Embracing the Night :Chapter Two

England

McAllister’s flat

Auna pressed one hand against the cool mahogany door, she closed her eyes as she took a deep breath..Wondering what awaited her on the other side .She opened the door to lock gaze with Grace her maid, to be honest the old woman was more of a mother than her maid. With a sigh she made her way into the room one hand covering the wound.

“Auna I don’t think your betrothed would like you going out at these hours of the night “, Grace said her wrinkled face showing concern.She folded a piece of fabric and set it neatly on the bed.A satisfactory look masking her face .Auna glanced quickly at the suitcases sitting in the far corner of the room .At anyother time she'd have been grateful to escape to the wonderful city of lights ,with all it's awing sights .But not at this moment ,at this moment she wanted to flee,but she had to play the role of the dutiful princess.Sighing she let her blood stained sword clatter to the ground .Looking at Grace Auna said 

“Grace my betrothed does not know of my existence , so let it rest .I’m a free woman and I’ll do as I please”. Auna retorted as she made her way towards her bed ,trying as best as possible to cover the blood ozzing from her wound,but it was a fruitless attempt .the blood ran over her fingers and fell to floor leaving crimson splatters .

"you're hurt..."Grace made a move to assit ,but Auna warded her off

"I'm fine , I can take care of it " She said as she peeled of her jacket assessing the damage .Grace Flinched then added

"You must remember this is apart of the treaty,you must stay here until he comes “She said, like Auna needed to be reminded.She didn't want to be reminded that she was engaged to a man who refused to acknowledge her.She didn't want to  be reminded that they had taken everything from her .

“I don’t need to be reminded of what we have become, slayers and vampires don’t kindle! It has been like that for centuries ” she snapped  "And further more a month has elapse and still no sign of the prince ,once I plead my case to the coucil they will see that this marriage is not the way to go about this " She added 

“Time changes and so does tradition “She said softly before she bowed and left the room. Sighing Auna as she fell back on the bed Letting out a scream she pulled a pillow over her face. Dark curls rested against the soft white coverings while her Blue eyes were transfixed on the ceiling sighing  she relaxed how on earth would she be able to exact her revenge if she got married to a leech ,groaning she closed her eyes wispering a soft prayer "God help me. "

Scotland

The cool breeze kissed the land like a lover would, soft ...gentle. The old buildings leaned against their foundations and the deciduous trees swayed in the wind, their long branches twirling like ballerinas .the knee high grass swayed back and forth and the constant sound of sea water pounding on the side of the cliff resonated through out the country side. Ceddrick loved the smell of the sea water it brought back many memories of when he was just a wee lad.

Andrew drew his attention from the large gray dog that had gone to fetch the ball and turned to his brother

“When will you return home to wed your slayer, Brother?”

Andrew asked as he squinted his eyes, the wind had suddenly picked up kicking the dust along with it

“I don’t know, probably when I’ve  had my fill of wenches   “

Ceddrick said before he released the arrow a smug smile plastered on his face.

“She’s rather pleasing to the eye, a perfect match for you “Andrew said  as he took aim at the other target board  

“Then you marry her, Andrew”

“I don’t think my wife would be happy with that “He said with a laugh, his green eyes lighting up.

“And I don’t want to wake up in the middle of the night with a sword in my throat” Andrew snickered at that

“I don’t think she would go that far”

“Speaking of wives, here comes yours “   Ceddrick   said as he inclined his head to the approaching female.Saris approached muttering under her breath, golden curls falling over her slender shoulders.

“Saris, love what are you doing out here? “Andrew ashed, exasperated

“I’m pregnant, I’m not a fragile petal which can be crushed in the ragging wind “She said, annoyance etched in her voice, as she walked through the knee high grass. She finally approached her husband planted her two feet firmly on the ground then glared up at him

“What did I do now?” he asked as he brushed at a curl

She looked in Ceddricks’s direction and he held up his hands in surrender

“I know when my presence isn’t welcomed” He said before he bid his farewells. Things always got violent when his in-law and brother had a conversation and probably this time he might have an arrow in his jugular.Ceddrick turned and walked the distance to the end of the rocky pathway. During which he had been contemplating the idea of returning home to his wife to be, but alas a slayer was not for him even when his own brother had testified to her boundless beauty. With a ragged sigh he ran his fingers throughhis hair, He had to be in Paris by tonight ,the vampires  and  slayers were assembling to talk about marriage.....his marriage  .He was suppose to spend the last month  with her ,a custom practiced by his kind for millennia but   adhering to  traditions or customs was never his forte .He Laughed to himself a mere chuckle before teleporting home ,millions of thoughts running through hismind ,plucking through them all as he tried to come to an appropriate conclusion of what  his bride looked like .

…………………………………………………………………..

He shook his head he was not going to get hung up on some unknown lass, the last time he did the love of his life ran a sword through his heart, and he wasn’t going to repeat that.....not now, not ever. Other than his own internal wrestle, Something about this apartment felt different he couldn’t figure out what was wrong his innate instinct was telling him he wasn’t alone yet there was no one here .The rogues had silently watched as Ceddrick teleported into his apartment they could sense he was now aware of their presence and it was time to make it known.

“Found what you were looking for ?“Rafael asked smiling ,his dark eyes filled with malice 

Ceddrick turned around to see vampires appearing from Thin air

“the rakoin, it can’t be”

“Oh yes, it is" Rafael eyed him then spat out”prince” his enter visage changed as his bitterness seeped from him

Ceddrick tilted his head “still bitter after so many years?” He  asked as he glared at him, a smug smile plastered on his face.

“What do you think?”Rafael asked 

he didn’t have time to go through this again  he needed to know why he was in his house ,of all places ‘probably ,mistaken it for a brothel ‘he chuckled inwardly before getting to the point ,the real one.

“Why are you here?”He asked as looked around counting the amount of vampires present

 “To prevent the council from making another mistake “

‘”Hmm, if you wish for a beating I’ll oblige’ He lunged for the closet vampire but only dragged claws straight through the air “S**t, the rakoin” how had they mastered it, only vampires loyal to the high council had that privilege. He couldn’t even sense them .Their was a piercing stab in the side of his neck his hand shot up to feel a syringe. They’d all reappeared laughing and jeering

“What the hell, tranquilizer?” What did they take him for, some wild animal?

Rafael shook his head

“No, not really just something a witch whipped up for us “he grinned laugh lines crawling up to his dark eyes.

Ceddrick  felt as darkness began to consume the small amount of his consciousness, it ate away   until he finally blacked out.