Chapter One: The Beginning.

Songs: Blood//Water: Henri Werner,Salvo

I see red: Everybody love an outlaw.

 ***FLASHBACK:How it all began***

 Estelle's breathing was labored. Exhausting was over taking her. But she pushed herself forward. Further into The Dark Wood. She didn't have a choice. Her eyes flickered down to the sleeping infant in her arms. Instantly making her chest tighten at the thought of what she was about to do.

Her body was begining to fight against her. Her legs felt as if she had weights attached to them and her lower region, burned and ached. Giving birth and running wasnt part of the plan. She shakes her head violently fighting against the darkness that was trying to over take her consciousness.

 Theon owed her. She had saved his life and kept his secret and now he was going to pay that life debt. Lungs burning she stumbled out of the tree line, into a meadow. A single cabin stood in the center. A Satisfied smirk played in her lips and she half dragged her body to the cabin.

 The door swung open as she dropped to her knees at the bottom of the stairs. The man standing there didn't look over thirty. Estelle snorts. The power of a mage. Theon's eyes widen as he takes in the site before him.

His golden eyes roamed over Estelle's rigid breathing and battered body. How had she even found him?! And why did she have a child?! He slowly approaches her running his hands through his shoulder length copper hair.

 "Estelle what the hell happened?!" Estelles gray eyes lift to stare at Theon. He flinches back at the lethal look in her eyes.

 "Theon Bane. I am here to collect on your life debt to me." Her voice was hoarse as she spoke. Theon curses under his breath and kneels down on the porch. Tilting his head at the mortal woman.

 "And what is that you want?" His tone turning frigid. Estelle smirks at him as she inhales a steady breath.

 "You shall keep and protect my secret as I have done yours." Estelle waited. Her statement was vague at best. Theon let's out a low growl pinching the bridge of his nose.

 "I accept. What's the secret?" Estelle slowly climbs to her feet, placing the infant infront of him. Theon's mouth falls open in disbelief as Panic rises from his gut. Wicked human! She had tricked him!

 "Her name is Eris Nightingale and she IS my secret." With that Estelle turned and and sprinted back into the forest. Theon frowns looking down at the tiny mortal at his feet. With some hesitation he lifted the child into his arms cursing to himself again.

His eyes flicker to where Estelle had run off. What had she gotten herself into? 

 ****FlashBack 2:****

 Warm copper liquid filled Estelle's mouth, making her spit it out on the icy cobblestone floor. She grins letting out a sarcastic laugh are she lifts her hate filled eyes toward the man with the metallic silver eyes. Silently praying her daughter would look nothing like this monster that was smirking down at her. His raven colored curls had grown out since the last time she was forced to be near him. His expression darkens as he lets out a low snarl, revealing his sharpened canines. Dark Fae bastard! she thought. 

 She struggled with the shackles around her wrists, that kept her in a kneeling position on the floor. 

 "I will not ask politely again..where is MY child." A shiver ran down Estelle's spine. Her body stiffening and rage pouring over her like malten lava. She glares up at him as he leans forward sadistic smile spreading across his face. Estelle's eyes shifted to her side where the guard stood ready to hit her again. 

 Red consumed her vision. She tilts her head, smirking at him.

 "Do you honestly think that I would let a SPAUN of yours live?" Estelle gasps for as air as a large foot makes impact with her ribs. A loud cracking sound and her inability to take a large breath let her know that the guard had broken at least two of her ribs. 

 She struggled against the chains again. Causing a burning sensation against her wrists. The metal taring against her already bruised skin. Estelle laughed loudly. She was strangely enjoying pissing him off. She grunts as a large hand grabs her face roughly. Metallic eyes met hers. His face constricted into a hate filled one as he snarled in her face. She slowly smiles again. She was no longer afraid of this fae. 

 "Where. Is. My. Child?" He was loosing his patience with her. The dead look in her eyes made her all the more attractive..even battered and bloody. 

 "Ash by now I suppose." The Dark Fae roared in a fit of rage grabbed her head and twisted it in an impossible angle. Fuming he watched her lifeless body fall forward as he stood to his feet. Other fae standing near flinched away as his bloodlust filled the room. Almost putting them all in an invisible choke hold. 

 "Find out if she lieing!" 

Shadow Realm****

Morpheus sat in the throne room glancing back and forth between The Morrigan and Nyx. It was never dull with the two of them here. He smirks shaking his head as they talked quietly among themselves.

"Do you know why we were summoned?" Morpheus cuts his eyes toward Nyx her onyx eyes narrow as she gives him a tight lipped frown. Nyx sighs running her fingers through her midnight colored hair. Stardust danced along the strands. Nyx being The Goddess of The Night. Lived up to her name. She was terrifyingly beautiful.

"If I knew why my daughters felt the need to call us here..I wouldn't have bothered to come." Nyx growls out. The Morrigan rolls her eyes and turns her attention to the double doors as they fly open. In striding three golden skinned maidens. Onyx eyes traveling from Morpheus to the women. Their starlight hair blew behind them as they walked closer. Bowing out of respect. Nyx lets out a clipped sigh.

"Speak already Atropos." Nyx looks to her oldest daughter.

"A Darkling has been born this night." Each that sat apon their throne, stood. There had not been a birth of a darkling in over a thousand years.

"What have you seen?" Morpheus voice almost strained as he tried to yell at The Fates that stood before him. Somber looks on their faces. Clotho tilts her head at him curiously. How strange she thought.

"One Of Night." Clotho's eyes wander over to her mother.

"One Of Dream." Lachesis finally spoke as she turned to Morpheus.

"One of Nightmares." Atropos turns to The Morrigan. The Three Primordial Gods stared at The Fates waiting for them to finish.

"The Dragon, Wolf and Raven must awaken. To protect the darkling. As they will grow so will their connection to The Shadow Realm." Morpheus inhales a deep breath. So this Darkling was going to be stronger than the last?

"We will protect and guide him the best that we can." The Fates begin giggling. Which only confuses the ancient gods before them. Atropos clears her throat and shakes her head.

"Apologies…The Darkling is a she."

****. *****. ****".

 ***Twenty Years Later** 

 Theon let's out a frustrated growl as he stared at the girl Infront of him. Her raven colored curls hung loose around her hourglass frame. She hopped from foot to foot happily. She wasn't but a tiny thing standing at five-four. She pale skin seemed to glow under the moon light. Theon rolls his eyes as he crosses his arms. She was an annoying chipper mortal. Her metallic silver eyes gleam mischievous. Theon shakes his head as he stares down at the dead Fae at his feet. Another mess that he had to clean up.

 But this was the third Dark Fae scout in a month. They were going to have to move the cabin again. 

 "You didn't think to question him Eris?" Eris frowns arching an annoyed eyebrow at her guardian. He wasn't being serious was he? She thought her temper getting the better of her. 

 "Seriously Theon?! He was trying to kidnap me." Eris raised her voice throwing her hands up in the air clearly frustrated. Theon rolls his eyes, snapping his fingers, the dead body combusting into flames. He shakes his head in disapproval making his way back to the cabin. Erisnlets out a dramatic sigh wiping the back of her hand across her cheek. Smearing the blood that was there. 

 "I did a good job you know?! I didn't even get a scratch!" Eris almost whines as she slams the front door of the cabin. She was completely frustrated that Theon was upset with her. She hasn't done anything wrong. She protected him and herself. 

 Theon let's out a small groan rubbing his temples. It wasn't the face that she had done a good job. It wasn't that she didn't have a scratch...It was the fact that he wanted to strangle this mortal child right now! She was forcing him move the cabin again!! It took a lot of magic for him to do it! She was a truly infuriating creature! 

 "Eris. I have to move the cabin AGAIN! It puts me into a weakened state! This is the third time THIS MONTH!" He yells swinging around toward her. Eris's smile falls replacing it with a sad one. Theon groans. Oh for the love of the Gods! He was pretty sure that she was bi polar with the way her moods switched so fast. 

 She may look like a helpless girl..but she was really a two headed viper waiting to strike. He would know. He raised her to be this way. She had to be ruthless and merciless to be able to survive what was coming for her. 

 Theon silently cursed Estelle for sticking him with the responsibility of keeping her daughter out of harms way. That wicked woman even got herself killed! Eris lets out a sad sigh. 

 "Alright. I'm sorry Uncle Theo. I shouldn't have let my temper get the better of me." Eris says lightly, wrapping her arms around herself. Theon's anger instantly falls away looking at her. He loved this child like his own and she knew he couldn't stay mad at her when she used 'Uncle Theo' against him. 

 Theon pinches the bridge of his nose. Only slightly annoyed now. 

 "Just go to your room. I have to do the spell quickly." Theon nudges Eris toward the stairs. Eris trys to hide her smile knowing that she had won. Theon shakes his head. Annoying little creature she was. 

 Eris made it to her room as the floors shifted. Cursing she grabs onto the end of her bed squeezing her eyes shut. She hated when Theon had to move the cabin. He was still so secretive about why Dark Fae were after them. Which only pissed her off Everytime she ran into one. 

 All she could see was red when they came. She killed them mercilessly. Even if they begged for their lives. She didn't care. 

 The floors finally stopped shifting and she let out a deep sigh. Slowly opening her eyes she walks over to her window and peers outside. A small smile curving on her lips. Crescent Lake. She remembered being here as a little girl. The lake was literally shaped like a crescent moon. Shoving her window open she jumped from it. 

 The night air was chilly here, causing her to shiver a little as she made her way toward the lake. Eris's eyes flicker up to the moon. She frowns slightly. 

 She says down on the bank looking out at the lake. This place was always peaceful. It out Eris's mind at ease. Almost as if the rest of this fucked up world faded away. 

 Sparks danced across her palm as a small fire ball lite in her hand. I small smile curves on her lips. She would forever be grateful to Theon for teaching her magic. 

 "What are you doing out here?" Theon's voice was gentle as he spoke from behind her. She turns tilting her head up to stare at his golden orbs. Hands in his pockets, he stares lazily down at her. She frown a little turning back to the flame in her hands. 

 Theon grunts sitting down next to her. One leg tucked under him and the other propped up so he could rest his arm on it. Eris cuts her eyes toward Theon as he looks up at the moon. But he could feel her eyes on him. 

 Theon knew he was going to have to tell her...everything before tomorrow. Once she turned twenty one the sealing runes would fade and she would come into her fae abilities. Sighing Theon turns his full attention to Eris. She give him a puzzled look. She seemed so innocent in this moment. She may have her father's hair and eyes but the rest was her mother's. 

 "There are things that I need to tell you. And I need you to listen to everything before you interupt me." Eris smirks and shrugs. 

 "If you are going to tell me that my mother was murdered by The Dark Fae King for hiding that I was alive. I already know." Eris shivers at the nightmare...more like a memory. She had been stuck in her mother's body as it played out. Theon's mouth drops open as he stares at Eris in shock. 

 "You saw it?" His voice was barely above a whisper. But Eris had heard him and she nods slowly looking away from him and out at the lake. She runs her slender fingers through her long hair. 

 "I am so sorry. But I have done exactly what your mother would have done. You are human little one." Eris scoffs and pulls her sleeve up revealing the sickening black ink that was appearing in her arm. 

 Black vines wrapped around her arm branches out in every direction. Theon curses and grabs her arm examining the tattoo closely. It wasn't suppose to appear yet. Why was it?! 

 "Sooo...what am I looking at? Power wise?" The sarcastic tone in her voice didn't make Theon feel any better. He huffs and drops her arm. 

 "I have no idea. There's never been a Royal Darkling." Eris's eyebrows draw together as she scowls at Theon. What the hell did he just call her? She was about to slug him when he holds his hands up in surrender like he knew what she was thinking. 

 "It's just a term Eris. Darkling is only half dark Fae. There's never been anyone like you recorded. So I'm at a lose here." Theon tried to explain the best that he could but the lethal look in her eyes never faded. 

 "I want him dead Theo." Her tone had turned neutral as she looked back out at the lake again. Theon's jaw clenches as he inhales a deep breath and growls out a sigh. He knew that she would want revenge. 

 It was a dangerous game that she wanted play. Worst of all he knew that this was only the beginning. Concern crosses his features as he peeks over at Eris. He just didn't know how who she was going to be if she came out the other side of this...

The Shadow Realm**

Morpheus felt like he was intruding watching Eris have a private conversation with her guardian. He glances up at Morrigan and Nyx who were both smirking. He shakes his head in disapproval.

Nyx glances up at him and cocks an eyebrow at him.

"She has a lethal look in her eyes. I love it." Nyx giggles nudging Morrigan gently. Morpheus shakes his head again.

"She let's her anger rule her. It blinds her. It will get her killed." Morpheus says sternly. He felt like he was scolding a child. Nyx frowns and Morrigan glances between them.

"You were the one who decided to plant those "dream memories" inside of her head. You can't blame her for being livid." Nyx scoffs and crosses her arms. Morpheus rolls his eyes and looks at Morrigan. Who only shakes her head. Morrigan was never one who communicated out loud very often.

"Those are to educate her on who she will have to eventually have to go up against." Morpheus says a matter of fact. Nyx smirks and shakes her head, but stiffens as the shadows shift around her.

"Arcanon is waking up." Morrigan says so softly that Morpheus and Nyx almost missed it.

Morpheus knew that Eris was going to be playing a dangerous game…and this was just the beginning.