Title: Eternally Damned; Marcus' Story
Co-authors and/or betas: Nope, me and only me.
Genre/s: Science Fiction, Romance, maybe horror and adventure
Summary: Marcus is a vampire dragon who lives in the shadows of Dragon-City. He lives with the temptation to drink the blood of the living everyday, but he's strong enough to resist - or so he thought. One night he meets someone new, and a thirst for her blood like he's never felt before. Drawn to her yet pushed away for the need to protect her from himself, Marcus fights an internal battle with the monster side of himself and the sentient side of himself whenever he comes in any sort of contact with her at all. He can't seem to stay away, and their relationship grows. The something goes terribly wrong, so that hushed affection and temptations anew morph into a race to stay alive.
Main character/s: Marcus, Victoria, Shadowfang, Luna, Alice, Sam, Sarzon
Pairings: MarcusxVictoria, ShadowfangxLuna AlicexSam
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Mild swearing, character death, violence
Word Count: Dunno
No. of Chapters: Dunno
Complete/WiP: Total WIP
Concrit: Neutral
Mary-Sue: Unsure
Disclaimer: I don't own Dragon-Booster. I got the idea for this from all of the vampire and werewolf involving stories that I've read/seen (Twilight series, Van Helsing, Underworld, etc.) and dragon-booster, along with my own Vampire Dragon Idea and BlueBooster's Drago-wolf idea. This fanfic contains elements of all these sources. This fanfic is nonprofit and made by a 14 year old girl with a wild imagination.
A/N: Can't think of anything right now.

Chapter 1 Marcus' POV

My scales chilled cold like always, my stomach gnawing with ravenous hunger like always, my mouth filling with venom as my acute senses took in the many scents of my prey like always, I stood silent in the shadows, making not a sound, barely breathing. I could smell and hear everything there was to hear - my ears were assaulted with the grunts of dragons, the conversation of riders, the clack of claws and shoes, the rummble of taxis, the buzz of talk on com-links, the hum of mag-streams, the distant roars of the Hydrags in the wastelands carried on the almost dead breeze - everything.

I expected nothing new tonight. No one knew I existed, though they subconsciously felt dread in my presence. I stood probably too close to the streets for comfort, but I didn't care. My stomach felt like it was gone, leaving a painful hollow in its place. I swallowed my mouthful of sizzling, acidic venom that burned my already parched throat on the way down. I suppressed a sigh. My blood-red eyes acutely scanning the streets, following the dragons and riders walking slowly through the night and in the faint glow of the street lights, watching the rhythmic pulse of blood underneath their skin and scales....but I should not concentrate on that.

My stomach ached and I longed to satiate my hunger, my thirst. But I would not let the monster inside me be free to taste the sweet, hot, pulsing - No! I would not let him take the lives of the innocent! I heard myself growl, though it was undetectable to the ears of the living. My claws flaked and scraped away the metal of the allyeway, where, in its concealing shadows, I stood, fighting to remain under what little control I had. I gritted my teeth in restraint when a female dragon as red as the blood I craved walked agonizingly close to the allyeway mouth.

Why was I here? I asked myself, and I had no answer. Why was I alive? I asked, and then realized that I wasn't. I was not dead, but I was not alive. I can't die, but I'm not alive. I don't need to breathe. I can't sleep. I'm a monster, and I would never forget that. I sighed a world-weary sigh that no one could hear. Tonight was going to be long. Torturously long.

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Sorry that was so short, but I wanted to get this started. Read and reply. The next chapter will be longer. I might do it in someone else's point of view too. Thanks! :)

wow. that is creepy.

Creepy - good? or Creepy - bad? Oh well, I'm continuing. :D
If you wanna see what Marcus looks like then go to My Art Thread.
A/N: In the begining of this story, this is when Marcus meets Victoria and she's a normal dragon (non vampire).

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Chapter 2 Marcus' Point of View

I decided to avoid temptation as much as possible, after all, why flirt with disaster? I turned away from the alley mouth and, usng my long claws like grapling hooks, scaled the builiding wall next to me and got onto its roof.

My head was cleared, for the scents of my intended prey were harder to smell with the refreshing night air blowing lightly around my head and carrying the enticing scents away from me. Thank the magna draconis. I wasn't sure how much longer I could've controlled myself. Standing that close to the alley way mouth was a truly stupid decision, and I would not make it again.

I looked around me and saw with some satisfaction that I was hidden from view. The buildings had no viewing platforms or anywhere else for the normality of Dragon-City to see me. I walked silently along the building roofs, stil managing to stay out of sight, and trying but occasionally failing to not look at the dragons and humans below me.

Relishing the freedom of the cold night air that seemed almost devoid of the scents of my prey, I jumped a gap between two buildings and started walking on another. Suddenly a smell hit me. No, not hit me, collided with me, crashed into me, with the force of a train, no the force battering ram, of a wrecking ball.

There was no comparison for the force that effected me then. No shreds of the humanity that I'd managed to cloak myself in remained. I was nothing close to the sentient being I had once been. I was an animal. A starving animal who had just smelt the most tempting thing in the world. No, I was a vampire, and I had just smelt the sweetest blood I had ever smelt in my long, long existence. My throat burst into flames and pain stole through my body as I fought the ravenous hunger that I had fought for years.

I hated myself as my instincts fought for control and I fought them back, digging my claws into the metal that I stood on, trying to hold me in place and prevent me from killing. Try as I might, my feet dragged me forward and I stopped at the building's edge. My head went forward and my eyes observed the streets beneath me. It was then that I saw her. A dragon black as the night, with intricate white lines tracing her perfectly-shaped legs and lacing around her body, stood twenty feet below me, walking gracefully with a group of loud-mouthed other dragons. She was the most beautiful and most tempting thing I had ever seen.

I griped the edge of the building and drove myself backward, shaking my head and gritting my teeth in resignation. I wouldn't kill her, I couldn't kill her... I screwed my eyes shut, fighting as hard as I could against the force that propelled me down to the streets below...to kill her. I stopped in the middle of the building roof, conflict preventing me from moving.

I then saw something in the confines of my mind. It was me. But the monster that was me, the one that loved the taste of blood and never stopped craving more. He grinned at me, showing his crescent shaped fangs. His demonic red eyes glinted and he laughed at me, at my pitiful resistence, at the hunger that clawed at my gut.

I whimpered, opening my eyes so not to see the demon in my head. But he was still there and his demonicly evil laughter rang high and hideous in my ears. I hated myself. Hated what I was. Yes, hate was distracting me from the ravenous hunger that I felt when I smelled ... her.

Being unable to stop myself, and fighting to stay still the whole way, my feet dragged me forward against my will to the edge of the building, making it so much easier to see the one whose blood the monster inside me so hungrilly craved. Her friends had left - part of me rejoiced while the other part cursed with frustration. Without friends, there would be no witnesses if I killed her, but with friends there's a chance she might be safe, that someone could get help, any small window of hope.

But now they were gone, and there was nothing stopping me. No, there was. My will. My restraint. Me. The good side of me. The moral, ethical side of me. The side of me that was so repulsed at what I was that it gave me strength to resist. The monster inside snarled and gnashed its teeth in frustration.

She began to walk again, her footsteps quiet but echoingly loud in my head. I followed her unwillingly, walking above her on the high builidng roof. Her muscles slid easily under her skin as she walked, totally oblivious to the monster that stalked her high above. I gritted my teeth, but my body continued to make me move. I fought with everything I had.

She continued to walk far below me, when all of a sudden she walked by a vent that blew her scent up toward me. If it was possible to get hit worse than I already had, it happened in that moment. I shuddered, losing what very small control that remained. The monster inside my head smiled with anticipation. Venom flooded my mouth and dripped on the metal roof that I stood on, burning small holes with its acidic quality. My claws griped the edge of the building and the forces propelled me to jump. Down. To kill her.

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A/N: Okay, a new idea crept into my head. Should I have Marcus lose control and bite Victoria, but then stop himself before he kills her and turn her into a vampire instead, or should I have him resist and then have them meet and form a relationship while she's still a normal dragon. Either way, I'm going to have them both end up as vampires and they're going to fall in love, but I'm curious to see how you guys think I should get there.

OOOOhhh I like it much much much.

I think for the fun if you made them friends, instead of turning her into a vampire.

Maybe later you can turn her into a vampire.

Hmm, that would be fun. I think I'll do that. Thanks Great Grey. :) Normal for a while it is.

Chapter 3 Marcus' Point of View


My strength was wavering and then returning, wavering, returning, over and over. It was driving me mad. My paws shook as I fought with myself, with my two sides, with the monstrocity and the real me...who, for all I knew, could also be a monster... I shook my head, as it was instantly clouded with her mouth-wateringly delicous scent when she walked by another vent.

Damn these vents! My throat ached, burned, and how I longed to cool it, to stop the burning, the flames in my mouth and in my veins. I gritted my teeth and anger flared within me like a mag-energy inferno. It raised its ugly head and roared at me. Thoughts began to form in my thirst-clouded mind.

How dare she? Who did she think she was, to just come along on her merry way and make me lose the control I had struggled monumentally for and built for centuries? I would not let her do that. I would not let her break me down. This resistence of her seemed to be helping me - for the time being. But magna draconis, how much longer could I keep this up?

My feet continued to drag me along, seeming to mock me, making me follow her and see her every move, every single pulse of blood under her scales. Oh, how I longed to sink my teeth into those soft scales, to taste the sweet, hot, wet,- I shook my head violently. No. no, No, NO! My tail curled as I fought with myself. I was losing my mind.

My body froze dead on the roof when I noticed that she had stopped. She looked left, right, and before she could look up and see me I shoved myself backwards. My legs were stiff and fought for control but I held myself still. My throat exploded into flames again. I heard her footsteps, claw on metal, and she had walked on top of another vent! Dammit, how many were there?! I realized something at that moment and almost slapped myself for my stupidity of not realizing it earlier. I didn't have to breathe.

I stopped the intake of air to my lungs. The relief was instantaneous, but I could feel her scent swirling in my head, taste it on the back of my tongue, still smell its appalingly delicous fragrance in my nostrils. I snarled low and quiet, going rigid when I heard her footsteps stop again.

Suddenly my feet lurched my body forward and I once again found myself staring over the building's edge, down at the loathsome creature who tempted me to lose what control I had worked so hard for. I bared my teeth at her, knowing she couldn't see. Venom started to drip from my jaws and I sucked it back down, wincing in pain as it burned my already smoldering throat.

Breath refused to come into my lungs, as I held it out, her scent still swirling around me and assaulting my senses. I closed my eyes and tried not to think. I took one step too many. Not watching where I was going, I stepped out into open air. Panic hit me as I felt no solid surface under my paw, and, my balance already screwed, I lurched forward, every hope I had on my back feet, praying that they wouldn't give out. They did, and I fell to the streets below.




A/N: Hee hee, I'm happy. Read and reply, next chapter'll be up soon.
I'm making this up as I go along, so sometimes it takes me a while and sometimes it doesn't to get the next chapter. :D

More More...Please?

I agree with The Great Grey. More please.

So glad you guys like it! I'm really enjoying myself. :D
Lets see what else I can think of...

Chapter 4 Marcus' point of view

Horror. That's all I felt. Sheer horror. It didn't go in slow-motion like it does in movies. Nope, I fell in the blink of an eye before I crashed onto the metal streets, my jaw hitting the ground with a painful crack. I was on my feet in a moment - thank the magna draconis for super speed - and was just about to run for it, when her squeal of suprise stopped me dead. It made my body shiver, it was so beautiful.

She whirled and her eyes like emerald fire widened when she saw me. I could only imagine what was running through her mind right now. I stared, my body frozen as if waiting for impact, watching her, waiting for her to scream and run. I couldn't make myself run. My muscles wouldn't respond. Great, when I want you to move, you don't, I thought in my head, cursing my instincts to the firey pits of hell.

Her eyes held uttermost fascination - I could grasp why, for I was probably beautiful to her, my intended prey, like a carnivorous flower to a fly. Her mouth was slightly open, in awe? shock? horror? I couldn't quite tell. I stayed frozen, still unable to move, for her eyes held me, immobolized me. They sparkled like gems in the faint light, and they danced like the emerald fire that they were. I couldn't look away.

She took a deep breath, stilled her shaking limbs, and sat down. No, why would you sit? Why? You should run! I couldn't understand her actions. She watched me, expectation, wonder, curoisity, suprise, maybe the slightest hint of fear. It was right for her to fear me. My throat was on fire, and she was so close. My limbs started to shake.

I stopped my breath intake into my lungs, hoping like crazy that I found the strength not to kill her. She didn't seem to want to run - so maybe I would have to be the one to escape, before someone was hurt. "Who are you?" she asked. Her voice was low, clear, and soft. I swallowed my mouthful of venom but it was instantly flooded with more. I couldn't make myself speak - I couldn't make myself do anything, but not kill her - and I wasn't even sure if I could do that much..

"Well?" she asked, probably wondering if I was psycotic or not. I gulped down another mouthful of acidic venom, hiding my painful wince, and then spoke. "Marcus," I said as confidently as possible, though my voice was distorted by the venom in my mouth and throat. She seemed to relax ever so slightly. Why? Run, before I kill you... She seemed to have no intention of running, although I guessed she would if I lunged at her now, fangs bared, venom oozing...

No, get the image out of my head. I was close to choking on the venom I was swallowing when she spoke again. "My name's Victoria," she said. I gave a slight nod, my body refusing to let me do anything else. "Are you from around here?" she asked. I didn't know where I was from. I had no memory of my normal dragon life, before I became a monster... I shrugged indifferently. She looked annoyed.

I fought with myself. I felt my tail quiver when she cocked her head and looked at me. "What happened to you?" she asked quietly, seeming hesitant. What happened to me? I was turned into a monster. She was probably reffering to my torn fins, my strange markings, the feeling of dread that seemed to radiate from my very core. She shifted her claws on the street, and shook her head, as if to clear it.

That simple movement stirred the air around me and her scent stunned me again. I held in a gasp, before bowing my head in restraint as I fought to NOT kill her. Fight. Fight. Fight! I dug into the ground with my claws, warring with the forces that propelled me forward, through the air, to sink my teeth into her skin. "Are you okay?" she asked, sounding worried and concerned. I snarled in restraint, and she abruptly stood, taking one step back. My instincts were going hay-wire. I had to get out of here now.

I backed up, gritting my teeth, hyper aware of her scent when she took a step toward me. I saw the monster that was me reflected in the wide mirror of her eyes. Bared fangs, insane look, lips quivering, body twitching, evil blood-red eyes. She blushed the most delicious shade of red I had ever seen when she noticed the blank look of hatred that enimated from me. I turned in one smooth motion, still not breathing, and ran away as fast as my stiff, rebelious legs could carry me. I disappeared into the dark.


Okay, how was that? Read, reply, enjoy. Thanks!

Interesting, but I'm wondering if your fic will feature main DB characters in future chapters.

It feels kind of strange to read a fic without any original DB characters for more than one chapter... :unsure:

Or it could just be my expectations... :poof:

I'll probably have Artha, Kitt, Parm, Lance, and Moordryd come in and help when the drago-wolves and the vampires start to fight with each other.

That will be very interesting, I would love to read it. I will wait to read it. ^-^

Glad you guys like it. I will continue. ^_^

Chapter 5 Victoria's Point of View

I couldn't make my body react - I was still too stunned from what had just happened. A very bizarre looking dragon - Marcus, by what he had told me - had just fallen from the building roof above me and stared at me. He seemed frustrated, angry, fierce but at who? me? He refused to anwer whether or not he was from around here. His eyes were blood-red, frighteningly so. And, in his own way, he was beautiful. Indragonly beautiful. I noticed that the moment I saw him. His fins were torn, and thorns spiked from his tail. He was, by far, the most interesting creature I had ever seen.

I was terrified. The black look in his eyes, a look of pure hatred, had frozen my blood in my veins and swept through my body like a snake's poision. I was so cold. My legs wouldn't stop shaking and my heart pounded in my chest. Why did he hate me? When he looked at me, it was as if I was the most horrid thing in the world. I frowned with sorrow. Then he had begun spasming, apparently losing control or something. Why? What control? What was he? Every bone in my body told me that he wasn't normal. He was something more.

I took a deep, shuddering breath. My throat was dry, sore, and filled with the unpleasant taste of fear. I closed my eyes and tried to think rationally - but nothing about the past situation was at all rational. It was ridiculous. I was starting to wonder if I was dreaming. I decided to go home. Who knew what else was out there? The words brought a cold shiver down my already tingling spine, and I ran home as fast as my legs would carry me.

*~* Marcus' Point of View

I watched her from a distance. A far distance. Maybe a mile or more. My acute eyesight was strong enough so I could still see her, see every strand of white lace around her night-dark scales. I watched her run away, grim despair settling over me. I didn't regret running. I would've killed her otherwise, and the last thing I needed was another load on my already guilty conscience. My throat ached painfully and I swallowed my mouthful of toxic venom, wincing in pain as it went down.

I wanted to run away and never come back, but there was only so far I could run. Only so much space in the world. I looked at the ground far beneath where I stood atop a tower with a pointed roof. A strange purple insignia was painted on its side. (A/N: Word's Citadel) I ignored it, turned, and jumped across to another building, then another, and another. I didn't know where I was going, and I didn't care.

I ran all through the night, hopping from building to building until the sky showed signs of dawn. I leapt down from a large bridge between two structures and landed nimbly on the metal streets. I quickly slipped inside an allyeway, feeling safe - whatever that meant - in the shadows where I was hidden from view. The sun rose at that moment, bathing the streets and buildings in its soft yellow light that I hated and loved at the same time. Hated because it burned me, as was vampirically normal, and loved it because of its simple beauty, the air of hope that it gave the things lucky enough to behold its brilliance.

When you had forever to live, you reached a point where you simply lived for the purpose of living. Lived for the suns rays, for th clang of your claws on the metal of the streets when you ran, for the roar of the crowds when you won a race, the simple pleasures. But I was not living, and had no simple pleasures to live for, except for the thrill of running, the feel of the wind on my dead scales, and the fact that, for the time being, I had had enough self control not to kill Victora, whose blood was the sweetest thing I had ever smelt in my existence.


Okay, read, reply, enjoy!
Hold up for chapter 6! It's on its way!

To be honest, when I read this fic, I'm starting to feel like Marcus. Yes, I was overwhelmed with emotions when I read on Marcus' POV and I can't stop smiling throughout the fic! ^_^

So overwhelmed that I even turned on romantic musics when Marcus met Victoria. :wub:

Keep it up, Salazaar! I wanna know what happen! :faint:

Wow! I love this fic! I love your descriptions. Especially when you describe what they're thinking and how they look...and everything else. Marcus sounds super drac. Can't wait to see what happens next! :cookie:

wow this story is exciting.

Wow. Wasn't really expecting such a response. Thanks so much you guys! :)
I'm really glad you all like it and that it's catching your attention. I will continue!

Chapter 6 Victoria's POV

My dreams turned to nightmares. Strange creatures stalked all around me, obvious hunger in their ghastly yellow eyes. I shivered, and observed what I could while still watching them all. I was in a clearing, surrounded by dead, gnarled trees with branches like skeletal fingers that seemed to reach for me. I whipped my head around when I heard a low growl.

Marcus had stepped out of the shadows and walked on silent paws toward me. His eyes were calm, not at all frightening, and a slight smile curled his perfect lips. His beauty stunned my mind, and my legs refused to move though my instincts were screaming at me to run, to flee, to escape like the coward I was. I was locked in place, my eyes watching his every movement. He stopped mere feet from me and dropped into a sitting position. He watched me so closely that my legs itched.

I wanted to speak but I couldn't. He cocked his head and watched me, seeming to be waiting. Suddenly another growl, louder than the first, sounded from behind me. To my emense fear, I couldn't turn to see it. I felt an ominous presence surround me. Marcus's expression scared me. It was frightened, wary, and lividly angry. He was watching the other creatures, the dragon-like shadow creatures, that seemed to watch us both with a ravenous hunger gnawing at their misty shadowy guts.

Suddenly one of them lunged at Marcus, its shadowy mouth full of fanged teeth gaping, and aiming for the jugular. I screamed and opened my eyes. The warm light of Dragon-City bathed my face in warmth. I needed it, for I was shaking uncontrollably and my bones felt chilled and icy. "Victoria?" a familiar voice called. I whipped up onto my feet too quickly, falling over myself and twisting my foot. I whimpered in pain, and suddenly shuddered as a figure appeared in front of me. I charged for a mag-burst. Warm hands touched my face and pet me softly. I gasped for breath, so frightened. My chest rose and fell with a disjoined rythm and I screwed my eyes closed, trying to block the shadow creature's faces in my head.

"Victoria, what's wrong?" the voice said again, alarmed and concerned. I opened my eyes to see my rider Alice kneeling next to me, her hands on my snout and rubbing soothingly, trying to calm me down and stop me from shaking. Her stormy grey eyes were wide and frightened. I blinked, my body still shaking and shuddering. Fear was sour on my tongue. "Victoria, what happend? what's wrong?" Alice asked again, her voice commanding yet still soft.

"...Nightmare.." I managed to murmur through my gasps of breath. Dang, I thought. My limbs stiff and sore, my throat sour from the taste of fear, I stood and wobbled awkwardly to my food trough, wondering just what today had in store for me.

*~* Marcus' POV

I stood in the alleyway's shadows, becoming more and more bored by the second. Away from Victoria, away from the overwhelming scent of her lucious blood, it was hard to believe that she was so irrisistible to me. I mean, who was she, an insignificant female dragon, to make me lose what control I had. I scoffed to myself. Suddenly I shook my head. What was I thinking? I was suprised at my own arrogance.

Confused, I stared at the sun-lit streets with both hate and joy. I would be trapped here all day until the concealing veil of night fell on the streets of Dragon-City once more. I heaved a heavy sigh, making my aching, parched throat burn on the sides. I would have to hunt - something, anything. I couldn't keep control much longer if I didn't. My chest ached as I thought of taking innocent life.

*~*

Night fell sooner then I expected and, freed from the ever-continuing snare of the sun's rays, I slipped silently into the shadows and made my way to the wastelands with quick haste, my throat already scorching as the scents of my intended prey reached my nose.

Using my advanced speed, I arrived on the soft, dead sands of the wastelands in about an hour, even though I was on the opposite side of the city when I started my small trip. My throat ached, but the monster inside me was waiting, waiting for his time when I wouldn't be able to resist anymore, for when an unlucky being would cross too close in this place of barren land where nothing would hear them scream, for when it could take me over and make me kill.

I shivered in the warm breeze, thinking of the horrific scene that was about to play before me. I rejoiced and cursed at the same time when a lone Hydrag crawled into view a few yards in front of me. Silly little creature, the monster inside me sneered. Walking all alone at night with no one to protect you.... not your wisest choice. I blocked it all out, watching the Hydrag. It hadn't noticed my presence.

It appeared sickly, its movements slower than normal and its eyes an unhealthy green color. It was deffinetly sick. I knew that whatever was plaguing this poor unfortunate creature would have no effect on me if I drank its blood, and so, I both reluctantly and eagerly gave myself over to my senses and began to hunt. I was barely aware as I sprinted forward on silent hooked talons, dove into the sickly creature, and sank my two-inch fangs into the hard scales of its throat. Its hot, pulsing blood flooded my mouth and my body shuddered with pleasure.

The Hydrag cried out weakly, but was soon dead. It was too weak to fight me off. The monster inside me smiled evilly, pleased at my weakness in taking an inoccent life. If I could've cried, I would have. But I couldn't, for the only bodily fluids inside me were blood and venom - nothing more. I continued to drink from the poor creature, despite my efforts to stop. Part of me knew that I had to finish what I started and despose of the corpse so there was nothing to find, and the other part of me wanted to stop, to stop being a vampire, to stop existing.

But I couldn't. I would live forever in this tortured existence, all alone except for the monster inside me. Again I wanted to weep, to expell all of my shut-up emotions and let sorroful tears roll down my face, but I couldn't. I threw my head back and roared as loud as I could, letting all of the shame, sorrow, pain, and disgust out of me. I unenthusiastically made my way back to Dragon-City, wondering what else this cursed night had in store for me.

Hope you guys like it! I'll update soon.

exiting and creepy. i like it. please continue.

What else can I say? Great chapter. :)

Would love to see Marcus meeting Vic again. :plot:

Ha, me too. Just trying to think of the best way to have them meet again. :plot:

Chapter 7 Victoria's POV

I hadn't thought of anything but last night's escapade and my blood-chilling dream all day. My friends were annoyed with me, but I couldn't help it. They easily beat me in our little relay race, which stunned them for I usually left them in the dust. My mind was clouded with thoughts of the shadow creatures in my nightmare, last nights shocking suprise, but most of all, Marcus. I was in a nightmarish haze and my friends, much to my dismay, decided to pull me out of it.

"Come on Victoria! Lets go bug Richter!" Rose, my best friend since school, gushed happily to me. Richter, her current infatuation, was totally oblivious to her all the times until she resulted to jabbering right in his ear and constantly annoying him. I rolled my eyes at the many unpleasant memories. Rose's pink eyes were wide and excited, her draconic face light and happy. She was bouncing up and down in a giddy fashion. With a sigh, I followed her and my other two friends, Embyr and Sal.

Embyr's amber eyes were amused as he watched Rose skip alongside us as we walked down the moonlit streets of Dragon-City. Sal looked bored, although he never had a high tolerance for Rose. I stuck close to them all, shivers rolling down my already tingling spine as we walked down the barren night-dark streets, remembering the last time I was walking down the streets at night.

We arrived at Richter's stable and I was shaking. "What's up with you, Vicky?" Sal asked with a grin. I glowered at him - I hated when he called me 'Vicky' and he knew that. "Nothing scale-wad, I'm fine," I snapped, getting curious looks from Embyr and Rose. Usually I was better tempered then this. Richter came outside then, probably wondering who was talking. He took one look at Rose and turned to go back inside, but Rose was in front of him in an instant, startling him so he fell over himself and onto the ground.

Rose giggled and I couldn't help but smile, though I pitied Richter and what he had to deal with. "Hi Richter!" Rose chirped. "Hi," he said, standing back up. He already looked annoyed. "Wanna go watch a race?" Rose continued, and to Embyr's, Sal's and my emense suprise, he nodded and said 'yes'. Embyr gaped and so did I. Sal smiled at our bewildered expressions. Even Rose looked a little dazed that he accepted. "Okay, let's go!" She smiled and Richter led her away toward the race track, with Embyr, Sal, and I all dogging behind.

*~*

We all hopped up onto a building's roof so as to see the race track better. The track was long, circular, and swarming with obstacles. Bright lights lit the track so the racers could see. I recognized Artha Penn, his dragon Beau, Kitt Wann, and her dragon Wyldfyr all standing at the starting line, for I had heard things about them from the news and signs. They were all really good racers. My interest piquied, I watched the race intently when the track glowed green and Artha, Kitt, and five or six racers that I didn't know took off running on their many different colored dragons.

Embyr seemed slightly distracted by Rose and Richter laying side by side watching the race, but he appeared to have put that out of his mind and watched the race like everyone else. Sal laughed when one of the racers mag-attacked another one and sent them flying off of their dragon. I didn't know what was so funny about it, but he was apparently enjoying himself.

I was watching the race closely, when out of the corner of my eye, I caught movement on top of the large building to my left. I looked up to the top and almost gasped. Sillhouetted (sp?) against the starry night sky was what appeared to by Marcus. I recognized the torn fins, body shape, spikes depending from the tail, everything. I shivered and felt his ruby-red eyes watching me. Frozen in the spot, I watched him back.

*~* Marcus' POV

Oh dear god. Fate must hate me. It must, for it was fate that made it so. Made it so on this night both Victoria and I decided to go watch the midnight gauntlett challenge race. I swallowed my toxic venom as it flooded my mouth. Her scent reared up inside me, from my memory, and surrounded me. I gripped the building's edge to keep me from going over to her, but the metal was not up to the task and I pulverised it in my super-strong grip, crushing the metal in my claws. I disposed of the evidence, clawing at the gouge I had made and making it look like an erosion mark.

My body shuddered, though since I had fed I seemed to had more control. Thank the magna draconis I had hunted, for I knew that I wouldn't have been able to fight my thirst if I had confronted Victoria again, like I was at this moment. I could see the beautiful emerald irisis of her eyes as she watched me across the gap in the buildings. She was sitting with four other dragons, and for now they didn't seem like they were going to leave. Oh well, I could kill them all. Victoria I would kill last, and maybe give her time to scream, to realize what I was going to do to her as I murdered her friends before her eyes. Then I wouldn't have to rush through the expirience of devouring her delicious blood that I so hungrilly craved.

I shook my head feircly. No. I dropped onto my stomach and bashed my head agaisnt the metal roof of the building I stood on, my claws digging gashes into the surface as I fought with myself. Why? Why did she have to come here? Why did she have to exist? Why did she have to keep appearing where I just happened to wander in the middle of the night. Why? Why? Because fate hated me, that was why. I sighed, and my throat burst into flames as Victoria's mouth-watering scent wafted through the still night air and rammed into my senses like an explosion.

An actual explosion assaulted my ears at that moment. I winced as it painfully rang in my head before I looked up. My eyes widened in horror. The building that Victoria and her friends were laying on was shuddering, as if something had collapsed inside it. I gaped as the roof sagged and everyone on top fleed in different directions. Except Victoria. A stone had fallen and pinned her leg down, refusing to let her move. She screeched in panic, but her friends has gotten to the ground safely and had no way of reaching her in time.

Not sure about the forces that made me do so, I stood, jumped the gap between the building I lay on and the one that was collapsing, and ran toward Victoria, wondering what exactly I planned to do when I reached her.


Okay, read, reply, and enjoy. The next chapter's on the way!
Glad you guys like it and thanks for the compliments. Hope you like this chapter too!

this is getting exiting.

Glad you guys like it.
Now for Chapter 8!

Chapter 8 Marcus' POV

I reached Victoria's side in seconds, almost losing my balance as the building's roof buckled underneath me. Her head snapped up and our eyes connected. Her eyes widened when she saw me, and she became still, frozen. I saw fear as well as fascination, wonder, suprise, shock, and a flicker of hope all swirling in her emerald eyes. I also saw my reflection, my own red eyes wide, my claws shuddering on the collapsing roof, my whole body spasming. She was so close and with the wind from the building collapsing, her scent blew into my face and attacked me like never before.

I so very nearly killed her then, so very nearly bit into her throat and drained her body of her delicious blood. As much as I didn't want it to, my mind organized the facts in my head: no one would know that I killed her. We were too high up for anyone to see us. If I killed her, and they found her body in the building's mess of debris and rubble, they could just think she was killed when the building collapsed. No evidence could or would be pinned on me. I could kill her and no one would know it was me. She was stuck, unable to run from me, and her screams could just be because she was on top of a collapsing building, not because a monster was eating her alive. I shuddered and visciously shook my head to clear the plans that continued to form in my mind.

Victoria's scream shattered my concentration. The building was tipping, falling sideways, and we would both be crushed very soon. I could walk away fine, for I was already dead - any sort of catastrophy had little less than no effect on me at all. But she would die. And if we fell, others could see us. See me run away and see her die, and if her blood was spilt in front of me, I knew I wouldn't be strong enough to walk away. I would expose myself for what I was, and I knew that couldn't happen.

I bashed my head into the rock that held her foot down. It shuddered and broke into many pieces that fell away from us and off of the tumbling building roof. Victoria flexed her foot and yelped. I already knew it was broken. I dipped my head and flipped her carefully onto my back. Securing her with my tail, I shivered as I felt blood rush through her veins. She gasped with suprise at my quick motions that were probably too quick for her to see. She griped tight to me with her claws, and I gasped. She was so warm, so soft. Her heat stole through my body and made my dead heart jump in my chest. I shook my head, very dazed, and lept from the building roof only moments before it smashed into the ground.

It fell sideways, away from the crowds of people, so I knew no one else was hurt. I landed in a silent crouch on the streets a few meters from the building's smoking wreckage. I knew I had to get out of here before others saw me. A roar of communication already reached my ears. After taking a deep breath, I started to run. "Where's your stable?" I called back to Victoria, who was griping me tighter so she didn't fall off. "Huh?" she asked, dazed and disoriented. "Where's your stable?" I asked her again, raising my voice so she could hear me above the rush of air that swirled around us both as I ran over 200 miles an hour.

"Oh, um, left on Claw Alley and-" she yelped as I jumped over a taxi car. I smiled, and then revelled in the feeling of the amusement and happiness that I felt at that moment. "Um, three buildings down after that. Oriental-painted roof with swirls and stuff - can't miss it." she said, her voice quiet and shaken, though I could still hear it. I continued to smile before I whipped an insanely sharp left turn and Victoria yelped again, gripping me tighter and making my heart lurch again.

I swallowed my mouthful of venom, panting as I fought with myself, all previous happiness gone. I felt her heart pound in her chest and felft blood rush through every vein in her body. I even heard her breath in my ear, for she had moved her head over my shoulder to see the streets that whipped by us at whooshing speeds. Conflict raged in my head and I fought with myself for a few long moments before I saw the sign, noting that I was on Claw Alley. I whipped a left turn, my claws scraping the metal streets, and then started counting buildings. One, two thr - swirly roof. I leapt over a gate and into her stables, placing my tail on her back to keep her from flying off when I apruptly stopped.

Her arms were shaking midly and she her grip on me slackened. "Are you allright?" I asked her, looking into her eyes from where I could see her over my shoulder. She nodded, blinking frequently. I couldn't help but smile. She blinked more, appearing dazed. I dipped my body forward and helped her slide off of me. She winced when her broken foot touched the ground and she wobbled. I put my head under her neck and held her up. I shuddered. The smell of her throat - it nearly overwhelmed me.

I helped her walk back into her stables, letting her lean on me so she didn't fall, fighting with myself the whole way. Her stable was dimly light by soft orange lights. I helped Victoria over to a bed that had cushions and a blanket. I helped her lay in it, using my tail and paw to help her lay down. She sighed, and looked at her broken leg. I did too. I choked on venom, for a small cut was oozing bright red blood from her skin. I backed up quickly, stopping my breath into my lungs and trying to still my twitching jaw. She looked at me, suprised. "I have to go," I said quickly, my voice strained. She looked like the idea of me leaving made her sad - I couldn't imagine why.

I felt footsteps on the ground and guessed that her friends were returning here to see if she was alright. The sirens of Dragon-City security also reached my ears. I nodded to her, stood up and turned to leave as fast as my legs could carry me. "Wait!" she called. I went rigid, for the smell of her blood was all around me, taunting me. I gulped down another gallon of venom and turned my head back to her, wondering how insane my eyes probably looked. She looked like she couldn't think what to say.

"Thank you," Victoria finally said, using her tail to pull the blanket over her broken leg and the bloody cut. "You're welcome," I said, my voice weak and strained. She smiled, and it was so beautiful that it cought what little breath I was breathing in my throat and made me unable to speak. "Will I ever see you again?" she asked, sounding sad and hopeful at the same time. "Knowing fate, I'll say yes," I said, letting a small smile curl my lips.

She smiled again, and then her eyes drooped. "Good night Victoria," I whispered, and she replied with a small "Mmh," noise. The sirens and footsteps rang in my ears now, and I had to leave, though part of me didn't want to. I knew I had to. And I made myself leave. I walked stiff-legged out the door, jumped up onto the roof, and then jumped up to a building high above Victoria's stable.

I laid down so no one could see me, and then I watched with mild interst as a young black-haired girl rushed out of the front door of the stable, choked when she saw Victoria, and then rushed over to her to tend to her wounds. Then Victoria's friends and Dragon-City security rushed through the gate and ran to her and the girl as well. The pink dragon was crying and the three males looked very relieved. Dragon-City security helped banage her leg and clean her cut. After a few moments of scattered activity, everything settled down.

I sighed, and then turned and slipped into the shadows. I looked for a place where I could stay and wait for another unpredictable night to befall me...


Hee hee, I loved this chapter and I hope you guys do to. Feel free to make suggestions for the story if you want. I'll get chapter 8 up soon. Read, reply, enjoy! Thanks guys!

Squeee! Lovely chapter, Salazaar! :cookie:

So great to see Marcus with Vic again! Can't wait for more of them! :)

Update soon, please. :cookie:

Ha ha, my story made someone squee. I'm so happy! :D
Thanks for the cookie. Yum. I'll update. . . . Now!

Chapter 9 Moordryd's POV (I know, shock!)

I stared, bored, at my VIDDscreen while my father scolded me for perhaps the trillionth time this year for how I had failed yet another time to correctly execute a plan to lure the Dragon Booster and his friends. I fought not to roll my eyes as he prattled on and on.

I couldn't understand it. The building should have fallen forward, not sideways. I placed the disruptor mines exactly right on the support beam so they would blow at a right angle to make the building fall foward and into the crowds of people watching the race. It's as if something got on top and shoved or tipped the building off balance. Frustration flared within me and I again fought not to scream at my father's disappointed, scolding face. I gritted my teeth.

"Come back to the compound Moordryd. I have a new set of gear that will hopefully assist you in my next plan. I would say 'even you can't mess this up,' but I've learned that is most certainly a lie," and with that he disconnected. I dropped my head forward and let it hit Decepshun's saddle. I heaved a sigh, and just let my head lay there, not wanting to use the energy to pick it up.

"Come on Moordryd, no sleeping on the job," I heard the familiar voice of my friend Cain joke next to me. Coershun chuckled and I wanted badly to hit something. Decepshun shifted her head so mine feel off of the saddle and I had to pick it back up to keep from falling to the ground.

"Like my father would let me sleep," I replied dryly, gripping the saddle's controls and moving Decepshun into a slow run. Coershun kept pace beside her and Cain didn't coment further - for a few seconds, atleast. "Don't worry about it Moordryd, it'll all work out in the end," he said reassuringly. "I wish I had your confidence," I said, watching the draconium meter on Decepshun's saddle with out seeing it.

"You have three times my confidence Moordryd, you just need to realize it," Cain said from beside me. I turned and looked at him. He was watching me with a small grin on his face. I smiled, and then blasted Decepshun's control stick forward. She grinned up at me excitedly. "Race you back!" I called over my shoulder, and I listened as Coershun raced to catch up.

*~* Victoria's POV

I waited for sleep to take me away as I lay on my cushiony bed, trying not to move my broken foot. It was bandaged and cleaned, but still uncomfortable. I sighed, and moved my head into a more comfortable position. Alice had gone to bed after I reassured her for the millionth time that I was fine. Rose, Richter, Sal, and Embyr were a little harder to convince. I couldn't really explain how I was still alive. They didn't see anything of Marcus and his daring rescue. I couldn't think how to tell them.

Rose caught on about how I reallly couldn't tell them at the moment, and she helped me convince everyone to go, and that I was fine and just needed rest. Sometimes I was more than thankful that Rose was my friend. So now I was alone, with a broken and cut leg and the memories of the night that would be with me forever. My skin was still prickling as I thought how Marcus had felt. His scales were so cold, as if he had laid in a snow drift before hopping up on the building, or if he had never been in the sun. I shivered under my warm blanket.

He had ran so fast and gotten me home so quickly, it amazed me. He would have no chance of losing if he ever entered a race. He had jumped amazingly well, even running so fast, he always landed as if his claws didn't even hit the ground. His eyes had turned wild and feral when he had seen the cut on my leg. I couldn't think why, but he seemed to have the same aversion to me as always, and it hurt my heart to think that. What was wrong with me? Was I that awful? Why couldn't he stand to be around me? and why did he save me if he couldn't stand in my presence for more then seconds and by then he was spasming?

My mind went around in answerless circles to the point where I got a head ache. I groaned and rolled over, wincing as the pain in my leg flared. I figited until the pain died away. My skin still prickling, my body still shivering, I drifted into a sleep, where my dreams once again starred the one and only Marcus.

*~* Marcus' POV

Carefully placed in a high-walled, secluded allyeway, I watched with fascination as the sun slipped above the horizon and bathed the city streets in light. The orange-yellow rays sparkled as they hit the metal of the tracks and building walls, creating a beautiful natural display of color and reflection. My world seemed so much lighter now. I made myself face the reason why - because I had saved Victoria, had more of her in my life. The simple fact that she and I existed in the same world lightened and darkened my life. I was so confused.

Part of me wanted to run to her, to protect her, to hold her and never let her go, while the other part wanted to find the deepest darkest abyss in the world, dig deeper, and throw myself into it, just to protect her from me, from what I was, from the danger I brought into her life just by existing. I dropped my head on the ground and dug my claws deep into the metal. Conflict raged inside me with a war of its own, and all I could do now was wait for fate to decide what happened next, for it seemed to have a pretty enjoyable time messing with me. I sighed, still watching the sun from the safe confines of my dark alley that I now lay inside.

My throat was raw from the gallons of venom I had swallowed while in Victoria's presence. My arms ached from restraining myself and my jaw was sore from my constant clenching as I fought not to leap onto her and kill her. My mind was leaning more toward the "throw-myself-into-abyss" idea. I swept my tongue around my parched mouth and wet it with saliva. I sighed again, exhausted from the physical and emotional strain that I had undergone last night.

Atleast Victoria was saved. She wasn't dead. But I couldn't deny that she was in danger. My very existence put her in danger. Part of me wished she had never existed, never made my "life" that much harder, but the other part realized that my "life" was darker with her around, yes, but also brighter, and that brightness could, in time, possibly out-weight the dark? I couldn't tell at that moment.

Thoughts of "Dark" and "Light", "Love" and "Hate", and "Together" or "Apart" continued to whirl in my already unclear mind, and I closed my eyes and thought, letting them have me as I waited for another night to come around and shroud the world in the concealing darkness that would allow me movement.


Okay, hope you liked it. I'm trying to think of another way Vic and Marcus can meet again. It's hard, because it's so easy for them to stay apart - it's not like they're in school together, or paired up in a game show or something. Oh well, I'll figure it out. Read, reply, and enjoy! Chapter 10'll be up soon, so wait up for it! Thanks!

Nice chapter. Don't worry, I'll wait...and wait...and wait... :poof:

Weee, I have more free time! I think I'll post chapter 10! :D

Chapter 10 Victoria's POV

I was still fearful of walking outside at night, whether I was alone or not. Even with my friends, bad things seemed to happen. I tried to stop myself from thinking along the "bad-things-happen-at-night" line because that wasn't always true, though it seemed rather frequent in my case. What I was doing was probably stupid and narrow-minded, but I couldn't help myself.

I walked down the streets of Dragon-City, the crescent moon lighting the path before me, with no one by my side. I was looking for Marcus - I was going to confront him about every bizarre thing he seemed to do around me, every strange action or occurance that he had played a part in, and anything else I could think of that I wasn't sure about. I was stubborn that way, as Alice always told me.

She as well as no one else knew I was here, out on the streets on a slightly messed up leg, looking for my mysterious savior in the middle of the night, all alone. I shivered, realizing just how stupid this had been. But I couldn't turn back now - as I said, I was stubborn, and something inside me seemed to drag me on, keep me going, and I more then willingly let it.

*~* Marcus' POV

I decided to explore a few sections of the city that I had never traveled on or examined before, as a way of clearing my jummbled thoughts and helping me have what little relaxation I could. I rounded an unfamiliar street corner and continued along a flat, moonlit street, my claws making no sound as I walked.

I had turned my pace to a steady jog, liking how it felt to use my muscles for uses other then restraining my other muscles that tried to make me jump, bite, kill... I turned my pace to a steady jog, and ran a little faster, watching the buildings for the obviously void signs of life.

I skidded to a stop as a peircing scream assaulted my ears. My eyes widened when I recognized the familiar sound. Victoria. And she was close - very close. I jumped into a sprint, determination blocking every hesitation out. I whipped around a corner, stopping dead when I saw Victoria, her green eye wide with terror, surrounded by quite a garison of ugly purple wraith dragons, all snarling with obvious hunger in their lifeless yellow eyes.

*~* Victoria's POV

They came out of nowhere, and I couldn't imagine what they wanted with me, but then again, no dragon ever knew why they came until it was too late. I shuddered, then yelped and evaded as one of the wraiths with particularly nasty claws swiped at me. A roar the likes of which I'd never heard sounded gallantly out, and the track I stood on seemed to tremble at the livid anger in the sound. I whipped my head up, and froze when I saw Marcus standing atleast twelve yards away from me, his red eyes burning with a hatred inferno, his arms shaking and his claws digging trenches in the metal street.

His lips curled back over his teeth and revealed a set of fangs, so deadly and frightening, the mere sight of them made me shudder. His teeth now full exposed in a ghastly grimace, Marcus let loose a guttural snarl that had me cowering in terror, more frightened then I had ever been. Most of the wraiths looked up after he snarled, although some stayed watching me with those creepy, emotionless yellow eyes.

Before I knew what was happening, two of the wraiths were flying backwards and two were running for their lives, scrambling over another two in their haste to escape. A blood-chilling screech shook my ears and another wraith went flying against a wall and crashed into it with a noticeable bang. In a blur of black and white, the remaining five wraiths were all slammed backwards into a wall. They howled, crumpled to the floor, and then stood up and fled as fast as they could. Suddenly Marcus was in front of me, his eyes lividly fierce and angry, his teeth still showing in his jaws. I staggered back from him, terrified, and fell into a sitting position from which I just couldn't seem to pull myself out of.

He bowed his head, still shaking, and with a few more shudders he was still. He slowly picked up his head, and I felt my blood run cold when his eyes met mine. They were a vivid, frightening red, still burning with an angry fire. I gulped involentarily.

He heaved a very large sigh, and freed me from his gaze by turning his head away, before he dropped onto his stomach and laid down, closing his eyes tightly. "...Marcus?" I asked hesitantly after I noticed his breathing slow. "Yes?" he asked in a hard voice, his eyes still clamped shut. "...are you allright?" I questioned quietly. "No," he growled, his lips twitching. "...is there anything I can do to help?" I asked, scooting closer to him for a reason I couldn't identify.

He slowly opened his eyes and then looked up at me from where he lay on the ground in front of me. "Yes, you can continue to talk to me... to distract me, and to prevent me from hunting down each and everyone of those foul wraith dragons," his voice was practically a snarl as he added the last sentence. "Don't worry, they didn't do anything," I said. "But what if they did?" he snapped.

"What if I wasn't here? What if I hadn't appeared at that moment - do you think that for one second coming out at night all alone was a good idea?" his voice was getting angrier by the second. I tried uselessly to calm him down. "No, I didn't, but I did it anyway," I told him as matter-of-factly as I could. He picked up his head and looked me right in the eye. He had moved fast and the sudden movement startled me, but I somehow managed not to jump with suprise. "Why?" he asked, his voice compelling. I swallowed hard and then told him the truth.

"Because I was looking for you. I wanted to talk to you, so I decided to go out and find you," I said, curious and wary to his reaction. "Why would you want to talk to me?" he asked, again staring me down right in the eyes. "Because you're.... you're such a mystery. I don't know anything about you. You saved my life twice, and I haven't even gotten to have a lenghthy coversation with you. You always act strange around me and you always leave in a rush... I'm just confused..." I said, my voice going quieter with every word, feeling like a complete idiot.

Marcus watched me, his eyes intense. His face was a foot from mine. He stared deep into me, as if trying to see the truth in my words. I couldn't remember how to breathe. "This isn't something you need to know," he said, finality in his voice. I frowned. "Yes i-" "Not is isn't." he said sternly, cutting me off. "I don't care if I don't need to, I want to." I said, making my voice stronger. "Need and want are different, believe me, and need is taken more seriously," he retorted, his face slightly smug, but still very angry.

"What are you?" I practically yelled in his face. "A monster!" he yelled back, his usually quiet voice shockingly loud and hard with an air of a snarl in the background. I blinked, and then examined his face for a moment. He was perfect, his features all like the features of a draconic angel but better. His face made my heart flutter every time I looked at it. I shook my head and regained my air intake. "You aren't a monster," I said, my voice softer. He looked at me, his eyes impassive, refusing to believe my statement. "You saved my twice, that's not very monster-y," I said, thinking how stupid I sounded but continuing anyway.

"You don't know the half of it," he told me, his eyes pained. "Then tell me," I said, a strange eagerness in my voice. He stayed silent. "Why won't you tell me? Is it a secret?" I asked, making air quotes with my claws when I said secret. "What were the air quotes for?" he asked, his voice more normal sounding. "I don't know," I said, shrugging and wondering why that mattered. His lips curled up into a small smile that caught my breath in my chest, to the point where I almost coughed on it. "Please tell me..." I practically begged him, making my eyes wide and my face innocent.

He blinked at me, and shook his head. "Why not?" I groaned, hating how childish I sounded. His small smile became ever-so-slightly wider, and then disappered completely. "Because I'm unsafe. I can't be around you without causing you harm or putting you in emense danger. I'm not a good friend for you. I'm not normal, and I know that it will be better if we didn't associate with each other anymore," he said sternly, his face completely serious. I made the shock and hurt leave my face, with nothing but frustration and anger remaining.

"I don't care what you are. I want to know and I don't want to forget you exist and just move on. I can't now, you've effected my life too much," I said, my voice hard but softening at the end. "I was afraid of that," he said, reffering to my last sentence. My heart ached. Suddenly he was on his feet. "I'm leaving now - good bye Victoria," and he turned to leave. I jumped in front of him, glaring at his perfect face.

He stopped and appeared stunned, then wary, then annoyed. "Move Victoria," he said sternly, his eyes darkening dangerously as I watched. "No," I said, my voice breaking. He heaved another sigh, and then turned the other way. I ran in front of him again. He looked angry, and fear made my want to collapse or run away as fast as I could. "Tell me what you are," I said, still glaring at him. His lips curled back and he growled. "A vampire!" he snarled, his eyes flashing like a red bomb had went off inside them. I choked, taken back. Vampire? Was he serious?

His eyes widened in an "oh crap" kind of way, and then he looked at me, his eyes still shocked that he had told me. I couldn't believe he told me either, and I was still trying to process what he had said. He watched with grim triumph as realization slowly sunk into me. Now all of his warnings made sense. There wasn't a hint of a lie on his face, and every bone in my body seemed to shake at the truth in his voice. He was a vampire. Fear consumed me, but fascination, determination, and a will power fire all shoved it down. I turned to him, and he seemed shocked that I wasn't running away screaming or signing him up in the nearest mental hospital.

We stared at each other for a moment, neither one of us moving, and then he sighed. "I see now that you aren't going to let this go.... Allright Victoria, what do you want to know?" he asked me, and I looked at him, incredilous that he was letting me in to his dark and amazingly fascinating life that I so craved to know more about. I watched his blank face, evened out my breathing, and asked the first question on my mind.


Hope you liked this chapter! More is on the way! Don't worry! :D

Love the chapter Salazarr, I hope to read more to as well, I thought it was funny. You sure know how to hook your readers.

That is soo true, this one is top on my list of favourite fan fics.

Wow, thanks you guys!

Chapter 11 Marcus' POV

She stared at me, shocked suprise plainly showing on her face as if someone had written it on her forhead in big block letters, and then began her interrogation in a quiet, yet determinded voice. I couldn't believe I told her. Victoria's face had been so sure that she wanted to know, so unwilling to let me go without a fight, so eager to understand me, it just sort of ... slipped out. I mentally cursed my ability to speak.

Her scent was toying with me, taunting me again. I clenched my claws into fists on the metal track I sat on, my tail curling with self-restraint. I was barely aware as Victoria spoke to me. "How come I never see you during the day?" My mind was hazy and clouded with the tempting fragrance coming off of her skin, but I managed to force out a response. "I have to stay in the shadows, because I'm burned by the sun." She cocked her head, amazed. "Why?" she questioned. I shrugged with stiff shoulders.

She nodded and asked another question. "Do you sleep in a coffin all day?" If I would have had enough air-intake to laugh, I would have. I managed to smile a strained smile. "No," I said, and then decided to explain a little. "I can't sleep." Victoria's eyes widened, so I could see every single detail in their green irises. "At all?" she asked, shocked. "Not a wink," I said, smiling a little wider. She nodded, looking down and absorbing my comment. Suddenly she figited, uncomfortable.
Well, what part of this situation was comfortable? That simple movement swirled the air around me with her scent, and my throat painfully began to smolder.

".... what about your diet?" she asked quietly, seeming hesitant. I couldn't help but frown. "I drink blood," I said, my voice grave. God, how I hated my diet. I hated everything about what I was, but my diet, I absolutely loathed. Her eyes had a flicker of fear that quickly disappeared, and then she asked "What kind of blood?" I swallowed a gallon of the acidic venom that was flooding my mouth, and said, more then reluctantly, "Any kind of blood I can get in my mouth." Victoria's tail twitched and her lips quivered, but she seemed determinded not to scream or run or do anything else but stay right here in front of me until all of her questions were answered.

"Do you drink from dragons and humans often?" she asked. I looked into her eyes and she shivered, the simple movement making my heart jump in my chest. Why would it do that? I couldn't think straight enough to figure that out. "I try not to," I said, my voice quiet. "Because?" she questioned, eager for more information. "...I don't want to be a monster," I whispered the truth. "Then what do you ... eat if you don't eat dragons or humans?" she questioned, seeming like she didn't like to see me sad. "Mostly Hydrags, but I aim for the ones that are sick or dying anyway," I told her. She nodded, her eyes wide.

"You eat Hydrags?" she asked, suprised. I nodded. "Like, you can take down a full grown vicious hydrag?" She seemed like she couldn't see me 'taking down' a Hydrag. Oh, you can grasp that I'm a vampire, but eating a hydrag? Nooo. If her tantalizing fragrance wasn't licking at my senses and swimming in my head, I could've enjoyed that amusing thought. "So, you eat unhealthy Hydrags - when you can help it - and try to ...resist dragons and humans?" she questioned, her voice still sounding confused about me eating a hydrag. I nodded stiffly, my rebellious muscles trying to make me leap forward onto her and sink my teeth into her neck, suck out that warm, pulsing - NO! I shook my head, my jaw clenched painfully tight.

"Is it hard for you ... to resist?" she asked. I looked up at her, feeling how pained my eyes were. "Yes," I said, my voice as pained as my eyes. Her own eyes seemed to absorb the pain in mine - I didn't want to cause her pain. "Is it ... hard for you now?" she asked, referring to me being less then six feet from her. After a few moments of watching her eyes lose their pain and become curious, I reluctantly answered. "... unimaginably hard," I said, my voice almost inaudible.

Victoria watched me closely. She then stood up from her sitting position. I looked at her, and she seemed to be debating on what to do next. She shifted uneasily on her feet, and then looked back on her previously broken leg. I almost felt my eyes turn wild when I observed the almost healed scab from the small cut. She looked at the scab, then at my animal-like red eyes, and then quickly sat down, hiding her leg from my view. I couldn't seem to find the control to speak and thank her. My arms were shaking and my claws were flaking small chips of metal from the streets. My back legs were tense to the point where it was painful.

Victoria frowned, seeming reluctant to leave but knowing that it was necessary. She stood again, being careful to hide her scabbed leg from my view, and then looked me right in my insane blood-red eyes. "I'm not done with my questions. So, how about we meet here in ... three days?" she asked, her voice business-like. I managed to smile a small smile. She looked slightly dazed, though I couldn't think why. I hated how she was such a mystery to me. Maybe I would have a chance to question her about some details of her existence the next time we met.

I nodded, accepting her time and terms. She smiled, showing her beautiful white teeth. My words stuck in my throat and I lost myself in her emerald eyes. We just stared at each other for a few moments, but it seemed like hours. Neither of us could break the other's gaze. She stared relentlessly into my eyes just as I was staring deep into hers, losing my coherency completely. Suddenly Victoria took a jagged breath, her lungs refusing to be oxygen-deprived any longer. I forgot entirely that she was normal and needed to breath like everyone else. The thought made me smile again.

"Allright," Victoria said breathlessly, and I felt strange again. She looked at me and nodded her head. "I'll see you in three days," she said, her voice still soft and rather winded. I nodded, stood and turned to go. "Marcus?" A small thrill went through me when she said my name - again, I felt so bizarre, so strange inside.

I turned back to her, waiting for her to speak. "...Thank you." she said. I raised an eyebrow. "For what?" I asked, puzzled. "...for letting me in. For telling me things that you didn't ever want to admit. Just ... thank you," her voice was sincere and kind. It warmed my dead heart in my chest. I nodded, letting a small smile curl my lips. "Thank you, for being there to listen to my confessions of my hellish life," I said, amusement winning over pain in my voice. She smiled and nodded. And then we turned and walked away from each other.

I listened to her footsteps until I couldn't hear them anymore. Then I turned and leapt up onto a building's roof. I listened hard for Victoria's footsteps. Once I located them, I bounded off in that general direction until I saw her running home beneath me. I watched over her, running silently above her, until she was on Claw Alley and safely making her way home. And as I ran, I thought.

I felt mixed emotions about meeting her in three days. I would have to feed - I couldn't control myself unless I fed. But most of all I was excited, eager to see her again. I couldn't tell if that was good or bad. I decided after a moment that it was both. I was unsafe for her, but I just couldn't seem to stay away. I sighed, looking down at the moonlit building roof before me. It felt good to have someone know, know what I was, what I felt, what I had to do. It was as if a weight was lifted off of my shoulders. I revelled in the feeling before I looked to the sky, seeing signs of dawn's approach.

I was atop Victoria's stable now, and she had walked inside, getting a rough and worried greeting from her rider, the black haired girl whose name I didn't know. I smiled as Victoria made up a story that she was sleep-walking. I leapy down from her roof and then sped away through the streets, until I found a suitable allyway to wait for the darkness of night to shroud the world once more.

I liked this chapter too!!
I like all the chapters, but this one especially!!
I hope you guys like it too. More is on the way! :D :dance:

that is awsome!

Thanks you guys!
Glad you like it!
Here's chapter 12.
(This might be a little short, but don't worry, I'll get more up soon)

Chapter 12 Marcus' POV

I was suprised at how quickly the three days passed. It was like time had sped up, eager to see me meet Victoria again. The thought made me want to smile and frown at the same time. I still was a hazard to her, but I wasn't strong enough to stay away, and part of me didn't want to stay. My head swam with all the confusing thouhts that swarmed inside it.

I had hunted, after I had convinced myself that it was neccessary. My throat was smooth and satiated, and my stomach was full and comfortable, but all with the blood of an innocent Hydrag, who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. I sighed so quietly none of the dragons or humans passing by my little alleyway could hear. Their scents didn't bother me as much, now that I was fed, but still, hunger gnawed at my gut with every life form that strolled without a care in the world in front of the alley's mouth.

It was about mid-day, as you counted every second when you could leap out and kill someone in the blink of an eye, and the sun was just begining its decent. I decided to become more wrapped up in my thoughts. No one would find me here in this space between two brightly colored buildings and I could just completely lose myself in my own imagination. I took comfort in that thought, as my mind began to take me away...

*~* Victoria's POV

I was like a giddy little human girl. I was suprised at myself, but I couldn't deny my excitement. "What the magna draconis are you so happy about?" Alice asked me with an irritated tone as I skipped lightly from foot to foot and watched the sun, waiting eagerly for it to go down. "Hm?" I asked distractedly, stopping in mid-hop and stummbling. "You're like, on a sugar high or something!" she said, making a "look at yourself!!" gesture with her hands. I looked at my slightly shaking paws and then back up to Alice's incredilous face.

"I see your point..." I muttered, and Alice looked relieved that I had enough control to talk to her face-to-face without jumping off the walls. I was so nervous. That night when Marcus had saved me for the 2ND time, all the walls were down after he let his ... 'little secret' slip. Would they still be down tonight? Would we still be able to talk to each other openly? Would he still let me in? And could he control himself? I shuddered unintentionally.

I still didn't grasp how hard it was for him, but by his constant shuddering and shaking in my presence, I knew it wasn't easy. I felt bad that he had to try so hard. I wondered if he wanted to try so hard to be around me. My head was whirling in answerless circles and I became woozy. I laid down and stared at the floor. "What's the matter, Victoria?" Alice asked as she knelt down beside me.

I picked up my head and looked at her. I didn't think I was ready to tell her I was meeting a vampire dragon just yet. "Nothing's the matter," I said, smiling. I had restored my calm and I revelled in it. I would see him again, like I knew I wanted to, and hopefully I would be able to understand him better. I didn't know what to expect, but I knew I was ready. Before I knew it, I was hopping from foot to foot, and the sky was showing signs of dusk.

Next chapter up soon! Hopefully I'll get some inspiration and be able to write more!

Wonder what's gonna happen when Marc do meet Vickie... :plot:

Btw, how did Alice get to talk with Vickie? :unsure:

wow........WOW.....wow.....WOW... thats' all I can sat at thsi second........... :faint: ok I'm good wow your fic is so totaly awsome!!!! ( I finally got to finished it , it took 2 dayts' to read it all as I'm kind slow and with all teh post and inturuption's on my side :P) but this fic is so totaly awsome!! I cant' weight till teh next chapter !! I'm definatly going to track this!!
~Shearkin

Wow. So glad you guys like it so much - and so sorry I haven't been on in a while!
Busy busy busy - and summer's almost over *bawls* so I'll try to get as many chapters up as I can before I'm pulled back into the educational torment. :D

She went home after she talked with Marcus and made plans to see him again. Alice knew she snuck out after she got up to get a drink of water and found her dragon gone. Victoria got back before Alice had time to really freak out, and she made a little lie about where she had gone. Three days later, in the afternoon, Victoria was getting hectic and hyper about meeting Marcus again that night, and Alice was just wondering what the heck was going on with her.
Did that answer anything?

Chapter 13 Marcus' POV

The metal of the streets was cold under my paws as I sat in the shadows and waited for Victoria to arrive. I could already hear her footsteps, distant but growing closer. My stomach tightened as her scent began to strengthen. I could control myself. I would control myself. I had to control myself - I couldn't bare to think about it, if I killed her. I shuddered at the thought, my body feeling even colder then usual, if that was even possible.

I looked up when Victoria stepped around the building to my left, her eyes searching for me and lighting up when she found me. I swallowed hard, my muscles coiling for a spring. A smile spread across her face, and she ran right up to me as if I was a friend she hadn't seen in years. Her scent blasted into my face and I stiffened. She seemed to remember that part of me wanted to kill her, and she took a few cautious steps back. I sighed, wishing I didn't want to kill her, but knowing this was my fate forever more.

She sat down in front of me, curling her tail around her legs, and seemed reluctant to admit something. "I've never been so nervous in my life," she said softly, looking at her paws. "Why are you nervous?" I asked, truly curious. She looked up at me like I was missing something obvious. "You were so honest with me three days ago. I have no idea if everything will still be as open as it was then. And I have no idea how to act or what to do or what to say in front of you. It's so frustrating and unnerving." Her brow furrowed and her snout wrinkled with her agitation. I smiled at her face, thinking how adorably childish she looked.

"What?" she asked, looking up at me. I blinked out of my trance, still smiling. "Nothing," I muttered, trying to keep a straight face. She looked suspecious, but dropped it. "I'll still be honest with you. After all, I've already let the secret slip, and there's no point in keeping anything that goes with it anymore," I stated, watching her face as she sighed with relief. I smiled again, feeling relieved that she was relieved. "And you behave wonderfully for someone interogating a vampire," I added, chuckling. She smiled a beautiful smile, and let a small laugh escape from her mouth. My dead heart seemed to stutter in my chest.

*~* Victoria's POV

Relief washed through me when his words left his mouth. He was still going to be honest and I was behaving fine. My nervousness seemed to evaporate into thin air. Marcus looked like he remembered something, for his red eyes seemed to spark. "Come with me," he said, turning and bounding gracefully away from me. I stood up and ran after him, almost desperate to stay in his presence.

We stopped at the edge of a building, with many platforms jutting out of its sides. They must be for rain or sun blocking reasons. "Up here," Marcus said, smiling at me. My breath became uneven at the beauty of his smile. He then stepped back and hopped up onto one of the platforms, immediately jumping from one to the other and up the building's side.

I followed his lead, jumping from platform to platform until we reached the roof. I jumped up onto it, being met with Marcus' face less then five inches from mine. I gasped in suprise, almost falling off the building. Marcus' paw flashed like lightning and grabbed my own, carefully pulling me back safely onto the building's roof. His skin was cold as ice, making me shiver. "Sorry," he apologized quickly. "I didn't mean to frighten you." "That's okay," I said, my voice rather breathless.

He didn't seem to believe me, but he dropped the subject, walking to the building's center and laying down. I walked over and laid down beside him, though we weren't close enough to touch. I didn't want to make this any more difficult for him then it already was. I looked around and gasped in awe. Dragon-City stretched before us, beautiful and moonlit, appearing stilled in time. It was one of the most beautiful things I had ever seen. And then I noticed the sky, full of stars, all sparkling and twinkling like crazy. It took my breath away.

I noticed Marcus follow my gaze and smile. "Beautiful isn't it?" he asked admiringly. I nodded wordlessly, still staring at the stunning beauty before and above me. Nothing was said for a time, and I sighed, revelling in the quiet and unintentionally shifting and moving closer to Marcus. He didn't stiffen or shy away from me, much to my suprise. "What's your family like?" he asked me suddenly, looking at me from the corner of his eye. "Well, it's really only me and Alice, but sometimes her boy friend Sam comes over. He's nice and I like him alot. He's good for Alice - strong, sweet, and considerate - and I like when she's happy." After a moment of consideration, I asked one of the many questions on my mind.

"...Do you have a family?" I spoke quietly, wondering of his reaction to my question. "...I don't know." he whispered. I felt sympathy toward him and his life. "Your friends seem like quiet a fun-loving bunch. Do you enjoy their company?" Marcus asked curiously. I smiled. "Yes I do. We're so different from each other, it's like all our differences even us out and make us a perfect group." Marcus nodded, absorbing what I said. "Are their any special vampire things that you can do?" I questioned, thinking of how quickly and fericiously he had disposed of the wraith dragons when they appeared, and how unrealistically beautiful and fast he seemed to be.

"Yes," He said, almost sounding smug. "I'm sure you've noticed my abnormal speed, but I also have super-strength, acute eyesight, and I can fly...." he trailed off when I gawked at him wide-eyed. "You can fly?!?" I asked, my voice going through an octave. Marcus grinned, and nodded. "....can you show me?" I asked, my curiousity burning in my voice. Marcus' smile disappeared, and he stood and walked on eerily silent paws to the edge of the building. I watched in stunned fascination as his back bulged, cracked, and split. Spines came out of his skin, growing and lengthening, creating titanic bat wings, scaley like the rest of his body and connected by veined black membranes. He growled, and then the wings were fully extended, and my mouth dropped to the ground.

Now more magnificent and less-normal then he had ever been to me, Marcus stood before me, thunderous wings protruding from his back. His eyes scrutinized my face, and he grinned at my awed expression. He then did a back-flip, disappeared from the building's roof, and then flew up like a bullet from a gun. He twirled and spun and cart-wheeled through the starry sky, so graceful and glorious, it took my breath away. His wings were as silent as his footsteps - not one beat was heard. Suddenly he wheeled, and flew toward me. I took a step back but that was all I had time to do. He flew underneath me and flipped me onto his back. I gasped with suprise, gripping tight with my arms around his neck.

"Hold on tight," he said, as if I needed the warning. The cold night air whooshed around my head and whipped against my face. His wings beat on either side of me, strong and balanced. He flew up, high into the sky, so close the stars seemed close enough to touch, before he plummeted like a rock. I screamed as we hurtled to the city below, but he abruptly pulled up and evened out. I was gasping, and he looked back at me in concern. Seeing my wide-eyed expression, he dipped his wings like a pro and flew back, landing gracefully on the building's roof from where he first took off. He used his wings and tail to pry me off of his back and set me gently on the roof. I panted for a few minutes before the excited exhilaration died down.

"I guess that wasn't the best idea," Marcus mused, looking at my face closely. I swallowed, and realized that I had enjoyed it - alot. "I loved it," I said happily, relieved at the truth in my words. Marcus looked shocked for a moment, before he smiled, pleased that I wasn't screaming or running or whatever he expected. "I'm glad you enjoyed it," he murmured, sitting down. His wings folded on his back, crunched, cracked, and then sank back into his skin until they were gone and his back was normal sized again. I watched his transformation in silent awe, still stunned at his actions. I sat down next to him, and looked at his face. He appeared thoughtful, far away, and I wondered where his mind had taken him.

"Do I scare you?" he asked me. "You do when you're angry...but not now," I whispered, watching Marcus' face. He seemed both pleased and unhappy that I wasn't afraid of him. He thought he wasn't good for me, wasn't safe for me. Maybe that was true, and maybe it wasn't. I put it out of my mind instantly. "What's your favorite color?" Marcus asked, grinning at me. I smiled, glad for a lighter subject. "Probably black," I said. "What kind of weather do you prefer?" he fired off. "Warm and Sunny, but not uncomfortably so," I replied.

For the next four hours, Marcus quizzed me on every aspect of my existence. From movies I liked and hated, foods I preferred over others, things that got on my nerves, and any works of literature I liked, to my friends, my family, my life, and favorite anythings. Sometimes I would blush, and it would bring around a whole new fleet of questions, and he wouldn't stop until I admited to why I was embarassed. Red colored my cheeks when he asked about boys I'd dated, which wasn't much. They asked me but I usually turned them down. I wasn't sure why. He seemed very suprised at my lack of romantic history.

I looked up at the sky when his mental list of questions had run out, and we sat in comfortable silence. I was so happy, I realized, and it was always with him. I never wanted to leave him. He looked at me and smiled, making my heart lurch in my chest. Risking alot, I scooted closer to him, cautioning him with my eyes, and he didn't move or tell me to stop. I then laid my head on his shoulder, looking up at his face. He sighed, a deep shuddering sound, and I wondered if that was good or bad. "Do you want me to move?" I asked, not wanting to but willing if it made him more comfortable. "No," he breathed, closing his eyes.

We stayed like that for an immesureable period of time. It could've been hours, I wasn't sure. But I'd never been more unwilling to move in my life. His skin was icy cold against mine, making me shiver, but I didn't mind. He never asked me to move or leave, and his breathing never quickened, and he never gave off any air of stress. I drifted in and out of sleep, and was barely aware of being moved, high winds in my face, silence, and then the soft cushions of my bed pushing against my face. I slept soundly that night, remembering a mummbled good bye and thank you to Marcus, the star of my dreams.


Okay, I may or may not update again before school starts. I'm making this up as I go along, so sometimes updates come more frequently and other times they take weeks. Sorry, and I hope I'll update soon. Enjoy the chapter, and review what you thought about it! :D

Aww, Marckie and Vicky together. Sweet! :wub:

And Marckie can fly? Huh? ;)

wow nice chapter !!! I would have liked to know what he was thinking at teh end tho :P verry good chapter !!
~Shearkin

Great Chapter :cookie: . Write some more when you have the time.

*looks smug* Yup. I thought I could've written it better though.
It's basically like Beau's wing-growth, but Marcus' look more fit for flying and have a bit of a different...appearance? occurance? transformation? whatever the word is. It's all draconium, and a little bone alteration, but possible. It's a little more creepy then Beau's, which is what I was aiming for. ^_^

I'd like you guys to know, so I'll do that first.

Marcus' POV in last 2 paragraphs (not including A/N) of Chapter 13 in E.D.

I was a little ashamed of my behaviour - I shouldn't have risked Victoria's safety by flying with her so recklessly. I had better sense AND manners then that. But... I wouldn't deny that I enjoyed it. She was so warm, and when she held on to me... it was indescribable, and I never wanted to lose the warmth. Warmth was life, and she had it, and I created the possibility of her losing it just by existing. I wanted to scream. How could I do this? How could I be so selfish, as to risk her life just because of my own wants and needs. Sometimes I truly hated myself, and this was one of those times.

I was pleased, however, that I had gotten some answers of my own out of her. She wasn't quite as much of a mystery to me anymore. I had asked every question that popped in my head, and I could tell by her voice that she answered with the truth. Her lack of romantic history was suprising. She said the boys asked her but she turned them down. Was there someone else? Did she not like the concept of dating? Why would she do such a thing? I drove myself crazy for a moment with my own mental list of questions, before I shut them out all at once, enough to notice Victoria watching me.

I turned to her and smiled - it felt so easy, so effortless, so right. I was full of happiness at the moment, even though her scent was swirling in my brain, taunting me, it seemed so easy to ignore when looking into the depthless green of her jewel-like eyes. I'd never felt such a silent bliss then at that moment. Victoria smiled back, and then shifted, moving closer to me. My body tensed reflexively and my breath slowed in my lungs. Her eyes were cautioning, and I fought a gasp when she rested her head against my icy cold shoulder.

My breath that I had been holding came out in a gust, and my muscles seemed to go limp as fish. Victoria stiffened, probably sensing my sudden strange behaviour. She watched my face from where she lay agaisnt my shoulder, examining my movements closely. Her warmth leaked across my shoulder and seeped into my veins, and I sighed, though the sound was rough and uneven. "Do you want me to move?" she asked in a small voice - her eyes betrayed that she didn't want to move, but she was willing if it was nessesary. "No," I replied quietly before I had time to think about my answer.

Her skin against mine was such an amazing, exhilarating feeling - I never wanted to lose it, never wanted to leave her side, never wanted to be without her. But what I was would always get in the way of that... what I wanted, not just her company, would always, atleast on some levels, keep us apart. If I could've cried, I would have that moment. Victoria shifted, nuzzling her head against my shoulder. My dead heart stuttered in my chest, and I found my lips curling into an involentary smile. We could work past the blood lust, couldn't we? I thought cherrily, feeling my muscles relax and my icy skin warm at her touch. I closed my eyes.

More relaxed and comfortable then I had been in days, even though her delicious, mouth-watering scent filled my nose, I was unwilling to move. Completely and utterly, I wanted to stay like this forever. We didn't move for hours, and I just focused on her skin agaisnt mine, commiting it to memory. If I could've slept, I would've fallen asleep then, for I was so relaxed and comfortable, it almost seemed possible. I felt her shiver a few times, but she didn't move besides that.

Soon she was muttering and mummbling in her sleep. I realized it would be 3 in the morning very soon, and I had to get her home. Reluctantly, I lifted her sleeping body onto my back, again shivering at her warmth, and then carefully picked my way down the building's side to the street below. I sighed with relief when I reached the ground safely, with Victoria undisturbed on my back. I then held her in place with my tail and a mag stream, and then I sprinted to her stable, being careful not to wake her. She mummbled a few times in the speed-demon ride, but was silent otherwise. We arrived at her stable in record time, and I was relieved to see her rider's bedroom light off and no Dragon City Security gaurding the door.

I slipped into her stall, using caution and stealth so as not to wake her or her rider. Now beside her bed, I carefully moved her off my back and placed her in a curled up position admists the multi-colored cushions. As I moved her, her paw brushed my neck, moved across my shoulder, and trailed softly down my arm. I shivered again, taking a deep breath, and then -holding my breath- I nuzzled Victoria's arm so it lay against her side, and used my tail to curl her own comfortably around her legs. "Thank you," she murmured as I pulled back and away. "You're welcome," I replied, smiling as I watched her eyelids flutter and her lips twitch.

I walked out of her stable feeling buzzed up and exhilarated, and wondered about the reason why. I paused in my walking, and then sprouted my wings. I'd ride the sky tonight. The ground disappeared underneath me, and the thrill and joy of flying overtook me. I sighed as the chilled night air blew all around me. I let my train of thought wonder to Victoria, and guiltily let it remain there while I flew through the sky until the sun rose again.

That's what he was thinking. Hope ya' liked it.
I'll type a little bit of the next chapter, just cuz I got a few ideas...

Chapter 14 Victoria's POV
The sun was warm on my face when I woke up, pleased to not have Alice's anxious face hovering over me to ask where I was. The sky was strangely colored though, too pink for noon, even for dawn. Maybe my eyes were playing tricks on me. I shook my head and blinked a few times, before I gasped in suprise and jumped onto my feet. The pink wasn't the sky, but Rose, who was hovering over me, her face completely blank. "What is it Rose?" I asked, my voice slightly breathless.

"Well," she hesitated, looking down. I slumped into a seat on my bed. When Rose hesitated, you knew it was going to be hard for her to get out, and there for a long coversation. I blinked with suprise when she started right off. "You've been acting strange lately Victoria - you had a miraculous escape from a random collapsing building, and then you've been going out late and coming home late in the morning. What's up?" she asked, and I could tell by her tone that she wasn't leaving until she got an answer. And I could tell by her eyes, that whatever I told her would be kept a secret.

Rose may be a chatterbox, but she knew when things had to remain un-said. I sighed in defeat - I needed to tell someone. I would probably tell Alice later, and telling someone before her when I had a little time to practice and reherse the worse to say would be helpful. "Allright Rose, I'll tell you - but don't tell anyone else until I give you the 'okay', okay?" I asked, glaring on the last line to make my words clear and meaningful. Rose nooded, and pretended to draw and 'x' over her heart with her claw, and in so doing said 'I won't tell until you give me the okay' in the most binding sense she knew. Her eyes were bright, eager for more information.

"Allright," I said sternly, in a sort of "I will hold you to your word" sort of way, and then I launched into the story - leaving out the vampire details, of course. I told her everything I could - basically all of the details of how amazingly beautiful he was, a little of what we talked about, a little of what he did around me, and anything else I could - with out making him sound out of the ordinary in anyway. It was harder then I thought, for he was so out of the ordinary even without the vampireness. Rose bought it however - her eyes were just about bugging out of her head when my story was over.

"Red eyes?" she asked, and her own eyes were glazed, as if trying to picture Marcus' perfection in her mind. I nodded, and she nodded as well, appearing deep in thought. She shot a few questoins at me, like where does he live, what does he do, does he have a brother, but other then that, not much. We chattered for a few hours, before Alice woke up, said good morning to each of us, and then went out for a morning jog. Rose said she had better get going too, and she sped off on giddy, girly feet, probably filing away all of the information I had given her for future reference.

I smiled, and then got ready for another day, thinking about Marcus the whole time.

*~* Marcus' POV

I was suprised at how full my life seemed again. How bright the morning sun was, how vibrant the colors of the dawn, how sweet the sounds of dragons, humans, and other life forms coming to life for the day. Everything was beautiful, everything was vibrant. I loved mornings like this. I settled myself down, preparing for a long day. I wasn't restless and figety as I usually was. I was calm and collected, as I spent my day thinking of the past few days - which was revolutionized my life. Victoria was like a meteor across my moonless sky, and now everything was on fire.

I was content as I thought about the coming night, for Victoria and I would probably see each other again - and hopefully she wouldn't get in trouble on the streets anymore. I shuddered at the thought. But even more hopeful was that I would always be there to protect her. But that I couldn't do, for even if I protected her from others, who would protect her from me?

Allright, that's it for now. Hope you liked it, and I'll try to get more up soon.
I hate to keep you guys waiting, and I hate to use the excuse of school, but that's what I've been doing lately, and I know some of you understannd. Thanks for loving my story guys! More is on the way! :D

wow!!! that was an awsoem chapter !!!! I'm so glad you got another one( or would you coundt it 2?)awsoem job !!!
~Shearkin

Thanks Shearkin!
Glad you all liked it!
Now for the too-long-awaited next chapter!
(Note: May be a little short - time is limited)

Chapter 15 Marcus' POV

The track was cold against my feet, like always, as I walked silently through the night - with Victoria at my side. Yes, as I had expected, we had run into each other again. No plans, no expectations, just "Hello." "Oh my gosh!" and fate had us together again. Why was it that fate brought us together, when common sense should have kept us apart? Maybe common sense was in on the whole thing, and had a bet or joke running with fate, as well as space and time to just intertwine my "life" with Victoria's and laugh at us the whole time while eagerly watching proceedings.

I shook my head, wondering if others had such bizzare thoughts. I put it out of my mind for the present, enjoying the crisp, beautiful night. The stars were out again, and a white and feiry full moon glowed eerily in the black velvet sky. I listened closely to Victoria's heart beat in her chest, unable to refrain from smiling when it would abruptly quicken its pace whenever my tail brushed hers. A few times, I caught a look in her eye that made me think she knew I could hear her frenzied reactions to our contact, but I wasn't completely sure. Her claws made a slow one--two one--two one-two rythm on the metal track that we almost could have danced to. The thought of dancing with her made me smile as pleasant images filled my mind.

Nothing was said for a long time - it wasn't an uncomfortable silence, on the contrary it was very peaceful and soft - though every once in a while, one of us would get on to one of the random questions we hadn't been able to ask before. Hers involved my vampiric habits, mine involved her life and times. We climbed side-by-side to the roof of a building, just to sit under the stars. She lay down gracefully beside me, watching the sky above. I was nervous about us being so close, as already my throat was throbbing painfully at our close proximety. I lay down three feet or so away, not wanting to flirt with temptation. Part of me wanted to close the distance between us, while another part wanted to make it as far as possible. I sighed, knowing the latter was the wiser and more considerate choice.

Why wasn't I strong enough to go away? I put her in danger just by existing, and still yet got even closer, mere feet from her, while every instinct I had screamed at me to kill her, feed myself, stop denying my natural food source. I grimaced at the thought of killing the only one I never could - and even as I tried to convince myself that was right, I knew I could kill her so easily. My eyes hardened. No. I was strong enough. Ahead of strong enough. I had gone this long without killing her, right? But even as I thought that, I knew it was a horrid thing to base my internal proof on. I warred with myself for a few minutes - though it seemed like hours - and suddenly cut off when I noticed Victoria staring at me. How could she understand all that I was feeling? I tried to smile at her, but knew I failed.

Concern and curiosity colored her face. "What's wrong, Marcus?" She asked softly of me, and a small thrill went through me when she said my name so delicately, with such concern and care. "N-" Nothing, I started to say, but my throat closed around the lie, for I couldn't lie to her, not her. She stared at me in a way that let me know, surely, she knew I wasn't okay - such an understatement. I cared so much about her safety, why wasn't I strong enough to do what I should? My mouth pulled down into a frown, which of course she didn't miss. She pulled herself across the roof and closer to me. My body went rigid in response, though I tried to look unperturbed. My body reacted when her tail smoothly trailed across my leg.

"Marcus, talk to me. I can handle it. You'll feel better after you talk about it," She said. I smiled without humor, seeing hundreds of visions of her reaction after I tell her all I can. In most of them, she ran away from me, screaming as she fled. Talk to me. Her voice seemed to soothe me, coax me into confession. "I'm not a good friend for you, Victoria." I started, stating something I'd thought of hundreds of times. "I'm not safe. Your blood... it tempts me so, almost to the point of no resistance. I don't want to hurt you, and I try to stay away, and yet I always end up with you again, despite any measure I may take. I fight with my self, my judgement constantly, trying to choose between what's right, what's ethical, and what I want." My voice was pained and saying the words was difficult.

I anxiously waited for Victoria's reaction, watching her eyes and expression. She licked her lips, unintentionally alluring, and then met my gaze evenly. "It does seem like we're meeting up alot, doesn't it?" She asked, and I nodded. Nothing was said for a moment, and I had no idea what to say. What was there to say at a time like this? Victoria appeared deep in thought, looking down at her pearl-colored claws intently. I took a deep breath and regretted it, inhaling her taunting scent like it was vital for my survival. Both of us jumped when my claws screeched as they dug with restraint into the metal. "Marcus... why do you think we keep meeting up?"

Victoria's voice startled me, though I quickly answered her question, almost without thinking. "I think it revolves around fate." She looked at me curiously, questions in her emerald eyes. "You believe in fate and destiny and all that?" She asked, and I nodded stiffly. "Do you think fate wants us together?" Victoria questioned, following the same string of thoughts. I nodded in reply again. "...I want us together." My heart seemed to jolt at Victoria's words, and how soft and truthful her voice had sounded. I couldn't help myself in replying. "I want us to be together as well," I said, my voice strained.

That was bad. Bad! We couldn't be together if I valued her life, and value her life I did. I should be strong enough to leave - I had to be. I couldn't live with myself if I ever hurt her. I loved her too much for that. I froze, rigid, wanting to cry again. It was true - so true. I loved her. My heart seemed to wail in pain. I was getting too involved with something that I knew wouldn't end well! Why couldn't I leave?! Because you love her, a voice said in my mind, not the monster side of me, but the sentient, real side of me. The one that loved her. My lips trembled, my heart screaming in agony.

Victoria's eyes softened and I saw moisture gather in their corners. She cautiously picked up her paw, hesitantly, carefully reached out, and touched my face gently. I stiffled a shiver before it could expose me. "Don't feel bad Marcus. Don't cry," she said, her own voice close to tears. "I can't," I said, trying to laugh, though it sounded more like a sob. The tears spilled over the edge of Victoria's eyes and dripped sorrowfully down her face. I reached up, not able to bear seeing her cry, and gently wiped away her tears with my paws. My throat throbbed painfully, not only with the flood of venom, but with an aching pain that I didn't understand.

Victoria backed away from me, probably sensing my stiffness and hostility. My heart seemed to cry out to her, my arms aching to hold her. But I knew I couldn't. It was wrong for me to feel this way. Dangerous for both of us. Life-threatening for her... and me. As much as I tried to deny it, I knew that if I lost her, I wouldn't be able to survive anymore. I needed her to survive, and that put her in danger. Air stuttered in my lungs when I tried to take a deep breath and prevent myself from sobbing. Then another question peirced my mind with a burst of inquisitive energy.

If I loved her, and I couldn't live without her, and I caused her danger by existing, what was I to do?



Bit of a Cliff-Hanger. Hope ya' liked it. Read, reply, enjoy.
:D