“Did she?” He grinned. “I can’t imagine someone like you getting others to do what they want.” He was being sarcastic.
“Tell me again why you came along?” I asked, glancing at him sideways.
“Because you couldn’t leave my good looks back in Scotland.” His grin spread from ear to ear.
“Yes. That’s it.” I said without as much as a smile on my face. He just kept grinning. Scarlet let out a little giggle, while I kept my smile hidden.
“So, I’ll keep watch; you two go and get some sleep.” Kane offered, as he tied up the horses to the trees nearest the creek.
“You’re sure?” I asked. “You haven’t slept in days.”
“And neither have you.” He sat down on a flat rock reaching with his cupped hands to get some water to drink. Kane fascinates me; though I’m not entirely sure why. The way he talks, walks, his sense of humor. The way he moves, isn’t like a hybrid at all. I’ve sensed no threat from him to use against him. No dark deep secrets hidden. He’s like a superhero peace-keeper among all clans. He’s just all around interesting to me.
“I never sleep.”
“I’ve noticed.” He stood wiping his mouth off with the back of his hand.
“That is why you are so uptight.” He took his jacket off laying it on the ground.
“I’m not uptight.” I said sitting down cross-legged on the dirt floor of the forest.
“Ok. Maybe not uptight. It’s just a bad attitude problem.”
“Why don’t you tell me how you really feel?” I asked, being a smart ass.
He grinned, and from the corner of my eye I could see Scarlet looking between the both of us wondering what was going to come out of our mouths next.
“You just don’t know me,” I finished.
“Like you would let me get to know you.” He was now eyeing me.
That’s true. I thought.
“I’m going to take a walk.” Scarlet stood up and wandered slowly towards the water.
“Don’t go too far.” I said not breaking my eye contact with Kane. “There isn’t much to know about me.”
“Yes, there is.” He picked up his sword and started to polish it with his pant leg. “Here’s what I know--You’re from the states, you were the first born hybrid and you are beautiful.”
I made a face showing that I disagreed to the last part. “That’s all you need to know then.”
“I beg to differ,” He started, “To me, it just seems like you don’t want anyone to get close to you. Why?”
I didn’t say anything. I laid down staring up at the stars above.
“What are you afraid of?” He asked me. “Seems to me like you have this great fear that lives inside of you, that you think might push people away from you. Or is it that you just want to be left alone? I can’t decide what the real issue is. But, who am I to judge you Angel?” He sighed.
“When I was eleven, I had a dream that I was with my parents out taking a hike.” I paused. I saw him from the corner of my eye lay on his side, holding his head up with his arm propped on his elbow. He just watched intensely. Listening. I heard Scarlet’s breathing over by the water where she too was listening. “A demon creature…he came out of nowhere killing both of my parents.”
“And…” He said.
“And I never knew my mother. I don’t even know what she really looks like. And my father, well he’s still alive.” I looked at him. “I guess it’s just been imprinted in my head since I was young, and born into tragedy-that those who I get close to, or come to love, will all be taken away from me. That’s happened in my life so far. That is why I left home and that is why I am always on my own.”
“No excuse.” He said lying down.
“Excuse me?” I asked him.
“I deal with death everyday. I’m not running from it.”
“That’s different. You’re not being hunted.”
“I guess that’s true.” He sat up looking at me.
“Tell me about you.” I changed the subject.
“What do you want to know?”
“Why you get so attached.” I stated.
He smiled, “I have a very big family.”
“All hybrids?” I asked him.
“My mother, she’s a Werewolf from Australia, and my father, he is a Vampyre from England. I’ve got three older brothers, and two younger sisters.”
“Interesting.” I smiled. “I’ve got a large extended family.”
“So then why don’t you go back home to them?” He asked.
“Because my blood lust, my urge to fight wants to win.”
“Fight it.”
“I can only suppress it so long. I’m going to need it someday Kane.”
“I like how you say my name.” We both laughed.
“Why are we laughing?” Scarlet came over sitting down next to me.
“Nothing.” Kane said in a breathless way.
“Oh.” She smiled.
We all pitched in building a fire, so that we could keep a little warm as the dew settled in. Kane had taken the first watch; which turned out to be the whole night because he didn’t wake either of us up to take watch.
“The horses are ready.” I said. “But I think that I’m going to walk for a bit and lead this old girl.”
“Sounds good.” Scarlet said. “My butt really hurts.”
We laughed. I glanced over to Kane who was smirking. In a few hours we would be close to Mansfield. And I had a feeling that is where we would be finding the others. When I said “move to another spot,” they may have taken it literal.
“How long do you think it will be, walking?” Scarlet asked.
“Not sure. A day maybe…” Was my response.
There was this huge part of me that longed to go back to the states. I dreamt of home last night. I was standing on the shore letting the water crash onto my feet. I could hear the wind with voices of our ancestors, hearing the howling and the eagles cry. I could smell the scent of our sacred fire burning. My visions came in my sleep and while I was awake. There was an anxious sadness that was overwhelming me with seeing all of this. Every now and then I would get glances of my father alone in the meadow with his drum. Hearing the rhythmic sounds of the drum and his low voice calling out and upward to the great open sky above. His long hair would always be flowing in the wind, and the butterflies and dragonflies danced to the beat with their wings. Then I would see darkness and smoke passing over the moon with the flames for light--then, nothing.
Deep inside of me, I wanted to go home. But I knew I wasn’t finished with my ventures. There is a reason for everything and I believe that with all my heart. Why was I here in England? Why have I been traveling the world? Why did I meet Scarlet? Why’d we run into Kane? Too many questions and honestly not enough answers.
“Angel?” Kane’s voice called to me out of the stillness of the air.
“Yes?”
“Just wanted to make sure you were still with us.” He gave me a half smile.
“Still here.” I smiled back.
“I don’t want to sound horrible or alarm you, but there is a smell like wet dog coming from those trees.” Scarlet announced.
“You’re right.” I wrinkled my nose and mounted my horse. “We found them.”
“Really?” She asked. Both Scarlet and Kane got into their horses as well.
“Our friends, the Werewolves.” I said.
Ahead was a wide open field that would lead us into the infamous Sherwood forest. It had taken us too long to get to where we were.
“How did you know what direction to head in?” Kane’s voice was curious.
“A secret.” I winked.
“She’s full of them.” Scarlet gave a sort of chuckle.
“Why are you so full of secrets anyways?” He caught up with me kind of mocking Scarlet’s comment.
“Because no one asks the right questions.” I gave him a sarcastic smile and g
ave my horse a slight kick with a kissing noise. She took off at a canter towards the forest. I could hear the other two not too far behind. The thought of Scarlet on a cantering horse made me smile to myself. It was bad enough for her to be on a walking horse. I came to a slow steady pace with my horse as we entered the edge of the forest.
“Well look what we have here!” Quinn flashed his famous toothy grin. “You found us after all.” He laughed deeply.
“Of course.” I smiled dismounting my horse.
Braeden came over smiling, “Mithriel. I’m glad you brought my girl home.”
“Couldn’t just leave her in Scotland now could I?”
“Kane, my boy!” Quinn beamed.
“Quinn, it has been a very long time.” Kane hugged Quinn, giving each other that manly pat on the back.
“You didn’t say you knew these guys and this is who were looking for.” Kane smiled at me.
“You didn’t ask the right questions.” I grinned.
“She’s a tough one, she is.” Quinn chuckled. “Come! Eat, drink, rest. You all look exhausted. “
Jarreth, Duncan and Braeden all took the horses away towards where the other horses were kept. Scarlet gave me a half grin with a worried look on her face. I smiled back with a reassuring one. I’m not sure what she had to be worried about, but the thoughts in her head were of Kane and knowing these Werewolves. So of course I took her questions and made them my own.
“How did you all meet?” I asked sitting down by the fire pit. Scarlet next to me, like always.
“It was in London, what,” Kane looked to Quinn, “Six years ago?”
“Aye. Six years ago.”
“He was a tough little git.” Braeden said, “But he didn’t want to fight.”
“I’m a lover, not a fighter.” Kane winked at me.
“Oh.” I smiled.
“He’s proved that to you hasn’t he, Angel?” Braeden asked.
“Not yet.”
“And he didn’t have facial hair then,” Quinn laughed. “What is that? It looks like a wolfs ass hair on your chin.” We all laughed.
“It’s manly.” He rubbed his chin proudly before stuffing his mouth full of meat.
“If you say so boy.” Quinn laughed, stuffing some meat into his mouth as well. “Tonight we feast, celebrating the return of our friends!” He stood holding his jug in the air making the announcement. “We dance.” He posed as if he were ready to start a sort of waltz. Everyone cheered and the laughter roared.
“So how did you find us?” Braeden asked aloud, everyone around the fire pit was anxiuosly waiting for answers.
“I listen to thoughts.” I said taking my coat off and laying it aside. I was suddenly aware of the heat that was coming from the fire.
“What do you mean?” Quinn asked.
“I’m a hybrid of many abilities.” I started. “One of the many is tracking by telepathy.” I smiled, “I just listen. And it puts me in the right direction.”
“Really?” Braeden asked, then looking at the others. “That could come in handy for the future.” They all agreed.
I just sat there smiling trying to get lost in my own thoughts. Across the fire Kane was staring at me. The heat from the fire distorting his face slightly as he spoke in my head, “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“You’re good at everything but lying.”
“Thanks.” I was being sarcastic.
“Walk with me.” He stood. Still looking down at me speaking into my mind.
“Alright.” I stood, looking down at Scarlet giving her an “It’s ok” look. She stayed put, moving closer to the others only glancing back at Kane and I once. I knew there were comments and whistles at us, but none of that bothered me.
“I’ve wanted to be alone with you since the first time I saw you in Edinburgh.”
“Why?” I looked up at him raising an eyebrow.
“I’ve met many women throughout my life, but none like you. With you, I feel like there is this pull. And I have to know you. As insane as that sounds.” He laughed almost nervously.
“I don’t think it sounds insane at all.” I was looking down at the moving water of the creek.
The wind was starting to blow slightly now, and my hair blew over my face. Kane stood in front of me, he reached down moving it out of my face and gently placed it behind my ear.
“You are so beautiful.” His smile was sincere. “And if we get close, I won’t let you lose me.”
I closed my eyes and sighed.
“Kane, come with us please.” Braeden and Jarreth came into view.
“Coming.” He didn’t take his eyes off of me.
“Go.” I finally looked up, smiling at him.
He grabbed my hand and lifted it to his lips, kissing softly, then rubbed the spot with his thumb where his lips had touched. He released my hand and walked towards the guys heading into the forest.
Before I met Scarlet, I’d decided that I just wanted to be cold and bitter. I just wanted to be reckless and live for the kill, and maybe get myself killed in the process. She’s a great little girl who needed to be looked after. She had no one, and I’m realizing that I do care about her and what happens to her. And just when I figured, who needs love, it’ll just end up in a tragedy-- Kane shows up in my world. I could love him, but there is this part of me screaming “RUN!” I’m just not sure what I want to do or what I should do at this point. I know that I have to go home and get back to the states. I can hear my name being called, and “Come home” in the wind. My heart can’t make up its mind. It’s a game I can’t ever win, because I know what I have to do. Protect my people, and protect my kind.
“Drink!” Quinn yelled, and pulled me back towards the camp.
Tonight, again, it looked like a gypsy camp. There were fires all around and bodies dancing every which way. The air tonight seemed almost full of magick, like an electric energy burning through the atmosphere. And the moon was high and bright shining down upon this camp from the top of the trees.
The drums were being beat and the fiddles being played. Seeing a scene like this, it is hard not to smile at all of these people. This family, and it was making me miss mine.
Then there he was. Kane.
It seemed as though he was walking towards me in slow motion. Dressed in dark brown leather pants and almost knee high strapped leather boots. His shirt a dark blue and half open at the top. His hair was almost long with a slight wave, and his dark brown eyes staring at me intensely.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” I asked him, looking away from his look.
“Tell me not to.” He said back.
I didn’t.
The music slowed down in our minds as we swayed together to the beat of our own drums.
“I think the Gods sent you to me.” He whispered in my ear. His fingertips going up and down my bare arms, and it gave me chills to have him this close.
“Maybe they did, but you never know what tomorrow brings.” I added in a hushed tone. He ignored it.
His hand came up to my face, his pointer finger hooking my chin pulling my gaze towards him. His eyes were intense, with the glow of the moon in full force above us.
Our faces pushed together as if done by some unseen force. We kissed. Slow at first. Our arms wrapping around one another. My hands came up over his shoulders and holding his neck and the back of his head pushing deeper in with the kiss. It was a kiss of passion and longing.
“Yea!” Quinn’s loudness broke us apart and he got everyone to cheer at our ever so public display of affection. We laughed trying to hide our faces.
The night went on with drinking, dancing and passion.
“Huyanna?”
“Angel. My darling.”
“What are you doing here? Is everything ok?”
“I’m here to bring you home my child.”
“Why? What’s wrong? What’s happened?”
�
��Nothing yet. But I’m being told that you soon will be needed back home.”
“Why Huyanna?” I asked her again.
She came into the light. “The Vampyres have moved into the estate on the other side of our border. Your father and the Elders request your return, along with the other hybrids.”
This is why I can’t be happy, it’s taken away from me in an instant. Duty always calls me forth.
“Come home. Alone.” She said, enforcing the alone part.
“Huyanna…” I started.
“Your life can’t be lived there, and your destiny does not happen there. It is here with your family, and your people. There is far too much to explain now my child, please, come home. Please. You are needed.”
“Fine. Home I come.”
She smiled and faded away into the darkness of my dreams.
I woke with a start realizing my dream wasn’t a dream, but it was a vision. Arms were wrapped around me holding me tight. Kane. His face was in my neck, and silent he slept. He had a permanent smile stuck on his face. I couldn’t do this to him. And for the third time in my life I began to cry.
The first time I ever cried, I remember, I was ten years old and my father was training me to fight with swords. His sword had cut my arm and I had tripped falling into a pile of rocks, cutting my legs up. I wept. He ran to me and held me close to his heart. I cried out in pain and in frustration. Being a hybrid, you heal fast physically, but not always mentally. He had said to me as he held me, “What doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger, now get up, pick up your sword and fight back!”
The second time I cried, was eleven years old with that dream I had, where both my parents were murdered before my eyes. I woke up with a tear stained face, screaming out in heartache.
“What’s wrong?” Scarlet asked me.
“I’m going home.” I said, softly, looking up towards the tree tops. Listening to the sounds of the camp behind me.
“Going home?” She asked, “Angel…”
“I have to. I’m needed there.”
“And you know this how?” Her question had a hint of disbelief in it.
“I had a vision last night.”
“Of?”
Fate of the Blood Moon's Path Page 19