Darra stared out over the expanse of her backyard. The tree line met up to the edge of her property, trying to claim back the land that was stolen. The clouds were low and dense this evening; she could smell the frost in the air. The first snow was fast approaching. As her eyes scanned the tree line, she noticed movement in the far-right corner. A large, beautiful silver timber wolf burst through the brush and trotted towards the terrace where she stood. As it approached the stairs the wolf swiftly morphed into that of a fourteen-year-old boy. Darra crossed her arms and gave a most disapproving look. The boy grinned sheepishly before running a hand through his shaggy blue-black hair. "I know, I know Darra. I shouldn't be out running alone but first snow is coming! The air is wonderful," he squealed throwing his arms wide. Her lips twitched, "There are people out there who would harm you just because you are wolf, Aiden. I cannot protect you if I don't know where you are!" He sighed and dropped his arms to his sides and looked up at her from under his lashes, "People like you?" She wrapped a giant bear pelt around his naked form, "Yes, vampires as well as humans." He grumbled as they walked into the house. "Besides," she said, "we're supposed to be preparing for our journey to wolf territory tomorrow." "I don't want to go," he said crossing his arms. "These are your people, Aiden. You belong with them. I am a centuries old vampire; I know nothing of your needs." He pouted, "You've done fine so far." "Aiden you have parents, a people that can teach and care for you. I told you that you'd only stay with me long enough to learn how to protect yourself. And you can, in spades. I am proud of you, my charge. But remember what I told you, wolves and vampires are enemies," she said calmly. He wrapped his arms around her waist, "But you're not my enemy." She smiled down at him sadly, "No I'm not. I just don't want you penalized for my.........short comings. So, do this for me alright?" He sighed and grumbled, "Alright." She smiled and ruffled his hair, "Thank you dearling, now go on and get some rest we leave at dawn." He squeezed his arms around her waist then ran off to his room. She turned back to the big window and crossed her arms; the journey would be short but grueling. She wouldn't tell the boy, but his people very well may execute her. As a matter of fact, she was counting on it. She'd lived way too long, and she was tired now. Darra had not seen her own kind for a century or more. Which was just as well, she'd grown tired of their political intrigue and deception. She turned back and looked at her home, everything was covered with tarps. Quite probably this would be the last time she'd see her home. The papers had been drawn ages ago it seems, in the event of her death everything here would go to Aiden. As night completely asserted itself over day, she found herself wondering if her young charge would understand someday why she'd had to keep secrets from him.
Dawn came far too soon for Darra. She was tired, hadn't slept the night and by the look on Aiden's face he hadn't slept much either. The air cycles were warmed up in the yard and everything was packed and strapped down. Aiden turned and looked at the house one more time. "Will we ever come back here, Darra," he asked sadly. She smiled and ruffled his hair, "I'm sure one day you will. Come, the sun is getting behind us."
The days flew by before Darra pulled to a stop on the path. To the right of them was the desert, what was left of the human race called it the Wastelands. To the left, however, was the Stygian Forest. When the new age of magic had begun this forest had grown seemingly over night and was home to all kinds of magical creatures. It was forbidden, even to the wolves and vampires. No one trespassed in this forest, and those that had never returned. Aiden pulled up next to her, "Darra, what's the matter?" She stared into the forest, the sounds around her seemed to mute like she was being pulled into a void. She heard the voice then, a deep masculine voice. "Come to me," it said repeatedly. She felt the pull, almost as if there were an invisible cord pulling her toward the beckoning voice. She didn't realize that she was about to dismount until Aiden grabbed her arm. "Darra, what's going on," he asked, his voice rising slightly in fear. She looked down at his hand gripping her forearm and blinked rapidly before focusing in on him. She smiled weakly, "Nothing dearling, just taking a break." He sniffed, "You zoned out for a minute. Your eyes did that gold thing, it was freaky!" "I'm sorry, I got lost in my thoughts is all. Let's continue," she said. Aiden grinned and shot off ahead of her. She started her cycle and sped to catch up. As they turned onto the path through the desert that same masculine voice whispered, "You will return to me." Jolted she looked over her shoulder at the forest and swore, for just a moment, that there were a set of emerald, green eyes staring back at her. She sped up, catching up to Aiden. If she'd planned on living, she might have contemplated coming back and investigating the forest. As it stood, she didn't plan on living past the amount of time it would take to get Aiden back to his people.
As the sun began to set the sand started to give way to grass and flat plains. Two human towns rose up on either side of them, but they continued on. Humans watched in silence, some with fear others in defiance. But none dared approach or stop their trek. Well into the night Darra saw the outline of the castle on the horizon. They'd left the human towns far behind and were well into wolf territory. She stopped and waited for Aiden to pull up beside her. He stopped and pulled his goggles back, "Why have we stopped?" She smiled, "There in the distance is the outline of the castle. We're in wolf territory now. We'll be there by morn, prepare yourself." He sighed and grumbled something unintelligible before replacing his goggles and revving the engine of his bike. Darra smirked, "I expected nothing less." She shot forward keeping a neutral speed until he caught up. She prepared herself as well, a mantle of calm blanketed her, surrounding her as it always had. The only thing in this life she would miss was her charge, the young wolf child.
