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F L A S H B A C K "get in the car” a soft whispered voice carried by her ear. The hair on the back of her neck stood on end as she took slow deep breaths. The only sound in the air was the sound of her heart beating rapidly in her chest. The pounding in her ears made it incredibly hard to focus as her body entered that 'fight or flight’ mode. ‘Flight’ won her over and without much hesitation she quickly turned and grabbed the door handle only to be yanked back and tossed across the parking lot. Aurora let out a pained scream as she flew across the gravel landing on her back. The wind knocked out of her as she tried to catch her breath, no human man should have been able to toss her like that.“F u c k ing vampires..” She grumbled under her breath before quickly pushing to her feet. Chocolate hues watched the half-crazed vampire as it seemed to be fighting with itself on whether or not it wanted to attack Aurora. Its eyes landed on the blood that trickled down the side of Aurora’s head from where she had kissed the gravel a few moments ago. Another round of panic set in as Aurora quickly wiped it away. “Do NOT come any closer or I swear to god" Aurora said as she held up the pepper spray. It was at that moment that Aurora noticed her hands began to brighten, light danced across her fingertips, and slowly began to creep up her arms. The only way to describe it was as if the galaxy itself had begun to wash over her tiny frame. As if the stars knew she was special and needed to be protected. The light in her palms began to brighten, and Aurora couldn't help but drop the pepper spray. “What are you?” The vampire asked as it watched in disbelief. “I'm a waitress.." Aurora said with a small smirk. She moved on instinct and allowed every ounce of energy she had to flow from her body to her hands. everything moved in slow motion as the light brightened so much it looked like Aurora had gone Supernova.  C U R R E N T   T I M E S   Gasping at her reflection in the window, Aurora quickly got control of her inner light. Brushing her hands over her face she sighed, the photo in her hands of her and her mother now slightly crinkled from the grip of death she had just subjected it too. "Aurora Waverly Stackhouse?!" The voice on the other end of her cell phone screaming to get her attention as she quickly picked it up "F u c k... Im sorry mom.. you wer"  she tried to say as her mother cut her off "I oughta come up there and wash yur mouth out with soap, you know better than that.." Aurora rolled chocolate hues as she switched the phone from one ear to the other and took a seat on her bed. Calls from her mother weren't rare, but usually it meant something was wrong and this was no exception. "I didn't want ya to worry, but you'll find out anyways you always do...." Sookie said with a tired sigh before she finished "it's your uncle Jason... Rory, he's gone missing" Aurora could feel the blood in her veins stop pumping for a second, her skin going cold as she lost the ability to speak. "What do you mean he's gon missin?" The louisiana accent she usually worked extremely hard to hide tugging at each word as she struggled to form a sentence. Sookie spent the remainder of the phone call explaining what happened, the last place her uncle had been seen and any information they had. Aurora could tell by the tone of her mothers voice that she hadn't gotten sleep, and though her mother repeatedly told her she didn't need to come home, Rory could hear the plea in her voice. "I'll be there as soon as I can... just stay with Erik"  Aurora said her goodbyes and without hesitation began to move around her room packing a bag. Her uncle wasn't the brightest tool in the shed, he had taken on monsters people didn't even know existed. He might have been a play boy, and was an impulsive sh i t head (her mothers words) but Jason was a family man through and through, Aurora and Sookie meant everything to him so for him not to check in... that was concerning in and of itself. "F u c k ... the pack" Aurora hadn't thought about how she'd explain her absence but part of her was hoping Landyn and Mason would understand. Her mind raced as she tried to remember everything she would need for the trip.  AURORA & AMARA:  After packing the last of her things that she figured she would need, Aurora wrote a few letters. One to Maleficent, One to Landyn & Mason and One Kai explaining where she was going. Her little pack family had become so important to her she didn't want anyone to worry, but the call from her mom was one she hadn't expected to get. With a wave of her hand each letter floated to their designated person before she grabbed her bag and stopped dead in her tracks seeing Amara standing in her doorway. "I have to.. don't give me that look" Aurora said with pleading eyes thinking Amara was gonna stop her from leaving. The crimson haired vampire gave a shrug of her shoulder and pulled out the bag she had packed for herself "I know... which is why I'm coming with you" letting out the breath she had been holding, Aurora smiled and nodded but the smile didn't touch her eyes. "Can't let you go by yourself, Mal would kill me if anything happened to you" Amara said as she pulled the keys to one of the many pack vehicles out of her pocket. "Now let's go before someone notices or we aren't getting out of here" Amara said with a nod as both she and Aurora used the back entrance to the pack house. Loading their bags into the back they quietly climbed into the car and without hesitation started down the drive, Aurora couldn't help but look back in the mirror at the pack house that had slowly become home. She wasn't sure when she and Amara would be back... but she truly hoped it wouldn't be too long.  𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐈𝐍 𝐁𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐏 𝘼𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙖 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘼𝙪𝙧𝙤𝙧𝙖 𝙋𝙊𝙑  "Oh come on!" Aurora huffed as her mother's yellow bug sputtered and came to a stop on the side of the road. How the damn thing was even still functioning was a miracle to begin with, but she might have been pushing her luck with taking it all the way to Shreveport. Resting her head in the steering wheel of the car, she took a breath to calm her anger, closing her eyes. There hadn't been any news on her uncle since they arrived, it was like he vanished into thin air. But Aurora could still  feel his energy, she knew he wasn't dead, but it still didnt make his disappearance easier. Are you sure you wanna take the bug?That thing is gonna break down half way there.Amara's taunt echoed in Aurora's head as the blonde climbed from the driver's seat. There was no way she was gonna call Amara and here 'I told you so' at least eight times. The ginger was many things but subtle wasn't one of them. "How hard could this possibly be?" Aurora asked herself as she popped the hood of the car, coughing as she inhaled the smoke from the engine as it wafted out of the car. "Well sh i t.." Aurora murmured, grabbing her cell out of her back pocket. Guess she didn't have a choice, she knew nothing about cars but she was guessing the way it was smoking probably wasn't a good sign.'Snappppppp'Aurora's head snapped up as chocolate hues scanned the tree line, the sound of brush moving had her locking her phone so the light from it wouldn't give her away.RUN AURORA!That familiar voice whispered in her head as the alarm bells sounded, the hairs in the back of her neck standing on end. There were few times in Aurora's life when she had heard that voice, and they were usually just before something bad happened.Quickly moving to get into the car, Aurora shuffled through the middle console until she had what she was looking for, the driver window busting in as she screamed feeling hands gripping at her arm and shoulder. A snarl ripping through the night as the blonde was yanked from the car and tossed to the side with a solid 'thud' against the grass. The wind knocked from her, Aurora groaned before quickly sitting up and trying her best to both move away and get to her feet with little success. "You smell delicious..." The vampire said with a grin as Aurora narrowed her gaze, her inner light quickly brightening her tiny frame. "And you smell like fried fanger.." Amara's familiar voice rang out as she savagely snarled, a hand elegantly curling to draw the energy from her element until a fireball manifested in her palm, with a firm push forward she shot it right at the vampire before Aurora raised her palms and unleashed her light. Screams of fury and pain rang out before he was nothing more than ash on the ground. "So.... the decision to take the bug" Amara said with an arched brow as she walked over to Aurora, holding her hand out to help her up. "Couldn't wait to rub that in could ya?" Aurora asked, rolling her eyes as she grabbed Amara's hand to get up, wincing as she looked over her shoulder to find a fresh and deep cup on her arm. "Damn it... this was my favorite shirt!" She said with a sigh before slipping the flannel off her frame. "Why isn't that healing?" Amara asked as she wrinkled her brow, having seen Aurora's powers in action most wounds almost immediately healed. "Give me a minute.." Aurora said holding a hand over the wound to let her light have direct access, her palm brightening as she waited for a moment but when she removed her hand, the cut was still there. "Oh.... that's not good" Amara said instantly looking toward the horizon, the sun slowly beginning to peak. "If you can't heal, that means I can't be in the sun..." the realization hit them both, two faerie's like sitting ducks with a broken down car.In Unison:  "Oh we're f u c k e d..."   𝐀𝐃𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄𝐒 𝐈𝐍 𝐁𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐏 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝟐  𝘼𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙖 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘼𝙪𝙧𝙤𝙧𝙖 𝙋𝙊𝙑 "This is why I told you to wait for me, my god Rory I get that he’s your uncle… he was my best friend, do you not think I want to find him too?!” Amara huffed in frustration as she ripped the bottom of her shirt and created a makeshift bandage for Aurora’s cut. Attempting to be as gentle as possible she pressed it to the wound to stop the bleeding, the veins in her eyes darkening at the scent. Wincing as Amara pressed the fabric to the cut Aurora grumbled “Yell at me later for being impatient, we gotta get you out of the sun” The blonde said as she gritted her teeth through the pain it provoked when she moved her arm. “I need to get you somewhere safe, your blood is everywhere and it's only a matter of time before his friends come tracking you down” Amara rolled her eyes, was she worried about being caught outside during sunrise? Yes, but her main priority was Aurora’s safety. "Don't suppose you've got a spare engine hidden in that jacket huh?” Aurora asked, attempting to lighten the mood as she walked over to the car, Amara pinched the bridge of her nose cursing in Gaelic, which was a Faerie's native language. “Wow, really living up to the blonde stereo type, baby doll” Amara smirked as she turned and patted her back “Hop on, Stiletto expresses at your service” She said, pulling crimson locks from her back as she waited for Aurora. The blonde hesitated, it wasn't the first time she had been vamped around but it honestly wasn't her favorite way to travel.“If you drop me..” Aurora warned as she took a running start to jump onto Amara's back, the ginger caught her instantly and scoffed. “Oh come on, that was one time… just hold on” she said, adjusting her hold before looking toward the horizon. Her cellphone chiming from her back pocket made both of the girls jump as Aurora grabbed it to check the name on it “That’s Kymber” Aurora went to answer when Amara started to take off. “Leave it, we don't have time..” Amara said over her shoulder. "AMARA WATCH OUT!” Aurora shrieked as a blur came hurtling towards them, throwing Aurora directly into an old oak tree with a loud crunch. Amara's savage snarl heard in the background as Aurora’s eyes fluttered in and out of consciousness. “Aurora!” Amara crouched defensively in front of the blonde, baring her fangs to the other vampire. “She is mine” which in the vampire community meant Aurora was off limits to other vampires. Of course that couldn't have been farther from the truth, but with the sun rising rapidly in front of them Amara didn't have time for a fight. “But she smells like sunshine… and I want some..” The vampire half pouted and half snarled as Amara growled protectively “MINE.. I suggest you leave before I cut you from navel to nostril” The ginger warned as crimson hues brightened, the veins in her eyes darkened as the standoff began. The throb in her head slowly crept through her petite frame as Aurora fought to keep herself conscious, blood trickling down her forehead as she managed to sit upright against the tree behind Amara’s crouched frame. A wave of nausea overwhelmed her as she turned to the side of the tree getting sick. “That’s just what I need…” The blonde grumbled as she touched the cut on her forehead “Are you okay?” Amara asked without taking her eyes off the other vampire, side stepping as they did to keep herself between them and Aurora. “Just peachy mars..” Aurora said through gritted teeth as wiped her mouth with the sleeve of her shirt. “When I tell you too, I want you to run… do not look back, Do you understand me?” Amara said sternly, waiting for Aurora to get to her feet. “you don't have time for this.. the sun..” Aurora said looking toward the horizon, the sun was beginning to come over the mountain top. “We’re about a mile from your house… I'll be fine” As Aurora got to her feet, the vampire had decided to be brave and attempted to flit forward with vampire speed. Amara was faster, wrapping an arm around its neck and swinging her body around using the force of her body weight to drop the vampire to the ground. “AURORA GO!” Amara called and reluctantly Aurora took off in a dead sprint toward the house. If there was ever anything she was grateful for, it was the fact that she had spent most of her time as a kid in these woods and knew it like the back of her hand. She couldn't help but cringe when she heard Amara’s pained shriek, and then the choked cry of the other vampire before the sound of fighting completely stopped. Aurora had just hit the top steps of the front porch as the sun began to rise overhead, turning as she waited impatiently, heart pounding in her chest as chocolate hues searched for any sign of the ginger. Panic began to set in when minutes passed and nothing appeared, until finally Amara’s bloody frame broke through the tree like. Staggering the ginger held a hand to the side of her neck where fresh claw marks marred her porcelain skin. The sun hitting her as she stepped through the trees, a pained but stifled cry leaving her as her skin burned but she managed to get to the steps before any permanent damage could be done. “F u c k ing Bon Temp…” She grumbled before collapsing onto the porch."F u c k… Time to call Landyn…”    𝐀𝐃𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄𝐒 𝐈𝐍 𝐁𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐏 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝟑 𝘼𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙖 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘼𝙪𝙧𝙤𝙧𝙖 𝙋𝙊𝙑 “Ouch…. Sookie, I am attached to that you know” Amara growled which sounded more like a whine as she leaned against the sofa, Sookie Stackhouse, Aurora’s mother was attempting to gingerly clean out Amara’s wound. “Quit your whining, Mara… you know ain't doin’ it on purpose” the elder blonde said with a small sigh as she pulled what she thought was the last of the debris from the cuts. “I don't get it, you’ve had three blood bags… thank you for the new stains on the floor by the way..” Sookie said shooting Amara gave a look of distaste for a moment as Amara gave an apologetic but embarrassed look. “Why haven't you healed?” Sookie asked as she set the tweezer’s down and reached over into the bucket that had warm, soapy water and a cloth. Grabbing the cloth she rang some of the water out before holding it up “This ain't gonna be pleasant, sug..” She said, giving Amara a small warning as the ginger cringed and closed her eyes. “I make no promises that I won't bite you…” Aurora watched from the side chair, her head throbbed from the pain of her concussion as she rubbed her temples trying to release some of the pressure. The new cut on her forehead had stopped bleeding and Sookie had bandaged both that and the cut on her arm. Staring at her phone as her thumb hovered over Landyn’s contact number, she was debating on making the call. “If you don't do it, half light, I'm going too” Anthony Kingston said from the doorway brushing blonde locks from his face. Amara had called him before she ran off to get Aurora, figuring it wasn't the worst idea to have a wolf around. “Leave her be King, She’ll do it in her own time” Taeslyn Robinson affectionately called Taesy, said as she walked through the door flashing golden hues. “I searched the perimeter and we should be good, but I'll make another pass later just in case” The brunette said as she took a seat. “F u c k Red, that looks terrible” Taesy said as her chocolate hues eyed Amara, the ginger scoffed and rolled her eyes. “Jeez thanks Tae.. so glad I called you”“I don't really have a choice in calling Landyn, she’s gotta know what’s happening here” Aurora said with a reluctant sigh as she finally hit the call button and waited for the ginger wolf to pick up.   𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐘𝐍 𝐏𝐎𝐕 (𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐏𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥): "SHE’S WHAT?!” Landyn’s voice hit a register she hadn't realized she could achieve as she stepped into her room and closed the door behind her. “Oh for sh i t shake, tell her to shut up! Mason is gonna hear her..” Amara whined from the couch as she moved to lean forward just as Sookie was finishing. Landyn could hear the panic in Amara’s voice as she lowered the volume on her phone just in case “Did Kym not call you and tell you that magic was failing?!” Landyn asked as she moved to sit on her bed, brushing crimson locks from her face. Aurora huffed into the phone with annoyance “I'm assuming that’s why she was calling earlier…” Aurora wasn't speaking to Landyn but to Amara ``Wow… way to bury the lead y'all.. that would have been helpful information to know… LAST NIGHT!” Amara yelled toward the phone which made Landyn cringe. “Good goddess, she ain't that hurt… her lungs still work” Landyn said with a smirk “King and Taesy are here, Amara called them for back up since they were closer but we figured you’d need to know… I don't know whether to come back or stay put” Aurora said with a tired sigh as the throb in her head tightened.“I really wanna tell y'all to come back here because I’d rather you’d be here where we can protect you… but we got sh i t flying off the walls here too” Landyn said before getting up to peek out her door, seeing Mason walking down the hallway. “I know if she comes back with any type of wounds he’s gonna flip a f u c k ing lid” Landyn whispered that part into the phone as she closed the door. “We haven't found my uncle… There’s been no sign, Landyn, I have a really bad feeling..” Aurora said as she looked toward the window. Something was brewing on the horizon, Aurora could feel it in her bones she just didn't know why it was. "Well y'all are gonna have to sit tight until the sun goes down but Aurora i'm calling it… I want King and Taesy to escort you to the airport, I want ya back on a plane and home by tomorrow night” Landyn said firmly. The only way this pack was gonna survive is if they protected one another and they couldn't do that with members spread out everywhere. “Amara’s coming back… I can't.. not until I find my uncle” Aurora said as Amara protested by the look King shot her told her not to bother. He had heard what Landyn said and was gonna put Amara on a plane back home no matter what. “I'm not asking Aurora, I'm telling you as your Alpha… you’re coming home, that’s an order” Landyn didn't give her a chance to argue before she hung up the phone and began working on plane tickets.    𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐫𝐚 𝐏𝐎𝐕: “Damn it…” Aurora huffed in frustration as she tossed her phone across the room before holding her head in her hands. “I know you want to help me, Rory.. but there’s not much more you can do here” Sookie said as she came over to sit next to her daughter. “The best thing you can do right now, is go back to the Den.. where it’s safe for you” she said brushing some of Aurora’s hair back from her face. “But Uncle J…” Aurora said as tears welled in her eyes, being home wasn't what she expected but there was a part of her that had missed it. “Were Stackhouse's, were built with Iron in our blood, we’ll find him” Sookie said softly as she wrapped Aurora in a hug. Leaning her head gently against her mother, Aurora closed her eyes. Did she miss everyone at the Den? yes.. more than words could ever describe, but Bon Temp was her home and right now her family needed her no matter what her mother was saying. Both Anthony and Taeslyn worked to help get Amara and Aurora packed for the flights that Landyn had booked them on. King was holding steady to his promise on making Amara get on the plane whether she wanted to or not, knowing damn well she had her mate waiting for her back at the den. Aurora went through the motions following behind everyone, but as they reached the airport she waited until the boarding call was just about done and Amara was loaded safely on the plane with Taeslyn. “Don't even think about it half light” King warned as he eyed Aurora watching her turn toward the exit “I'll go back to the den…. just not right now” Aurora said as she grabbed her back and headed toward the exit. “Stubborn ass Faerie…” King grumbled sending Taeslyn a text to let her know that Aurora had jumped ship and neither she or he were in the plane. Amara couldn't help but laugh a little as she eyed the text “Oh come on, yall had to see that coming” Amara said, shaking her head as ocean hues watched out the window. She wasn't a fan of how Aurora did it, but she knew Aurora was in capable hands with King, besides Amara wouldn't have made it past Taeslyn in her current condition, a fact Taeslyn wouldn't let her forget. “Landyn is gonna hit the f u c k i n g roof when we get back” Amara said as a tired sigh left her lips, contrary to belief she was  healing it was just insanely f u c k i n g slow with magic beginning to fail. It made her wonder what was going to happen to those like herself that were halfling’s, or even worse those who were changed into vampires with magic. If magic was beginning to fail, the spell for vampirism would too begin to fall. Amara had never gotten the truth behind who had turned her, what bloodline she came from or if her vampirism was magically gifted or nature’s evolution. Worry left the ginger lost in thought and the plane ride seemed to fly by. With Taeslyn’s help she grabbed her bags and was loaded into a waiting cab that would bring her back to the Shadow Den. She’d never been so excited to see a driveway before in her life, but the moment the car turned down the gravel drive Amara’s fingers hovered over the latch for the door waiting until the car had started to crawl, not even bothering to wait for it to stop before climbing out. She wasn't exactly excited about the conversation she’d had to have with Landyn about why  Aurora wasn't with her… but she neither had the patience or the crayons to list the reasons she didn't care at that moment. A delicate hand turning the doorknob to the front door as she walked in.   𝐀𝐃𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄𝐒 𝐈𝐍 𝐁𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐏 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝟒 𝘼𝙡𝙡 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙆𝙞𝙣𝙜'𝙨 𝙃𝙤𝙧𝙨𝙚'𝙨… 𝘼𝙪𝙧𝙤𝙧𝙖 𝙋𝙊𝙑: “God damn it… Aurora!” King huffed as he followed the blonde out of the airport, his phone dinged with the response from Taeslyn who sent a voice message of her laughter. Rolling his eyes he closed out of the text as he caught up to Aurora who was already climbing back into his truck “Landyn is gonna have my hide for not getting you on that plane” He said with a grumbled before climbing i got the driver's seat, rubbing his face with his hands as he accepted defeat.Even if he wanted to get her on her way home, the next flight wasn't for two days due to maintenance issues with one of the planes and as much as he wanted to get her on her way, he wasn't driving six hours to the next airport to shuffle her ass onto the flight. “If the situation was reversed and it was her sister, Landyn would do the same thing” Aurora said with a shrug as she clicked her seat belt and rested back in the passenger seat hiding an amused smile at just how much she had gotten under King’s skin. "Wipe that smirk off your face, you haven't won this” King said narrowing his gaze as he pulled out his phone, Aurora arched a slender brow as she tilted her head curiously. “I got a favor to ask, I’d lie and say it wasn't a big one… but I’d be full of sh i t” King said into the phone with a shake of his head as he turned the key over before putting on his seat belt. “I'm needed back with the crew, but I got a pain in the ass who needs eyes on her to keep her from doing something stupid” Aurora laughed and rolled her eyes “Love you too King” She said blowing a kiss from the passenger seat as he flipped the truck into reverse backing out of their spot before he headed toward the exit. “Yeah, I hear ya but I'm not really asking D.. Im tellin… I'll send you the address, get there as soon as you can'' King said before hanging up the phone without bothering to hear the response. He sent the address of the Stackhouse residence to his mysterious contact before turning the truck in the direction of Aurora’s house. “I don't need a babysitter” Aurora scoffed as King laughed “Hell, yeah you do” Though her telepathy was unmatched by most, Aurora had started to notice that even her powers were beginning to weaken. A fact that both terrified and thrilled her, it was no secret that the little Faerie struggled with her telepathy often reading the minds of those around her without even meaning to. Like her mind was set on a constant static radio station with no off switch, most days she could tune it out and pretend it didn't exist but on the bad days it was enough to drive her to the grippy sock motel. Having caused enough trouble with missing the flight, Aurora rested back in her seat silently as King drove them to her house.Curiosity got the better of her as golden hues brightened. King growled and shot her a sideways look “Keep out of my head half light, you dont needa be seein’ the chaos in there” He warned turning down the drive to the Stackhouse residence. Rolling her eyes Aurora sighed as she let her hues dull back to their chocolate resting state, looking toward the house as her brow furrowed. A Black '69 Mercury Cougar rested alongside her mother's yellow little bug, and that curiosity she felt before instantly intensified as her eyes landed on the dark haired figure standing outside the car. "Who's that?” Aurora asked as they pulled up on the other side of her mother's car, King brought the truck to a stop before throwing it into park. “Come on, you'll see” King said with a chuckle as he slipped from the truck before Aurora could ask anymore questions. “King!” Aurora huffed as she climbed out of the car, walking around to the bed of the truck where Kingston greeted the man who had been waiting for them. There was no way you could have described him as ‘boy’, Aurora could almost instantly deduce that he was a werewolf just by his muscular physique. He looked like a hunter, rugged but finished in a way that gave off the appearance of ‘I just woke up five minutes ago and this is the appearance I got’. Aurora couldn't help as her chocolate hues curiously wandered over the man, and if she were being honest she might be in a little trouble with just how handsome she found him. As Aurora’s eyes got to his face she could see the five o'clock shadow giving the illusion that he’d shaved at one point, but those eyes were what caught her attention."Aurora… yo earth to half light” King said waving his hand in front of her face a moment as Aurora snapped back to reality “What? Sorry…” she said as she shook her head a bit and refocused. “This is Dakota J-” King was cut off as Dakota growled provoking an eye roll from King “DJ… anyways darlin get used to one another because I have sh*t to do that does not involve baby sitting as much as I adore Landyn” He said shaking his head as Aurora turned her focus to Dakota, a small smile on her face and just as she was about to introduce herself, Dakota spoke up.“Whoa whoa whoa, I didn't agree to that.. find someone else to watch Tinkerbell” DJ scoffed, shaking his head as he fished his keys from his pocket. Just like that any inkling of attraction toward the new wolf was squashed as Aurora arched a slender brow. “What’s the matter Scoob, need a Scooby snack to work up to the challenge?” She taunted before brushing blonde locks from her shoulder. King choked on his water by the exchange between the two before his laughter howled through the night, Aurora turning on her heel to head toward the house. "F u c king Faerie’s….”    𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐔𝐄𝐃....𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠: @LandyPaws, @ScarletDevil , @LavenderLuck , @SanguisLunae𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: My retired character's Taeslyn Robinson & Anthony Kingston

Guidelines from the Writer: Minors (OOC), please do not interact. Writer is in their 30's and there will be dark, triggering, and sexual content expressed and written on this profile. I will not write with anyone underage. I need literate and detailed responses or I will get bored. This is not to say that responses need to be novella length, they just have to give me enough to respond to. One-liners and semi-para are only acceptable in chit/chat or in-character banter. I work full-time, and it's also been a hot minute since I've been on this website so my responses may be delayed. Please do not rush me for replies. I will be honest if I feel the writing is not up to par in order to keep my attention, so if I let you know that I'm not feeling a storyline, please do not get offended. We could plot something else or just go our separate ways. Just be mature about it. I don't mind cross-overs, but I am unfamiliar with a lot of similar shows. You may need to give me some character background and how you feel our characters would cross paths or interact. I am also open to AU's, or flashbacks. Especially in the SPN verse, there's a lot of freedom to work with and I'm happy to take a creatively different approach to storylines. I do not speak OOC unless we are plotting. Everything else is in character. I have zero interest in connecting OOC or in RL, so please do not ask for personal information. Things to Note: I do not do single-ship. I'm here for creative storylines, so I do not like any jealousy or drama over who I am writing with. If this becomes a hassle, I will not hesitate to block. I'm here for fun and here to write. While this is a Wincest-friendly page, that does not mean it is the main focus. I'm open to many different types of interactions here. That being said, I personally believe that Sam is only capable of loving his brother, so the chances of a romantic or long-term sexual relationship with Sam is pretty much null. Don't be offended if he doesn't respond to advances. If you're interested in writing with different characters from the SPN verse, I am open to taking different roles. Dean is a given, and I'm a huge Megstiel fan so if you wanna dive in on that, hit me up. Happy to play either. I do have discord, but I have to know that we're writing compatible before I give it to you.

TRIGGERSDEATHSLAVERYBLOOD 1802, the vampires of Louisiana held a grand gala. The great hall was ablaze with candles, their flickering light casting dancing shadows across the polished wooden floor. The scent of blood and rich perfume filled the air, mingling into an intoxicating aroma that left the vampires' fangs aching. But this was not just any gathering; no, this was a night of celebration, a night to remember.Their leader, Adam, stood atop a dais, his pale skin glowing eerily in the dim light. His eyes sparkled with mischief as he surveyed his subjects, their painted faces and extravagant costumes a testament to the extravagance of the occasion. He raised his glass, the blood within it swirling like crimson fire, and announced, "Tonight, my children, we dance, we feast, and we drink as we please!"The revelers cheered, their fangs glinting in the candlelight. Some danced with each other, their bodies swaying to the haunting melody of the violins, while others mingled, laughing and flirting. Slaves scurried about, refilling glasses and serving delicacies to their vampiric masters. It was a scene of debauchery and decadence unlike any other.Adam descended from the dais, his feet barely touching the ground as he glided through the crowd. He spotted a particularly alluring slave girl, her skin the color of rich chocolate, and her eyes wide with fear and terror as she understood it was her and her fellow slaves that where really on the menu tonight."Fret not, my dear," he whispered in her ear, his breath warm and foul against her skin, "tonight, you shall dance with the master of the house." She tried to pull away, but his grip was like steel. He led her to the center of the dance floor, where the other vampires parted like the Red Sea, forming a circle around them.The music started anew, a haunting waltz that seemed to come from the depths of their souls. Adam spun her around, their bodies moving as one, his fingertips barely grazing her soft flesh. The other vampires watched with hungry eyes, their fangs bared in anticipation. As they circled closer and closer,  she felt terror grip her tightly as she dared to defy adam."I must return to my job Master Adam"Adam smiled, his fangs glinting in the candlelight. "Oh, but you must dance with me first. It is tradition, is it not?" He took her hand in his, his grip firm but not painful. She tried to pull away, but his strength was overwhelming. As they danced, the other vampires closed in, their eyes fixed on her as if they were predators stalking their prey.She felt a chill run down her spine as she realized there was no escape. The music swirled around them, the violins playing a haunting melody that seemed to echo through her very soul. Her heart raced, her breath came in short, ragged gasps. She dared to glance at the other slaves, hoping to find some sign of understanding or sympathy, but their faces were blank masks, their eyes empty."Please the day has been long, I wish to retire to bed" she begged for some mercy from Adam but knew this could very well be her last dance she ever had.Adam chuckled darkly. "Very well, my dear, you may have your rest. But first..." He raised his hand, palm up, and a small dagger appeared, glinting in the candlelight. The other vampires hissed with anticipation.He grasped her wrist, forcing her arm back. The cold metal of the blade pressed against her skin, drawing a bead of blood. With a flick of his wrist, he slashed her wrist, watching as the blood welled up and dripped slowly onto the dance floor. The slaves, watching in horror, began to sob quietly.Adam smiled, his lips curling into a wolfish grin. "There now, my dear. That shouldn't hurt too much." He brought the dagger up to his mouth, his fangs grazing the blade. "And now, for your final gift..." He slashed her other wrist, and her blood mingled with that of the other slaves on the floor.The other vampires closed in, their faces inches from hers as they watched the blood drip slowly from her body. She could feel their hot breath on her skin, their fangs aching for the taste of her. She tried to scream, but no sound escaped her lips. Adam smiled as he slowly raised a finger to his lips to tell her to hush."Now we feast"The other vampires moved in closer, their fangs descending, their eyes burning with hunger. She felt the cold press of their bodies against her own, their hot breath on her skin. They began to tear into her flesh, their fangs piercing her skin, drawing blood. She screamed, the sound muffled by the cacophony of the music and the moans of the other slaves. Her body was rent asunder, her blood spilling across the floor like a crimson river.The violins continued to play, the haunting melody echoing through the great hall as the vampires feasted on her remains. Adam, his face smeared with her blood, smiled down at her, his fangs gleaming in the candlelight. "You see, my dear, this is what happens when one defies their master. It is not a punishment, but a gift. A gift of freedom, of release from the bonds of mortality." He reached down, cupping her cheek in his bloody hand. "silly little girl"The other vampires circled around them, their movements fluid and graceful, like dancers in a macabre ballet. They picked through her body, savoring each morsel, their lips curling back in feral grins. Some took pieces of her flesh, still warm and quivering, while others drank deeply from the pool of blood that surrounded them. The air was thick with the scent of blood and death, and the sound of their feeding mingled with the music, creating a symphony of carnage.The other slaves dared not look, trying to leave back into the kitchen to escape the horrfying scene before them."Now, children," Adam said, his voice cold and commanding, "it's time for you to understand your places. You see, the little girl there, she thought she was special. She thought she could defy me, and that she could live a life outside of my control. But she was wrong." Before pointing to the other slaves."I have hand picked you all out due to the same defiant nature as her, you will too share her fate"He glanced around at the terrified slaves, his gaze lingering on one of them in particular, a young male with defiant eyes. "But I am also merciful. I give you a chance to prove your loyalty. To show that you understand your place in this world."He gestured to the remaining slaves. "Take them," he said, motioning for the other vampires to gather the slaves. "And bring them back here. One by one. Let them watch as we feast on their comrades. Let them taste the fear in the air."The other vampires nodded, moving to obey. They formed a circle around the remaining slaves, herding them toward the center of the room. The slaves' eyes were wide with terror as they struggled against their unyielding grips. They knew what was coming, and they could do nothing to stop it."What a lovely night for a feast" Adam purred to himself as his eyes glinted with absolute resolve that these slaves would die tonight.The other vampires, each with their own grin, brought the slaves one by one to the center of the room. The slaves struggled and screamed as their fangs pierced their flesh, drawing blood. Some of the vampires savored their meal slowly, enjoying the taste of fear on their tongues, while others tore into their prey with brutal efficiency. The music continued to play, the violins weaving a macabre tapestry of death and destruction.

Racing home frantic the elder vampire Adam was struck with jubilation and fear as he raced to get home to his wife who was expecting their child today, a child that was not of their kind, but of them both. The air was crisp and cool as the autumn leaves crunched beneath his feet. The sky was a deep shade of blue, dotted with fluffy white clouds. The sun was beginning to set, casting a warm glow over the landscape.As he approached their home, a grand, ancient manor nestled in the heart of the forest, he could hear the sounds of his wife's labor coming from within. His heart pounded in his chest as he pushed open the heavy wooden door and rushed inside.The great hall was a scene of chaos, with servants running about, some tending to the birthing chamber, others preparing hot water and herbs, and still others attending to the anxious and nervous guests who had come to witness the birth of their young mistress's child. Adam's heart skipped a beat as he saw his wife, Rebecca, lying on the huge four-poster bed, her face contorted in pain, sweat beading on her brow. The midwife, an experienced and skilled woman, was at her side, coaxing the child into the world with soothing words and gentle hands."It's a girl, my lord!" the midwife exclaimed, as the newborn emerged from her mother's womb. Adam's eyes widened in surprise, for he had not known what to expect. He approached the bed cautiously, not wanting to spook his wife or the baby. As he gazed down at the tiny, fragile form wrapped in a soft, white blanket, he felt a wave of protectiveness wash over him."She's beautiful," he murmured, brushing a lock of dark hair from the baby's forehead. He glanced over at Rebecca, who was now lying back against the pillows, her face drained of color but a hint of relief and pride evident in her eyes.The midwife smiled and handed the baby to Adam, cradling her gently in his arms. "And she has your eyes," she said, nodding toward the vivid blue orbs that stared back at them. Adam felt a lump form in his throat as he gazed down at his daughter, this precious half-blood child who would inherit the best of both worlds.Rebecca smiled weakly, her body still drained from the ordeal. "She's perfect," she murmured, reaching out a trembling hand to touch the downy hair on the baby's head. Adam leaned in, pressing a kiss to her forehead."Indeed she is," the midwife said, stepping back to allow the new parents a moment of privacy. She glanced at Adam and nodded knowingly. "You must be overjoyed, my lord. A daughter, a half-blood at that... Such a rare and precious gift."Adam's heart swelled with pride and love as he gazed down at his daughter. He could feel the weight of responsibility that came with being her father, both as a vampire and as a mortal man. He knew that raising her would not be an easy task, but he was determined to give her the best life possible."Yes," he replied, his voice thick with emotion. "Rebecca and I have discussed this at length. We have decided to name her Sophia." The midwife smiled and nodded in approval. "She will be raised knowing both sides of her heritage, the good and the bad. And we will do everything in our power to protect her from harm."As the servants finished preparing the birthing chamber for their new arrival, Adam cradled Sophia close, marveling at the feel of her tiny, delicate body against his own. He knew that this moment, the birth of their daughter, would forever change their lives. But he also knew that they were ready for the challenge, and that they would face it together, as a family.Rebecca, still weak from the birth, gazed at her daughter with a mixture of wonder and exhaustion. "She's perfect," she whispered, reaching out a shaky hand to touch the baby's tiny fingers. "Just like you described, Adam."The midwife smiled and nodded, stepping back to give the new parents some space. "Indeed she is," she said. "A beautiful addition to your family, my lord, my lady. And a most special one, at that."Adam's heart swelled with pride as he gazed down at his daughter. He had never felt such a powerful connection to anyone in his life. "Thank you, Elise," he said, addressing the midwife by her first name. "We could not have asked for a better guide through this journey."Elise smiled warmly. "It's my honor, my lord. Now, why don't you take your family to your private chambers? I'm sure you could all use some rest." She glanced at the servants who were waiting nearby, ready to take the new parents and their child to their quarters.Adam nodded gratefully, carefully handing Sophia back to her mother. He placed a protective arm around Rebecca's shoulders as they began to make their way from the birthing chamber, their new life together about to begin.The servants led them through the grand halls of the castle, their footsteps echoing on the polished marble floor. The air was thick with the scent of lavender and fresh linen, and the sound of servants bustling about, preparing the family's private chambers for their arrival. As they turned a corner, Adam caught sight of the massive stained-glass windows that cast a kaleidoscope of colors across the stone walls.Finally, they reached their destination: a spacious, elegantly appointed suite consisting of a bedroom, a sitting room, and a nursery. The servants quickly attended to their needs, helping them settle into the plush bed and ensuring that everything was in order.As they lay together, Adam and Rebecca gazed down at their daughter, admiring her delicate features and tiny fingers. "We did it," Adam whispered, his voice filled with wonder. "We really did it."Rebecca smiled up at him, tears streaming down her face. "We're going to be such a good family," she said, her voice trembling with emotion. "Sophia is going to grow up so happy and loved."The midwife, Elise, stepped back, giving the new parents some privacy. She nodded approvingly, her eyes shining with pride. "I'll leave you two to get some rest," she said softly. "But don't hesitate to call me if you need anything."As the door closed behind her, Adam and Rebecca nestled closer together, their fingers intertwined. They had a lifetime of love and adventure ahead of them, and they were more than ready to embrace it all. Sophia, their precious half-blood child, was the center of it all, and they knew that they were the luckiest parents in the world."Goodnight, my darling," Adam whispered, kissing Rebecca's forehead. "Sleep well, and know that you are the most wonderful mother anyone could ask for.""Goodnight, Adam," she replied, her voice still hoarse from the birth. "And thank you... for everything."They drifted off to sleep, their hearts full of love and hope for the future. As they slept, the servants worked tirelessly to prepare a celebration fit for a princess, ensuring that every detail was perfect for the welcoming of their newest addition. For in this castle, in this small, perfect corner of the world, a new family had begun. And there was nothing more beautiful, or more precious, than that. of a newborn. But their lives of happiness and joy would soon turn to absolute horror when Vampires and humans alike found out about the birth of s Daymphr.

A cool, crisp evening breeze swept through the ancient forest, rustling the leaves and sending shivers down the spine of a lone figure. He walked with a predatory grace, his movements fluid and confident as he wandered deeper into the heart of the woods. His name was Adam, and he was a vampire.As he walked, he couldn't help but think of her. Her beauty was unparalleled, her presence intoxicating. Her name was Rebecca, and she was the dutchess of England. Their love was forbidden; their relationship a secret that could cost them both their lives.The forest seemed to grow darker as he continued, as if the trees themselves were conspiring to keep them apart. He could feel her closeness, their connection pulling him forward with an unbreakable force. He knew that they would soon meet once again, hidden away in this secluded grove where they had shared so many stolen moments.Her scent was intoxicating, a heady mixture of jasmine and moonlight. He could feel his fangs begin to ache, the need for her blood growing stronger with each passing moment. But it wasn't just the physical connection that bound them together; it was their souls, their very essences, that made them yearn for one another.As he emerged from the shadows of the trees, she looked up, her eyes meeting his in the soft, golden glow of the lantern she carried. Her lips curved into a smile, and he felt his heart skip a beat. "Adam," she breathed, her voice like velvet over his skin. "I've missed you so."He stepped forward, taking her delicate hand in his own. "As I have you, my Rebecca," he replied, his voice low and intense. The connection between them was palpable, almost tangible, as if they were two halves of the same soul.She smiled up at him, her eyes shining in the lantern light. "Do you think we will ever find a way to be together?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.Adam took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling gracefully beneath his black silk shirt. "I don't know," he admitted. "But I will spend the rest of eternity searching for that answer."He leaned in closer, their bodies inches apart. "Until then, we must make the most of every moment we have," he whispered. "For this night, and every night after it, belongs to us."She nodded, her breath catching in her throat. "I will cherish each and every moment," she promised. "Even when we are apart, your presence will be with me."He leaned in further, his lips mere inches from hers now. "And I will hold onto the memory of this night," he whispered, "like a candle in the dark, guiding me through the endless eternity that lies ahead. Unaware that when she died that candle that lit his heart to compassion would be snuffed out and leading to a bloody life before him but for now he could only hope for the best moments to be stretched out eternally.She closed her eyes, her breath warm against his skin as she nodded. "I will hold onto the memory of this night, too," she said softly. "And dream of the day when we can be together, not just for a single stolen moment in the woods, but for always."He leaned in further, his lips brushing against hers, her skin soft and yielding beneath his touch. "One day, my love," he whispered, "one day we will find a way."

F L A S H B A C K "get in the car” a soft whispered voice carried by her ear. The hair on the back of her neck stood on end as she took slow deep breaths. The only sound in the air was the sound of her heart beating rapidly in her chest. The pounding in her ears made it incredibly hard to focus as her body entered that 'fight or flight’ mode. ‘Flight’ won her over and without much hesitation she quickly turned and grabbed the door handle only to be yanked back and tossed across the parking lot. Aurora let out a pained scream as she flew across the gravel landing on her back. The wind knocked out of her as she tried to catch her breath, no human man should have been able to toss her like that.“F u c k ing vampires..” She grumbled under her breath before quickly pushing to her feet. Chocolate hues watched the half-crazed vampire as it seemed to be fighting with itself on whether or not it wanted to attack Aurora. Its eyes landed on the blood that trickled down the side of Aurora’s head from where she had kissed the gravel a few moments ago. Another round of panic set in as Aurora quickly wiped it away. “Do NOT come any closer or I swear to god" Aurora said as she held up the pepper spray. It was at that moment that Aurora noticed her hands began to brighten, light danced across her fingertips, and slowly began to creep up her arms. The only way to describe it was as if the galaxy itself had begun to wash over her tiny frame. As if the stars knew she was special and needed to be protected. The light in her palms began to brighten, and Aurora couldn't help but drop the pepper spray. “What are you?” The vampire asked as it watched in disbelief. “I'm a waitress.." Aurora said with a small smirk. She moved on instinct and allowed every ounce of energy she had to flow from her body to her hands. everything moved in slow motion as the light brightened so much it looked like Aurora had gone Supernova.  C U R R E N T   T I M E S   Gasping at her reflection in the window, Aurora quickly got control of her inner light. Brushing her hands over her face she sighed, the photo in her hands of her and her mother now slightly crinkled from the grip of death she had just subjected it too. "Aurora Waverly Stackhouse?!" The voice on the other end of her cell phone screaming to get her attention as she quickly picked it up "F u c k... Im sorry mom.. you wer"  she tried to say as her mother cut her off "I oughta come up there and wash yur mouth out with soap, you know better than that.." Aurora rolled chocolate hues as she switched the phone from one ear to the other and took a seat on her bed. Calls from her mother weren't rare, but usually it meant something was wrong and this was no exception. "I didn't want ya to worry, but you'll find out anyways you always do...." Sookie said with a tired sigh before she finished "it's your uncle Jason... Rory, he's gone missing" Aurora could feel the blood in her veins stop pumping for a second, her skin going cold as she lost the ability to speak. "What do you mean he's gon missin?" The louisiana accent she usually worked extremely hard to hide tugging at each word as she struggled to form a sentence. Sookie spent the remainder of the phone call explaining what happened, the last place her uncle had been seen and any information they had. Aurora could tell by the tone of her mothers voice that she hadn't gotten sleep, and though her mother repeatedly told her she didn't need to come home, Rory could hear the plea in her voice. "I'll be there as soon as I can... just stay with Erik"  Aurora said her goodbyes and without hesitation began to move around her room packing a bag. Her uncle wasn't the brightest tool in the shed, he had taken on monsters people didn't even know existed. He might have been a play boy, and was an impulsive sh i t head (her mothers words) but Jason was a family man through and through, Aurora and Sookie meant everything to him so for him not to check in... that was concerning in and of itself. "F u c k ... the pack" Aurora hadn't thought about how she'd explain her absence but part of her was hoping Landyn and Mason would understand. Her mind raced as she tried to remember everything she would need for the trip.  AURORA & AMARA:  After packing the last of her things that she figured she would need, Aurora wrote a few letters. One to Maleficent, One to Landyn & Mason and One Kai explaining where she was going. Her little pack family had become so important to her she didn't want anyone to worry, but the call from her mom was one she hadn't expected to get. With a wave of her hand each letter floated to their designated person before she grabbed her bag and stopped dead in her tracks seeing Amara standing in her doorway. "I have to.. don't give me that look" Aurora said with pleading eyes thinking Amara was gonna stop her from leaving. The crimson haired vampire gave a shrug of her shoulder and pulled out the bag she had packed for herself "I know... which is why I'm coming with you" letting out the breath she had been holding, Aurora smiled and nodded but the smile didn't touch her eyes. "Can't let you go by yourself, Mal would kill me if anything happened to you" Amara said as she pulled the keys to one of the many pack vehicles out of her pocket. "Now let's go before someone notices or we aren't getting out of here" Amara said with a nod as both she and Aurora used the back entrance to the pack house. Loading their bags into the back they quietly climbed into the car and without hesitation started down the drive, Aurora couldn't help but look back in the mirror at the pack house that had slowly become home. She wasn't sure when she and Amara would be back... but she truly hoped it wouldn't be too long.  𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐈𝐍 𝐁𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐏𝘼𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙖 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘼𝙪𝙧𝙤𝙧𝙖 𝙋𝙊𝙑  "Oh come on!" Aurora huffed as her mother's yellow bug sputtered and came to a stop on the side of the road. How the damn thing was even still functioning was a miracle to begin with, but she might have been pushing her luck with taking it all the way to Shreveport. Resting her head in the steering wheel of the car, she took a breath to calm her anger, closing her eyes. There hadn't been any news on her uncle since they arrived, it was like he vanished into thin air. But Aurora could still  feel his energy, she knew he wasn't dead, but it still didnt make his disappearance easier. Are you sure you wanna take the bug?That thing is gonna break down half way there.Amara's taunt echoed in Aurora's head as the blonde climbed from the driver's seat. There was no way she was gonna call Amara and here 'I told you so' at least eight times. The ginger was many things but subtle wasn't one of them. "How hard could this possibly be?" Aurora asked herself as she popped the hood of the car, coughing as she inhaled the smoke from the engine as it wafted out of the car. "Well sh i t.." Aurora murmured, grabbing her cell out of her back pocket. Guess she didn't have a choice, she knew nothing about cars but she was guessing the way it was smoking probably wasn't a good sign.'Snappppppp'Aurora's head snapped up as chocolate hues scanned the tree line, the sound of brush moving had her locking her phone so the light from it wouldn't give her away.RUN AURORA!That familiar voice whispered in her head as the alarm bells sounded, the hairs in the back of her neck standing on end. There were few times in Aurora's life when she had heard that voice, and they were usually just before something bad happened.Quickly moving to get into the car, Aurora shuffled through the middle console until she had what she was looking for, the driver window busting in as she screamed feeling hands gripping at her arm and shoulder. A snarl ripping through the night as the blonde was yanked from the car and tossed to the side with a solid 'thud' against the grass. The wind knocked from her, Aurora groaned before quickly sitting up and trying her best to both move away and get to her feet with little success. "You smell delicious..." The vampire said with a grin as Aurora narrowed her gaze, her inner light quickly brightening her tiny frame. "And you smell like fried fanger.." Amara's familiar voice rang out as she savagely snarled, a hand elegantly curling to draw the energy from her element until a fireball manifested in her palm, with a firm push forward she shot it right at the vampire before Aurora raised her palms and unleashed her light. Screams of fury and pain rang out before he was nothing more than ash on the ground. "So.... the decision to take the bug" Amara said with an arched brow as she walked over to Aurora, holding her hand out to help her up. "Couldn't wait to rub that in could ya?" Aurora asked, rolling her eyes as she grabbed Amara's hand to get up, wincing as she looked over her shoulder to find a fresh and deep cup on her arm. "Damn it... this was my favorite shirt!" She said with a sigh before slipping the flannel off her frame. "Why isn't that healing?" Amara asked as she wrinkled her brow, having seen Aurora's powers in action most wounds almost immediately healed. "Give me a minute.." Aurora said holding a hand over the wound to let her light have direct access, her palm brightening as she waited for a moment but when she removed her hand, the cut was still there. "Oh.... that's not good" Amara said instantly looking toward the horizon, the sun slowly beginning to peak. "If you can't heal, that means I can't be in the sun..." the realization hit them both, two faerie's like sitting ducks with a broken down car.In Unison:  "Oh we're f u c k e d..."   𝐀𝐃𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄𝐒 𝐈𝐍 𝐁𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐏 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝟐  𝘼𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙖 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘼𝙪𝙧𝙤𝙧𝙖 𝙋𝙊𝙑 "This is why I told you to wait for me, my god Rory I get that he’s your uncle… he was my best friend, do you not think I want to find him too?!” Amara huffed in frustration as she ripped the bottom of her shirt and created a makeshift bandage for Aurora’s cut. Attempting to be as gentle as possible she pressed it to the wound to stop the bleeding, the veins in her eyes darkening at the scent. Wincing as Amara pressed the fabric to the cut Aurora grumbled “Yell at me later for being impatient, we gotta get you out of the sun” The blonde said as she gritted her teeth through the pain it provoked when she moved her arm. “I need to get you somewhere safe, your blood is everywhere and it's only a matter of time before his friends come tracking you down” Amara rolled her eyes, was she worried about being caught outside during sunrise? Yes, but her main priority was Aurora’s safety. "Don't suppose you've got a spare engine hidden in that jacket huh?” Aurora asked, attempting to lighten the mood as she walked over to the car, Amara pinched the bridge of her nose cursing in Gaelic, which was a Faerie's native language. “Wow, really living up to the blonde stereo type, baby doll” Amara smirked as she turned and patted her back “Hop on, Stiletto expresses at your service” She said, pulling crimson locks from her back as she waited for Aurora. The blonde hesitated, it wasn't the first time she had been vamped around but it honestly wasn't her favorite way to travel.“If you drop me..” Aurora warned as she took a running start to jump onto Amara's back, the ginger caught her instantly and scoffed. “Oh come on, that was one time… just hold on” she said, adjusting her hold before looking toward the horizon. Her cellphone chiming from her back pocket made both of the girls jump as Aurora grabbed it to check the name on it “That’s Kymber” Aurora went to answer when Amara started to take off. “Leave it, we don't have time..” Amara said over her shoulder. "AMARA WATCH OUT!” Aurora shrieked as a blur came hurtling towards them, throwing Aurora directly into an old oak tree with a loud crunch. Amara's savage snarl heard in the background as Aurora’s eyes fluttered in and out of consciousness. “Aurora!” Amara crouched defensively in front of the blonde, baring her fangs to the other vampire. “She is mine” which in the vampire community meant Aurora was off limits to other vampires. Of course that couldn't have been farther from the truth, but with the sun rising rapidly in front of them Amara didn't have time for a fight. “But she smells like sunshine… and I want some..” The vampire half pouted and half snarled as Amara growled protectively “MINE.. I suggest you leave before I cut you from navel to nostril” The ginger warned as crimson hues brightened, the veins in her eyes darkened as the standoff began. The throb in her head slowly crept through her petite frame as Aurora fought to keep herself conscious, blood trickling down her forehead as she managed to sit upright against the tree behind Amara’s crouched frame. A wave of nausea overwhelmed her as she turned to the side of the tree getting sick. “That’s just what I need…” The blonde grumbled as she touched the cut on her forehead “Are you okay?” Amara asked without taking her eyes off the other vampire, side stepping as they did to keep herself between them and Aurora. “Just peachy mars..” Aurora said through gritted teeth as wiped her mouth with the sleeve of her shirt. “When I tell you too, I want you to run… do not look back, Do you understand me?” Amara said sternly, waiting for Aurora to get to her feet. “you don't have time for this.. the sun..” Aurora said looking toward the horizon, the sun was beginning to come over the mountain top. “We’re about a mile from your house… I'll be fine” As Aurora got to her feet, the vampire had decided to be brave and attempted to flit forward with vampire speed. Amara was faster, wrapping an arm around its neck and swinging her body around using the force of her body weight to drop the vampire to the ground. “AURORA GO!” Amara called and reluctantly Aurora took off in a dead sprint toward the house. If there was ever anything she was grateful for, it was the fact that she had spent most of her time as a kid in these woods and knew it like the back of her hand. She couldn't help but cringe when she heard Amara’s pained shriek, and then the choked cry of the other vampire before the sound of fighting completely stopped. Aurora had just hit the top steps of the front porch as the sun began to rise overhead, turning as she waited impatiently, heart pounding in her chest as chocolate hues searched for any sign of the ginger. Panic began to set in when minutes passed and nothing appeared, until finally Amara’s bloody frame broke through the tree like. Staggering the ginger held a hand to the side of her neck where fresh claw marks marred her porcelain skin. The sun hitting her as she stepped through the trees, a pained but stifled cry leaving her as her skin burned but she managed to get to the steps before any permanent damage could be done. “F u c k ing Bon Temp…” She grumbled before collapsing onto the porch."F u c k… Time to call Landyn…”    𝐀𝐃𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄𝐒 𝐈𝐍 𝐁𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐏 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝟑 𝘼𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙖 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘼𝙪𝙧𝙤𝙧𝙖 𝙋𝙊𝙑 “Ouch…. Sookie, I am attached to that you know” Amara growled which sounded more like a whine as she leaned against the sofa, Sookie Stackhouse, Aurora’s mother was attempting to gingerly clean out Amara’s wound. “Quit your whining, Mara… you know ain't doin’ it on purpose” the elder blonde said with a small sigh as she pulled what she thought was the last of the debris from the cuts. “I don't get it, you’ve had three blood bags… thank you for the new stains on the floor by the way..” Sookie said shooting Amara gave a look of distaste for a moment as Amara gave an apologetic but embarrassed look. “Why haven't you healed?” Sookie asked as she set the tweezer’s down and reached over into the bucket that had warm, soapy water and a cloth. Grabbing the cloth she rang some of the water out before holding it up “This ain't gonna be pleasant, sug..” She said, giving Amara a small warning as the ginger cringed and closed her eyes. “I make no promises that I won't bite you…” Aurora watched from the side chair, her head throbbed from the pain of her concussion as she rubbed her temples trying to release some of the pressure. The new cut on her forehead had stopped bleeding and Sookie had bandaged both that and the cut on her arm. Staring at her phone as her thumb hovered over Landyn’s contact number, she was debating on making the call. “If you don't do it, half light, I'm going too” Anthony Kingston said from the doorway brushing blonde locks from his face. Amara had called him before she ran off to get Aurora, figuring it wasn't the worst idea to have a wolf around. “Leave her be King, She’ll do it in her own time” Taeslyn Robinson affectionately called Taesy, said as she walked through the door flashing golden hues. “I searched the perimeter and we should be good, but I'll make another pass later just in case” The brunette said as she took a seat. “F u c k Red, that looks terrible” Taesy said as her chocolate hues eyed Amara, the ginger scoffed and rolled her eyes. “Jeez thanks Tae.. so glad I called you”“I don't really have a choice in calling Landyn, she’s gotta know what’s happening here” Aurora said with a reluctant sigh as she finally hit the call button and waited for the ginger wolf to pick up.   𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐘𝐍 𝐏𝐎𝐕 (𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐏𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥): "SHE’S WHAT?!” Landyn’s voice hit a register she hadn't realized she could achieve as she stepped into her room and closed the door behind her. “Oh for sh i t shake, tell her to shut up! Mason is gonna hear her..” Amara whined from the couch as she moved to lean forward just as Sookie was finishing. Landyn could hear the panic in Amara’s voice as she lowered the volume on her phone just in case “Did Kym not call you and tell you that magic was failing?!” Landyn asked as she moved to sit on her bed, brushing crimson locks from her face. Aurora huffed into the phone with annoyance “I'm assuming that’s why she was calling earlier…” Aurora wasn't speaking to Landyn but to Amara ``Wow… way to bury the lead y'all.. that would have been helpful information to know… LAST NIGHT!” Amara yelled toward the phone which made Landyn cringe. “Good goddess, she ain't that hurt… her lungs still work” Landyn said with a smirk “King and Taesy are here, Amara called them for back up since they were closer but we figured you’d need to know… I don't know whether to come back or stay put” Aurora said with a tired sigh as the throb in her head tightened.“I really wanna tell y'all to come back here because I’d rather you’d be here where we can protect you… but we got sh i t flying off the walls here too” Landyn said before getting up to peek out her door, seeing Mason walking down the hallway. “I know if she comes back with any type of wounds he’s gonna flip a f u c k ing lid” Landyn whispered that part into the phone as she closed the door. “We haven't found my uncle… There’s been no sign, Landyn, I have a really bad feeling..” Aurora said as she looked toward the window. Something was brewing on the horizon, Aurora could feel it in her bones she just didn't know why it was. "Well y'all are gonna have to sit tight until the sun goes down but Aurora i'm calling it… I want King and Taesy to escort you to the airport, I want ya back on a plane and home by tomorrow night” Landyn said firmly. The only way this pack was gonna survive is if they protected one another and they couldn't do that with members spread out everywhere. “Amara’s coming back… I can't.. not until I find my uncle” Aurora said as Amara protested by the look King shot her told her not to bother. He had heard what Landyn said and was gonna put Amara on a plane back home no matter what. “I'm not asking Aurora, I'm telling you as your Alpha… you’re coming home, that’s an order” Landyn didn't give her a chance to argue before she hung up the phone and began working on plane tickets.    𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐫𝐚 𝐏𝐎𝐕: “Damn it…” Aurora huffed in frustration as she tossed her phone across the room before holding her head in her hands. “I know you want to help me, Rory.. but there’s not much more you can do here” Sookie said as she came over to sit next to her daughter. “The best thing you can do right now, is go back to the Den.. where it’s safe for you” she said brushing some of Aurora’s hair back from her face. “But Uncle J…” Aurora said as tears welled in her eyes, being home wasn't what she expected but there was a part of her that had missed it. “Were Stackhouse's, were built with Iron in our blood, we’ll find him” Sookie said softly as she wrapped Aurora in a hug. Leaning her head gently against her mother, Aurora closed her eyes. Did she miss everyone at the Den? yes.. more than words could ever describe, but Bon Temp was her home and right now her family needed her no matter what her mother was saying. Both Anthony and Taeslyn worked to help get Amara and Aurora packed for the flights that Landyn had booked them on. King was holding steady to his promise on making Amara get on the plane whether she wanted to or not, knowing damn well she had her mate waiting for her back at the den. Aurora went through the motions following behind everyone, but as they reached the airport she waited until the boarding call was just about done and Amara was loaded safely on the plane with Taeslyn. “Don't even think about it half light” King warned as he eyed Aurora watching her turn toward the exit “I'll go back to the den…. just not right now” Aurora said as she grabbed her back and headed toward the exit. “Stubborn ass Faerie…” King grumbled sending Taeslyn a text to let her know that Aurora had jumped ship and neither she or he were in the plane. Amara couldn't help but laugh a little as she eyed the text “Oh come on, yall had to see that coming” Amara said, shaking her head as ocean hues watched out the window. She wasn't a fan of how Aurora did it, but she knew Aurora was in capable hands with King, besides Amara wouldn't have made it past Taeslyn in her current condition, a fact Taeslyn wouldn't let her forget. “Landyn is gonna hit the f u c k i n g roof when we get back” Amara said as a tired sigh left her lips, contrary to belief she was  healing it was just insanely f u c k i n g slow with magic beginning to fail. It made her wonder what was going to happen to those like herself that were halfling’s, or even worse those who were changed into vampires with magic. If magic was beginning to fail, the spell for vampirism would too begin to fall. Amara had never gotten the truth behind who had turned her, what bloodline she came from or if her vampirism was magically gifted or nature’s evolution. Worry left the ginger lost in thought and the plane ride seemed to fly by. With Taeslyn’s help she grabbed her bags and was loaded into a waiting cab that would bring her back to the Shadow Den. She’d never been so excited to see a driveway before in her life, but the moment the car turned down the gravel drive Amara’s fingers hovered over the latch for the door waiting until the car had started to crawl, not even bothering to wait for it to stop before climbing out. She wasn't exactly excited about the conversation she’d had to have with Landyn about why  Aurora wasn't with her… but she neither had the patience or the crayons to list the reasons she didn't care at that moment. A delicate hand turning the doorknob to the front door as she walked in.   𝐀𝐃𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄𝐒 𝐈𝐍 𝐁𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐏 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝟒 𝘼𝙡𝙡 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙆𝙞𝙣𝙜'𝙨 𝙃𝙤𝙧𝙨𝙚'𝙨… 𝘼𝙪𝙧𝙤𝙧𝙖 𝙋𝙊𝙑: “God damn it… Aurora!” King huffed as he followed the blonde out of the airport, his phone dinged with the response from Taeslyn who sent a voice message of her laughter. Rolling his eyes he closed out of the text as he caught up to Aurora who was already climbing back into his truck “Landyn is gonna have my hide for not getting you on that plane” He said with a grumbled before climbing i got the driver's seat, rubbing his face with his hands as he accepted defeat.Even if he wanted to get her on her way home, the next flight wasn't for two days due to maintenance issues with one of the planes and as much as he wanted to get her on her way, he wasn't driving six hours to the next airport to shuffle her ass onto the flight. “If the situation was reversed and it was her sister, Landyn would do the same thing” Aurora said with a shrug as she clicked her seat belt and rested back in the passenger seat hiding an amused smile at just how much she had gotten under King’s skin. "Wipe that smirk off your face, you haven't won this” King said narrowing his gaze as he pulled out his phone, Aurora arched a slender brow as she tilted her head curiously. “I got a favor to ask, I’d lie and say it wasn't a big one… but I’d be full of sh i t” King said into the phone with a shake of his head as he turned the key over before putting on his seat belt. “I'm needed back with the crew, but I got a pain in the ass who needs eyes on her to keep her from doing something stupid” Aurora laughed and rolled her eyes “Love you too King” She said blowing a kiss from the passenger seat as he flipped the truck into reverse backing out of their spot before he headed toward the exit. “Yeah, I hear ya but I'm not really asking D.. Im tellin… I'll send you the address, get there as soon as you can'' King said before hanging up the phone without bothering to hear the response. He sent the address of the Stackhouse residence to his mysterious contact before turning the truck in the direction of Aurora’s house. “I don't need a babysitter” Aurora scoffed as King laughed “Hell, yeah you do” Though her telepathy was unmatched by most, Aurora had started to notice that even her powers were beginning to weaken. A fact that both terrified and thrilled her, it was no secret that the little Faerie struggled with her telepathy often reading the minds of those around her without even meaning to. Like her mind was set on a constant static radio station with no off switch, most days she could tune it out and pretend it didn't exist but on the bad days it was enough to drive her to the grippy sock motel. Having caused enough trouble with missing the flight, Aurora rested back in her seat silently as King drove them to her house.Curiosity got the better of her as golden hues brightened. King growled and shot her a sideways look “Keep out of my head half light, you dont needa be seein’ the chaos in there” He warned turning down the drive to the Stackhouse residence. Rolling her eyes Aurora sighed as she let her hues dull back to their chocolate resting state, looking toward the house as her brow furrowed. A Black '69 Mercury Cougar rested alongside her mother's yellow little bug, and that curiosity she felt before instantly intensified as her eyes landed on the dark haired figure standing outside the car. "Who's that?” Aurora asked as they pulled up on the other side of her mother's car, King brought the truck to a stop before throwing it into park. “Come on, you'll see” King said with a chuckle as he slipped from the truck before Aurora could ask anymore questions. “King!” Aurora huffed as she climbed out of the car, walking around to the bed of the truck where Kingston greeted the man who had been waiting for them. There was no way you could have described him as ‘boy’, Aurora could almost instantly deduce that he was a werewolf just by his muscular physique. He looked like a hunter, rugged but finished in a way that gave off the appearance of ‘I just woke up five minutes ago and this is the appearance I got’. Aurora couldn't help as her chocolate hues curiously wandered over the man, and if she were being honest she might be in a little trouble with just how handsome she found him. As Aurora’s eyes got to his face she could see the five o'clock shadow giving the illusion that he’d shaved at one point, but those eyes were what caught her attention."Aurora… yo earth to half light” King said waving his hand in front of her face a moment as Aurora snapped back to reality “What? Sorry…” she said as she shook her head a bit and refocused. “This is Dakota J-” King was cut off as Dakota growled provoking an eye roll from King “DJ… anyways darlin get used to one another because I have sh*t to do that does not involve baby sitting as much as I adore Landyn” He said shaking his head as Aurora turned her focus to Dakota, a small smile on her face and just as she was about to introduce herself, Dakota spoke up.“Whoa whoa whoa, I didn't agree to that.. find someone else to watch Tinkerbell” DJ scoffed, shaking his head as he fished his keys from his pocket. Just like that any inkling of attraction toward the new wolf was squashed as Aurora arched a slender brow. “What’s the matter Scoob, need a Scooby snack to work up to the challenge?” She taunted before brushing blonde locks from her shoulder. King choked on his water by the exchange between the two before his laughter howled through the night, Aurora turning on her heel to head toward the house. "F u c king Faerie’s….”    𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐔𝐄𝐃....𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠: @Rainbowxbabe, @ScarletDevil , @LavenderLuck , @SanguisLunae𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: My retired character's Taeslyn Robinson & Anthony Kingston

The flickering candlelight cast a warm glow upon the smooth papyrus scrolls as they lay scattered across the wide, polished table. The faint scent of ink and incense wafted through the air, mingling with the cool evening breeze that crept in through the open window. A young man, clad in simple linen robes, sat hunched over a writing desk, his quill scratching furiously across a fresh sheet of parchment. His long, dark hair spilled over his shoulders, and his eyes were fixed intently on his work, almost as if he were in a trance.The name of this scribe was Adam. But tonight, he was not simply a scribe. For he was also now a vampire. The transformation had taken place only days ago, and he was still struggling to come to terms with it. He knew that he must continue his life as a scribe, for it was the only way to hide his new nature from those around him. But at the same time, he felt a powerful urge to explore his newfound abilities, to discover the true extent of his powers and limitations.As the hours passed, the candles flickered and guttered, casting eerie shadows across the walls of his modest chamber. Adam's quill moved faster and faster, as if possessed by some otherworldly force. The words seemed to flow from his mind directly to the parchment, unbidden and unstoppable. His breath came in ragged gasps, and his heart raced, but not from exertion. He knew that he was different now, that his body no longer needed the same things as it once did.He paused for a moment, setting down his quill and wiping the sweat from his brow. The darkness pressed in on him, and he could feel the hunger beginning to stir within his belly. He longed for the taste of fresh blood, but he knew that he could not risk it. Not yet. He reached up, undoing the simple clasp that held back his long, dark hair, letting it fall loose around his shoulders. It was then that he noticed the soft, steady pulse at the base of his throat.The thought of it, of what it would feel like to sink his fangs into that soft flesh... He shuddered with desire, and for a moment, he could feel his willpower slipping. But then he forced himself to take a deep breath, steadying his nerves. He would wait. He would wait until night, until he could return to his true nature, and then he would find someone to satiate his hunger.For now, he would continue with his work, and hope that no one would notice his struggle. He glanced up at the window, where the first stars of the night were beginning to twinkle in the inky black sky. Soon, it would be time to venture out, to seek his prey. But until then, he had to remain strong, to focus on his duties as a scribe, and to keep his secret safe."Adam?" asked one of the head scribes he was under near the vizer and Adam head jolted up snapping out of his thoughts eyes looking over. Concerned that the pulse of the mans heart and the smell of his scent would give way to his new nature and expose his secret.He tried to keep his breathing even and his face neutral. "Yes, Master Scribe?" he replied, forcing himself to meet the man's gaze.The head scribe frowned. "You seem... distracted, Adam. Is something amiss?" he asked, his voice low and concerned. Adam forced a small smile. "No, Master Scribe. I apologize if I have been inattentive. I was merely lost in thought. I shall focus on my work."He bent back over his desk, dipping his quill once more into the inkwell, but his heart was no longer in it. He felt as if the world around him had shifted, and he was no longer sure of his place in it. The darkness seemed to press in on him, taunting him with the hunger that now coursed through his veins. He knew that he had to keep up the pretense, but it was growing increasingly difficult."Come take a walk with me tonight I have news I nedd to share with you" said the master scribe as Adam felt fear grip him knowing he would not be abl to hide the secret."I can no tonight" adam tried to explain as calmly as he could, knowing the lie would be easier to believe if he kept his voice steady.  Though the master scribe seemed to see right through him. "There is an urgent matter that requires my attention. Perhaps another time?"The master scribe narrowed his eyes, studying Adam for a moment before nodding. "Very well," he said finally, his voice heavy with suspicion. "Another time, then."Adam breathed a silent sigh of relief. It would give him a few more hours to try and regain control over his newfound urges. He forced a smile and bowed his head respectfully. "Thank you, Master Scribe."He waited until the head scribe had returned to his own work before allowing himself to slump forward, resting his elbows on the desk and burying his face in his hands. The scent of the ink and parchment filled his nostrils, but beneath that, he could still detect the faint odor of blood that seemed to linger on everything now. It was a constant reminder of what he was, of what he had become."Sir Adam?" asked  avoice after a few hours seeming to jolt the scribe awake that had fallen asleep at the desk. Adam eyes shot open and wide seeing a young man standing there scrolls in his arms. "Its nearly mid high night time, you fell asleep"Adam forced a yawn and rubbed at his eyes, trying to appear as if he'd simply been resting them. "Ah, I apologize. I must have dozed off. You are?"The young man looked surprised for a moment before giving Adam a polite smile. "My name is Elias. I'm an apprentice scribe assigned to assist you this evening. Master Scribe Ashton thought it best to have someone help you with the stack of scrolls that's piling up."Adam nodded, feeling a pang of guilt. He should have been more diligent in attending to his work. "Ah, yes. Of course. Thank you, Elias. I apologize for my lapse in judgment. Please, help yourself to anything you need. I'll get these scrolls in order right away." But he could hear the heartbeat of the young man as well as smell blood lingering from a dried nosebleed. He could feel his fangs itching as he tighened his hand on the desk slightly to try and ignore it.Elias smiled warmly and set the scrolls down on the desk. "No need to apologize, sir Adam. It's my duty to help out where I can. If you need any assistance, please don't hesitate to ask."Adam nodded, forcing a smile as he fought to keep his focus. He could feel Elias's gaze on him, and it was becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. "Thank you, Elias. Your assistance is truly invaluable." He said though after an hour he had to escuse himself to try and get away before he did something he regretted it. Paisn outside the building he breathed in the cold crisp air, trying to clear his head.But the scent of blood seemed to follow him everywhere now, and with it came an insatiable desire that he could no longer ignore. He could feel his fangs aching, his muscles tense with the need to hunt. He knew that he had to find a way to control these urges before it was too late.As he paced the courtyard, Adam saw a small rabbit hopping along the edge of the bushes. His heart raced and his breath quickened as he stalked it, his instincts taking over. He leapt forward, landing gracefully on the soft grass, and sprinted towards the unsuspecting prey. But just as he was about to pounce, Elias voice came out from behidn him."What are you doing?" he inquired with confusion, Adam knew it was too late as he breathed."Please walk away from me, please just go, please I can't control it"Elias paused, taken aback by Adam's sudden outburst. "I don't understand. What are you talking about?"Adam's gaze flickered between Elias and the rabbit, his heart racing with conflicting emotions. "I can't control it," he whispered, feeling a tear trickle down his cheek. "I've been trying to ignore it, but it's getting stronger. I... I need to feed."Elias took a step back, his eyes widening concern as he saw Adam eyes flicker into a red color under the moonlight, feeling terror grasp him he turned to run. Before hearing Adam snarl as he peeked over his shoulder he cried out as Adam body crashed into his own."No! You can't do this! I won't let you!" Elias struggled against Adam, tears streaming down his face as he tried to push him away. "Please please let go" he cried out struggling madly to get the iron grasp off of him.Adam felt Elias's body tensing beneath him, his grip tightening. He could feel the boy's strength, his determination to fight back. But he couldn't stop himself. His fangs ached, his muscles burned with the need to feed. "I'm sorry," he whispered hoarsely, his fangs piercing through Elias's neck. "I can't control it."The warm blood flowed down his throat, and with it came a surge of power, of clarity. He could feel the beast inside him grow stronger, more in control. a screech left his lips as he recoield as a dagger slammed into his ribs as the young scribe under him managed to stab him in the ribs to try and save himself.Elias slid from his grasp, falling to the ground and clutching his side. Blood gushed from the wound, staining his clothes and pooling on the grass. Adam felt a mixture of horror and regret as he saw the pain etched on the boy's face. He struggled to stand, to reach out and help him, but the bloodlust was still strong, and he could feel himself losing control again."Don't you come any closer!" Elias cried out as he ran for it screaming for help, for a guard, anyone.Adam struggled to stand, his vision blurred with bloodlust. He could feel the beast inside him grow stronger with every step Elias took away from him, hunt he had to hunt, he had to feed, the thrill of the chase sent Adam into a frenzy. He could feel the moonlight dance on his skin, the grass beneath his feet as he sprinted after the boy, his heart pounding in his chest. Elias glanced over his shoulder, fear etched into his features as he saw Adam gaining on him. The young scribe's breaths came out in ragged gasps, his limbs aching from the exertion of running and the pain of the bite from his neck burned so badly.Adam lunged forward, his fingers grasping at the back of Elias's shirt. "Please," he managed to choke out between gritted teeth, "let me help you." But it was no use; the beast inside him was too strong. He pulled Elias back, their bodies colliding as they fell to the ground in a tangle of limbs. Adam's fangs sank into Elias's neck once more, and he felt the warm blood rush down his throat. The sensation was intoxicating, and for a moment, he forgot everything else."Over there I heard sounds, someone was screaming" said one of the many guards that kept the scribe's home safe. Adam too lost in his own hunger didn't even seem to notice as he took in gulps of blood as quick as he could.Elias struggled against the grip, screaming for the gaurds for help though his movements grew weaker and qucikly as he felt his world blur. Though Adam suddenly seemed to jolt back to reality as a guard shouted right over there as Adam pulled back sharply and panted hovering over the withering body of the young man. Before looking up his eyes glazed over and blood shot red, fangs gleam with fresh blood as he  panted."what in the world is this?" whispered a gaurd finally coming to the scene as Adam looked toward the gathering of guards, he snarled slightly as if to protect his meal from being snatched away from him.Adam forced himself to stand, taking a step back from the body of the young scribe. His breath came in ragged gasps, his fangs still extended, his eyes a terrifying shade of red. He glanced down at the lifeless form of Elias, regret and horror warring within him."It wasn't me," he managed to choke out. "It wasn't me." The guards exchanged confused glances, their hands on their swords as they approached cautiously. One of them reached down and gently rolled Elias onto his back, revealing the deep bite marks on his neck. They exchanged horrified looks before turning back to Adam."You did this," the captain of the guard said accusingly. "You killed this young man. Adam, You will face justice" he said strongly though Adam snarled slightly  and seemed to tense up as more guards drew closer toward him."No! I didn't do this!" Adam cried. "I didn't know what was happening to me! I swear!" His eyes were wild with fear and denial, his fangs still bared. "I didn't mean to hurt him," he whispered, his voice trembling.The captain of the guard hesitated, glancing back at the body of the scribe. He had known Adam for years, had seen him grow into a promising young scribe himself. The thought that this boy, this man, could be capable of such a thing...it didn't seem possible. But the evidence was clear."I'm sorry Adam but the law is the law" The Captain said "Now just, stand down Adam, just, relax" as he said that more guards closed around Adam, as he looked around wildly like an trapped animal. His claws came back out and fangs bared as he growled lowly."Stay away" Adam warned, his voice quivering with fear and rage as he backed away from the closing circle of guards. "I don't want to hurt you. I can't control myself." The captain of the guard exchanged a worried glance with another guard before stepping forward, to catch the young man and apperheand him. "Come on now, Adam. Let's get you to the dungeon and figure out what's going on. There must be some explanation for all this."But Adam thrashed wildly, clawing at the guards who held him, desperate to escape. "Let me go!" he screamed, his voice raw and hoarse. "I don't want to hurt you! I didn't mean to kill him!" They wrestled him roughly to the ground, pinning his arms and legs, as another group of guards hurried over with a set of iron shackles. Adam over come with terror and anger bit into one of the gaurds throats and tore out a chunk of his throat spraying blood everywhere.The commotion had drawn a crowd, onlookers gasping and murmuring as they witnessed the horror unfolding before them. The captain of the guard, his face pale with shock, ordered the remaining guards to take Adam to the dungeon immediately. They bundled the struggling young man into the dark, dank cell, chains clanking heavily as they secured him to the cold, damp stone wall. Adam collapsed to the ground, panting heavily, his fangs still bared."What have I done? To be Abandoned like this?" he whimpered softly to himself and curled up tightly into a ball trying to calm down, trying to make sense of what was going on. How many more innocent people had to die?

"Scribble, scribble," mutters Adam, his quill scratching furiously across the papyrus. The sound echoes through the grand library, its rhythm so steady that it almost drowns out the distant chanting of the priests. He leans over his desk, his long braid of black hair falling over his shoulder, obscuring a small part of the hieroglyphic script he's working on. The light of a flickering oil lamp casts dancing shadows across his young, pale face, accentuating the dark circles that have taken up permanent residence beneath his hazel eyes.It's been like this for as long as Adam can remember. Every waking moment is spent in this library, studying, translating, and copying ancient texts. At the tender age of fifteen, he is already considered one of the most gifted scribes in all of Egypt. But it hasn't always been this way.When Adam was just a small boy, he was sickly and frail, spending most of his days coughing and wheezing. The priests had given him up for dead, but somehow, against all odds, he managed to pull through. As he recovered, it became apparent that his sickly body had been replaced with an incredible mind, a mind that could memorize entire scrolls with ease and translate hieroglyphics with a skill that belied his young age.The priests recognized the gift that Adam had been given and brought him to the great library of Alexandria, where he could spend his days surrounded by knowledge. At first, he was overwhelmed by the vastness of the library and the complexity of the texts, but over time, he grew accustomed to the musty smell of old parchment and the feel of a quill in his hand.Adam's days were long and arduous, but he never grew tired of his work. He spent hours upon hours poring over ancient scrolls, translating their cryptic messages into a language that could be understood by the common people. As he worked, he began to uncover secrets that had been hidden for centuries, revealing lost knowledge about the world and its many mysteries.One of those scrolls spoke about the illness he had and how it was uncureable except without the drinking of blood. Was that really true? would he truly trust rumors upon an old scroll? What could he trust, would he really taste blood to see if it cured his illness?Adam paused in his translation, the words blurring before him. He pushed his chair away from the desk, rubbing his eyes wearily. The library was silent now, the priests having retreated to their chambers for the night. A cool breeze wafted in through the open windows, rustling the papyrus scrolls that lined the shelves. He couldn't shake the image of the scroll's words from his mind.Should he trust the scroll? It was, after all, an ancient text, its words subject to the interpretation of whoever happened to be reading it. And what of the claim that drinking blood was the only cure for his illness? It seemed preposterous, like something out of a horror story. Yet, he couldn't deny the desperation he felt, the hopelessness that threatened to consume him whenever he experienced a flare-up of his symptoms. Maybe he could slaughter a sheep and take a sip of blood and see if it actually did anything?Adam hesitated for a moment, his heart racing at the thought of actually going through with such a thing. He had never harmed an animal before, let alone drunk its blood. But the longer he stood there, the more he felt the weight of his decision pressing down upon him. Finally, with a trembling hand, he reached for a piece of parchment and began to write a note to the high priest, explaining his dilemma and asking for permission to conduct this dangerous experiment.As he sealed the note with wax, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was committing himself to something irreversible. Perhaps this was the price he had to pay for knowledge, for understanding the secrets hidden within the ancient scrolls. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for the response he was sure to receive, and carried the note to the priest's chambers, delivering it into his hands with trembling fingers.The high priest's expression was one of both surprise and concern as he read the note. After a long silence, he looked up at Adam, his eyes full of wisdom and sadness. "My son," he began, "I understand the desperation you feel, but I must ask you to reconsider. The information on that scroll may be ancient, but it has been proven wrong time and time again. There is no evidence to suggest that drinking blood can cure your illness. You are a gifted young man, with a mind that could change the world. I cannot stand by and watch you risk everything for a mere chance at survival."Adam felt a mix of defiance and despair rise within him. He wanted to believe the priest, to hold onto the hope that there might be another way. But the words on the scroll haunted him, their truths impossible to ignore. "Father," he said, his voice trembling, "I know that what is written there goes against everything we believe in. But I cannot ignore the desperation I feel, the pain that comes with each flare-up. I must try to find some sort of cure, some way to live a normal life again.""If you go through with this, you will be exiled from Egypt!" he warned harshly as if to try and scare Adam away from such thoughts.But it was too late. Adam had already made up his mind. He knew that what he was about to do was not only against the teachings of their people but also against everything he had ever been taught. Yet, he felt a desperate need to find a cure, to reclaim his life from the clutches of this terrible illness.With a heavy heart, he left the high priest's chambers and began to make his preparations. He spent the next few days gathering what he would need for the ritual, all the while struggling with the weight of his decision. When everything was ready, he took a deep breath and set out into the night, heading towards the village's only sheep pen.The moon was high in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the landscape. Adam's steps felt slow and heavy as he approached the pen. He knew what he had to do, but the thought of harming an innocent animal filled him with dread. Finally, he mustered up the courage and climbed over the fence, his heart racing in his chest.Inside the pen, the sheep were sleeping peacefully, unaware of the danger that lurked nearby. Adam closed his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath to steady his nerves. Then, he spotted the animal he was looking for: a small, white lamb. It was the youngest of the flock, barely able to stand on its own.He approached the lamb slowly, his heart racing. He knew that he had to be quick and efficient, or the other sheep would wake up and cause a commotion. With shaking hands, he drew his knife from its sheath and knelt beside the lamb. He stroked its soft fur one last time before pressing the blade against its throat. There was a soft, wet sound as blood began to flow.Adam closed his eyes, feeling the warmth of the blood on his hands. He knew that this was the only way, the only chance he had at a normal life. He raised the cup he had brought with him and carefully caught some of the blood as it dripped into it. The lamb's gentle, frightened breaths slowly faded away, and its body went limp in his arms.He couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt as he lowered the lifeless animal to the ground. But it was too late to turn back now. He quickly gathered the remaining blood and hurried back to his village, trying to avoid being seen by any of the villagers.Once he was back in his hut, Adam carefully prepared the blood according to the ancient scroll's instructions. He boiled it, mixed it with herbs and other ingredients, and finally, he drank it. As the foul-tasting liquid slid down his throat, he closed his eyes, hoping against hope that it would work.At first he almost felt like he was going to throw up the liquid as his natrual instructs old him to spit it out but he held it down and winced., before suddenly it seemed a hunger resting in his body had awoken to the yearning of blood before he opened his eyes as his eyes turned a soft crimson color.He looked at his hands and they seemed to be changing, before his fingers elongated and became sharp as claws. His teeth elongated and became fangs. His skin became more pale, his veins burned sharply as the world of darkness seemed to beckon to him, his illness.....was cured but in order to do it, he, became a monster of the night, a vampire.As the transformation came to an end, he felt a hunger like he had never felt before. He knew what he had to do. He climbed out of his hut and into the night, searching for his first victim. The village was quiet, everyone asleep in their huts. He crept through the shadows, his new senses guiding him.Finally, he spotted her: a young maiden sleeping peacefully in her bed. He approached silently, his heart racing with anticipation and fear. He knelt beside her, her soft breaths caressing his face. With a swift movement, he clamped his hand over her mouth, his sharp claws digging into her tender flesh. She awoke with a start, her eyes wide with terror."W-what do you want?" she stammered, her voice trembling.Adam looked into her eyes, feeling the darkness within him growing stronger. He didn't want to hurt her, but he knew that he had no choice. With a deep breath, he leaned in closer, his fangs glistening in the moonlight."I'm sorry," he whispered, his voice barely recognizable as his own. "But I must feed."Terror filled her eyes as she struggled against his grip. But it was useless; he was too strong. He lowered his head, his fangs inches from her neck. She closed her eyes, waiting for the inevitable pain, as Adam fangs sank sharply into her throat.He felt a rush of warmth as her blood filled his mouth. It was intoxicating, like a drug coursing through his veins. He couldn't help but moan in pleasure as he drained her, feeling her life force flow into him.The young maiden struggled weakly beneath him, her eyes filled with horror and disbelief. He wanted to tell her it wasn't his fault, that he didn't have a choice, but the words caught in his throat. Instead, he continued to feed, his fangs tearing through her flesh, sucking her blood like a ravenous animal.As the last drops of her life's essence disappeared into his mouth, he felt a pang of loss and emptiness. It was as if a part of himself had died along with her. He pulled away, revealing his crimson lips and fangs, and stared down at her lifeless form. Blood covered his mouth and chin, dripping onto the floor in slow, steady drops. The young scribe dropped the body in horror and backed away alarmed at what he had done, what had he become?He looked around, searching for a way to control his newfound urges, but there was nothing. He was trapped by the darkness that now coursed through his veins. The village was silent, everyone still asleep, unaware of the monster that now walked amongst them. He tried to remember the prayers he had once known, hoping that maybe there was some way to reverse what had been done to him, but they had all fled from his mind.What had he done?

GUIDELINES Dearest gentle readers, welcome to In tome bloom, your journey of the new social season starts with a few rules that must be followed before all potential matches are to be saved. So pay close attention and once you agree to the terms, sign at the bottom line with your name so you understand what is required. - - Last updated June 19th 2024. DRAMA-FREE ZONE:first and foremost this group relies heavily on it being an ooc drama free group. This includes the following, talking about members behind their back, attacking another member in the server or try to get them kicked out because you don't like them and if we the admins see this sort of behavior your place with the group can be very well be threatened and we will handle it however, with that said and done we also like to give people a chance to change their ways while hearing both sides to the story to work up a solution for everyone to get a long but if it continues to where it causes negative impacts on our members then we will have no choice but to drop you from the group. IC drama is welcomed and encouraged but only if it's part of your 1x1's with your fellow members or the group storyline. ACTIVITY:this is the biggest rule of the group and that is regarding activity. In order to be a member of the rpg we ask that you are not only a serious writer and you are serious about your audition but also serious about being active meaning every month every member can earn a total of 100 points to be shown as active. Yes, we are aware that seems like a lot but the way to earn them is quite easy. Taking part in the group storyline with members is 15 points, monthly drabble is 50 points, 1x1's with members is 75 points and weekly challenges is 20 points. We aim to keep a way for our members to earn their points for the ac's and after a two month period we tally up the points and award those who are in the top five special gifts. We would do a month but that adds too much stress on people who work a lot or have other obligations with other accounts so this way it gives members time to work at their own pace just as long as you are showing you are actively writing. TAKING HIATUS BREAKS:now this one is a big one meaning if something happens that ends up taking you away from rp like a vacation, family emergency, muses going on vacation, etc and you want to take a break from the group you must reach out to one of the admins for a hiatus request but we do ask you be an active member for at least two months before taking a hiatus that is more than a week for if it's like a month that is one thing as things do happen but if it's more than a month like two or three we will ask you step down from the rpg instead as that puts us owners in a tight situation with members waiting to write with your character. If you go on a month break halfway through it we will reach out to see if your situation had changed and if you are unable to return and wish to step away and give your spot to another person but if you wish to stay then we can work something out. However, what we will not allow is for a member to be accepted only to request a hiatus right away, that does not work as that will make us owners question on why was it you auditioned for in the first place as that is essentially a waste of our time and others time who wish to write with your character so we ask you be an active member for at least two months before requesting any sort of breaks that is longer than a week. CANON CHARACTERS:must have canon faces from the shows for as much as we love AU plots faces are set for a reason and we will not budge from that. This also goes for personality, lifestyle etc meaning Colin can't act like Simon or Benedict be interested in boxing etc. Keep the canon characters as they are for as much as we love creativity and au themes, we prefer to keep the canon characters as they were. Secondly, do not and we repeat do NOT join this group just land specific characters for connections or a love interest we are not here to help you with that as our main goal is just to create a home for writers to just bring the world of Bridgerton to life. Can we help you search for them? Sure but we cannot guarantee it will be successful as again we are a RPG and not a directory page. MOCK CANON CHARACTERS:So this is a rule where essentially loopholes are created for writers who wish to be a canon character but original all at the same time. What this means is in order to be a mock canon character you need to take a character that has barely any information to their backstory besides their name and birth year and create their own history. This allows creative freedom to a point as we do ask you do research first about the regency period of the 1800s before you do anything that way you know how to write their backstory as this also can allow one to create an oc for a character who has a sibling that goes by the name of “unknown sister” or “unknown brother” they would be considered original yet canon at the same time which brings the biggest rule we will have and that is about original characters in general. ORIGINAL CHARACTERS:in order to join the group as an original character all characters must fill the requirements to be approved by the admins meaning their backgrounds must have well-thought-out backstories to support their place within the regency world and they must and we repeat must NOT be related to any canon characters meaning no siblings to the main families like Bridgertons, Featheringtons, etc without having the admins approve of them first hand, etc and trust us when we say this we will be upfront with anyone who auditions for their characters if we do not like their backstory and feel they do not fit at all so if you wish to still join the group as an OC then that's fine but you would have to make changes to your character to fit the group. If you get dropped from the group or decide to leave the group you are free to return to how your character was before joining but this is one rule we will not budge from no matter what. Secondly, constant fc changes are not allowed in the group meaning if you want a change to your characters fc you must be a member for six months or more and they must be approved by the admins. Once the change has been approved you cannot make another change 24 hrs later or even an hour later meaning make sure the request is exactly what you want before submitting it. Last but not least, with this we do ask that they are not tied to a canon character in terms of a love interest without giving us owners a legit and well put together reason why you chose them meaning don't be all like “well I hate Kate and feel like Anthony could do better and he's my favorite so i want to have my oc with him instead” cause no that is not a legit reason thats disrespectful to Kate as a character and their relationship this also goes for others characters like Colin, Simon, Benedict, etc for lets be honest, they are all amazing roles but they are married to the people they are with for a reason so let's please respect that. OTHER REGENCY CHARACTERS:We do allow other regency era characters to join like ones from pride & prejudice as long as they fit in the timeline of the series. Bridgerton takes place between the years 1813 to 1817(going by series that is vs books where it's 1813 to 1834) so research is a BIG thing to do if you wish to bring your character into the rpg and tie them into the social events belonging to each season so by now the current timeline would be 1815-1816. DISCORD:We do have a discord that is mandatory to join. Updates will be posted there as well as our monthly activity check, information about the group and places where you can see the monthly drabbles and other events, grab the free resources offered, storyline/chapter information, and a section to chat with members however if we see that you are chatting in the group more than focusing on writing we will take out the chat channel altogether and won't bring it back until we see activity perk up with stat posts regarding starters being sent or replies being sent, etc. Last but not least, even though we do host events on our discord server, all major group writings will be done in the group forum meaning once you are accepted you must join the group to start writing in the group storyline and submit your ac's at the appropriate time. Also when the ac is sent out, all members must submit theirs within four days after it's submitted and if you are unable to send it within the time period contact the admins to let us know what is going on and we can work something out but if you do not communicate with us at all and we see you are still talking in the group but not send in your ac you will be given one warning to send it in by days end or be kicked out of the group. PREMADE ROLESIf you are interested in one of the premade roles the RPG has there are some requirements you will need to follow in order to audition for them. One is that their backstories must remain the same. Even if it's a rough draft to give you something to work with you cannot change anything without approval from the admins. You are free to add your own ideas to their life to give them more depth but if you decide to leave the rpg we ask that you delete the account altogether as it will be reopened. Keep in mind these roles are strictly for the RPG only meaning you cannot join other groups with the character and if we find that you did you'll be automatically kicked from the group and will not be allowed back in for at least thirty days and must audition for a different character. We understand this seems harsh but we put a lot of work into these characters for a reason and we'd like to keep it that way.

Exceptionally skilled in acrobatics. She can do flips, cartwheels, swing on trapezes, and walk a tightrope. Amy took acrobatics in her academic years.Pool expert. Since the early days of her career, she had been known around northern London for her fantastic skills at billiards.Has an IQ of 156. She mastered advanced mathematics at a premature age. Due to her high intelligence, she quickly grew bored with school and eventually left at sixteen.Has broken both of her hands several times. Twice as a child. She did, and still does, punch walls out of fury. It's a surprise she can still play guitar well.Nobody taught Amy how to sing or play guitar; she learned those skills independently. She did go to school in vocals but did things her way. She is a fast learner with great long-term memory and plans on picking up other instruments, such as the piano and the drums.She has cheated death countless times— overdoses, cutting herself too deep, and enduring severe seizures due to substances.The Winehouse family has resided in London since the late 19th century and is the only family in the area with the name. Her family stems from a generation of Ashkenazi Jews who escaped the bigoted Russian Empire in the 1850s to avoid antisemitic prosecution. The Winehouse surname is unique and of German and Yiddish origin.Her mind needs to be kept occupied so she doesn't fall into a deep depression, whether it be finishing dozens of sudoku and crossword puzzle books or writing more songs.She is a great cook and often makes meals for others rather than herself.Amy is a sufferer of undiagnosed mental illnesses. She does not believe in therapy but has been put on antidepressants as a teenager.Has been promiscuous since her mid-teens for a variety of reasons. The main factor is her father's absence, which is an ordinary coping skill for a lack of a paternal figure in one's early life.

She's a Killer QueenGunpowder, gelatinDynamite with a laser beamGuaranteed to blow your mindAnytimeLace upon gilding, velvet accented with gold. Opulence hardly seemed the appropriate word. Ostentatious was more fitting, perhaps. It was a mockery of a bygone era, bastardized to suit a fetishized idealism. To the tune of softly playing parlor music, a small social was being carried out. Antique furniture was violated by the scantily covered posteriors that rested upon them. Women were everywhere, their most intimate parts barely covered, but still readily available for the wandering hand's amusement. An even mixture of black and white themed corsets exaggerated their feminine forms, accented with sparkling jewels and their hair drawn back in a complex mixture of braiding and curls; they were too beautiful to be real, as though crafted by Pygmalion himself. Strewn about with glasses of champagne in hand, they flocked around the much smaller population of men. These gaggles laughed and fawned upon each man, treating him as though he was the most interesting human being in the world. And, in a sense, he was.The Hellfire Club's roster was composed of the most powerful and influential people on the planet, after all. Politicians and captains of industry. The crème de la crème. The most upper crust of the upper crust. To be a member of the Hellfire Club was a prestige limited to only a few, inherited by others. Unbeknownst to most of these talking money bags, however, there was an organization within the organization. It was called the Inner Circle. Themed after a chessboard, the Inner Circle was divided into two courts: White and Black, with ranks ranging from King and Queen to Pawn. Though united in their ambition, the Courts often competed for control of the Inner Circle. It was a little game they played while covertly ruling the world. One such member was about to make her entrance into the social gathering. Unlike the sea of flesh, the White Queen was not some vapid arm adornment.Wearing a white lace mask, she remained--by comparison--overly dressed. Hair so blonde it bordered on white, her bobbed hair was the least of her appeal.  Alabaster skin and ocean blue eyes, she was a regal woman in her own right. But it was the clothes that truly made the woman. Her signature white corset hugged her frame while her pale shoulders were shrouded in a white, fur-lined cape. Thigh-high stiletto boots completed the White Queen's attire. The only thing missing was the coiled whip in hand--this wasn't /that/ kind of party, after all.  On her heels were two White Court attendants. Mirroring their mistress's all-white attire, they smoothed out the folds of her cape, making sure she looked pristine, least they suffered her wrath or her lash at a later time. Signaling the door should be opened, Emma Frost was one step away from making her grand entrance to the soiree when another White Court attendant came shuffling in. With minor annoyance, the White Queen gave the faintest of grimace, barely enough to dimple the corner of her mouth."Mistress, there is a phone call." The attendant stammered."I will take the call in my office."With a click of her tongue, Emma turned back the way she had come in a sweeping wave of white. With a deft maneuver mastered over years of practice, she had unfastened her cape and tossed it at the interrupting attendant. Befuddled, the woman clawed wildly at the cape to gather it up against her chest, following behind the White Queen as she advanced down the dimly lit hallways of the Victorian mansion to the White Wing. This was Emma Frost's dominion within the Inner Circle. She was the highest-ranking member of the White Court and, to be quite honest, even if there were a sitting White King, she had seniority; this was her Queendom.As one might expect from something christened the White Wing, it was white. While the style and coloration of the house itself remained consistent, the walls, drapery, and the overall décor was white and accented with silver or glass. Pushing open the door to her office, Emma set her eyes on the large mahogany desk to the phone. But no sooner had she stepped through the threshold, something blindsided her from the left. The momentum of being hit by what felt like a freight train sent the White Queen tumbling to the ground in a most undignified manner. Reeling from the blow, Emma barely had time to lift her head before the intruder was on her again. Her fist grabbed Emma by the hair on the crown of her head, invoking a sharp yelp as she grabbed wildly at the woman's wrist. But whatever she raked her nails against, it was not flesh. The surface ripped her nails up, even as she struggled to get any sort of traction against the impenetrable epidermis."Was I always this pathetic?"Struggling to look upwards to get a look at this woman, the White Queen was met with herself. But not her. Older. And…shinny."I suppose this would be the part where I should say something profound, but, regrettably, I've been around the likes of the X-Men for the last decade or so. I'm reduced to the 'Come with me if you want to live' cliché."Emma Frost, once and future White Queen of the Hellfire Club did something dangerous. But it was essential for the future. Or at least that is what she told herself. In truth, what she did was the result of a broken heart. Following behind Beast and his stunt bringing the original X-Men to their present, the telepath reverse-engineered his little time travel device. (This is an important lesson, children, never underestimate a blonde with a mission!) While she was seldom credited for her engineering prowess, Emma had invented her own Cerebro--a la Cerebra--and a device for swapping psyches. Programing the time machine, Emma added a special new feature: a tether that would return her to the present. Infiltrating the Hellfire Club was a cakewalk. All she needed to do was command the staff to look the other way, telepathy was handy like that! Luring in her younger self took even less effort. Once rendering the doppelganger unconscious, Emma telepathically summoned henchmen into the office. She silently commanded them to stand guard, no interruptions would be tolerated.All the pawns were in place, the queen was in check. Emma then wheeled the other Emma to her desk, she was going to awaken with some dignity. "How young I was." She mused to herself, delicately moving a lock of hair from her other self's face. It was…unsettling…touching her own body with new fingertips. She was familiar with every curve, every crease, but it all felt so…alien."How much potential I failed to realize within myself." This all needed to fall into place just right. On her belt rested the time travel tether. Upon turning it on, she had exactly the time it took for it to boot up to pull the trigger on the body swap gun before her older body was jettisoned back to the future. Retrieving the White Queen's body swap gun, Emma aimed and pulled the trigger.  Imagine how she could change the future given the chance to do it all over again. But, this time, with the knowledge of the future..........The use of the body swap gun knocks the user and target out cold for a short time. It was a useful side effect, so she had never gotten around to possibly correct it. Slowly waking up, the White Queen needed a moment to orient herself. It was her body, but not entirely her body. It was younger, naive to the potential it carried--and truth be told, this was technically a different universe. Her muscles weren't as finely tuned as her (not all that much!) older body. She was still in fine shape, but Emma had to remember not to give in to the instinct to shift to her diamond form; how dependent she had become! Perhaps she should have flipped some relays in her new head to trigger her secondary mutation sooner than Genosha's massacre. Running her fingers through her hair, Emma smoothed her hair back before she grabbed the top of her corset and adjusted herself. Flashing a glance at the nearest shiny surface, she checked her make-up to make sure it betrayed nothing amiss.Bursting through the double doors of her office, the White Queen strolled past the stunned guards she had ordered into place. She kept marching, leaving the befuddled maids in her wake, as she marched right into the Hellfire gathering. Foregoing her usual pomp and pageantry many had become accustomed to raised eyebrows and garnered a few stray glances. Unmoved by their agitation in her disturbance of their amorous pursuits, Emma strolled right up to one stout, familiar frame. So adorned with women, he looked not all that dissimilar to the scene in Star Wars with that vulgar worm creatures. He certainly had the same leave of appeal.“Shaw, darling.” Emma crooned softly as she shooed away the eye candy. She reclined casually against his shoulder, offering him the delectable view of her ample bosom. “I require your presence in the White Hall. It’s an /urgent/ matter.” She curled the corners of her lips into a vulpine smile as she glanced at the ponytailed buffoon from under her lashes with all the charm of her “come hither” allure. The appeal of a quick dalliance with the White Queen was much too much for Shaw. She stood up, confident her bait had been taken--hook, line, and sinker. She sashayed through the room, her shapely form moving with the effortless grace of a queen with all the calculation of a jaguar on the hunt.So eager was he that he nearly trampled some guests and their companions as he followed the vision in white away from the soft tones of music and frivolity to the seclusion of the White Queen’s apartment. What Shaw beheld at his arrival was the White Queen in all her splendid glory upon a sea of white bedding. She reclined like a Venus, arms strategically draped above her head on overstuffed pillows, her sensuous form stretched out across the length of the bed. How she got out of the absurdly restrictive corset and thigh-high boots in such a short amount of time mattered not, his lecherous gaze was set solely on the conquest of a queen.All but ripping his clothing from his form, Shaw advanced into the darkened room. Approaching the foot of the bed, his burning desire was very apparent. Gripping her ankle, Shaw pulled Emma downward. His mouth latched onto the alabaster flesh of her ankle, eyes burning with a growing hunger set upon her face. With a sweet smile on her lips, Emma played coy. She slipped her foot from his grip, curling back up at the head of her bed. Shaw began to climb onto the bed, liking this little game. Much to his misfortune, however, the pretend innocence was not the only game the White Queen was playing. As he approached her, the White Queen struck.The psibolt knocked him off his feet. Shaw fell onto the bed and rolled. Gripping his head, dazed, the Black King struggled to get off the bed and to his feet. But no sooner did he lay foot on the ground, Emma struck again. Another psibolt, sending the revolting pig spiraling to the ground. Disoriented, hurting from the blows he could not absorb, Shaw lashed out for anything to grab hold of--a weapon, a tether, anything to allow him the comfort of knowing he had control of this situation. Slipping casually off the bed, the White Queen came to stand over the struggling worm of a man, her face void of any emotion save one: triumph. To finally dispatch this horrid creature, something she should have done years ago--liberating! Drinking in this moment, savoring every last second, she finally struck one last time. Shaw's body went limp. Stepping past him, the White Queen began getting dressed.She had a party to attend.

And a Child Shall Lead Them   Machiavellian / @windingxpath Her heart was pounding in her chest. She had no place to go. She'd been tossed out by her parents because she was different. All of 14 years old, Akemi Ito had no place to go and no idea what to do. This all happened because her beautiful long hair and creamy skin started to turn into black and white fur when she was 12 years old. It took two years for her to turn into what essentially was a humanoid cat.Her parents did what they could to hide the daughter that brought them shame. Living in a rural village on the island of Shikoku afforded them some time to keep her hidden away but not much. The smallest of all the Japanese Islands, Shikoku was in the shadow of Hiroshima and the curse that hung over the area since 6 August 1945. Akemi had always heard stories of the people who were born different after that moment in history. She never imagined she would be one of them. She found her way to Tokyo. She took to the streets there. There was some compassion to be found there among the destitute of the city. An American benefactor had established a shelter for children just like her. She had idea what the man's name was, but the volunteer staff and the other children there showed her a kindness that she never knew existed. The adults said that Akemi and the others were mutants. The girl didn't call it being a mutant. She called it being cursed.Akemi was actually fed for the first time in a long time with a decent meal and a clean bed to sleep in at night. They only required that she do chores around the shelter and take the classes offered there. Every mutant child was required to be educated with basic lessons like how to read and write. Essential mathematics was taught as well. It was a far better place than when she was forced out of her home. Still Akemi felt as though she was cursed.Several of the girls were discussing a Shinto priest one night. He was believed to heal anyone of curses. This interested Akemi. This condition where she resembled a cat could be cured then despite what the adults said. They continued to teach her that she was a mutant. She was born different but she was still special. It was all a huge lie. If she was so special, why was she born this way? It was time to be rid of this curse despite what Yoshida-San said. Akemi wanted to be well and to go home again.It was a dark night in the early summer at the shelter. Akemi left a pillow covered up to make it look like she was still in the bed. The Temple led by Suguru Geto was near their location. She had a few Yen saved up from earnings for little odd jobs she had done. She wrapped it up carefully before she left the shelter that night. Desperation clutched at the girl's heart who only wanted to be normal.~*~This night was particularly vexing for Suguru Geto. There were many nights where he dreamt of seeing his best friend and brother Satoru Gojo again. That last time he saw Gojo, Geto couldn't even look him in the eye. He'd become so bitter and disillusioned after Riko Amanai's death that hardening his heart was the only thing he could do. Too many died for non-sorcerers. Geto was through with the blood of Jujutsu sorcerers being spilled. Toji Fushiguro was still a name that evoked nothing but bile from him. Non Jujutsu sorcerers were “monkeys” to him no matter what they looked like on the outside.He could tell he was being followed. The steps were faint but he could still hear them. It wasn't Satoru. He knew his brother better than anything. This was someone different. “Are you going to keep following me? Or do I have to pull you out of hiding myself?” Akemi stepped out of the shadows slowly. Most who saw her were repulsed by her appearance. Her ears were down as well as her chin. “F-Forgive me Sensei. I just really need your help.” Her contrite spirit and humility were on full display at this revelation.Geto quirked a brow upward. His curiosity was definitely aroused. This child was human but not. He could see no cursed spirit near her. Something was different. “Are you from Shiro Yoshida's shelter of throwaways?” He was totally familiar with Yoshida-San. Who in Japan didn't know the mutant Sunfire?“Hai. That I am.” His tone wounded her heart. “Sensei. I've brought all the money I have with me. It is said you can eliminate curses from anyone who brings money.” She extended her paws forward with the cash in hand.Geto noticed the cash and his expression softened. “Come child. Let's speak of how I can assist you.” He started to lead the girl back to the temple. He was pleased that she didn't fight him. There was still this nagging sensation at the back of his mind that she was just as innocent and naive as Riko had been.~*~Back at the shelter for homeless teenage mutants, Shiro Yoshida sat waiting for a group of young ladies to visit him. “Where is Akemi-chan?” He asked. No one could answer him so he went to look for himself.Her bed was still filled with a pillow covered with a blanket. Shiro peeled back the covers. This wasn't good. This was the fifth kid from the shelter that had disappeared. His frustration and fear were rising. He was going to need help.Searching the room he found a flyer that had information about a Shinto priest named Suguru Geto. All the previous kids had information on Geto and his ability to remove curses. This was looking more dire all the time.  "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference." credit: james kriet

Midnight Rain; a Prequel   Bubblegum / @shakeitoff 2021 MayUniversity of Southern California Jingyi Lee was more nervous today than she had been in years. Their little angel, Jubilation, was now 14 years old. She was quite a little spitfire insisting on being called Jubilee in front of her school friends and when they picked her up from gymnastics class.Both of her parents were so proud of their little girl. She was so talented in gymnastics that her coach recommended she go to the trials to see if she could make it for the US Olympics Team. There was no question about it. The Lees would fund this once in a lifetime chance for their daughter. It would also allow them the opportunity to do other things that needed to be kept away from the constant eye of their shadow.They had been in the United States for over 20 years now. Tomi Shishido had made everything clear for them to get to these shores. At first he had kept his distance, but as the years passed his presence was looming like a virus. The Lees dirty secret was that Shishido owned 5% of their business at first as payment for his services. He gradually wormed his way in to get up to 7% of their import export business. Right before the recommendation for Jubilee to try out for the US Olympics Gymnastics Team, Shishido was pressing for an increase to 15% of their total assets. They did everything they could in order to keep this from Jubilee. She couldn't know. It was nothing that should worry a child. Her parents were both adamant that she focus on school and on her gymnastics. She did both without question. This made the Lees even more desperate to get rid of Shishido.Zhan Lee and Jingyi Lee were sitting in the stands with the other parents of Olympic hopefuls. Jingyi was craning her neck trying to see where their daughter was about to perform. “Do you see her yet Baba?”Zhan adjusted his glasses. “There's our girl!” He was such a proud papa. Jubilee was the apple of his eye. He was so proud of her and her accomplishments. She was smarter than either one of her parents and exceptionally talented. He and his wife took a chance coming to the US when they did and he was glad of it. His gaze drifted to the sight of his lawyer speaking with that man again. Zhan knew good and damn well that Tomi Shishido was worse than the Triads or the Yakuza. He and his wife had met with a new attorney Anushka Joshi and were in the process of switching their business and financial holdings to her to be their representative. Unfortunately those things took time.~*~ There was another face in the crowd that day. The man was Canadian by birth. He hated Tomi Shishido with everything he possessed and then some. He had spent time using his connections to track down the bastard known as The Gorgon. His hands were dirty as hell especially considering how high he ranked in an organization called The Hand. One of these days, James Howlett was going to remove the blight that was Tomi Shishido from the face of the earth.He was given inside information by Zhan Lee about the role Shishido had played in their lives for the past two decades. Lee and his wife had a kid. Lee didn't want anything to happen to their daughter Jubilation. He spoke to Howlett alone and without his wife's knowledge. Lee was convinced that Shishido was about to kill him because he was fighting back. This was where Howlett drew the line. No little girl was going to lose her daddy, not if he could help it. He was an added insurance policy to make sure Shishido would be finally driven off for good. All they had to do was wait. The bastard would surely show his face again soon.~*~Now on floor exercises, JUBILATION LEE from Beverly Hills!The eyes of the room were focused on that tiny girl with refined features. She was a dynamo when it came to the talent she had for gymnastics. She took her place on the floor. Before the music started she caught sight of her parents who were clapping the hardest and the loudest. With their love and support, Jubilee could do anything. Finally the music started. That was her cue.The music she had chosen was “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” by Cyndi Lauper. Everyone was all about 80s retro these days and Jubilee being the girly girl she immediately took to Cyndi Lauper. The music started and she was off in a diagonal line.Zhan focused on how gifted his daughter was. She moved through the air with the greatest of ease. He was so proud of her! His entire flight here and everything they had gone through to this point had been for her. The reason why he was fighting back against Shishido was Jubilee. She didn't need this bastard hanging over her head like he had been with her parents. Zhan's gaze swept the room. He caught sight of James Howlett. He was starting to feel better already.The opening tumbling run was always designed to catch the attention of the judges and those watching. She hit her goal of multiple handsprings and a twist of her hips that caused her to face the side of the mat that she had just been standing. She held up her hands perfectly in the midst of thundering applause. She knew she'd hit it perfectly. She made eye contact with her mother and winked. The Lees were cheering so loud and proud for their only daughter.~*~ Shishido was here. He kept out of sight from the public attempting to blend in as best he could. He knew that bastard Wolverine was here. Zhan Lee was going to pay for working with Wolverine and attempting to get away from him. This was an unpardonable sin. He silently crept toward the locker rooms. Betrayal was going to be dealt with harshly. Minions were dispatched to locate the Lees and bring them to his location.The Lees were waiting for the score to come for their daughter's tumbling run. They didn't see the men behind them until it was too late. The world around them went black.Howlett watched the kid do her thing. She was definitely a little firecracker on the floor. He found himself applauding too. He turned toward where he'd seen the Lees. They had vanished without a trace. “SH*T!” He growled through clenched teeth. Gorgon made his move. The man called Wolverine immediately started searching for the Lees.~*~The floor exercises were soon finished and she knew she nailed it. She'd not gone out of bounds. She was flawless. Her score was announced and she screeched for joy. She was going to St Louis! Her eyes immediately went to where her parents were sitting only to see that they were gone. Her heart had skipped a beat. Where were they? She immediately ran back toward the locker rooms.A blood curdling scream came from the locker rooms. A crowd had gathered outside of the girls locker room. Jubilee pushed in through the throng to find both of her parents laying there in a puddle of blood. She immediately started to run toward them when Riku grabbed her arm. “Jubilee! No!”The boy from her school was obsessed with her. Riku Nakahara was handsome, sure, but Jubilee just wasn't interested. He had never learned the meaning of the word no. Jubilee was the first one to ever say that to him and that didn't set well with him. He grabbed onto her harm tighter. She felt the most intense emotions in her life come bubbling to the surface. Anger, rage, hatred all emerged because of the site of her dead parents. “RIKU LET ME GO!” With each word she spoke, an array of colors began to leap from her body. Fireworks were coming from her body but she didn't know how or why. WHAT WAS HAPPENING TO HER?Jubilee took off into the night screaming and crying trying to stop these fireworks from erupting from her body. Her favorite mall was nearby. She somehow wound up there. A section of the mall was being renovated. Her internal fireworks had finally stopped. She found her way into the mall and its renovations to stay hidden away from everyone that worst night of her life.Howlett had gotten there too late. They were dead. He did see their daughter was now a human fireworks display. Everything was falling apart. Howlett wasn't going to let this scared and confused kid get in any more trouble. He would kill anyone who kept him from her. He knew what it felt like to be alone. He wasn't going to let the kid feel what he did; not now or ever.END "If you disappoint me, I'm going rogue." -- Jubilation Lee credit: james kriet

Midnight Rain; a Prequel   Bubblegum / @shakeitoff 2007Beverly Hills, CA USA It had been ten long years since Zhan and Jingyi Lee had immigrated to America. It was all as Tomi Shishido had told them. They were relieved to face no stress there. Unfortunately stress came in other places. With their own assets along with Shishido Sama's seemingly unending source of capital, they established their import export business successfully. The government of China moved in to assume control of Hong Kong with the eyes of the world watching. The Lees watched from their new home in Beverly Hills California. All was seemingly right with the world.They waited a year before trying to have a child. Unfortunately, that part of their dream would take a bit longer to accomplish. The roller coaster of emotions had nearly carried them away twice. Jingyi had suffered two miscarriages before being given the joyous news in late 2005 that she had successfully conceived once more. She did everything differently this time. Zhan insisted on more bed rest for his wife. He also took on more responsibilities with their business and direct interaction with Shishido. He wanted nothing upsetting his wife. He was working from home when he heard his wife scream in sheer agony. It was summertime and the sun was high overhead. His heart was pounding and his breath hitched in his throat. All he thought to do was to run to his wife. Beads of perspiration threaten to sting his eyes as they fall from his forehead. He needed to find her.The pain was far more intense than she could imagine. Jingyi grasped her burgeoning abdomen as agony threatened to rip her apart. Two babies had been lost. She couldn't lose the third one. This was their last chance to have that child they both longed to hold. Her right hand clung to the back of a chair in their den. If she let go, it would be a disaster. She had to fight for their baby.Zhan found his wife clinging to the back of his favorite chair in the den. “Jingyi!” He shouted. His voice cracked with fear. He wrapped his arms around her. “你還好嗎？” [Are you alright?] He could tell the answer to that even as the words came out of his mouth.Her knees buckled when her husband wrapped his arms around her. A sudden gush of water came from between her legs saturating the floor. Jingyi couldn't speak. The pain was intense. She cast her pained gaze upon her husband pleading with him to save her and their baby. She spoke no words. Her tears said it all.Zhan lifted his petite wife from her feet. His resolve was carved in stone. He would not lose his wife or his unborn daughter. If he had to face Māra incarnate, he'd do just that. His determination and courage was something his daughter would inherit from him as her life would later take her on a path of discovery that she thought she'd tread alone. The next stop, Cedars Sinai Hospital in Beverly Hills.Cedars Sinai Labor and Delivery  Jingyi Lee was placed on a stretcher and immediately rushed to the Birthing Center. Since she was 37 years old and had already miscarried twice, she was considered a high risk pregnancy. Zhan was running alongside the stretcher, being sure that his wife could see him. He was not about to leave her side.The stretcher finally raced through the doors to do an emergency delivery. Zhan was stopped just before he could enter the room. “What do you think you're doing? I want to be there with my wife!” He started to struggle against the orderly holding him back.“We want you to be in there with her.” He took Zhan aside. “You need to be prepared first. Please let me help you.” The man nodded to the anxious father to be. He'd seen this many times before and was always ready to help these men who wanted to be there for their wives. “It won't take a minute.”The sterile conditions of the birthing center were filled with nurses tending to Jingyi Lee's every need. The brilliant staff was prepared for any given situation that would arise. A fetal monitor was already in place showing that the baby's heartbeat was strong. All of Mrs. Lee's vital signs were stable as well. She was in active labor. That was determined by the female doctor on the scene examining the patients. A pediatrician was also called on standby to examine the baby when she was born. There was only one thing missing. “W-Where is my husband?” Jingyi's voice cracked with the pain she endured.The doors parted and Zhan Lee was in a complete hospital gown, mask, cap and booties on his shoes. He heard his wife speak. “I'm here.” He spoke in cool tones as he replied to her. He did not want to excite his wife in the slightest. All that mattered was keeping her calm. He reached for his wife holding the small appendage in his own hand.The sounds of the fetal monitor started to beep louder. Jingyi gripped her husband's hand tightly as pain shot through her body again. The screams of agony made Zhan's heart pound. “Please! What's going on?” He was filled with desperation as the idea of another baby slipping away gripped his soul.“The baby is in distress. We need to do a c-section now.” The OB replied to the inquiry by the anxious father. The blood pressure cuff on Jingyi's opposite arm started to beep as well. Her heart rate was dropping. “We need to operate NOW.”Zhan felt his wife's hand grow limp. “DO IT!” He begged them. He had not come to America to lose everything. He was here to gain everything. He also wasn't about to move either as the staff began moving in an expedient manner to perform the emergency surgery. He silently pleaded with any god who heard him to save his baby and his wife. He was nothing without them.The speed in which the team worked was astounding. Medical drips were in place for the mother as they started the surgery. She was given oxygen through a mask as extra insurance. The skilled hands of the OB made the low transverse incision to open up the uterus with no difficulty. In a matter of minutes the small creature with a head full of dark hair was lifted from her mother's body. Because of the emergency surgery, the baby was handed to the pediatrician who immediately took her to the incubator. Zhan watched as his new daughter was cleaned off and her mouth and nose were suctioned. The pediatrician scraped her foot in order to get a first cry out of her. The child obliged by screaming loudly. The nurses all applauded. The OB and the other nurses had successfully stitched up Jingyi with no issues whatsoever.The pediatrician swaddled the baby who was making grumbling sounds and had her eyes open. “Congratulations. It's a very healthy little girl.” He handed the baby to Zhan.Zhan held his daughter in his arms. He felt tears of relief and joy race down his cheeks. He lowered the baby close enough for his wife to see their perfect little girl. “She is our happiness. She is our Jubilation.” He kissed his baby's forehead and then his wife's forehead. This was the greatest day of his life.Outside the doors, Tomi Shishido was watching through the windows. He smiled as the baby was born. “Welcome to the world Jubilation Lee.” The prediction of the sages came true. Now all they had to do was wait.TO BE CONCLUDED  "If you disappoint me, I'm going rogue." -- Jubilation Lee credit: james kriet

Midnight Rain; A prequel   Bubblegum / @shakeitoff Fall 1996 Hong KongThe main subject of the news was inescapable. The United Kingdom's rule over Hong Kong was at an end. After nearly 150 years, China would once again rise to take control over the only free area within its borders. Zhan Lee and his wife Jingyi Lee had become prominent members of the community over the past year. The young couple were noted for running quite a successful business with ties as far reaching as the British Crown. The handover was something that worried them both. Zhan had the phone pressed to his ear. “Yes. I understand. You're absolutely certain of this?” He was a highly educated man who spoke flawless English. Some considered him one of the most brilliant minds in all of the Hong Kong business market. “I understand.” He placed the phone back on the base.Jingyi had a look of worry that threatened to carve itself into her delicate features. “And…?” They were just starting out as a married couple. They were the perfect combination to get this business going in a free market port area like Hong Kong. Everything was turning toward the future with an eye toward the year 2000. The couple even promised each other that they wouldn't have children until everything was more certain for them. Jingyi wanted to have a baby so badly her soul ached.Zhan's expression was bleak. “There was nothing that they could do.” They had put in a request to emigrate to London. Several of the contracts they had for their import export business involved the Crown. They were certain that a move to the UK would be feasible. “They are focusing on the handover. It would be considered sabotage against the handover if any business was to leave the area to go to London.” Were they going to have to stay in Hong Kong? Jingyi could feel the ivy chill of fear grip the pit of her stomach. Hong Kong was going to change when the Communists moved in to take control. She'd heard enough horror stories to make her physically ill every time her mind started to wander. This was no place or time to start a family. “We can't stay here. We have to go somewhere.” Eyes glistening soon gave way to a full fledged blanket of tears.Zhan wanted to be a father more than anything himself. He knew that what his wife was saying was true. The eyes of the world would be on China as this transfer was about to happen. They had to agree to certain terms. The colonial presence of the Crown was actually a safety zone to quite a few people in Hong Kong. Others were ready to embrace change with the unification coming. This young couple was at an impasse. He pulled his wife close for a comforting embrace.There was a knock at their door. Zhan reluctantly let his wife go. He started toward the door when an envelope was stuck under the door. He reached for the envelope and opened it. There was a letter there written in Japanese. Fortunately both of them could read Japanese. He glanced over the letter before handing it to his wife.ビジネスを救いたいなら、今夜の深夜に倉庫に来てください。[[If you want to save your business, then come to your warehouse tonight at midnight.]]They looked at one another. Sure this all felt like a trap, but what could they do? The future looked bleak but was it enough to make a deal with the devil in a manner of speaking. No words passed between them. There was only one possible answer.MidnightThe Lees entered their warehouse slowly. They held hands as they cautiously took in their surroundings. Each step silently forward into this unknown future was more terrifying than the last. At least they knew they would be taking it together. Zhan called out into the void. “こんにちは？” [hello?] A rather tall young Japanese man stepped out from the shadows. He had longish black hair and he wore a suit that was obviously tailored. Those weren't traits neither Lee found disturbing. It was the fact he was wearing sunglasses at night. “私はあなたたち二人がアメリカに行けるよう手助けできます。疑うことなく私を信頼してください。分かりましたか?” [ I can help you both get to the United States. You must trust me without question. Do you understand?]Jingyi clung tighter to her husband. Going to the US was a dream. Was it actually possible? “Who are you?” She blurted in English. “Why should we trust you?”His lips curled upward in a predatory smile. “My name is Tomi Shishido. I can get you there completely legally of course.” His entire presence was so cold that the room temperature fell five degrees Celsius.Neither of them wanted to go with this man or what could possibly happen but they were terribly desperate. Every door they tried to take kept slamming in their face. The options as well as their time was slipping through their fingers.They met each other's gaze before looking back toward the odd man wearing sunglasses. “We're listening.” Zhan answered for both of them.To be continued   "If you disappoint me, I'm going rogue." -- Jubilation Lee credit: james kriet