An Angel From Hell
Chapter 6
By Kayla Chavi
Rated: PG-13
Genre: Alt/Romance
Email: kaylachavi@yahoo.com

================================

This might be the last chapter for a while, 'cause I'm
going to be starting college in a few weeks and I'll
be busy.  But never fear!  I will finish this fic!

ÒWe need to talk,Ó I said quietly.

She was silent for a very long moment before meeting
my eyes.

ÒYes.  We do.Ó

I think I blinked at her several times before I
managed to cover from my surprise.

ÒW-what?Ó I stuttered.  She smiled slightly.

ÒYouÕre right, we do need to talk.Ó

I blinked again.  And then I took control of myself
again.  ÒI want to know why Beryl called me Endymion,Ó
I said being direct and blunt.  Two things I was good
at.

Or terrible at, take your pick.

Serena bit her lower lip and was quiet for a very long
time.  I knew she was just trying to phrase everything
so it seemed like she was answering my questions, just
by giving me more questions.

ÒYou are a lot like Endymion,Ó she finally said, ÒShe
thinks that I think that youÕre Endymion.Ó

ÒDo you think IÕm your dead husband?Ó

I winced inwardly.  That was cold and I could tell
that it hurt her in some way.

ÒYou and Endymion are two completely different
people,Ó she said trying to smile, ÒYou are so
different from each other, even physically.Ó

ÒThatÕs not answering my question,Ó I said being blunt
again.

ÒNo,Ó she whispered looking down, ÒI donÕt think that
youÕre Endymion.  YouÕre Darien Kincaid,Ó she looked
up at me and I saw her eyes were colored with blood,
like she was about to cry but was trying not to, ÒA
man that I love.Ó

Of course she had to do this. 

Of course she had to give me the guilt trip.

Of course I had to be in love with her.

I sighed and stood up, walking around the desk and
knelt in front of her.  I took her small hands in
mine, a small gesture to show that all was forgiven
and that I wasnÕt mad anymore.

God, I can never stay angry at her.

I gently thumbed the tears away and kissed her
forehead and she looked up at me.  Our eyes met and I
saw such a sadness that I wasnÕt prepared for it.  I
also saw love, but I dismissed it after a moment.

SheÕs a demon, demons canÕt fall in love.

ÒI love you Darien Anthony Kincaid,Ó she whispered and
I blinked.  Where the hell had she gotten my middle
name?  ÒI love you.  YouÕre my soul.Ó

I didnÕt know how to respond to that, and apparently I
didnÕt have to, because Serena was quite content on
letting me hold her.

* * *

After she left it didnÕt take me very long to get
angry with her again.

I practically slammed the hundred dollars down on
AndrewÕs desk.  He looked up at me, very surprised. 
ÒWhatÕs this for?Ó he asked puzzled, ÒDid you owe me
money?Ó

I rolled my eyes, ÒYou were right,Ó I said and he
blinked, ÒAbout Serena.  She didnÕt answer my question
and I felt like she was either telling me a half truth
or a lie.Ó

ÒWhich are about the same thing,Ó Andrew pointed out
and for a moment he looked angry.  He just sighed and
took the hundred dollars.  ÒSo are you going to stay
with her?Ó

ÒThat depends if you think that IÕm already with her,Ó
I said and sat down in one of his very uncomfortable
chairs.  

ÒYou know, four days ago I almost made love to her,Ó I
said out of nowhere.

And I mean out of nowhere, Andrew just stared at me.

ÒOkay, where did that one come from?Ó he said finally
giving up on actually doing work and pushing the
papers aside.

I ignored him and continued, ÒShe saved my life.  She
risked so much to make sure that I lived, when it
would have been so easy to kill me.  She couldÕve let
that Beryl thing rape me and kill me, but she didnÕt. 
She saved my life and then thought that I would reject
her for it.Ó

ÒI take it she bit you,Ó Andrew said idly.

ÒGod, Drew, she was in tears about it.  I told her
that I forgave her and I almost believed that she
could actually care about me.  I almost gave into
everything that she had been trying to get me to do
ever since we had met.  God, I almost made love to
her!Ó

ÒWhat stopped you?Ó Andrew raised an eyebrow.

ÒShe did.Ó

ÒSay that again?Ó Andrew stuttered.

ÒSerena did.  She pushed me off of her--Ó

ÒDonÕt need all the gritty details, Dare--Ó

Ò--and said that we couldnÕt.  And then she said
something about when we make love it will be because I
want it and IÕm not suffering from blood loss.Ó  I
sighed and ran a hand through my hair.

ÒProbably because she knew that you wouldnÕt be able
to perform.Ó 

I shot him a deadly glare and he just gave me an
innocent look.

ÒVery funny.Ó

ÒI thought so.Ó

ÒGet your head out of the gutter.Ó

ÒYouÕre the one who brought it up.Ó

I rolled my eyes and just gave him a look.  Finally I
sighed.  ÒSo now IÕm back where I started four days
ago,Ó I said, ÒLost and confused.....Ó

ÒAnd in love,Ó Andrew finished for me.

ÒAnd completely and totally in love.Ó

ÒYouÕre life sucks, Dare.Ó

* * *

Jedeite was waiting in ReiÕs office when I got in that
night.  I raised an eyebrow, ÒRei wonÕt be in tonight,
she has the night off,Ó I said, but somehow I already
knew that he knew that.

He smiled slightly, ÒIÕm not here to see Rei, IÕm here
to see you.Ó

Again I raised an eyebrow but just gestured to my
office, inviting him in.  ÒWhat did you want to see me
about?Ó I asked as I sat down. 

Jedeite slowly sat down across from me and I noticed
that he wasnÕt glowing.  Which meant that he was
trying to be calm and didnÔt want to intimidate me.

ÒSerena,Ó he said simply.

ÒThereÕs a big surprise,Ó I muttered and met his eyes.
 ÒWhat about Serena?Ó

He was quiet, ÒDo you have any idea what youÕve done
to her these last few days?Ó

My eyeÕs widened.  This wasnÕt what I was expecting in
the least.  He sounded like an upset brother.

Wonderful.  The last thing I needed was for her
ÔfamilyÕ to get pissed off at me.

ÒWhat do you mean?Ó I asked.

ÒWhen Serena came back from talking to you, she looked
like she had died.Ó

ÒShe is dead, so are you for that matter.Ó

ÒYou know what I mean.  She was so happy that day you
forgave her for biting you.  In fact that was the
happiest I had seen her in a long time.  Now,Ó he
sighed, ÒEven organizing the party she doesnÕt want to
do anymore.  She wants to die.Ó

ÒShe is dead,Ó I said again.  I know I wasnÕt being
very helpful, but Jedeite had a part of Serena I
didnÕt.

Her trust.  

And I wasnÕt just going to let the opportunity to
actually get to know Serena just get away.  She told
Jedeite everything.  That I was sure of, and so I
wanted to know.

He glared at me, ÒSerena has never hated what she is,Ó
he said slowly, Òuntil whatever you talked about last
night.  She wants to die, to become dust.Ó

ÒWhy doesnÕt she?Ó I asked surprised.  Normally when
these kinds of creatures wanted to die, they did.

Jedeite smiled wryly, ÒShe canÕt.Ó

ÒCanÕt?Ó I was confused.

ÒSheÕs unable to, Darien,Ó he said and I could have
sworn that his voice was gentle.  ÒSerena, Beryl and
me are the oldest vampires around, with the exception
of the Master.  We can kill each other, but we canÕt
kill ourselves.  You canÕt even kill her.Ó

I almost laughed.  Like I want to kill her.  That
would be the day.

I sighed, ÒSo sheÕs feeling suicidal and you wonÕt
kill her and she canÕt kill herself.  Wonderful,Ó I
said dryly and ran a hand through  my hair.

ÒFor a human you really are an unfeeling bastard,Ó
Jedeite said angrily and stood up.  ÒYouÕre her soul
and you donÕt even care that your rejection is killing
her inside.Ó

That again?  

IÕm her soul.  Great.  Now if I only knew what that
meant.

ÒCare to explain?Ó

Jedeite sighed, ÒWhen a mortal becomes a vampire, they
loose their soul,Ó he said and our eyes met, ÒNo
conscious, no remorse, no guilt.  ItÕs a very nice way
to spend eternity, killing and not having to pay for
it.Ó

Tell me something I donÕt know.  

I didnÕt say that, but my overly sarcastic and caustic
mind wasnÕt being very kind.  I wanted direct answers
and I knew that I would never get them.  It was making
me irritable. 

If I could have hit him without breaking my fist I
would have.

ÒSometimes we meet a mortal that we care for and then
love.  When we give them the only human emotion we
have thatÕs worth having, a part of their soul becomes
ours.  When that happens we are alive inside and the
demon within us is kept away.  We kill less, and when
we do we sometimes regret it.Ó

Jedeite was quiet for a long moment, ÒYou are SerenaÕs
soul, Darien.  Your rejection is hurting her more than
you could ever know.Ó

I lost myself in a lack of thought.  I literally
couldnÕt process what he was saying until it had been
quite for almost ten minutes.

ÒWhat happens if I die?Ó I asked instead of what I
really wanted to say, ÒWill she become suicidal
again?Ó

ÒNo.  She will no longer have a soul until she loves
again.  So you see, Darien how important you are to
her.Ó

I sighed and then nodded, trying to tell him that I
understood.  ÒWas she always like this?  Always
needing a soul?Ó

It was his turn to be quiet for a long time.

ÒYes.  Serena should have never been made into a
vampire.  She loved life and the sun too much to be
made a demon.  Unfortunately, she always loves men who
reject her.Ó

ÒReject her?Ó 

I was confused, who would reject Serena?

Then I winced inwardly.  I just did reject Serena,
according to Jedeite.

Jedeite sighed, ÒHer husband.Ó

ÒIdiot.Ó

He just laughed.  ÒI agree.Ó

ÒI never meant to hurt her,Ó I said after a moment.

ÒI know.  And I know you love her,Ó he said and smiled
at my very indignant expression.  I never admitted to
anyone but Andrew I was in love with Serena.  ÒI can
see it every time you look at her.  You hide it well
when sheÕs around, but your eyes are always full of
love.Ó

He slowly stood up and I just watched him, my jaw
hanging open.

ÒDonÕt be the idiot that Endymion was,Ó he said and
then in a blur of movement was gone.

* * *

I pounded a weeks worth of frustration out on the
vampire that I had managed to corner while I was
Hunting.  It was a very satisfying feeling to see him
poof into dust and become nothing more than a little
pile of ash.  

I turned around sharply when I heard clapping from
behind me.

Standing there was Beryl, lazily leaning against the
wall of the alley.  She pulled away from it and slowly
walked towards me.

ÒIÕm impressed,Ó she purred in a low husky voice,
ÒThat was one of my masters.Ó

ÒThatÕs great,Ó I said dryly as I watched her.  I
wanted to make sure that she didnÕt get me in the same
position that she had the last time.  ÒI feel very
special now.Ó

She just smiled and circled around me, my eyes never
left her in the silence that followed.

ÒMy how youÕve changed, Endymion,Ó Beryl finally said
after a long moment, ÒThere was a time when you didnÕt
look at me with such hostility and hate.  You used to
look at me with love.Ó

I raised an eyebrow, ÒSomehow, I doubt that,Ó I gave
up on trying to tell this woman that I wasnÕt Endymion
even though her words really confused the shit out of
me.  Serena said that I wasnÕt Endymion and Beryl kept
saying that I was.  

Who was a I supposed to trust, a psychotic vampire or
the even more psychotic thing that was circling me?

ÒAnd why is that?Ó she asked with a pout, looking like
I had mortally wounded her.

ÒYou arenÕt my type,Ó I said with a lofty smile and
she narrowed her red eyes at me.

ÒThatÕs right, IÕm not a lying, conceited whore,Ó she
hissed.

I lost my temper and used my forearm to backhand
Beryl, her head snapped to the side from the force of
it.

Which was very idiotic on my part.  She was a vampire
and I was a mortal.  Granted I was a Demon Hunter, but
she was still a vampire.

A Powerful vampire.

She slowly looked back at me, a cold anger in her
eyes.  For a moment I thought she was going to kill
me.  

Then she started laughing.  She looked up at the sky
holding her stomach and laughed, the sound echoing
eerily off of the alley walls.

ÒYou really havenÕt changed,Ó she said when she
managed to calm down, ÒYou will always protect that
bitch until you die.Ó

She paused and our eyes met.

ÒAnd Endymion,Ó she whispered, closing the distance
between us, ÒYou will die for her.  Just like you
have, so many times,Ó she murmured in my ear before
kissing me softly.

Her lips were hard and cold and I pulled back in
revulsion.  Beryl felt like a corpse, cold and dead.

Which technically she was.

Amazing that Serena never did that to me.  While she
was cold and hard, she was always soft when I held
her.

I snapped back to reality before my thoughts could
wander down *that* dangerous path.

I harshly pushed her away from me, ÒWeÕll see,Ó I said
just as calmly as she had been talking, ÒBut somehow I
donÕt think so.Ó

ÒWhy?  Because you would never die for the woman you
supposedly love?Ó she gave me a skeptical look.  

My silence apparently gave her the answer she wanted.

ÒI didnÕt think so.  You will always die for her,Ó she
paused and was suddenly behind me, Òor is that,
because of her?Ó she whispered into my ear.  

Then she was gone.

ÒRemember Endymion.Ó

I closed my eyes and then swore under my breath.  

ÒWonderful.  Just wonderful.Ó

* * *

ÒWhat do you think?Ó I asked Jedeite as I twirled in
the bright red dress.  It was low cut and styled to
the late 1600Õs except that it didnÕt have the long
flowing sleeves.

ÒI like the robes better, Reishe,Ó he said smiling,
though his eyes had already traveled my body several
times with this dress.

ÒBut IÕll look like a Priestess,Ó I sighed coming over
to sit in his lap, draping my arms around his neck. 
ÒInnocent and pure.  Have you ever considered that I
might want to look sexy?Ó  He laughed softly and
kissed my neck, moving his mouth along my throat. 
ÒBesides,Ó it was my turn to smile, ÒI like your
reaction to this dress better.Ó

ÒYou havenÕt even tried on the robes yet,Ó he pointed
out.

I closed my eyes and then clenched my jaw stubbornly,
ÒI wonÕt wear them.Ó

He raised an eyebrow, ÒWhy not Reishe?Ó

ÒBecause IÕm not whoever it is that you want me to
be,Ó I said simply meeting his eyes, ÒI wonÕt wear
something that obviously reminds you of her, the real
Reishe.  I want you to want me, Rei Shien, not whoever
it is you see when you look at those robes.Ó

He looked at me and kissed me softly, ÒYou are who I
want,Ó he murmured into my ear, kissing me along my
neck.  Goosebumps and tingles traveled my spine.

Damn it!  I had to fall for a sexy vampire.

ÒYou are her,Ó he continued simply, ÒYes, eight
thousand years will change a person, but you are who I
want.  IÕve always wanted you.  I always will.Ó

I was quiet for the longest time and he slowly slipped
his arms around my waist pulling me closer.

ÒIÕm your soul,Ó I said simply and looked at him.  He
smiled and then nodded.

ÒYou always have been.  I cry when you arenÕt around
me.Ó

ÒYou cry when IÕm tired and we canÕt--Ó  I stopped
when I saw the unamused look on his face.  I grinned
impishly and then sighed, letting him kiss me again.

We were quiet for a long moment.  

Then I smiled, ÒA Priestess?Ó I raised an eyebrow,
ÒWhy do I find that so hard to believe?Ó  He smiled.

ÒI was a Priest and it was very frustrating when you
wanted to play by the rules and I was willing to go to
Helika because of you.  You were just too damn godly.Ó
He kissed me softly, ÒThough we found other ways,Ó he
teased and I actually blushed.  

We still had other ways.  We only used them however
when I was tired and he didnÕt want to half kill me. 
Sleeping with a vampire is not easy and frequently
draining.

We were quiet for the longest time as I slowly
accepted what he was telling me.  True I was very
freaked out by it all.  I mean he had spent his Unlife
looking for me and then making me fall in love with
him every time.

He kissed my forehead, ÒIf you donÕt want to wear the
robes, JÕthia, I wonÕt ask you again.Ó

I smiled and lightly kissed his cheek, ÒThank you,Ó I
murmured and rested my head on his shoulder and he
held me close for the longest time.

It was in that instant that I realized it.

I was in love with an angel.

An angel from Hell.

* * *

ÒIÕm crazy.Ó

ÒI agree, Dare,Ó Rei said smiling at me, looking me
over.  

I was standing in the middle of my apartment dressed
in a knight costume.  It was black and silver and had
a long cape that was draped over on of my shoulders. 
I had found it three days ago in a costume shop that
Rei had dragged me into.

ÒI canÕt believe that IÕm wearing this.  I feel like a
big piece of metal.Ó

She laughed and straightened the robes that she was
wearing and fussed with her hair.

ÒAre you sure this is a good idea?Ó I asked nervously
as I attached one of my very real swords to my waist. 
If I was going to be in a crowd of vampires and other
assorted demons and creatures then I was going to be
prepared and armed.  Rei was also armed, but she was
able to hide her weapons in the monstrous robes she
was wearing.

Even in ten yards of crimson silk she was able to look
exotic and beautiful.  Then again, she was Rei Shein
and could pull any look off.

Well any look except innocent.  She left that to
Serena.

ÒItÕs a wonderful idea,Ó she said and turned to face
me.  ÒYouÕll have a good time after you grovel for
forgiveness and everything will be alright.Ó  She made
me look at her, her violet eyes dangerous for a
second.  ÒAnd you will have fun Darien Kincaid.Ó

ÒYes Holiness,Ó I teased and she sighed
melodramatically.

ÒI donÕt know why I put up with you,Ó she said and I
grinned.

ÒBecause IÕm your
best-friend-since-we-were-two-years-old,Ó I said and
kissed her nose impishly, ÒThatÕs why.Ó

ÒAnd all this time I thought it was because you
control my paycheck,Ó she teased an gave me a hug. 
ÒIt will be alright Darien,Ó she whispered after a
moment.

ÒShe doesnÕt know that IÕm coming,Ó I said after a
moment, Òwhat if sheÕs given up,Ó I closed my eyes,
ÒWhat if IÕve made her so angry with me that she
leaves me forever.Ó

Rei was quiet for a moment, ÒYou really do love her,
donÕt you.Ó

I looked down at her, my eyes filled with pain, ÒYes,Ó
I whispered, ÒI do.Ó

She smiled and gave me a hug, ÒEverything will be
fine, Dare.  Serena will probably hug you and then
kiss you quite passionately the moment she sees you.Ó

ÒHow can you be so sure?Ó I asked, knowing that I was
being uncharacteristically insecure.

ÒBecause this is Serena weÕre talking about,Ó she
grinned, ÒAnd she enjoys seeing you jump way to much.Ó

I rolled my eyes and then laughed.  ÒYouÕre right.Ó

ÒOf course I am,Ó she said impishly and going to the
door, Ònow are we going or not?Ó

* * *

The open pavilion was amazing.  The pillars looked
like they were marble and had banners of deep red and
marine blue and silver draped between them.  It looked
like something out of a legend.

Which was probably the intent, and knowing Serena, was
probably a replica of the grand throne room of
Atlantis.

I saw the assorted demoni, elves, vampires, and
mortals that made up SerenaÕs circle of friends and
was amazed at the differences of the people and things
she knew.

I was talking to a group of High Elves when a bright
flash of red black and silver caught my eye.

ThatÕs when I saw her.

* * *

I knew he was here the moment that he came in.

My un-beating heart sang at the feeling of his
presence.  

He came!

He actually came!

He didnÕt hate me!

He came!

I would comment on the patheticness of my thoughts and
feelings.  I was so dependant on him that I needed
help.  But then again, where is the fun in a healthy
normal relationship.  

There isnÕt any, I tell you.  ItÕs better this way.

At least thatÕs what I tell myself.  But I digress.

I forced myself to calm down before I suddenly started
breathing again and I searched the room for him.  

I myself was wearing a silver and black dress that was
a lot like the dresses I wore so long ago.  It was
edged in red, which managed to pull out the little red
that remained in my hair out.  I stood still as I
watched for him, searching the crowd.

Then I saw him and our eyes met.

* * *

Slowly I started towards her, my heart pounding the
entire way.  She watched me closely, her face
completely unreadable and I knew that I would have to
be the one to approach her.  

God, I was so whipped.

Serena was standing on the dais of a mock throne, cold
and hard as a statue.  I walked up to her and knelt
formally, taking her hand in mine.

I lightly kissed it and met her eyes.  It was then
that she smiled and drew me to my feet.  Without words
I apologized and with out words, she accepted it.  I
leaned down to kiss her softly and then I was suddenly
enfolded in her arms, which were wrapped tightly
around my neck.  

Her mouth opened and she kissed me passionately, our
tongues intertwined for the longest time before she
must have felt my embarrassment at the whole situation
and slowly pulled away.

ÒThank you for coming,Ó she whispered lightly touching
my face, ÒMy Knight.Ó

I laughed softly and kissed her again, ÒI will always
come for you,Ó I whispered.

I realized that this was starting to sound like a
badly written romance novel, but I was past the point
of caring.  She smiled and kissed me again.

ÒThis means everything to me,Ó she murmured and our
eyes met, ÒEverything.Ó

Then, in this dream, I took her hand and drew her out
to the dance floor.

* * *

I smiled when I saw Darien and Serena kiss.  Jedeite
mustÕve seen it too, for he lightly elbowed me in the
ribs and pointed them out with a nod.

ÒI knew it,Ó I said smiling smugly and then giggled as
he nuzzled my neck, biting it gently.

ÒSo did I, Reishe,Ó he teased.

I watched as Darien and Serena broke away, probably
telling each other some kind of mush.  Then I saw him
pull her out towards the dance floor.

I paled.

ÒIs something wrong, JÕthia?Ó he asked looking down at
me.

ÒDarien canÕt dance,Ó I said very worried.  ÒHeÕs
never been able to.Ó

Jedeite raised an eyebrow, ÒHow can he not be able to
dance?Ó he asked surprised.

ÒTrust me,Ó I said watched them.

The dance floor cleared so it was just Darien and
Serena.

Alone.

In the middle of a dance floor.

Oh God, please help him.

* * *

I woke up from the amazing dream with a start.

I was standing on the dance floor when it cleared and
Serena and I were the only ones.

ThatÕs when I remembered that I couldnÕt dance.

Retarded chicken, remember?

I paled and was to the point where I was about to walk
away from Serena and leave her there.  Love or no
love, I was not about to make an absolute fool of
myself.  Dancing in clubs is one thing, ballroom
dancing is a completely different.

SerenaÕs hold on my arm tightened slightly and she
moved effortlessly into my arms.  I swallowed
nervously and looked down at her.

ÒRena...I-I--Ó

ÒShhh....Ó she put a finger to my lips, ÒTrust me.Ó

Then the music started.

I know its odd, she led the first half of the dance as
I got used to it.  Amazingly, she made me look like a
good dancer.  We flowed effortlessly to the music in a
simple but beautiful waltz.

I was back in the dream.  The perfect dream in which I
could dance with my demonic angel.

As the dance ended I pulled away from her and bowed. 
She smiled up at me and did a deep curtsy.  

ÒYouÕre amazing,Ó I said pulling her close and just
standing with her, it was as if time had frozen just
for us.  ÒCompletely.Ó

Serena just giggled and lightly touched my lips. 
ÒI--Ó she started and then stopped.

She was cut off by a sudden blast that shook the
entire pavilion.  The mortals screamed and the rest of
the partiers jumped.  Smoke filled the area.

ÒSomeone wants to make an entrance,Ó I heard Serena
mutter.  She stayed close to me and let me wrap an arm
around her waist.

When the smoke cleared I saw Beryl standing there.

ÒThis is a big surprise,Ó another mutter from Serena. 
I blinked, I wasnÕt used to her being so sarcastic. 
ÒI donÕt believe that you had an invitation, Berylka.Ó
Serena tilted her head to the side and her tone was
calm.

ÒReally?Ó Beryl asked innocently, ÒThat must have
slipped my mind.Ó

The entire crowd was hushed, no one said a word as
Beryl walked closer to me and Serena.

ÒIsnÕt this a sweet site,Ó Beryl continued gesturing
to us, ÒAn innocent little girl and her charming
Prince.Ó

ÒThatÕs Prince Charming,Ó I said dryly, not letting
her scare me.

She and Serena both looked at me confused.

ÒNever mind,Ó I muttered.  They obviously never read
fairy tails.

Serena continued to glare at Beryl.  ÒLeave,Ó she said
and her voice held a deadly ring to it, ÒNow.Ó

ÒNo.  I donÕt think so,Ó Beryl said smiling and
continuing to walk towards us.  ÒSomeone has to tell
Endy that youÕve been lying to him.Ó

ÒI havenÕt lied to Darien,Ó Serena narrowed her eyes.

ÒGood,Ó Beryl raised an hand that began to glow with a
sickly red orb, ÒThen you wonÕt have anything to feel
guilty about.Ó

I stepped in front of Serena and drew my sword.  

My sword wasnÕt a prop, it was an actual sword.  A
Blessed one at that.

Beryl just smiled and flung the orb at us.  I raised
my sword and partially blocked it.  It hit me and sent
me flying across the floor.  I landed on my shoulder
and back, pain shooting through me as I tried to
stand.  

I saw that Serena was holding her own orb of power,
though hers was a bright blue as she flung it at
Beryl.

There was a lot of flashing of lights as I pulled
myself to my feet.  The next thing I saw was Beryl
preparing to strike Serena, who was holding my sword. 


Which, I probably would have been upset at if the
situation wasnÕt so dire.

It was a Blessed sword.

Beryl flung her Power at Serena and it impacted on her
stomach creating a charred whole.  Instantly she
regenerated, but her orb died in her hand.  She pulled
herself to her feet and Beryl gathered her Power and
was ready to strike when a loud clear voice rang out.

ÒStop!Ó

Apparently that sound of this voice brought fear to
most of the inhabitants of the room.  Especially
Beryl.

Her eyes widened in fear and all the feeling of her
Power in the room, died.  I felt someone help me up.

Jedeite.

He too looked worried as he pulled me the rest of the
way to my feet.  I winced at the pain in my shoulder
and stomach.  It was only then that I noticed the burn
that went through my clothes.

He supported me as I looked for the speaker who could
command so much.

Between the two vampires  appeared a tall pale man,
with pitch black hair and gold eyes.  He didnÕt look
that much older than I did and I noticed the glow.

A vampire.

Which explained more than it didnÕt.

Beryl was looking at this man in fear as she took a
trembling step backwards.  Serena however smiled as
the man walked over to her.  He gently gathered her in
his arms, lightly touching her face, neck, and
shoulders.  TheyÕre gazes were locked and then I saw
her tightly closer her eyes and bury her face in his
chest.  He sighed and rested his head on hers, lightly
stroking her back and hair.

Jealousy doesnÕt even begin to describe what I was
feeling.

Over the top of SerenaÕs head he looked at Beryl.

ÒWhat are you doing here, Child?Ó he asked her, his
voice was calm and peaceful, though it was clear that
Beryl had a reason to fear him.  ÒWhy do you attack
Senna?Ó

Beryl narrowed her eyes, ÒI am just fulfilling the
Curse,Ó she said and took another step away from them.
 

ÒFulfilling the curse my ass,Ó Jedeite muttered from
his place next to me and I looked at him confused.  He
sighed and looked at me.  ÒLong story.Ó

I raised an eyebrow and decided to leave it at that.

ÒThe Curse does not include death.  Endymion is not
yours to kill.  Now go, before you try my patience.Ó

ÒThatÕs not fair!Ó Beryl shouted and the room began to
titter.  ÒYou are always--Ó

ÒI thought I told you to leave,Ó the manÕs voice rose
and had a hint of anger.

ÒBut--Ó

ÒYou are acting like a spoiled child, Ylka.  When I
tell you to do something, you will obey.Ó

They locked gazes and Beryl lowered her head.

ÒYes, Father.Ó  

Then she was gone.

Serena was smiling smugly to herself as she pulled
away from the man.  Again they looked at each other
and he lightly touched her face before kissing her
forehead.  She looked over at me and her eyes filled
with worry and took a step towards me.

ÒSenna!Ó the man called to her and grabbed her wrist. 
She stopped and turned towards him.  ÒWhy do you go to
him?Ó

ÒI donÕt think that this is the time or place to have
this discussion,Ó she said calmly and he raised an
eyebrow, a smile playing on the corner of his mouth.

ÒNevertheless, we will have it.Ó  I saw a deadly ball
of fire start growing at his hand.

I swallowed nervously and paled.  

I donÕt think that this vampire liked me very much.

Serena sighed and looked at him and then at me.  ÒYou
know why,Ó she whispered so softly that I could barley
hear her.

ÒHe doesnÕt deserve that from you, he doesnÔt deserve
anything from you, my Child,Ó the man said and made
her look at him.  ÒEndymion does not know how.Ó

The ball of Fire began to grow.  A low growl began to
emanate from Jedeite, who seemed upset at the manÕs
actions.  Or maybe it was SerenaÕs actions.  I wasnÕt
that sure about the whole thing.

ÒHe isnÕt Endymion!Ó Serena actually yelled and forced
herself away from the man, yanking her wrist from him
forcefully.

I got worried.  This man obviously was someone
Powerful, and from the sudden tenseness of Jedeite
next to me, along with his low growl, my worry became
very validated.

And I became frustrated.  I hate Endymion, whether I
was him or he was me or not, I hated him.  He was
beginning to get on my nerves.

As was the tall vampire with gold eyes.

ÒHe is Darien!  Endymion died eight thousand years
ago.  And IÕll even admit that Endy was a
self-righteous bastard, but he died and is never
coming back.  Darien is nothing like Endy!  Darien and
Endy are so different that its impossible to even
believe that they could be the same person.Ó

She took a few more steps closer to me and stood in
front of me and Jedeite.

Her words were confusing me.  First she says that IÕm
not Endymion, then she says that we are the same
person.  

Make up your mind Serena!

The man raised an eyebrow, ÒHis inner core is that of
Endymion.Ó

ÒI know,Ó Serena whispered, Òbut that doesnÕt make him
Endy.  Anymore that that makes him Mamoru or David, or
Miguel.  He is Darien.Ó

ÒHe is a Demon Hunter.Ó

ÒIf they get caught, then they deserve to be killed,Ó
Serena said simply.  ÒDonÕt tell me that youÕve
started to feel something for the Young Ones.Ó

The man smiled and then laughed softly.  He crossed to
Serena and then hugged her tightly.  She hugged him
back and smiled up at him.  He kissed her gently.

ÒBe careful my Child,Ó he said quietly, thumbing her
jaw and then her neck.  ÒDo not let him hurt you
again.  For if he does, I will do what I wanted to do
four thousand years ago.  I will do what I almost
did.Ó

Great, now I was being threatened and I didnÕt even
know why.

Nor, at this point, did I care.

And then, in a blur of movement, we were alone.

I started breathing again, not really realizing until
then that I had been holding my breath.  I felt
Jedeite relax and his growl stopped.  Serena looked
over at me.  

To be honest, I didnÕt know what I was thinking or
feeling at that moment.  I couldnÕt concentrate, but I
did know one thing.

I was very sure about it too.

I reached out for her and pulled her to me forcefully,
ignoring the pain in my shoulder and stomach and I
held her tightly, burying my face in her hair.  Her
arms slipped around my neck and she pulled herself up
to me.  I pulled back slightly and then kissed her.

When we finally stopped kissing the party had ended
and all but Jedeite and Rei had left.  They were
standing next to us and Jedeite still had a look of
worry on his face.

ÒSerena,Ó he started, ÒIf you were not his favorite I
would suspect that you would be very dusty,Ó he said
and she smiled slightly.

ÒIÕm his favorite because I did not fear him in the
first place.Ó

Jedeite smiled slightly and shook his head and then
hugged her.  ÒYou threw a wonderful party,Ó he
murmured and then began to speak in a language I
didnÕt understand.

Serena responded to whatever he was saying with a
shake of her head.  He raised an eyebrow and sounded
like he was chiding her.  She then gave him a pointed
look at Rei.  He shook his head and then took ReiÕs
hand before walking away from us.  I looked down at
Serena and noticed that she looked extremely
distressed about something.

I put an arm around her waist and pulled her to my
chest and made her look at me.  Her eyes slowly rose
to mine and she tried to smile.  I just leaned down at
kissed her softly.

ÒLetÕs get out of here,Ó I murmured into her hair.

ÒDarien....Ó her voice trailed off and she bit her
lower lip, ÒWe...we need to--Ó 

I cut her off with another kiss.  I didnÕt want to
talk about what just happened.  I didnÕt want to think
about it and I sure as hell didnÕt want to analyze it.

For once I was tired of asking unanswered questions. 
I just wanted her to be happy.

ÒLetÕs not talk,Ó I murmured again and lightly kissed
her along her neck and pulled her close to me.  I
heard her laugh softly and then take a hold of me
tightly around the neck.  Suddenly we were moving
faster than I could imagine and this time I remember
flying.

Then we were at my apartment.

* * *

It must have been around noon before I slowly opened
my eyes, the sunlight was barely peeking in through
the window shades.  I looked over to my left and saw a
beautiful blond nestled in the crook of my arm.  I
smiled and rolled onto my side, supporting myself with
my elbow and resting my head on my hand.  Lightly I
stroked her hair and then pulled the sheet up to her
shoulders, just in case she got cold.

I had woken up next to Serena many times, but none of
them were like this.  

Last night we had made love for the first time.

It was as simple as that.

It was as beautiful as that.

And I better stop before I start spouting bad poetry. 


I sighed quietly and then kissed her forehead.  God,
she was so beautiful.  I had given into everything
last night.  I gave into her and all my self-righteous
thinking went right out the window.

And if I had thought she would have been willing, I
think I would have proposed to her last night.  I
wanted to spend the rest of my life with her.  It was
then that I decided that I had to tell her that I
loved her.  Even if it meant nothing to her, I had to
tell her.

Women like to say that being intimate means nothing
but physical gratification.  TheyÕre wrong.  Last
night meant everything to me.  It was more than just
sex.

Okay, so it was the first time that it meant
something.  But it was better because of it.

I also decided that I wanted to record everything, I
wanted to tell our story from both our points of view.
 Last night was what started the story.

I tend to think a lot in the mornings.

I sighed again and this time gently kissed her lips. 
I saw her smile and knew that she wasnÕt asleep.  Her
eyes were still closed as she shifted closer to me,
resting her head on my chest as much as she could.

ÒWhat are you looking at,Ó she murmured.

I smiled and kissed her again, ÒThe woman I love,Ó I
murmured back.  

Corny?  Yes.  

Cheesy? Of course.  

True?  Absolutely.

Her eyes slowly opened and she looked at me, her
expression bordering on unreadable and hopeful,
ÒReally?Ó she whispered her fingers lightly touching
my lips.

ÒReally.Ó  I gently kissed her fingertips and she
smiled brightly.

ÒI love you Darien,Ó she whispered and closed her eyes
again, nestling into my shoulder and neck, ÒXalliva
zi, JÕthia.Ó

I smiled and sighed, for the moment content and happy.


=====
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Our rats are low..."

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