voices

the morning sun pierced the treeline like a knife at the soft underbelly of society. the village was still a couple miles out, but the was good. she would have no encounters this morning. she could rest.

    she was what elders call a pheonix; capable of walking through white fire, better known to humans as sunlight. there are not many phoenixes left. her vampire blood wasn't reactive to the sharp rays from the sun. usually, half breeds were the only pheonixes. their genetics mutating enough to find the light tolerable. the exception was jax. jax was the only pure blood left, his blood is perfect, so he possessed the gift.  she would have to hide the gift from him, it would only give her away. it wouildn't be hard to play the role as a vampress. she had all the looks, without the thirst.she had pale yellow eyes that draw in all those who look into them, captivating their curiosity with astonishing strength. razor sharp fangs, and pale flawless skin.she also had the gift of mind manipulation, she could push people to her will she definately looked the role.

     the village was nestled in a beautiful, quiet valley at the base of the mountains range that guarded the coast. the sleepy village seemed deserted, except for the occasional who made an appearance at the sound of unfamiliar hooves; immediately slamming the door once they made eye contact. she must look awfully intimidating, she thought she looked a fright. a slender woman, dressed from head to toe in black, brunette curls running wild; on a massive black horse with a dark timber wolf trotting faithfully at her side. she couldn't blame their fear, had the roles been reversed she would've agreed. she must look like death on swift wings. she chuckled to herself, good then there wouldn't be any hiccups. she was exhausted, surely the tavern was near.

    the welcoming pub was a beautiful greeting for a weary traveler. she jumped off diablo, and walked around back towards the stable. her legs screaming at her for the punishment they were being unjustly dealt. the sleepy stable hand staggered towards her, obviously in a drunken stupor. she handed him the leather reins, and he momentarily hesistated, but took them anyway.

"one day, food, water and a brush down, it's been a long trip." she spoke flatly.

"ye..yeyes ma'am." he stammered. she flicked him a gold piece.

"oh and feed and water the dog." she mumbled. the she turned to dog, dog stuck because at hand she lacked the creativity for a new name. " wake me up before sundown, rest now. goodnight."

dog looked at her for a moment, then turned to join diablo in the stall he'd taken up residence. nearly dozing over the enebreated care taker. damn wolf may be too smart for his own good, she chucked to herself.

  dakota made her way back around to the front of the quaint two story building.. she walkjed through the tiny door frame and wondered exactly how the regular guests managed. the feeble looking bar keep set eyes on her an immediately got out the log book for it's guests.

" name please ma'am."

" forget the name." she could've munipulated his mind, but decided she was too exhausted to put forth the effort, so she through two gold coins on the book in front of his nose.

"of course my lady, how may nights, or well um days in this case?" he asked humbly, looking down as if to avoid eye contact with her intoxicating irises.

"only one, i'll be gone by sundown." she answered regally, to assert her strength.

" would you like your return in small or large coins?"

" keep it, it's good for business."

" thank you kindly ma'am. your room is number two, just up the stairs, to your left." he returned gratefully.

" thank you sir, oh and would you mind keeping the noise down, i'm a light sleeper." she smiled politely.

" of course." the gesture was not returned.

dakota made her steps light, in fear that the creaky stairs might very well give way under her lightweight. not to say that the whole buildings interior didn't look ancient or appear to threaten to collapse at any moment if tested..

she pushed open the thin door to a dark musty room. no telling how many w****s had used this room preceding her arrival. one word could describe this room. disgusting. she wasn't going to throw a grand ball at this location. only rest. with that thought she sat on the bed and surveilanced the room. the bed was a small slated bed, the mattress made of straw and bits of clothing. surveying the rest of the room she decided it was secure. peculiar enough, it was windowless. she would find sleep easier.

she unfastened her boots and placed them neatly at the foot of the bed. she began to unfastened the weaponary and place it near her head. and then for the first time it hit her. she was alone. she untied her cloak and fiddled with the satin ties for a moment.. she knew she couldn't run from the pain forever. she'd been betrayed, hurt and wounded by the person she trusted most.the man she trusted with everything. her heart and her innocence had thrown it back in her face as if it meant nothing. she'd done her best to provide him with everything he needed, who he needed her to be. she wore fancy dresses, hosted extravagant parties, acted proper and entertained high class people; who had never even heard of her kind.

she honestly tried to enjoy their company. her attempts had failed on numerous occasions . at least she acted the part and went through th emotions. she wore uncomfortable corsets and talked of politics, all for him. she had changed. he threw it in her face. she sobbed. she was hurt. she felt low. she had never been brought this low. even in times of great failure and frustration, she had never been this low. she felt  worthless.

she wasn't. she knew better. she had a purpose. a sole purpose, although it may be to paint the end to the devil's mercenaries, she was going to be an artist. enough. no more pain from this will cross her heart agian. she was through with the sorrow. she needed to be fully aware, not distracted by her recent loss. with that she raised her feet into the ground and laid on the beat down bed, which smelled of mold and ale. she was overdue for rest.

and sleep came on charging feet, exhaustion winning the battle.

dakota... she opened her eyes to the sound of the unfamiliar voice, unsure whether it was real.

dakota, please wake up. the voice spoke urgently.

with that dakota sat up.

hurry! wake up you are in danger.

dakota stood up and simultaneously stepped inton her boots and armed herself for the pending fight.she felt a violent aura penetrate hers. he was close in proximity and definately vampire. he is creeping up the stairs. she picked up her cloake dnad swung into it. in seconds she was clothed and fully armed for the fight. whose voice had woken her up? she was confused, but there was no time for that. her predator was just outside her door and listening.

silently dakota stepped and landed a tactfully placed kick in the center of the door and splintered it mercilessly. she lunged at the large male she found croaching just outside where the door had been; still in shock that he'd been upstaged. she hit him mid section and he let out a yipe as she forcefully knocked the wind out of him. she sprawled him on his back and both bodies began to tumble downstairs. dakotas wits remained about her and she reched out for the banister and caught herself while the ogre of a man continued his less than graceful descent. he landed flat on his back, and in an instant was back of his feet. dakota stepped in for another powerful kick, but he anticipated it and grabbed her ankle. he used her force against her and swung her into the table the rested to her right. she crashed into it head on, welcoming to pain to completely wake her up and piss her off. he took adavantage of her position and went to leap on her. she used her feet and met him mid air and ballooned him over her head and rolled with him and the momentum he'd generated. he went to strike her, but she blocked him and threw one of her own. he gave under the blow, underestimating her strength and began to bleed. he rolled her off him and sent her skidding across the ground. he rose to his feet and began to charge her in anger.

this is where she gets them. she gets them frustrated and waits for them to fight in anger. its where they make mistakes.

he came at her and she kicked to table she was standing behind in a flash, it flew into his knees knocking him backwards. she ran to the pile on the floor and step on his throat, crushing his airway. she drew her knife and drove it deep into his chest cavity, piercing his heart. she leaned in close to his face and looked into his eyes.

"yam etaceh evah ycrem no rouy lous." she spoke to him as she pushed the knife deeper. his body writhed in pain and he let an immortal scream escape his throat. finally after what seemed like an enternity, the blade won. his eyes rolled back into his skull and all movement ceased.  for the first time since the fight began she unlocked her eyes form her opponant. a short battle, but enough to leave her body riddling with adrenaline. she looked a tthe speechless bartender. his palor was ghostly white and he looked as if he was going to faint. a better reaction than expected.

" i thought i asked for quiet" she added saracasticly and she let a low laugh build in her throat. she nodded and exited the building. leaving the shocked bartender to deal with the after math.

she trudged to the stable. dog met her half way wagging his tail in satisfaction.

" i thought i told you to wake me up before twilight." since it was indeed completely dark.

whose voice did you think it was?

she heard the same voice form earlier. this time she answered back silently.

i wasn't sure. not everyday i hear voices in my head.

dog chuckled.they began to walk towards the dark stable.

i know. great reaction though. easier than i expected.

the world is just full of them tonight. she thought thinking back to the bartender, and her scuffle with the vampire. so i take it you're my familiar. knowing full and well that the stakes had just changed, familiars change everything.

i'm guessing so, since we're having this conversation. i'm mikhail. leader of the late sheshomaru pack.

i like the name dog. she smirked to herself.

suits me. mikhail replied promptly.

 

Author's Note

the game changes here folks!