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Dusk and Ice 39
I made it to the bed just in time. Green smoke swirled off the lock of the door, thicker than I had seen it before. Then the door opened.Cleopoda stood on the other side, her face betrayed nothing and her smile held the same warmth it did earlier. I returned the smile but knew at the back of my mind that I looked suspicious as heck.I forced myself to breathe normally and that in turn helped me to control the insane beat of my heart. My palms were sweat up a storm but I forced them to stop shaking, clenching my fists together until my knuckles cracked.Cleopoda looked down at the tray. She walked slowly into the room. Her shoulders were the only indication that she knew something was out of place. They were tensed, the muscles bunched up."You finished your breakfast."I listened to the cadence of her voice and tried to detect any signs of anger and suspicion but she was playing her cards so close to her chest that it took a lot of effort for me not to cave in and confess that I had
Dusk and Ice 40
This time when Cleopoda came to the door she knocked lightly. I was waiting, already dressed in my shirt and jeans. I had earlier thrown my jacket carelessly over my bed. There's no use alerting Cleopoda to my intention tonight. As I said earlier, I trust her but I'm more eager about getting home than making friends here. As soon as I get out of this room, I'm grabbing Kayla, Silver and Miles out of here. We will deal with the Daemons ourselves. Cleopoda's eyes were trained on my face as soon as she walked in. She had a warm grin on her face as she moved from the door to the small table where she had earlier dropped my breakfast. The tray in her hand was loaded with lots of dishes."I hope you are hungry. I took great measures preparing your dinner tonight."I smiled back. She opened one of the plates and thick steam carrying the delicious aroma of roasted chicken and steamed vegetables filled the air."Yum!" I said dutifully. "Smells delicious."Her pleasant face creased into an eve
Dusk and Ice 41
I turned slowly toward the voice, expecting to see a talking lampstand or clock or some other inanimate thing that had suddenly developed the ability to talk because at this point, I feel like Belle in the beast's castle. But in the dying light of the day, there was nothing there, just me and Pyne the talking door and my abandoned dinner. "Over here."My eyes darted across the room and I was looking at the direction from which the voice came. And when I saw what it was, I almost fainted.With all the things I have seen here you would think I would have gotten used to the unusual but nothing prepared me for the transparent, shimmering sight in front of my eyes. She stood at the center of my room.My throat became dry. Is this...a ghost?I never thought ghosts were real...well I never thought vampires were real either until I moved into a town where not only vampires but other creatures inhabited.Still, in all the years I have lived on this Earth, I never thought the day would come wh
Dusk and Ice 42
I tried hopelessly to do as she asked. Dreaming has been so easy for me but for the first time in my life, I was having difficulty coming up with dream I wanted both consciously and subconsciously. All through the night I tossed and turned, too worn out by an overactive mind to sleep. You know how when you intentionally try to do something, it doesn't come naturally to you? That's exactly how I felt. And it didn't help that the gag around Pyne's thin lips had dissolved. He continued to berate me throughout the night for listening to the Whaif. I couldn't escape his voice, not even when I pressed a pillow to my head. His voice was a constant source of mockery. Eventually I shut him up by pouring another bottle of oil all over his wooden face. He sighed gratefully and shut up for good after that.I stayed in bed minutes later trying to take advantage of his silence but it was all to no avail. It was not long before the sun began to come up again, streaming in through the window as a m
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So I ended up with more questions than answers. That seems to be a constant since I came here. Now Cleopoda is planting ideas in my head, new stories that I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around. She's wired to be biased in his favor, after all she is his daughter - foster daughter. Now that's a question for another day. Octavius is a sick man? No shit. What kind of man who supposedly doesn't feed on humans create Daemons and vampires alike?The more I thought about it, the more my head ached until I had no choice but to take a few bites out of the food in the tray and lie back on the bed. I was so tired from the overload of information Cleopoda fed me and the exhaustion that was a result of my inability to sleep throughout the night that the moment my head hit the pillow, I drifted off into sleep.It felt so good welcoming that blackness behind my eyelids. The cool fingers of sleep worked its way into my brain, massaging neurons and nerves until I began to relax. "It's been
Dusk and Ice 44
Just those spoken words were enough to make me freeze. There wasn't anything harsh or cold about his voice, in fact his voice was soft, nothing like the harsh voice that had spoken to Kayla a few days ago. Like the other people who lived here, he was extremely and inhumanly handsome. His dark had gold highlights and like Cleopoda and the others, he stood like a soldier ready for a command. Even though he was waiting there for me to come with him, my legs refused to move. I stood there rooted to the spot half expecting him to suddenly freeze me with his powers, or maybe turn me into a puff of smoke. But he did neither of those things."You must have waiting to see me. Or haven't you been curious to know why I have kept you here?" He asked. "Uhm...yes.""Then come with me and find out."He is not going to lead me to a basement and suck every pint of blood from me is he? Suddenly the thought of leaving this room that I loathed so much and looked forward to leaving didn't seem so appea
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I tried really hard to hide my fear but the fork in my hand coming loose and clattering to the hard stone floor gave me away. The plate in my hand sagged and it took all of my will power not to let my fear show. I even had to force a smile to pretend that I was brave whereas my blood pulled in my veins a thousand miles per second. Where is Kayla? How long will it take for her to go back to the guest house, get Starlight ready and bring her here? Would she even make it in time before Octavius sank his teeth into my neck?I was beginning to shake. I must have even peed my pants because the seat of my trousers suddenly felt warm.Octavius was watching me calmly. It was his calm that made me more worried. Where he is concerned, I am powerless. Even if I got out of the chair and tried to escape, he only needed to disappear and materialize in front of me to catch me. A small cry reflectively escaped my throat before I could stop it. Octavius did not seem to notice.His eyes became intense
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I have been taken prisoner, I have an ancient vampire begging me to kill him, his creations are threatening to wipe out my new home, family and friends. Just when I thought nothing could go wrong again the cracks in the walls became larger, sending dust flying in every direction. I pushed Octavius away from me in my haste to stand up from the chair to which he held me down. I was just in time to move away when a large chunk of the ceiling came falling down. I screamed eager to get away. Octavius on the other hand was not as eager as I was. The man had a death wish and it was obvious from the way he stood there waiting for his own ceiling to come crashing on his head. Several feet were running down the hall. A few seconds later, Phoenix bust through the door with Basten, her husband and Strukus, Cleopoda's husband in tow. "What is happening?" Phoenix asked."She's here," Cleopoda said, her voice rich with the weight of doom. "We have to get him out of here," Strukus came running in
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Dusk and Ice 76
EPILOGUEAnd just like that, every Daemon crumbled to dust, screaming and screeching like dying birds.Ashterah's chain fell lose and I rose immediately, running toward Kayla and my child. Kayla was crying crystal tears as she hugged me, her hands tight around my neck.My son, when I looked down had gone to sleep. But his venom, his blood had been the secret to killing Ashterah. Starlight knew this and let it happen even though it meant the death of her mother.Cara crawled out of the corner crying. She was holding my mother and Logan had his arms around both of them.Camila was nowhere to be found although later when we searched the damage we found her limp body, bloodied.Later when we cleared the rubbles there were a lot of questions to answer. Mom had to answer the questions about my birth. Cara needed answers to my identity, my child with Kayla. There was so much to know. Some many questions to answer but most importantly there was healing. Will I tell you everything went back
Dusk and Ice 75
A crack in my neck was the only noticed I got as the side of Dad's palm connected with my neck. Mom's wail grew louder. She ran for Logan who tried to step in between me and Dad but Dad's attack was swift. He easily sent the force of his hand through Logan's chest sending the larger man flying into the wall.Logan sputtered blood. Mom screamed and ran toward him. Camila lifted herself and went to a far corner of the room where she sank to the floor in tears. Dad stepped back from me. "You are a Mergant whose powers hasn't finished manifesting. Do you think you could easily hurt me, Shawn. I've been fighting against all sorts of creatures for mankind for years. You think a few venoms flowing through you will make you defeat me?"He laughed.I raised my hand to my neck to see that my neck was still intact but the force of that blow was so bad that my vision was still blurred. "Your powers are manifesting, boy. You are a combination of human, hunter, daemon and vampire. Have you wonde
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"We are in a lot of trouble."I nodded. It hadn't been easy to send Cara off and it sure as hell would not be easy protecting everyone if Sam, Gabe and the rest of their vampire hunters club get in the way of this battle. "First things first," I said. "I need to go to my Mom. If Cara knows I'm here, it won't be long before Jeff hears about my arrival. Eventually, word would get to my Mom." The disadvantage of a small town. "I need to leave now before that happens."Everyone agreed that was the next best course of action. They also agreed that taking Kayla was good too. The Storms had a sedan in the garage with tinted windows. The plan was simple. I go in and reunite with Mom then figure out how to present the lie about Kayla.If I was human anymore I would be sweating buckets but the only since of my anxiety was the tap of my index finger against my thigh as Silver loaded the trunk of the sedan with my things and Kayla went to the front passenger seat. As soon as the car was loaded,
Dusk and Ice 73
"We can't turn her away can we?""She's seen us already, the car is outside. She knows we are here.""She's here to see me," I said getting up. If I had a heart it would be racing heavily. How can I meet her now? It's too soon."Maybe I can tell her you're not here," Silver suggested.I was really considering that but right at the moment, Cara pressed the bell again and this time she peeped around the glass door. "I know you're there Shawn. I saw you."I exchanged glances with Kayla and Silver. She's seen me already. There's no point hiding now. I nodded at Silver who came to stand in my path. Felicia had risen too and was standing in front of me defensively. "Are you sure?""You've see how I am. I have enough control where people are concerned. It's not like I'm going to suddenly attack Cara of all people.""Maybe not," Felicia said. "But all she needs is to look at you to know something is different about you.""Not if we act normal."Cara rang the bell again and this time she pre
Dusk and Ice 72
The Jeep bounced on loose rocks and uneven ground, sending stones flying in the air as Silver navigated the trail that led up to the Storms house.Unsurprisingly, Felicia and Jared were waiting outside. As soon as Silver brought the car to a stop in front of the garage, they half ran toward it. And then came to a stop when they saw Cleopoda and Phoenix sitting in the third seat at the back.Their eyes were wide."Goddess!"Hold your greeting, Cleopoda told them as she stepped down from the Jeep to the ground. "I have come to save your lives not to be praised."Phoenix on the other hand was not so amused. Felicia and Jared didn't seem to keen to talk to her too. They passed Silver a wary glance full of questions which Silver promised to answer later. There were other pressing issues.Like Kayla.Felicia was the first to notice it even before she stepped out of the vehicle.Her jaw dropped and she looked around for explanation. "You are... pregnant? How?"Then her gaze caught mine and h
Dusk and Ice 71
The plan was set, the only thing remaining to do was it's execution and we needed to that as soon as possible. Soon which meant the next day. Silver and Miles left toward midnight to head back to the guest house to get our things while Cleopoda and Phoenix went behind closed doors with their husbands.As for me, I spent the night in Kayla's room, watching her - well lie still. Her skin was pale against the white sheets. A tray lay on a bedside table and it in were six blood bags, three of which were empty. Kayla barely opened her eyes but sometime before we finished the meeting downstairs, Cleopoda had brought the blood and Kayla had taken three at a go.That tells me something. The baby was hungry - very hungry. Unlike me. After transformation there were no pangs of hunger. Sure, I reacted to see blood and being around humans but that was all. Maybe this child is a little more normal than I am.I left the window where I had been standing, keeping watch of Kayla, and made my way towar
Dusk and Ice 70
Her voice was hoarse, very throaty with pain. Her face was a grimace, a mask of pain but every time anyone tried to go close to her, Kayla would shrink back, worried that we would try to hold her down to tear the lump in her belly away from her even though it was obviously killing her. In just a few hours her skin had taken on a gray tone, looking dried and shrunken to her skin.Silver was more forceful with trying to get Kayla to see reasons with why we had to get rid of the child but I stood in her way. The last thing I wanted was for her to hurt Kayla in the process of trying to save her."Take it easy, Silver," I told her, pushing her back from Kayla.Her eyes sparked anger at me. "That thing is killing her!" She screamed."I'm fine!" Kayla argued but her voice was weaker. Cleopoda had run to the room with Silver but she withdrew to get something. Maybe to call the others.Silver's gaze softened. She clutched desperately to my shirt, "Shawn you have to do something," she whispere
Dusk and Ice 69
We got upstairs together when Kayla stopped, turned around and put a hand on my chest."I meant what I said, I'm keeping this child. I don't care what it is - monster, human or vampire. I'll keep it. You don't have to feel responsible...""I want to be responsible for taking care of it with you. We made it together. It wouldn't be fair if I just up and skipped off - not that I am ever going to do that." Camila came to mind and I took Kayla's hand off my chest to hold between both of my hands.Her eyes encouraged me to explain further which I did. "I did that before. I made a mistake once, slept someone I wasn't supposed to. My stepmom to be. I was worried about getting her pregnant or getting caught. The last thing I wanted was my father getting to know the truth and if j had stayed any longer, he would have known. So I did what I had to do, I packed my things, took off and came to WhiSare. I was a coward but right now, the new me doesn't want to be a coward anymore."She smiled, her
Dusk and Ice 68
To say that everyone's jaw dropped is an understatement. One thing I'll say for sure is that the same look of disbelief was etched into every facial feature. That is, until Kayla stood up, pushed her chair back and revealed the bump.Silver nearly fell out of her chair. Same with Miles. Neither of them could believe what they were hearing. And seeing.And so I too because in an hour Kayla's belly seemed to have grown a little more. She noticed this too and turned worried eyes to me. I took her hand in mine to let her know that I was there with her every step of the way. The only people who didn't seem too shocked were Octavius - well, in his case as you have gathered, few things surprise him and he barely shows his feelings in his expressions. He's also a man of few words. And Phoenix. But it looked more like she was angry than unsurprised which in itself was surprising. "H-how?" Silver muttered. She could barely even get the words out. It's the second time since I've known her that
