THE TEACHER

Amy stood her hand hovering over the receiver.

God! how long had it been, four, five years and in all that time not once had she got in touch.

"Ardara wait! you can't go now, come back and we''ll talk"

"Go to hell! I never want to see you again"

"ARDARA!"

"Goodbye Grandfather"

She had walked down the path refusing to look back, at that moment she hated him.

She had made a new life for herself.

The funeral...... she had stood watching the service, detached, her mind numb.

Their was a lot of mourners, their faces solemn, a few of them cried while others looked shocked, she tried to feel to let the tears come but nothing.

Afterwards they smiled sadly at her gave words of sympathy, she looked back blankly, a load of shit! she knew, they all thought the same, thank god it was them, it could have been any of us.

Afterwards Grandfather had come to her room, all the usual stuff, are you OK? try to get some sleep, it will get better.

She had told him she hated the ones that had done it, hated all of them but Grandfather insisted they were not all bad, that most of them were good, that they were just as sad and angry over what had happened.

Amy wouldn't hear it, screamed at him, told him she wished they were all dead.

"Fucking Vampires" she mumbled.

"Well, has she agreed?" Antone asked as Phillip, Amy's Grandfather put down the phone.

"She didn't say but she will"

"Can you be sure?"

"No" Phillip had to admit, it had been been easy finding out where she was but she never got in touch and he....the longer it got the harder it was.

"I notice you didn't mention me"

Phillip smiled at his old friend, "If I told her you were here she would never come, for any reason"

The following morning Amy packed.

What choice did she have Grandfather needed her.

Locking the door she took one last look at the city, Manchester had been a good place to hide, to blend in.

Her job although not great got her by and the best of all was she had not used it.

The phone call had changed all that, she knew it would only be a matter of time before she slipped into the old ways.

Amy's Grandfather was delighted to see her and got a bit emotional.

 Ushering her into the dining room.

"Ardara, I would like you to meet Antone Moreau"

Amy turned to the man, "Good ev...." her face turned white.

What the hell was grandfather up to, how could he, he knew how she felt.

"Good evening Ardara" the man greeted her.

"Grandfather I don't know what your playing at but if you think I will stay another minute with that abomination then think again"

"Now Ardara, please! after all these years have you not thought, realised..."

"I thought about it, replayed it over and over in my head, even when I didn't want to, never trust those" she pointed at the man, hatred written all over her face.

"Please Miss Jaiden sit down, I can see your upset but your attitude will not help"

"ATTITUDE!  you want to see attitude, how about fuck off!"

"Ardara enough!, I, we have called you here because we need your help"

"I don't care, I am now Amy Smith, I left to get away from this life, away from the likes of you" she spat at Antone.

"You are as stubborn as your Grandfather.....but difficult!"

"And you are a dirty low down son of a bitch, a Vampire"

Antone laughed, "Yes I'm a Vampire but not dirty or a son of a bitch, in fact I knew both my parents who by the way were nobility"

A shadow crossed Amy's face, a sharp pain shot through her heart. after all this time it still hurt.

"Ardara sit down" her Grandfather pleaded.

Ardara sat and glared at Antone.

"The reason we called you, a rogue clan is searching for something, if they find it it would destroy everything"

Ardara snorted, "Do you expect me to be surprised, I told you never to trust them"

"Now Ardara, I will not get into that argument again, the three of us must work together, find out what this clan is planning"

"And what is it this clan wants?" Ardara looked at Antone.

"The Grimoire"

Ardara went pale for the second time that evening, The Grimoire, in the wrong hands it could be dangerous could in fact destroy mankind.

"One of our clans, the Upir's came to me, told me they had been approached by this clan and after being told what they were looking for were asked to join them, this clan we have never heard of, luckily the Upir refused"

"Antone is the head of court, as you know Vampires live by strict rules, Antone makes sure the rules are followed" her Grandfather added, "It is urgent that we find the book first"

Antone turned to Ardara, "Phillip, your Grandfather is in need of your help"

Ardara turned to her Grandfather, "And why is that?"

Phillip coughed, "Your powers are strong, far superior to mine"

Ardara laughed, "And I thought you missed me!"

"I did"

"So how do you plan on finding the Grimoire?"

"We believe they have knowledge, information that will lead them to it"

"How did they get that?"

"We don't know"

 "Will you help?"

Ardara stared at Antone and shrugged, "I'll think about it"

Ardara went to her room, It hadn't changed, the same wallpaper, carpet and furniture, it was if she was stepping back in time.

Images flashed through her head, coming home from school she ran through the house, going to her parents room.

She hated Vampires with a vengeance, this Antone Moreau was no different even if he was the head of their court, he was still one of them and as such dangerous.

The Grimoire was evil if found it would mean disaster, the Umbrae Mundous would collapse, war would spill into the mortal world, their kind no longer invisible.

Ardara rubbed the side of her head and sighed, what choice did she have.

Phillip had brought tea into the living room.

Antone watched as Ardara sat next to her Grandfather, he knew about her parents death, how they had been betrayed by the Voiddusk clan, he had had the unpleasant task of giving the death sentence to the clan leader and banishing the rest.

He knew her feelings about his kind, in a way understood but for it to run so deep was unhealthy.

Normally Antone would not have asked for their help, it was a court problem and as such the court should deal with it, they fact that this Grimoire was also a spell book changed all that.

Only the ones with this gift had a chance of controlling it.

"I have spoken to the other clans and they all agree to help" Antone told them.

Ardara scoffed, "And why is that?"

"Because like you the Shadow World is our home, if this book is found I dread to think of the consequences"

"I came across a parchment a few years ago, it is supposed to show where the book is buried, if we can decipher...." Phillip told him, hopefully defusing the argument Ardara was trying to start.

"I agree" Antone turned to Ardara, "So what is it to be? will you help us?"

"Like I have a choice"

"You always made up your own mind, this is no different" her Grandfather exclaimed.

They discussed where the rogue clan could be hiding, what their next step could be.

"So how did this Grimoire become so powerful?" Antone asked.

Ardara leaned forward, "The book was not written but born, out of fire.

Centuries ago some of the Malus Alterum, Evil ones, had the idea of putting all their most powerful spells and incantations together, they collected all their scrolls to put in a box and bury but the witch hunters found them, they were burned at the stake and the coven set alight.

The fire tore through the coven but when it came to the scrolls the fire couldn't even scorch the edges, the spells acted together, pushing the fire back.

Apparently their was a bang and like the phoenix rising from the flames so did the book, over time the book added more to it's pages, among other things it lists all Angels and Demons, the casting of charms and spells and how to summon unearthly entities"

"So why wasn't it destroyed?" Antone asked, "Surely that was the sensible thing to do"

"Yes and many have tried but the book remains, the book is in it's own way alive, it records everything in the Umbrae Mundous and beyond, all Vampires, Witches, fairies, elves and all other creatures are  recorded in that book, it gives their strengths and weaknesses"

"So it was your kind that caused this!" Antone remarked, "If it wasn't for those Malus Alterum we wouldn't be in this mess" his face showing a hint of anger.

Ardara leaned back and looked at Antone with distaste, "As I said, they were on the side of evil but even they did not plan what happened, it was out of their control, nobody thought it was even possible"

"Well I think we better get to work as soon as possible, tomorrow Ardara and I will start work on the scroll" Phillip announced, "Now if you'll excuse me I think I will retire"

Ardara found herself alone with Antone.

"I think I will go too" getting up and walking to the stairs.

Antone suddenly stood in her way.

"Look can we call a truce, get along till this is over, be friends?"

"Never!" Ardara spat.

"I'm not so bad, if you gave me the chance I think you might actually like me"

Ardara stepped past him only to be blocked again.

"Let me past"

"Only if you agree to give me a try...look I'm sorry about your parents but don't condemn us all"

"You know nothing about it, I hate you and your kind, if one clan can do what they did whats stopping the others, I'll tell you, nothing, your all killers"

"You really believe that don't you! I'll make it my mission to change your mind"

Ardara laughed, "Go ahead, You won't change my mind"

Antone smiled, she was a stubborn one and he never backed down from a challenge.

Even with her face twisted with hate she was beautiful, her short black hair seemed to intensify her blue eyes, his gaze wandered down her neck pausing to watch the throbbing of her artery, he had a feeling her blood tasted sweet, slowly he moved down to her breasts, watched them rise and fall as she tried to control her temper, his eyes traveled further, down her neat waist to her thighs.

"Let me past!" Ardara demanded.

"Do you have any more?"

"I beg your pardon!" stunned at the sudden question.

"I saw the one on your hand, you have another on your left breast..very nice I might add, so do you have any others?"

"I...I..." Ardara went red.

"I take it that the others are else where?" Antone moved closer, "I wonder if you might show me one night?"

"Bastard" Ardara yelled as she ran up the stairs.

His laughter followed her, deep and rich, sending shivers down her spine.

Ardara headed to her room, slamming the door behind her.

Got her! he was going to enjoy this game, one way or the other she would learn that not all of his kind were bad.

He chuckled as the vision of her face came into his mind.

He would like to see all her tattoos and every other part of her body.

Ardara changed into her night clothes, still angry, how dare that thing say what he did, make a pass at her.

Hearing the main door close she went to the window.

Antone walked across the grass.

She was struck by the size of him, tall and broad, he was handsome...for a Vampire, when he stood next to her she had felt scared, intimidated but that was not the reason her heart pounded in her chest.

Antone stopped, turning he lifted his head and looked at her window, Ardara stepped back quickly.

Never trust a Vampire, they were dangerous and as for Antone Moreau he was a typical Vampire, highly sexed and highly rude.

Antone watched the window, smiling, he had known she was watching him, he didn't need any special powers to know that.

Turning he disappeared into the trees.

The next morning Ardara was up early.

If they were going to go up against this clan then they had better be protected.

Going to each corner of the garden she planted a seed.

Kardae, a rare and beautiful plant could only be grown by witches, tonight under the wax moon she would ask for the plant to grow and bloom protecting the house, garden and it's occupants, preventing evil from entering.

Ardara watched the night sky, the timing had to be perfect.

"Lost something?" Antone asked.

"No"

"Can I ask what you are doing?"

"Waiting"

"For what?"

"The right moment"

"Look we're supposed to be working together, keeping secrets makes me nervous" Antone was getting annoyed.

"If you must know I'm going to cast a spell, I did some planting this morning and now I need to chant under the moon"

"And the spell does what?"

"It protects us from darkness, evil"

"I see, is it necessary?"

"What ever we learn we don't want to fall into the wrong hands and it'll protect us too, now go away"

Antone walked back to the house then stopped, turning round he waited to see what Ardara would do.

With her arms stretched towards the sky Ardara started to chant.

"CUSTOS ET TECTUS"

Small globes of light appeared out of nowhere, circling Ardara, spinning faster and faster round her body.

Antone watched fascinated by their flight.

"TENEO NOCUI"

The globes started to shimmer, spinning so fast it was impossible to make them out individually.

"CONPLEO NOSTER SEDES LICIS"

A beam of light engulfed Ardara, the globes slowed down and stopped spinning, turning blue they danced round her as if moving to unheard music.

"ET DIABOLUS AD PROCUL"

The lights vanished, no beams, no globes, darkness shrouded once more.

"Very impressive"

Ardara spun round, "You saw?"

"Yep!, I liked the light show" Antone smiled.

Ardara twisted her fingers, the only ones to see her magic was her parents and Grandfather once or twice, for an outsider to observe was embarrassing.

"You weren't to see, I thought you had gone inside!"

Seeing the nervous look in her face and the way she was fiddling with her hands Antone realised she was upset not at him but her powers, she was ashamed of them.

"I'm sorry! I was curious, there's no reason to be embarrassed, it is a very special gift you hold, you are a good person and will use them wisely"

Ardara didn't know what to say, she never really excepted her gift, they were a curse, the death of her parents only strengthened her belief.

Later that night Ardara searched the bookcases, she knew it was here somewhere.

She had seen it years ago when her parents taught her all she knew, how to harness her powers, control them, part of her learning was to read the old books her Grandfather had.

So where was it?

"Need any help"

"No thank you" she hadn't heard him come up, another trait of the Vampire, another thing she disliked.

"I would like to help"

"I'm looking for a particular book, It's here somewhere"

Ardara moved to the tables going through each pile.

"This book is special because?"

"I think I might know the language, at least it's familiar"

"What is it?"

"That's just it, I recognise some of it but other parts I don't"

"And the book your looking for?"

"I saw a similar language in this book as a child, if I could find it"

"OK, so what does it look like?"

"I'll find it" Ardara didn't like the idea of him going through the shelves.

"I'm part of this, I can help" Antone insisted.

"I don't need your help"

"Look, I'm the one that came to your Grandfather, asked for help, at the least you can trust me a little"

"Trust you! you only came to us because we know how to handle the Grimoire, if it wasn't for that you would never have come near us"

"True, but now we're together we may as well get along"

Ardara snorted, if he thought she was going to play little Miss nice.

"I don't need your help, stay out of my way and let me get on"

"So much hate, it's not good for you, your loss was terrible but you have to move on, let go"

How dare he tell her what's good for her, he was one of those responsible.

"You didn't see them, laying there, they didn't drain them they tortured them then ripped them apart, I had five long years to think about it, to relive it all in my nightmares, I accept all right, your all killers, bloodsuckers, wild, roaming the night to feed, you take, destroying the innocent for your own satisfaction"

Antone remained silent, he couldn't imagine anyone stumbling across such a horrific sight but a child. She was right, to a point. Once ferrel, they now lived peacefully, only taking enough blood to survive. Now they lived by laws, laws made to protect them.

His eyes focused on her lips, soft and full....

Antone grabbed her, pulling her close.

His lips brushed against hers, his eyes bore into hers relishing the shock and confusion they showed.

Ardara's heart hammered in her chest the noise so loud she feared Antone would hear it, her body tingled.

Antone's blood roared through his veins, he wanted her, wanted to show her exactly what Vampire's were capable of. He moved closer pressing himself against her.

"I should show you just how wild we Vampires can be!"

Ardara squealed, jumping back she looked at him her mouth open in horror.

Turning she ran to her room.

It would be so easy to loose control, show that young witch a thing or two.

He guaranteed that she would never forget it but he wanted her to be willing, to run into his arms not away from them.

She was getting under his skin, he had had relationships, lovers but never anything serious, he had always been disciplined, in control.

 This witch threatened all that.

Ardara and Phillip sat in the library plowing through books.

Researching the symbols on the scroll, Phillip had found one of them in a book.

They had managed to work out a general location, a forest on the east coast, they just had to work out it's exact resting place.

Ardara was glad of the sun, with Antone asleep she could breath, relax.

Antone's passion had surprised her as did her own feelings...she had wanted the kiss and more.

Vampires had that ability, the drew you in, like a moth to a flame but witches were immune to their aura, and that's what troubled her the most, her feelings were real?

Her eyes rested on a symbol in her book, realising what it was she jumped up and run to the book case, finding a book on witches crests.

"What is it Ardara?"

"I know where in the forest!"

"Where?"

"Do you remember showing me as a child a book of witches crests, well the one on the scroll is very similar to one in the book" Ardara paused, maybe she was wrong.

"Go on" Phillip urged.

"The crest belongs to the Laqueta coven that lived in the southern edge of the forest"

"But how on earth did they get it?"

"I don't know but it makes sense, the Quiet coven! who would expect them to possess it"

"I'll go check it out"

"Hold on, I don't think you should go on your own, wait till dark and Antone will go with you"

"NO WAY! I don't need him and besides it will be better in the daylight"

"I insist, it could be dangerous to go now"

"I can handle it"

"Ardara my child, have you not thought, they must have one of us working with them, you have not used your powers in a long time"

"You mean the Malus Alterum coven still exists?"

"Could be, it would be better for Antone to go with you...just in case"

Ardara reluctantly agreed.

"Grandfather! how long have you known Antone?"

"A long time, why?"

"I just wondered, that's all"

Phillip pulled out a chair.

"He is a very noble Vampire"

Ardara laughed, "Noble! and such an old word"

"I have known Antone since I myself was a child"

Ardara gasped, "How old is he?"

"Very old"

"Has he been...you know...with anybody?"

"Nothing serious that I know of, Antone is a very closed man, why the sudden interest?" Phillip smiled.

"No reason, curious...how did he become....?"

"A Vampire, you remember the stories I told you of King Arther and Merlin?"

Ardara nodded.

"Antone is in fact Sir Loholt, son of King Arther and his mistress Lady Lisanor, he was a member of the round table, sent on a quest by King Arther he was captured by Arther's enemies, imprisoned Morgana sent a creature a night walker to finish him...instead it turned him"

Phillip leaned forward, "That is one of the reasons I trust him even with my life, even as he is now he is a very honorable man and would never turn to the darkness"

They had been in the forest for over an hour when Antone stopped, sniffing the air he growled.

"We are not alone"

"You can smell them, where?"

"This way"

As they approached a clearing they could hear voices.

"Carefull" Antone whispered as Ardara tried to get closer.

The two men she didn't know but the woman, Ardara gasped.

"Whats wrong?"

"The woman! I know her!"

"Have you not finished?" the red headed woman demanded.

"Be patient, we have the book so theirs no hurry"

"But what if someone comes?" the brown haired man looked worried.

"Come on! I know we have to get back, hand it over to Graverage but let's have some fun, can you imagine their faces when they come to dig it up and it's gone" the dark haired one told them.

The others joined the laughter.

"But what if they come and were still here?"

"Stop whinning"

"I'm afraid we're already here!" Antone anounced.

The trio turned.

"You must be Antone?"

"And you are?"

"So your the one in charge, the head Vampire" the dark haired stated ignoring Antone's question

Ardara and the red head stood watching each other.

The brown haired lad looked scared, shifting from one foot to the other.

"Can I talk to you alone?"

Antone nodded.

"Look here, we don't need to fight, were the same you and I, join us, we would be unstoppable"

"I think not"

"Does the idea of all this power not tempt you, we have the Grimoire, we will not give it up"

Not yet out of his teens, who would take someone so young? Antone felt sorry for the lad, not only was he a Vampire he was on the loosing team.

"I think it would be best if you handed it over, it will only do harm"

The lad laughed, "I know"

Antone growled, this boy thought it was a game, who the hell was in charge and what was he telling them?

"If you handed it over now I will say no more but if you insist on keeping it then I wil have to take it from you"

The lad laughed again.

"I don't think so, their is three of us and only two of you"

The red haired glared at Ardara.

"It's been a long time!"

"Yes, and I'm sad to see you have not stayed with us"

"Much more fun on this side"

Ardara shook her head, they used to be freinds, went to school together, remembering the day they cast a spell, putting a load of frogs in the teachers drawer.

"We used to have so much fun Hestia, we had so many plans..."

"And I still do, their just different to yours"

Ardara looked at her friend, her eyes were a rich red, the sign of darkness, eventually her skin would change, become more tainted...matching her heart.

"I am so sorry"

"Don't be, I love being what I am I mean no rules, complete freedom, you should try it" Hestia teased.

The brown haired lad was getting more and more unsettled.

Fuck! what are they playing at, just the two of them easy to deal with.

He looked at his friend talking to the court head, he looked at Hestia, they knew each other, SHIT! this wasn't good.

If he made the first move it would make the others act, finish this two off, be done with them.

His face twisted with anger, a low growl came from his throat.

He lunged towards the girl, the witch, get her and it would be over.

Ardara hadn't seen it comeing, only when she heard Antone shout did she turn.

Antone was in front of her, in one quick move he too was flying along the ground, towards the lad.

"Ardara keep back" Antone yelled.

"So you want to fight!" the lad snarled.

Antone didn't answer, just as the lad reached him he swerved to the side, the lad missed, with a sharp kick Antone knocked him across the clearing.

"You fuckin..." the lad roared.

Doing as Antone asked Ardara turned getting out of his way, her back towards Hastia.

A reddish glow engulfed her, she screamed.

Rooted to the spot she could do nothing but wait till it stopped.

The spell hurt like hell, her body felt as though it was being hit with thousands of volts of electricity, she could hear the crackleing of her own body, she felt herself go weak, a numbness spread over her.

Ardara fell to the ground.

Hearing her scream Antone spun round.

The vivied light was so intense that he had to turn away, the light went, Ardara lay on the ground, rushing over he knelt beside her, checking her pulse.

Thank god she was alive.

The lad he was fighting moved towards him.

"ENOUGH!" the other one barked.

"As much as I would like to carry this on, we really must be going"

Antone growled but didn't move.

"We will meet again" Hastia smilled sweetly.

"Count on it" Antone replied.

They left, flying into the night sky laughing.

Antone picked Ardara up, still out cold she moaned.

"I'm so sorry" he should have seen it coming, this Hestia had a love of pain, he had felt it.

He looked at Ardara, she had a deep gash from hitting her head on a rock but apart from that she would be OK.

Holding her tight he left the ground, flying over the tree tops he headed west.

Sitting up Ardara touched the side of her head and winced in pain.

"How are you feeling?" Antone leaned forward in his chair, the lamp nearby bathed his face in a warm golden glow. How long had he been there, how long had she been out? Àrdara caught her breath, the man/vampire handsome and almost ertheral, for a second she was catapulted back to the kiss, the feel of his body as he held her hard against him....

Shaking the images from her mind, "OK I guess, what happened?" 

"One of the men went for you, I got in his way, I'm sorry Ardara, I should have seen it coming, should have stopped it"

Looking up she was surprised to see genuine remorse in Antone's eyes.

"It's not your fault, I should have known myself, we used to be friends"

Swinging her legs round she gingerly stood up, apart from a nasty headache she was fine.

"I think you better rest some more, the spell Hestia cast looked nasty"

"Not really, it's ment to immobilise"

"Well it looked bad to me" Antone shuddered as he relived her trapped in that odd looking light. The fear that had gripped him had been natural and yet... seeing her like that, her suffering, he had almost lost control. Ardara swayed as the room started to spin. "Easy", sliding his arm round her waist he waited for it to pass.

Ardara stared at him, what was happening to her? she hated Vampires...didn't she?

Antone's hand stroked her cheek, examining her wound.

"A couple of stitches but not bad, it will heal quick enough"

Her body was on fire, his touch sending jolts of pure pleasure through her.

"Please don't" Ardara moved away, going to the window, confused, she didn't trust him, a vampire and yet she couldn't trust herself either. Around him she she was a moth to a flame and this fire burned.

Antone wrapped his arms round her small frame.

"Am I so abhorant to you, do you not feel it between us, their is something their...yes?"

"Yes..No! I mean...I don't know" Ardara closed her eyes, his strong body pressed against her like a comforter making her feel warm, content, safe. Could she be wrong, was this Vampire really different, after all this time, all her hatred, was she finally dropping her barriers?

"When I saw you trapped, fall to the ground I thought you were dead, I was furious with them for harming you, with myself for being so stupid, I was going to kill them"

Antone's teeth glinted in the lamp light, enraged over his stupidity.

"But I'm OK, thanks to you"

"I wasn't much help"

"But you were, If Hestia had the chance I think she would have killed me"

Ardara tried to hold back the tears, all the pent up emotions, her shame her grief, the hatered she felt for so long.

Turning her round Antone pulled her close, he understood, it was hard to let go after so long but slowly her wall was collapsing, brick by brick.

He had felt the same when he was first turned, the rage inside him nearly finished him, he took his revenge on Morgana and her men, he still winced when he thought of what he had done.

He learned to control himself, never showed any form of emotion, always thought things through, that was one of the reasons he was appointed head of court.

Eventually the crying stopped but Antone didn't let go, the feeling he got from her touch, no woman had ever made him feel this way, the string of lovers that had come and gone, all like him, uneffected by his aura, but none got to him like she did, this little witch was in his blood, his heart and even his soul if he still had one.

He knew she felt the same, but it was difficult for her, her head was over ruling her heart.

Ardara stepped back her arms lingered round his neck, she didn't want to let go, she looked at him, tried to work out what he was thinking.

Breathtaking. Her eyes were the brightest blue he'd ever seen, like crystal, clear pure in colour and so expressive. Right now he could tell she was warring with herself. He eyes changing shade with each emotion.
 Slowly he lowered his head, giving her a chance to back out before it was to late.

 Gently he pulled her close, his arms tightening their hold.

Ardara wanted this, with all her heart she needed to feel his lips against her's, needed to taste him.

His lips met hers, tentively she kissed back.

A growel escaped him, low and primal, full of passion.

Ardara griped him tight, terrified he would let go, stop.

His body responed to her touch, drawing her closer he pressed himself against her letting her feel his hardness.

Ardara was surprised, could she really evoke such passion within him.

Her body ached, wanted more than just a kiss. her arms slipped under his jacket, pulling his shirt away from his waist, her fingers finding bare flesh.

Antone roared, pulling back, he felt his control slipping, if he carried on she would be on the bed.

"I think we better stop or I won't be answerable for my actions"

Ardara nodded sadly, she wanted to go further, to feel him inside her.

The three of them sat in the living room.

"We'll have to go after it!" Ardara stated.

"It won't be easy but I agree" Antone turned to Phillip, "Any idea where their hiding?"

"It's possible they are in the old mansion, it's been empty for years, people say it's haunted"

"Tommorow night Ardara and I will check it out"

"You better be on your gaurd, we don't know how many of them there is"

"We know of the three we met in the forest and this Graverage they spoke of but their could be more"

Ardara made her excusses and headed for her room.

She had just got into her nightie when their was a knock at the door.

Antone stood in the door way, "I just wanted to make sure you were alright?"

"I'm fine, what do you think of our chances?"

"Good, they won't be expecting us, so we'll have the upper hand"

Antone's gaze wandered down her body, the light shone through her nightie revealling her silhouette.

Ardara wished he would do something, anything but just stand there.

Her body ached for his touch, either kiss me or leave she silently screamed but to stand there and do nothing was torture.

"I better let you get some sleep"

"Err! yes, goodnight" Ardara moved towards her bed.

Suddenly a hand grabed her whirling her round.

"I would much rather finish what we started" his voice thick with passion.

"Yes"Ardara whispered.

Antone pulled her close, his kiss deep and sweet sent shivvers down her spine.

She wrapped her arms round him, moveing closer she melted into his body.

Antone explored her mouth, his tounge slipped over her teeth, her tounge, deeper he went causing her to moan.

Antone pulled back, "If we carry on..." not needing to finish the sentence.

Ardara looked into his eyes, the passion in them was fierce, she didn't want him to stop, didn't want him to let go.

Pulling him down with her towards the bed she kissed him.

Antone moaned as he left a trail of kisses down her throat, his hand caressed her body, cupping her breasts he squeezed gently.

Ardara was on fire, never had she felt so alive, so wanting, her body responeded to his touch, she the fire and he the match. Her hands searched for his shirt tail, giving it a tug her hands found his flesh., her nails slowly racked down his taugh flesh.

Antone groaned loudly at her touch, everything about her assaulted his senses. Her scent, her touch, her body, even her voice made him hungry for more. His kisses became deeper, demanding, his need to fill her consuming.

Laying her on the bed he sat on top of her his mouth not leaving her's.

Ardara undid his tie, throwing it onto the floor she reached for his shirt, she stared at his naked torso, never had she seen such a maginficent man.

Antone slowly undid the buttons on her nightie letting the flimsy matieral fall away revealling soft creamy breasts.

"Are you sure?"

Ardara closed her eyes and nodded, she was sure, she wanted this, this man, more than anything else.

Removing the last of his clothes, Ardara watched in awe, it was the first time she had seen a man naked, she guessed that not all of them looked as good as Antone.

Moveing across the bed he sought out her tattoos his tounge tracing each one.

His mouth again found her's his hand slowly moved up her thigh.

Ardara groaned, she squirmed with pleasure.

Pushing her legs apart he carefully entered her, pausing when he realised she was a virgin.

Ardara pulled him closer, looking into his eyes, telling him it was alright.

He pushed himself deeper, Ardara gasped at the sudden pain, tensed at the intrusion. Antone brushed his lips across her cheek, whispering words of comfort. The pain passed quickly as another sensation began building within her, a sweet tormenting pleasure that had crying out. Antone kept his eyes on her, watched as her expression turned from pleasure to awe then need. He sped up, winding her body like a coiled spring until.....

Ardara cried out as pleasure coarser through her body, filling her completely, curling her toes. Somewhere in the fog she was aware to Antone as his body tensed, a dark guttural snarl filling her room....

 Afterwards Antone held her close.

"I said you would show me the others" Antone smiled his voice gruff.

Ardara smiled back, her head rested on his, hearing her own heart beating she was fasinated by the lack of one in Antone but to her he had more heart than anyone she had ever known.

"Are you tired?" he asked kissing her forehead, moving down to her mouth.

"Not really" she giggled.

"Good" he murmmered as he pulled her towards him.

Ardara felt his need, his control slipping, her hand stroked his chest moveing further down.

Antone growled his teeth showed briefly, his eyes turned black..

This time there would be no holding back, he would show her how skilled and passionate a Vampire could be.

The following night Antone and Ardara stood at the entrance of the old mansion.

"Well this looks welcoming" Phillip chuckled.

"Grandfather I wish you hadn't insisted on coming with us" Ardara mumbled.

"I think you might need my help on this one"

Antone grunted in aggrement.

"Well shall we see if the neighbours are in" Phillip moved forward walking up the path.

The door opened. Surprised nothing barred their way, Ardara was sure that Hestia would have placed some sort of spell.

Musty, damp, the place had not been looked at in years, rubbish littered the place, a rat scurried across the floor upset at the sudden intrusion, Antone sniffed the air.

"They are here," he turned to Ardara. If his heart beat it would be racing might now. Powerfull maybe but she was still mortal, just one strategic blow and.... he shuddered.

Phillip checked the other doors, the rooms empty, "Must be upstairs"

Antone moved towards the staircase, looking up he sniffed the air again, his ears listening for any sound

Cautiously they made their way up to the next floor.

Ardara checked the first room, her hand went to her mouth, shocked at the sight before her.

Blood covered the walls, most if it was a dark brownish colour showing it's age but here and their it was fresh , a pool of blood lay on one side of the room, above which someone had written HELP ME!

Antone surveyed the room grimly, "It looks like they are doing more than feeding"

"Look!" Phillip whispered pointing his finger.

The Grimoire.

The three of them stood looking at the book, Ardara felt sick, the souls of a hundred good witches, screaming, their torment horrific, they were trapped, the Grimoire refusing to let them go, there was others, the cackle of the Evil ones, they too trapped but willingly, they taunted her, whispered to her, urging her to join them.

The emotions were overwhelming, Ardara had to get out, turning she gasped.

Antone and Phillip followed her gaze.

"So you have come" Hestia cackled.

"The book must come with us" Antone snarled.

The dark haired lad stepped forward, "It stays with us"

Hestia walked towards Antone, her hips swung provocativly.

"Why go through all this, we posses the book and we will not give it up", running her hands down his chest, "join us"

"NO!" Antone cringed, pushing her away, the idea of following them turned his stomack.

"Are you sure we can't convince you, I mean you are one hell of a man, you and I could get together, join forces"

Antone shook his head, the thought was revolting.

"Pity, we could have been wonderful together, I understand Vampires are very.. intense.. lovers"

Antone looked at the two lads standing behind her.

"Them!" Hestia laughed, "They are younglings, not nearly as powerful or as skilled as you!"

"I am very fussy about who I sleep with" his voice cold. Hestia"s face hardened, "Very well you will perish with the others."

Hestai walked back to the others, "A battle is what you want...so be it"

The lads moved, changing position, trying to block the way, Antone new what they were planning, singleing out the dark haired boy he moved towards him.

Hestia went to the door, "We could have been powerful together Ardara, there would have been no stopping us"

A bolt of light shot from Hestia's hands aiming straight for Ardara but she had expected it, wasn't going to let the tainted woman catch her out this time.

Ardara's hand sent a bolt of light directly at the other, the two clashed, with a bang sparkes flew everywhere.

As if on cue the lads attacked.

The dark haired one threw himself at Antone, with a quick kick he sent the lad sprawling across the room.

Hestia was powerful, the dark practices had consumed her, turning her skin a sickly green, she was now at the highest level but still she struggled with Ardara.

Ardara matched Hestia spell for spell, whatever was thrown at her she threw back, trying to anticipate every move.

The brown haired lad stood watching, unsure what to do, he looked at Phillip.

"Shall we" Phillip invited the lad, not wanting to miss out on the action.

The lad ran at him snarling like a wild dog, Phillip dodged him, spinning round he threw a bolt of red light at him. The lad sparked and crackled falling to the floor, he screamed, Phillip kept his hand up intensifying the spell he had cast. Ardara was  getting the upper hand, Hestia may have learnt all she could but she was sloppy, didn't think her actions through. Antone was stronger and faster than the lad he was fighting, centuries as a Vampire had taught him a thing or two things that the youth was still to learn. In the commotion no one noticed the oil lamp fall, smashing to the ground.

The flames spread across the floor aided by the oil, it moved like a snake spreading silently. "ANTONE, LOOK OUT!" Phillip shouted. Antone looked at the flames, there was no way it could be put out, their hands were full with this lot. "PHIILIP! GET ARDARA, GET HER OUT OF HERE...NOW!" Antone shouted to Phillip. Phillip released his hold on the lad allowing him to drop to the floor, grabbing the Grimoire he rushed up to Ardara grabing her hand he pulled her towards the door. "ANTONE!" she screamed. "I'M RIGHT BEHIND YOU, GET OUT!" he yelled. The other's made a dash for the door. Antone couldn't let them get away, he had finish this now. Standing at the door he blocked their way.

The fire spread quickly, the building old and rotten didn't stand a chance.

The flames hungrily devoured all in it's path.

The trio tried to escape but every time they made a move to the door Antone stepped into their path.

Hestia was the first to go, the heat to much for the long gown she wore, it burst into flames engulfing her.

Her screams pierced the air, falling to her knees she let out a gasp.

The lads watched horror written on their faces, they made another attempt for the door but the flames pushed them back, soon they too were alight.

Antone watched and waited, no way of escape.

The fire moved slowly towards him, he closed his eyes and thought of Adara, she was safe that's all that mattered.

Ardara's face came into view, god! he wished he could be with her.

"I love you"

Ardara stood on the veranda, six weeks had passed since the night of the fire. Strange how things didn't change, everything looked the same....except her. No longer full of hate, she had Antone to thank for that. Antone! how she missed him, she had screamed for him to get out, watching as the flames tore through the mansion, she knew it was to late but she kept screaming, hopeing he would make it.

The mortal world kept going, moved on unaware of it's near distruction, and the Umbrae Mundous, the Shadow World, the Vampires mourned their loss, thankfull  their world was safe.

Graverage disapered, he wasn't there that night but on finding out what happened he had vanished. "Ardara!, come on, we don't want to be late"

"Coming." Turning she went back inside. She had a lot to thank Antone for, he had taught her to let go, to accept what she was, Above all he had taught her the most prescious thing of all,

Love.