GoodBye

Darius turned away from Julia who had returned back to cat form and was napping on his navy-blue rucksack, to see Mina walking towards him. Her curls were shorter than they were months ago, and she looked every bit as beautiful as she had been standing before the Lake of souls when they first met. "Did you come to see me off?" Darius asked as she got closer. Mina scoffed at him her eyes dark, surprising him further when she kept walking till she was close enough to grab the collar of his jacket pull him down and kiss him roughly but firmly. When she let go, they were both breathing heavily. "I will see you soon." Mina said firmly her eyes furious, before she walked away. Darius watched her sashay off before turning into a werewolf and streak into the woods disappearing in the darkness. "Well that was unexpected." Terry said, as he approached Darius, who was still trying to gain composure. Cassie looked at the two boys with amusement. She wanted to disapprove of Mina's sudden appearance and disappearance but found herself hoping instead that Silas, and his wolves would be making an appearance in the City of the Dead. "Here." Cassie turned abruptly surprised to see Lauri handing her an exquisite leather rucksack. Cassie blushed at the gesture, she hadn't expected to make friends with the lost princess. Nathaniel's daughter but had found herself drawn to the girl with no friends. Apart from those who trained her. "What's this?" Cassie asked, taking the pack. Lauri shoved her hands in her pockets. She wasn't wearing the dress she had been when they were at the council. Instead she was wearing a leather pants with a heavy brocade jacket. Possibly one of Raphael's. She looked like a general, even with the Amulet of the Strigoi, glimmering at her neck. "It has some of my clothes." She said. "Clothes that I have seen you looking at fondly." She said her eyes somber. "You can keep them or sell them. They would probably bring in a hefty price on earth." She said, before her eyes lit up with mischief. "I also put in a bottle of that red wine you like. Be careful, over there. Don't die." She said her eyes heavy with emotion. Cassie gently put the bag at her feet and threw her arms around Lauri, who held her just as tight. "I will. I promise." She said her eyes pricking with tears. Helena watched the exchange with an odd feeling in her stomach.

She and her brother had never been the type to show affection. They had been born into a world that abhorred such things. They had trained and fought together before the court separated them. Helena had found herself submerged with Dorian, Nathaniel and the bigger players of the council. Darius had ended up with the guard. Helena knew that it was her powers of foresight that allowed her to be ensconced in the South village. And now it was her gift of foresight that had caused her banishment. "Why so contemplative?" Dorian asked from behind her. Helena turned to him gesturing to Cassie and Lauri. "I don't ever remember being that kind." Helena said her voice soft. Dorian snorted. "You have never been kind. That's why we got along so well. During that time in my life I needed someone without kindness. Someone who could help me forget that my sister was never coming back. You did that for me." Dorian said his voice hollow. "She won't survive here." Helena said, knowing that if she turned to Dorian now, he would be staring at the dark-haired beauty that had already stolen what was left of his heart. "She will learn." Dorian said as he walked past Helena. Helena's eyes darkened. "You never will" she said softly. "Another prediction?" Simeon asked suddenly beside her. "Maybe." Helena said sighing.

"Protect them?" she questioned her voice trailing off. "I could no more protect Dorian then you could all those years ago." Simeon answered her half question. "Sometimes you just need to allow the chips to fall where they must." Simeon said. Helena looked at him a question on her face. "Speaking of trainwrecks. When you are in the Dead city, I'd like you to check on something for me." Simeon said holding out a folded piece of yellowed paper. "Old girlfriend?" Helena said quirking an eyebrow. "Something like that."

Lauri had always hated goodbyes. This one seemed even more bittersweet. Maybe because Christian had left the day before with a scowl on his perfect lips. "The portals are open now." He had said with some resignation in his voice. "Trying to corral the nine covens will be near impossible now." Christian muttered, his hands in his pockets. "They are all going to want to join Dimitri's brood." Christian said. "Who is Dimitri?" she had asked amused to see him flush. "The head Vampire of the Dead City." He answered. He'd glanced at Cassie, before bending down and pressing his lips to her cheek before he was gone. Lauri narrowed her eyes as she entered her room. Sitting on her pillow there was a note with gilded writing on it. She didn't know whose writing it was, but she did know what it was. Coordinates to a portal that would take her to the dead city.

Terry,

I have never wanted a brother. And yet I've found comfort in being your sister. This is what makes this so hard. I've committed a mistake that if it was ever found out would result in death and bloodshed. And not just mine. If it had only been my mistake, I might've stayed, but it is not. I cannot be claimed to Raphael, because I have already been claimed body and soul to someone else, and it is for that purpose that I am leaving. I will be long gone before you receive this. And upon reading this, the words will disappear. An ancient way of sending messages. Terry, I think you know who I would be protecting, and I know you will protect him as well. Please never let it be known that you know anything at all. For your safety and mine. I pray that we will never meet again. For if we do, I fear it will be as enemies.

Your sister,

Rina