Seithe (Pravus)

by Poppet

  "Eat," he orders.

  I tuck in with relish.

  "When was the last time you ate?"

  I shrug, talking through a mouthful, "No, idea."

  "What is your greatest strength?"

  Hmmm. Good question.

  "Your intuition and your gut response. Your voice is powerful, don't be afraid to use it. Keep breathing no matter how afraid you feel, and remember you are as great as God."

  "What's going to happen?"

  "You'll see."

  I put it out of my mind, enjoying the fresh air, the view, and the way he keeps sliding his warm hand up my thigh, reminding me of how darn good it feels to be alive.

  *

  I walk into reception with Seithe. He's obviously not taking any chances today. Jenni's face creases with confusion.

  Her bright eyes survey Seithe, looking corporate in the same way that Jowendrhan appeared yesterday.

  "Mr Nellaf?"

  I smirk at the bimbo, "No, this is my boyfriend."

  He smiles seductively at Jenni, amazing how they hide their teeth like that.

  "I do have an appointment this morning though."

  Oh?

  "With who?" I demand.

  "Bella."

  "Why?"

  "I've heard she's the latest up and coming investor to boost portfolios."

  Jenni smirks back at me, positioning herself to outline cleavage at Seithe, "Mr Lange?"

  "That's me."

  His confirmation just confuses me.

  "You look just like Mr Nellaf, he's waiting in Bella's lounge with Linda from Pravus."

  My adrenalin surges; pinpricks of heat cover my skin.

  Taking charge, I tell him, "I may as well take you there myself on the way to my desk."

  His face is charged; making blizzards look tame. His glance sparks silver with rage at their underhandedness.

  "No violence, please. Keep it civil, I fucking work here." My voice is a murmur of pleading as I stalk with him away from Jenni's piercing stare.

  A nod concedes compliance.

  "Mr Lange eh?"

  "Rearrange the letters Phoebe."

  "I already have. Clever man."

  I point at the lounge entrance, leaving him to his own devices as I click nervously to my desk.

  "Phoebe! In my office, now!"

  My heart and stomach plummet in their competing to reach my toes. This cannot be good.

  Anxiously I click into Bella's office.

  "Close the door."

  Oh god, I'm going to get fired.

  I close the door.

  "Have a seat."

  I sit in front of her mahogany desk, staring at her wearing black for a change. She hands me three files.

  "Take a look at those."

  I open the first one. It outlines Pravus as a singles club. Hang on! Singles club? Holy shit! My eyes continue scanning the business plan, the assets already under their belt. Bloody impressive portfolio. Then I notice the condition.

  My eyes ratchet up to encounter Bella's green ones.

  She arches her eyebrows and indicates with a nod of her head I should keep going through the files.

  I open Mr Nellaf's file. Holy mother of God! This family are loaded! Condition of investment ... Gulp.

  Finally I open Mr Lange's file. Fuckenhell! The world is my oyster seems like an understatement describing his portfolio. My eyes scan down to Condition of investment.

  A heavy sigh escapes me as I put the files back on her desk. I am beyond words.

  "I don't have to tell you what it would mean to this company to land these deals."

  I nod as my palms slick up.

  "But I only have one of you, and I'm not sure you are even aware of their conditions."

  I shake my head.

  "This will make me partner. The fact all three have the same condition baffles me." She gives me a hard stare. "Is there something you'd like to tell me?"

  I feel guilty, but chance the truth. "Mr Lange is my new boyfriend."

  Her smile is self-explanatory. "I see."

  "So if I have to meet conditions, I'd prefer to meet his."

  "How do you feel about that, Phoebe?"

  "I could do worse. And at least I can sit on my bosses lap and charm the pants off him when I'm in trouble."

  Her laughter bounces uncomfortably off the walls. We have never been this stilted.

  "How do I tell Linda and Mr Nellaf you've turned them down?"

  "I'll do it."

  "Phoebe, I've already spoken to Linda. She knew you would say no, and asked permission for me to let you go with her to Pravus for the day, to see exactly what it is they do there."

  Oh, I know exactly what they do there.

  "Really? And you're comfortable with that?"

  "Yes. Sorry Phoebe, I was faced with a choice. Lose you and advance my career, or keep you and lose portfolios that only come along once in a lifetime."

  "I get it. So effectively you're telling me this is good-bye?"

  She nods.

  "No wonder it's so darn tense in here."

  "Phoebe, you will be a great asset to them."

  "And they've made it worth your while."

  At least she looks embarrassed. I shake her hand and strut back out to my desk, pick up my bag and make a war path to Bella's lounge.

  I stare at the three of them, bitterness coating my vocal cords.

  "So the condition is that I work for you."

  Glaring at Ellindt, "Is there a real reason you want me to go to Pravus?"

  "Yes, the hearing is there."

  "Okay. And your condition?"

  "Not real. I'll give her the business anyway."

  I nod curtly, "Good." I focus on Jowendrhan, "And your condition?"

  "Do you accept the terms?"

  "No."

  He glares across at Seithe, before refocusing brown eyes on me, "Then she forfeits half of my investment."

  "But it's my decision to make, not hers."

  "This is corporate headhunting Phoebe."

  "It's still my decision."

  "And you said no to having my protection then?"

  "I said no to being a victim of an ego."

  We have a clash of focused eyes before he finally concedes, "Fine. I'll give her the full commission."

  I have to irk him. "Can I have that in writing?"

  He smiles, "You would have made a fabulous asset."

  "You've already received all I'm willing to give to you."

  Ellindt looks like her pout is going to pop with curiosity.

  I relax as I finally face Seithe. "You are looking at your new assistant, Mr Lange."

  Standing, he reaches me in a split-second, gifting me with a tantalising kiss.

  "Phoebe?"

  I turn, feeling awkward, facing my now ex-boss. "Yes?"

  "Good luck."

  I incline my head, "Thanks Bella."

  I inform her of the business and commission she'll be getting regardless. Her smile leaves me with no doubt that her career and the money mean a heck of a lot more than a loyal servant.

  "Okay people. Let's not keep the warlocks waiting."

  Fear grips me at Ellindt's words. Unhappily I let Seithe take my hand and lead me to the elevator. Jenni's intrigue is blatant as I leave with the three of them. But I really couldn't be bothered saying good-bye.

  Chapter 40: Demolition

  I'm feeling threatened as I stand with the three of them on the dance-floor in Pravus. The lights are up, but they are red. Dread attempts to cut off my air supply as I survey the rows and rows of spectators. There are no other silver eyes here that I can see. Oh God. I'm the only human in here. Talk about in the lion's den. Red eyes stare out from bemused faces.

  Seithe gives my hand a squeeze of reassurance.

  "Human!"

  Oh fuck.

  My eyes snap front and centre as a spot highlights a huge hulk of a man sitting on a platform in front of us. He has pure black eyes. No hair. The onl
y thought holding me together is the funny gene that loves to fuck with me when I'm under extreme duress. He missed his calling with the WWF. Bet he'd look fab in spandex.

  Grinning now, "Yes?"

  "You have been marked as an acquisition of desire."

  "Okay."

  "You cannot bear witness to the words spoken here. You will be removed to the viewing room."

  "I have free will and a voice that none of you have. I am making this quite clear right now. None of you may lay claim to me in any way. I belong to myself and no one else."

  "Wrong. I have a voice and a Spirit, human. If you want an early death stay at your leisure."

  Laughter spatters through the onlookers.

  Tarlist manifests next to me, indicating I should follow her. I search every instinct I have, and finally concede. Inside of a blink she has me in a room with a huge window looking down on Seithe, Ellindt and Jowendrhan.

  "Tarlist, talk to me."

  She slips into my shadow, looking down coolly with iron bars in her hands like vampire nunchuckus.

  "There's nothing to say. We watch."

  My hands sneak into my pockets where I tightly grip my weapons. Baldie is gesturing and Seithe steps forward, talking. Surprised I watch Ellindt step forward, gesturing like an Italian, mid-temper tantrum, at Seithe.

  Baldie shuts them both up.

  Silver eyes are glaring brightly. Ellindt's are looking very red from here.

  Jowendrhan steps forward and starts speaking. Darise steps onto the floor and nods, gesturing with his hands.

  I shield my eyes as Seithe explodes in fury, flooding every crevice with blinding white light. The window I'm standing at shatters, imploding inward. The detonation of his voice and light, blasts shards into my hands and face; my neck. The roar is so unholy and scary, it shreds the fibres of my mind. Hurled across the room by hurricane Seithe, pain riddles my side which lands on the floor, imbedding glass splinters into a human mosaic.

  "RASTINGRAHOAR!"

  Blinded momentarily, I switch over to Seithe induced awareness. I see him, he seems seven hundred times larger than his usual light. The hulk of darkness that looms in front of him must be Baldie with the black eyes.

  I sense red-blackness beside me, which must be Tarlist. But it fades, and I'm left utterly alone.

  "FLAHRGRHADEN!" from Baldie.

  What the heck are they saying? Bloody hell these shards hurt.

  "Artsinlagor! Forekinamin astirenjer flagid!" Seithe debates with Baldie.

  Jowendrhan steps in front of Seithe, and I blindly observe the only two light sources of the white variety merge, getting brighter and furnace hot.

  Jowendrhan's voice sounds distorted, melodic, yet so full of rage, "SARKARINSTLUND!"

  I'm shaking. My body is going into overdrive. This heat suddenly makes me fear for the weapons I've concealed. I can't open my eyes, the light in here is just too blinding. I can feel dribbles of blood running through my hair, and down my neck from my face, tickling. I wriggle back to the window.

  I sense her as she manifests next to me. Gripping my arm, "Come, we must go."

  "No way am I going anywhere with you."

  "Phoebe you will die here."

  "Stuff you Ellindt. I leave with Seithe!"

  The grip she has tightens as I feel other hands on me. It's such a disturbing darkness. The vibe sends icicles into my soul, petrified fear grips me at the evil behind me, holding me.

  "I command you to release me."

  "On whose authority?"

  It's male. And I know that voice. It's Thorette with the black eyes. Gripping my lighter inside one pocket, and the blowtorch soldering iron in the other, I whip them out, opening my eyes I ignite a blast of flame at his eye, "The Spirit of God lives within me. THAT'S WHOSE AUTHORITY!"

  Screaming like a demented banshee I command them, "BY MY WILL I COMMAND YOU TO LEAVE ME!"

  Ellindt vanishes instantly, her face horrified by my arsenal that connected with her nose. Thorette vanishes too, and I'm plunged into pitch darkness as Seithe and Jowendrhan stop fighting long enough to realise I was under attack myself.

  "Sklaridra?" Seithe speaks.

  "Sklaridra." Jowendrhan replies.

  "SHZTARIKLA!" BOOMS through, shattering what was left of my awareness.

  Scrunched up tightly in the foetal position underneath a shattered window, on shards of glass, blood pouring from my ears, nose, mouth and wounds, I pass out, deafened, just as four hands grip me tight.

  *

  Water. I can hear trickling water. Holy crap that's cold.

  Forcing my eyes open, my vision is hazed. I blink, and blink, trying to clear my focus.

  "Stupid halfbreed!"

  "Fuck you dickweed."

  "Shut up, she's waking."

  "Back off."

  Looking up I see a woman with blonde hair, and ... scream!

  "PHOEBE! Phoebe? Phoebe baby talk to me."

  Terrified I pry one eye open to stare at Seithe. Convulsions have me worse than hiccups. Nothing like a good dose of shock therapy to remind you that you are alive. And hurting like a land mine blown through skin and muscle.

  I pry the other eye open and know I still can't focus as I stare at two Seithe's.

  "There ... there ... was ... demon ... here."

  "I know baby. That's the housekeeper. She was cleaning your wounds."

  "Seithe. I can't see properly. There's two of you."

  He looks at his image and smiles in unison down at me. "Better?"

  One half of his image has white hair now.

  "What happened?"

  Seithe starts, "I'm sorry ..."

  "I'm sorry ..."

  They both stop.

  "I've lost my mind," I complain quietly. In fact I'm terrified that I'm so broken, I'm hallucinating.

  My vision blurs again and I can't focus at all.

  "How are you feeling?"

  "STUFF HOW I'M FEELING! WHAT HAPPENED?"

  "Phoebe, you need more rest. I'm making you black out now."

  "N ..." and they fade to onyx oblivion.

  Chapter 41: Darise

  I'm being forced to rest and it's making me antsy! Seithe has decided for some reason to let Darise explain it all to me. Which makes me wonder what the hell that little shit is hiding now.

  "So what happened?"

  "You saw it for yourself."

  "Darise, don't play coy. Explain to the ignorant human what happened!"

  He sits back in his chair, props his gigantic feet up on the bed, and folds his arms. Near black eyes stare at me thoughtfully.

  "Phoebe, you made a choice of your own free will to enter Pravus that night. You were not going to get entry granted until Seithe interceded."

  I nod, absently picking at a plaster on my hand.

  "From that moment on Seithe became your sponsor."

  "Uh huh."

  "But you drank blood, opening you up to all of us."

  "Oh!" Bugger!

  His eyes crinkle slightly at the edges, softening his stern face.

  "Grastle rather liked the look of you after you confronted him."

  I'm mildly faint at that idea.

  "So Seithe swapped body fluids with you, marking you as his human."

  "You're saying Seithe marked me?"

  "Yes, he did."

  "Then why did he want to brand me?"

  I didn't know vampires could get pale, but Darise looks ill suddenly.

  "I'll get to that."

  "Okay."

  "As a human, you're special. You have some strong qualities all your own, which appeal greatly to this family."

  "Why me?"

  "They are silver eyes. And you stuck around, letting Seithe push you deeper and deeper into your sub-conscious, never breaking. That is a very rare human quality."

  Grinning, "Resilient you mean?"

  Smiling back he gifts me with a playful wink.

  "Silver eyes have a chance at redemption. Which is why your ability and acc
eptance made you an attractive option to the fallen."

  "Hmmm..."

  "No, I'm not telling you why. You just are."

  "So why was I marked for that stupid stand-off?"

  "Jowendrhan didn't think Seithe deserved you."

  Instant pounding splinters into my cornea. My voice vehemently leaves my mouth, "Jowendrhan marked me?"

  "Yes, it was him. He decided to make a play for you."

  Waves of dizziness ripple through me, now I'm glad I'm supported with pillows.

  "Fucker."

  "Ellindt tried the female approach. Appealing to your feminine side, the house makeover was her attempt at getting into your affections."

  "Oh ..."

  "What you witnessed at Pravus was a daemon lord. They have the power to control us if need be. So they make good judges during conflict. Seithe explained how you are his, he marked you first. You accepted him as your lover, and things were going just fine until Ellindt dropped the bomb that you also have Jowendrhan as your lover."

  I'm weak now. I really really messed up.

  "Jowendrhan marked you here in this house. Right under Seithe's nose. And you let him, in your sleep, verbalising that you loved it when HE touches you."

  "Fuck."

  "Your voice is a powerful tool, Phoebe. You humans take it too lightly."

  "I was half asleep!"

  "It matters not."

  I could kill that man!

  "Jowendrhan opposed Seithe's ownership of you by explaining how you chose to go home with him. You chose to join with him mentally and physically. Seithe has no dominion over you."

  "Oh jeez."

  "That's pretty much when Seithe exploded with outrage. Choosing to decide your fate and true ownership through combat, to the death."

  "Rubbish, they can't die."

  "They can if the judge decides it. Unlike the Vampyre, Daemon's still answer to the big boss. They still have his power to use."

  "Oh heck."

  "I was called as a witness for your behaviour inside Pravus, to your drinking blood and being marked by Seithe. We could all smell when Jowendrhan marked you. But because Seithe didn't realise when he marked you with intent to oppose sponsorship, well, that's how he was blind-sided. He was hoping you would make a verbal choice before anyone got hurt."

  "But Ellindt and that demon ..."

  "Your protector Tarlist was destroyed in the light and fire of the conflict. Many of the red-eyes were. Phoebe, it is said that only fire purifies sin. The silver-eyes are hot because they are still consumed with heavenly fire. They pay everyday of eternity for their sins. We are called Vampyre, because inside we burn like a pyre. Humans deliberately spell it wrong, but the obvious has been in front of you all along. A Vampyre burns for his sins."