It was the next day that changed Sapphira's life. She was in the Black Iris club with Talera, talking about the next Circle Daybreak meeting. They were hoping to go to Thierry place in Las Vegas, but were trying to work out the details on how to get there. "I really don't think my folks are going to let me go to Las Vegas and stay with one of the Lords of the Night World. Thierry is a Vampire you know!" Sapphira was deep in argument with Talera.
     "I know that! Do you think I would tell them where I was staying?" Talera countered, sounding a little too sure of herself.
     "Perhaps your parents let you go where you like and do what you want, after all you are one of four children. I am an only child, and my folks seem to watch my every move, just to make sure their precious daughter is okay!"
     "Look, I will call Thierry tonight and he will help me arrange all the details. Remember, it's nearly Samhain and your folks surely wouldn't mind us going to a special Night World party?"
     "You are ridiculous! I expect you to call me and tell me what you've managed to arrange. Bye."
     Talera walked out of the club, leaving Sapphira sitting alone at a table, staring at the walls. The Black Iris clubs were meeting places and social groups for those in the Night World. Once they had seemed almost magical places (well more magical than Witchcraft), but now they just seemed like smoky, dark, surreal places where Vampires treated everyone else like mud, Witches tried out new things on folk, and Werewolves and Shapeshifters were just sat on and spat on as if they were lower forms of life. This place was depressing and she only ever went in it now when she and Talera needed to talk about something without seeming suspicious. She was just about to leave when he came in. Ebony, the mysterious Vampire.

     After his initial mad rush to find Sapphira, Ebony had looked at what he was doing with disgust and stopped. 'That Witch was not his soulmate and he was not going to be stupid. He had Hunter's trust and respect! What he was trying to do? Wreck his chances to work closely with the head of the oldest Vampire families over a feeling? Even his cousin Morgead couldn't say he worked for Hunter Redfern!'
     Parking his car, he went into the nearest Black Iris club. Being around other Vampires would help him to come to his senses fully. The place was fairly small, but it was quite good. Although it wasn't a patch on the ones back in Las Vegas!
     Something made him stop. 'She was in here!' Every part of his being told him that. The last vestige of his control slipped away and he moved towards her. Before he knew what he was doing he touched her arm and felt the same sparks he had felt the other night. His green eyes met her blue ones and something in Ebony broke. This was so right. How could he fight it? He drew in his breath and spoke...

     Sapphira stood up, determined not to be caught in here with one of Hunter's little gang. Even so, his presence filled her with electricity, and she felt as if she could hardly breath from the excrutiating joy that it made her feel.
     Quickly, she made her way to the door, determined not to be seen by him. Just as she thought she had made it, she felt a light touch on her arm. Turning round, she saw those green eyes, burning with a fierce intensity that was almost painful to behold. "Sapphira, isn't it? I really need to talk to you..." he looked around the club, and then back towards her, "Alone."
     Sapphira knew that she shouldn't, every part of her brain was screaming 'no' at her, but every fibre of her body was straining to be near him and she heard herself say "okay", before she knew what she was doing.
     Ebony led her outside gently. He then guided her into a car, a large red convertible that Sapphira gave an admiring glance. The ride was short and very quiet. Neither of them spoke. The tension built, almost to breaking point. But then the ride was over, and before she knew it, she was getting out near a remote section of the beach. It was hardly ever used, as it was supposed to be haunted. A knot of fear started in her stomach, as she thought that no one would hear her screams here, no one knew she was here; if he tried to hurt her then... somehow, a part of her didn't care. It was almost as if it felt that he wouldn't, that he couldn't hurt her. He sat down on the sand and motioned for her to do the same. Still no words had passed between them. Sapphira sat, carefully smoothing her silk dress out, so she wouldn't crease it. She felt as if she were holding her breath underwater and that any minute she would let go and drown.
     "I have something I need to ask you, something I need to know. This must sound crazy, it does to me. When I even thought about it, I thought I had gone mad. I didn't believe, I couldn't believe. But now, I don't know what to believe. Everything has changed, and it all has to do with you. I need to ask you, to ask you..." he paused, shaking his dark hair for a moment as if he was puzzled by his own thoughts. Then he seemed to collect himself together and he looked into her eyes. Emeralds met Sapphires and sparks flew. Sapphira lowered her gaze, and Ebony tried to finish his question, "Do you think we could be soulmates."
     At his words, Sapphira's heart stopped beating. She looked at him quickly, but his face showed no signs of lying, only a serene questioning that made him appear far older than his nineteen years. She lowered her gaze again. It was true, every part of her told her so. His touch was electric, her entire being seemed to throb whenever she was near him. This was how it was described by others in Circle Daybreak who had found their soulmate. He seemed to fill a void in her that had always been there. One that, no matter how many guys she went out with, never got any less. A thought flashed through her head, one about him being a spy for Hunter, but her heart did not want to listen anymore and pushed all reason away. "I know we are. It seems as if I have been waiting for you for a long time. I have been alone so long, I thought you would never come, I thought..."
     They kissed and their minds and souls merged. Sapphira was in a world of colours, most were shades of green laced with blue. There were dark corners, areas of black which seemed out of place. "Where are we?"
     "Inside each other's minds, I guess." Sapphira saw Ebony standing there. He seemed so gentle. His emerald eyes shone with tears. She instinctively held him. Images same into her mind; Ebony in a Vampire gang laughing while he killed humans for fun, Ebony with Hunter watching as he tortured members of Circle Daybreak for information, Ebony here to spy on Circle Daybreak. It almost broke her heart to see what he had done, because a part of him was so sorry.
     "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Sorry you had to see what I am. I'm a killer, a bad guy. You're so pure, so much like light. I don't know how to stop, but I'll try, for you, I'll change somehow."
     Sapphira cried, his words had torn her soul in two. Ebony tried to help her, to see what was wrong, but Sapphira was shielded her mind from him, keeping him out. "What's wrong? Sapphira please! Why are you hiding?"
     "You don't understand! I'm not pure or good, I'm a killer, the same as you are!"
     "I don't understand? What are you talking about?"
     Another sob wrenched its way out of Sapphira's throat. "Look" she said quieter.
     Sapphira dropped her shields and he saw. "It happened when I was fifteen. My cousins, Thea and Blaise were staying with us as they had been thrown out of their last High School. She bewitched all the boys. I followed her as if she were a Goddess herself. It was her suggestion that I try to bewitch a guy. It worked..." A sob cut through her sentence, "I had this guy, Chris, totally besotted with me. Unfortunately I used a spell on him that is forbidden to maidens, it caused something to... snap within him. He went insane and he terrified me, so I... I dumped him. I didn't know what would happen, I didn't know! He killed himself! He died because of me! I killed him! That time it wasn't just Thea and Blaise who moved. My folks brought us here to keep me away from Blaise and to give me a new start."
     "It doesn't make you a killer. You didn't take his life like I have. It isn't the same, Sapphira. You aren't like me!"
     "You don't understand! I did kil him! Just as surely as I would have if I had hung him myself! I broke the most sacred of our laws! I did harm. Hellewise told us to do no harm, what I did broke that. I can never forgive myself fully for what I've done, never."
     Ebony looked at her for a minute. She was beautiful and he kissed her in his mind. Sapphira surrendered to his mind's touch and he washed away all her pain. They were not perfect either of them, at least not seperately, but together they fitted like a jigsaw puzzle and that seemed to create a perfection that neither of them would ever destroy. Their souls were in perfect union.
     In her mind she heard a voice whisper 'I love you', but she was unsure if it was real. This whole situation now seemed like a wonderful dream that she would forget when she awoke, and only have fragments of it left to tantalise her when she awoke. But the dream went on and on and never stopped. Sapphira felt as if she were home at last, in his arms, and she never wanted to leave again.

     It was to Krystina that Sapphira told everything. Talera would never have believed that she had found her soulmate, or she would be very jealous. For the first time in her life, Sapphira was really in love and showing it! "You are positively glowing!" Krystina told her when she came round. "What's up, have you found true love at last?"
     "I've found my soulmate, Krys, my lost half! I am not joking! But please, don't tell anyone, as my parents will go mental and Talera will probably never speak to me again!"
     "So, what's his name, this soulmate of yours? Does he know what he's let himself in for?"
     "His name is Ebony Blackthorn, he is 19 years old, and he doesn't care as he loves me, all of me, even the dark parts!"
     "Wait a minute. Ebony? The guy with the electric touch who really wasn't your type?"
     "Yep, that's him! He's going to meet me tomorrow at 2pm. Do you want to come and meet him? I really don't mind, and I want to be able to show him off to my best friend!"
     Krystina smiled. Her smile always lit up her face. It wasn't a very broad smile, but it lent an air of almost manic humour which gave her face more character. She was slightly taller than Sapphira, and slightly older. She was not as slim, but certainly could not be called fat under any circumstances. Her build was just broad, and that's all there was to it. Her hair was honey-coloured and curly. She had odd eyes; one blue, one grey. The shades were so close that few people could tell them apart. Sapphira, being a Witch, found it easy.
     "I suppose I could spare a few hours to meet your new guy. I don't have anything better to do!"

     Krystina and Sapphira were walking along a quiet part of the beach towards the main part when it happened. Two Werewolves jumped them, one pinned Krystina down, whilst the other went after Sapphira. Krystina tried to crane her neck to see what was going on, all she thought was that two dogs were attacking her and any minute now, she would feel her throat being torn out. Instead she heard a man's voice and saw a flash of auburn hair. All she heard then was the sound of something hitting her head and she lost consciousness.

     She awoke to see a young man with black hair and green eyes staring down at her. He held out his hand and she took it and allowed him to help her up. He was very handsome but something about him sent shivers down her spine. "Thank you, but who are you and did you see what happened?"
     "My name is Ebony, I'm sorry but I didn't see what happened to you. I came here to meet someone and saw you lying on the ground. If you are okay, then I will go. I am late already."
     "Ebony? Ebony Blackthorn?" Krystina asked, looking around her for any sign of Sapphira. He didn't seem to be paying attention to her, but that wasn't important. "Where is Sapphira?"
     "Sapphira?" Ebony spun round to meet her gaze, "You know her? Where is she?" His voice was filled of worry and a note of panic. He glanced round quickly as if he hoped to see her standing there.
     "Yes I know Sapphira. I am her best friend. I am not sure where she is. We were walking along the beach to meet... well you, I think. Then we were attacked by large dogs who pinned us down. Then I thought I heard a man's voice and... I think he had red hair, but then I was knocked unconcious by something and I didn't see anything more."
     "Wait a minute. You're saying that you were attacked by large dogs?" He grabbed a hold of her by her sleeves and looked at her with a wild gaze. He seemed frantic. "You are sure they were dogs, not wolves? And the man, he definitely had red hair? Please, it's very important that you remember."
     "They were big enough to be wolves, I guess. But that's impossible, there are no wolves around here! The man definitely had red hair. I am sure of that. Now let go you are hurting me! And will you please tell me what is going on!"
     "No time to explain" Ebony was off and running before she could ask him anything else. One thing she thought she heard him say as he ran off was, "Hunter... Werewolves... I might have known." She dismissed this as something she had misheard. There were no such things as Werewolves and what had hunters got to do with this? She would just have to find out what had become of Sapphira herself. Krystina hoped she was okay, and wished there was a way to contact Talera. She might know what to do...

     Sapphira awoke to the sight of Hunter Redfern staring down at her. The last thing she remembered was being attacked by Werewolves and then being knocked out. She hoped Krystina was alright. She satstraight up and looked coldly at Hunter Redfern who was smiling maliciously. "Why am I here? You may be a Lord of the Night World, but this is outrageous! The Inner Circle will be very displeased when they learn that a Vampire has kidnapped a Witch without reason, especially one directly descended from the Harman family!"
     "You have a lot of spirit. Very admirable, not that it matters much. You do have a valid point, or at least you would do if you were not a member of Circle Daybreak. That gives me a reason to hold you here, and to have taken you in the first place. You are breaking Night World law, my dear, and we both know the punishment for that!"
     "I am a member of Circle Twilight! I will officially join it on my eighteenth birthday. Circle Daybreak was disbanded many years ago, so I don't know what you are talking about!"
     "But it has been reformed. We both know that because it isn't official you must keep up your pretense of being in Circle Twilight. You are a Daybreaker. I have proof of that. Have a nice day, more of your kind will be arriving shortly. I have already spoken to them, so there is no reason why I should see you again until Samhain, my dear. Goodbye, pleasant dreams!"
     Sapphira wanted to ask him what he meant, but she had a very bad feeling that whatever it was she wasn't going to like it! Her loneliness crept back, and she was overcome with a desire to see Ebony, or anyone else familiar to her. The walls of the cell, for that's what it was, were white. There were two other beds ranging around the room, which indicated that she was going to have company soon. The sheets on the bed were also white, they were linen and seemed like prison issue. The pillows were also white, and lumpy as if they had been made from second rate feathers. It seemed like hours passed before anyone came.
     All of a sudden, the door opened and two Werewolves came in. They came in their human forms, but she knew what they were all the same. They deposited two people, one male, one female on the beds then snarled at Sapphira and left. Sapphira waited until the door had closed until she went over to the newcomers. The female was just waking and Sapphira went over to her side and gently laid a hand on her forehead. Her Witch healing senses were kicking in.
     She seemed to be very young, with a slim body and fragile features. Sapphira knew that appearances could be deceptive, take her friend Talera, she was not as fragile as she seemed. The girl's hair was short, and golden in colour, and framed her oval face to perfection. Her skin was tanned a medium brown. The girl's eyes flickered open to reveal a yellow the colour of a lioness', eyes filled with worry. "Where am I? Where's Hunter? He was telling me something terrible... and, who are you?"
     "I'm Sapphira Rosewood, a Witch in Circle Daybreak and I believe you are in the same boat as I am."
     "I am Cassie Thrushton, A Lioness Shapeshifter, and also a member of Circle Daybreak. You see, I'm half-human, only my mother was a Shapeshifter. My parents are both dead now because of that, and I will be too soon. I almost wish Thierry hadn't found and helped me, all he has done is delay the inevitable. I am not welcome in the Night World."
     "What do you mean you will be dead soon? What is Hunter planning to do on Samhain? What the heck is going on around here?!"
     "He didn't tell you? Well you seem to be a Witch, perhaps he doesn't despise you as much as me. In answer to your question, Hunter is going to make examples of us at the Night World Council meeting after the Samhain celebrations. In front of the whole council he will expose us as Daybreakers and tell everyone about the damage Circle Daybreak is causing to the Night World. He will then kill us, probably using iron for you, silver for me, and whatever for that bundle in the corner, wood by the smell of him. It will be a message to the whole Night World that Circle Daybreak is doomed to fail and dreadful punishments are to be meted out to its members. Whatever happens, we are to die in six days time."
     Tears rolled down Sapphira's cheeks. She was not crying for her own death, but for those who would miss her most; her parents, Krystina, Talera, maybe even her cousin Shaun, and... Ebony. How could he cope with the loss of his new-found soulmate? Such agony was impossible to imagine and Sapphira felt as if her heart would break. There had to be a way out of this, there had to be! If only Talera could get to Thierry, if only she knew what had happened. However it seemed impossible and despair clutched at Sapphira's heart. This wouldn't do, she had no right to give up, she would fight to the end if she had to, but fight she would!
     Lifting her head up, Sapphira smiled at Cassie and knew she had to do something to help. The girl was weeping uncontrollably and Sapphira knew that if she gave in, then everything would fall apart. Right now she would comfort Cassie, thn find a way out of here, or at least a way to send a message to Circle Daybreak, they would help them, if only they knew...

to be continued!!!!!!

Part 4a

Stories Inspired by

My Fan Fiction

Index