A vampire's Choice

Ruby stood on the porch, leaning against the railing with her hips, arms folded in front of her. Brown eyes followed Lisa as she made her way back to the house, behind her the broad shoulders of Roger. The sight of him made Ruby tilt her head slightly to the side, a look of shock displayed on her features. The vampire has not been in her life long, and she has to admit that the first time they met, she had hated him, but after the raid on Lorence's castle, emotions shifted and in its place was respect and gratitude. He had gone out of his way to save not only her friend but also a werewolf. That is an excellent indication of his spirit. But he had changed.

As Lisa's blond head strode past her and up the stairs, the human ignored her, and Ruby couldn't help but smile, for the girl was as red as a beet, with a cheerful glow about her. Roger nodded in her direction as he followed, and Ruby couldn't help but turn her body in his direction as he disappeared into the house. The light blue of his jacket morphed with the darkness of the house until she was left alone, enjoying the few moments of the rays of sun before she had to join the others. The reason she was so shocked was for the first time in months since Roger was present in her life, he wore something other than white. Sure, she understood the aesthetic, but to wallow in self-pity for hundreds of years gets old real fast. But he was changing, and it made her wonder was it the human who brought this on, or something else.

With a regretful sigh, Ruby straightened herself before following in their footsteps by entering the house. The contrast in the light made her vision falter for a second as the wolf eyes jumped in, and the room became clear. Then, with a quick sniff and the scent of the others, she followed behind them and entered the dining room. The breakfast from the morning was cleared and the room spotless, from food and wolves. Every day she was still amazed by the respect the members had for each other and their Alpha. One word from him, and they all left with not even one complaint. Well, if they did, they certainly kept it to themselves.

Roland stood out from the crowd as he was the only one standing, looking at her. Ruby smiled as their gaze collided, the same feeling she got whenever he was near. The mate bond is fantastic and made her wonder how she ever survived without it. The chair next to her husband scraped back as he offered her one of two empty spots open, which she gladly took. Making her way around the table, Ruby sneaked a peek at each member sitting and waiting. Mark and Vanessa came first; her dark head rested on his shoulder as he placed light kisses on her hair. A small chuckle escaped her as he made a joke under his breath, too soft for a wolf to hear. Ruby remembered the first couple of weeks after finding your mate, but if only they knew that it gets better.

On instinct, her hand covered the growing belly, massaging it softly as she strode past Roger and Lisa next. A more opposite pair could not be found. Lisa seemed sweet and more innocent than most would guess, but she also had pain in her, visible in her face, even as she smiled. Maybe that is why they were fated mates; pain attracting pain.

Roland guided Ruby down as he gently grasps her forearm while placing a hand on her shoulder. Usually, she would make a fuss over his protectiveness but now was not the time. Smiling at him with Roland returning one, he sat down beside her, resting a hand on her leg, sparks gently coursing along her skin. With a final glance around the table, a weird feeling came up. Ruby couldn't place the source or what it was, but something sends shivers down her spine, sending the hairs on the back of her neck standing on alert. Not breaking eye contact with the group, the assassin's logic popped up, and Ruby let her mind pull back, enabling her to see the whole group in one picture. The six around the table, two pairs mated and one meant to mate. But it was strange. In a normal relationship, fated mates would come from the same species. But maybe for the first time in history, the norm was broken. Not once, but thrice. Their fates connected, not just my love, but friendship. Each person around the table can be connected to another. Lisa is the mate of Roger; Roger and Vanessa are old acquaintances; Vanessa and Mark are mates; Mark is Roland's beta; Roland is her mate.

As the realization hit, Ruby's mouth dropped open, and she muttered, "Impossible."

Roland broke the conversation he held with Mark to turn to his wife, gently squeezing her leg for reassurance. "Are you okay?"

Ruby pulled herself back from the vision, making her head jerk back slightly. Roland's hand shot up and grabbed her neck, stopping the whiplash. The motion made everyone turn to look at them, some looking confused while others perked up, ready for anything.

"What is it?" Roland nudged concerningly.

Slowly taking her time, Ruby caught the gaze of everyone around the table before stopping on her husband. The wait making him more anxious, but she could not help it. The realization of what is happening is becoming more apparent—the words of Nix at the castle even greater. "Only through unity will the evil be defeated." and what represents unity better than species mixing.

"If only you knew how right you are, my dear.” A voice as sweet as honey wafted through the room, everyone turning in their seats to look at the person.

But she was no human, for standing at the entrance of the kitchen was an angel. Her golden hair was hugging her body, sending a golden aura simmering in the air. Her beauty was extravagant, with no words to describe what so few could ever see. This was the third time some of the group have seen her, but each time it still takes their breath away. Nix, the mother of witches, was here, and it made their stomachs drop, for whenever she appeared, something evil soon follows.

"Welcome, Nix." Roland hastily stood up and bowed to the God.

Nix gave him a slight nod, and he sat down. Then, making her way around them to the empty chair next to Ruby, their necks cranked and twisted to watch her move in all her glory. The golden dress she wore barely scraped the floor while her feet could not be seen, meaning she was gliding. Reaching the chair, Lisa quickly moved it back to make space and pulled her hands before Nix sat down, too scared to touch her.

It was the first time Lisa would meet Nix, but it felt like familiarity was present. Of course, she has met this woman, or God, before. But how? And when?

"Thank you for having me, but time is short, and we have lots to discuss," Nix spoke.

Everyone remained silent as they waited for Nix to continue. No one dared to look away as if only her presence draws them in, but they could not be faulted. The light emitted from her cast the room in a golden glow, making Lisa lift her hand to examine her skin. Twisting it around, she became entranced by the light before lowering it to look at the source. Nix's golden hair fluttered about her like the wind was caressing her, but all the windows were closed.

Nix stared ahead before turning her head towards Roland, her body unmoving. The total intensity of her gaze shook the Alpha, a need to lower his head in her presence twisting in his head. But, as soon as it appeared, the feeling vanished as he shook his head. The side of Nix's mouth turned up in a smile, making Roland know what had happened.

"Sorry about that, but I had to establish my power, for what I am about to say, is dire and I need you to trust me."

Ruby looked concerningly at her husband, and with another squeeze of her leg, he assured her all was good. "No worries, your majesty. Know I am fully at your beck and call."

Nix let out a chuckle before turning back to a severe expression. "I am no royalty, only a mere puppet for the ones above me."

"You mean the Gods?" Lisa spoke up without thinking before stopping herself. Nix turned towards her, and the attention scared her. She pushed herself back into the chair and instinctively grabbed Roger's arm.

Roger looked down at her reaction and knew precisely what she felt, but he could not calm her to show weakness before this creature could mean death. She was powerful, but without indication of who or what she stands for, using a mask around her is the only way to protect her. So, he did all he could by pushing a calmness from him to Lisa through the connection of skin, hoping it will work. And it did, for she relaxed a little by sitting up straight and looking directly at Nix while still holding onto him.

"Yes, my dear, but they are not the Gods you think of. These are older and more open to change.” Turning to face the table again, Nix continued. "But the one that poses a threat is near. You see, I only appear when the great evil appears, for we are connected. Not physically, but something far greater."

"You mean Luke,” Roger interrupted.

"No," Nix turned to him. “He is but a mere puppet like you once were, but unfortunately, the hold on him is too strong, and he cannot be saved."

Nix's reply angered Roger, "I was not anyone's puppet." He sneered.

"Calm yourself, vampire," Nix's soothing voice brushed over Roger, making the anger vanishing. He looked around confused but agreed, now was not the time to be distracted. Logically, Nix might be the one to explain what had happened to him, even help him end this curse.

"Sorry, Nix."

"Don't be. Anger is a great tool, but only if used correctly. Now is not the time."

"Then who is the puppeteer?" Vanessa asked, also needing answers from the questions developed so long ago.

Roger glanced over to Vanessa and she nodded her head, silently agreeing that she also need answers.

"Not who, but what." Nix explained, "An entity far older, here before me and you. here before the world was built and most likely after it is ash. It is pure evil and the challenges you face now are only the tip of what is coming. For this evil is on another plane, its dark tentacles slivering on earth, trying to find a host."

"But what does it have to do with us?" Ruby pondered aloud before looking up, realizing she had spoken out loud. "I am sorry, I..."

"No need, my dear. You are starting to see the puzzle pieces are connected. All of you are entwined in a fate no one asked for but are forced to participate. For failure will lead to death, billions of it."

"So, us being mates was for a reason?" Ruby continued.

"Yes, a motion that began hundreds of years ago. A motion started by you, Roger." Nix looked at the vampire, followed by the others.

"What?" Roger was confused. How did he start all of this?

"For centuries, the evil reached into this realm, taking the weak and lost to mold into his creations, and I have been stopping him for just as long. Finally, he nearly succeeded over a hundred years ago when a miracle happened. The two of you stopped him without my help."

Nix did not mention names, but Roger and Vanessa knew who she was talking about. And what event it was. "You mean the night I was cursed?"

"Some would call it a curse, others a blessing."

Roger experiences all kinds of emotions all at once. He relived the fear he had felt that night, the loss of his mate, the confusion from what had happened, and the anger at his new deformities. But, as much as it hurt him, he only grasped onto the anger as Nix's words replayed in his head. Blessing, she called it. But how could the isolation and bloodlust be a blessing? For how he looked, he was forced to cut all ties with the world and the one thing he wanted: Love.

Slowly lifting his head at Nix, Lisa gasped as she watched Roger's eyes turn from white to pitch black. The beast was surfacing. "You did this to me!" it was a statement more than a question.

The sight of his true face did not scare Nix, for she remained calm, knowing it was time to confess. "Yes, I did."

The hand on Lisa's leg vanished, landing on the table in a fist, breaking apiece off as Roger released his rage. "You bitch." The chair shot back as Roger jumped up, palms in fists by his side and chest rising from the heaving. "How could you do this?"

Roland and Mark jumped into action at the same time. Being closer, Mark reached him first by sidestepping Vanessa, pushing her out of harm's way. Roland jumped over the table, land in front of Roger. Both wolves grabbed a side to pull him back. Roger screamed from frustration as he fought the men to get lose and attack the witch. Lisa had fallen out of her chair as Roger accidentally pushed her away, and she looked up at the man, fear evident in her eyes. Roger ignored the pull of the mate bond on his mind; his only goal was to tear Nix to pieces.

"Calm yourself," Ruby shouted from across the table, standing while shielding her stomach with both hands.

Roger mindlessly snapped at her, angering Roland. "That is my mate, you bloodsucker." He punched the raging vampire in the stomach while keeping his hold, forcing Roger to double over.

"Let me go,” Roger wheezed out, never stopping to shove the wolves away. "Now.” Screaming at them, Roger turned towards Mark, fangs flashing as he tried to bite the wolf.

"Dude, what the fuck." Mark twisted Roger's arm behind his back, moving his body in the motions to avoid the sharp teeth.

"Do something," Lisa begged, still sitting on the floor but moving back slowly.

Nix remained calm, not even flinching as the vampire jerked towards her, death in his eyes. This was all part of the plan, for sacrifice was needed to defeat evil, and someday they will all see it that way. But for now, she allowed him to purge himself of the hate, for as soon as hate was gone, love could finally blossom.

Standing up, Nix moved to Lisa and extended a hand. Her attention was on the vampire, but Nix's aura spoke out to her, and she took up the offer. As soon as she touched Nix's skin, the golden power crawled up Lisa's exposed skin until her whole body shone.

Roger was too focused on hate to notice the change in Lisa, his eyes only on the witch. But then came the scream. Her familiar voice broke through the dark cloud on his mind, the pain in her dragging him back. As soon as the anger was pierced, it shifted to protectiveness, the need to help her. Nix's body covers his sight of his mate, not knowing what is happening. Roger struggled again, but the two wolves did not know he did not want to kill Nix anymore, only save Lisa.

"Let go," Roger begged.

"Not until you calm down." Roland ground out.

"She is in pain. I need to help her." He kept begging.

Roland glanced back at Mark standing behind Roger, tightening his hold. They both looked confused but did not let up. Vampires played on other sympathies to get what they want. "No one is hurting."

Roger's movements became more frantic as her voice rose. "Can't you hear her scream?"

"Who?" Roland asked.

"Lisa."

Everyone suddenly turned to look at Nix and Lisa, the distraction from Roger not the focus anymore. Nix's glowing form stood with her back to the group as an arm extending out. The glow from her traveled out, and Lisa had the same color. Still on her knees, holding onto Nix, Lisa's head was thrown back, eyes closed and mouth open in a silent scream.

The shock of seeing Lisa like that lightened the hold on Roger and so he took his chance. With a final push, the wolves let go of his arm as he sprinted forward. Fingers brushed his back as they tried to reach out to him, but they were too slow.

"Don't hurt her," Vanessa shouted, but Roger was too far gone. The pain of his mate overrode the need to kill Nix. So instead of going for her throat, Roger dropped to his knees to grab Lisa and pull her away from Nix.

The golden aura attacked Roger instantaneously, pulling him in. His eyes closed as the gold consumed his features, blocking out everything. Silence filled his senses: no sound, taste, total blackness.

"Roger.” He heard her soft voice and nearly cried out from relief.

"Where are you, Lisa?" he asked into the darkness when light appeared in the distance. Roger did not know if he walked to it or flew, but it seemed to get bigger. The one small light grew big before turning into multiple sources, revealing a scene he wanted to forget for so long.

"Where are we?" Lisa asked by his side.

The shock of seeing this place again was too much as he froze on the spot, forced to relive it again.

"This is the night I was cursed."