Origins Unkown

Part 4 (The Reckoning)

Shadow

"Let's move. Let's just run away. Get away from everyone." John said smiling.

"You're serious? What about our jobs?" Shadow asked laughing.

"We haven't had work in months. The Boss won't care. Come on." John begged.

"That sounds great, but there's something I have to tell you first. I wanted to make it a big deal, but well, I'm pregnant." I said smiling my big Cheshire smile.

"You're what? How? I thought...I mean that is great!" John grabbed Shadow up and swung her around in a circle.

"John, settle down. We have to talk." Shadow said laughing and trying to push herself away from his chest.

"Sorry." He said as he set her down on the floor and smiled. "How is this possible, Shadow? I thought you couldn't get pregnant."

"I didn't think I could either. I had come to terms with that part of my life a long time ago." Shadow answered quietly.

"Then how?" He asked again.

"The Boss says he thinks it has something to do with all the blood you gave me. He's not sure; he says it's a medical miracle. Do you still want to move?" Shadow asked searching John's face.

"Yes I do. Let's just leave and find somewhere where the ugliness of what we do can never touch him...or her." John said stepping in to touch Shadow's stomach.

"Ok then." Shadow answered simply.

Twilight

"Drake is that you? Where did you go?" Twilight asked stretching.

"I had some business that took longer than it was supposed to. I'm sorry." He said never looking her in the eye.

"Drake, you're lying." Drake closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

"I know. I'm sorry. Roman told me not to tell you, yet." He said quietly.

"I don't care what he said. You tell me what's going on right now or so help me you will both regret it." I said sitting up.

"First, you must make me a promise. Do not kill me until you have heard the whole story, deal?"

"Deal, now talk. I want all of it, Drake, not the condensed version." She said sternly.

"Two hundred years ago some people came to me and offered me a deal. My kingdom was dying and I couldn't save them. These people said they could save us and more, but there was a price. I had to agree to give them my first born child. I agreed only because I never thought in a million years that I would find someone to love. I never thought I'd find you. Now you're here and so is Acheron. They want him, Twilight, and I have no idea if I can stop them. Roman's working on ideas, but I just don't know. We have two weeks to figure it out." He finished quietly, trying to stop the tears that threatened to fall.

"I see. Let's go see Roman. Get your son." Twilight got up and got dressed quickly. The two walked the long hallway to Roman's office with baby Acheron sleeping soundly in his father's arms. Twilight knocked softly on the library door.

"Enter." Roman said from behind it.

"Roman, I'm sorry." Drake said as he entered the room behind Twilight.

"I knew you would not be able to keep it from her for long, but had hoped you could hold out until morning." Roman said half smiling.

"Roman, is there a way out of this?" Twilight asked with the fear creeping up in her voice.