A Shadowed Love

Pasts Revealed

Gwen was used to following Duncan into some pretty strange situations. Stupid situations. She had to bail him out of jail a few times too. Idiot.

However, she was not used to him asking her to do something so... Dangerous. She wasn't used to him keeping things from her. And keeping the fact that he was working in an army to bring down the freaking Vampire High Council was something that was worth mentioning.

"So, will you do it?" Duncan asked. Gwen shifted in her chair. She was sitting at a large dining room table. It was the first time she had ever actually been inside Sebastian's Compound. It was enormous. With high ceilings, and expensive furniture every where. It was definitely impressive. 

She looked around the room. She only recognized a few faces. Sebastian, who was sitting across from her. And Courtney, who was standing loyally beside Duncan. She always seemed to be near him, and he always seemed to be near her. Her hair grown out a little, down to just below her bra line. She looked good, her body had more muscle to it, as though she had been working out nearly every day. Her skin had lost some tan, but that was expected when you never saw the light of day. 

"Absolutely not," Trent said, stepping in to answer before Gwen could even open her mouth. Duncan crossed his arms

"You don't speak for her," Duncan snapped, Trent glared at him

"I'm not letting her do something so dangerous and stupid!" Trent said, Gwen sighed and stood up 

"Trent knock it off," she said. Trent looked down at her as she stepped between the two

"How would this even work? I'm clearly not missing, and I'm pretty sure they'll know that." Gwen said. Courtney walked forward

"You'd stay here for a while, they have no idea where the Compound is located. So you'll be hidden here, until we can get into their Chambers and figure out what's going on." Courtney said, Duncan nodded with her words. His teal eyes slowly looking at Trent

"Look, Dude. I know how you must feel about this. If anyone asked Courtney to do this I'd tell them hell no. But Gwen will be here. Protected, you can even stay with her. I would never let her do anything that could be dangerous," Duncan said. Trent slowly bit his lip and looked down at Gwen, who was looking at Duncan. 

"Fine," she said. "I'll do it," 

Duncan and Courtney smiled, Sebastian stepped forward

"Thank you Gwendolyn. We will make sure you have a comfortable, safe place to stay while the investigation goes on." he said. Gwen looked at his purple eyes, and shivered a little.

"But what if she gets caught? She could be killed for taking part in a mission that's set against the Council. They'll execute her," Trent argued. He slid a protective arm around Gwen, pulling her close. 

"We can assure you," Sebastian said, an edge to his voice now "No Council members will step through that front door,"

Courtney watched Gwen stiffen, but slowly nod. 

"Well, looks like I'll be staying here for a while. Trent, will you go back to the apartment and get some of my clothes?" Gwen said quietly to Trent. Who growled and walked away, and out the front door. 

"Come on," Courtney said, stepping forward "I'll show you to your room," 

The girls slowly walked upstairs, Gwen marveled at the magnificent paintings that lined the walls, and the class chandeliers that hung from the ceiling. She followed Courtney as she led her down a long hallway, and towards a pair of double doors at the end of the hall. Courtney pushed them open to reveal a glorious room filled with expensive furniture, and a bed fit for a king. Covered in the finest silk sheets. 

"Damn," Gwen breathed, as her charcoal eyes scanned the room. She saw a large bay window, with weird metal panels on either side. The view from her window was overlooking a large outdoor pool.

"Yeah," Courtney said, looking around the room "Sebastian enjoys the finer things, I think he's gay." 

Gwen chuckled and laid down on the bed, letting out a groan

"This will do," she teased, Courtney walked over, hugging her large knit sweater tighter around herself. She looked at the goth laying in the bed. 

Gwen slowly sat up, and soothed out her hair. She slowly looked at Courtney

"So," she said "How are you and Duncan?" 

Courtney looked surprised by her question, but slowly her lips formed a big smile

"We're great," was all she said. Gwen nodded and looked at the floor.

"There's still a lot he wont tell me about his past life, but I'm sure over time he will open up to me. I hope," Courtney sighed, slowly sitting next to Gwen. 

"You've been around Duncan far longer than I. You obviously know him much better than I do. So... Why does he always shut the conversation down when I question him about his past?" Courtney asked. Gwen swallowed hard, and rubbed her arms

"I don't have the place to tell you, Court. Believe me, I wish I could." she said. Courtney nodded , looking disappointed. She slowly stood up, and went to leave, but another question came to her mind

"Gwen?" she asked. The shorter girl looked at her from the bed "Where did Duncan get those tattoos?" 

Gwen visibly paled, and she stuttered

"I mean. I know I've seen them before... But I can't quite put my finger on it," Courtney said, putting a finger to her lips. Gwen slowly stood up

"I can't talk about this-"

"Gwen, please. I deserve to know, don't I?" Courtney pleaded. Giving the other girl her best puppy dog eyes. Gwen ran a nervous hand through her hair. And sighed, giving up

"The reason they seem so familiar to you, is because their the markings of the Council." Gwen said. Courtney's eyes went wide, and her own face paled. 

"W-what?" Courtney stuttered. Gwen nodded slowly. Courtney put a hand to her head. 

No. There was no way. She didn't just hear her right. 

But Courtney knew her ears weren't playing a sick joke on her.   

Duncan was a member of the Council.