Eternal Fire

Chapter 20

I woke up feeling sore. I remembered the intense fight with that werewolf from the Europe school. I almost died fighting him. He was determined to prove I wasn't worthy enough to be a warrior and I was determined to prove them all wrong. I heard soft snores and saw Azazel and Joseph sitting in chairs beside my bed and Lycos laying on the end of my bed. I coughed due to my throat being so dry from sleeping for who knows how long. Instantly the two of them were bolting up, nearly falling out of their chairs. I wanted to laugh at them, but my throat was so dry I began to cough until Joseph got me some water to drink. "How do you feel," Azazel asked me. "I feel sore," I admitted after I chugged the water. "How long was I out?" "Two days. You missed the team work portion of the games," Joseph replied. "Tonight is the winner ceremony then tomorrow we go back home," Azazel told me. It feels like it's been forever since I've last seen the school. 

A healer came in and they left the room so I could get checked out. The healer gave me the all clear to leave with freedom to go to the celebration dinner. Azazel came in with a bag of clothes for me. He stepped out so I could dress. I felt a little sore but I knew a few pain killers could make the pain vanish for a little while. I went back to my room for a much needed shower while those two went to start getting ready for the dinner. I had just finished putting my heels on when there was a knock on the door. I opened it and saw Azazel standing there, scratching the back of his head nervously. "Can we talk," He asked me. I stepped back to let him in, "Sure." He came in and he seemed as if he was second guessing himself. "I hated seeing you so injured and pale. I hate the council for changing the rules the way they did. It was the second time I thought I wasn't going to make it to the healers in time. It was the second time I was terrified because I thought I was going to loose you." His eyes held their own confession. Telling me he meant it as more than a friend. "I'm not going anywhere anytime soon," I told him as I felt my cheeks begin to burn. "I would be devastated if you did," He whispered while cupping my cheek. He then kissed me and I surely wasn't protesting. 

Kissing a vampire isn't like what many would think. I didn't taste remnants of blood or anything along those lines. Instead it was addictive. I felt his tongue asking for entrance and I gladly gave it to him. He dominated the kiss and I enjoyed it very much. When we pulled away we were both panting. "When we get back, I'd like to take you out," He told me. I smiled, "I would like that very much." He smiled brightly and then I took his hand, "Come on, we have some bragging to do." 

We went to the ballroom, not caring if others saw our hands linked together. Cameras captured pictures, reporters were wanting to do interviews with many of the winners, and others were celebrating. A woman in a skimpy red dress came over with a microphone. "Many of us thought you would be too injured to attend the dinner, mind answering a few questions," She asked me. Azazel gave my hand a reassuring squeeze. "Tell me Cleo, what do your parents think of your victory," She asked me. "Well, I don't have parents of my own but there are two people out there who treat me like I'm their child, and although I haven't talked to them yet, I know they're probably pretty worried about me. I'm doing great now though. The gloves you guys sent me work really great." "That was my next question. Why do you need the gloves," She asked me next. "Well you see, although my bones and muscles are super strong, my skin isn't. So if I hit something really hard, it shreds my skin, causing me to bleed. It doesn't really hurt, it just makes it a nuisance to deal with because then my hands can get coated in it so holding weapons can become a hassle." "Do you ever feel intimidated by your fellow warriors because you're human and most of them aren't," She asked me. I shook my head, "Never. Now I don't think I'm better than them either. When you're a warrior, your species doesn't matter. The whole species classification stops the moment you're marked. After that, you're not a werewolf, or a half breed, you're a warrior, simple as that." "How does it feel being the first ever female warrior," she asked me next.

"There's a lot of pressure to be honest. The warriors have traditions they have had for centuries, that were male only. Now I have to be included in them, and I was given the task to alter them for women in case I'm not the only female warrior that gets marked. What I change to fit us, will be added into the warrior handbook where it will then be passed down for many centuries to come," I shared with her. "Plus as you know the warriors are known for dressing their best and I am being held at an even higher standard because I'm a woman. In high school I dressed in sweats and tshirts because I wanted comfort, not style. Although I had to change my clothing choices, it was an easy adjustment."

"Do you have any advice for women who could end up being marked next," she asked me. "Be prepared for a lot of rumors and sexist comments. If you let them get to you, it will make it hard to adjust," I told her. She smiled, "Thank you for the interview." She then went off to go talk to many other winners. Azazel pulled me over to Joseph who was standing of to the side with a smirk. "I see you finally got the balls to ask her," he said with a chuckle.

Azazel rolled his eyes as he moved his hand from holding mine to being around my waist. We began talking and laughing until it was time to accept our trophies and give our speeches. When Azazel got his he turned to everyone. "For two years I had to deal with the hatred of my fellow warriors, then this petite powerhouse of a woman came into my life and accepted me for my blood and all. It was because of her that I tried out and wanted to see just how far I could go. Thanks Cleo," he said, and I felt my cheeks burn. He then got off the stage.

After that it was Joseph's turn. "I don't really have any parents to thank, but I do have a small family that I consider my pack, two of which are here while the last member is back home. Thanks guys, but next time I'm gonna beat you." He then got off the stage and he smirked at us. "Its good to have dreams," I told him. I had actually been surprised they won trophies. It made me wonder just how well they did during the team work portion of the games. God I really hate that I missed it. 

When it was my turn I had a couple from the various events. "I know that there will be haters out there saying women shouldn't be warriors, but honestly despite nearly dying during the games, I'm honored to wear this mark and call myself a warrior. The road ahead will be filled with haters that will say that my opponents went easy on me or that they let me win because I'm a woman and I'm more than ready to prove that it wasn't easy. And if any of you think that, I'm more than happy to show you, I'm not some weak woman. I mean if you didn't see me throw that dragon or demolish the ground during the obstacle course or pick up the gold ball during the ball toss then I think you need to get your eyes checked because I know, not many could do something like that." I then stepped off the stage and went over to Azazel and Joseph. 

After several more got their awards and gave their speeches, many began to talk and listen to the music. Azazel, Joseph, and I were planning on sneaking out of the party but our mentors stopped us. Batair smirked at mine and Azazel's joined hands. "And where do you three think you're going," Taos asked us with a raised eyebrow. "Well I think we're going to drink something stronger than wine," Joseph told his mentor. "But we haven't decided yet." Joseph, ever the smart ass. "Well, I don't feel like being hung over so if anyone drinks anything stronger, it'll be you two," I told Joseph. He nodded, "This is true, flying and hang overs, don't exactly mix. Plus you've always have been a light weight." 

They shook their heads at us before they made us follow them. They then became serious when it was just us. "We are only telling the three of you this before hand because it affects you three. While we were gone, staked dead cats to your bedroom doors. It also happened to that Priestess friend of yours," Taos told us. "Security cameras show it was something similar to what took you Cleo. We need you guys to be on your guard when we get back to the school." We all nodded, no longer in the mood to celebrate. We took the information and went back to my room since I was the only one without a roommate. "So what do we do," Joseph asked us. "The four of us stay together as much as possible," Azazel replied while crossing his arms. 

Azazel looked at me, "Since you sleep alone, I'm gonna ward your room to alert me if something finds it's way into your room again." I nodded, "Thank you." Joseph sighed and ran a hand through his hair, messing it up, "I think I'm gonna get a strong drink after all." He then left the room and I sighed. Azazel cupped my cheek, "It'll be okay. We'll keep them all safe." He kissed my forehead before going to follow Joseph. As he left, Lycos came in. "I see you've had a fun night," I said to him. He yawned and got on the bed. I rolled my eyes and put my trophies in my suitcase before deciding to go to bed so I could be well rested for when I face tomorrow's demons.