Chapter Eight ~Cret~

She was gone, Serenity fled so quickly after my foolish refusal to consummate our arrangement, only remaining long enough to give me details for this evening. I was to meet her just before midnight in the temple. It was the only structure left in the city besides the manor on the eastern side. A simple dulled beacon of what once stood there. That temple had existed for centuries and even now it would continue to survive while everything else fell around it, of that I was sure.

From there she would smuggle me into the manor. I was told there would be only human brainwashed puppets guarding Vondorian. The rest would be waiting farther east along the lake for the ships of Vamdari to arrive. Serenity assured me the army would not arrive until just before dawn, and they were to march tomorrow evening at sundown. That gave us time. Once I killed Vondorian their leadership would fall to Serenity, who swore to report directly back to the nation. They would take no more cities for now.

She gave me hope that I might still be able to save a portion of the valley and myself. The city might have been ruined but the people could still be saved, I was grateful to Serenity for allowing me this. I had a chance to redeem myself even though I had let her slip through my fingers. Something my demon may never forgive.

He was brooding and grumbling deep within me. I was just as upset by my actions. Serenity was giving herself over to me, damn me for not taking the opportunity. It could have been my last chance to have her…but I couldn't. I knew what she was doing, exploiting me to get what she wanted. While my demonic nature had no problems with that, I couldn't bring myself to use her in such away. I had done so much to Serenity in the past, this was my amends.

Now I may never get the chance to explore what we could have been. I had spoken so honestly with her. I held no truth back that stopping her was for the good of this world. There was no denying it, Serenity was the pure essence of darkness in this mortal world, just her walking among them would attract others such as herself if not darker, more violent creatures. Even if she altered her motives and turned her back on the Vampire Nation's conquest, evil would find her like it often did me. Could the mortal world really survive having two creatures like us on this plane?

I had thought of risking it as I breathed in her sage scent, I couldn't be certain which I liked better. This new found stronger aroma of sage or that darkly enticing lavender from last night. My thoughts drifted to her perfect body trapped against mine, the way her eyes traced over my bare chest with impatient hunger, and the arousal flushed over me once again. I was a damn fool for not taking her body and making it mine.

At the moment I was cursing my new found chivalry as I scanned one of the dirt walls in the study. I couldn't think on this anymore it would only madden me further and I needed to focus for the night ahead. There was so much that I needed to do before I took Vondorian's life.

Serenity had promised little to no resistance from him, confessing that her perfectly healed condition was due to the amount of blood she drank from the vampire lord. Leaving Vondorian much like a corpse at the current moment. I doubted even he could recover so quickly from such a state, and for once since agreeing to kill the man, I felt confident I could.

I had jumped so blindly at her request because it was Serenity asking, I was being such a fool. I knew in my condition I couldn't battle her let alone that lord, still I rushed at her request. Even now my intentions weren't completely honorable, while the idea of saving what remained of the people put my shame to rest my motives were far more selfish. I wanted Vondorian dead because he had what I considered mine…Serenity.

What would take place after Vondorian was gone had yet to really enter my mind. I knew Serenity would vanish for a time, but what would I tell the clans? They were gathering in the capital. I should have never made them aware of this situation. It only complicated things. I would have to find away to explain this all to them, would they even believe me?

The last few days of my life had been so extreme even for this era of magic and mystery; this all was some kind of dark fairytale with minimal evidences to the truth. I found it hard to believe at times, and the clan leaders were still very cautious of me. It was surprising they were taking such extreme action with only my word that there was a threat before doing their own investigation. Perhaps they had information I didn't, or maybe they had heard rumors of a possible vampiric attack.

Then there was the topic of Serenity. Should I inform them of her survival? It would do nothing but lead to my own death, and Serenity would be coming for me after this whole thing was over. She would be busy. There would really be no reason to bother the clans with this information.

I could hear Rhea's disapproval inside my head as I looked for that book of hers among the piles of others. Scanning each shelf for the worn brown leather I had yet to come across.

It had to be here.

Maybe I could find some guidance inside its pages, some wisdom she left behind to help me in this matter. I knew what Rhea would do if she were in my position. Duty came first—innocence was to be protected no matter the personal consequences. Ours was a race made for sacrifice and Rhea was always willing to do just that.

I should take her lead and follow but it didn't feel right. It was my pestering gut that was keeping me from doing the safe thing, launching a protest every time I was reminded of my duty—my contract with the Opsona. What it really came down to was which was more important to me—my life and acceptance or exile and death with Serenity.

With everything in perspective, Rhea's wisdom seemed meaningless and I was drawn back to our first meeting. Me fleeing the company of Elders that wanted me dead, and the woman, Rhea, who refused to let me by. I didn't know it then but Rhea had already become my teacher. She showed me in that moment at Damus Canyon that I could control what and who I was if I willed it. Over the years that followed I learned to trust in my own strength, but not anymore.

It didn't matter how strong my will had become. It wouldn't work this time. Serenity had shaken every part of me right down to my Opsona rational.

I ruffled my hair pushing the thoughts from my mind. I needed to focus on one thing at a time. I needed to be ready for tonight, after that I could think on these insane matters all I wanted. For now I would take things as they came and figure the rest out later.

Reaching my hand to the back of my neck I tried to rub out the tension, my gaze falling to the lower shelves. There tucked away in the far corner pushed farther back on the shelf among books twice as large, I spotted it. Rhea's legacy. Its worn leather binding nearly impossible to distinguish from the shelf it rested on, such a simple item and yet it contained more than any of these other books.

Finally. I thought with much relief. If I could do nothing else right I had to at least keep this safe.

Retrieving the book I brushed the collection of dust from it, gently gliding my fingers over the familiar leather binding that had become faded and cracked from years of use. Though it appeared small, no bigger then a journal a traveler might keep in his/her pocket, I noticed it had grown in size since I had last seen it. More wear on the spine, pages ruffled and tucked inside, Rhea must have been working on something before she hid it away.

Falling back into a chair I let the moment fall over me. Opening to a random page, I traced my fingers over the rough paper and scribbled ink. Right away I was comforted, my racing mind settled and I knew Rhea was there with me. Just like all the other times I was in her presence I felt for the first time since arriving that everything was going to end the way it needed to.

This book was my answer to everything—the guidance I so needed. What if you don't like the answer?

The thought sent a fear through me and I slammed the book shut not ready to dive into its pages just yet.