Darkness Ascendant, Part I

Disclaimer: see prologue

Warnings: see prologue


Chapter 2

Red. Such a tantalizing color. So much like blood. Swishing around as he gently twirled the glass stem, captured light occasionally lighting the dark maroon liquid with shards of brilliant scarlet.

“Are you listening to me?!” a sharply annoyed voice cut through his inner musings like a knife through glass. Raising his head slightly to gaze at his companion, he studied her with bland amusement. Wild pale blonde hair flowed past her shoulders contrasting sharply with her ebony wings, a shapely figure that would make any model envious, gorgeous olive skin and narrow almond shaped pale gray eyes that made the triangular face seem all the more predatory. All in all the Dark Lady Inanna could never be described as ordinary. Currently the Lady was almost crackling with politely restrained annoyance, her luminous gray eyes flashing like lightening in a storm.

“Hmm?” He replied, knowing full well that such a neutral answer would anger her further, especially since he’d heard every word of she’d said, he simply didn’t care to pay too much attention to her ranting. The Dark Lady scowled, the feathers in her wings rustling dangerously.

“Damn it, Rhadu! This is serious!” she snarled as she began to pace the length of his penthouse suite once more. He narrowed his eyes faintly before lowering his eyes to the crystal glass in his hands. Taking a sip before pinning her with his red tinted brown eyes he spoke softly with a thread of neutrality in his voice,

“I would remind you Lady of your place.” Inanna paused mid-stride and took a step back. She, like all others that were acquainted with him knew this as a warning of danger. She bowed her head and taking a deep breath to calm herself down before resuming to speak in a more controlled and polite tone,

“My apologize My Lord. I’m afraid this situation has made me somewhat…perturbed. However, my point remains, you cannot continue to ignore the matter. None of us can.” Rhadu tilted his head in acknowledgement of her submission more so than her apology.

“Then why don’t you do something about it yourself if you are so concerned, or seek aid from some other Lord or Lady?” His voice was detached rather than curious. Clasping her hands in front of her, she met his eyes level for a few seconds before she found herself unable to continue to do so.

“Because you are the most able to deal with this….mess.” The corners of his lips quirked slightly into a semblance of a mocking smile.

“What you mean, Lady, is that I’m the only one strong enough.”

“Yes.” Putting the glass down on a marble topped table next to his chair he leaned back thoughtfully.

“I am afraid, however, that this visit has been for nothing. I will not interfere.”

“What?! What do you mean you won’t interfere? This darkling mess is creating bad press for all of us! You have to!” Inanna demanded shrilly, stalking forward, crossing the room in a few quick strides to stand in front of his chair, gazing down at him furiously, clenched hands at hips.

“I mean exactly what I said, Lady.” He replied coolly, stressing the last word as if to remind her of what she was supposed to be. “Besides the Bright Lords are always so anxious to stick there noses everywhere-let them deal with it.” Inanna began to sputter indignantly before he cut her off. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I do have other business to attend to. I believe you know the way out.” He tilted his head towards the door in clear dismissal.

“Fine. If that’s the way you wish to play this, Lord Rhadu, then so be it.” She sneered as she swept out of penthouse in a grandiose manner. No one could ever accuse the Lady Inanna of not having a sense of melodrama.

Once she was gone, Rhadu leaned back in the chair, his wings hanging off either side and picked up his glass again. Something would have to be done soon about the Lady; she was beginning to become more of an annoyance than she was useful. A cruel smile curled around his lips. Oh yes. He sipped the wine. Red. So much like blood indeed.

People scurried out of the way as Mikhaila stormed down the corridor heading for the corner office. Her latest case getting to her more than she let on, more than she cared to acknowledge. Taking several calming breaths in front of the office doors, she regained her composure before entering. Closing the door she stood straight if a bit stiff, and asked neutrally,

“You wished to see me Sir?”

“Yes. Please have a seat Lady Mikhaila.” The man behind the desk gestured to the chairs in front of him. “And please, Lady, there is no need for such formality between two such old friends as you and I.” She sighed and dropped almost bonelessly into the offered chair.

“Thank you, Lord Oberon.” She studied the man across from her as she waited for him to get to the point of why he’d called her in today. Although he was her boss, and an old friend, he rarely held a meeting with her, usually trusting her to handle her department. For him to being calling her in, something must be wrong or troubling him. But if there was he certainly didn’t look it from the outside. His hair, which had been a rich brown color before his transformation, now containing hints of green was neatly groomed, as was his business suit. The sharp angular face devoid of worry lines, and the startling hazel eyes that gazed piercingly back at her were clear and glowing with intelligence and will.

Patiently she waited as he studied her right back, gathering his thoughts as he did so. Leaning back in his chair, careful of his shimmering white wings, he chapeled his fingers together in front of his face, before speaking.

“How goes the darkling case? Any progress?

“No.” Mikhaila sighed. “The more we study it, the stranger it seems to become. Even with the latest murders, there has been nothing new, no clue, nothing to help us locate the darkling responsible.”

“We?” He arched one sharp, pencil thin eyebrow at his colleague. “You decided then to bring in your assistance on the case?”

“Yes. I thought it best to get two fresh minds with different view than ours onto the case.” Oberon nodded.

“An excellent idea. However, I hear a ‘but’ there at the end.” Mikhaila sighed once more.

“Indeed. I don’t like lying to them.” Oberon’s eyes darkened as he leaned forward.

“Perhaps not Lady, but it is necessary. I know you trust them but would you risk word spreading out about the truth concerning this Living Darkness. Bad enough that this darkling is bring it up in all of his messages, raising questions we cannot, must not answer.”

“I know all that, My Lord. And I fully agree. But that doesn’t mean that I like it.”

“Of course. Now…” He never got to finish what he meant to say as his screen began to beep with an incoming message. “Excuse me a moment.”

“Certainly.” She slipped out of the chair and moved away from the desk over to one of the floor to ceiling windows that surrounded the office on three sides. Folding her wings against her back, she gazed out at the city, momentarily lost in thought. She was brought out of her reverie again by a movement from the desk. Turning around she noted that Oberon had risen from his chair, and his tanned face seemed paler.

“Lord Oberon?” She asked softly, curiosity etched on her face. He stared back at her, looking tired and old for the first time since she’d walked into his office.

“There has been another murder.” Mikhaila briefly closed her eyes. This was getting worse and worse.

“Darkling?” Oberon merely nodded his head, once more lost in his own thoughts.

“I want you to go down to the crime scene and take your two assistants with you. Perhaps there will be something at a fresh crime scene that has been overlooked in all the reports.”

“Yes, sir.” She straightened up, professionalism once again coming to the forefront. She was no longer talking to Oberon, her friend of many centuries, rather she was now talking to Lord Oberon Ni’Thalia, Commander of the elite Sphynx company-the Sky Lords most secretive military organization. Although there were uncountable rumors of what the exact nature and function of Sphynx Company were, no one knew for certain.

Saluting at the door she exited without looking back, keeping her walk brisk and efficient as she headed for the elevator and the basement. Gazing unseeingly out the glass walls of the elevator, she contemplated the secrets she kept and had kept for centuries, hoping that in the end what they were doing-Oberon and she-would not blow up in their faces.

“I hate this.” Ash glanced up from the forensic report she’d been going over for what felt like the hundredth time, at Kasha’s outburst.

“Hate what?” She asked although she already had a fairly good idea as to what her friend was talking about.

“This!” Kasha waved her hands wildly at the paperwork scattered around the table in front of them. “We’ve gone through every report, over every minor detail at least a hundred times and nothing. Absolutely nothing!” The pretty dark skinned girl scowled, the expression looking odd on someone usually so upbeat and optimistic. Ash sighed.

“Yeah. I know what you mean. The case doesn’t seem to be going anywhere not even so much as a dead end-just nothing.”

“Exactly!” Kasha’s voice having risen slightly with her emotions, “And what’s worse is that there have already been two more murders since we started this case. That’s a murder a day!”

“I know.” Ash sighed rubbing her forehead, feeling tired. On top of spending every waking moment thinking, living, breathing the case, she hadn’t been sleeping well, and her relationship with her parents had been steadily getting worse. She mentally snorted. Worse? Now that was an understatement. They were driving her insane with their constant questioning and monitoring and thrice-damned hypocrisy. Looking down to hid a scowl she added, “But there’s nothing more we can do than what we already are doing-going over the evidence, the reports, everything on the off chance that something will pop up and help us.”

“Yeah? Well I don’t like it.” Kasha grumbled, leaning back in her chair.

“No one said you had to!” Ash snapped irritably, her already short temper having been worn thin by the emotionally tiring nature of the case and everything else in her life. Her jaw clicked shut as she instantly regretted taking her bad mood out on her friend, “Sorry.”

Kasha tilted her head slightly studying her friend-noting the dark circles under her eyes and the tight lines around her mouth. To her Ash looked tired, well more tired than she usually did. For someone with such a low opinion of herself, Ash was an unbelievable perfectionist. Or perhaps, Kasha mused, that was why her friend was such a perfectionist. In any case, she tended to overwork herself, taking everything to the extreme.

“What?” Ash’s voice broke her inner musings. Kasha shook her head.

“Nothing. It’s just…” she hesitated, knowing what an intensely private person the other girl was. She’d discovered early on in their friendship that getting her to speak of anything personal was worse than pulling teeth out without any anesthesia. “You okay? You like….tired.” Ash gave her a tiny smile,

“Yeah I’m fine. Just haven’t been sleeping well you know? Insomnia and such.”

“You sure?” Kasha reiterated her question, not entirely convinced the other was telling her the whole truth.

“Course. Don’t worry. I’ll get some sleep once this case blows over.”

“Okay.” Kasha nodded, not at all convinced but willing to let the matter go for now.

“So what….” Ash began when another voice interrupted.

“Girls gather your things-paper, pens, whatever.” Mikhaila’s voice was stern and utterly neutral as she strode into the office, past them to her desk where she pulled out some items the two humans couldn’t see and put in the pockets of her jacket. The Bright Lady glanced up at them briefly, “Well what are you waiting for?” Immediately her sharp question galvanized them out of their stunned silence and into action, both equally curious now as to what was going on. Scrambling they hurriedly stuff various notepads and both pens and pencils into their bags and fell in step behind Mikhaila. Almost matching her stride for stride, the walked slightly behind her to either side.

When no further explanation was forth coming, Ash broke the silence and asked,

“What’s going on? Where are we going?” Mikhaila felt her lips twitch, threatening to break her stern professionalism with a smile. She’d been wondering how long it would take before their curiosity got the better of them, and more so which one would ask. She really wasn’t that surprised to hear Ash voice it.

“There’s been another murder.” She replied briskly. “We’re going to the crime scene to look for any evidence that might be useful. Fresh crimes scenes often reveal clues which are missed in the reports.”

“Wow.” Came Kasha’s reply, seeming to sum up perfectly what both girls were feeling. Silence descended as the three women made their way to the roof of the parking garage next to the office building-each lost within in her own thoughts.

Ash froze as she saw what ‘vehicles’ they were headed for. They couldn’t be serious, she groaned to herself. Mikhaila paused and turned around when she sensed that Ash wasn’t following them any more. Giving the auburn haired girl a curious look as she could smell the nervousness rolling of off her.

“Something the matter, Ash?” Kasha stopped as well and turned to watch her friend, trying to figure out what was going on.

“Uhmm…we’re not really going to get to the crime scene using Shiff’s are we?” She swallowed nervously. Mikhaila suddenly looked less severe than before and more…amused.

“Of course. It’s the fastest way? Why? Is there some problem with them?”

“You do know how to use one Ash. I know you do cause I taught you.” Kasha added, slight mischief in her eyes. She knew exactly what her friends’ problem was, she’d just forgotten about it until now. Whoops, she thought to herself, minor detail.

“Yes, well, see, the thing is that…ahh…there’s nothing but a flat disk that flies.” She finally managed to get out. And really that was her main problem with them-not the flying part; not really, if it had been a flying car she’d have been fine with it. But it was just a flat disk that you stood on with a hand held control mechanism which you used to ensure that no matter what you would NOT fall off and to your death or that you could get off instantly if staying on meant being hazardous to your continued good health. All in all not an appealing prospect to someone of her…disposition. Flying she could handle, doing it with nothing surrounding her for protection or support she couldn’t.

“Yes.” Mikhaila replied clearly amused now. “That is how they work.” Obviously the idea of flying using a shiff, no matter how safe, bothered the girl. And the Bright Lady had fairly good idea of why. When Ash didn’t answer immediately, Mikhaila prodded her a bit more, “And since you already know how to operate one that can’t be the problem. Hmm….” Mikhaila tapped a finger against her chin in mock thought, “It couldn’t be that the problem is the flying could it? You aren’t afraid of heights are you?”

“Ah…well…not so much the heights as falling from them and seeing my life flash in front of my eyes right before I become a human pancake.” Kasha grinned at Ash, knowing full well that the other girl was damn near petrified of heights and too damn proud to ever actually admit it. She remembered one summer where they’d gone mountain climbing and instead of turning back when the trail become too steep and difficult for a beginner much less one terrified of heights, Ash had crawled nearly half the way on her hands and knees. But she’d made it to the top. Kasha shook her head. That damned foolish stubborn pride was going to get the other girl killed someday, she was certain of it.

Mikhaila gave Ash a slight warm smile. “There’s nothing to worry about they’re perfectly safe. And besides, do you honestly think you’d fall to your death when traveling with a Sky Lady?” Ash relaxed slightly at Mikhaila’s kind tone and reassuring words. “No. I guess not.” Walking stiffly, though, she moved forward and onto one of the shiff’s, picking up the controller, she entered her personal ID code. Straightening up, controller in hand, she noticed the other two already done and waiting for her.

“Ready?” Mikhaila asked as she adjusted her controller, activating the shiff, crouching slightly as it rose to hover above the ground. The silently hum next to her told her that Kasha was ready to go as well. Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she flicked her thumb across the button that activated the damned machine, swaying slightly as the disk she was standing on left the ground-thankful for the sudden force that gripped her feet, seemingly pulling her downward.

Steadying herself, she nodded tightlipped to her boss that she was ready-as ready as she’d ever be. I really hate this, she thought, really, really hate it. Bracing herself for what was coming next, she could feel her heart drop to her stomach like a lead weight.

“Follow me then.” Mikhaila turned herself around and as fast as thought shot of into the air, Kasha quickly behind her. Ash briefly wondered why any of the Sky People needed to use shiff’s when they had wings, when she answered her own question, realizing that flying probably took a lot of energy, and that was not always something that people had to spare. Taking a deep breath and counting to ten, she tried not to hyperventilate, and moved her legs in an upward, forward motion. Next thing she knew it felt as if the world had been turned upside down as the ground vanished from beneath her. Her stomach did back flips, somersaults and tied itself into knots before settling back into some semblance of normal. As wind whipped past her face, and the air beneath her felt somewhat stable, Ash heard Kasha’s laughing voice,

“You survived take off Ash. I think it’s safe to open your eyes now.” Her eyes snapped open to glare at her friend, only then did she realize that she had indeed closed them.

“Bitch.” Ash muttered good-naturedly. Kasha chuckled.

“Now, now, if your going to insult me your going to have to do better than that, you peroxide blonde cheerleader.” Never mind that neither of them was blonde, however, that didn’t matter, the implications of the insult were all that was needed-as it was understood between the two friends. Thus, begin an insult war between the two college students. Both knew how utterly juvenile it was, but neither one cared. And as insults flew-both normal and what they considered insults, namely names of characters from mutually favored stories-times flew as well. In no time at all, Mikhaila began to descend again, thoroughly amused by the antics of the two humans in her employee. She’d made a good chose in giving them this internship. Her smile faltered slightly, it made having to lie to them all the worse. However, as she’d discussed earlier with Oberon, better that than allow the truth to be out, or risk the two of them becoming embroiled in such matters. Matters, which were far beyond, humans to deal with.

It wasn’t until Ash noticed the shadow cast by the surrounding buildings that she realized that they were landing. So absorbed had she been in outwitting her friend in their battle of insults that she had completely forgotten about the journey and her fear, simply living in the moment. Concentrating for the landing, both she and Kasha grew silent, but as the stepped of the shiffs and deactivated them, she shot her friend a grateful smile, “Thanks.” Kasha gave her an exaggeratedly surprised look,

“For what? Insulting you?” Ash smiled, knowing that they understood each other as only the best of friend could-her pride would never allow her to admit to her fear and Kasha would never admit to having such depth, preferring people to think her carefree and shallow.

“Yes.” She replied, eyes twinkling. Locking the shiff controller with her personal ID for work, as it was a work owned ‘vehicle’, she took a moment to study her surroundings. Although they weren’t exactly in the slums of the city, they weren’t exactly in the best part of town either. To one side loomed an apartment building that had seen better days and would need more than a new coat of paint to be even considered old. To their other side was a crumbling parking garage in such a state that she wouldn’t even think of parking a bike there much less a car. She crinkled her nose at the faint scent of garbage mingled with the ever-present city smell of asphalt and chlorine.

“This way.” Mikhaila gestured for them to follow her, walking brusquely towards one of the nearest parking garage entrances, from which they could both now see flashing lights. As they drew nearer they could hear voices, and the hustle and bustle of a crime scene. The sense of nervousness tinged with excitement grew as they neared the scene itself, weaving through people, going about their work. Neither Kasha nor herself had ever been to an actual crime scene before. All of their analyses had been done purely from evidence gathered, crime and coroner reports. Neither one knew what to expect.

They kept silent as Mikhaila stopped in front of a gathering of humans and Sky Lords, clearing her throat; she caught the attention of one of the other Sky Ladies working the scene. The other Lady obviously recognized Mikhaila as brief startlement flashed across her face before settling in stunned recognition,

“Lady Mikhaila, how may I be of assistance?” The Sky Lady’s eyes flickered briefly over Ash and Kasha before settling back on Mikhaila.

“You can go fetch your superior for me.”

“Right away, Lady.” The other winged woman give a slight bow before marching off further into the parking structure, only to return a few short minutes later with someone else following behind her. As the Sky Lady moved of to the side to continue her job, Ash and Kasha received their first glimpse of the man or rather Sky Lord in charge of the investigation, as his long even strides carried him closer.

Ash was certain her jaw must be hanging half way down to the floor and she envied Kasha her dark skin, as it hid the other girl’s blush perfectly. The Sky Lord striding towards them was absolutely gorgeous. Short cut, wild ginger colored hair that gleamed where sunlight trickled through the various cracks and struck individual strands. Strong, classical features, a hawkish nose and wide twinkling amaryllis eyes. An easy smile that seemed to be the permanent twist of his lips, and a well toned, muscular body like that of an athlete. His gleaming swany white wings rose behind his back, taller than he was and he was no midget. His gaze, though seemed fixed on Mikhaila, who he greeted with a grin,

“Greetings, Lady. Welcome to my crime scene. I’m afraid I’m going to ask for identification, even from such a lovely Lady as yourself.” Mikhaila’s own lips twitched into a smile at such genuine flatter.

“Scamp.” She murmured even as she flipped out her ID badge, “Lady Mikhaila Kouyva, Head of Forensics, here to evaluate the crime scene.” The Sky Lord studied the badge before nodding,

“And who are your two human but equally lovely companions?” He arched one wing-like eyebrow in question. Now Ash was certain she was as red as a tomato from blushing, as Kasha fidgeted slightly beside her, obviously flustered as well. Mikhaila, smiling faintly, gestured to each girl in turn as she introduced them,

“These are Kasha Motabi and Ashanna Linden. My assistants.” And that means their off limits, she told him mentally. Ah, you spoil all my fun, he replied, his mental voice tinged with good-natured humor. Tis good to see you again, Lady, he added somberly. And you as well, Scamp. Out loud she added,

“Ash, Kasha. May I introduce you to Captain Trevalyane Bresii, third in command of the Sphynx Company.” Ash’s eyes widened. Well color me impressed, she thought. Sphynx Company. Everyone knew it existed, but no one was entirely certain what it did-among the Sky Folk-it was their most secret and most respected military company.

“A pleasure to meet you two.” Trevalyane smirked impishly at them, before turning back to Mikhaila with a suddenly sober expression, “Now to business, are you ready?” The Bright Lady nodded,

“We are. And remember girls,” she looked over her shoulder, “touch nothing. Write down all observations and points of interested.” They both nodded, pulling out nearly identical notepads. Ash stuck a pencil behind her ear in case she’d need to draw anything, and began to absentmindedly chew on a pen as Trevalyane began to outline the crime scene for them. Nothing really bothered either of them until they saw the body.

Ash swallowed hard, thankful that she hadn’t had a chance to eat lunch yet, and the choking noise coming from next to her, told her that Kasha was fighting her own gag reflex. Casting a side-glance at her friend, told her that the other girl looked as green as she felt.

The young girl, for that was what she had been, had been laid out neatly on the ground, arms at her side, palms down. Her ribcage had been cracked, completely splitting the chest cavity open. The sight of the internal organs glistening wetly like fresh meat made Ash choke on her own bile. Blood was splattered all over the place, as were globs of flesh. The body, Ash forced herself to think of it in such impersonal terms, was missing it’s eyes and tongue, but still she could see the expression of terror the face was set in, a horrible rikitus that would be forever a part of her nightmares. And on the wall behind the corpse’s head, as it was at every murder scene, were the words written in the victims own blood-Beware. The Living Darkness is Coming.

Ash forced herself to turn away from the body for a moment, finding herself staring sightlessly at the bloody words. Taking in several deep breathes, her pupils slightly dilated she ignored her surroundings for a moment and just focused on not hyperventilating. Next to her, the choking and gagging nose told her that Kasha was valiantly attempting to not throw up all over the place. To his credit, Trevalyane made no comment or joke about their squeamishness. Instead he spoke softly in a voice strangely serious for one of his carefree nature,

“Terrible isn’t it?” Turning his head slightly he gazed at the two humans-the darker skinned one looked pale even a tad green around the edge, whereas the other one had a drawn, haunted look-the skin around her mouth and eyes tight with sorrow. Both reeked of fear, sadness and horror. “Are you alright?” He aimed his question at both of them. Kasha swallowed, “Yeah. Once my stomach decides to finish rearranging itself.” Next to her Ash simply nodded, even though deep inside she knew she wasn’t alright-neither of them were. But they had to believe so, to think that or else, she was certain, they would both break down. The Bright Lord could smell the lie as it shimmered almost tangibly along pranic threads in the air, but said nothing. He could understand their need to believe that they were unaffected by the atrocity facing them-somehow such brutalities always seemed more impersonal and less real on paper than eye to eye.

With a wink and a lopsided grin aimed at both humans, he swept his arm out gesturing towards the entire crime scene, “Well shall we get to work then?” He noted, pleased with himself, that both of them relaxed slightly under his projected charm, and focusing once more on their notebooks, began to walk in separate directions-taking in the whole scope of work before them. As he started to turn away and continue with his own work, his attention was pulled back to the words. Hesitating momentarily he reached out and closed his eyes, running his hand over the words as it hovered scant inches from the blood. The initial contact made him jerk his hand away lightening fast, his eyes snapping open. Blood magic. Bloody hell, he thought furiously to himself, the thought tinged with a faint trace of ironic humor at his choice of words. The whole entirety of the words reeked of blood magic-they were saturated with power. This was new. Always before the message had simply been written in the victim’s blood, nothing more. Now, however, blood magic had been interwoven with the words. Frowning he closed his eyes again, once more focusing on the words and the power humming under his hand as he slowly, methodically ran it over every inch of the message. His brows creased and his frowned deepened as he finished his scan. For a brief second there at the initial touch, he could have sworn he had sensed a familiar pranic signature, but now after his second run, it was gone-there was nothing there but the overwhelming sense of fear and pain coiled tightly around the blood.

Trevalyane took a deep, calming breath. Blood magic was bad enough to be around for any Bright Lord or Lady; however, it was twice as bad for someone with his gifts. All of the Sky Folk inherited certain racial gifts upon their Awakening, but there were some like himself who gained additional, more specialized abilities. Sometimes he thought his more of a curse than a gift. At times like now when the terror and suffering of the human victim was so clear and loud it could almost have been a visceral scream. He gave the message one last glance before heading off to confer with Mikhaila-that fleeting contact with a dark, strangely familiar pranic mark had him worried. It had been so brief he almost doubted that he’d actually encountered it, but his instincts told him that he was not wrong in his assumption. And he had learned a long time ago to always trust his instincts-they served him well. Luxien is not going to like this, he thought wryly suddenly overcome with worry. His somber and somewhat volatile friend was already on the edge due to the recent restless stirring among the Dark kind-restlessness now compounded by these serial, ritualistic murders. The news of the involvement of blood magic and the traces left behind in it might just push him over and cause him to act rashly, recklessly. Oh yes, he thought darkly, Luxien is not going to like this at all.