"

"She is a human, Julian..." the boy said quietly, his jade colored eyes focused on Lyra. "It's a mistake to bring her into our home."

"Don't question me, Damian. She's hurt, and there was no one there to help her... We can't just leave her. Now please bring me some bread and a hand towel."

Lukas and Damian did as they were told, serving a few slices of toast with a small jar of honey on a platter and setting it on the nightstand beside Lyra. A bowl of warm water and a hand towel was then given to Julian, who moistened it, then placed it on her forehead. Julian watched the red headed girl for several minutes, listening as her shallow breaths entered and escaped her lips, hoping that while the sage burned in the room that she would recover quickly. Surely when she awakened, she would probably be terrified, but the handsome boy was determined to make sure she was safe.

Aleksei was all smiles as she expressed awe and then hugged him after she saw the precious gift he gave her. All he did was observe her lovingly while she looked through the journal, seeing more and more of Maria in her as the time passed them by. About to ask her if she was well enough so that he could give her the grand tour of the manor and thus grant her free reign of the place, their little happy moment was short lived when she suddenly cried out in severe pain. It was enough to freak him out and nothing ever freaked him out. Holding on to the girl as she curled onto the bed and screamed, he held her hand, not sure what to do since he had no clue what could possibly be afflicting her so terribly. Clenching his jaw, he pulled her into his arms, held her close to his chest, and he waited it out, until she gasped, "Dean...Dean..." His brows knitted as his mind scrambled for a possible explanation. Was something happening to him that she would react this way, could it be...? He listened further as she told him to take her to the hunter that was no doubt still at the school.

"Sera."

The servant was at his side in a matter of seconds, having been close the instant Isabella's screams echoed in the manor. She was afraid for an instant that the pureblood had lost it and had attacked her. Despite her fears she dared not enter the room until called for, relief flooded her tense body and her face flushed in shame, how dare she think so poorly of her liege. He would rather die than harm Isabella. He was holding her in the bed, there was no blood in the air or on them, save for the dried, now turning black stains on the pureblood's shirt from his earlier run-in with Michael. She bowed respectfully before him and asked him quietly to give her his orders.

"Help me take her to RozenHale."
"Yes sir."



"Well thanks for... Being gentle...Michael..." Dean managed, he was lying on his back, everyone staring down at him, with a zoo-exhibit look on their faces, he said fuzzily, "It's closing up...? I feel it...So weird..." He winced at feeling Vera pushing both hands down with her coat over his gaping wound to stop the bleeding, she'd instructed Michael to hold his feet up so that blood would flow to his sluggish brain. His eyes fluttered shut and he fell quiet again. And still. "Stay with me Dean, I'm not letting you die, not today!" She was trying her best to stay in control, be strong, but when her hands pooled with his blood, her own confidence was fading. Trying press onto his stomach with her jacket was like putting a finger into a dike to stop a flood. But it was all she had, so she went with it, attempting to keep a steady pressure on it. Beneath him, his blood pooled, she felt it on her knees. At remembering Selene's question she looked up at the woman, "Isabella's blood..." she smirked at that one, it could just may quicken things up a bit, but she wasn't sure. Things like this never happened before. "to be honest I don't know, it could, if she were here."

Then rescue arrived in the form of a tall stranger and a small form in his arms all bundled up in a thick, black, fleece throw. Beside him, a silvery haired lady with an unreadable look on her face, the two approached them and gently, the blonde man laid a girl beside Dean.

"Well speak of the devil," Vera quipped, shaking her head.

Aleksei held Isabella's heaqd, supporting her, "What is it that you need to do Isabella? Tell me so that I can assist you further." He glanced at Sera, "Have water at hand Ser, we might need it when this is over."

Sera nodded, she too was knelt down behind him, from a messenger bag she carried, she quickly reached in and pulled out two water bottles of Evian, then returned his gaze with a nod. Prepared.

-deleted-

{I'm sorry, this is the best I could come up with! I'm suffering a lack of inspiration and creativity! Forgive me!}


With steady hands, for the first time since she had arrived at the school, Isabella took hold of the baretta. As she held it awkwardly for a few seconds, observing its sleek metallic frame and switching between hands until she felt comfortable, she smiled. She had never held a weapon before, nor had she been an advocate for violence up until today. She had seen so much more blood than she ever had in her entire 17 years of existence. She had to admit, though shamefully so, it was a bit exhilarating. She watched the back of Dean's head for a moment, studying his blond hair as the sun shone on it, remembering the blond baby in her vision. She furrowed her brows, then turned to Aleksei, as if trying to communicate with him through her thoughts.

"Everyone is treating me like a child," she muttered, a bit peeved as she tucked the gun into her jeans, making sure the safety was on. "I'm not stupid, you know."

"No, but you're precious, Isabella," Selene said, without looking at her. "Your safety is our main priority... These things keep coming after you for a reason, and we have to find out why, but we can only do that with you alive."

Selene then fell back into step with Dean, following a small distance after Vera, who was almost sprinting onward. Suddenly, the sharp scent of blood filled their range. Immediately, Selene's eyes flared as though afire, and her canines budded. The smell was so thick that she could almost taste it as she breathed. She followed the scent with the intensity of a wolf, her eyes wide as she fell into step beside Vera. There was so much blood that Selene could hardly restrain herself. When she caught sight of the gruesome scene, she turned and looked back at Aleksei, commanding him to step in front of Isabella.

"Get her out of here, now!" she snarled, her eyes ablaze and canines bared like an angry animal.

"What? What's going on?" Isabella started, fighting her way past Selene and stopping short upon seeing the gore before her. "Oh...oh my...God..."

They had circled around the forest to come across her house. The windows had been shattered, the door was reduced to nothing but splinters and the sunlight was beaming down into the parlor, where blood was spattered everywhere. The floral wallpaper was stained crimson to the point it was almost unrecognizable. Isabella stood before her porch, mouth agape and wide eyed as she stared in horror into her destroyed home. Her lips were moving, but only dilapidated whispers could be heard tumbling from her mouth. She took ahold of the gun on her hip and screamed, a mixture of rage and terror all in one, as she charged inside.

"PAPA!" she shrieked, pushing past Selene and Veratos to enter her house. Strewn among broken glass and shredded furniture lay the dying body of her father, gurgling and gasping desperately for air despite the blood dribbling from his mouth. "Oh my god... Papa!! Who did this to you?!"

The man looked at her in horror, his warm eyes wide as he shook his head and weakly attempted to lift his hand and point toward the kitchen. When she looked up, there was a man and a woman covered in blood, gazing hungrily at her with furious scarlet eyes. Malignant grins bared hideous sharp teeth, but they were dressed almost similarly as Lorenzo. They both wore matching golden medallions, which were emblazoned with a strange and regal looking emblem. Isabella instinctively unsheathed the baretta, flipping the safety off and pointing in their direction as the two vampires cackled

"Oh my... Angelique, would you look at that..." hissed the man, taking a step toward the girl. As he did so, his body began to shift, tearing his aristocratic clothing from his figure. "What a marvelous sight you are, little virgin!"

"Oh that blood, my child! Olivier, shall we have a taste?" purred the woman, who approached Isabella also, her figure mutating as well.

"Get away from me!" Isabella screamed, her hands shaking madly. "What did you do to my father? Why are you here?"

As they came closer, their pale skin began turning a sickly purplish tone, like the flesh of a cadaver. From their backs, enormous bat like wings unfurled and spread behind them. Their faces contorted until they too resembled the likeness of a bat, their teeth so disgusting and terrifyingly sharp that Isabella could feel the effects of paralysis in her lips. Their eyes glowed almost as fiery as Selene's, though they wielded a burning hatred as they focused on the Italian girl quivering before them.

"His blood did not taste as sweet as yours smells..." cooed Angelique, though he was halted by Olivier.

"Remember what Lord Napoleon instructed, Angelique... We are not to harm the girl! Not a drop of her blood is to be spilled, less he has our heads!"

"Just a little sip, Olivier!"

"Isabella get down!" came Selene's voice, followed by her famous zipping arrow. It pierced through the air past Isabella and impaled the female to the wall through her throat. The creature struggled to breathe, eliciting choking noises while the flesh affected by the arrow hissed and melted away.

Selene appeared in front of the girl, pushing her out of the way before shooting another arrow to pin one of Angelique's wings against the wall and immobilizing her. The creature screamed, trying to fight the weapon that was burning her ghastly flesh. Before Olivier could react, Selene had already aimed and fired one more arrow, striking him in the chest. He wailed in agony and flailed around, one of his wings knocking the huntress to the ground. She groaned, recoiling from the busted nose where his wing had struck her.

"Isabella, shoot him NOW!" Selene barked, and the girl fired.

A bullet cut through the air and lodged itself into Olivier's chest, beside the arrow and near his heart. An earsplitting shriek reverberated through the small house and she shot once more, hitting him square between the eyes and sending him to the ground. Angelique was enraged by this. She reached for the arrow in her throat and yanked it out, blue blood spurting from the wound that didn't heal. She tore the other pinned wing and lunged for Isabella, tackling her to the ground as another gunshot exploded into the air. The two were sent spiraling into the parlor, crashing against the cabinet that held her grandmother's china and completely shattering it all. The glass burst all around them like makeshift fireworks, cutting Isabella all over and consequently spilling her blood everywhere.

By that time, Selene had stood up, already aiming one more arrow at the back of Angelique's head. The scent of Isabella's blood filled the room as if a bottle of perfume had just broken onto the ground, momentarily clouding the huntress's judgment. She blinked it away, her eyes glowing ferociously, attempting to focus on the creature Isabella was single handedly trying to fight off.

"We will have your blood, little virgin!" Angelique roared, another gunshot punctuating her sentence. Selene let her arrow fly, and then the royal fell off to the side, dead.

"Aleksei, get Isabella!" Selene cried, squeezing her eyes shut and holding her breath.

The Italian had already stood up, albeit a little wobbly, covered in glass and cuts. She held the gun, which shook crazily in her tiny fingers. There was a blank, readless expression on her face and in her glossed eyes- as if she was experiencing some kind of post traumatic shock. She panted heavily, her heart beating madly inside her chest and consequently screwing up Selene's train of thought- all she could focus on was the sound of Isabella's blood flowing in her veins, her heart pace like a dinner drum. The girl brushed past Selene to collapse on her knees beside her father, whom was clutching a photograph in his hand.

"My sweet girl..." he whispered, his voice breaking as tears flowed from his cheeks. She pressed her face to his trembling palm, her own eyes becoming strained with sorrow, though no tears fell. "I... Will always... Always love you..."

She sobbed as the warmth in his eyes faded, and his final breath escaped his lips. His hand went limp against the girl's cheek, who was still desperately clinging to it. The bitter moment became even moreso as she heard glass crunching beneath someone's boots, and when she looked up Selene was standing in front of her, guarding her from two more figures that donned the same golden medallions around their necks. These two were both male and extremely handsome, though their young looking faces were cold and emotionless.

"Ahh... Selene, my love," one of them hissed. His sandy brown hair was combed nicely, and his crisp white suit was not tainted with a single drop of blood. "It has been so very long... I do believe the last time we encountered each other, I had your father's lungs in my hand."

"Emile," Selene growled. "Don't you dare come any closer. Aleksei and I will rip you limb from limb."

"At ease, huntress," said the other man, this one with hair almost as white as Aleksei's. "We simply come to speak with the virgin."

"We have no desire to converse, Guillaume, now get out. You've been warned..."

"Avalon does not frighten me," said Emile, his features remaining perfectly stoic, until he noticed Isabella, who had just risen to her feet behind Selene. His eyebrows slightly arched at her visage, and even his eyes became a bit larger. "Oh, my... Bonjour, ma belle..."

"My, aren't you a lovely sight!" Guillaume commented. When he appeared to intend on approaching her, Selene immediately blocked the girl. "Your beauty surpasses that of the oracle!"

"Indeed, Maria could not have compared..."

"Who are you?" Isabella questioned, eliciting a glare from Selene.

"We are the sons of emperor Napoleon," responded Emile, noticing the others whom had come to the girl's rescue. "And we have come to prepare you for your wedding."

Michael was shocked so much so that all he could do was watch as everything happened, only reacting when Selene yelled for Aleksei to take Isabella. He followed closely behind Selene, as if to back her up in case she needed it, turns out she didn't really need his help, save for when she was struck by Olivier's wing, he helped the huntress back to her feet, little injuries like these were nothing, she'd heal with his blood. When Isabella's blood blossomed in the air, the pureblood did his best to ignore it, along with the already heavy scent of her father's permeating in the air, but it didn't stop his eyes from glowing red, a sure sign of a vampire's thirst. At the arrival of the others he glanced at Aleksei knowing full well his great disliking toward them.

"This is not going to end well." he said matter of factly.

⚜⚜⚜

The soft smell of lavender and pine filled Lyra's nose, at first she had thought she was back home in London, once again in the warmth of her own bed, in her own room. Then she remembered never having gotton on a plane to go across the pond. She awoke, the first thing she saw was the brown ceiling of the room she was in, something warm and soothing draped across her brow and the warm smell of incense, sage? Sitting up to see that she was far from home, she lifeted a hand to take the cloth form her forehead, look at it, then look up to see the gorgeous stranger observing her concerned. Had she ever met him before? She tried to remember from all the many fine bloaks she'd ever met back at home, alas none came to mind, none as him. Sighing with a twinge of pain pulling her brows together, she pressed the warm towel to her head, it pounded terribly. She shouldn't have forsed herself passed her limit, she would tell Katherine to remind her noever to do that again. Speaking of her, the girl looked around, searching for Katherine who was no where in sight, tensing, her pulse on a runaway train, her amber eyes widened like saucers she edged into the bed, her back hitting the head board, she criss crossed her arms around her tiny body gripping the fabric of her sweater. "W-where am I?" she asked trying not to freak, though her trembling high pitched voice was a dead giveaway at her hiking fears.

"Relax. You're safe," said Julian, his tone gentle as he offered her a glass of water. "You're in my home. I found you passed out on the ground by the school, and I didn't know where you lived, I brought you here."

His steely grey eyes watched her closely, with the curiosity of a pup, though a tender smile etched itself along his rugged features. He tried his best to remain neutral, so that she would not feel threatened, but then again wakin up in someone else's bed with a stranger staring at you wasn't the best condition for friend making. He chuckled inwardly and offered her the plate of toast and honey, explaining that she looked exhausted and needed to regain some of her strength back, though conveniently leaving out the fact he smelled the dark spirits all over her.

"I'm Julian, by the way," he added, his eyes sparkling like gemstones as the sunlight caught his pretty irises. "My two brothers are somewhere in this house too. What's your name?"

He noticed how terrified she was; he could almost smell the fear emanating from her trembling form. He didn't know what else to do except keep his distance and continue to offer her food and water until she was well enough to leave on her own. He wanted to explain that she looked completely helpless and the scent of sulfur was so thick on her that he knew taking her to a hospital would be futile. The only reason he brought her to his home was because that was the only way he could insure her safety- I mean, how much more safer can you be when you're guarded by a pack of wolves?

[[BTW the baretta has been illegally modified to shoot out three rounds instead or one or two, so it packs a meaner, harder punch lol, just putting that out there St. Valentine!]]

"Heyt fang face, she has a name you know, it's Isabella, get it straight." Veratos flanked at the vampire's left, she held a katana blade at Guillaume's throat, any sudden movement and it was off with his head!

Dean shot Michael an incredulous look, "No shit Sherlock!" He pulled out the Silver Moon, and aimed the barrel directly for Guillaume's head, no guts no glory. Approaching the vampire, as he addressed Isabella with the reason for him dropping by and telling her she was just about to get hitched with God knows who, Dean fiercely said, "Not a chance in hell pal, if you don't want a bullet in that ugly face of yours I suggest you pack your shit and leave. I've been dealing with crazy all day!"

Aleksei was right behind Isabella, a gentle hand resting on her shoulder, his gaze dead on the two vampires, they weren't afraid of him, because he never gave them a reason to. Though Aleksei was really hoping he wouldn't have to resort to getting his hands bloody, not in front of Isabella at least. However, if these two proved to be more trouble he didn't think he had much of a choice.

"Sorry I'm late, what did I miss?"
"Mina..." Aleksei growled, though not looking away from the threats.
"I'm sorry I'll explain what happened later, as you can see the sunlight and a bunch of demons got in the way, I don't know how I made it over here without getting blind... Oh...Who's that guy...?" she whispered. crouched at Isabella's right, her Lune scythe drawn outward, protecting the girl and them selves with it. If they dared attacked, and she only touched them with her weapon. it would definitely damage them, her weapon was hunter crafted after all.

"If you'd been studying, you'd know that pureblood is Guillaume with his pet monkey brother Emile at his side, they want Isabella, that's why they're here." Aleksei hissed back, explaining it to her.

"Ah, well isn't that just great?"

((Justin or Julian, which is it? I think you meant Julian right? I'll go along with that one :) ))

---

"Okay... I... don't believe you'd do me any harm...th-thank you Julian, really."

Lyra locked her eyes with him, he had beautiful eyes, ones that made her melt, and she released a held breath trying to relax. She smiled at the offered bread and honey and daintily picked up the plate, settling it on her lap, she took the bread, dipped it gently in the honey and nibbled on it, her cheeks as red as roses, "I'm sorry you had to carry me here and offer me these things, I...I was...trying to help some friends with this...Ah..." she realized what she was about to admit and shook her head, "never mind I'm just rambling. I'll be out of your way now I'm sorry!" She put the plate down on the side of the bed then tried to get out of the bed only to get dizzy and sink to her knees, she was far from fully rested and trying to make herelf move was harder than she'd ever thought it was. Gripping at the sheets, she tried to calm her pounding heart, her little face was pale as the sheets, she squeezed her eyes shut, where are you Katherine? "I... can't move..." How pathetic is this? Here she was trying to be cool and not be a bother, only to fail and look like an idjit.

⚜⚜⚜

While they were all backing each other up, Michael collected water into his hands, ready to freeze these two royal brothers. He knew they were powerful, maybe even more so than him, but he was aware that sizing up against Aleksei wouldn't fare those two any well. When it came to ranks, Avalon was on top with the higher ups, he two knew that this pureblood could have been king, but he never took reign of that title, for reasons all his own. Instead remaining a prince, with Mina being the pureblood princess. A battle with these two would be quite a show.

"We don't want to have to spill any more blood that has been spilt, there is no need for it, so why can't we handle this in much more civilized manner?" he asked, his tone soft, calm, as if he were talking to an acquaintanve rather than two grand royalists from Italy.