Chapter 16 Shinbe’s eyes glowed a wild amethyst as he stared across the room at one of his best friends who he hadn’t seen in over a thousand years. The missing years collapsed… making two life times’ blend into one. Remembering Kamui brought it all together… even his own death at the hands of Hyakuhei. He had crossed the ocean to try to throw off his scent, but the distance had not been far enough… it had only bought him a little over a year. Afraid to dip into that memory too closely, Shinbe shook the disturbing memory away. He pulled the collar of his shirt to the side showing Kamui the unusual birthmark in the shape of a feather. “It seems even the heart of time couldn’t separate us,” the words left Shinbe’s lips in a mere whisper. Kamui’s eyes widened a fraction wondering just how many past lives Shinbe remembered. Deciding not to even ask, he simply nodded in response. “Some things should not be forgotten… not by any of the guardians.” For the second time in over
Chapter 17 Amni had glanced in the shattered window on his way to the roof and seen the massacre inside the now bloody jail cell. He didn’t even flinch when the sound of the first gun was fired. His face lost all emotion as he watched Yohji turn to face the oncoming law enforcement. One bullet would not take his life but Yohji would feel every ounce of the pain it brought. Hyakuhei appeared out of the darkness behind Amni. His anger was still high but this boy perplexed him. Was it jealousy that caused him to enjoy the suffering of one of his own kind? Tonight was not the night to be playing such childish pranks on one's new brother. “It must be somewhat hard to know he is not yours,” Amni whispered feeling his master right behind him. “You think you have created a son but you have only created another monster.” He silently added ‘… just like Yuuhi.’ Hyakuhei placed his arm around Amni’s shoulder and chest, pulling him back against him… holding him immobile in a caressing way
Chapter 18 Kyoko shivered while she ran for all she was worth. She could still hear Kyou’s angry scream of her name echoing not only in her head but through the deserted city streets as well. Something must have stopped him from following her and whatever it was… she was thankful for the help. She could understand now why he was so furious with her. It was her fault Toya had died in the past… and why Hyakuhei was still alive and roaming the earth, tainting it with his darkness. But damn it, she hadn’t done anything in this lifetime yet. Now here Kyou was… all mad because of something that happened before she was even born and had no control over this time around. But now she was taking control and was bound and determined to make things right. The one thing she was sure of was that the last thing she wanted to do was be caught by him again, at least not while he was so angry. Deep down she was actually afraid he would try to stop her, make her promise the way she had promised Ko
Chapter 19 The night air shook as they collided, making the sound echo through the area. Kyoko glanced back just in time to see Tasuki and Yohji circle each other before moving with blinding speed, hands and claws extended for the other's throat… feet leaving the ground at the same time. They spiraled into the air, their legs out behind them looking momentarily like marionettes on strings and Kyoko wondered if they were indeed being manipulated by someone. The sight of them with their hands around each other’s throats in mortal combat was nothing compared to what was going on above them. Kyoko’s eyes widened and her jaw dropped open in awed terror. More vampires were arriving of all shapes and sizes. It looked as if the nightwalkers where running across the top of the trees only to drop to the ground soundlessly all around them. Adding to her terror was a wave of spiders that joined them, crawling over the ground, rocks and other vampires before finally converging under the d
Chapter 20 Yohji had hovered above it all in a daze… watching Kyoko. His body was reacting strangely to her. He could feel the man at the edge of the brawl trying to provoke his movements but he wasn’t in the mood to do someone else’s bidding. He had power now and didn’t plan on playing by anyone’s rules except his own. The dark voice in his head wanted Kyoko but the urge to drain her dry was getting stronger and drowning the voice out. The idea of drinking her blood was exciting, making his body hard and ready. He would take her innocence then bury his fangs into her beautiful neck just as her orgasm hit its peak. He wouldn’t be interested in her much after that… if she survived. When he was done with her, she’d be nothing but a shell, not worth his time. That would show up the fucking security guard and his bad boy wannabe looks. And Toya? Oh Toya didn’t even know what was coming his way… Yohji was already planning on how to kill him without ending the fun too quickly. His
Chapter 21 Ignoring the danger, Suki ran toward the block while dodging vampires. She stopped when Shinbe slowly stumbled from the dust cloud waving his hand in front of him and shaking his head to get the earth from his hair. His wings had vanished and he smiled halfheartedly at Suki. “That hurt,” he stated blandly. Suki ran up to him and her open palm connected with his cheek. “Don’t ever do that again Shinbe,” She yelled before wrapping her arms around him and sobbing into his chest. Shinbe beamed happily, “My dear Suki, does this mean you will be the mother of my children?” “Don’t ever do that again,” Suki repeated and hugged him tighter. “You have to actually be alive to father them.” She leaned back just enough to weakly hit him in the chest. “Dummy.” “I guess we can take that as an affirmative,” Kamui said then leaned over toward Kyou’s ear. “Welcome back,” he whispered. Kyou remained silent and stared at Kyoko still within the Lycan’s arms. He understood what
Chapter 22 Hyakuhei sighed contentedly feeling her power flow within him. He withdrew his fangs and inhaled loudly, letting his head tilt back. He looked up at the stars and gazed as if seeing them for the first time. The energy suddenly spiked and he heard the back of his shirt ripping open. Black feathers fluttered around him and he saw a magnificent pair of black wings coil around them. Looking down at the silent girl, he turned her in his arms and held her close. His ruby eyes swept over her face in a way a lover caresses another. He could hear her heart beat slowing and knew he had almost taken her too far. He’d promised her she would not escape him in death again… a promise he intended to keep. The muscles in his jaws tensed as he bit his tongue hard… drawing his life’s blood. His lips descended on hers, forcing them open for a deep kiss… the kiss of darkness. Toya watched Hyakuhei remove his fangs and his eyes narrowed when the black wings emerged from his back. The da
Chapter 23 Toya had been sluggish to move when the light temporarily blinded him. As it faded, he had to look twice to make sure what he was seeing was real. Hyakuhei had turned to stone with his hands cupped around the crystal in the maiden’s hands. He stumbled to his feet and reached Kyoko’s side in record time when he saw her fingers reaching out to touch Hyakuhei’s still form. He didn’t give a damn if the bastard was a statue now, he didn’t want any part of her touching him. She was almost touching his cheek when Toya reached her and took hold of her wrist. “No,” he whispered with forced calm. Kyoko cried out in surprise when the hand on her wrist pulled her back then turned her so fast it made her head spin. She looked up into Toya’s worried golden gaze with curiosity, wondering why he’d pulled her away. “Don’t Kyoko… I don’t want you touching him,” Toya answered her unasked question. He felt his heart soar with relief now that she was in his arms… it was finally over.
Epilogue Somewhere across The Heart of Time, a young girl with auburn hair and emerald eyes ran through the darkness. Her breath was burning in her lungs as she tried to outrun her pursuers. She knew if she faltered, the demons would catch and possibly kill her. She had watched in horror from her hiding place at the edge of the forest while the rest of her village had been destroyed and as far as she knew… she was the only survivor. She could still smell the smoke of the burning homes floating on the breeze and it sickened her. Hope blossomed in her chest when she saw a rock formation up ahead with a small opening that looked just big enough for her to slip through. Her hands, arms, and legs were scraped as she crawled through the jagged opening, praying she would be safe enough to hide till dawn. The demons would disappear at dawn… that was the way it was. She couldn’t run anymore and tried to slow her breathing so she wouldn’t be detected. Hearing footsteps, she crawled dee
Chapter 24 Kyoko sniffled when she heard someone come in and quickly wiped the tears away thinking it was Toya. She stood at the foot of her bed and turned her back to the door trying to hide the fact that she had been crying. Her shoulders hunched up a bit when the bedroom door opened and her visitor didn’t say anything. “Please just go. I’m tired and want to rest,” She said softly cursing the fact that her voice betrayed the tears. Kotaro had made his way to the back of the apartment and saw the light shining under Kyoko’s bedroom door. Slowly opening it, he saw her beautiful form standing in front of her bed with her back to him. At her whispered words he stood in anguished silence feeling like his heart was spilling on the floor. She was dismissing him not even wanting to hear what he had to say. He growled deep in his chest and closed the distance between them. Kyoko heard the growl and shivered… that wasn’t Toya. She whirled around, her nightgown flaring slightly aro
Chapter 23 Toya had been sluggish to move when the light temporarily blinded him. As it faded, he had to look twice to make sure what he was seeing was real. Hyakuhei had turned to stone with his hands cupped around the crystal in the maiden’s hands. He stumbled to his feet and reached Kyoko’s side in record time when he saw her fingers reaching out to touch Hyakuhei’s still form. He didn’t give a damn if the bastard was a statue now, he didn’t want any part of her touching him. She was almost touching his cheek when Toya reached her and took hold of her wrist. “No,” he whispered with forced calm. Kyoko cried out in surprise when the hand on her wrist pulled her back then turned her so fast it made her head spin. She looked up into Toya’s worried golden gaze with curiosity, wondering why he’d pulled her away. “Don’t Kyoko… I don’t want you touching him,” Toya answered her unasked question. He felt his heart soar with relief now that she was in his arms… it was finally over.
Chapter 22 Hyakuhei sighed contentedly feeling her power flow within him. He withdrew his fangs and inhaled loudly, letting his head tilt back. He looked up at the stars and gazed as if seeing them for the first time. The energy suddenly spiked and he heard the back of his shirt ripping open. Black feathers fluttered around him and he saw a magnificent pair of black wings coil around them. Looking down at the silent girl, he turned her in his arms and held her close. His ruby eyes swept over her face in a way a lover caresses another. He could hear her heart beat slowing and knew he had almost taken her too far. He’d promised her she would not escape him in death again… a promise he intended to keep. The muscles in his jaws tensed as he bit his tongue hard… drawing his life’s blood. His lips descended on hers, forcing them open for a deep kiss… the kiss of darkness. Toya watched Hyakuhei remove his fangs and his eyes narrowed when the black wings emerged from his back. The da
Chapter 21 Ignoring the danger, Suki ran toward the block while dodging vampires. She stopped when Shinbe slowly stumbled from the dust cloud waving his hand in front of him and shaking his head to get the earth from his hair. His wings had vanished and he smiled halfheartedly at Suki. “That hurt,” he stated blandly. Suki ran up to him and her open palm connected with his cheek. “Don’t ever do that again Shinbe,” She yelled before wrapping her arms around him and sobbing into his chest. Shinbe beamed happily, “My dear Suki, does this mean you will be the mother of my children?” “Don’t ever do that again,” Suki repeated and hugged him tighter. “You have to actually be alive to father them.” She leaned back just enough to weakly hit him in the chest. “Dummy.” “I guess we can take that as an affirmative,” Kamui said then leaned over toward Kyou’s ear. “Welcome back,” he whispered. Kyou remained silent and stared at Kyoko still within the Lycan’s arms. He understood what
Chapter 20 Yohji had hovered above it all in a daze… watching Kyoko. His body was reacting strangely to her. He could feel the man at the edge of the brawl trying to provoke his movements but he wasn’t in the mood to do someone else’s bidding. He had power now and didn’t plan on playing by anyone’s rules except his own. The dark voice in his head wanted Kyoko but the urge to drain her dry was getting stronger and drowning the voice out. The idea of drinking her blood was exciting, making his body hard and ready. He would take her innocence then bury his fangs into her beautiful neck just as her orgasm hit its peak. He wouldn’t be interested in her much after that… if she survived. When he was done with her, she’d be nothing but a shell, not worth his time. That would show up the fucking security guard and his bad boy wannabe looks. And Toya? Oh Toya didn’t even know what was coming his way… Yohji was already planning on how to kill him without ending the fun too quickly. His
Chapter 19 The night air shook as they collided, making the sound echo through the area. Kyoko glanced back just in time to see Tasuki and Yohji circle each other before moving with blinding speed, hands and claws extended for the other's throat… feet leaving the ground at the same time. They spiraled into the air, their legs out behind them looking momentarily like marionettes on strings and Kyoko wondered if they were indeed being manipulated by someone. The sight of them with their hands around each other’s throats in mortal combat was nothing compared to what was going on above them. Kyoko’s eyes widened and her jaw dropped open in awed terror. More vampires were arriving of all shapes and sizes. It looked as if the nightwalkers where running across the top of the trees only to drop to the ground soundlessly all around them. Adding to her terror was a wave of spiders that joined them, crawling over the ground, rocks and other vampires before finally converging under the d
Chapter 18 Kyoko shivered while she ran for all she was worth. She could still hear Kyou’s angry scream of her name echoing not only in her head but through the deserted city streets as well. Something must have stopped him from following her and whatever it was… she was thankful for the help. She could understand now why he was so furious with her. It was her fault Toya had died in the past… and why Hyakuhei was still alive and roaming the earth, tainting it with his darkness. But damn it, she hadn’t done anything in this lifetime yet. Now here Kyou was… all mad because of something that happened before she was even born and had no control over this time around. But now she was taking control and was bound and determined to make things right. The one thing she was sure of was that the last thing she wanted to do was be caught by him again, at least not while he was so angry. Deep down she was actually afraid he would try to stop her, make her promise the way she had promised Ko
Chapter 17 Amni had glanced in the shattered window on his way to the roof and seen the massacre inside the now bloody jail cell. He didn’t even flinch when the sound of the first gun was fired. His face lost all emotion as he watched Yohji turn to face the oncoming law enforcement. One bullet would not take his life but Yohji would feel every ounce of the pain it brought. Hyakuhei appeared out of the darkness behind Amni. His anger was still high but this boy perplexed him. Was it jealousy that caused him to enjoy the suffering of one of his own kind? Tonight was not the night to be playing such childish pranks on one's new brother. “It must be somewhat hard to know he is not yours,” Amni whispered feeling his master right behind him. “You think you have created a son but you have only created another monster.” He silently added ‘… just like Yuuhi.’ Hyakuhei placed his arm around Amni’s shoulder and chest, pulling him back against him… holding him immobile in a caressing way