Awaken

Blood and Goodbyes

"It sounds great," I broke the silence as we entered a roomy space with a white carpet and red walls. There were cherry wood colored accents everywhere and a sofa against the wall. It looked like an odd waiting room. "And considering we have to get the god of death's blood, we have to help, so . . ."

"Oh, that's the easy part," she chuckled and swung her arm up, raising a chalice, "You need to get your blood in here, along with a were creature's blood, and mine. Blood magic was all the rage in the past, you know."

"Um, isn't this a bit too easy?" Crescent asked.

"Easy?" Bastet barked, "Have you ever tried to catch a were?"

"Um, no," Crescent shrugged, "But it can't be that bad."

"That's where you're wrong, dear," Circe smiled. "You need to catch a reptilian were, and very powerful one, preferably one that can turn into a dragon, much like your dear Onyx here."

"Where do we find one?" I asked.

"There's a human colony a few miles away, very high tech, and very prominent, once of their slaves is a weredragon. They help power the detectors and shield, so you'll have to enter from the ground, and only two of you can go into the city. Any more than that and you'll give yourselves away. The other two will stay with me and fix up the place to ensure our dear god of death doesn't have to feed on one of our life forces," Circe explained.

" I'm going," Nemesio started, only to be stopped by his grandmother.

"No you won't," she laughed, "Onyx and Crescent will. Onyx is a Dragona so she will be able to help convince the were into helping spare some blood in exchange for freedom, and Crescent is half human, she won't be able to be detected as easily. You would be useful yes, but were's do not like vampires, and Bastet would be automatically detected because of her pheromones."

"Onyx is a vamp-"

"And shares a connection to the were with her family's special gift," Circe replied. "Use your brain, Nemesio, Fossil will guide them, they'll be fine and I need you here anyway. Besides, you owe me a long explanation on your absence."

"What about my aversion to sunlight?" I asked, "It can kill me. . ."

"That is an easy fix,"Circe chuckled, "I will fix you something up to have that fixed, are there any other weaknesses I should know about?"

"I. . . I literally can not be near any silver," Crescent admitted.

"That. . . may prove fatal," Circe admitted. "However, I will try to fix up something that will allow you to detect it ahead of time and a number of pills that should allow to have the metal against your skin for two hours. If you need more I will show you how to let Fossil know without getting detected. You realize that you both may end up remaining there for at least a week-"

"No."

"Excuse me?" Circe was taken aback by both Bastet and Nemesio's reactions. "You don't have a choice, it could even take longer if they can't gain the were's trust."

"And they may not survive-"

"Nemesio," I snapped at him, "Do you really doubt me? Think so little of me? They are humans. Merely cattle, I used to help my mother hunt them."

"She died by their hands," he growled.

"Because of a few changelings," I replied, "I am here to serve the Queen, whether we end up doing anything else is up to her, but I want our kind to come out on top no matter the cost. My mother swore her life to the Queen for saving her and mine, I owe this much."

"They will be leaving tonight," Circe ordered, "And you two, Bastet and Nemesio can either accept this or be separated from them today, choose wisely."

The witch disappeared and four doors appeared. I walked toward the one closest to me and Crescent did the same. I saw Bastet join her last minute but I had to wait in my guest room for an hour before Nemesio caved and entered, finally accepting the fact that I was going. He sat next to me on the bed and took my hand, gently cupping it. "Don't die."

"I won't, I'm not stupid, if I die so do you," I leaned against him. "And I will not be responsible for your death." I kissed his cheek then got ready for bed. "Just sleep tonight, I'll hold you tight." He laid near me and I honestly couldn't tell you what color the room was, what furniture was it, how the bed felt, or anything like that, because that night was just about Nemesio.

I held him close and kissed him, letting him know I was there. I gave him more of my blood, as if it could remain a part of him while I was gone. He cried a bit, and I cried, resulting in him comforting me. He fed me his blood, and we clung to each other the whole day, not really sleeping just unwilling to let go. It was only week. It was only humans. It was only time separated from each other. It was only the daylight. It was only the sun. It was only a very possible end. It was only goodbye. It was only death.

The evening came and Circe came to get us, her white hair up in a bun. She gave me potion and told me to drink it directly in the morning. It would last exactly a week, after that though I would have to retreat back underground or turn to ash. Crescent got her pills, and there were fresh tears in her eyes. I refused to cry. Bastet and Nemesio were blank pages, almost void, and stared at us as Fossil waddled in front of us leading the back, and I . . . I couldn't help but look back and feel an immense emptiness. 

It was the beginning of a very bright tunnel. Something I always shrunk from, the light. It was harsh and left nothing to be discovered. In a way, it was the end to all of night and the fun it held, and it could kill me.

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Such a sad ending and parting of ways, but what do you think? Are you guys ready to find out about what new technology has been created? How do you think the humans run things? Let me know in the comments! Remember to like and share too! Thank you for reading!

-EmpressLilith