Darkness Rising: Cursed Guardians

Welcome

Even after we were safely in the car and driving my heart was still racing. I glanced down and the dash and prayed we didn't pass a cop only to realize if I did I still wouldn't stop. Cass hadn't spoken since she passed out in the parking lot and I could still smell the fresh blood coming from her making me nauseous. We left the city and started heading out into the burbs. After we started leaving the burbs behind I checked the gps and saw that we weren't just going outside the suburbs we were headed way out into the forest blanketed boonies.

In an attempt to calm my now nonexistent nerves I started talking to Cass.

"Do you ever listen to anything I say Cass? Like the stuff that's actually important? You just had to come to the club. I know you got my subtle hint NOT to come. I know you knew I was saying things that were true just to get you NOT to come but no you got bored. Seriously? Bored? With all the guys that go ga-ga over you how could you ever get bored!?"

I knew she wouldn't respond but somehow venting to her made me feel a little better. I also hoped she could hear me and my lecture because once I knew she was okay I'd forget everything in favor of being relieved. I reached back and grabbed her hand and gave it a squeeze.

"We're getting close Cass just hang on for me okay. What on earth was going on in that alley? Why were three demons, a vampire, and the dudes you took out before I walked out attacking you? And what the hell language were the lot of you speaking. I swear it was some form of tongues! Then there was the other vamp who showed up. Who hell was he? Why was he so interested in your condition? He seemed really concerned about you. Not that I'm complaining. He aided in our getaway. I've never seen any of those guys before and I know most of the crowd that hangs around the bar and club."

At that point the gps piped up and said I would be making a sharp left to what looked like a side road. I slowed down but not before I missed the turn. I turned around and very slowly made my way back to where the gps I dubbed "Ginger" said I was supposed to turn. Again I missed it and Ginger said I needed to turn around. Once more and moving more slowly than I felt comfortable going, given the evening I was having, I finally spotted the road with the high beams on. The road was very narrow and twisted and turned frequently winding deeper into the thick woods. After traveling about 10 miles I saw a huge iron gate before me. Slowing down I saw a small box on the left near the gate. When I pulled up I saw it was a numbered keypad. Cass had said the pass code was 1492* so I punched it in. After a moment that seemed like eternity the gates began to creep open. I drove through and proceeded to travel another 5 miles into the woods before I came upon what Cass called her house. 

I use the term house in sense that it was a dwelling where people lived because in reality what was before me was what I imagined you would get if a castle and a mansion had a baby. Several stories high, beautiful pillar columns, with balconies, a fountain in the front courtyard, and tourrets to boot. This place was bananas! I made a mental note to reflect on the beauty of this place and it's location at a later date.

Pulling the car around to the front entrance I spotted the front door. After throwing the Audi into park I ran around to the back passenger side and pulled Cass out. She was still breathing and bleeding badly and completely knocked out. Supporting her full weight I half dragged half carried her to the door where I found another keypad. I typed in the pass code and heard the click of the door unlocking. Pushing the door open and moving as fast as I could into the house I pulled Cass inside closing the door with my foot and laid her just inside the entryway. After sucking in a huge breath of air I started screaming for help. And oh did I get help.

"HELP!!! Anyone please! Help!" I was bellowing.

Then from all directions they came. Demons, angels, werewolves, vampires, Valkyrie, goblins, elven looking creatures, and some beings I couldn't even begin to guess about. All starring from me to Cass.

From somewhere above me came a booming male voice saying "What in the f**k is going on down there?!" The voice began to move closer to me. "Who is screaming for help?" 

When he came into view I gulped. Before me was the biggest man I had ever laid eyes on in my life. I thought Demetri was tall but this guy had at least 6" on him if not more. Even though he was decked out in jeans and a long sleeve shirt I could tell he was muscle from head to toe. His face was nothing short of a face that statues should be carved to the likeness of with high cheek bones, a strong brow, and lips that begged to be kissed. If all that wasn't enough the deep brown hair that had beautiful Golden and red in it that brushed his shoulder and the most unbelievable emerald green eyes were enough to render me speechless for a moment so I could rake my eyes over him. Must focus. 

"Who the f**k are you, what the f**k are you doing in my house, and what in the f**k happened to Cassady?" demanded the hot, angry giant bending down to look at Cass.

"My name is Sabella. I'm a friend of Cass's and she told me to bring her here to your house if that's what you're choosing to call it. She was attacked by a group of demons and a vampire outside of the club I work at." I replied in an exasperated tone.

"Marco!" he bellowed. A man who I assumed was Marco appeared right beside me. "Get Cass upstairs! Tell the others and have someone contact Syn."

With a quick nod Marco picked up Cass and started up the stairs leaving me on the floor next to a pool of blood where Cass and had been laying. Suddenly a huge hand was grabbing my dress from behind, yanking me to my feet and dragging me into a room off of the foyer that appeared to be a small sitting room. The giant, who was the one doing the pulling entered after me followed by three others. I turned around to face my company and was momentarily stunned. In addition to Mr. Pissed Off and clearly in charge, there was another who was clearly related to Mr. Pissed Off, and the other two could only be of relation to Marco as the looked identical to him. 

Glowering at me Mr. Pissed Off said "You're going to give me a detailed, in depth account of what happened to Cassady and you're going to do it now." Somebody needed to take a moment to woosa. 

I was momentarily distracted by a movement right over Mr. Pissed Off shoulders but in a flash it was gone. Hm. Taking a depth breathe I began the account again this time taking care to give as much detail as possible. I was stopped several times by the inquisition to answer one of their questions. Marco returned from taking Cass to hopefully a doctor and joined in the questioning. When I got to the part about the other vampire showing up the inquisition started rattling off questions all at once.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! One at a time!" I yelled when they reached fever pitch.

Everyone fell silent and looked to Mr. Pissed Off. Looking at me he began in tone that seemed to be taking a lot of control. "What do you mean he came from nowhere?"

"When Cass and I were being circled by the vampire and the demon there was a moment that they both got distracted, like they had heard something. That's when Cass dove at the demon and got thrown into a brick wall again for her trouble. When she hit, he jumped down off the roof of the club." I said.

"What did he look like?" Asked triplet of Marco #1. I noted the mole on the right side of his nose.

"I didn't really have time to do an in depth look. What I did see was that he was tall. Not so tall as you, I indicated to Mr. Pissed Off, but maybe about your height I nodded to the triplets. His hair may have been dark blonde or maybe really light brown. Fair skinned from what I could tell." I stopped and thought if there was anything else.

"Can you remember anything else? Maybe a scar? A limp?" Asked Marco triplet #2. He had a crescent scar under his left eye.

I shook my head. "I'm sorry. I really didn't get a good look. When he dropped from the roof he went straight to Cass. It looked like he was going to try and check on her but I started screaming at him to back off."

The other inquisitor whom I believed was related to Mr. Pissed Off looked at me asked "What happened after he jumped from the roof?"

"As I said he tried to touch Cass but I started screaming at him. He backed off of Cass and started walking towards me. I thought he was going to join the vampire and demon but he got between me and Cass and them. I was bracing to fight when he told me to get Cass and leave." I paused because they all looked so confused.

Still looking pissed off, Mr. Pissed Off said "So a second vampire comes out of nowhere but instead of attacking you he checks on Cassady? Then tells you get her and go?" All this said with an incredulous look.

"Yup. I know it's crazy. Believe me I mulled it over the entire drive here."

"We have to tell everyone else." Marco said.

"One more thing." I said drawing their attention. "The vampire, the one who was already there when I walked into the alley. He appeared to be commanding the demons." They looked from one to another in grim silence.

Looking at the others Mr. Pissed Offs relation said  "Nos have ut interficerent eam. Donec evigilet Cassady confirmare illam historiam." 

Sigh. I hate rudeness. He said to the others we have to kill her. Wait for Cass to wake up to confirm my story. Not cool.

"Mores, mores iudices. Id rudis in aliam linguam ad loquendum coram te populus dont teneo." I said frowning. Translation "Manners, manners boys. It's rude to speak another language in front of company."

Open mouthed stares. Awesome.

Marco triplet #2 said "You speak Latin? It's a dead language."

I nodded and said "Yes. I speak several of them."

Mr. Pissed Off ran his fingers through his hair then rubbed his hands over his face. Then he walked over to me grabbed my arm, which sent a jolt of electricity through me, and twisted it around my back and started to get me to move. Oh. Hell. No. I hate being restrained.

I shoved my free arm in his ribs jamming it up and stepped on his insole. As I twisted around I grabbed something off of his belt. I brought his arm around to his back, pinned it there, and shoved the spike of my heel into his calf bringing him to one knee. When he was far down enough I took my heel and put it in his back while taking the dagger I grabbed from him under his chin pinning it to his throat. A lightbulb burst overhead. Everyone moved lightning fast but not before I got the dagger in place. Then they all froze.

"Listen cupcake" I spat "Something you need to know about me. I really do not like to be restrained. If you want me to move all you have to do is tell me I'm going and point me in the right direction. So. I know know about this place, it's inhabitants, and how to get here. I'm gonna die. I'm at peace with that. But before that happens I want to see Cass and stay with her until I know she's okay."

Silence.

I pushed the dagger a little closer to the skin. Everyone jumped a little.

"I am asking you to take me to Cass and to stay with her until I know she's okay. After that you can kill me. Do we have a deal?" I asked.

Apparently Mr. Pissed Off was a teeth grinder cause I could hear them grinding."Fine." he said.

"Swear it." I demanded.

"I swear it on my honor and my family. You will go to Cassady and remain there until she is alright." he replied with angst and irritation.

"Okie dokie." I said and released him and held onto his hand to pull him up. I flipped the dagger over and handed it to him with the hilt facing him. Everyone started to pounce but he put up his free hand as he took the dagger.

Marco triple #3, a dimple in his chin, cracked a grin and said "I like her. Can we keep her?" That was met by serious disapproving glares from his siblings and death stares from the other guy.

I had to stifle a laugh.

"This way." He point with the dagger.