Making the dark council

Running From Fate

After hiding away for what seemed like forever Linus approached his childhood home. The lady's words still haunted his mind and he was counting the hours . There was only four hours till his kinds of damnation if he didn't inform his father. He couldn't bring himself to disappear like that, the man had clearly raised him.

"Someone clearly had a good time," a vampire quipped, touching the mark behind his neck. "Did you manage to find your beloved? Lucky."

Linus couldn't bring himself to speak until he heard his father spoke "Leave the poor man alone. Don't you have some unfortunate soul to torture?" With a huff the other vampire storms out.

"Speaking of that, congrats. Is that what you came home for?"

Linus shook his head, forcing the saliva back down his throat. "I met a wolf and they claim this territory is theirs.We have less than six hours to move our clan," he informed him, only to hear laughter.

"We keep our territories separate. There is no reason to leave, and they have no claim. I OWN THE LAND!" he roared, shattering the table under his fist.

Jumping away Linus knew there'd be a war. The words that were ready to tumble from his mouth would definitely change things.

Taking a blade to his finger he let the blood pool in his palm before reaching for his father. He seemed to recoil back as he seemed to understand what he was doing.

"I am Linus Crosstrogh and I sever all ties," he started, feeling the tether rise between him and his father. "Revoke all family and vow to be a rogue never in affairs. Or assume death."

As soon as the words were finished his father's soft side appeared as unshed tears in his eyes. "Are you sure?" And with a nod everything ended. "I, Dimitri Crosstrogh accept our severed ties. May our paths never cross."

The weight came off Linus as he left hurriedly, not wanting to hear the sobs of the man that raised him. It made him sad, but also felt right. Why did things have to become so difficult after a taste of blood? Was this the universe's way of punishing him?

Soon there was a war all over the North American continent. It was only between the wolf shifters and vampires as European countries seemed to deal with their own. Being forced into the cold north was nothing he ever imagined, especially with his powers awakening. Now 21 with powers that no one else can train him. The only way he saw to survive was to stay away from people. But drinking from a dying humans blood was not as good as a fresh one. Linus felt like he was going to slip sometime soon.

Something called a Winters Solstice was being celebrated as people gathered and sang about. Linus walked around as he pulled his coat toward him as he sought his next target. His nose was more in tune with his sight as he drank in his surroundings.

A scream echoed in the alleyway carrying a sweet smell that hit his nose. Aiming his gaze at the ground he didn't want any humans to see his red eyes. It would definitely be a dead giveaway.

"The rebirth of magic is soon. Once we sap this humans life force we will return to glory!" someone whispered. Another one seemed to be chanting something until he was a few paces away. "We have a visitor," the man said as Linus met his gaze hoping to get the first move. But as soon as he took a step ice formed over his feet rooting him to the ground.

"A vampire hiding in the cold, I cannot believe my eyes!" the first one exclaimed.

The second one just shrugged his shoulders as he moved his hands around getting the human to scream. "If you need a snack I'm open to it, but I'd advise on not releasing the sacrifice. Thanks."

They both stepped away revealing the beautiful young girl behind them. Blood dripped down from her thighs and her skin was becoming pale. The fear was evident as he strode toward her with the ice melting. "Thanks," Linus mentioned as he sank his fangs into her wrist. Just a little bit would be enough to hold him for a week.

Sending the energy shifting, the one man began to chant again. Running his eyes Linus couldn't believe it. The life force in her belly was going straight into the palm of the man's hand. A ball of energy was present and gone inside both men's mouths without hesitation. Curiosity was never as kind as Linus spoke his mind. "What are you?"

Both of them glance at each other before they start cackling together. Tears literally brimmed at their eyes as one wiped it away.

""You got to be kidding me," the first one said. "That's the first time I've laughed in centuries I'll give you that. We are ancient folklore, much older than your kind. Just think with that quick tongue of yours."

Avoiding confrontation Linus quickly turned around and walked away. "This never happened then," he said and snapped his fingers.

Years after that encounter proved to be peaceful for a while. About two hundred years passed until someone came to claim the land, as it became quite common for humans to do as they expand. Few people understood the leader's accent but Linus was well off with the scent that came lingering with him. His second in command was a vampire.

Before he could disappear the young lad found him and the more he smelled him he knew that he wasn't a vampire born. This one was originally human and barely hanging onto the humanity that was left.

"What do you want?" Linus asked, crossing his arms. He wanted to know before he had to kill or negotiate.

"I know you are just like me and I need help," he whispered his gaze trained elsewhere. "Are you the only one?" Linus inquired and the man nodded.

"We'll see. Come find me here at sundown tomorrow and I'll share," Linus says as the man embraces him. "Thank you," he says. "You won't regret this."

Linus left before anyone else could say hello as he knew that'd be here for a few days. Maybe coming with the young man would be good.

Finding a way off the continent lifted a burden off his chest. He wouldn't have to keep running to where no one wanted to be. Besides, the need for blood was lessening as he took less each time. Once a month two sips was enough to be well again. At least he had a lesson in mind, bloodthirst. The quicker it was under control the better.

At the same time, a different day disaster was already in progress. Two humans laid on the ground with barely a pulse as he put a finger to it. Closing the wound with saliva he continued the blood path. The vampire had to be close by.

Moans literally filled the air, giving Linus horrible flashbacks. Trudging forward it took everything in him not to cover his eyes. "What . Is . This?" Linus half roared, surprised at his own tone. It seemed to spook both of them as the vampire turned his head. The red eyes were a clear indicator that he was not in control. Then Linus did something he dared not to; compel his own kind. "Submit now!" Not even seconds passed and the male was on his own knees shaking his head. Clearly his mental fog was starting to lift.

It only took one step and the vampire was at Linus's feet. Rolling his eyes, Linus kicked his hands away.

"Come with me will you?" Linus asked, eyeing the humans in the area. Pushing into their minds they just seemed oblivious.

Soon they were seated in a private booth where Linus swished alcohol around in a glass. It was one luxury he discovered when blood wasn't an option.

Explaining everything that he had to offer the young man was quick to agree. Other than the fact that Linus made sure he told him he didn't know everything.

"That means you'll have to come with. If anything I'll have to reveal my ability doesn't work on you," he says with a shrug. "That's fine," Linus says looking out the window. "There's trouble here that I'm looking to avoid."