Dark Good Looks

Evernight

Xander leads the way out of the house, the whispers of the village fading into the night as they walk into the darkness of the forest. The trees loom over them, their branches stretching out like the arms of giants. Annalise's thoughts are racing, a tornado of doubt and hope swirling in her mind. She tries to keep her wits about her, to not let the creature's charms get the better of her.

"Your village has been hiding secrets for centuries," Xander says, his eyes gleaming in the moonlight. "Your father was one of the few who knew the truth, and now, it seems, that truth has been scattered to the winds." His words are like a slap in the face, but Annalise steels herself.

"What secrets?" she asks, her voice steady despite the quaking in her chest.

"Ah, patience. All will be revealed in due time. For now, we must focus on finding your father. He was quite the elusive one, always digging into the affairs of others. Perhaps his curiosity got the better of him." Xander's eyes twinkle with mischief.

Annalise bites her tongue, anger flaring up inside her. She can't let this vampire see her fear or doubt. They walk in silence, the only sounds the rustling of leaves beneath their feet and the occasional hoot of an owl. The whispers of the trees seem to echo her own thoughts, urging her to be cautious, to listen to the secrets they hold.

As they venture deeper into the woods, the shadows grow darker, and the whispers grow more distinct. They are not just whispers of the trees, but voices from the past, hinting at ancient alliances and forgotten lores. Annalise tries to focus, to listen for any clue that could lead her to her father, but the voices are overwhelming, a cacophony of whispers that threaten to drown her in their mysteries.

"Do you hear those voices?" Annalise asks suddenly.

Xander shakes his head. "No, I'm assuming you mean the whispers. It's a gift, only the protectors have."

Annalise looks at him questioning. "They started when I received the book..."

"Yeah." Xander replies, "the protectors, once they receive the book they get the gift. We're not sure why." His shoulders tighten and he suddenly stops. Shushing Annalise and listening to the things in the dark.

"What is it?" Annalise whispers, her eyes darting around the woods, searching for any sign of danger.

"I'm not sure. It's close" Xander's eyes meet hers for a moment before lifting her up as if she was weightless in the blink of an eye and taking off deeper into the woods.

He's running faster than she's ever seen anyone run. But she's starting to hear it now. A growling and what sounds like huge paws pounding the earth.

"W-What's chasing us?" Annalise stammers, her heart racing even faster than Xander's steps.

"A Lycan rogue." His eyes are focused on the world ahead. "They shouldn't be this close to your village. Let alone the Moongate."

"What the hell's a Moongate?" Annalise asks while trying to focus on the darkness behind them.

"This." Xander jumps forward. All of a sudden it feels as if everything is weightless for just a moment before he lands on his feet, Annalise still in his arms.

Looking around they're surrounded by huge structures and a bustling street full of people. The forest has disappeared completely

"W-what the...?" Annalise faints.

The world swirls around her as she's jolted awake by Xander's firm grip. "You're safe, Annalise. We're in the city of Evernight, the heart of my kind's territory. Lycans cannot cross the gate."

His voice is soothing, but Annalise is in shock.

"Evernight?" She whispers. Her eyes take in the cobblestone streets and the gas lamps that cast eerie shadows on the ancient buildings. The air is thick with the smell of something she can't quite place, a mix of incense and something metallic.

"Yes, Evernight my beauty. You're safe now. Sleep."

Annalise falls asleep uncontrollably, her eyes drifting off as Xander begins walking to the castle.

- Xander's Perspective -

Xander couldn't help but smirk as he carried the unconscious Annalise through the bustling streets of Evernight. The humans of the city had no idea what a prize they had in their midst, the daughter of the very man who had been poking his nose where it didn't belong. But they knew better than to question his presence. His status as a prince was clear from his demeanor and the way he moved. The townsfolk bowed as he passed, their eyes never meeting his. The whispers grew quieter as he walked, their reverence for him a stark contrast to the cacophony of fear they had sent Annalise's way.

The city was alive with the energy of the night, the sounds of merriment from the taverns and the whispers of deals being made in shadowed alleyways. Xander's eyes scanned the crowded streets, taking in the sights and smells with an air of superiority. He had missed the thrill of the chase, the thrill of the unknown. Annalise was a wildcard, a human with the whispers of the protector's line in her veins. He couldn't wait to see how she would react to the world that was about to be revealed to her.

As they approached the castle, the whispers grew in volume, not in fear but in excitement. The vampires of Evernight had not seen a human protector in decades, and the news of her presence had already spread like wildfire. Xander felt the eyes of his kin upon them, their curiosity piqued by the girl who had the audacity to enter their city uninvited. He knew the whispers of the city would soon be her whispers to navigate, and he looked forward to watching her struggle to find her footing.

He walked through the grand archway, the castle's doors opening automatically before them. The guards at the entrance nodded in respect, their gazes flicking briefly to the girl in his arms before returning to their stoic watch. Xander carried Annalise to a guest room, laying her gently on the plush bed. He took a moment to inhale her alluring scent, the sweetness of her blood a tantalizing promise of what was to come.

The room was lit by candles, casting flickering shadows across the velvet curtains and gleaming mahogany furniture. It was a stark contrast to the simplicity of her village home, and Xander knew it would be yet another shock to her system. He stepped back, watching as she stirred, her eyes fluttering open to take in her new surroundings. The whispers grew louder as she took in the opulence, her mind racing with questions and fears.

- Annalise's Perspective -

Annalise awoke with a gasp, her eyes flying open to find herself in a room that was the complete opposite of her own. The whispers had brought her to a place of grandeur and darkness, the heart of the vampire's territory. Xander stood over her, his eyes gleaming with an intensity that made her skin crawl. She pushed herself upright, the room spinning around her.

"What...what is this place?" she asked, her voice trembling.

"This is Evernight, the city where my kind lives in peace," Xander said, his voice low and smooth. "Your father's disappearance is just the tip of the iceberg, Annalise. There are forces at work here that you cannot even begin to fathom."

Annalise felt a surge of anger. "You're just using me to get what you want. To keep your secrets," she spat.

Xander chuckled. "Perhaps. But in exchange, you get to find your father, do you not? And let's not forget, you're the one who came to me for help." He leaned closer, his fangs glinting in the candlelight. "Now, let's not waste any more time. There's much for you to learn, and our journey begins tonight."

The whispers grew louder, a cacophony of voices that seemed to echo her own fears and doubts. Yet amidst the chaos, she heard a faint whisper of hope, a promise that she was not entirely alone in this strange new world. She steeled herself, knowing that she had to play along if she wanted to find her father and bring him home.

"Fine," she said, her voice firm despite her trembling insides. "Teach me what I need to know. I want to find my father."

Xander's smile was predatory, but he nodded. "Very well. Your education begins now." He gestured to the open book on the nightstand. "This is a tome of great power, passed down through the generations of your family. It holds the whispers of the world, the secrets of the supernatural."

Annalise reached for the book, feeling the leather warm to her touch. The whispers grew stronger, a symphony of voices that seemed to beckon her. She opened it to a random page and read aloud, the words flowing from her mouth as if they had always been there, waiting for her. The whispers grew louder, swirling around her like a tempest, filling her mind with images of ancient battles and forgotten pacts.

"Good," Xander said, his eyes never leaving hers. "You have the gift of the protector. Now, we must train you to control it."