Tears Don’t Fall
By: R.J. Reagle


~*~Chapter One~*~ A Winters Night~*~


The sky was cloudless and starry as a beautiful creature glided softly across the snow. The bare trees rustled softly in the chilly breeze as the figure looked out over the cliff, down at the sleeping town below. She was beautiful, a tall slim figure with silvery-blond hair that shimmered down her back. She wore a thin simple white dress and her black claws curled under her billowing sleeves. Her face was deathly pale and unbelievably beautiful. With small and dainty features and slight hollows under her burgundy eyes.
All was quiet as the mysterious creature curved her beautiful black lips into a smirk. “Come forward Shadow, there is no need to sneak behind me. I feel your presence within the wind. Wont you join me a top this cliff tonight?” she said with a whispery voice that was filled with everlasting sadness and a hint of amusement. The shadow appeared out from the darkness of the trees. “Good evening Ambrosia. Enjoying the night air I take it.” his voice was velvety and his pitch black eyes had the power to hypnotize his victims. He was tall and slender with wavy black hair that reached his shoulders. He had these red marking in a weird design surrounding his face.
Ambrosia turned to him and looked him straight in the eye. A shadows power had no effect on a banshee and so she gazed back at him without fear. “Why Shadow, I’m preparing myself. You of all creatures should know that. As the solstice approaches us, we grow even more in danger. When the eclipse happens we shall all be powerless and demons alike will be vanquished forever. No more shall we wander this earth. I would think you would be very serious about this. The furies have told me that evil in this city is becoming weaker and weaker. What shall we do Shadow?” Ambrosia’s voice was quiet yet deadly. Shadow just starred back blankly. “Alas, I have no answers my sweet. I suppose we shall all perish during the solstice. And I shall surely miss you. Unless you have thought of a plan.” his answer stirred her heart but she kept her face expressionless. “I have an idea of whom could surely keep the cosmic balance in order. Because without us demons, there will surely be chaos within the universe. I shall call upon you when I know what I’m looking for. Peace Shadow.” as Shadow faded into the darkness, Ambrosia turned back to the town.
Out of her mouth came a high pitched mournful cry, and as a white wolf howled in the distance, Ambrosia disappeared within the mist.


~*~Chapter Two~*~Finding A Hero~*~


In the town mist surrounds a small run down building. There was a small candle lit inside the front window. The broken sign that was hanging above the front door said “Fortune Teller”. The mist was surrounding the house only and suddenly Ambrosia appeared hooded, her eyes were covered. She walked forward and the crooked door swung forward. She peered inside and crept noiselessly across the carpeted floor. Behind a beaded curtain sat a beautiful young girl. She wore a red bandana with beads around her neck. She was slender with short curly black hair swirling beneath the bandana. She wore only one golden hoop earring out her left ear and she had long red nails. Two amulets swung from her neck and clicked musically when she moved. Her wrists were adorned with tons of bracelets.
“Good evening my child. To what do I owe the pleasure?” the gypsy said. Ambrosia didn’t move nor did she take down her hood. “Greetings Tabitha. I need my fortune told. Actually the fortune of all my kind. Can you help me, please.” Tabitha squinted her dark brown eyes at Ambrosia. Ambrosia smirked, she knew that the gypsy would go crazy once she caught a glimpse of Ambrosia with her hood down. “Who are you? What do you want?” Tabitha said in a quivering voice. Ambrosia lifted her hood and placed it on her shoulders. Tabitha jumped out of the chair she was sitting in, clutching her cross amulet and muttering in an ancient gypsy language real fast under her breath. “Be gone,” she whispered “be gone from my presence demon. Go back to the underworld where you belong.” Ambrosia didn’t even flinch. She stepped forward and calmly smiled at Tabitha. “Gypsy Tabitha, my name is Ambrosia. Yes I shall admit I am a demon, but alas I need your help.”
“What help can I offer you. Please leave me in peace. I care not for your petty needs. I will not have harm come to this village.” Tabitha said haughtily. Ambrosia stepped closer and Tabitha took a hesitant step backwards but hit the wall. “Look Tabitha, I have no need to harm you. My race and everyone else in the magical community is in grave danger.” “And what do I care of you and your race? Demons,” Tabitha spit the words “are not worthy of my visions. And I have seen already the future of which you surly hold dear. Good riddance to you and all whom are like you. When the solstice hits you shall all burn forever in the fires of hell.” Ambrosia’s eyes turned to rubies. “Surly you know what I am. I suggest you not test me. No one will be able to hear your pitiful screams and I’m sure the town shall not miss you, as I recall some of them seem to think you a talented witch. Beware they don’t burn you for once they are no longer amused with you, you shall surly burn right along with me and the rest of my kind. I pray you don’t test me.” her voice came out in a cold hiss and Tabitha’s face turned a pale white. Ambrosia continued, “The solstice does not only concern demons, but nymphs, leprechauns, witch’s, and the rest of the community as well. Including you. Your precious visions will cease to exist and you will be left to burn. Now please, if you do care for your life, help me save the cosmic balance.”
Tabitha glanced down at the floor, unable to breath and slowly taking in all this information. The towns people were superstitious and if they have anything bad happen to them if she refused to show them visions then they would burn her at the stake. “How do I know what you say is true? Why not go to a seer of your own kind? Why come to me?” Ambrosia smiled wider, “Why my dear, the seer of our world has barely a vision left. All those underground are growing weaker and soon will fade. The solstice is in a month. Once the eclipse happens we will all, as you so rightly put it, burn in eternal fire. But then flowers will wither, the world will fall to chaos, and soon will be destroyed itself. Because the balance will have been thrown off and there will be no good and no evil. There will be absolutely nothing.”
“Fine then. I shall help you. Please come. What do you need to know?” Tabitha asked. Ambrosia sat in the chair across from the one Tabitha had knocked over. Tabitha picked up her chair and sat as far away as possible from Ambrosia as she could. Ambrosia shook her head at the spectacle that Tabitha was making of herself. “There has been eclipses’ and solstices coming and going for years and years,” Tabitha began. “But this particular one is the most dangerous for the magical community. You are right demon, magic is in grave danger, both sides of magic are. And someone, one of either kind is going to make it happen. It is unclear right now whom is putting our race in danger, but I am quite sure who could absolutely save us.” Ambrosia’s eyes lit up at that and she smiled thoughtfully. “Who must I look for?” Ambrosia asked. Tabitha shook her head sadly. “I am sorry to say that she is new in the way of magic. And she will not live very long as it is.” Ambrosia shot up out of her chair. “Why? What will happen to her? Who is she?”
Tabitha smiled a tight smile. “Why demon, I didn’t know any of your kind can feel fear such as that. You are truly remarkable yourself are you not?” Ambrosia threw her head back in frustration. “AHHH, TELL ME WHO IT IS OR SO HELP ME I WILL KILL YOU HERE AND NOW!” she screamed. Tabitha started to shake but kept her smile in place. “Peace banshee. I shall tell you. I just ask of a little patience.” Ambrosia growled, “My patience is wearing thin gypsy. The solstice is only a month away. I have to find out who is behind this, find the young heroine before she dies of what ever it is you are suggesting, then save her, train her and ask her to fight for this community and save the world. And as you so kindly put it, yes I am a demon, and no I do not like helping people. I would rather wallow in my own grief and sorrow so excuse me if I’m not quite up to playing your stupid games.”
Tabitha nodded grimly. “Yes I see. It’s coming much clearer to me now. The creature behind this is a black witch. Her name is Ice. Ice has been practicing for centuries to perfect a spell that will take away all the magical creatures powers in the world and they would be sucked straight into her. She wants to rule the world, and she cares not for the misfortune it shall bring to the cosmic balance.” Ambrosia’s eyes grew large and her eyes hardened into two cold rubies. “Ice is behind all this. That is interesting. Now who is this supposed hero that I’m supposed to train? And where can I find her?”
Tabitha gazed into the grey pool on the table in front of her. It cleared into a picture of a young girl. She had long black hair with red tips. Her eyes were a startling green and her sharp fangs glinted faintly in the dim light. She looked trapped and confused. Tabitha was deeply troubled by the look of panic in her face.
“I’m afraid, that it might be too late. She’s starving for blood. A newborn vampire I see.” Tabitha whispered. Ambrosia looked confused “What makes this newborn so special. I have to train a newborn? The solstice is in a month. How am I supposed to train a newborn?”
Tabitha shook her head sadly. “Unfortunately I have no answers for you, that’s something you will have to find out yourself. She must have a special ability that will help defeat Ice. You must go to her now though. She is in a small village outside of this town. Go to her, save her, train her then fight Ice before the eclipse happens. You must start tonight.” Ambrosia stood up from her chair. She reached into her pouch around her neck and pulled out two gold coins and threw it to Tabitha. “Thank you gypsy. I shall leave you in peace now.” Tabitha got up too and followed Ambrosia to the door. “Please demon, I beg you not to call again. I cant risk the townspeople thinking that I am consorting with demons. Blessed be.” Ambrosia smiled and nodded. She stepped out into the misty night. As the mist consumed her, she threw her head back again and screamed into the night. Nearby many dogs began to bark, and Tabitha grabbed her chest as Ambrosia disappeared into the night yet again. Tabitha returned to her small cottage and blew out the candle.


~*~ Chapter Three ~*~ Helena~*~


In an abandoned house, in a village outside of the town, was the young girl that Tabitha had mentioned in her visions. She was curled into a ball in the corner. She was covered in a thin shawl and was rocking back and forth. The hunger gnawed at her insides but she didn’t want to leave. She hated who she was now, a monster. A terrible, bloodsucking monster. But she knew she was growing weaker and weaker. Her head split with pain and so often and it made everything she saw glow blood red.
Suddenly the front door began to creak open. The young fledgling coward in the corner, afraid her sire would come back with her first meal. She didn’t want to drink blood, but the thirst was agonizing. It was three weeks since she was sired and she was frightened. But when she looked up to the door, it wasn’t her sire standing before her, it was a beautiful woman with the strangest eyes. She stood tall and dominating over the fledgling. “Please,” she whispered to the figure, “please don’t hurt me.” Ambrosia looked down at the poor creature. Great, she thought, I have to train her against Ice? This shall be interesting. “Peace vampire. My name is Ambrosia. I am here to help you. Stand up.” The fledgling didn’t move. Impatient Ambrosia strode over to her and lifted her up. The vampire shudder from Ambrosia’s cold fingers on her skin. “What is your name young one?” Ambrosia asked. The fledgling looked up at her. “H-H-Helena. My name is Helena.” Helena’s voice shook slightly and she almost collapsed in Ambrosia’s arms from lack of blood. Ambrosia took a bottle from the inside of her cloak. The liquid was ruby red and swished around in the bottle. Helena’s stomach lurched from the hunger but she ignored it and tried to shake Ambrosia off of her, but Ambrosia’s strength was too much for her. “Let me go, let me go. I don’t want to drink blood I don’t want to.” Ambrosia released Helena from her grip and Helena fell to the floor. “Listen, I am running very thin on patience, love. You better drink this, it will strengthen you and then we shall begin your training. We only have a month to prepare.” Helena looked at Ambrosia with skepticism.
“What the hell are you talking about? What is this about training? I don’t even understand what is happening to me. And I really don’t want to drink any blood.” Helena practically screamed at Ambrosia. Ambrosia growled and lifted Helena up again. She tried to struggle but to no avail. “Listen to me now. We can do this one of two ways. Either you take this willingly or I will force it down your throat. You choose.” Ambrosia stood tall and forbidding over Helena and reluctantly Helena took the bottle from her hand. She stared at the bottle squeamishly. “Come on,” Ambrosia growled “I haven’t all day. Drink.” Helena opened the bottle and drank it.
The instant feeling of relief touched her throat and she felt so much better. The burning pain from the thirst and hunger felt like a distant memory. And she felt stronger than she had in her whole life.
She gave Ambrosia back the now empty bottle, feeling dazed and looking around confused. Ambrosia helped her up again and just starred at her. “What do you remember about your human life?” Ambrosia asked. Helena’s eyebrows knitted together. It was a bit blurry, like squinting to see through muddy water. “It’s a bit blurry I must say. I cant remember much.” Helena shook her head. “Here, sit here.” Ambrosia helped Helena to a creaky old bed in the other room. Spider webs hung from the ceilings throughout the room. Helena sat on the bare mattress and it creaked noisily as she sat down gently. “What is the last thing you remember Helena? Can you remember anything at all about how you came to be?” Ambrosia’s voice was soft and mournfully caring. The sadness of her pitch shook Helena a little. The last thing she remembered is her ex-boyfriend. “I remember it was about three weeks ago. I was dating this handsome boy. He was very rich and very powerful. Our last date I looked into his eyes and I felt like I was drowning. I couldn’t breathe and everything was a bluish black. Like way deep down in the ocean.” Helena said. Ambrosia nodded her head. “Yes, he must’ve hypnotized you. That’s one of a vampires powers. What else happened Helena?”
“I then felt a sharp pain in my neck but I couldn’t move and I couldn’t scream. I was paralyzed. When I finally came to, I was here. And I couldn’t find him anywhere. A week later he came by with a girl my age. She was still alive but was blindfolded and petrified. He told me that I must drink from her as my first meal. I refused and he got angry. He slapped me in the face and then drained the girl. He took her to the back, I guess to bury her lifeless body. But he never came back for me. I haven’t seen him since. Then you showed up. That’s all I remember.” Helena poured out in a shaking voice and she started to cry.
“Listen Helena. Listen to me. I need to know the name of your sire. Do you remember his name?” Ambrosia turned Helena’s face to her own. Helena nodded. No matter what she would never forget his name. “Lucas Jennings. His name was Lucas. He was hansom and sweet and I really liked him.” she started to cry, “How could he do this to me?”
“It’s in a vampires nature. He either drains the mortal dry of blood or turns the mortal into an immortal” Ambrosia explained. “Immortal? Like in live forever as a bloodsucking monster? I don’t want to be like this. I don’t want to drink blood for eternity. I don’t want to kill.” Helena held her head in her hands. This is a nightmare, she thought.
“I’m afraid you wont have a choice, my dear. Vampirism isn’t reversible. You will never lead a normal life again. It’s just fate love.” Ambrosia sighed. “Well tomorrow we shall train, and I will answer any questions you might have. Go, sleep well. I must leave for now I have to feed in order to be strong for tomorrow.” Helena looked up sharply at Ambrosia. “You are leaving? What-what if Lucas should return?” she said her gaze bouncing around the room like he was listening. Ambrosia narrowed her eyes. “I think that is highly unlikely. You are a very controlled newborn. It is very unusual that one, such as yourself, still has emotions and refuses to drink blood. You say you spent three weeks without quenching your thirst? Well its very unusual. Newborns are usually wild and hungry for blood. This Lucas must not have had the patience required to teach you the ways of your kind. Just like a man, impatient and childish. He must not have liked having someone who would be willing to disobey him. You must have fought him whilst in your trace although it may have felt like you were paralyzed.” Helena took a moment and studied herself. She determined her mood. “I don’t feel blood thirsty anymore. I feel confused and definitely scared.”
Ambrosia’s eyebrows raised in surprise. Not blood thirsty, she thought, well that is unusual. Maybe she’ll be of use to me yet. Helena watched her cautiously, her body tightened ready to flee if necessary. “Ambrosia, what are you? You don’t look like me, so must not be a vampire. But are you anything like me at all since you are apparently not human.” Ambrosia didn’t answer she had her back turned to Helena ready to leave but then she paused and turned her head to look over her shoulder. “I am what I am. Now sleep, we have a lot of work tomorrow and you will need all the rest you can get. It will be a long training and a friend of mine will join us. Good night vampire.” Ambrosia screamed and left with her usual surrounding mist as she faded away.
Helena sat on the bed hopelessly confused. I am what I am? Helena thought, what kind of answer was that. But Helena’s eyes started getting heavy and her mind got cloudy as she drifted off in a peaceful sleep. So she entered a world of a dreamless escape and went to bed thinking about her new life.


~*~ Chapter Four ~*~ Training With Shadow ~*~


Morning sunshine brightened the dreary room, but not by much. Helena awoke with a sharp pain in her head, much like the headaches and pains that happened before Ambrosia gave her the bottle of blood the night before. Had it all been a dream? thought Helena. She shivered in the cold morning air. She finally looked around the small abandoned house to find Ambrosia sitting in a broken chair next to her. The hollows under her eyes were less definite and she seemed a bit more peaceful after her feed last night. She smiled at Helena.
Helena squinted her eyes through the pain again. It was sharp and it made her eyes unfocused. Ambrosia’s eyes narrowed with worry again. “Good Morning Helena. I have your breakfast. We will start training as soon as you are ready. I will answer anything that you want answered later during break, but now we must make hast.” she handed Helena another bottle full of blood. Helena didn’t even think about it and downed it in one sip. When she was finished she looked at Ambrosia and sighed. “Ambrosia? Where do you get all the blood that you give me.” Ambrosia smiled a sad soft smile and a tiny tear trickled down her cheek. “I will answer your questions later fledgling. Please prepare yourself for training. I shall wait for you outside and transport you to the training brook.”
Helena’s heart jumped. Outside? She looked at the window that poured streaming sunlight through to the floorboards. “You needn’t worry about the sunshine my dear. The bursting into flame for vampires is a myth. Something that gives the humans a feeling a safety amongst our kind I guess. We just follow their superstitions and attack in the night so its less obvious that we exist. Luckily superstition in this world is winding down so we are safer from humans and demons can feed as much as they like. They are reported to each other as accidents but the truth is that we are behind the killings one way or another. But now no more talk. Do as I instruct and you will most likely survive. If you disobey my teachings you will not last long and you immortal life will be over.”
She stepped into the blinding day leaving Helena sitting on the bed scared and confused. She rose and went into the bathroom to grab hold of her reality. After she was calm and able to hold herself together she walked out of the bathroom and out the front door. The white light burned her eyes as the light reflected from the snow. She was blinded and couldn’t see.
Out of nowhere something hard and sharp cracked her in the side. She lost her footing and fell head first into the snow and stars popped in front of her eyes. She sat in the snow gasping for breath and looked up at her attacker. Ambrosia stood in front of her with her arms crossed in front of her chest. A heavy log laid in front of her and she grinned impishly.
“What in the world was that for?” Helena gasped at her. Ambrosia was way stronger than she looked, Helena had to keep that in mind. Ambrosia shrugged and stepped forward to help her up. “Lesson number one, never let down your guard. Ice is unstoppable and she will use every dirty trick to bring you down. You must be patient and tense at all times. I am not saying keep looking over your shoulder but be aware.”
“Ice? Who is Ice? Why would she want to kill me? And I wasn’t ready for that yet. You could’ve at least warn me first. I was blinded by the snow. I thought you said that sunlight doesn’t have an effect on vampires.” Helena complained. Ambrosia shook her head in frustration. “I will answer questions when we break. And here,” she pulled out a pair of black sunglasses, “wear these during the day. You didn’t listen to me before. I said it wouldn’t kill you but it will hurt your eyes and impair your vision. Now take my hand. We’re going to be late.”
Ambrosia took Helena’s hand and disappeared into the mist. When the mist cleared from around them they were standing in a bright clearing. There was grass and animals running wild. Bears, gazelles and many different animals roamed free. The scent of their blood made Helena’s nose twitch in disgust. A small brook trickled musically nearby. “What are we doing here Ambrosia?” Helena asked. Ambrosia searched the shadows around her. “This is farther south than you are used to, its our training area. Here I will teach you to hunt and attack. And I need to seek out what special talents you supposedly possess.” Ambrosia explained. Helena looked around again. “What if I do not possess these talents you speak of?” she asked.
Ambrosia gave her a cold hard look that sent chills into Helena. “Then young one you will not be able to fight, I will punish the one who told of you and then all of us will perish.” Ambrosia’s voice was sad and furious too. She hated the fact that no one but her was willing to cross Ice’s path. But Ice and Ambrosia had a centuries worth of history together and Ambrosia owed it to Ice for a little revenge. But she shook that thought aside and calmed down, suddenly smiling at a dark shadowy tree. “Welcome my friend.” Ambrosia said. Helena shook her head confused. It look empty and still to her and she squinted her eyes to see if she was missing something. Suddenly a tall, handsome figure stepped out of the darkness and startled Helena. She was instantly mesmerized as he smiled warmly at her. Ambrosia gave him the warmest smile she had reserved for him and him alone, but her eyes were full of sadness. “Welcome Shadow, I’m so glad you decided to join us.” Ambrosia said with warmth and Shadow nodded back at her.
“Greetings Ambrosia, and to you too young one. What is your name?” he asked Helena. She nodded back in a respectful greeting but was afraid to use her voice. Shadow smirked in amusement. Ambrosia stepped up to Shadow, “This is Helena. She’s a newborn and we must train her before the solstice. And I have some information for you concerning our situation, I shall speak with you in private.”
“So,” he mused, “this is our supposed savior? A newborn? I must admit I am a little disappointed. I was hoping you would find one with more experience.”
Ambrosia nodded in agreement, “As was I Shadow. As was I. Look at her though. What do you see unusual about her?” Shadow studied her for a moment. “Her eyes, they are bright green. Aren’t newborns supposed to have red eyes? Kind of similar to yours?” he asked. Ambrosia nodded at his good observation. Helena was furious. They were talking about her as if she wasn’t even there. “Listen, I do not have to be here you know. I didn’t even want to be a vampire in the first place. I didn’t ask for this. And you came to me, remember that.” she huffed.
Shadow and Ambrosia were quiet for a moment and for expressionless faces. Suddenly Shadow let out a booming laugh. “Hah ha, a feisty one I see. Maybe she will surprise us hmm?” he laughed. Ambrosia smiled a cold smile at Helena. “Shall we begin? We will break to regain strength in a few hours.” Ambrosia said quickly and they began.
Hours and hours they trained, showing Helena how to hunt for prey, using the technique on larger prey to get around evil minions of Ice. Helena was taught to hypnotize her victims and to lure them to her. Finally Ambrosia called for a break.
“You are doing well love. I don’t think Ice has a chance against you.” Ambrosia commented. Shadow looked at Ambrosia baffled that she should lie. Helena was a difficult student. She had a listening problem. Ambrosia threw him a look. She needed Helena to have confidence.
“Ambrosia can I ask you something?” Helena said. “Of course, now I will answer any and all questions.” Ambrosia said. Helena nodded and took in a breath. “Who is Ice and why are we training against her? No one told me why I am doing this.” Ambrosia paused a moment. “Ice is a very, very powerful witch who can manipulate the elements around her. She gave herself the name Ice because her favorite element is water. Her castle is made out of pure ice. In a months time, the winter solstice will come, and with it an eclipse. Normally this wouldn’t be a problem. But Ice has figured out how to cast a spell that will slowly drain the world of magic and trap it inside her staff, which is her main power source. When the eclipse is complete, all demons will vanish and the earth will fall apart. No magical creature is safe.
“I had sought out a powerful fortune teller near the village I found you in. She told me that you are the savior of the magical community and I must train you. I feel kind of responsible for what may come so I agreed to take you and train you and help you survive. I pray you don’t disappoint me.”
“What is so special about me though?” Helena asked. “I know not young one. That is something we will find out soon enough. You are quite unusual so there may be more to you as well.” replied Ambrosia. Helena sat and thought. That was a lot to ask, she thought. What if I fail? “Why do you feel responsible for Ice’s actions?” she asked. Ambrosia didn’t answer. “Come on you said you would answer all my questions.”
“Yes but that I shall not answer that question.” Ambrosia replied sharply. “Ask a different question.” Helena shuddered. “Ok, how about what are you and how did you become like this.”
Ambrosia smiled and looked at Helena sadly, “I’m a banshee, and I died of a broken heart.”


~*~ Chapter Five ~*~ Ambrosia ~*~


“A broken heart? If you died then how are you able to talk to me and move around?” Helena asked. Ambrosia let out a shrill laugh. “Oh Helena, your ignorance of our kind is so amusing. Before I was a banshee, I was a witch. My sister and I were fighting demons. I was madly in love. The man I had planned to marry was a mortal. Something that is forbidden for a witch to do. A witch is only aloud to marry another witch but I didn’t care. He was so handsome and charming and my sister was green with envy at what I had gained. The eve before my wedding, I went to see my sister for some advise. But when I opened her door I saw my soon to be husband in her bed and wrapped in his arms was my sister. I was heartbroken. I fled from her house and ran into the woods.
“Suddenly the ground started to shake beneath my feet as I cried and cried. I paid no mind to it and just sat there completely miserable. Then I heard a shrill scream surround me, a pack of wolves were howling somewhere in the woods and the screaming grew louder until I looked up and saw a banshee stand before me.
“She looked just like I do right now. I used to have black hair and chestnut eyes. And I was a lot darker. A nice summer tan all year round. But she screamed directly at me. You see a banshee feeds off the loneliness of others, another broken heart. It sustains us. Makes us stronger and virtually untraceable to witches. Only animals can hear our cries unless we are right in front of you zoning in on you. For a mortal, the pitch of the screams can burst all of their blood vessels and they bleed out. But for a witch, like myself, we turn into a banshee.” she finished with tears streaming down her cheeks.
Helena, who was sitting quietly the whole time, gazed at her in awe. “So, that’s how you get me the blood that I need? From the victims that died during your feeding time?” she asked. Ambrosia nodded, ashamed that she had to kill to survive in this miserable world. “Like you, I don’t not feel comfortable with killing others. Just like you hate to drink blood. Fortunately for you, you have an alternative. I on the other hand do not. If I don’t feed on other peoples sorrow then I will die.” Helena nodded at her. She knew she could replace animal blood for humans blood but it just didn’t taste as good. “Is there a cure for banshee’s? To turn them back to the witches they were before?” Helena asked. Ambrosia starred at the sky. “Yes, there is. The banshee’s betrayer or betrayers must say they regret everything that has ever happened and the lover of that banshee must pronounce his love to the whole world.” she said sadly. She sighed, “But my sister would never apologize and my lover has lost his own way. I am forever to remain like this. Cold and miserable for eternity.” she looked at Helena. “Come now it is getting late and you must rest some. Tonight at midnight we will resume training. Just you and myself. Sleep.”
Helena laid down on the soft grass and drifted off into a peaceful sleep.


~*~ Chapter Six ~*~ Helena’s Powers ~*~


Ambrosia walked away from Helena. Tears were streaming down her beautiful face as she gracefully walked to the edge of the clearing. “What is the matter Ambrosia love?” Shadow’s velvety voice was filled with concern. Ambrosia just looked at him, gazed at every aspect of his face. The red markings were bright and fiery, like tiny flames symbolizing his eternal damnation. She looked away, ashamed of her undying love for him and knowing that they could never be. “I told her Shadow. I told her my story.” Shadow stood there motionless. Sighing he reached for her hand. “She must be someone special, for you to share your deepest secrets. How are you faring?”
Ambrosia snorted and looked at him with hate in her eyes. “How am I faring?” she asked with sarcasm. “I feel trapped and miserable. I am bound to this hell on earth forever and for nothing I did either. I have to kill people to survive. How would you say I’m feeling Shadow? How do you think!” she screamed in a mournful cry. He cringed and looked down. “I never meant to hurt you Ambrosia. Never in my life had I wanted to hurt you. Look at me, I am a pathetic creature myself. I live in the same hell if not worse than your own.” Ambrosia threw her head back and laughed a evil shrill laugh of mockery. “You feel your sorrow and your hell is greater than my own? How do you think it feels like to wander around the earth, hearing sorrow that echo’s my own? Never to love again, or to feel the warmth of human flesh against my skin. People look at me like I’m the monster. Like I had sinned. Do not stand there feeling more pity for yourself. You created your hell. I was forced into mine. Helena has something similar with me, she didn’t get to choose her life. We were both betrayed by our lovers. And who suffers the consequences. Certainly not you nor her former lover.”
Shadow remained silent then retreated to the darkness, leaving Ambrosia shrieking into the night.

Helena woke up and gazed around. The moon was full and at the highest point in the sky. Midnight. She got up and searched the clearing, finding Ambrosia standing in the middle of the clearing gazing up at the moon. A soft warm breeze lifted little strands from her hair and made the grass sway under her feet. Helena approached Ambrosia with caution. “Sleep well young one?” Ambrosia whispered without turning around. “How did you know I was coming?” Helena asked in awe. Ambrosia chuckled softly, “It’s a sensing ability. I can feel people in the wind and I know your scent. That way you can never be surprised. You have it too you know.” Helena starred at her. She smiled. “Come here I’ll show you.” Helena stepped forward and Ambrosia took her by the shoulders to place her where she now stood. “Close your eyes” she instructed. Helena shut her eyes, feeling a little foolish but listening carefully. “Now,” Ambrosia said, “shut out all sounds and feel around with your mind and your mind alone. Listen to what the wind tells you. What do you feel?” Helena took in a deep breath and cleared her thoughts. She nearly passed out from breathing in so deeply when the warm breeze whispered warnings in her ear. She opened her mouth and tasted regret and pain behind her. Her eyes snapped open and she spun around but seeing no one. “You felt that too then?” Ambrosia spoke impressively. “That’s Shadows sent. He’s watching from over there.” she pointed to the trees outside of the clearing.
Helena smiled proudly. She did it. “How long will it take to just know though?” she asked. Ambrosia shook her head sadly. “It amazes me how impatient the new generation is. Give it time. Things don’t just happen over night you know.” Helena glanced down sadly. “What I will teach you, and I hope you do get this quickly, is your own special power tonight. The one that will help you defeat Ice.” Helena sighed in frustration. What did Ice have to do with her?
Ambrosia turned to face Helena. “Now focus. Don’t think, just let anything come to you. I don’t want you to force anything just let it come naturally.” Helena did her breathing again, not thinking but not quite clearing her mind. She felt like she wanted to fly. In her head she imagined shrinking in size, feeling light and airy. She imagined everything around her sharpening so she had no trouble seeing anything in her surroundings. In her mind she felt the breezes whipping against her new feathers and feeling free and quite giddy. A song of a dove floated out her open beak. It sounded so real that she opened her eyes and could still feel that light airy feeling. She looked down and dropped a few feet out of the air with surprise. She was a bird! She did it all by herself. Delighted and exhilarated she flew threw the air making random loops and circling around Ambrosia’s laughing figure before settling herself on the branch nearest to Shadows head. He laughed a low throaty laugh and waved a finger at her. Helena angled her wings to wave back.
“Helena do the same thing you just did but think of yourself a full human, or should I say vamp, now please.” Helena rolled her eyes at Ambrosia. She liked being free. Liked the feel of the wind. But she knew she had to get back to Ambrosia before she got too impatient with her. Helena landed in the clearing again in front of Ambrosia. She thought of herself as a human again and shifted back to her true form. Ambrosia stood there and smiled proudly at her. “Well done Helena well done. I guess we now know you’re a shape shifter. A very useful talent and not one, I suspect Ice has ever encountered. This could be very useful. You can shift into anything, human, animal, object. It’s a very sneaky attack. You did want to be a bird right?” she asked Helena. Helena nodded her cheeks enflamed with excitement. “I was thinking of being free and flying away and poof I was a bird. It was fun.” Ambrosia laughed and then grew serious quickly. “That may be so but we have much work ahead still. There is no time for games we must master your new ability. Come lets continue.” They kept at it until well into the morning.
Helena had shifted into a rock (she wasn’t too fond of staying in one place.), a tiger, Shadow, Ambrosia, and many other things until she began to complain of a headache. Ambrosia was hungry too. “But I don’t want to drink human blood.” Helena complained. Ambrosia sighed deeply and looked at Shadow. He nodded. “Well I cant take you hunting so I guess Shadow will have to teach you. I’ll be back by night fall. Drink your fill then sleep. We will resume tonight.”
“Guess we’re going hunting then?” Helena asked him after Ambrosia shrieked away in her usual mist. He chuckled and led her into the woods at the edge of the clearing for her first hunting lesson.


~*~Chapter Seven ~*~ Hunting ~*~

Twisted roots and scared tree trunks showed that the woods here have been untouched by civilization for many centuries. Helena gazed around interested in all the sights and sounds around her. Following Shadow closely so she wouldn’t get lost, Helena thought about her new powers. Shadow remained silent thinking about Ambrosia. Suddenly he turned to Helena. “I was very impressed with your shape shifting. It seemed very natural. I think you’ll learn your skills quickly. But now lets see if we can hunt as efficiently.” he told her. Helena looked up at him, filling with pride at his complement. He looked up and sniffed the air around you and at that point Helena realized that she had no idea about Shadow, what he did to become the way he was, how he survives and what a Shadow really does. “I don’t like talking about myself. Its something that I cant deal with myself.” Shadow said suddenly. Helena starred at him dumbstruck. “H-how did you know what I was thinking.” she asked. He chuckled. “I’m telekinetic. I can read peoples thoughts and move objects with my mind. Very useful in battle.”
Helena blushed a deep crimson. Her thoughts were always private before, and the fact that someone could invade them set her self defense up against him. Shadow laughed at her, “Don’t worry. I can tune out your thoughts at will. You should’ve seen me when I first got possession of this power the noise in my head was ridiculous. Couldn’t sleep for a long while.” Helena laughed softly. Shadow took her hand and led her further into the woods.
“Now,” he said “close your eyes, feel your surroundings. Search for a smell that you can track. Follow it, and let your instincts take over. I’ll be behind you.” Shadow disappeared before her eyes. She closed her eyes, felt around with her mind. A sent hit her that wasn’t very appealing but better than anything else. She followed quietly, jumping from tree branch to tree branch. Finally she stopped above a panther. The panther, like Helena, was hunting as well but froze when she caught Helena’s scent. The panther let out a fierce growl and lunged at Helena, but Helena was to quick for the large cat. She hooked herself around the cat and sank her fangs into her neck. The panther kept up the struggle but finally went limp and Helena discarded it when she felt it run dry.
Helena used the back of her hand to wipe her mouth. A slight clapping from behind told her that Shadow had witnessed the whole scene. “Well done,” he congratulated her, “quite an established hunter after one lesson. Well I’m going off to hunt for myself. Animals are not quite my taste. Drink then rest.” He started to walk away but paused and turned back at to Helena. “Oh and don’t do anything stupid.” he said disappearing into the shadows.
Helena scowled at Shadow’s remark and kept wandering around the woods. Well this is boring, thought Helena as she sat down on a fallen tree. She took in a deep breath and closed her eyes. Helena drifted off to sleep, not knowing what else to do.

Impressum

Texte: this story is an original R.J Reagle novel. Plagiarizing this novel will result in serious legal action
Tag der Veröffentlichung: 20.11.2010

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~*~Dedicated To My Baby Sister Who Even In The Afterlife Is Still My Inspiration~*~My Husband Shane For Always Encouraged Me~*~My Mom, Dad, And Step Mother Ronda Who Supported Me With My Writing My Whole Life~*~