chapter 13

July 18

I say goodbye to Mason and take the phone call. "Hey baby, where are you?" I said, "I see you, just keep walking straight baby." I heard him say into the phone. I looked ahead but I didn't see my car, I kept Daimen on the phone as I walked. I was able to see him after a minute of walking, both Daimen and Drew were in the car so I came around to my passenger. "Hey, baby." I greeted Daimen, "Hey princess." That was all he said before he pulled off. Neither of the boys said anything the whole ride, which was fine since my brain chose now to bring up how I was almost attacked and eaten by a Berserker.

It was about a five-minute drive back to the house and I couldn't wait to take a shower and go to bed. Daimen pulled in and looked like he was having a hard time taking off his seatbelt so I helped him. He gave me a tired smile, "Thanks, babe." He said as he and I got out of the car. I wanted to ask where they were since they didn't come to get me from work, but anyone could tell that these two boys had been through the wringer just from glancing at them. So I left it for now. We head inside and I opened the door for them seeing how they were dragging behind, I tried to help them but they said they got it. I swear Lycans are the textbook definition of stubborn. I walked back to Daimen, "Princess go inside, I'm coming." He said, "you are tired, lean on me." I say, he shook his head "Anastasia. I'll be okay, go inside baby." I was surprised he said my whole name, and so was Drew. I placed my hands on my hips. "I let you walk out of the car and into the building and up the elevator without assistance. Now let me help you, you big-headed stubborn Lycan." Daimen stopped and stood taller, and Drew just watched the whole ordeal. "Anna. Go inside." He said more sternly. I crossed my arms and stood my ground. "Not without you." I looked him right in the eyes as I said it. We stared for what could have been only a short time. But both Amber and Rayne came out of the flats to see what was taking us so long. I walked closer to Daimen without blinking, "what cha gonna do big guy. Are you gonna come inside with me peacefully? Or do I have to use force?" Drew turned his eyebrow, but Drew couldn't hold his laugh, and Amber and Rayne joined in. "Whatever it is she's trying to vet you to do, just do it and save yourself the humiliation," Amber said, he folded his arms and took a step forward, leaving no space between us. "Whatever you plan to do just know I will do it to you little one. Even if it fails, which it will. So keep that in mind." I thought over what he said for a moment, "So resistance." I nodded and walked inside the flat to grab something real quick. Damien turned to Drew in question but he was just as lost in what I was doing. The girls were containing their giggles as they know what I'm about to do.

"What is she doing?" Drew asked the girls, and they only responded with more giggles and shaking heads. Just then Anna came out with a tiny little kitten. Drew saw the creature and slowly began to back away. Daimen looked at him puzzled and perplexed. He turned to his mate in wonder of what she held. "Whatcha got there princess?" He asked, she only smiled as she got closer to him. Then she opened her hand to reveal a very small black kitten. with bright green eyes and the smallest meow, you could hear.

"His name is Cerberus. Isn't he cute?" I asked him, Daimen stood there confused for a moment while Drew sneakily crept around us. "It's a cat. You are trying to bribe me with a cat?" He said as he looked up to meet my eyes. I giggled, "Well, in a way. I actually wanted to see how you would react seeing as how Drew can't even get near the baby." Daimen sighed and dropped his head down. He looked at the retreating Drew who froze under his Alpha's gaze. "What?" He said, Daimen came closer and picked up the kitten from my hands. "Who gave you this little guy?" Daimen asked as he thoroughly looked over Cerberus causing him to protest being in another person's arms. "We found him in a box at our old apartment after Anna left her ex," Rayne said, he gently placed the kitten in his mate's arms. "He seems to already know who his momma is." He said with a chuckle and a smile, he gave in and wrapped his arm around my shoulder, and let me help him into the flat.

I helped Daimen to bed before leaving to put Ceb into his bathroom, "Why don't you let him stay in here with us?" Daimen asked, I shook my head. "Because Milo likes to come in here to wake me up in the morning. And I'm not ready for the boys to meet." I said, "And would you try to keep another mate from me?" He asked. I was surprised by his statement, "We only have or get one mate. But to answer your question, I wouldn't." I said leaving the room. I placed Ceb back in his tub so that he wouldn't wander and get into anything. Heading back to my room I saw Amber and Rayne in the living room with Ben. "Hey, what's going on in here?" I asked Rayne turned to me. "Anna, do you know why the boys were late picking you up?" She asked me, I shook my head. "I didn't ask since they looked like hell." I made my way to the couch, "What did they do?" Ben dropped his head before he spoke, "The Elders are trying to call them both back, but when you don't answer an Elder's summons they either bring you themselves or they send something to bring you for them." "You mean someone." I said, "No, it's something." Amber spoke, "The Elders would send messengers, soldiers, guards, and if you were stubborn and strong enough, they would start sending rouges, assassins then they you resort to Berserkers." I froze when she said it, "What? What happened?" Ben questioned me.

The only thing I could see was the eerie full moon, largely overcasting the neighborhood street. Illuminating a large overcasting shadow in the shape of a Berserker. "Anna?" I looked at Ben for a moment trying to recollect my thoughts. "A Berserker saw me walking home." was all I said, the long silence of shock that floated over us was heavy. "So that's why he's not healing," Amber whispered under her breath. I was the only one to hear her, "What did you say?" I asked, and she only looked at me. I jumped off the couch, rushing to where Daimen was. And there he was, soundly asleep in my bed with his back facing me. I crept to the bed, standing over him. I could feel Rose more awake and attentive. "Can I borrow your nose?" "You don't have to ask, it's your nose too." Was all she said, never looking away from him. I focused on increasing the volume on my nose sensitivity. And I was able to smell what I was most afraid for. Blood. The fresh and stale scent of Iron and copper were mixed into the pine and cedarwood that I have come to know as my mate's. "Daimen," I said cautiously "Baby," fear began to rise like a baseball coming up my throat. "Daimen, get up for a second please." I lightly began to shake him, but the moment my hand touched his skin all I could feel was his searing warmth. No electricity, "Amber!" I screamed but she was already beside me. Just then I felt my body become heavy, and my knees became weak. No longer having the strength the hold me I was about to go down, but Ben had caught me, the moment he touched me I turned from him. Falling into Marcel's arms who was also trying to catch me. "He's alive, I think his body has gone into a coma-like paralysis due to the poison in his system. I'm gonna need to drain some of his blood. Ben, Marcel can you both help me get these two to my lab?" Amber said as she pulled out a needle and took a bit of Daimen's blood

Marcel handed me over to Rayne to help carry Daimen. I wanted to say something, anything at this point. but for whatever reasons, the words never came to me. I held onto Rayne as we followed the boys downstairs with mine and Amber's mates laying almost lifeless. Daimen was placed in the backseat of the car, "Do you wanna sit next to him?" Marcel asked me, I hesitantly climbed into the car and gently guided Daimen's sleeping form to rest on my lap. "Don't you dare overdo your payback mister." I spoke the words into his ear, and Ben got in the driver's side, taking us to wherever Amber's lab resided.

"Amber," I called, "I know you'll do everything you can to help them." was all I said for the car ride. Once we got there Rayne and I were pretty much pushed to the sideline in wait for whatever kind of news to fall. "Is this what you all felt like when I passed out?" I asked Rayne in the middle of our silence. "Yes, but to be fair, you are handling this a bit better than he did." I knew she was trying to make light of the situation, I was far from calm. I wanted to barge in the room and never leave his side no matter what they had to do to him. I wanted him to open his eyes. I wanted to go out on another date with him, Probably somewhere in the woods, with a nice picnic spread and later make a campfire to keep us warm as we lay under the stars.

That night I sat awake till the sun rose and the birds began to sing, Amber and the boys finally came out. I watched as Amber looked everywhere but at me, "We got all the poison out of their systems but the residue is deep and they are stable at the moment." Marcel said, "I want to see him." I said as I made to stand, but Amber placed her hand on my shoulder, "You need to rest." The look on her face was loud enough to silence mountains, I wanted to argue but decided to heed her advice. Amber showed us all to our rooms. "Ben, I'm gonna stay with Anna okay," Rayne said as she kissed him on the cheek. I crawled straight into bed and Rayne came behind, we stayed like that, as the tears I held through the whole night finally broke free. As the heavy sobs fell, I wanted to scream but the sound never passed my lips as my body racked in violent shakes. Rayne held me, holding me tight. She has always been there for me, through every rise and fall in my life. And I have always done the same for her. "I'm here, I'm here" She began to softly sing Gram's song, There is Music in You

"Someone wants you. You know who. Now you're living. There's music in you. Now you'll hear. Something new. Someone's playing." She brushed back my hair as the sobs slowly began to die down, "Now you're living. You know why. Now there's nothing. You won't try. Move a mountain. Light the sky. Make a wish come true. There is music in you"

I opened my eyes to the middle of a battlefield, there were soldiers fighting with fists and swords. The smell of blood hung heavy like a fog, just then a blade swung just mere inches from my face. And for the second time my dreams have nearly killed me, I ran. Hurrying to get somewhere safe, without watching I ran right into something. Someone, I looked to see a man In just only chainmail as his armor. He stared at me coldly, Blood red eyes with gold flecks. He pushed me away and walked right into the field, making some sort of smoke emanate from his body. Shifting it and conforming into a very large grey and white wolf that stood taller than the trees.

I woke the next morning to the smell of bacon, I got out of bed and followed the smell to the kitchen. For the first time since graduating I wake up to see the girls cooking breakfast. "I know, this is normally the boys but I have Marcel and Dean gathering supplies and I have Ben getting some groceries." I chuckled as I went to sit down at the table. "Any change?" I asked, Amber shook her head, "No, they're still out of it but they're slowly healing." Just then I felt something tug on my jeans. I looked down and was shocked to see Cerberus, "How did you get here?" I looked at the girls but they were exactly as surprised as I am, "Did either of you bring him or get him?" I asked, because, this is just a kitten and someone had to have brought him, or hopefully got him.

He made a bigger meow and I went to pick him up, "Don't!" Amber called out, she came from around the counter and casted a small circle, she levitated him but the moment he started to float I picked up this strange scene of magic, Cerberbus grew, he grew from a kitten to an adult cat. Landing on all fours, outside Amber's circle. "What the fuck?" Rayne said, "I have no idea." Amber said. I just bent down to scoop him up. He didn't say much, just looked around the kitchen. "I would question this but then I remember I can turn into a wolf. But I hope one of them gets back soon, I have to go to work in a bit." I said, "After all that's happened?" They asked, "Yeah." They stood in silence before they went back to finish making breakfast. Just as we're putting up the last of the dishes Ben came in with the groceries. "Hey, I was wondering if you could drop me off at work. Being cooped up in here with nothing to do is gonna drive me crazy." I said, "Oh, um, yeah just give me a second." He said in a hurry.

I will say this, I would rather be in a car with a nan eating bear before I ask Ben to take me anywhere again. "Thanks." I said as I dashed from the car. The day didn't go to bad, only had a few things happened here and there. I had decided to call up Mason and start having him train me in magic. and since Daimen was recovering I asked Mason to help me with those to. I also asked him if he could take me home since Ben drives like a manic. "You sure you're gonna be okay?" Mason asked me as we crossed the highway, "Yeah, Just trying to keep myself busy." I said scrolling through tictok. "Just remember to check up on him, You can't keep avoiding it." Was all he said as we pull up, I said my goodnight and headed inside.

I didn't even saw hello to anyone, just went to my room and went straight to sleep. I witnessed this man turn into an oversized wolf, and all the bloodshed and massacre that followed could only attributed to his shear size and force. I went to leave but there was a barrier or guards that blocked my path. "The King has asked for you to be kept right here, ma'am." One of them finally said, Boy are these even dreams anymore? Just then an explosion went off, I turned to the surviving enemy exploding everywhere on the battlefield. The King had returned to his human form and started walking back towards us, I wanted to run, but I was trapped. "So, Do you want to explain why you are here? Again." His voice was deep and gruff, I recognized it from somewhere. "Who are you?" I had asked, All of the soldiers and guards began to laugh at my question, and the man they called King just stood there. Staring, "Come." He said as he grabbed my arm and walked us off the battlefield. "You are not the fallen witch from the East. So change your disguise human." He spat as he tossed me in front of him, "I have no idea what you are talking about! You, You, Thing!" I couldn't come up with an insult at the moment, I felt like the word beast didn't disgribe him. He stood there, just looking at me, "Alright, and what is the name you are known by others?" He asked with a bit of amusement in his voice, "Don't, give him your name." Rose suddenly said, "Wait you're in here?" "Now is not the time to be flabbergasted about this." She said, "Then what the hell do I give him then?" I asked, after a moment "Rain?" She suggested, "Rayne? Why would I give my sister's name?" She thought it over again, just then he came forward, "Well? Little human." He said, "I don't have to give you my name." I said, "Oh? You don't now. And praytale, Who told you this?" I shook my head, "You never answered my question earlier." He chuckled, "Oh but I did, once before, I told you I am the King of this world and land. King of the wolves and Lycans." He paused, "So, your question is invalid." "Ah, but that was a question of your title, that I already knew. But the question I asked just then was of the same as your own." I said proudly, the man smiled as he was indeed asked what his name was this time. "It's Lucas, Now who are you kid, and why do you end here?" I shrugged my shoulder, "I'm just as confused on that matter as you are. I'm Belle," I held out my hand to shake his but he just stared at it. "Belle, you said?" "Yeah." I answered, "You do realize that the Belle standing before me is the real Belle, you are the same human girl from our first encounter. So you are not Belle." He took another step, "Wanna try that again?" He asked, I was becoming even more confused, but then I started to feel the effects of waking up. "No!" He shouted.

I awoke that morning to my alarm going off, "I don't feel like going into work today." I said to myself, I called Terry, my manager and told him I wasn't coming in then later Mason. I rolled back over in bed but thought it'd be better to hang outside for the day. I took a chair and a portable easel outside, along with supplies and music. War of Hearts by Ruelle began to play as I stared at the canvas, I didn't think, just allowed the music to be my muse and tell me what to paint.

I don't know when but somewhere in one of the brush strokes I started to see the red eyes of the man, and the purple petals of that strange tree. "Anna." I heard someone call, If they were real they would have to wait, "Anna." Something touched my shoulder and without thinking I saw a force eminate from my body and later heard a thud. I turned to see Ben on the ground and Rayne crouching down holding him on the ground, I slowly stood up from the chair. Backing away, "I'm sorry." I said as I ran back in the house.

When I came inside I just started walking aimlessly. Until I reached the infermory, I contimplated going inside but I wanted to see him. I pushed open the door and they were both awake, but still laying down. "Anna?" Daimen's voice cried, I walked around the bed so that he could see me. "Hey aleepyhead." I chuckled, I crawled into his bed laying next to him. "You scared me half to death." I said under my breath, "Well, I guess it's payback." He said softly, "I'll remember that. And why didn't either of you tell us the Elders found you?" I asked them, they both stayed silent, and me, I was just glad they were awake. Then the Doctor Amber brought came in, "Oh, I take it you're miss Anna. Hello, I'm Doctor Marc." He introduced himself, I looked up at Daimen and he nodded, "So, does that mean you specialize in poisen?" I had asked the Doctor, he laughed as he went to gather things he needed. "Well, I am one of few Doctors who specialize in the medicine field for our world. We are not really seen as something that are needed high in volume." He said, and my heart feeled with sadness for him and other Doctors, there aren't many want to practice and they are reduced to having many contracts with families and officials. Just like the witches, where some are forced to be barriers between our main two worlds.

The Doctor came around to Daimen and began to draw some blood, and that's when I heard something, "You know I do not like this," the voice was male, "Like, if you had listened to me or your Beta we wouldn't be like this, she wouldn't see this." He said, and I looked at Daimen but he focused on the needle as a strange shade of red blood pooled into the tube, "What the-" I never finished my sentence, "The blood from every species is different, and the more pure blooded you are the more magickal properties are present in it." Said the Doctor, I was fascinated with swirling shades of red, the lights, the blacks, and the pinks. But I was more intranced at the shimmers of reflected lights that couldn't be no bigger than an atom in the blood from my mate. "So, everyone's blood looks like that?" I asked, which caused Daimen to look at me and Drew snicker. "Well, no. If you are okay with it," He waved me over to the other side of Drew, "Wait, wait whats happening?" Drew asked in the middle of his laughing, "Karma." Daimen said, the Doctor pulled out another needle and began to draw blood from him, "Ah come on." He cried out, but he was right. Every one is different, Drew's blood didn't have any blacks swirling in it, nor as much glitter that Daimen had. I looked at the Doctor, and he nodded in understanding. I looked back at the blood in comparison, "Facinating." I said, "Hey, don't tell me that cockroach put his hands on you while we were out." Daimen and Drew said in unison, the Doctor laughed, "Huh?" I asked confused, "I always get that response when some one looks at the blood of immortals for the first time." The Doctor said, now all of us was confused. "You see, Miss Anna is seeing the different in your bloods, to humans our blood looks like theirs, which, is something we put in place so that we don't get confused as fairies." The Doctor made a deadpan face, "But, your's Daimen, has a bit of a black tint to it where, you, Drew, does not." He said.

"So, then, what does that mean?" Daimen asked, the Doctor sighed. "It means. neither of you are in the clear. And I reported your conditions to both your parents and the Council. Neither have the antidote, or even know how to make it." He sad, "Or even if they did, they wouldn't give it to us, not unless we gave in to the Elders command and come home." Drew said angrily. The Doctor hung his head, he finished his check up on the boys and gave them something that mave you so to sleep so that it can kickstart manual healing. Afterwhich he left, I stayed with them and laid next to Daimen. Just then I heard a song start to play in my head, and like an impulse I started to sing. "Te amo, te amo, she's scared to breathe I hold her hand, I got no choice, uh. Pulled me out on the beach, danced in the water I start to leave. She's begging me and asking why it's over. Then she said, "Te amo", then she put her hand around me waist I told her, "No", she cried, "Te amo" I told her, "I'm not gonna run away, but let me go" My soul is awry. Without asking why, I said, "Te amo" Wish somebody'd tell me what she said. Don't it mean I love you? Think it means I love you. Don't it mean I love you?" "Listen, we can dance. But you gotta watch your hands. Watch me all night, I'm moving under the light because I understand. That we all need love. And I'm not afraid. To feel the love, but I don't feel that way"

"Anna!" I heard Amber call me, I kissed Daimen and went to go see what she needed. As I left the room I felt a warm glow inside my chest. Amber was working on what looked like a potion, "Anna, so I'm gonna need your help because the boys are not getting better." She was scared, I could practically feel it come off of her. I looked over her textbooks and notes, and calmly went to helping her make a potion. It had been a few hours before I even realized I had fallen asleep. But I was woken up by these pulses of electricity coursing through my body. I woke up with a jump and turned to see Daimen, standing. With no heart monitor or anything but his pants. "You're okay," I said wit an erratic heart, he smiled and bent down to kiss me. "I'm okay Princess."