Dark Protectors of the Realm SL Page

* Awareness hit me with a jolt. My eyes traveled the room, dark with the early morning sky. The sheets I laid on were silk; cool against my heated skin. I tried to remember where I was, but there was nothing. A hand covered my shoulder. * Mornin' cher. * Warm breath slid over my flesh. I slipped from the bed, covering my breasts. The only other article of clothing I wore were purple lace panties. Confused, I looked in the mirror attached to the old fashioned vanity. My panther brand was gone. I covered the empty space on my shoulder. My fingers slid across my collar bone. No more scars. Xavier Aureiux was sprawled across the bed, leaning up on an elbow, his eyes on me. * All dem marks gone, yeah. Clean slate, bebe. * My mind seemed foggy. * Come down. * He held a hand out. Slowly, I moved to take his hand and sat on the bed. * Ol Xavier gon take care of his little meeno. * His finger tips teased down my spine. * Make his kitten purr. * I remained still, trying to desperately rememb...

~Darby Idaho near the Bitterroot National Forrest~ I couldn't sleep. Things I thought were long forgotten had plagued my dreams and I woke up shaking and coveted in a cold sweat. Something or someone from my past was close, I could feel it in my bones. I got up and dressed since sleep was out of the question. I made coffee and while it brewed I sat at my little table and tried to push the dark memories of my past out of my mind. No one here in Darby knew about the torture I experienced. I wanted to keep it that way but still, I knew trouble was close. Would I survive another round with that darkness? Could I? I took a deep breath and squared my shoulders. I'd been a victim before, and I made a promise to myself that I wouldn't let it happen again. Whatever happened, and whomever shows themselves, I would fight the darkness. My wolf wasn't going to let me get hurt again. Still, I had to wonder what was happening too make me think of *+Drake O'Donnell​**​. I h...

* Wandering through my small cottage, I gathered the items I knew I would want or need to take with me, placing them into my suitcase. I wasn't at peace with this mission, like I was with all the other's that I had done before. It seemed sudden that Senichi came across the information on my mother's killer. But also, this person lived in the United States. Why come all the way here, attack my mother and then go back? It wasn't adding up. My second worry was being alone with +Takahiro Yanahi DPI, I'd hidden my feelings for him for months. How was I going to get through this mission with him by my side? Kneeling down in front of my suit case, I packed my stash of normal clothes. When I went on missions, I didn't wear the traditional kimono. I needed to be able to move and the dress didn't allow that. It wasn't exactly easy for me to hide my weapons on me either. I carefully placed mother's old dolls into my suitcase, placing clothes around them to be s...

* Carrying a cup of coffee, I walk into my office and stop short after seeing all the paperwork on my desk. I'd only been gone for a few days, but the piles kept getting bigger. I sat in my office chair and stared at the paperwork, knowing it had to be done. I sipped my coffee until it was gone and then stood, tossing the cup in the trash can. * Not today! * I said out loud as I made my way out into the hallway and out to the training field. * "Well, well, look who finally decided to come back to work." * I grinned at Oscar as I stepped up beside him and watched the group of males as they battled each other hand to hand. * "I was beginning to think you liked the demon's better than you did us." * I shook my head but continued to watch the soldiers. * Ali had to deliver twins, labor got complicated so we had to stay a little longer than planned. I know you guys are skeptical, but seriously, they aren't a bad group of demons. * Oscar folded his arms over ...

* I put my pickup in park in front of Brody's office. The bell above the door jingled announcing my arrival. * "I'll be out in just a minute." * A male voice came from what I assumed was an office. I took a seat in one of the chairs in the reception area. I could hear him talking and knew he was either on the phone or had another client in with him. I hoped he wouldn't take too long, I didn't like being away from Meg too long. Right now Scott, one of our bouncers was sitting with her at the house. My phone buzzed and I checked the email. It was from one of our beer vendors for the bar. I was in no rush to get Meg back in the bar and get it opened back up, but I knew that her and Chloe were losing money on it everyday it wasn't open. Since she shifted, she's felt much better. Her pain was gone and their was no physical evidence left to be seen on her body that she had been injured. But mentally, I wasn't sure. I know there has been a couple nights s...

* I had kissed Raechel Hadrian​ before heading out to my truck. Mikaela Kieschnick​ had at first insisted that Slade Michaels​ and I not come. When I argued she had relented despite her insistence there was nothing we could do. I hadnt heard from Slade and it was odd enough that I was going to drive to he and Jordan's place to figure out what was going on. I drove down the street, people waving at me as I did. Knowing Jordan, she'd probably been ticked at how long it took us to find Chloe. In return, poor Slade was probably being flogged. The driveway stood empty, but Jordan was probably home. I got out and climbed the steps. I pounded on the door. I leaned against the porch post while I waited. I turned and pounded on the door again. No answer. I opened the screen door and tried the knob. It turned and I stepped inside. Only one heart beat was heard and it smelled like a damn distillery. I walked towards what I assumed was the master bedroom. The door was wide open, Slade slun...

plateau of Mount Cetatea, Romania * The limo climbed the steep road to Poenari Castle. Most people thought it was nothing more than a ruined castle, which was only accessible by climbing an ungodly amount of concrete stairs. They were wrong. There was another entrance. And the castle was far from abandoned. Vlad the Impaler had used it as his main fortress. I'd joined him for meals a time or two. It had been taken over by the Bolshevik family in the first half of the sixteenth century. I had taken this trip because something told me that Matre Blogis​​​​ rumored death had been greatly exaggerated. The mission I had sent him on was one of utter importance. The Bolshevik family and my own had history - and not good history. Our lives were bound by blood shed and torture. A deep rooted hatred and desire to destroy. For the sake of our own kind, we had left our home country and navigated to the New World. We were dotted all over the globe. But it didn't change the fact that Romania...

"Chloe." * I heard his gentle, sexy, deep voice. * "Chloe, time to wake up. We're home, baby." * Smiling, I opened my eyes and looked into his mossy green ones. * But I was sleeping so well. * He rubbed a finger over my cheek and gave me a small smile. * "I know you were, you were sawing logs in your sleep. Even the music wouldn't drown you out, but I bet you will sleep better in our bed." * I giggled. * I was not! * +Vincent Gaines​​​​ chuckled * "Come on let's get you inside." * I stretched, my body was still healing, but the pain had subsided or I got used to it. As soon as I could shift I would completely heal. Opening the door to our rental car, I stepped out and breathed in the fresh cool night air. My eyes wandered over the land, it felt good to be home. We said goodbye to the doctor at the small airport and thanked him for his services. Vincent paid for his rental car and handed him some cash. * "You okay?" * I smile...

My head felt so groggy as if I was hanging upside down, but in reality I was laying on what felt like a cement floor. My mouth was as dry as the Sahara desert. With heavy lids I slowly opened my eyes and waited until the room stopped spinning before I pulled myself into a sitting position. A chill ran over my skin, which caused me to realize I was not only in a cold damp cage but also naked as the day I was born. Where in the hell was I and what was this place and who would do this? Reaching out I grasped a hold of the warn, rusty bars in front of me so I could slowly pull myself up on my feet. Swallowing was difficult without so much as a drop of water, but more so because a metal collar was attached to my neck. Fear shot up my spin, followed by a flow of adrenaline as I tried to find a weakness in the metal so I could be free.

* It had been a couple weeks since we had visited with Greg, the contractor we had hired to build our house. After much discussion, +Cole Ross and I had chosen the perfect house. Today, they were going to break ground and I was so excited for this step we were taking in our lives. * Come on Cole! I don't want to be late! * Cole chuckled. * "It's not like they can start without us! I have to show them how to get up there." * I stuck my tongue out at him and he leaped at me, I squealed and took off towards the front door. Catching me he wrapped his arms around my waist and I laughed. He kissed my neck and nipped at the tender spot behind my ear. I tried not to moan, but my mate knew all my vices and I was just so glad he was back home. He was gone for a few days helping to rescue Chloe and I worried the whole time. * Mmmm, Cole.... * Cole teased me a moment longer before smacking me on the ass. * "Gotta go babe, gonna be late!" * I was stunned by his quick ch...

* Something slithered up my leg and brought me to awareness quickly. I shot awake, jerking my foot. * Easy, cher. * The voice was feminine, yet smokey. Pale hands wrapped the rest of the bandage and her eyes met mine. They were light, yet shockingly bright in her pale face. Her dark hair was wet and she was naked. My clothes were in tatters and I slowly pushed myself up on my elbows. * Who are you? How did I get here? * She sat back and my eyes darted away from her naked breasts. * Severina. I reckon Xavier done brought you here if dem marks tell da story. * She was Cajun, her accent thick. * And you? What are you doing here? * I was terrified, having no idea where I was. * You already axed me enough questions, mon cher. * She settled onto the bed beside me as if we'd known each other all of our lives. * I need to get out of here. * I pushed to sit up, my fingers gingerly poking the goose egg on the top of my skull. I winced as I moved to get up. Severina was on me in seconds, her ...

* I finished checking in at the front desk then sat down next to Caiden Bauer​. I was nervous. I worried about what they would find today. I worried that Gabriel Jericho​ was going after Quinn Cooper​. I just wanted to be tucked inside of Ama Maes bed and breakfast with Caiden. My leg bounced as anxiety pumped through my veins. "Im looking for a more permanent living situation." His hand settled just above my knee, stopping the nervous bouncing. My eyes met his. "Really?" My hand closed over his, my heart pounding. "Yes, really. I want to be with you." "I want to be with you, too." He leaned over and kissed me. "It's going to be okay, Gina. I can feel it." "You're a mind reader." I accused softly, tasting his lips. "Only yours. Let's find a place together. Somewhere Kristen and I can work from too." "Alright, I don't have a job yet, but I have money." "I'm not worried about that....

What the fuck! My head felt as if someone beat the shit out of it with a piece of steel. Hell I could only open one eye and what I saw was what looked like some sort of cell. The stench was compiled of sweat, dampness, along with blood which assaulted my nostrils. Groaning in pain when I tried to move. What the hell! My black clothes were shredded all along my flesh and also caked with blood. The one sorta not so hurt good eye , blinked a few times as I struggled to moved once again. This time the pain not only shot viciously through my brain but all over the nerve endings in my body. I tried to swallow but my throat was so dry that it felt as if someone poured fire down my esophagus.

What the hell was I thinking. My heart and my mind were on two totally different levels. I couldn't think straight as I drove on through the night. My wolf whined so much that I wished I could beat the shit out of her until she shut up. Damn I missed +Slade Michaels to the point that I almost turned the truck around and drove straight back home. Home? No, I shook my head. That wasn't my home any more. I had no right to be happy. I was a misfit among society and deserved nothing but misery. The nightly cutting wasn't helping my heart, but the pain made me justify the reason I was leaving behind the male I loved. I knew he would be hurt, but in time he would heal and find another, right? Growling at the thought of another woman in his arms, brought another round of tears to my eyes. I believed this was the fair thing to do and leave before the wedding.

* I pulled off the road and turned up a dirt path. I had saw a rocky stream cutting along the path as I went over the bridge into the state of Washington and I had decided to wade into it and get my feet wet. Dann hot summer days and my a.c. was acting up. Must need coolant again. Maybe it was time to upgrade my vehicle, but I liked driving this one since it had belonged to my father. I got out of the bronco and skirted around it a smile gracing my lips as I looked down off a small cliff at the gurgling water. I slowly climbed down and looked around at the scenery before me. It was beautiful here and I was for sure going to like it. I took off my shoes, rolled up my jeans to my knees, and stepped into the water. I stumbled with the strength of the current and knew there was a waterfall somewhere downstream. I kicked around in the water and enjoyed the coolness of the water as it rushed around my feet and splashed up over my calves. I sighed and got out of the water and slipped my shoes...

* I maneuvered the fan boat through the swampy waters toward the destination Virgil and Josephine had spoken of. I slowed as I spotted an alligator pop his eyes out of the water. I pulled a rifle from the boat and took aim. * You tell him..I'm coming for him. You tell him that if one hair on Sadie's head is outta place. There will be no place on this rock of a planet he can hide. I'll find him and he'll pay. * The gator let out a garbled growl and an emotion passed over his eyes as he nodded and sank back into the water.  * I laid the rifle down and restarted the engine and started to take off, when the gator returned. I stopped and a pair of brown sandals was tossed onto my deck. Apparently Sadie had lost her shoes. I stared at the gator, wondering if I had an ally. * Shift. * I sat back and waited until the gator started to morph and suddenly a very naked and beautiful female was swimming in front of me as she tread the swampy water. I leaned over and pulled her into ...

* The sun was just rising as I finished my Tai Chi. The traditional exercise was good for my body but, not mind, not today. I needed to meditate before I saw anyone on this day. I sat by the koi pond, the wind chimes my mother had loved so played a soft tune in the morning breeze. It was a perfect spot to meditate. I sat, folded my legs and closed my eyes. As I tried to block out the world, +Kimiko Nakatomi DPI​​​ face kept popping up. The tears she shed so hard for her beloved mother. I'm angry. I'm angry that this happened, and in our small village. You'd think this place would be safe, a town of shifters, hidden away from tthe outside world but no. Our Alpha built his so called empire on murder and lies. I was one off his lies. A bastard son he groomed to be a killer. I was not looked at the same as his other sons. That was fine because one day he will pay for his actions. I remembered the day we found out Kimiko's mother had been brutally beaten to death. Ou...

* I wiped away my tears as I walked into my cottage. My sister, Kaiyo, had headed back to the city. I already missed her and was thankful to find the steaming tea waiting for me and for the servant that prepared it. Five days ago I found my mother brutally beaten outside of her home. This morning we laid her to rest. It has been the hardest and longest day of my life. As I sipped my tea the words that my mother whispered to me before she took her last breath ran through my mind. * Mama? Dare ga anata ni kore o shimasendeshita (Mum? Who did this to you?) * She looked into my eyes. * "Watashi wa anata no hontō no hahaoya no kodomode wa arimasen yo. Watashi ga i taka no yō ni shikashi, watashi wa anata o aishite imashita.Tatakai o oboete, dare o shin'yō shite imasen." (“I am not your real mother, child. But I loved you as though I was. Remember the fight, trust no one.”) * She never told me who did this to her, but I will find out. Confused and exhausted I retired to bed an...

* I laid against the back of the cell, almost dazed. I had no idea how long I had been held here. It could have been as little as a day or as many as weeks. Time was irrelevant. The pendulum swinging above my head was starting to slow down - a sure indication that I would soon be dead. I didn't even have a hope to it being done rather quickly. I had failed in my attempt to remove the noose from around my neck. Morelo had fucked up everything. He'd fucked my mate. He'd fucked my life. How he had managed to fuck her without getting that fucking mating rash was beyond me. But the man was a fucking King in his own right. I banged the back of my head against the wall. So stupid. So fucking stupid. I heard the creak of the door and a small sliver of light spread out along the floor. Rats squeaked at the intrusion and I almost did too. The door closed, almost inaudible as it did. I heard footsteps as they made their way to my cell. They stopped. I could see the shadow looming and ...