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Forgetting that his sister was behind him her voice had almost made him jump. "I get to do what I want," Mary said, Luke could hear smile in her voice. He was so irritated and angry he wished he could have spun around and struck her in the face, but she had a whip in her hands, ready to use. Luke was glaring ahead of them, walking (like evan <3) fast and tensed down the hall.
He burst into the Dining Hall to find his father no where in sight. He heard Mary laugh and Luke spun around, his dark hair flipped out of his dark gaze. His look was like his own whip that he had just hit Mary with, making her stop laughing immediately, though her smirk was still there. Her eyes were still laughing at him.
"What the hell is so damn funny?" He yelled at her, really getting ready to hit her. "There is nothing funny about this, we need to go and I can't even find our father," He said scowling at her, which quickly turned back into a glare when he saw that she was about to laugh. "You're hopeless," he said and groaned as he looked at the empty room. He was about to walk off, coming the direction they had come from, when something wrapped around his wrist, cutting into his skin, and made him stop and turn around. "Let the f**k go of me Mary," he said taking the whip and pulling it, tugging it out of her grip.
She came up to him and punched him the arm. "Give me back my whip!" She yelled and laughter came to their ears. They looked at their father walking down the hall towards them.
"Acting like normal siblings would," he said without any trace of amusement. Luke had her whip curled up in his balled fist, which was fully extended above his head making Mary leap unsuccessfully for it.
"Give me back my whip!" She yelled again and Luke cocked an eyebrow wishing he could give her her whip, and laughed at the thought. She backed away and cartwheeled, her boot landing in his gut. The Mark hurt to be touched and when her boot made contact he doubled over. She laughed as she took her whip back from his hand.
"Alright, that's it." Their father said, but Luke was standing behind Mary and the look he gave her meant that he felt like doing something, but didn't out of terror from their father.
The three of them walked in silence, their father leading, then Mary, then Luke. Luke recognized the stairs he had taken when he first met Ellie, this time it was lit all the way down into the room. It was full of waepons, all kinds of them, some he couldn't even exxplain, it was frightening but cool at the same time. Of course these specific weapons weren't cool to think about what they used for, only if you could view them in plastic in glass- well clear- walls in a mesume (sp). He shuddered at the thought of using these to kill someone.
They walked up the same exact steps the led outside, but instead of turning to go to where Luke had seen Elaine, they went straight ahead. It was like Luke was dreaming again, they were heading to the stables. Once inside Mary got to work immediately. "Never thought the day would come to see you working, Mary," Luke snicker.
"Lucifer, calm down. Get your horse saddled up." He practically threw Luke a light brown leather saddle at him, barely enough to time to respond he grunted when he caught it.
"What's the matter, not stong enough?" Mary asked, laughing.
"Malice!" Both of them turned to stare at there father.
"Don't call me that," She said gruffly, her voice quiet. So, Mary got to go by her nickname when her realy name is Malice, but Luke got stuck with Lucifer? Splendid. He rolled his eyes and watched Mary put on the saddle, and coppied her with his assigned horse.
Memories of his mother flooded back to him as he saddled his stallion. He remembered his mother taking him to go riding along beaches, in the moutains, up at her friend's ranch. He hadn't been riding since he was ten years old, but as soon as he hopped on Nightmare he felt comfortable.
Mary looked at him, her eyebrows raised. "You seem to know you're doing," she said, but her statement ended up sounding like a question.
"I've been riding a few times," he said shrugging, but all Mary did in response was laugh. He looked a Nightmare, the stallion was completely black, the darkest black he'd ever seen, with no markings. Next to him his father got on a dark brown stallion, Valentine was the name. Mary got on a light grey horse, a mare, that had a dark brown mane and tail.
"Good girl Sira," She patted the horse's neck and she left the stable, Luke following and then their father.
Mary and her horse took off in an gallop, as did their father, he kicked the horse's side gently and the horse reared and took off.
Nightmare grew wings from his side, black shining wings, and started flying. "What the..." His voice trailed off seeing that the other's had wings as well. He hung onto the reigns and flew, his dark hair whipping behind him.

Luke hadn’t an idea where to start coming up with a plan to get ahead from his father and Mary and get to the castle before them, but he did know that he needed to warn Elaine about his father’s plan. He could feel eyes on him now and looked up seeing that Mary was glowering at him, he cocked an eye in confusion and held her gaze.

“Head higher,” Both Mary and Luke looked away from each other to their father and pushed the horses up higher into the darkened sky. They all accelerated with speed as they did so. Luke was looking at the dark clouds when a sudden idea popped into his head.

“Father!” Luke called and his father turned to look at him with a blank expression. “Shouldn’t we head up higher into the clouds? By the way the clouds look they could provide us some cover as we approach the Witch’s castle.” He bit his lip absently as he waited for his father’s word on the subject, all the while pleading silently that this would work.

Luke heard his father laugh and he looked at him with confusion. “Ah, my boy finally thinking like a Demon Lord. If I were to pass away you’d take my place fittingly.” He laughed some more, his whole body shaking it. The words sent a cold chill down Luke’s spine and he wished that he hadn’t said them. “Yes Luke, that was some good thinking.” He nodded once approvingly and kicked his horse, the horse neighing in protest but went higher and disappeared into the clouds. Mary followed and Luke pretended to, but as soon Luke couldn’t hear or even see a trace of them anymore he headed back down close to the ground and glided a few feet above the rocky, forestry terrain. He sped fast, his dark hair whipping past him angrily and suddenly the gloomy castle came into view.

Luke looked around frantically, no sign of his father or Mary and no sign of Elaine either. He landed the horse gently on the ground and the horse’s wings disappeared inside of it’s body. He bit lip again, trying to think up a way to contact Elaine. He smiled and whistled, a black raven appeared on his shoulder.
“Find Elaine,” he whispered and the bird was off. Luke climbed off the giant horse and took his reigns in one hand leading them to the edge of the forest. Just beside a few bushed they hid in was a few patches of wild grass the horse grazed on. They waited silently for any sign of his father and his sister and for the Raven and Elaine.

“Luke!” Luke froze, neither him nor the horse heard his father and sister appear behind them. He gulped as he the reigns dropped from his hand as he turned slowly. The horse reared and took off leaving Luke without a quick getaway. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” His father now stood before him, his white hair slicked back and perfect, even after the long ride, his hands clasped behind his back as he stared coldly at his son. Mary, his sister, stood beside him. Her black hair also looked perfect, though matted and out of place next to their Father’s, her stare was cold too, but, again, wasn’t as cold his Father’s.

“I-I just thought,” Luke stammered trying to think up an excuse and fast.

“You thought nothing!” His father yelled and suddenly Mary was cracking her whip at him, though it was short of coming in contact with his flesh by mere centimeters.
Sudden pain flared through Luke’s body and in seconds he was writhing in pain on the ground. He stared at his father as his expression went from cold to amusing, and now Luke knew what kind of power his father had in him.

“P-please,” he couldn’t talk much less breathe easily. His silvery eyes squeezed shut and opened up once more as Luke screamed out in pain a new wave went through him, his back arched up off the ground and slammed back down once again. The agony stopped and he was breathing heavily, but he couldn’t move, it felt as if he were paralyzed.

He stared up at his Father who nodded toward him, and Mary was there, by his side, tying his wrists together, and then his ankles. And then Luke could hear the hopeful caw of a black raven and could only hope that Elaine knew and saw what his father could do and would stay away.

“What were you doing here?” His father asked not moving an inch. And when Luke didn’t answer his father gave him more pain. Luke gritted his teeth and breathed heavily and the pain went away. “Tell me and I might not kill you! And don’t tell me no lies boy, trust me, I’ll know if you do.”

“I will not tell you,” Luke whispered. “No matter how much pain and torture you inflict on me you can’t make me.” He promised himself to keep his mouth shut in order to keep Elaine safe. “I hate you. I hate Mary. I hate this whole damn Demon ******** thing, and I hate being held hostage. But even if you promise me freedom, or no pain beyond this, I will not tell you.” He glared at his father.

“You’re lucky you can’t feel any pain beside the pain you already feel, or I’d have you whipped into meat for the dogs. But don’t worry I can always do that later,” he threatened. “Bring him with us,” his father said and then two guys came out behind them and took each of Luke’s shoulders and held him up as his father walked away.

If my father has that kind of power, what do I have? Luke wondered curiously. He thought about his father, concentrating on seeing him on the ground just as he had felt himself moments ago. His square jaw clenched and tight as they dragged him along after his sister and his father, he started to glare at him now, thinking, hoping, wishing, and concentrating on his father being in pain.

A rock flew past him and hit his father right where the neck and head met, a sensitive spot that made one weak, and it even made his father weak. He staggered forward a bit as the tips of his white hair began to turn crimson red from the blood the rock had caused. The two men, Luke, Mary, and his Father all spun around to see who had thrown that rock and Luke felt sorry for whoever did though he was impressed by their bravery to do draw blood from his father, the torturer, the man on pain—the Demon Lord.

But no one was there. At least not anymore.
As soon as they all turned back and started walking once more Luke went right back to thinking and wishing, hoping and concentrating, again. This time one of Luke’s daggers came out of his pocket and flew at his father, the point stabbing right between his shoulder blades. The man’s black suit started to soak up with blood but his father just stopped in his track. He turned on Luke and was inches from him with one stride, his stare more menacing than Luke had ever seen on him or anyone else.

“You’re dead.” Was all he said and the two men started dragging him away the opposite way.

“Wait no! It wasn’t me I don’t know who did it but it wasn’t me! How could I? My hands and ankles are tied and I’m practically paralyzed! Please!” But Luke had done it. And he knew how, whatever he thought could happen.

Luke closed his grey eyes and concentrated on not being paralyzed, that two men, his father, and even his sister were, that they were tied up and not him. And what happened? Well what he thought would happen…did.

Luke ran back to the castle, his body feeling weak, but at least his father, sister, and guards were tied up and temporarily paralyzed, it should give him time. He heard his father and everyone else yelling so he thought of them being gagged after about a minute he heard nothing.

“Elaine!” He called out hearing nothing but his voice echoing through the air. “Elaine it’s me!” He yelled hoping she’d hear him now.

((1,409 words!))

((Eh. First off I am soooo damn sorry it took so f*cking long to reply. Second off sorry that it's short for the time I've had to write it. Whaa sorry!))

Castle:
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w82/MaskCarnival/WaterCastle.jpg
((Just more creepy anot so...enchanting looking?))

Courtyard:
http://system-x.info/wp-content/original/2009_01/chirk_castle_courtyard_and_clock_hdr.jpg

Luke could hear many voices coming from many different directions, he knew it wasn’t safe for him to be open like that and so close to the Witch castle, but he didn’t care at this point. Soon he found himself pacing back and forth, his hands interlocked behind his head as he did so, almost like he was having a difficult time with breathing. Well he was having trouble breathing, the thoughts he did left him weak, the pain was still there, and he still felt almost half paralyzed.

The creaking sound of the drawbridge opening and then closing got Luke’s heart in a race, and he ran to the nearest bushes and crouched down in them. He couldn’t see anyone come out of it yet, there was a little turn to the drawbridge around the wall, this was the cause of not seeing who it was. He gulped with anticipation as he waited impatiently to see if it was Elaine.

He almost sighed a sigh of relief that his instincts had taken over to run into the bushes to hide from whoever was coming out of the castle. It wasn’t Elaine. It was a boy that looked like Elaine, but younger, and he didn’t look completely solid either. The edges of his body were slightly blurred and he made no sound as he walked either. He looked a little lifeless, and Luke knew it wasn’t this boy who had caused the drawbridge to open and close, it was the girl behind him.

“Elaine!” He called and hopped up out of the bushes. He looked towards the boy who hadn’t even glanced at him and was now walking at a slow pace so that Elaine was past him. Luke shrugged it off and ran to Elaine embracing her with a hug. “Elaine you’ve got to warn everyone,” he said breathlessly. “My father will start the war sooner than planned. And he’ll start the war here.” He said feeling a bit dizzy. He looked up at the sky and saw that it was getting lighter.

“I can’t be seen here, not by any witches. They won’t believe me if we try to warn them together. But you have a chance to warn everyone. My father…well he can do this crazy thing that makes pain as hot as fire that goes through your whole body. It makes you paralyzed afterwards,” he warned. His hands rested on her shoulders. “Don’t let it happen to you,” he pleaded looking at her with saddened silvery-blue eyes.

Luke looked down at himself and sighed. “Do you think you could get me some Witch clothes?” He asked. “I may not be able to say anything but I’m not leaving your side.” Ever. He added in his own thoughts. He would’ve smiled if he didn’t know his father, guards, and sister could be close to freeing themselves and come after their son and start the war, so Luke’s expression stayed grave.

Luke sunk to the ground and sighed wishing he’d never be dragged into this mess of a war. But if he hadn’t he wouldn’t have met Elaine, a pretty girl Luke would give everything up for her, who’d do anything for her, who’d protect her, and who’d do his best to make sure no harm came to her. But has those thoughts were overpowered with ones about his new found Father and Sister he wished he was at home with his mother, sitting on the couch with a bag of chips in his lap, a soda in one hand, and the TV remote in the other watching pointless TV shows. But even if Luke did manage to get away from everything he knew he would never live a normal life.

He looked up at Elaine and pointed towards the boy standing behind her. “Please tell me you see him,” he said. Right now, of everything that was going on, he did not need to see things no one else was able too. And if Elaine didn’t see him no one else would either.

[[ jkjk ]]

Elaine heard someone call her name when she reached the other side of the drawbridge and looked toward a group of bushes. She could feel the smile grow on her face when Luke emerged and hugged her. But when he let go, reality came rushing back. She put her hands over her face “No no no. We’re not ready. Not here. We barely have all the weapons lined up. The warriors weren‘t expecting this for another few hours!” She fell silent and winced when Luke told her about his father’s painful skill. Somehow she was sure she knew how he had found out. She dropped her hands to her sides and allowed him to rest his on her shoulders. Her head was spinning with so many different thoughts.

Elaine turned away from Luke and looked back toward the castle. “Okay, you stay. I’ll go get you- No wait, don’t stay. Come…” she trailed off. She sat on the ground beside Luke, looking at him curiously. He looked as if his mind was far away. She drummed her fingers nervously on her leg and stood up once more, eager to get back inside the castle to warn the others. She shot an anxious glance toward the forest.

Elaine turned and looked at the empty space behind her before looking back at Luke.
“See who?” She asked, wondering if Luke was alright. Elaine turned back again, almost hoping there was someone there. When she saw no one, she sat down next to Luke once more.
“Are you sure you’re okay? Because there’s no one standing behind me.”

Elaine’s attention was caught when she heard the sound of the drawbridge opening once more. She tensed, knowing it would be almost impossible to defend the fact that a Demon was near the witch castle - alone. She stood up, ready either to explain, or fight. It was Drake that emerged from the castle walls.
“Hey where’d you go? I had more to tell yo- Who’s that?” He demanded, freezing where he stood.
“Oh joy” Elaine muttered sarcastically.
Drake took a few steps forward.
“You caught a Demon spy?” He exclaimed “Awesome! To the dungeons you go dark one!”
Elaine rolled her eyes as Drake jogged over to her and stared down at Luke.
He looked disappointed.
“What did you do to him? Why was he just sitting there? How was the fight? I can’t believe I missed it. God, I am following you everywhere from now on!”
“Drake” Elaine groaned “I didn’t do anything to him. There was no fight. Nothing happened. This is Luke”
Drake’s mouth dropped open “He actually showed up? Dang, dude, you’re dedicated aren’t you?”
Drake walked in a quick circle, trying to contain his excitement.
Elaine rolled her eyes and gave up.
“You should be like, a General or something dude. ‘Cause you’re really convincing, showing up here and all.”
While Drake was talking, Elaine took out her mirror and warned the other witches, being careful that Luke was not visible as she talked. When she was finished, she pulled out her wand and summoned some clothes for Luke. A dark blue coat, black shirt, jeans, and a pair of boots manifested in a pile next to Luke’s feet.

[[ Sorry it’s short. ]]

Luke nodded and frowned, “Yes, yes, I’m fine…well at least I feel fine.” He said truthfully not talking about the pain that was fading away, or the fear he felt towards his father and Mary, or the sheer terror he felt when he thought about his father being freed at any moment, and coming to almost kill his son and starting the war.

“So you’re telling me you don’t see that boy? He’s right there, standing a few feet away. He looks at me with a disgusted look, but looks at you with longing and guilt in his expression.” He said though it came out more as a question. “God I must be going crazy,” he said shaking his head. He heard the drawbridge close, too occupied to have heard it open. His body tensed next to Elaine’s and he knew it was already too late to hide from the Witch.

A guy walked around the corner looking a little similar to Elaine, like they were related, but not like siblings. He had light brown hair—practically blond hair—and golden eyes. He seemed excited about something but then got hyped when he looked at Luke, a demon boy, sitting there. He babbled on about some fight between Luke and Elaine and how he had missed. Luke struggled to repress an eye roll and stood up slowly.

“There was no fight. I could never hurt Elaine,” he said knowing that what he had just said was corny, but it was true. “So you didn’t miss anything.” This time he couldn’t help but roll his eyes. “And I’m not dedicated…” he said trailing off. “Okay look, Drake my father is tied up…for now. But he’ll manage to get free, he’s starting the war as soon as he does, here, on the Witch castle for Elaine “hurting” me yesterday,” he said using air quotes are the word hurt. “He wants revenge, he wants power, and he’ll get one or both of those things.” Luke warned.

Luke hadn’t understood one word that Elaine had said but he knew it was a spell for something because there were clothes beside him now. He took the jeans off the ground and put them on and slipped on the black t-shirt and the dark blue coat. The boots fit him quite well and he actually kind of liked them. He looked down at himself, the clothes fit him well, and he actually liked them, though he could do without the coat. But he got over that.

A weird sense of dread started up in his chest and his eyes grew wide. He shook his head and muttered a string of cuss words and groaned. He took a step toward Elaine and put his hands on her shoulders once more and looked at her.

“Drake take Elaine and go warn everyone you can about the oncoming attack.” He said never taking his eyes off Elaine. He sighed. “He’s free,” Luke whispered in despair. “He got free of his bonds as did Mary and the two guards. I still have the paralyzed affect on me, but I’m pretty sure my father and everyone else doesn’t.” He sighed.

He shook his head, sending his black hair over his silvery blue eyes. He paused and almost regretted his next move. He bent his head low and his eyes closed and his lips met hers. The kiss only lasted a few seconds and he backed away from her.

“Go warn everyone.” He said looking at Drake. “I’ll do my best to stall time with my father. I’m not sure how or how long it’ll last, but they’re on their way here. Stay safe,” he said moving his eyes to Elaine once more. He kicked off the boots and the top pair of jeans so that he was back in just his original jeans and socks. He took off the coat and the black shirt to reveal his Demon Mark on his now bare torso and handed the clothes back to Elaine, kissing her on the cheek.

Without waiting to make sure they left he turned his back to them, facing the way he had come. He put his hands in his jean pockets, his thumbs resting on the outside of them as he peered into the lightening forest. His heart raced as he felt them getting closer to the castle. Luke figured he could feel these things because he had thought them to happen. It made him tired and feel weak, this was going to be an after affect on his new-found power.

He gulped as the feeling went away, he had no idea what was happening now. He didn’t know which he preferred, the knowing or the not knowing of what his father, Mary, and the two guards were at or what they were doing.

“Lucifer,” he heard his father’s voice, almost sounding disappointed as he spoke his son’s name, but Luke hadn’t got a clue to where they were at. He didn’t dare look back to see if Elaine and Drake had left, he could only wish they had.

“Father,” Luke replied and tried to suppress the fear in him from being showed. He couldn’t if he had or hadn’t though. He looked around with his eyes and soon his Father came into view. Luke took a deep breath and steadied himself.

“Why?” He asked stepping forward to Luke the same time Luke saw Mary come out to the side of him. He only guess that the two guards were on his left and behind him so that Luke was now in the middle of all of them. “Why did you tell?” Another step from him, a step from Mary, but no sign of a guard that he could see, but of course the guard did come out…just behind Luke. “Why did you betray your own father, your sister, your Demons?” He asked.

“Why did you force me into this war? Why didn’t you just leave me alone?” Luke countered, but a laugh came from his father as he shook his head in mock.

“This, my son, is where you belong. I’ve been looking for you since your mother ran away with you, but it just so happens I found you in time for war, which pleases me.” He said taking another step forward. He looked past Luke and nodded once.

Suddenly Luke’s hands were restrained by a hand he knew was a guard. He stared at his father without any expression. It was silent for a while and Luke hadn’t thought up a way to stall time. Until he noticed that there was only one guard and not two. He cocked an eyebrow and with a steady look stared at his father.

“So where’s your other guard?” He asked simply.

“Going back to the Demon Castle to get the troops. It’s too late Lucifer, we’re starting the war and no one knows about it,” he chuckled, oblivious to the fact the Luke had told Elaine and Drake his plan and were hopefully telling everyone about it.

“That was a bad mistake,” Luke said a new plan forming in his own devious mind.

“And why is that my boy?” He asked calmly.
Without a word Luke kicked the guard and he heard a huff, his hands were freed and Luke took out his Dual Swords and ran towards his father. If his planned work he wouldn’t kill his father—not now at least.

Mary yelled and ran towards Luke she had her whip out and lashed at Luke, but this was what Luke was hoping for. He had his grip on the sword so that it would swing easily to the side, the whip around the blade and he tugged it, sending the whip towards him out of Mary’s grasp. He cut the whip so that it was useless now.

Mary was running at him and yelling things that Luke didn’t understand so he figured she was speaking in the Demon language. She swung and Luke with her fist, and blocked it with his own, and thrust his sword right into Mary’s heart.

She fell to the ground hard, breathing heavily now as she looked up into the sky. Her body was twitching and soaking in black blood. All of a sudden a black mystified shadow began to escape her body through her mouth, like a soul leaving a body in many haunted movies. Her back arched off the ground and soon the black soul was completely out of her body, which now disappeared, only the pool of black blood was left.

“Very good,” His father said.

Luke turned to him with an incredulous look on his face. “What?” He asked sounding astonished.

“You’re a true Demon. Most of the time Demons don’t kill other Demons,” his father paused. “True Demons don’t care who they kill, whether they’re Demons or not. Mary…she was almost a true Demon, she’s injured many others of our kind, but she hadn’t fulfilled it. But you, my own blood son, has now become a true Demon.”

Luke shuttered and looked down at his blades. “I only killed her because I want to protect…” He didn’t dare say her name. And when Luke looked back up at his father he had a smirk on his face—Luke had said too much.

“Who or what do you want to protect…?” He asked stepping closer to his son.

Luke raised the right side of the Dual Sword in level with his father’s heart. He stopped walking but didn’t seem at all shocked or in fear.

“First off, wrong spot boy.” He said and pulled his shirt down to reveal several raised and unraised scars over his heart. “I have no soul or heart to speak of, which is why I’m the Demon Lord. I died many, many centuries ago, so I became an Angel, yes I know hard to believe, but it’s true. Until I used my Angelic power to kill another and became a Demon. I’ve created every Demon in history, I’m the creator of Demons, and I am the first Demon.” He said smiling wickedly. “Second off, I expected you to know better when I ask you a question that I should get an answer.”

Luke could feel the pain start to ease up inside of him once more.

“No pain, no torture, nothing could get me to tell you who—or what—it is I want to protect,” Luke said defiantly.

“That’s okay, I won’t you hurt you Lucifer. Why? Because at least one of my children has become a True Demon, and if and when I die you’ll be the Demon Lord. Power will get to you Lucifer, and you will be the one who will want to enslave the world.” His father laughed and walked away.

Something stuck the back of Luke’s head and everything went black.

((I win. 1,815))

Luke’s silvery eyes fluttered open though he couldn’t see a thing. The room he was in was pitch black and he could feel a presence in the room with him. He didn’t want to say anything in case it was his father waiting for him to wake up. He kept his breath as calm as he could without much success. He wasn’t tied up or anything, no drugs in him, he wasn’t in pain…

“I know you’re awake,” said a female coming from the other side of the room. “I can see in the dark,” the female sounded younger than him, and defeated. She sighed, “Stop confusing yourself. I’m not a Demon, that’s why I can see in the dark.” She explained. “Before you ask…I’m a Vampire.”

“Why are you here? And where exactly is…here?” Luke sounded groggy and tired as if he hadn’t slept in days. He wished he could see and an idea came into his mind. Luke relaxed as best as he could and closed his eyes breathing deeply and concentrated on being able to see.

“We are in a special kind of dungeon.” She said sarcastically. “I’m here because I got caught lurking around on Demon territory heading back to the Vampire Castle. What are you doing?” She asked curiously.

“What kind of dungeon?” Luke asked opening his eyes once more. His silvery eyes appeared to be glossy as if he were about to cry, but when they became clear they were back to normal and he was able to see exactly where he was. “Oh,” Luke shook his head; Demons were idiots if they wanted this girl captured just because she was passing by. “I was concentrating on seeing in the dark…” He answered finally, rubbing his head slightly. “And I’m Luke by the way,” he said wondering if he should give his name. He looked at the girl across the room.

She had curly golden blond hair that fell neatly to her shoulders. Her eyes were the color of a golden stone and she wore nothing else like Luke had seen. She wore a short black lace skirt and a black and dark purple corset. She had solid black gloves on that went up to her forearms and had on fishnet leggings, she also had a pair of black buckle combat boots on.

“I don’t know, all I know is that there isn’t any way out.” She said. “What are you looking at?” She sneered. “I’m Grace,” she said looking away.

Luke looked away from the Vampire and shrugged. “Well I’ll find a way,” he said hoping she was wrong about that part. “And I was looking at you; you know to see who exactly I was talking too.” He said wishing he were with Elaine and hoping she was safe. “It’s nice to meet you Grace,” Sort of I guess, he thought.

Luke stood up and wondered how exactly he got in here since he didn’t see a door. “Think Luke think,” he thought aloud to himself. He was now pacing the room and more thoughts of Elaine came to his clouded mind. If anything he needed to be sure Elaine was safe.

“Do you know how they brought you in here?” He asked Grace looking around the room. He need to find a way out fast, he could already start the to feel weak and tired from using his power. He swallowed hard and tried to stay calm.

“No, they had me drugged when they brought me here,” Grace said.

“My swords,” he breathed. “Dammit,” he said wishing he had them. He paced the room again feeling slightly dizzy. “Wait, I don’t think there will be hardly anyone here since my father is starting the war soon,” Luke thought aloud. He look up and there he saw a handle on the ceiling. “Grace if I lift you up could you open that door?” He asked wishing he wasn’t feeling so tired or weak.

“Sure,” Grace said and stood up. She looked to be about thirteen but Luke wasn’t sure. She was walked with such grace it was obvious why her name was that. She stood next to Luke, who was now towering over her.

Luke bent down and interlocked his hands allowing Grace to step into them, he lifted her up steadily and stepped on to his shoulders and put her other foot on his shoulders. He looked up as she looked down at they smiled at each other and she looked up at the door as Luke grasped the tops of her Combat boots to steady her more. He closed his eyes and willed his power away but making sure he was still able to Grace up.

There was a low creek and suddenly light came pouring into the room. Grace hoped down from Luke’s shoulders and landed on the floor beside with a slight thud.

“I’ll help you up, I’ll be able to get myself out,” she said and helped Luke up so that he could grasp the floor and haul himself up. He looked up and down the empty hallway, they were underground. “Move out of the way dummy!” She called up at him quietly. He backed away and leaned against the stone wall and waited. All of a sudden Grace jumped from down below and landed right near the edge of the door.

“Come on,” He said to Grace and started down the hall. He didn’t even hear Grace move at all so when he looked back behind him halfway down the corridor he was almost surprised to see that she was standing there beside him. He led her around the corner, and came to a stone staircase that led upward, he recognized this place. They were underground, why hadn’t he thought of it before?

“Never mind come this way,” He said going back down the way they came from. After many turns and Grace asking if Luke was sure where he was going they got a staircase that led downward. Grace doubted it went anywhere since they were already underground but Luke knew where he was going.

“Come on!” He practically shouted and ran up the few steps that led to double doors. He kicked them open and light flooded through. It was nearly noon now and he still had to get to the Castle.

“Luke I can’t go out there!” Grace called who was still standing in the shadows of the basement.

“Why not?” Luke asked turning around to face her though he couldn’t really see her.

“Hello, vampire, sunlight…I’ll burst into flames!” Grace actually looked terrified but then again so was he, of his own father and for Elaine. He sighed and paced…

“There!” Luke shouted and pointed to a sheet covering what looked to be a mirror. “Will that help?” He asked coming down the steps once more. Grace nodded vigorously and Luke watched her take the sheet off. He had been right, it was a mirror, and he could himself perfectly standing in the sun but nothing of Grace. He shrugged as she doubled and tripled the sheet the sheet.

Luke ran to her and held out his hand. “Here let me first just to be on the safe side,” She handed him the sheet gratefully and he held it high above his head and headed back out into the sunlight. A distorted rectangle of shade covered Luke’s whole body and he walked around to make sure that no sun ever hit his body. “Well?” He called looking at Grace. “Will this work?”

Grace nodded and smiled as he approached her handing her the sheet. She took the sheet gratefully and positioned it over her head like Luke had and took deep breaths. Finally she got the courage and took one step forward out into the sun, though the light didn’t touch her and she didn’t catch on fire. She smiled and wanted to hug Luke for helping her but didn’t dare let go of the sheet.

“Vampires can run fast, right?” Luke asked getting a new idea. He headed towards the stables and went inside not hearing but knowing that Grace was following him.

“Sure why?” She asked looking around the stables.

“Well I’m going to Elaine, you need to go warn your Coven or others of your kind that the Demon Lord is starting the war—if he hasn’t already. I need you, Grace, to tell your Vampire Ruler that when they arrive at the Witch’s Castle for the war to attack and kill only Demons, no Witches. I need you pass this on to the Werewolves too. The three of us need to form an Alliance against the Demons.”

“Aren’t you a Demon?” Grace asked watching Luke saddle up a black mare.

“Yes but I didn’t choose to be. I wish I weren’t but I am.” Luke said putting the reign bit into the mare’s mouth. He adjusted the saddle once more and fed the horse.

“But you’re just Marked right?” She asked.

“I wish I was but I’m not, I’m half Demon half Human. I’m human with Demon blood running through my veins; I’m human that has been Marked.” He looked down and took the now empty feed bag away from the house.

“But there’s only one Demon ever to have married a human. He had one son and one daughter…” She trailed off and looked at Luke with a horrified expression. “Luke you’re…”

“The Demon Lord’s son.” He said simply. “I don’t want to be Grace. I wish I wasn’t. I hate him, I despise him, and for everything he’s ever done. And now he’s about to start a war at the Witch Castle, where Elaine is at.”

“But how do I know this isn’t a set up?” She asked.

“Because I want to kill him, I just don’t know how yet.” Luke tried to reassure her.

“You mean you don’t know how to kill him because you are his son, he is your father?”

“No because he has no beating heart. I’ve already killed Mary and well it didn’t get to my father as I had hoped it would. Please Grace, you’ve got to do this for me. If you don’t and we don’t get an alliance, well my father might get his wish to enslave the world.” He hopped up onto the horse and looked down at Grace. “Please,”
Grace seemed to hesitate but she finally nodded. “Okay fine.” She said and waved a goodbye. “Bye Luke,” She said and ran out the back door.

Luke kicked the side of the horse gently and she took off. He rode for a while before the mare grew her grey wings and flew into the sky. Luke was hunched over the neck of the horse and pushed her faster. The castle was in view after about thirty minutes later and he landed the mare on the ground.

Her hooves made as much noise as a horse could make but at least he was getting there fast. Not slowing down one bit he whistled and the raven came to him. He looked into it’s black beady eyes and almost pleaded with the animal.

“Find Elaine,” was all that Luke said and sent it off. It flew off cawing as it went flying over head. Luke didn’t pay any more attention to the raven as he kept pushing his mare to faster. Finally coming to the edge of the forest he slowed the mare to a stop. He could hear voices now, one of his father’s and one of one of someone he didn’t recognize.

“Do you know this Elaine?” His father asked. Luke peered through the bushes to see his father talking to a little boy who was shaking with fright. He didn’t answer and Luke knew what was going to happen next.

“Okay, I’ll give you a second chance—which doesn’t happen much coming from me—to answer my question and if you don’t…well you don’t want to find out.” His father smirked. “Do you know Elaine?”

The boy still didn’t answer and he wasn’t looking directly at my father. Suddenly the boy screamed and was on the ground writhing in pain, his eyes squeezed shut. Luke wished he could do something to help but he needed to find Elaine, and before his father found her.

((I sooo…ooo win! 2,068 words! What now! Hahaha)))

((Grace’s http://ak.buy.com/PI/0/250/208050344.jpg ((boots)) and
http://img.rivithead.com/products/small/purple-gothic-corset.jpg ((outfit))))

The raven followed many witches in the courtyard and had found the girl called Elaine behind a pillar. But before the raven could get to the girl she had used a spell and turned herself invisible. The raven saw the Witch Leader spot the invisible girl and led her into the castle once more. The raven made a noise that almost sounded desperate and flew higher into the sky, circling the Castle Courtyard.

After a few minutes the raven spotted a boy leading Elaine from the Castle, he flew over them, following them into the woods. They were in the forest quite a ways in and suddenly the boy just left. He ran away from the girl who looked strangely lost and confused. He cawed and soared lower into the trees. He landed in front of Elaine and cocked his head. She had no idea exactly what the raven was there for and who it was sent by.

He hopped away a little ways and flew off to Luke to lead him to Elaine.

***

Luke had gotten off his horse quite some time ago and had started pacing back and forth, many thoughts going through his head that didn’t make matters any better. In fact they just made things worse. Many black birds and flown by but none of them happened to be the raven.

“Damn it bird,” he sighed and slumped to the ground. The wind picked up and clouds were rolling in, covering the sun. He rested his head in his hands and dosed off a couple times and finally became to the point where he was half conscious half unconscious.

Something pecked at his hand causing Luke to flinch but not open his eyes. Then came another peck, harder this time, and Luke’s eyes popped open. The raven was back and was now sitting in front of him. The raven cawed and hopped away wanting Luke to follow him.

Luke scrambled to his feet and looked to where his horse should’ve been. Fortunately the horse had only wondered off a few feet away in search of good grass to graze on. Luke clicked his tongue to the roof of his mouth a couple time and called the mare to him. She came over and he mounted her and kicked her gently on the side.

He was grabbing the reign at the sides of her neck so that he was hunched over so far that he could barely see where he was going, but the bird was always in sight. He steered the mare in every twitch of direction the bird made and soon he had pushed the mare into a full gallop. They had ridden into the forest for a while and Luke became unsure of the bird, so he started to slow. The bird cawed and was about to peck his already bleeding hand again.

“Elaine!” He called out pushing the horse once more to go faster. The mare didn’t seem to have any trouble with the speed they were going at so Luke kept up the good, fast pace. “Elaine answer me!” He yelled once more. The bird flew ahead and landed in a tree and Luke followed on the ground. Suddenly Elaine came into view.

Luke wondered why she was out here and alone, she looked so lost and confused and Luke began to worry. He hopped off his mare and landed with a loud thud on the ground. He ran to Elaine and slid on his knees, he took her shoulders gently and looked into her eyes with a worried expression.

“Elaine what’s wrong?” He asked.
“Luke!” He looked up and turned so that he was facing away from Elaine though he didn’t step away from her. “Luke I’ve got good and bad news.” Then Grace came into view.

Luke looked up, wondering how Grace had made it here without being burnt, and noticed that the clouds were almost completely covering the sky now. He looked back down at Grace and and raised his dark eyebrows. “Which do I want first?” He asked sitting down next to Elaine, looking at her carefully.

“Good news is that half the Vampires believed me, well a little less than half, but that’s including out Leader,” she wasn’t even breathing heavily or looked as if she had been running at all. But she must have for the time it took her to warn everyone of the Vampires and to get back here and find him.

“So what’s the bad news…?” Luke asked, his voice trailing off a bit as he glanced at Grace and then back to Elaine. Something was wrong… he just didn’t have a clue as to what it was.

“Well the bad news it that I couldn’t get the news to the ‘Wolves and the other half of the Vampires are rebelling against Alec and are going to be fighting everyone at the war. Which includes all Witches, Demons, ‘Wolves, and even the Vampires that try to stop them or get in their way.” She said looking at the ground, digging the toe of her black combat boot in the soft dirt.

“s**t,” Luke breathed along with a whole other string of swearing following that. He closed his eyes and concentrated, unsure of what to do next. He opened his silver-blue eyes and looked at Elaine and knew what had to be done first.

“Help me figure out what’s wrong with Elaine,” Luke said looking at her but talking to Grace.

“She’s a Witch,”

Luke’s square jaw clenched. “Grace,” he said.

“Okay fine, give me one second.” She said and walked towards Elaine. She took Elaine’s right hand in her left and with her right hand she trailed her index finger on the palm on Elaine’s hand, closing her eyes and breathing deeply as she did so. “She’s lost her memory…” she went up Elaine’s arm now and continued on. “Um, she’ll get her memory back on her next birthday,” her eyes snapped open and she dropped Elaine’s arm gently. “It seems like someone put a spell on her to make her forget all of her past, but she’ll get it all back on her next birthday.” She said shrugging.

Luke turned to Elaine and sighed. “Elaine please,” he pleaded trying to think up a way to reverse the spell. “Try to remember. Do you remember who you are? If not you’re a witch, you know you carry a wand in your boot…and a spellbook in your pocket. Elaine! Get out your spellbook and wand and reverse the spell!” Luke said not knowing if she still had her want and book or not, more wishing than anything. If she didn’t have them he didn’t know what he was going to have to do to get her to remember.

((1,135))