Love's Lie

Every breath grew increasingly difficult as Jaren fought the crimson that threatened to choke him. Despite his efforts to throw his enemy off him, he just was not strong enough. Then, just like that, his grip slipped and the man grabbed his throat, choking him. Idly, he pondered on school; what a thing to remember before death! It had been foolish of him to slack in Mrs. Velvet's class. If only he could go back and thank her for being there for him and Lindsey. Lindsey, what would she do when the news of his death reached her? Would she cry? His enemy let out a low chuckle as the darkness swallowed him and death took it's selfish claim on yet another person.
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Gale lifted himself off the body and shook his head. The boy, or better said monster, began to sizzle as the sun escalated over the horizon. Rays of light danced on the body as it burned away every inch. Even the blood on Gale's shirt was diminished by the light. Every slayer had his own signature or special thing they did after a kill. But Gale did not bother with such pretenses. That was for show, and he hated flashy things that called attention. Withdrawing his weapon from the ground several feet away, he let out a low victorious sigh. Although Gale despised show off's, he could not deny the desire to impress Lila. With the dawn of the day at his back, Gale made his way towards the forest where his sanctuary awaited. The forest was still damp from the early morning dew but he hardly noticed the moisture around him. Lila was the leader of the Slayer Clan. Everyone bowed their knees to her when a command was made without question. Lila was the eldest of the group and in Gale's eyes, the prettiest.

"Gale, you have done well."

Without bothering to look up, Gale shrugged. Bill fell into step beside Gale, oblivious to the idea that Gale did not want company; or perhaps he simply did not care. Six years ago, Bill and Lila were betrothed to each other in hopes that it would bring peace between the two species. Bill had run off with a fiery red haired chick just a week before the wedding. Funny thing is, she was human.

"What do you want, Bill?" growled Gale beneath his breath, picking up the tempo in his steps.

Bill easily kept up but struggled with his words as he replied, "I was hoping we could, I mean perhaps if you would like, be friends again. I miss you, bud."

Bud was a nickname Gale absolutely hated but had come to terms with when Bill and him became friends. The nickname aroused unwanted pain in his chest that deceived the truth even though he fought to ignore it. "Just get lost. I told you I would not tell anyone of your affair. I owe you nothing else."

Bill stumbled to a stop and gave up trying to talk to Gale. This hurt Gale against his will because the truth was, he missed his friend to. With a huff, Gale called out over his shoulder, "They are onto you, be more careful," and continued walking.

Just two miles later, Gale found himself standing on the top step of Living Hell's Sanctuary. It was not the actual name of Lila's house but it was an inside joke that made Gale chuckle.

"Gale!" screamed a petite girl with pink spiked hair from the second floor. Before he could say a word, the girl jumped an entire staircase and landed in front of him then attacked him with a hug. Gale patted her head and pulled himself out of the hug hurriedly.

"Monster, leave Gale alone. Besides, we all know he is gay and is afraid of being touched by women," joked a tall man with curly short auburn hair that matched his chocolate brown eyes.

They called her Monster after the energy drink since she was always so damned energized. Her being a vampire just added irony to it.

Monster let out a 'whooosh' then began spinning endlessly. Gale rolled his eyes and pointed at Jake. "Don't make me beat some straightness into ya, gay boy."

Jake perched his hand and waved it as he squeaked his voice into an imitation of a gay man. "Oh, no, like, my nails might get broken and stuff. Please, Gale, not the face!"

"If I did hit your face it would only improve the mess," Gale countered, slipping into the kitchen before he could hear Jake's come back.

Sitting at the table was Jasmine. Midnight black curls cascaded down the length of her back as her emerald green eyes stayed fixated on the book in her hands. It amused Gale that a girl as kickass as her, would read the most sappy of books. He gave her hell over the time he caught her reading Lassie. As if reading his thoughts, Jasmine's eyes flicked away from the book for less than a millisecond just to throw him a warning scowl.

"Jeez, if looks could kill," he said as he pulled out a Coke from the fridge. "Hey do you know where Lila is?"

Jasmine held up a stern finger as her eyes scanned the last few sentences of the page. After a moment spent on Gale's patience, she lowered the book and dabbed her eyes. Gale glanced at the book and let out a hardy laugh. "Where the Red Fern Grows? Really, Jazzy?"

Jasmine glowered then snapped the book shut and left the room without so much as a word.

"Oh come on, Jazzy, I didn't mean it!" he shouted out but in the middle of his sentence a door slammed. With a sigh he all but inhaled the full can of soda then pulled out yet another one.

"You really should not upset her like that," lectured an all too familiar voice.

Gale felt the hair on his arms stand on end as his palms broke out in a nervous sweat. He kept his cool, though, and shrugged. "I know. How are you, Lila?"

Cool sea blue eyes met his gaze as the most beautiful girl descended the last few steps of the stairs and stood in the doorway of the kitchen. Her strawberry blond hair wrapped around her like a waterfall, ending abruptly at her hips. With a slight smile she brushed her bangs away from her eyes, and said, "I am alive. And you?"

Gale bit the inside of his lower lip but kept his mind clear, knowing the consequences of thinking around a mind reader. "I am fine. I got rid of the boy that had been issuing the killings around the area."

Lila seemed distant as she nodded and crossed the room to the cabinet. Rummaging through the mass storage of various foods, she eventually took out a protein bar and unwrapped it but did not eat it right away. Gale felt his brows furrow as he titled his head. "Is something wrong Lila?"

Lila started as if forgetting entirely someone else was there. "I just wish there was another way to dispel demons without going as far as killing the ones that are victimized."

Gale shook his head and lowered his gaze. "We both know there is not."

"Lila!" screeched way too enthused Monster as she ran in and jumped into Lila's arms.

Lila chuckled and kissed the top of Monster's head as a mother would. Gale did not fight the smile that was growing on his lips as he watched her. Even if they were vamps, they still had family in some way. He knew killing humans bothered Lila but if a demon chose to dwell in one, there was no other way. There was a prophecy of a person that will come to bring peace. It was said that he or she will be able to ward off demons with just a touch of her hand without causing harm to the human. But Gale knew, like all fairy tales, they were just to give empty hope.