Blood of the Skies and Shadows - Chapter Twenty Four

Hey everyone don't have much to say except I have been sick for a week with the flu going around ! I've recovered but now my exams are rounding the corner and I have to study like absolute crazy!

*So here are a couple of chapters and the end of the second story is coming to an end, but there is going to be a THIRD story of this series so I will tell you what it's called in the last chapter!*

Enjoy and comment! Thanks again to my extremely patient readers! he..he.

Love Caelia.
P.S. There has been some silly comments on the last chapter so don't comment if you have nothing to say that's related to the story or post! Thanks.
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Lexi.
The academy's grounds spread further than its walls seemed to stretch, but still the buildings surrounded everything. The field in front of us was clear with only evenly cut grass. On the opposite side of where we stood were several archways leading down to steps, I assumed, and in the distance was another field. Except instead it held archery targets, stone statues on metal podiums and obstacles you'd see on an army course but with more difficulty. Around the fields were staircases, doorways and hallways leading into the buildings. What captivated my eyes stunningly was the activity going on around. The students, all dressed in black sturdy clothes were actually training. In front of us the students were battling hand to hand combat, most battles were evenly matched. Both circling each other with unique series of speed and skill but never actually doing much damage.

Or the battles were over in a flash, with blinding speed and power one would take down the other. On the other field the students were training with mostly weapons. The archers all released their arrows on single commands, each arrow hitting either close to the bull's-eye or hitting it dead on. Others practiced with knives throwing them sailing through the air into the would-be vital points of the battered statues. The other students on the obstacles were actually fighting one another on them, not trying to overcome them. For instance two girls not much younger than me were stealthily attacking and defending each other with a sword on a tall standing rope course, with only strong but thin ropes to stand on. But they all had one thing in common, all of them were human in one way or another.

"What are we doing here?" I whispered, making sure my hood drooped low enough that my face was covered.

"To see Kiron, of course." He replied bluntly.

"You said he was isolated." I commented just as bluntly. His shoulders lifted and fell just once, very slightly.

"Kiron is isolated, but he is the head of the association. He lives behind the academy but still on its grounds. He rarely leaves his home and only a handful has seen him. Among that handful very few are in his trusted circle and through them he controls the association." He explained, his sky blue eyes

The gazes of the students who weren't on the fields seem to be burning holes through every part of me, but no one questioned our presence until a short middle-aged man approached us. His face was very striking, not because he was particularly handsome but because of the falling dragon tattoo on the left side of his face. Looking closer, he wore all the same clothes as the students but the difference was that he actually had weapons strapped to him. Guns, knives, potions, the whole lot.

His hard hazel eyes passed over me briefly but went straight on to glare at Lucian. I was genuinely surprised. Shadows were afraid of Lucian so his challenging even dominant attitude was something very daring.

"Daryl." Lucian said. Lucian seemed genuinely unimpressed and bored. As if he knew something more.

"Lucian, we haven't been expecting you. Or another guest." He said quietly, though his tone was polite and tranquil, there was something of harshness and a hint of a personal grudge that lay beneath.

As Lucian's eyes flickered over me, seeming pleased that I didn't seem fazed or impatient. I was pretty grateful for my mask then. But then I noticed as Lucian's attention shifted from the man called Daryl to me, the man looked as if Lucian had publicly affronted him. His narrowed hazel eyes shot daggers at me as he again scrutinized me with no luck.

"I have been much too occupied to send word of arrival. I have only come to see Kiron." Lucian replied plainly, instantly taking back Daryl's attention. Daryl seemed sarcastically amused. His expression was something of a bitter leer. I frowned but stayed quiet.

"The association won't be happy. You haven't exactly been reporting in to them. Besides Kiron has no desire to see anyone. Why don't you just crawl back to wh.."

"Daryl." Lucian demanded with finality to his tone. His eyes were cold and hard. His sky blue eyes turning ice blue. This voice was familiar, full of threat and menace. I'd used it many times when I was feeling sheer rage and impatience. He was serious.

"I have no time to waste conversing with you so that you may hopefully stroke your hurt ego. Now tell Kiron I must see him or I will have no intention of being lenient." I was exceedingly grateful I wasn't the one Lucian was impatient with. His voice was utterly blood curdling. Daryl was putting up a good front, standing tall and not nervously rigid at all, but the fear was still there. Amidst the reproachful look in his eyes.

I noticed that Lucian and Daryl's confrontation had drawn a crowd around us. The students had been so quiet I hadn't even noticed they were near. Pretty impressive. Daryl's next words impressed me as well but annoyed me even more. Either he was stronger than he looked or he was just plain stupid and couldn't read Lucian's mood.

"I won't take threats from you, Lucian. I'm not afraid of a ridiculous witch." Unlike before he didn't even hold the pretense of being polite, he spat the words hatefully.

"I do not find much insult in those words especially if they come from the mouth of a coward." Lucian said back like he was commenting on the weather rather than insulting someone. Yeah there was definitely some hidden grudge. Because at that moment I saw something very vulnerable flash across Daryl's face, enough to know something awry would happen next.

I drew my blades from their sheaths strapped to each of my thighs and vanished from the place I stood silently.

"Don't." I said, my voice tranquil and composed as I fixed my blank mask into place.

His eyes were wide with astonishment as everyone stood in silence. I'd moved just in time and held off his sword from Lucian. Crossing my blades I'd caught Daryl's thin sword before it could impact. He was strong, I'd give him that. But not strong enough to make me budge.

He glared down at me with fury and agitation but I gave no response. I could feel the pressure of his sword pushing down on my blades but I pushed back so no weapon moved an inch.

"Move aside little girl, before you get hurt. This is none of your business. In fact it'd be best if you leave right now." He hissed bitterly. I smirked. He was acting like a child. I shrugged nonchalantly.

"I'm holding my own fine. And you trying to attack Lucian made it my business. Assuming you're a teacher at this academy, shouldn't you be leading a better example?" I said back, trying to mimic Lucian's tone as if he were commenting on the weather. His eyes blazed, his face slowly becoming colored. His eyes screamed 'insolent'. A woman stepped into view and intervened. She was rather beautiful, not nearly as beautiful as Lady Rhyannon or a vampire but her beauty was still impressionable. She was small and petite but her body was full with womanly curves and her face was devoid of any lines except for faint laugh lines but her subtle steel-gray eyes seemed to emit a feeling of weariness, so her age was indeterminate. Her wispy long black hair was pulled back into a tight pony tail and she wore the same gear as Daryl. The way she held herself screamed regal and elegant yet dangerous. She had a hint of a British accent which made her seem more regal. Overall though, she was very human.

"The girl is right, Daryl. Sheath your sword now. Those words were not a request. They were the orders of a half blood. If you go against Lucian, even the association will not be able to protect you." That seemed to cause a stir amongst Daryl. He bit his lip and lifted his sword. I didn't put away my weapons until his sword was completely sheathed. He glared at Lucian and then looked back at me, doing a double-take. He looked like he recognized me but didn't feel like asking so he just grimaced sourly at me and turned away.

"Fine, I'll go." He muttered curtly and strolled off towards the other end of the grounds. I suppressed a sigh and rolled my shoulders to release the tension stuck there.

"I see Daryl still possesses resentment towards me for not granting his selfish wish several years ago." Lucian said exasperatedly to the woman. She laughed lightly. Her laughter was very down to earth rather than airily melodic like those of shadows. Laugh lines also showed at the corners of her eyes. There was something about her that made me like her.

"Yes, I'm afraid so. He may be a strong hunter but he's very childish. Anyway it's very good to see you Lucian. This academy has missed your presence. Now, who may I ask, is your fighter friend?" She asked going at her own pace, but still genuinely warm. She brought her round gray eyes down to meet my green eyes. Her smile was intrigued but not probing and still kind.

"Alexia Ivera." Lucian said with an amused smile pulling at his mouth. His mood changed quite fast. I eyed him skeptically but shrugged it off and nodded politely back to the woman with an anxious mumbled greeting.

"I'm Céline Trevino, instructor and headmistress at A.RG. Hearing your name, you must be Carmen and Benjamin's daughter. I see you inherited their hunter skills and reflexes." She said, waves suddenly washed over her gray eyes with pride and sadness. Her smile was empathetic but not pitiful. I smiled back gently, peeling my mask back just a little.

"You knew my parents?" I asked quietly, my throat was suddenly dry but luckily not shaky. She nodded and laughed gently.

"I went to this academy with them. They always managed to get into trouble but they were one of the best this academy has ever had." I felt a small pang in my heart, somehow it stung. To have other know how things about my parents I would never find out for myself. Before I could say anything else Daryl stalked back into view.

"He's in your office Céline." He said plaintively, purposely brushing off Lucian and me. She smiled her thanks and gestured for us to follow her. As we walked past Daryl's eyes narrowed at me suspiciously but said nothing. It almost looked like he couldn't say anything because it'd break a rule. I could feel the resentment he felt towards me just rolling off his skin. I felt agitated, it was a childish excuse but: he'd started it. I would've gladly pretended to be invisible but he had to go push his hate on to me as well especially when he threatened Lucian, though I was actually sure Lucian wasn't threatened, and instead what Lucian would have done to Daryl if I hadn't jumped in would've been much worse.

Like I was ten years younger, I turned around and smiled sweetly at him, under the shadows of my cowed hood. In return he snarled at me, muttered some curse under his breath, turned curtly and stomped away, growling at students to get back to class as he did.

I chuckled darkly, sure it was petty but it was fun. I trotted up to Lucian, ignoring the suspicious prickling stares of the students. Lucian said nothing about my little spat with Daryl and instead remained silent. The curiosity about Daryl's grudge became irritating like an itch I couldn't reach. But I ignored it with some effort and slipped into an absentminded state.

Lexi.
As I leaned against the dark wall of the empty corridor I couldn't help but wonder what Demetri was doing? He was alive. It wasn't a question or a doubt. It was just. I couldn't believe anything but that fact, not until I'd seen otherwise. Even then I doubted that I would believe it or feel it. My mind never strayed too far from his face, just enough that the pain was only numb not pounding against the insides of my chest.

I wondered about Lucas and felt the pain of guilt stinging in me. He was strong but still human and mortal, they were demons what would they do with him? But I knew the answer, somehow I just knew. They'd kill him or use him as a host body. My fingers gripped and released the edges of my black cloak's sleeves in turmoil. I tilted my head back on the wall, as I pushed the frightening image away.

I missed Annelise. I'd wear an endless amount of frilly dresses if she was by my side this moment. I missed Lily and her swearing way of showing she cared. I missed Alec and his bright puppy like affection and awe. I even missed Cy and his silent but compassionate gestures. Would everyone be used or killed? When I found a way to save them, would they themselves still be inside their bodies? I didn't want to think about it, but these thoughts wouldn't leave me alone. Albeit I missed them all to the point of pain, there was another person I missed. Ian.

I didn't know why I felt something was amiss about him. Like something bad was coming. Maybe it had something to do with the moment that was always in the back of my mind. Where I'd sat by him, on those broken steps in that empty throne room. He'd shied away from my eyes before giving in and meeting mine. He'd spoke about Kyle and as desperately as he was trying to hide it the honest despair and forlornness was lucid in his voice and sun touched navy eyes. There was something I'd miss that day, the way his eyes had trapped mine to his abruptly and stunningly. There was something he wanted me to understand, something he wanted to be conveyed through his eyes but I didn't understand it. In those moments I felt like the real him had been brought out, not hiding behind the constant mask of cocky remarks and cold gestures. Though he was never truly not there completely, he was never sincerely shown either.

But just as suddenly as he'd come, the true Ian that cared had disappeared, or at least he'd been covered up by snarky comments. I played it over in my head repeatedly wondering what I was missing. Though I thought I was pretty good at reading people and situations, I guess in reality there were some things I just didn't get.

It came as a shock when I overheard some of the vampires talking the other night about Ian almost going berserk when he'd showed up. Was it really just Kyle, or was there really something more seething inside him? Would Demetri know? Or would Ian tell me? I sighed, once again releasing the ends of my sleeves.

The slurred murmurs leaking from the locked room was getting on my nerves. I wasn't trusted by Kiron to see him, though he couldn't deny I was the vessel because of Lucian. I'd stood in the room with some kind of spell on my eyes so that all I could see was the color white. I didn't like being blind so I volunteered to just wait outside while the discussed what they were going to do. I didn't care as long as it was the fastest and most secure way to go by it all.

The door's lock clicking open made my ears perk as Lucian and Céline walked out. Lucian looked somewhat wary of me as I approached them. I waited patiently but Lucian said nothing so I turned to Céline.

"Kiron has agreed to hand over the shield, but he doesn't want you to take it with you to collect the three weapons, in case the demons are waiting for you over at Lucian's mansion. And because he doesn't want the summoning to happen anywhere but here." Her gray eyes shifted to Lucian carefully, expecting him to say something so I continued waiting. I moved my eyes to meet his reluctant ones and after several moments passed he sighed, defeated.

"Kiron wishes for me to retrieve the sword alone in a day's trip. Whilst you must stay and train further in the academy on the fields." I stared at him, my eyes almost bulging from their sockets.

"What?" I almost whispered.

"No!" I protested, standing my ground.

"You have no choice. It is our best option. Once I retrieve the sword it will be much safer with the wards, doing to summoning ritual here than any other place. And you may need the extra training." He replied, his hard mask was in place. And even though his voice was light his face was solemn and grave. I wanted to argue it further but what did I have to argue against it? Lucian was probably capable of handling himself better against demons than me. I stood there motionless for a minute or two, contemplating. I groaned bitterly.

"Alright, fine!" I cried, flinging my arms in the air. Lucian nodded in acknowledgment and brushed my hair back like he was looking at his daughter, not me.

"I will be back soon, do not worry. Céline is an excellent instructor." He shot her a take-care-of-her smile and vanished into the cold air that smelt like the thick forest we'd walked in. The light of the late morning sun that poured through the window told me he'd only have a short few hours. And even though I wasn't sure how long the ritual Lucian would have for unsealing the sword from his home grounds I was sure that he was thorough enough to make it so that it wouldn't be easy.

"Are you ready?" Céline's bright voice startled me as I recalled she was standing there with me. I nodded reluctantly and awkwardly.

"Lucian told me you'd need a change of clothes. Shadow clothes are too fancy to fight in." She said jokingly and laughed. I remembered what was hidden underneath the cloak I was wearing and grinned.

"You don't even know."