The Final Protection (On Hold)

Premonition

Callie awoke to faint howls of agony, she lunged out of bed and ran down the hall to the noise, when she looked out of the heavy doors, Artemis was howling and snarling as Mia walked into the courtyard her red eyes glowing the color of blood, "I won't compete!" Callie looked at the rope on the side of the palace and her heart dropped, Artemis had tried to escape. Callie knew what happened to those few who tried to leave... Mia lunged and Callie crept closer. She leapt on Artemis and pinned her down. The snap of ribs were heard as Mia punched Artemis over and over. Then, from the shadows, a boy showed up as Mia gagged Artemis roped her hands, "Stupid humans." She snarled at the boy. He nodded, then looked at Callie. Without warning he ran towards her, she barely had time to scream before he was on top of her. Callie yelped as he bound her hands behind her back. He pulled Callie onto her feet and whistled to Mia. She stood and sighed, "I thought I threatened you well enough the first time." She left Artemis and came over to hold Callie while the boy brought Artemis on her feet. They were led through countless hallways and doors. Mia knocked on a large wooden door, and it was opened slowly. "Come in." Said the voice of the Queen. Callie swore under her breath, the boy seemed to hear it because he tightened his hold on her bonds. They were led into the chamber, the queen looked up from a book and surveyed them. She clicked her tongue and sighed, "Yes?" "These two were caught attempting to sneak out." Mia said proudly. The boy spoke up, "This one was not sneaking out, I believe she awoke to the noise." He said, motioning to Callie. "Why do you think this?" The Queen asked curiously. "She had nothing on, nor did she smell of ropes or flowers. This suggests she just got outside." He said. Mia nodded, "This one was climbing when I found her, I didn't mean to damage her." Mia said sheepishly as Artemis wheezed next to her. The queen nodded and said, "Artemis is to remain in a prison cell till her match, Mia, you will assign one of your guards to her." She said, then looked at me. "You are to remain in the dungeons and lower levels until your match," She paused and surveyed them, "You are to guard her." She said to the boy. He nodded and didn't even glance her way as he untied her and led her down into the lower levels. He escorted her into a dimly lit room with dark red carpets and a small bathroom with a small shower. A satin bed sat in the corner of the room. She looked at the boy as he leaned against her wall, "What's your name?" She asked. He looked up at her and she almost gasped, he was beautiful. Despite the pale skin and yellowish eyes, he had long black hair in a braid down his back, his muscles stood out and he gave her a soft look. "My name is Daemoniorum." He said. Callie almost died, his voice was so beautiful, it was soft and shy, nothing like the person who attacked her earlier. "Daemoniorum?" She asked, thinking about how she probably pronounced it wrong. He nodded and she thought she saw a hint of a smile on his face. "Can I call you, Damon?" She asked. Damon nodded. "You're awfully quiet." She tried. He looked directly at her, "I haven't known to be loud." She laughed, "That's for sure." Damon gave a small smile as he said, "I'll be in the room next to yours, I'll see you in the morning." Then he walked out. Callie took a shower and threw on night clothes. She had one question before she went to sleep. She walked out of her room and identified the room he was in, she slowly opened the door. As if sensing her in the room, he walked out of the bathroom. Callie looked away, she had never seen a boy without a shirt on. He walked over to her, "Is something wrong Callie." She looked up alarmed, "How do you know my name?" She asked. "When the queen sent me to guard you she said your name." He said, confused as she was. Heat splashed Callie's face, "Oh." "So why have you come?" He asked, pulling a shirt over his head. "What is with you and Mia?" She asked intent on finding out. He considered this for a moment, "I don't know, my sister and I are just like regular people, we just have better reflexes." Then he quickly tried to push Callie out of his room. Callie sighed and went down to her room. She closed the door and went under the covers. She closed her eyes and hoped that her sleep would be peaceful. Callie woke up but didn't know where she was until she looked around. "I'm in the chess room!" She looked around further and saw two people playing a game of chess. Callie slowly walked over to the table and saw the queens board laid out in a perfect battle strategy. She looked at the person across from her. It was Artemis! Several thoughts raced through Callie's head but one rang out, " How in the world am I watching Artemis's match?" Callie felt a movement and the game sped up. The game had progressed and Artemis had only her queen, a pawn, and her king left on the board. She was pale and sweating. The queen moved her knight into check. Artemis moved her king diagonally away from the knight. The queen's rook threatened Artemis's queen. Artemis quickly took the queen's rook. Callie saw the queen smile and took Artemis's queen with her other knight. Callie looked at the queen's pieces. All of her pawns were gone and so were her bishops. She had her queen, king, rooks, and knights. Callie looked over at Artemis, she was now a light shade of green and looked about to faint. "I've got to stop this....but how? This is a dream." Callie looked around and noticed that Artemis had become a pale ivory her skin looking clear her eyes faded like glass. Callie looked over to the chess board and saw that Artemis had only her King left. The Queen had a grin on her face that you could see even through her veil. "She's gonna kill her! I have to stop it!" Callie half shouted as she started to run toward Artemis. Callie looked up just as the Queen was moving her piece into checkmate. "No!" Callie screamed throwing herself at Artemis and knocking the Queen's piece which happened to be her queen off of the table. Beside Callie, Artemis started to gasp and splutter color returning to her cheeks. A feral cry brought Callie's attention to the Queen and she saw that the Queen was screaming as the girl known as Mia had come out from a place of hiding and was advancing toward her. Mia's eyes had a hard steely glint to them and she was muttering words that wouldn't reach Callie's ears. Callie watched in horrified fascination as Mia took out a dagger that looked as if it was made with diamonds and whisper to it. The dagger started to glow an azure blue as Mia advanced. The Queen was frozen in fear her eyes wild, frantic. Mia grinned a savage grin her teeth pointed like a wolf's. Mia reached the Queen and brought the knife up.

Callie gasped and sat bolt upright in bed. She stared around and took in the color of her room. She sighed in relief. "I need to tell Damon about this." Callie stood up and walked out her door toward Damon's room. She raised her hand to knock and the door opened revealing Damon in pajama bottoms that hung loose on his hips. "Callie." He regarded her with sleepy eyes, "what's up?" Callie looked anywhere other than at Damon and muttered, "Nothing. It's nothing. Just go back to bed." At her tone Damon took her chin and lifted her eyes to meet his. "Callie do not lie to me. Now tell me what is wrong." Callie looked into his eyes and stuttered quietly, "Something terrible is about to happen."