Dawn's Second Chance

Toby glanced over his shoulder, winking at Anna. He sensed her mood. She wasn't happy to see him go. No matter if it meant she'd have her dining room and her neatly organized life back or not. Soon, he'd be able to zoom in for the kill. The weapon of choice, a dainty, filigree engagement ring, set with diamonds and a row of rich, soft, silvery-gray moonstones. The stones reminded him so much of her. Glittering and vibrant mixed with a hint of calm and mystery. She was his Moni Te-betho-kish-thoe, Silver Moon.

"If it's ok, I'd like to leave this set up." He pointed to the PC and monitor combo stacked neatly in the corner of her dining room on a makeshift desk. "Its linked to the compound. If I'm here and they need something I can be there at the click of a mouse."

Anna's heart melted as Toby shot her another wide smile. "Ok, sure." She knew he couldn't stay with her permanently. But he was leaving his PC behind, as a promise that he would never be far away, not for very long.

"Oh, by the way, do you want to come home with me tonight?" Toby asked trying to sound nonchalant. "There's a transformation ceremony and I have to be there."

Anna hid her frown behind a smile. She'd been there when Chris underwent the ceremony. Although Chris was a vampire at the time of the ceremony, she'd still cried out, writhing on the ground in agony as the powerful blood of The Great Father took hold. But, it would give her some more time with Toby and she could get an eyeful of him in his loincloth. "Sure. But, you have to bring me back, by tomorrow evening. I've been sorely neglecting my work and I've got a deadline coming up."

"Why so far behind?" Toby teased, knowing the answer.

"I've been a bit distracted lately."

Toby crawled across the floor, wedging between her thighs with his shoulders. "I like distracting you." His lips curled in satisfaction as he heard Anna's pulse kick up a notch.

"I like it too." Anna's voice quivered as her skin tingled beneath his touch. "But, my boss doesn't seem to share my enthusiasm." She arched her back responding to the trail of soft kisses he blazed along her inner thighs. He looked ridiculous with her nightgown bunched over his head like a hood as he teased and tickled his way beneath her panties. Curling her fingers over his shoulders, she backed into the living room and landed on the couch with a soft thud. "You're a little distracted."

Toby looked down at Anna. His brown eyes glittered with arousal at the sight of pink blush on her pale skin and her hair, fanned out across the throw pillows. "Oh no, I'm not distracted. You have my full attention."

Anna trembled as he slowly unbuttoned her gown, burying his nose in the hilly valley of her breasts. "Good, I'd hate to fire you," she rasped.

"I'm an excellent employee." Toby took his time, teasing her peaks to fullness nuzzling and nipping at them through the lacy fabric of her nightgown. God, the woman wore the hottest little numbers to bed. Not cheap trampy bits of satin and coarse lace. But, classy, silk, flowing gowns with an elegant hint of subtlety to them.

"Yes," she whispered in agreement. Stretching out as he eased over the top of her she moaned, "very good. And so willing to go the extra mile."

"Anything to keep my boss happy." Toby smiled down at her. Her eyes glimmered, reflecting her feelings. He wanted nothing more than to slide the ring onto her finger, ask her right then and there. She loved him, her eyes told the truth of her feelings. But he would wait, the time wasn't right, not yet.

*****

Sam watched the last of the daylight sink down below the horizon. Today had been a great day. Marcus had faithfully remained at her side, engaging her in light conversation. Purposely steering the topic away from what was about to happen to her. Waiting patiently while she ate the double decker, happy burger, deluxe and fries, paying for the extra large chocolate shake that followed, and sitting with her at the bluffs holding her hand as she soaked in the last bit of warmth the sun had to offer and inhaled the sweet scent of fresh spring blossoms.

She stood as the scenery faded from orange to pale gray. "Its time," she said giving his hand one last squeeze. "I'll see you in a few hours."

"I'll be here," Marcus replied, grasping her hand reassuringly, reluctant to let it go. He watched as she left the bluffs and disappeared into the woods. Even though she'd spent a majority of her life amongst the Sons and had full knowledge of how they lived, he wondered if she really understood the sacrifices she was making. What would he do, would he have accepted to become a vampire if he'd been given a choice? The question was rhetorical, since he was a vampire, and he hadn't been given a choice. And honestly, he didn't know how to answer it.

Chapter 42

Alex sat in the chair across from Dane's desk, flanked by John Mark on one side and Will on the other. Nervously she looked at the floor. They were staring at her, waiting for her to tell them about her vision. She didn't know what the Goddess was trying to tell them and she certainly couldn't control what she saw. If she could, she'd choose to see nothing at all. The vision had been so horrific that she didn't want to remember any of it. "Do you know who the man in my drawing is?"

"We do." Dane said nodding as he pushed her notebook across the desk into her hands.

"Alex, we know it's difficult, but you have to tell us what else you saw." John Mark placed a hand on her shoulder, offering support.

"I was there, on the battleground," Alex stifled a tear as she went on. "This is the man that shot our Great Father. I saw it happen."

"He shot The Great Father?" Will repeated her words, baffled.

"It is possible," Dane said, reclining back in his chair resting his chin on his hand lost in thought.

Alex cast her eyes to the floor, staring at a familiar spot on the patterned rug beneath her feet. "I spent a majority of this afternoon doing research. I checked several databases, ran through website after website, skimmed history books and through scrolls. Despite what history tells us, this is the man who murdered our Great Father."

"I agree. There is a possibility. We know he's a vampire, a Rogue Master. Perhaps he was using a different name at the time," John Mark surmised.

Alex laid a stack of printed pages on Dane's desk. "I printed out anything I could find. Unfortunately, it isn't much. The lists of soldiers at the battle is incomplete and most likely not accurate enough to be of any benefit. There are conflicting historical accounts of what happened, and when. I don't know what else I can tell you."

Dane flipped through the printed pages, skimming over them. "I don't think any name he might have used at the time, answers our questions. It isn't who he is, or was, that matters. Why was he there and what did he have to gain by murdering the Great Father, that's what we need to figure out."

"And what is he up to now?" Will added. The group nodded their heads in agreement. The past wasn't nearly as important as the present. They needed to find out what Roark was up to and why he'd waited until now to make an appearance.

Dane excused John Mark and Will with a nod. The men filed out, leaving him with Alex. She shifted in her chair, pressing her palms to the arms to rise, no doubt, hoping to avoid the conversation they were about to have. "Alex, could you stick around for a minute?"

Sighing, knowing what was coming, she sank back into the chair. "Dane?"

Dane got up and discreetly and closed the door behind him. He was alone with Alex and could speak freely and privately to her. "About you and Chance."

Alex sank down further into the chair, exhaling nervously. "What about it?" she asked defensively. Preparing for a lecture on proper behavior or something else equally ridiculous, she tensed. She was a grown woman and Chance a grown man. They had the right to share their bodies or anything else they wanted to share. Dane was way out of line to ask questions about it or to think he could lecture her.

"Before we went into battle against the rogues, Lucien and I made a pact. If anything happened to him, he made me promise that I'd take care of you in his stead."

"And you have." Alex opened her mouth to continue, but Dane cut her off.

"Yes, I've kept you safe and protected, as I promised. But, I haven't done a very good job of taking care of you. For the last several months, you've been so isolated and distant. Since Chance has come into your life you seem happier, more like your old self. Finally, you're beginning to live again. I think Lucien would want me to give you his blessing. He'd want you to move on with your life and embrace the love that you and Chance have for one another."

Alex blinked away her tears and smiled a sad smile. "I know he would. If the situations were reversed, I'd want him to move on."

"Do you want it for yourself?" Dane hoped that when she finally did let go and decide to move on, it would be with someone safe, a nice human, an accountant or someone in some other mundane occupation, not a warrior. She'd always be at risk of losing her love in the heat of battle.

"Yes, I do." She stood and walked around the desk wrapping her arms around Dane's massive shoulders in a loose hug. "Thanks."

Dane smiled up at Alex, seeing the peaceful and happy expression cross her face whenever she thought about Chance put him at ease about her future. For once, he could quit worry about her. "There's just one more thing."

"What's that?"

"Could you two keep it down?" He pointed to his temple. "I don't think any of us got any rest last night."

Alex blushed and swatted at Dane. "We'll try." She slid him a sideways grin and chuckled. "Were we at least entertaining?"

Dane turned Alex and steered her toward the door. "Very. Now go. We've got to get ready for the ceremony."

******

Chance had been successful in avoiding everyone all day. He spent the afternoon hiding out in the tech lab, picking out and ordering Alex's birthday present and now he hid in the deserted gym going through a series of reps trying to clear his mind. Tonight he'd participate in his first ceremony as one of the Sons and he wanted to be ready.

Candace crept into the gym. Finally, she could grab a few minutes alone with her son. She had him cornered in the one place he didn't expect her. Exercise, sweating, wasn't really her thing. And he thought he was safe in the gym. "Chance, can we talk?"

Groaning, Chance pulled his ear buds free. He couldn't pretend like he hadn't heard her. "Sure." He walked over to the corner of the mat and sat down next to his mom. "What's up?" He tried to be cool and calm, let her direct the conversation. He didn't want to tell divulge any information that she didn't already know. And the look on her face told him that she knew plenty as it was.

Candace reached up and brushed a stray piece of hair out of her son's eyes. She still couldn't get used to his new appearance, so big, so grown up, so much like his father. He was a man now and she had to be careful on how she approached him. "You know I'd never pry in your personal business without a good reason. But, what's going on between you and Alex?"

"Mom, you are prying," Chance chastised.

"I don't mean to. I just want to make sure that you know what you're doing." She rested her hand on his shoulder. "I know," she said, shrugging, "You're a big boy now... etcetera...etcetera, but I can't help but worry."

"Mom," Chance said gently. "For so long it was just us, me and you versus the big bad world. But now, that world has changed, and we're no longer in it alone. You and dad are making it work and so will Alex and I. We'll figure things out as we go along. Just like you two do." He rested his head on her narrow shoulder and exhaled. "I love her, Mom."

"I know you do." Candace said laying her cheek against his head, savoring the softness of his hair against her skin. Her son was a grown man, bound to make mistakes along the way. But, Alex wasn't one of them. "Chance honey, please do your poor old mom a favor."

"Anything."

"Please keep your thoughts to yourself. There are some things I really don't want to know about."

Chance felt his cheeks turn scarlet. "I am quite the stud," he teased his way out of the awkwardness of the situation. Puffing out his chest mockingly he rose to his feet. Anything to get past the embarrassment of having his mother give him a lecture on privacy.

Candace nudged Chance with her shoulder. "Oh please!" she snorted, "save it for Alex." She tousled his hair playfully, running her fingers through the strands. "No matter how big of a stud you think you are. You'll always be my little boy." She was happy for him. She didn't know when. But she had no doubt, Chance was deeply in love and soon she'd be attending a wedding. "We'd better start getting ready. Dane will be calling us to the bluffs soon."

*******

"Oh, I'm liking the loincloth!" Janine squealed, curling her arms around Patrick's bare chest. The boy had game. Serous game. He looked like a pup, fresh out of high school or maybe his freshman year of college. Kind of made her feel like a cougar. And wasn't that a depressing thought. She burred her nose in the nape of his neck and sighed.

Patrick returned Janine's embrace and pulled back a curl of blonde hair, exposing her ear. Bending low he whispered, "You're making my loincloth awfully tight." The diamond earrings that he'd given her for Valentine's Day glittered in her earlobes. She had been so happy when he gave them to her. She loved them and wore them all the time. He'd guessed right when he picked diamonds.

Janine giggled, wiggling free from Patrick's embrace. "Its too bad that you have to go to the bluffs so early. We don't have time to ease your suffering."

"You know you don't have to go." Patrick worried about her being out in the chilly night air. She might catch a cold. Slip and fall in the dark. End up with pneumonia or some other human ailment.

"What, and waste this fabulous outfit that I spent all day putting together." She held her arms out for him to admire the tight hip hugging jeans, and matching down vest. She scowled accusingly at Patrick. "Besides, Alex and Chance have been avoiding me all day. They can't ditch me if I'm at the ceremony. I'll corner them afterwards."

"Hurricane Janine," Patrick teased lightly. "Go easy on them."

"Hey, I'm her best friend, I have a right to know," Janine said defensively, thumping at her chest with her polished fingernail.

"Just remember, curiosity killed the cat," Patrick warned. Sometimes Janine could be too intrusive for her own good. People needed their privacy, and she was okay with that, as long as she was included.

"Then consider me dead," Janine huffed.

The smile faded from Patrick's face, darkening his boyish features to an expression of pure menace. He latched onto her waist, pulling her close. He buried his face in her hair, inhaling deeply of her fresh summertime scent. "Never."

Janine closed her eyes and rested her head against Patrick's chest. She didn't know what she'd said to set him off. But, she soaked up the sudden moment of intimacy between them. Soon, she'd be planning a wedding. She wasn't jealous of Alex and wished her all the happiness in the world. Janine's only regret was that it was Alex's wedding she'd be planning instead of her own.

*******

Sam closed her eyes as The Shaman offered one final prayer sending plumes of pungent smelling white smoke down wafting over her head. The paint on her skin was dry and itchy and she felt over exposed in the thin gauze sheath that covered her body. Her palms were sweaty and her heart raced. The hour was late, soon the new day would be here and with its coming, she would be ushered into her new life.

She felt the weight of the white leather robe as The Shaman settled it onto her shoulders. How many others had worn the same robe? Taken the same walk that she was about to embark upon? She opened her eyes as the air shifted around her. She opened them to see Dane standing in front of her securing the robe into place. "I wish I could be the one to take you to the bluffs."

"I wish you could too," Sam replied grabbing his hands and stilling his fingers. "I'm going to be fine." Dane looked like a true leader, standing tall before her, the medallion resting in the center of his chest, the gold and multicolored gems glittering in the dim lamplight. His face and chest were adorned with the markings of a chief. His back bore the tattoo of a warrior, a psai-wi-ne-noth-tu, Great Warrior. She leaned in to him as he enveloped her in his arms, drawing strength and reassurance from his embrace.

"I know." Dane gave Sam one last peck on the cheek before he left. He took a long moment to look at her, memorizing the exact color of her eyes, inhaling her scent, memorizing the humanity it contained. In a very short time, she'd be different, transformed. He left the room without a backwards glance and made his way to the bluffs to begin the ceremony.

Sam exhaled a long shaky breath, trying hard not to cry. The waiting was the worst part. She forced the worry and fear out of her mind, kneeling to pray to the Ancestors for strength. It didn't seem like time had passed, but a gentle knock on the door interrupted her mediations. She took one last breath and walked out of the room, to meet the warrior who would escort her to her new life.

Robbie bowed to Sam, crossing her right arm across her chest as a sign of respect. She smiled reassuringly at the woman, seeing the hint of fear in her eyes. Speech was forbidden, a part of the ritual. Nodding, she led the woman down the winding corridors and to the exit.

Chapter 43

Robbie helped Sam scramble onto the horse's back and grabbed the reins sliding into place behind her, holding her securely with an arm. The journey to the bluffs was always made by horseback. A warrior escorting the candidate, symbolizing the way the warrior guarded over the Great Father, carrying his dying body on horseback to Kokumthena.

Deep bass and light soprano voices offered prayers high into the night sky. Robbie pulled on the reins and slid down, off Jack's back, extending a hand to Sam to helping her do the same. Nervously, Sam exhaled a breath and lowered her hood into place over her head. Walking beside Robbie into the center of the half moon formation, the bonfire blazed high into the night sky. Orange flames lapping upwards merrily. In the distance, Sam could make out the silhouettes of The Great Father and his brother standing next to the fire, waiting for her to arrive. She felt Dane's hand wrap around hers, leading her to them. Sam lowered her eyes and bowed her head as the Great Father took her hand from Dane's.

The Great Father stared deeply into her eyes, "Wihakayda, Little One, you have come at last." He ran a hand along her forehead. "My Sons she is one of us in deed, bearing our mark upon her back, let her spirit join with ours."

The sounds of chanting and cheers of joy echoed in the air around her. She took a deep breath as The Great Father pinned her arm and held her fast with in his strong restraining grip. His brother, The Prophet, approached her left side, lowering her hood and releasing the ties of her robe, sending it falling to the ground around her feet. He slid an arm around her and gripped her wrist in his free hand. She stiffened waiting for the pain of their bite.

Gasping, Sam's body jerked as the bites were delivered in searing agony. Clamping her jaws closed against the pain, weakening as they drank from her. She focused on the chanting, isolating one voice from the crowd, Dane's. Her brother's soft bass melody was soothing to her as her consciousness began to fade. And her heart, stammer its final beats.