Darkness Ascendant, Part I

Disclaimer: See Prologue
Warnings: See Prologue
A/N: Does anyone read this story? *looks puzzled* If you do....PLEASE PLEASE leave me reviews letting me know what you think, what you like, dislike, etc? It's what I live for.

Chapter 6

The lion’s den. That was what he was entering as he pushed through the revolving door of the business complex. Trevalyane could not shake the feeling of what a disastrously bad idea this was. Yet he had no choice as he’d been ordered to do this. Here he was preparing to work with a hated enemy-someone he’d gladly rip to shreds not only for what the man had done to the general populace and Ljosfolkith during the war, but personally, for what he’d done to Luxien.

Blood. So much blood. Too much. The sight choked him. Oh ancestors. He quickly draped his cloak over the huddled figure. Quick before any of the others could see. “Lux?” A soft whisper eliciting a painful wince as the figure tried to crawl further into itself. He swallowed back bile. Horror compounding horror as he crouched down. Blood soaking into pants and shirt, dyeing the tips of his wings rust red. The wings. Oh Ancestors! Oh merciful Death! The wings. The wings!

Trev smiled darkly to himself, ruthlessly suppressing the brief flashes of memory. Sending him to deal with Rhadu was almost as bad an idea as sending Luxien-for he was extremely protective of his friend and anyone who hurt him would be made to pay; thus, his rather personal hatred of the other man. After all, it had been Trev who’d had to hold Luxien after he’d been found again, Trev who’d so desperately tried to help his friend put himself back together in a vain attempt at becoming the man he’d been before. Teeth curling back wards slightly at the memory Trevalyane realized it might be more difficult than he’d originally expected to keep his protective temper in check.

Forcing himself to remain calm, to keep up the appearance of the completely unruffled Bright Lord, Trev turned his snarl into a charming if flirtatious smile as he approached the young secretary at the information desk.

“Excuse me miss.”

“My-my-my Lo-o-rrrd.” The poor young thing stuttered, clearly overwhelmed by meeting a Bright Lord. Rather ironic considering she technically worked for a Dark Lord. Now there was a neat trick he’d be interested in knowing how Rhadu pulled off-some how, in order to retain the job he did, Rhadu had to have some way of concealing his wings-and as far as Trev knew that was impossible yet the facts remained.

“Could you direct me to the office of Rhadu Xiwydyr?” He leaned casually against the counter, sending out soothing tendrils of empathy in order to help the young woman calm down enough to answer him without fainting.

“Yes my Lord. Certainly. Down the hall to your left turn right at the T. It’s the office at the very end, my Lord.”

“Thank you. You’ve been most helpful.” He grinned and gave her hand a light kiss before heading off according to her directions.

Arriving at the end of the aforementioned corridor, he silently pushed the door open to see the strange sight of the Dark Lord in question speaking quietly yet avidly on a screen phone with his back to the door. Letting the door creak shut, Trev leaned back against the door frame waiting until his nemesis was finished before drawling sharply, more sharply then he’d intended,

“Now there’s a sight-the all powerful Lord Xiwydyr arguing with a mere mortal on a phone. Oh how the mighty have fallen.”

“My Lord Bresii. As juvenile as ever I see.” A wingless Rhadu slowly swiveled the chair around to face Trevalyane. A flash of disappointment knifed through him at the realization that the Dark Lord had been aware of his presence from the start; probably from the moment he’d entered the building.

“And what brings your illustrious presence to my humble business abode?” Polite. Emotionless. The calm only served to infuriate the already edgy Bright Lord further. But he managed to keep himself in check. This was one of those rare times that could make him lose his temper.

“It seems that one of your people, a Lady Inanna Zemos, has gone missing. Know anything about that?” Trev replied just as sweetly, managing to remain polite while he could see visions of ripping the other’s throat out with his bare hands. Although logically he knew that if blow came to blow he would not stand a chance against Rhadu. The only person that could and survive was Luxien.

“Has she now?” One elegant black eyebrow rose in questioning surprise. “That is news. I did not know the Lady well enough to be concerned about her presence or lack there of. Whatever else you may be implying.” Trev gritted his teeth. This was torture, absolute fucking torture. To be in the same room as this…this man, having to work with him instead of trying to turn his guts into a nice wall piece for Luxien.

“Don’t try that innocent act with me Rhadu. It doesn’t suit you.” He sneered. “I’m here because she’s disappeared and for some insane reason the higher ups have decided that I need to work with you in order to find her again. Why-is none of your business.”

“I see.” Rhadu steepled his fingers in front of his chin, elbows resting on the table as he sat back in the leather chair, red-tinged brown eyes thoughtful. “I will of course lend whatever assistance is requested of me.” Something dark and malicious flickered through those eerie fluorescent eyes, “Anything to help the ‘authorities’.”

Thick silence permeated the room as Rhadu studied Trevalyane noting the tense set to his posture, the tightness of the muscles and crackling in those violet eyes before lips pulled and curled into a sharp smile with an unmistakablely cruel edge,

“And how is your dear friend Luxien? Does he know you’re here talking to me?” If it wasn’t the smile, it was the friendly teasing tone to the question that finally snapped the Bright Lord. Snarling viciously he launched himself across the room in near invisible speed, pulling Rhadu from the chair by the front of his shirt and slamming him against the nearest wall.

Like Luxien, Rhadu was next to completely unreadable unless he wanted you to read something, even if Trev’s empathy wasn’t being clouded by his own blinding fury. And Rhadu most certainly wanted him to read something-the pure joy at pushing Trev’s buttons.

You leave him out of this, you bastard. You’ve done enough damage already. His mind-voice lashing out like a thousand-needled barb tearing into the other’s mind. Any lesser mind would have been left bleeding from the sheer viciousness of the cutting blast, but Rhadu remained simply unfazed. If anything he smiled further-pleased.

Oh my, he doesn’t know does he? The smirk could be felt as that darkly seductive, melodious mental voice slithered through his mind. Like being caressed by twilight from the inside out.

Rhadu chuckled sending shivers down Trev’s spine as if someone had stepped over his future grave.

“Perhaps we can work together.” That smug knowing tone stabbed through him as bad if not worse than his own guilt did. The sudden wave of self-loathing it reminded him of effectively cut through the worst of his rage-as it slowly dropped from the hot murderous wildness to a more controlled simmering anger. And hate. Always that underlying hate. As Trev released him, taking several steps back, forcing himself to take deep calming breathes.

“Fine. If you do find out something or remember something…” Trev started wanting to get out of there as fast and as soon as possible, the terrible knowledge that Rhadu knew he was lying to his friend making him feel irrationally claustrophobic. That smug arrogant expression burning itself into his mind’s eye.

“Don’t worry, Captain.” Rhadu moved from the wall, straightening his ruffled clothes. “I believe we have an understanding.” Those damnable eyes belying the double meaning in those words.

Trev couldn’t stand to remain so he simply nodded once, sharply and managed to maintain enough dignity to walk out when what he really wanted to do was to tear the door of it’s hinges and storm out, letting his displeasure be known. In his mind, Rhadu’s cool soul cutting laughter snaked through his bones.

Ash stretched like a cat back bowing. Blink the sleep from her eyes she noticed how dark it had grown in the room. Blindly reaching for the alarm clock on her nightstand and stared at it. 7:30. The glowing green numbers stared unwaveringly back at her. Well damn. She thought slightly stunned. I must have been more tired than I thought-sleeping the whole day away like that.

Ugh. She sat up. Her head feeling like it had been stuffed full of cobwebs as it always did when she slept during the day. Stumbling out of bed, rubbing grit from her eyes, as she went not bothering to turn on the lights as she navigated her way to the bathroom. Carefully twisting the knobs by feel alone, still somewhat half asleep she waited for the water to be just right before stepping into the shower stall.

The near boiling temperature of the water woke her up instantly, clearing her head like nothing else. Sighing euphorically Ash was content to simply stand under the pounding needles of water for what seemed like forever. Yet knowing that she had to get a move on, she pulled herself together and quickly finished.

Scrubbing her face with a towel, she dipped her head down to wrap her hair up in it and pulled on a robe as she finally turned on the lights. Walking through the sparsely lit room, she began to rummage through her closet. What to wear? She did not go shopping often enough to have a lot of clubbing clothes, but she was sure she could scramble something together.

Nearly half an hour later she was dressed and nearly ready to go, as she applied the last of her make up. Nothing fancy much like her clothes yet somehow managing to make a statement. Soft, dark brown suede pants that hugged her hips and thighs but flared out at the bottom to perfectly blend in with the suede, one inch heeled boots of the same color. The brown complimenting her skin tone, which she’d brought out as well with a bit of blush. Kohl-rimmed eyes made her bright hazel eyes seem all the more brilliant, framed by long lashes. Thick, wavy auburn hair fell free around her shoulders, stray strands curling around her cheeks and face, the color highlighted by the dark wine colored crushed velvet top with a v-neck and three quarter sleeves-tight yet comfortable, following each movement.

Dabbing on a bit of soft scented perfume hinting of lavender and rose, she slipped on a pair of bracelets-both made of copper and bronze. The first had a round shape, the two metals entwining, the second a square shape with a smaller version of the first in the middle with a line above and below consisting of alternating metal squares.

Grabbing a waist long suede jacket to match the pants and boots, she headed down stairs, moving through the darkness to fumble around the kitchen for her car keys before heading out.

At a quarter to 9 she arrived at Kasha’s house. She didn’t need to get out and ring the doorbell as her friend was already outside and waiting for her in knee high black vinyl boots, a tight short skirt and jacket of the same color and texture. A lose fitting golden tank top enhanced by the faint sheen of gold glitter all over dusky skin, the rest of the make-up done perfectly to highlight and draw attention to her high cheekbones and pert features. Once the other girl was in Ash asked,

“Impatient much?” Kasha shrugged.

“You know me-always eager for a good time.” Ash snorted. “Besides,” Kasha continued, “I knew you’d insist on driving.”

“Only because I know what you’re driving is like.” Ash teased her friend with a chuckle.

“Are you implying I’m a bad driver?” The dark skinned young woman asked in mock outrage.

“Implying-no. Flat out saying-yes.” An outraged laugh was her reply. The friendly banter continued over the dull tones of music all the way to the club. Any seriousness or thoughts of work were left by the wayside, in the back of their minds, where such dark thoughts were to be kept until you were alone in the night, with nothing but those thoughts for company.

Once they reached the heart of the city, it did not take long to pass the glitz and lights of the more glamorous parts of the center. The brief flush of apprehension that always accompanied their excursions sent a delicious chill through Ash as the lights became dimmer, the buildings more ramshackled with peeling paint and cracking mortar-some even had windows boarded up. Unlike the hustle and bustle of the more popular areas, where they were headed held a certain type of expectant silence that permeated the very air, clogging it with more than dirt.

The club itself, despite the less than austere surroundings, was extremely popular-amongst those that new about it. More of an underground, rave-like place than the usual dance spots; their destination was located in the basement of a former warehouse. The absence of any sort of line in the alley to the door told them that either they had just missed the rush….or that the rush was about to happen.

Inside, stamped hands glowing faintly in the flickering light of the club, they stopped at the entrance. The dance floor was packed already with a stage for a live band at the other end of the room, to the left of the entrance. Straight ahead through the crowd was the bar.

“So…” Kasha began surveying the crowd.

“So?” Ash echoed her, already having an idea of where this conversation was going. Grinning up at her friend, Kasha finished,

“Dance or drinks first?” Spotting an empty table nearby with two chairs, Ash began to shove her way towards it, shrugging her jacket of as she moved.

“Dance then drinks.” She grinned back dumping her jacket on the back of one bar stool. Kasha joined her, sliding her own jacket down her shoulders and draping it across the stool across from Ash.

“Oh no.” She chuckled at her friend, “I know that look. Boys beware. The terrible two are here.” Eyes twinkling with impish amusement, Ash smirked,

“Don’t you mean Chaos and Mayhem?”

“There’s a difference?” Kasha shot her best friend of false innocence. The auburn haired young woman laughed.

“Well then lets go terrorize the poor boys.” Hips swaying she slipped onto the wood covered concrete floor. In only a matter of minutes, both women were lost in the crowd, occasionally running into each other, dancing together before separating again to sway to the music with someone else.

Nearly half an hour later the reconvened at the table, faces flushed and clothes starting to stick to their bodies.

“I’d say it’s more than time for a drink…or two.” Kasha laughed with breathless excitement.

“I’d say you were right.” Ash laughed as she snagged some cash from her pocket and turned to face the crowd, and with a casual flick of lose hair over her shoulder began to weave her way through the crowd, across the dance floor to the bar.

Kasha smiled and shook her head at her friend’s back, a smile that quickly faded replaced by a crease of worry. There was another more somber reason for why she’d suggested that they go clubbing this night. Oh, they both needed to take a break-rest and relax-but from what Kasha had seen Ash needed it more than she herself did. There was more going with those blasted dreams of her friend’s than the auburn haired girl seemed willing to admit. More going on with her family too, if the rough yet distant, deliberately neutral tone over the phone had been any indication. Further supported by the tight pinching at the corners of the pale girl’s eyes, the hallowed shadows beneath the lower lids. All signs of exhaustion. No, of more…of being haunted. And as a good friend, Kasha was determined to find out why.

Of course, she sighed ruefully as she followed her energetic friend, getting any information out of her usually closed mouth friend would be the tricky part. As Kasha wove through the crowd towards the wooden bar surrounded by old fashioned, shady red seated bar stools, she pondered the contradiction that was her best friend. Open and exuberantly friendly as she was, Ash could be amazingly closed off sometimes, capable of talking someone’s ear off without ever really giving anything of herself in the course of the conversation.

Distantly she heard herself order one of her favorite drinks-something light and fruity but still with enough kick to do the job-as her thoughts consumed her. No, Kasha thought, accepting the light green colored concoction, the best approach would be to wait until they were both a bit more lose and relaxed from the drinking and dancing before starting to ask questions, probably invasive questions.

Somehow making it back to their table without spilling a drop of the drinks themselves, the two young women sat down and began to chat about the nothings of life-small, idle chit chat and gossip, before spinning back onto the dance floor once there was nothing left in the glasses. This pattern intermittently repeated itself as the next couple of hours flew by. And still Kasha was no nearer to engaging her friend in a more serious conversation. It was not until well past midnight that the dark haired woman finally found her opening as a laughing Ash, having just finished a rather fast paced dance with a handsome slightly younger man, slid into her own seat next to Kasha who was twirling the stem of her glass between two fingers.

“Having fun?” Kasha asked idly moving to take a drink.

“Absofuckinglutely.” Ash grinned. Kasha snorted and chocked, as the liquor seemed to shoot up through her nose and down the wrong pipe at the same time. The brat had chosen just the right moment to answer. Taking a big gulp to help ease her coughing, Kasha glowered good naturedly,

“You really have a way with words don’t you? And such astonishing timing too.”

“Of course.” A far too innocent smile accompanying the smug, too pleased with herself tone. Tossing a few curls over her shoulder, Kasha added more seriously,

“Hey I was wondering if I could ask you something?”

“I’m sure you can.” Ash leaned back in her chair, all languid, foggy relaxation yet some how managing to exude barely contained energy at the same time.

“Smart ass.” Kasha muttered affectionately before pushing forward, “Well then, are you alright? I mean you sounded kinda off, distant even on the phone like something was bothering you and I know you mentioned the dreams were back but other than that you haven’t said a thing, and I can tell even with the make up that you haven’t been sleeping that great lately.” Kasha paused in her mad tumble of words, all rushing out before the subject of her interrogation could interrupt, “So I was wondering if there was anything you’d like to talk about?”

Ash visible tensed, the pinching around her eyes becoming more pronounced, her mouth pursing into a thin, strained line. Eyes narrowing briefly as her head tilted forward, auburn hair rushing forward over her shoulders and forehead to hide her face, a million thoughts rushing around in her brain before her head raised again to stare expressionlessly, almost coldly at her friend, eyes shuttered.

“It’s nothing to worry about, really. Just some personal stuff.” The tone of her voice carrying a slightly snappish, defensive tone.

“But….”Kasha sighed, “Look Ash I’m your friend, you can talk to me. That’s what friends do-they listen and help each other out.” The dark glare being leveled at Kasha intensified,

“Thanks O Wise One.” Sarcasm dripped from every word. “But I told you it’s nothing. So just leave it alone okay?”

“I know but…”

“Drop. It.” Ash ground out.

“You know what…fine!” Kasha snapped, sick and hurt by her friend’s seeming lack of trust and hurting coldness. “Whatever. You just go ahead and stew alone in your own misery. Have fun while you’re at it.” The scrapping of her chair as she pushed away from the table and rose, seemed louder to her ears, echoing along with the thudding of heart as it suddenly pounded in her ears. Pounding in tune with the blaring, heavy rock music that had begun with the arrival of a live band. Without a second glance back, Kasha headed straight for the bar, not caring at the moment what the other girl did.

Careful of her skirt, Kasha slid onto a high seated bar stool, the old worn leather creaking softly with every movement. Glowering straight ahead, Kasha waved over the bartender and glowered her frustration at the world around her.

“What’ll it be, pretty?” Not bothering to respond to the sleazy endearment either with indignation or flirtation, she simple ordered,

“Something strong. Something with a kick to it.” The bartender nodded understandingly before moving off to the other end of the bar, grabbing a glass and various bottles from beneath the counter as he did. The bartender glanced sideways at the young lady he was mixing the drink for.

For someone out to have fun, the pretty young thing looked like she was having anything but. He shook his head slightly; she really looked like she needed to relax. Hmmm….maybe adding a little extra something to the drink? After all, the girl did say she wanted something with a drink. And it would help ease some of that tension twisting that lovely little face into lines. Reaching into a barely visible drawer underneath the top of the bar, he pulled out a small, clear glass tube stopped shut and brimming with a glittering bright orange-red color. Flicking the top of with his thumb with a small ensuing ‘pop’, the bartender poured a few drops of the bubbling fluid into the mixed drink before resealing it and hiding it away again. No sooner had the drop hit the dark colored alcohol before it dispersed, turning the contents rapidly a transparent pale violet color. Not too unusual for a cocktail, the glitter of the drops vanishing as soon as they intermingled with the alcohol. Adding a stirrer, ice clinking as he walked, the bartender plunked the drink in front of the oblivious girl,

“Here. The house special. Subtle. But it’s got a kick.” And wiping his hands on a nearby towel, moved off to serve the next customer.

“House special huh?” Kasha eyed the drink before chugging down a mouthful. The liquid ran smooth and quick down her throat-and was left gasping for breath momentarily. The guy hadn’t been kidding when he’d said it had a kick. Whatever was mixed into the glass ran down rich and velvety smooth. The aftertaste coming later like a kick in the head, biting at the throat and tongue as the drink itself settled in the stomach. Kasha flicked her tongue across the roof of her mouth, savoring the odd combination almost sweetness and bitter burning. Like sugary fire running along every nerve. The taste was addicting as she took another sip and another. The sensation going to her head making her feel fuzzy and warm, oh so warm. Like being wrapped in a comfortable old blanket from the inside out. Nothing mattered. Nothing except what she wanted. And she wanted everything. Like answers from Ash. Uptight, emotionally cold Ash.

Her thoughts muddled and ran together until there was no thought. Just feeling, just emotion and instinct. Pouring the rest from the glass into her mouth. Kasha planted a few crumbled bills on the counter top and rose unsteadily from the stool. The ground swayed gently under her feet before coming to a standstill, the edges of the world ablaze with brilliant colors. Sounds floated, magnified from all around her while at the same time seeming distant, muted like enormous echoes reaching her threw a long all encompassing tunnel. Made all the more surreal by the harsh, soul wrenching thrumming of the slow yet metallic sounding song that had just come on. Seductive in its violent darkness. The sound a reflection-simultaneously mocking and tempting-of every dark fantasy thought up. It twisted around her core, merging with the contradictive flavor still lingering in her mouth, flooding her whole being as she scanned the club, eventually spotting Ash as other girl writhed like a charmed snake on the dance floor.

Muscles shifted languorously as Kasha stalked towards her friend, a coiled calm that belied the wild flickering of her pupils, sliding soundlessly up behind her friend instantly falling into the patterns of the dance without breaking stride. And without batting an eye leaned forward to place a feather soft, liquor coated kiss on one pale weather roughened cheek.

Ash seemed to freeze momentarily before spinning around, face a stormy mask as she prepared to confront whoever had been so forthright as to kiss her like that. Only to have whatever harsh words she planned to spew forth die in her throat, eyes widening slight at the sight of Kasha. Unlike herself, Ash knew Kasha was by nature a more openly affectionate person-always hugging those closest to her but this….a kiss, even a friendly one in public was unusual especially where it came to Ash. For the auburn haired girl was far more restrained and formal when it came to the public eye, to displaying any sort of affection amongst strangers. It was simply how she’d been raised-in a more cold, traditional family than the warmer, more touchy-feely friend.

“Kasha what are you doing?” She asked, eyeing the darker girl, who seemed to be almost glowing as the pulsing lights glittered reflectively off of her golden clothes. There was something strange going on-just moments ago her friend had been furious at her for not wanting to talk about the dreams and now….Ash furrowed her brows curiously in consternation. Those brilliant hematite eyes were unusually bright, almost feverish and frantic. The body dancing next to her containing an erratic, spastic energy that disturbed her as if the body were bypassing the brain as it moved-as if the mind were trying to catch up to the actions of every muscle and nerve impulse at the same time.

“What does it look like?” Hands twisting in the air like corporeal smoke, “I’m dancing.” Lowering to twine around her neck, unease sinking like a stone in the pit of her stomach. “But I’d settle for some answers instead.” Unease that flared into full-blown nervousness, as Ash disengaged from her friend, taking a step back with a sigh,

“Look Kasha I told you. It’s nothing. Forget about it and leave it alone okay?” Peering closely at her friend she added, “What’s the matter with you? You’re usually not this pushy.” Her words wrought an instanteous change in the other girl. Dropping her arms, Kasha took a step forward, fists clenched, and previously warm, friendly face twisted in an ugly snarling of lips,

“And what would you know about it huh? Not like care about anyone or anything but yourself. You wouldn’t notice anything if it didn’t directly pertain to you.” Ash recoiled as if stung,

“Kasha what….” But harsh, cruel words cut her off before she could finish, as Kasha took a menacing step forward.

“Icy bitch. Acting friendly, acting like a normal human being, but the moment someone tries to talk to you for real, tries to help you…pffft….you close yourself off.”

“Kasha, you don’t know what you’re saying. You’re drunk.” Ash replied carefully, trying to redirect the ranting.

“You no you don’t. I know exactly what I’m saying. I should have said this before. It’s time someone hit you in the face with reality. You, who think you’re so much better than everyone, so perfect that you never have problems, never need help. Well I got news for you you’re nothing but a fucking coward.” Words twisted painfully like the sneer that twisted the lips they issued from. Contempt painting every line, every gesture, staining the eyes with murky color.

Ash could only stand there, posture stiff and brittle, everyone around them forgotten. A sudden sense of claustrophobia making her vision swim and the breath catch painfully in her chest. Swallowing hard trying to appear in control of the situation, Ash spoke carefully,

“I’m leaving now. Before you say something more, something both of us will regret later.” Ash spun on her heels and headed for the door. “I suggest you call a cab and do the same.”

“Coward.” The words were hissed at her back. “That’s right. Go ahead. Run away. Just like you always do. Hiding your feelings. Can’t handle a tough situation, a challenge so you run and hide behind all your petty little emotional walls. Well go ahead. See if I care. I've had enough. Do whatever the fuck you want, but don’t think you can run away from yourself forever. I just hope in there to see it when you hit a wall-hard.”

Ash did not react. Couldn’t. If she did, she knew it’d be something unforgivable, something they’d both regret-like slapping her friend-good and hard. She wasn’t a coward. She wasn’t. She just didn’t like burdening others with her problems especially something as silly as dreams or her parents. Those were personal things. But as she climbed the stairs out of the club, her words echoed hollowly even to herself.

Kasha gazed unblinkingly at the suede clad back moving away from her. Somehow everything that had happened did not quiet seem to register through her comfort, liberatingly hazed mind. The sharp clarity was still there but whatever negative impacts the encounter might have had were cushioned by the all-consuming, nerve infusing warmth. Crinkling her brow in slightly annoyed confusion the only thought that registered in her brain was that the conversation wasn’t finished. She had not managed to discover what was bothering her friend, which evidently something was if the abrupt departure was any indication, and she needed that. Besides, Ash was her ride. Coming out of her temporary stupor, Kasha began to follow the other girl’s path, unerringly heading for the door.

A blast of cold air froze Ash at the top of the stairs as she exited the club and entered the remains of the warehouse. Taking a deep breath, allowing the stinging bite of the night air cool the sweat on her body, sticking her shirt to her causing her to shiver. Thankful that she’d had the foresight to grab her jacket before storming out as goose bumps began to crawl up her arm. Mind in turmoil she hesitated, eyes lingering in the direction the car lay, but finally coming to a decision she went the opposite way, towards another set of stairs, the stairs leading to the roof. Dodging chunks of concrete and twisted heaps of metal, she made her way to the top. Boot heels crunching slightly she made her way across the roof to the far railing, preoccupation so great she did not notice the shifting of the shadows behind her.

Leaning against the rusty metal bar she sighed, headed lowered to gaze unseeingly across the city. She needed to clear her mind, to calm herself before going home. As someone had once told her, you didn’t drive when you were upset-it clouded judgment and slowed reflexes. And combined with her alcohol intake, just did not make for a good combination. Sweat plastered strands of hair blew past her face as another harsh brush of wind blew past her. But Kasha’s words would not let her be, she could not escape them. Had they been true? In light of her recent argument and increasing distancing in the relationship with her parents, it made her wonder.

A soft crunch from elsewhere on the roof made her twirl around, hip leaning against the metal and concrete behind her. Eyes scanned the roof not spotting anything-nothing but shadows. Licking her lips she took a step forward,

“Kasha is that you?” Again, noise. A soft clinking of metal, a faint rustling of plastic sheets. But still she could see nothing among the shadows. “Oh come on. I know you’re pissed but shit, this is ridiculous.” Nothing. After standing there for several minutes with no more sound, no movement, nothing, Ash chuckled weakly to herself and shrugged.

“Damn I’m paranoid. A bit of wind blowing through some trash and I get twitchier than darkling at a Bright Lord gathering.” Turning her back she gazed once more out across the dirtied, shadow stained streets below.

Kasha stumbled as she walked reaching out to grasp a nearby car bumper, cursing the unevenness of the ground. Everything about the world seemed out of sync, out of balance and so it was making her unbalanced. Although some part of her mind registered that she would more likely than not be sporting quite a few bruises, her body did not seem to be capable of feeling the pain at the moment.

Finally spotting Ash’s car, Kasha frowned. The car was still there yet its owner was not present nor was she anywhere to be seen. Where was she? Surely, Ash had had more than enough of a head start to get to the parking lot ahead of her. But still no sign of the girl. Kasha giggled as that effusient warmth chased away her concerns and worries, her doubts evaporating like mist in daylight. Maybe her friend had found herself someone to thaw her out. She chuckled hysterically, and went on the move again. Maybe she could find her if she kept moving, kept following the river of colors that swam at the corner of her eye. She saw no shadows, only the colors-the colors of coating everything, blurring the edges sharpening them.

The darkling rose from the darkness of the concrete, slithering across the uneven ground with a jerky grace, hypnotic in its simplistic ugliness. Its target neither saw nor heard it approach. They never did. But this time…this time it would be different. Yesss….it’s thoughts jumbled together incoherently. It was time. Time for the living darkness to arrive. Time to awaken the dreamers. To shake the world. It laughed softly, an insane hissing crackling sound like the breaking of brittle bones. The sound carried on wisps of the bitter night breeze startling its prey. The human female faced him wide-eyed with startlement.

“Who….” Those were the last words passing those full lips as he struck. Smashing that fragile body against the concrete with his full speed and weight. An audible crack was heard. He exploded into action, lashing out, fang and claw tearing at the soft body beneath him with an animalistic frenzy. Only one goal, only one repeating thought. Hurt. Maim. Kill. Hurt.Maim.Kill. Hurtmaimkill. Hurtmaimkill. Hurtmaimkill.

Stars. They exploded, expanding, reforming, coalescing before her eyes as her head cracked against the cold, hard ground. Yet they did not, could not protect her from the pain. Her whole world had narrowed down to a pinpoint, a knife’s edge surrounded by pain. Tendrils of it snaked through every nerve, every fiber of her being. It froze any scream in her throat, not even a whimper could escape passed the paralysis-locked muscles. The pain was a living thing. Squeezing her heart in a vice of thousands of icy needles, stabbing into and through her chest with every breath. A sharp contrast to the fiery pins jabbing into her skull, into her brain with the ruthless determination of a burrowing snake, worming its way into her very soul.

Molten lava scorched down along her spine, wracking her whole body with harsh, backbreaking spasms. Nails bled raw as the scraped furiously against unyielding concrete. No sound save for the roaring of her own blood gushing past her ears, no sight save for the brilliant never diminishing bursts of stars like galaxies being born before her eyes. She’d only caught a brief glimpse of her attacker before her world became reduced to this pitiful, soul consuming state. Before being bereft of sight and sound, pleading for darkness, for death. He had been tall and thin-painfully so-with skin tinted light blue-the color of death-and long unkempt dark hair that might have been black, might have been brown, hard to say beneath the dirt, in the darkness. Glowing, burning jade eyes that would put any cat to shame. And vaguely she recalled having thought, he might have been beautiful if not for the skin stretched bone gauntness and permanent layer of dirt caked to every hair, every pour, every cell even.

She was ripped away from her thoughts by another onslaught of agony; each sensation doubling in intensity till she was certain her heart would explode or mind would cave in under each new wave. An eternity passed or so it seemed to her before darkness, blissful, sweet, gorgeous darkness unfolded ebon wings to wrap her in its soothing, loving embrace. If she had tears left she would have wept for joy, as she welcomed the fall with open arms. And was no more. Nothing existed outside the darkness. Nothing. No one. Smiling despite protesting muscles, her eyes ceased to flicker, her body ceased to twitch. Smiling, she was at peace.