In the Dark 9

As I woke up, a lazy yawn slipped from my mouth. That was the greatest sleep ever! I started to move to get up, but a resistant pair of arms held me back while a warm body snuggled into me. Oh crap! Last nights scene replayed in my head. Double crap! I fearfully glanced behind me to only to see the inevitable. Aidan. He... I... We did that? I gulped. God! I mentally cursed my foolish, emotional self. I really did not mean to do that. I was just scared and depressed, and I didn't know what to do! Ugh! Why did I do that? I had a sudden flashback to Aidan's lifeless body sprawled on the ground. Ah. That's why. I wiggled around in his arms hoping to get free. All that did was make it worse. Aidan's grip was stone as he pulled me back to him, trying to get closer if that was even possible.

"No, love, just a little longer." He whispered as he buried his face in my hair. All my muscles were wound tighter than springs. Apparently he noticed. "It's okay now. I'm here. There's no more night terrors." He started to kiss his way down my neck. My body start to boil, and I barely could keep back a moan of pleasure. I had to stop this insanity.

"Aidan, please." My voice was as unsteady as an earthquake. He didn't stop. His hand that was splayed on my stomach began to massage. His kisses were getting persistent. "Aidan." I cried. This time he stopped. A second thought about last night came to me. Damn! I think I hurt him again. I flipped over to face him to beg him not to be mad. His face though displayed a look of worry instead of anger.

"What's the matter." He fretted. His eyes searched mine, trying to find the cause of the panic I knew was portrayed there.

"Nothing." I again attempted to get up, but Aidan wouldn't let me.

"How can you say that? I know something is wrong." I really didn't want to ever have this conversation with him. I mean, how can you tell a guy that you are intimidated to have sex? It's impossible, but Aidan wasn't going to dismiss this. I groaned.

"Not right now." Again I tried to get off the bed, but Aidan was being difficult. He gave me a stern look that said I wasn't going anywhere until I told him. I opened my mouth to get it over with when the doorbell rang. Yes! Saved by the bell! "I got it!" This surprised Aidan, and allowed me to hop right off the bed. I made a mad dash to the door. When I opened the door two things startled me. One that the sun was already setting; I couldn't have slept for that long. Could I? Two, another three unknown faeries stood silhouetted in the doorway. Great. Just when I thought my week couldn't get any worse! The tallest one with super long, blond hair stuck his hand out to me.

"Hello there. Might I inquire if Aidan is at home?" He gave me innocent looking eyes. Somehow that just annoyed me more. Instead of answering I yelled up to Aidan.

"Aidan! More of your lunatic faerie friends are here!" With that I sneaked a quick glance at the three strangers at the door before returning to the main part of the house. I must be on a roll because that is five sidhe that I have struck dumbfounded. Lovely. I was halfway to the kitchen when I noticed they were still standing in the doorway. "Idiots." I sighed. "Aidan. Hurry I think their paralyzed!" Snickering, I made my way into the kitchen to get me a bowl of cereal.

Once my stomach was satisfied I went back to the guest room to finish getting ready. After a few minutes I found some more sweat pants and t-shirts in one of the drawers. My hair was the next obstacle to tackle. It took forever to brush out all the knots. Finally finished, I stared at myself in the mirror to make sure I looked presentable. It was as good as it was going to get. I pranced out of the room and out to meet our guests.

Aidan was talking with them in the living room. When I entered, their talking fell silent. Oh how I hated being the elephant in the room.

"Hey, Aidan. Hope you don't mind. I borrowed some comfier clothes." With that said, I sat down in between him and the sidhe with long, brown hair. I continued to relax there, intentionally ignoring the fact that they were all staring holes in me. Minutes past and nothing happened. Aidan was the first to break the silence. He leaned to whisper in my ear.

"Blair. This not the time." It was obviously meant to faze me, but I faked ignorance.

"What are you talking about?" He looked me in the eyes, not trying to hide fact he was annoyed.

"We will talk of this later." Aidan sighed, admitting defeat. He stood up, bring me with him. The three other sidhe politely did the same. "Everyone, this is Blair..." He left it open, and I only then realized I never told him my last name.

"Selver." I supplied.

"Yes. Blair Selver, my mate." The last part Aidan said quietly. "Blair, these are three of my fellow commanders: Maddox," He motioned to the one I was standing next to. He had extremely long, brown hair which was stick straight, brown, almost black eyes, and was wearing a chocolate brown robe. "Tristan," This was the sidhe who shook my hand. His eyes were gold, and he was wearing a white robe. "And this is Nolan." Nolan, I realized, was different from all the rest. He had short, spiky, black hair, gray eyes, and of course a black robe. The hair was not the only thing that was different. He was just as beautiful as all the rest, don't get me wrong, but something about him screamed human. I kept staring at him trying to figure it out. Apparently though, I looked like a idiot. Aidan cleared his throat to get my attention. I quickly looked at him. "I think everyone is tired of standing. Can we please sit?" Why was he asking me?

"If you guys want to, go ahead." I kept standing, and turned my attention back to Nolan. It was going to bug the crap out of me if I didn't figure out why he seemed so human, but before I furthered my examination Aidan interrupted.

"Blair, please sit down. It is not polite of any man to sit if a woman is still standing."

"Fine." I plopped back down on the couch and went back to studying Nolan. All the while, Tristan and Maddox conversed with Aidan in a language I didn't understand. I thought I heard my name in the conversation a couple times, but I was too engrossed to care. Minutes flew by, but finally Nolan spoke for the first time since I entered the living room.

"What's so interesting?" He cocked his head at me. Upon hearing Nolan's voice all conversation in the room stopped. All their eyes on me made me blush. I mumbled incoherently my reply. Unfortunately no one heard my answer. I sighed. People just loved to embarrass me today. Don't they?

"Your different." I replied. All the faeries' eyes got huge.

"How do you mean?" Inquired Maddox. Really, are they all that blind? Did I have to spell it out?

"Nolan, you just seem more..." I searched for the right word that wouldn't offend them. "human."

"How so?" Nolan questioned again.

"I don't know! Hence why I was staring. You just do!" I was really tired of being interrogated.

"You're right." Nolan stated. "I am only three quarters sidhe. There is a human taint in me, though no one has hardy ever noticed." He smiled as he said it. "May I ask a question?"

"Shoot." It couldn't get much worse. Sadly I was very wrong.

"Have you been with Aidan yet. You don't smell like him." My mouth gaped open. This stranger asked if I had sex! I tried to form a witty response, but I was so outraged the words caught in my throat.

"Um... No." I managed to squeeze out. Tristan, Nolan, and Maddox all seemed even more confused by my answer. Tristan, who was the first to recover, supplied an explanation.

"No human could have spotted the streak of human in Nolan's blood. Most sidhe don't." My brain couldn't quite grasp the meaning of his words. Tristan then turned to Aidan and asked him a question in that same archaic language that all sidhe seem to speak. Aidan replied while putting me protectively behind him. His answer seemed to enrage Maddox and Tristan. They both started arguing with Aidan. A rapid banter of words. All the while, Nolan didn't participate in the fight, but was smiling creepily at me. It made me shiver.

Then all at once, everyone fell silent. All the sidhe cocked their heads to the door to listen to something I couldn't hear.

"Shit!" Aidan exclaims, and Maddox, Nolan, and Tristan raced out the door. I frantically turned and grabbed Aidan.

"What?! What is it?!" I cried. His reply was barely audible, but what he said spoke volumes to me.

"Conrad." My face went pale. I sprinted out after the other faeries, desperate to catch up. Turns out they were not that far from the cabin.

Maddox held a sword to Conrad's throat, but I don't think that worried Conrad. What did though were the many huge, gaping gashes, wounds, and the acid burns that covered his body. I gasped. Nolan was the only one who noticed because he was not taking part in the scene before me nor was he helping. Tristan on the other hand was busy yelling and torturing Conrad. That made my rage boil over. I thought steam was pouring out my ears. I walked over to Tristan, trying to contain myself. I was inches from him, yet he didn't notice me at all. I raised a fist and put all my strength into punching Tristan in the face. Who says women self defense classes are useless? Maddox and Tristan both gave their murderous faces to me.

"Do not get involved!" They both yelled. I set my face into a severely agitated expression.

"Too frickin' bad. I'm going to get involved because that is my brother you are using as a punching bag. Now let him go you assholes!" They both looked stunned for not even a second before continuing.

"You are aware he is blood-sucking leech?" Maddox spat.

"Yeah. Conrad is a vampire. Big deal. It's not the end of the world. Once again, take your filthy, disgusting hands off him!"

"He is against us in this war. I will not, and you can't do anything about it." Tristan challenged. I opened my moth to speak, but another voice overrode mine.

"But I can." Aidan menaced before disarming Maddox and throwing Tristan out of the way. Conrad, too weary from the blood loss, crumbled. I leaped out to catch him. His body felt ice cold, and his eyes were unfocused. His current battered state made my stomach lurch.

"Conrad." I whispered. "Conrad please answer me." His lips made a vague movement to form words, but no sound came out. I had to get him inside. I tried to pick him up, but he was too heavy. My arms gave out. Nolan, who watched the whole thing unfold, came to my side.

"May I offer assistance?" He questioned. I looked him in the eye. In truth, I really didn't want anyone helping Conrad except me. Aidan was the next best choice, but he was off dealing with Maddox and Tristan. I bit my lip.

"Sure. Thanks." I took a tiny step back from Conrad, just enough to let Nolan through. He cradled the fallen vampire in his arms seeming unsure of where to go.

"Back to the house." I nudged him along.

"That might not be best." He debated.

"Where else is there?"

"The vampire stronghold." I let that sink in. It seemed like a good idea. Conrad needed special medical attention that I couldn't provide. Other vampires could. It would be dangerous, but I wanted the best for him.

"Let's go then." I decided.

"It's not just that easy. Vampires are our enemies. I can't walk into a nest of them, and expect to survive. Nor could you for that matter. You're took weak still." There was a double meaning behind his words, but I didn't question it.

"Okay. Then what do we do?" After I asked, Aidan, Maddox, and Tristan walked over to us.

"We go, but in numbers." Aidan replied. Tristan and Maddox didn't protest. They stood submissively behind Aidan, though they did seem bothered by Nolan holding Conrad.

"They will attack." Nolan countered. "The vampires will perceive our large group as a threat."

"How small should our group be then. You are not going in alone. I will if I have to, but even then I want to have back up."

"Five to eight men with no weapons. If need be, we can conjure them." Aidan spied my confused look.

"We can hide weapons in the realm of Faerie. Then call them unto this one." That was a bit weird, so I just nodded. When in doubt smile and nod your head. "Fine." This was to Nolan. Aidan turned to Tristan. "Go fetch Kade and Riley." Tristan was off in a flash. Within minutes he returned with Riley and Kade in his wake. They loped up to Aidan and stood at attention. I snickered. You'd have to admit it looked pretty funny. Riley tossed me a smile before giving his back to Aidan. "I assume you've been informed of the situation." He said. They both nodded. "You will aid us?" His voice took on a commanding tone, but this was a question.

"Of course. Anything to help you and your mate." Riley replied. Kade did the same.

"Good then we're off. Nolan can you continue to carry Conrad?"

"Yes." Said Nolan.

"Blair climb onto my back." It was an order. I obliged. After that, we were set, and ran head-on into danger.