Spirals
Chapter Twelve: Crimson Moon
***
Crystal tried to tune out Demona and Eros as they plotted their attack. She didn't trust Demona, not anymore. She thought Demona was too vengeful, too violent for their objectives. Crystal had always been suspicious, but after last week's events…
She could still see the Goddess standing over Demona, who had just been turned into a human. It made her shiver just thinking about it.
Demona stood over her desk, dressed in a red suit, looking over several papers with Eros. She seemed more on edge than usual, obviously still upset over her current state.
Crystal couldn't hear them, or rather, didn't want to. She sat in a chair in the corner, her legs pulled up to her chest. The battle was still with her, every time she closed her eyes. The Goddess had never touched her, either physically or with her magic, but something did happen to her that night. She had gotten a true look at divine power. She was so beautiful…
"Crystal, are you listening?"
Crystal looked up at Eros. "No."
He stood straight up and walked over to her. "So I suppose the Goddess is no longer important to you?"
"Of course she is, but hasn't this gotten out of hand? She obviously does not want to come back with us. Why can't we just go back and worship the way we used to?"
Eros turned around and slammed his fist into the table, nearly splitting it in two. "Because we've come too far to stop now. I have to get her back, even if it kills me."
Crystal shot to her feet. "It probably will! She's already killed Demona. Only her immortality saved her, but look at what the Goddess did to her." She pointed to a very human looking Demona, who scowled at the albino. "We already lost Kevin."
"Who cares? The little twerp has been a thorn in my side for over forty years. Besides, the serum is almost ready, and then she won't be able to resist."
Crystal narrowed her eyes. "Is that what you want? If you continue with that plan, she'll be worse off than she was before. She'll completely lose it, or worse. Is that what you want, a puppet, someone totally devoid of free will?"
"I want her."
"She does not want you!"
Demona watched as Eros pulled his hand from the table and backhanded Crystal. She landed back in her chair, and there was a cracking sound as her back hit the chair awkwardly. Blood ran from between the fingers she held against her cheek. Her eyes teared up and she ran from the room, ignoring the screaming pain in her back.
Eros stood perfectly still. He blinked several times, as if not believing what he had just done.
"She'll be back," Demona said. "Where else could she go?"
***
Kevin stared out the window. He'd come to the library to get away from the others. He really liked being here, but sometimes he missed his old home. The actual place, not his clan mates. Not most of them anyway. His brother he missed only because of their family ties. Sylvia was the only gargoyle who was genuinely nice to him, but she was more like a mother or older sister. Then he would remember Eros or one of his other rookery brothers, and throw away all thoughts of going back.
Layne entered the library and they were totally oblivious to each other until Layne reached a bookshelf near him.
"Good evening, Kevin, what brings you up here?"
"I just wanted to be somewhere quiet. What place is quieter than a library? Besides, there's a great view of the moon."
Curious, Layne walked over and looked out the window. The moon seemed to be colored red, and there was a ring of clouds around it. "That's odd, it's the wrong time of year for that phenomenon. Atmospheric conditions are wrong, too."
"Whatever, I just think it looks cool."
Layne turned and went into her office, which was joined to the library to give her easy access to the books. "Maybe, but it won't be cool for long. Not if that means what I think it means."
Kevin had to try hard to pull his gaze from the moon. "What do you mean? What do you think it means?"
"I don’t know yet."
"Well, what are you doing?"
"Looking up anything associated with a red moon. Hopefully it won't take long, since I've got everything cross referenced. Will you do me a favor?"
Kevin peeked into the doorway, but was nervous about entering the chamber. "Sure, what?"
"I need you to tell everyone what I told you. That I think that moon is some kind of bad omen. Warn them to be careful when they go out, keep they're eyes open."
"Right away, but I hope you're wrong."
When he left, Layne looked back out the window. "So do I."
***
Damon Salvatore stood on the edge of the cliff. He tilted his face towards the full moon. The ocean waves crashed against the shore beneath him. He inhaled deeply. On the air, there was a hint of salt water, and something else. He sniffed again. Gargoyles?
He bent down to inspect further. It was very faint, but gargoyles had been here, he caught several different scents.
"What are you doing?"
Damon turned his head towards Vanessa. "How was the club?"
"Delicious." She licked her lips. She looked up at the moon. "Why does that look so odd? It gives me a strange feeling."
"That's the signal," Damon told her, straightening up.
Vanessa smiled. "You mean it?"
"Yes. LaCroix called earlier and told me that the gargoyles have what we need. That's the signal that we can start. I've picked up their scent here, but they left by air and I can't follow it."
"Don't we already know where the gargoyles are?" Vanessa whined.
Damon stared deeply into her green eyes. "Even we couldn't get past the Eyrie's defenses, not directly. Don't worry. Very soon you'll be able to avenge your brother."
"What do you have planned?"
Damon smiled. "I think it's time to schedule an interview with Mr. Xanatos."
***
Layne stood there in the middle of the gym. Her eyes were closed and she held her arms in front of her, palms together. She took deep, even breaths.
Owen watched from the sidelines as an aura surrounded Layne. Her arms shot upward and the energy formed a semi-transparent dome around her. Owen tapped a button on the remote he had balanced in the crook of his left arm. Panels slid open, revealing large laser guns, all aimed at Layne. Several fired at her, but not one shot got past the shield of silver energy.
When the guns stopped, Layne lowered her shield and Owen walked over. "That was very impressive, but I thought I asked you to practice offensive spells. You should have been able to disable the weapons."
"Well, maybe I didn't want to, okay." She sat down on the ground and pick up a bottle of water that had been sitting at her feet.
Owen frowned. "This is not about what you want. The Crimson Moon is an omen of great evil. It takes a great amount of power to summon it. You must be ready."
"Don't you think I know that!" She shot to her feet and came nose to nose with Owen. "I know what has to be done, and I will be ready."
"Not if what I just saw is any indication."
Layne's eyes burned red. "I've had just enough out of you, pixie-boy! First you treat me like some Playboy pin-up, now I'm a child who has to be spoon-fed instructions. Consider these lessons done. I don't need your help!"
Owen looked into her eyes. At the beginning of the speech, her eyes had been red, now they were silver. Although this distressed him, of course Owen did not show it. "So be it. But you know where I am if you change your mind." He left the room with quiet dignity, but broke into a full sprint after he was out the door, and he didn't stop until he reached his office.
Layne could hear him running away. "I won't change my mind."
***
Crystal looked up at the sky. She ducked into the shadows just as several pairs of boots crossed over the storm drain. As soon as her pursuers could no longer be heard, she allowed herself to relax. She slid down the wall and sat down in a puddle.
After she had fled from Demona's mansion… no, fled from Eros, she had gotten lost. She had no where to go. Her split cheek had stopped bleeding, but her wing was so badly damaged that she could not glide. And to make it a perfect evening, some street punks decided to have some fun.
She had barely escaped into the sewers. At least she would be safe here until dawn.
Crystal lowered her chin to her chest and closed her eyes. She knew that her only hope was to reach the Goddess and warn her. But how?
"Are you hurt?"
Crystal looked up. Standing in front of her was a gargoyle. He looked like the gargoyle that had been with the Goddess, but this one had dark hair and green skin.
"Wha-what?" Crystal muttered.
"Are you hurt?" he repeated slowly. "I not talk good."
"You talk fine. Yes, I'm hurt. Can you help me?"
The gargoyle looked hesitant, like he didn't know what to do. "Stay," he said, then disappeared down the tunnel.
"Wait!" Crystal called out, but he was gone. She stood up and tried to follow him. She only got a few feet before she fell again.
"There!"
She heard the gargoyle's voice again, then felt herself being lifted up. She looked over and saw a panther-like creature, but standing upright, and with wings. She tried to speak, but she really didn't have the strength.
"Hold on," the panther creature said. "We'll get you someplace safe and take care of those wounds."
Crystal caught a glimpse of the green gargoyle again just before unconsciousness claimed her.
***
Damon and Vanessa walked up to the front desk.
"Can I help you?" the guard asked.
"Yes," Damon replied, removing his sunglasses. "We need to see Mr. Xanatos. It's very important." He stared straight into the guard's eyes, and his voice took on a faint echo. The heavyset man waved them by without a word.
***
Damon banged on Xanatos' office door, then opened the door without even waiting for a response from the billionaire. They both walked up to the desk.
"Come in," Xanatos deadpanned. He sat back in his chair, using the change of position to disguise movement of his hand hitting the alarm button under his desk. "What can I do for you?"
Damon smiled. "I am Damon Salvatore, and this is my lovely companion, Vanessa Vladink. We're reporters, and we'd like to ask you a few questions."
Xanatos calmly leaned over and rested his arms on the desk. "All right, shoot."
"First, where is Dracul's Chalice?"
Xanatos narrowed his eyes. "Who, exactly are you reporting for?"
Vanessa walked around behind Xanatos. She sat down on the arm of the chair. "The original owner, of course." She grabbed him by the hair, forcing his head to the side, and sank her fangs into his neck.
David cried out in surprise, then pain. He briefly noticed Owen rushing into the room before his vision dimmed.
Damon hissed and lunged at the blonde man. Owen lashed out with his stone hand, catching Damon on the chin. The vampire flew back into the window, leaving a large spider web crack as he slid to the floor.
Vanessa looked up from her feast, her lips stained with blood. "Stay out of this," she hissed.
Both vampires approached him, slowly.
"Leave now," Owen commanded.
"Who do you think you are?" Damon chuckled.
There was a flash of light, which all but blinded Damon and Vanessa. When they looked again, a short pointy-eared thing floated where Owen Burnett had just stood.
"I am the one and only Puck. No doubt you've heard of me."
Damon and Vanessa looked at each other. "Yeah," Vanessa said. "I saw the play. With the original actors to boot."
As the two prepared to attack, Puck made the first move.
"You who fear the light of day,
You must be gone from here, I say."
The two bloodsuckers covered their ears and howled in pain. Damon leapt towards the window and shattered it. He leapt down and disappeared. Vanessa took one last swipe at Puck before following her dark-haired companion.
After reverting back to Owen, Puck checked David's pulse and immediately called in a medical unit.
***
Layne, Owen, Brooklyn and Goliath stood around a table. A single light shone from above the center, illuminating a golden cup encrusted with various gems and symbols.
"That's what they were after?" Brooklyn asked.
"Yep. Dracul's Chalice. I found it in Xanatos' collection not too long ago."
"Why is it important?" Goliath asked.
"Yeah, I mean, what would they want with an old cup?" Brooklyn asked.
Owen closed his eyes and sighed quietly. Layne was more open with her frustration. She rolled her eyes, "Why do you think? Don't you remember what I told you? Any liquid that was poured into it was turned into blood. A very rare type, unlike anything the labs could identify."
Owen straightened his glasses, glancing at Layne briefly before speaking. "It would seem to be rather potent. I imagine that a vampire would be empowered by drinking from the Chalice, making them practically invincible, even to sunlight."
"At least that's what the legends say," Layne finished. She picked up the chalice and handed it to Owen. He took it, making sure their fingers never touched. "Please lock this up in a safe place. It can't stay in the display room."
Goliath looked down at the young sorceress. "What can we do against them if they should attack again?"
"I don't know…yet."
***