A Divine Rose 3/5

[Ashlynn Black]

Hah! Prepare for my favorite chapter of book one! ^___^ Enjoy!

+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+

Chapter Three:
A Forbidden Kiss

November 1st, 2002
11:59pm

A scream echoed throughout Niklas?s playground; the tone loud and high-pitched. His arms were firmly around me to the point that I wasn?t able to move, nor struggle. All I could hear is his voice ringing inside of my head, his lips brushing lightly against my ear as he whispered to me.

?Think of it, Ashlynn.? He said to me softly, ?You can get away from all of this?? He whispered, ?You can become one of my members, and start a new life.? He echoed, rubbing his cheek against mine, ?Forget about all of the pain, Ashlynn. Jenna and Christine don?t care about you. You have nothing left in this life.? He played with my hair sickeningly, ? I can make you stronger? I can help you become a new person.?
?How do you know about all of this?? I snapped, struggling in his arms as I watched him with careful eyes.
?I know all about you, love?? He whispered, kissing down my neck slowly; making my body shudder.
I tried pulling away from him, but I failed. I was stuck there, like a sitting duck. ?How can you do this if you kill me?? I asked him, gritting my teeth together to the point to where my jaw was about to go numb.
?Not only will you die, my sweet Ashlynn,? He said to me softly, ?You?ll be re-created. As a new being.?
?And forget about my father? My hopes? My dreams?? I screamed, ?Never! Let me go!!?
?You wont forget them, love.? He whispered inaudibly, his tone almost inviting, ?You?ll be immortal, so you can fulfill even the unreachable dreams.? He said, ?Other people realized this, and joined me.? He laughed loudly, knowing no one would hear, ?This is a chance of a lifetime.?
I hesitated. Become immortal? That means I?d be able to kill that blood sucking leach. I?d be able to avenge my father! ?? And what will I become,? I asked him, ?If I am to be recreated??
?One of us.? He said to me, ?You?d have the same appearance, same memories, same personality, but a different race.?
I was confused. How was I to have everything, but be stronger? What was a waiting for? He could make me stronger, make me ten times the girl I ever was? I just? had to die. ?? A? A new race?? I asked him shakily, ?What else is there??
He smiled, ?Foolish, unknowing girl,? He said with a happy, almost taunting tone, ?There is so much you don?t know? so many worlds you have yet to explore.? He brought his lips to my neck, and kissed it sweetly once again, ?I can show you.?
I held my breath. Was I to risk my life, enable to fulfill my dreams? Embrace these worlds he is telling me about? ?O-one question, Niklas.? I said to him, closing my eyes as I pictured the past running through my mind, ?Is it worth it??
He smiled, ?I would have never thought of saying no.? He said, ?It?s completely worth it.? He laughed, and kissed me around my jaw line. ?So? will you join us??
I opened my eyes, and looked over to him; his head was rested cutely on my shoulder. Oddly, I laughed. ?I? I suppose?? I whispered, ?But please, make my death clean? I don?t want to feel pain.? I winced, and waited.
?What about dying of bliss?? he asked me, his seductive tone causing me to close my eyes. It was then when I heard a voice inside of my mind; commanding me.

Sleep.

Suddenly, I went limp. I felt my knees buckle under me, and it was as if I had no control over my actions; that I was merely a rag doll. I was still completely aware of what all was going on, still conscious, but just not being able to move, nor speak. I felt Niklas lay me down, then he picked me up in his arms; cradling me. He went over to a picnic table and sat down while holding me in his arms. Then, I felt a tingling sensation as his fingertips brushed away the hair on my neck. I watched him as he leaned in, to put his lips near my ear again.

?This wont hurt a bit, love.? He whispered softly, and then brought his lips to my neck. He kissed it several times, and I wanted to gag. He definitely was a pervert, or was just hungry for? well? me.

I wanted to jump when I felt a sudden sting at my jugular, then I felt something come over me. I started to get light headed, and I felt as if the life was simply being drained out of me. I couldn?t believe this was happening, I was? I was? becoming a slave. To this? vampire! I tried hard to move, but it was impossible. He had controlled me, and this? this was too much.

I was becoming just the same as the bastard that killed my father. I was going to be? one of his type. I didn?t want this. Not at all. I tried screaming to Niklas, but my jaw wouldn?t move; the voice wouldn?t awaken. It was inevitable. I was going to become a vampire?

I could feel tears welding in my eyes, and falling helplessly down my cheeks; burning an unforgotten path to an awakening, solemn life. My eyesight was getting ten times as blurry by the second, and the world around me started to spin quickly. I felt increasingly dizzy, and soon my world was starting to fade. I tried fighting it, but the soul was getting just as weak as the body. I wasn?t able to move, or stop him.

No! I don?t want to be one of your kind! Niklas, listen to me; I want to live! I?ve changed my mind, I want to go back to Christine and Jenna! Please, Niklas, I want to stay human! Listen to me!!

The world started to become black, as I heard his reply echo in my mind.

You don?t always get what you want.

I wanted to gasp for breath as I felt it; my heart was slowing down. There was nothing there. Just darkness; the only thing left to awaken in my mind. I felt it again, slowing? slowing? skipping beats. Eventually, all I heard was silence. There was nothing left for me; this was it. Not one heartbeat was left to remain. It was all over.

I was dead.






?Is she awake?? A voice whispered in the distance, ?Does she live??

I opened my eyes to see nothing but a silver blur, but it felt as if I were being held. I blinked a few times, and felt weaker beyond all reasoning as I came to. I looked around me and saw a woman looking down at me; a deadpan expression on her beautiful, pale face.

The woman was cradling me, holding me to her as if I were her only prized possession. She had slightly tanned skin, but it was also close to fare. She was strong and thin, I could feel her tone muscles as she held me. She looked in her early, maybe mid twenties; this confused me. How could a twenty year old have long, silver hair?

I jumped, and fell out of her arms, and onto the floor. I was getting dizzy; and was too weak. I felt as if I were a rag doll, being tossed across the room; unable to feel complacency. I felt sick; and out of breath. I opened my mouth and vomited; the acid burning in my throat as I watched the white liquid fly from my mouth. I swallowed and tasted the bitterness; but I felt a little better. I stood, and turned to the woman.

It was then when I realized my surroundings. I was in some type of house, maybe a mansion by the looks of it. Every room seemed to have a designated color, this one was black. the walls were black, and the furniture in the room was white; the carpet black, too. There was a rose in the middle of the room; inside a vase on a table. It was red, and seemed to get attention easily.

As for me, I was laying in that woman?s arms. She was sitting on the white leather couch, near the table with the rose. I was confused? how did I get here? Did Niklas take me here?

She was laughing a bit, ?Man? Niklas really did a number on you, didn?t he?? She said with a smile. She seemed to be laughing at the fact of my confusion. Already, I didn?t like her.
I remembered. Niklas! He did this to me? he made me this way. ?W-who are you?? I asked her oddly, rubbing my throat unknowingly. ?And where am I??
Her smiled faded, and turned into serious. ?My name is Haruko.? She said to me; her tone rude, and bitter. I had a feeling, though, that she talked to everyone that way. ?And welcome to the Shadow League of Vampires.?
I shook my head, ?Niklas? He did this to me?? I said to myself, taking in a deep breath.
?Indeed,? She replied to me, ?You?re? different than the others.?
?Different?? I said to her, confused, ?How so??
? Your not a vampire, but a half vampire.? She said to me, ?Niklas didn?t transfer enough of his blood, so you are still half human.? She snarled, and crossed her arms, ?the others will be jealous of you.?
?But? that?s a bad thing, isn?t it?? I asked her, ?It should mean that I?m weaker.? I said, walking over to her.
?Actually, no.? She said to me, ?It?s about fair.? She took in a deep breath, and looked at me up and down; closely. ?It means that you can be exposed to sunlight, and you can learn things much easier.? She sighed, ?It also means that you needn?t feed as often.?
?Feed?? I asked her, ?On humans??
She nodded, ?Precisely.?
I shuddered. I wasn?t the type to kill anyone. ?Okay? so that is the good things about being half vampire, what are the bad things??
She smiled, baring her toothy grin. ?It takes you longer to heal from wounds, which causes you much more pain during a battle.? She said, ?But the most important thing is, you don?t remember very many things about being human.?

My eyes narrowed, ?W-what!?? I said to her, ?Like what things? About what??
?Only the things that you were certain of.? She said, ?Like your name, and what your life was like back then.? She sighed, ?Unfortunately, you keep some of your fondest memories.?
I knew about my father. I knew about the vampire that killed him? I know that I lived there with him alone, and that I had a close friend next door? named? ?I don?t know his name?? I mumbled under my breath, ?W-who was he??
?What are you mumbling about, fool?? She asked me, ?You trying to remember things from your past?? She laughed, ?You might as well give up. You?ll never remember them.? She bared her toothy grin once again, and chuckled, ?Tell me, halfling.? She said, ?What is your name??

I stopped, and tried to think. I knew about Michael, my father? I knew that I lived with him alone, and I know? I know that he was murdered from a vampire. That?s all I really remember. But, my name? Why can?t I even remember my name?

?I? I don?t know.? I replied. ?I can?t remember.?
She said nothing more, but took my arm. ?You need to see him now.? She said to me, sighing a bit as she led me up the stairs, and led me to a new room. I looked around and saw just one person, but I couldn?t put a finger on who it was.

?I?ll see you later, half ling.? The woman said, and then backed away, closing the door after she left.

I looked around the room, which colors were red and black. I knew who it was now, by the colors of the room. I made my way over to him; his back to me as he looked out the window. The only light in the room was the one moonlight shining down on him; his silhouette making a large, shapely shadow across the red carpet.

?Niklas?? I said under my breath as I took a step towards him, ?You did this to me?? I whispered, narrowing my eyes as the pain returned. I realized I was one of his kind, and it obviously seemed to him that it wasn?t pleased.
He nodded, crossing his arms as he still faced the moonlight. ?I did.? He said to me simply, ?And you wished for it. It was that simple.?
I remembered how he practically threw himself at me at the playground, and was wondering why he was so distant now. I walked around from the bed and stood directly behind him, eyeing him warily. Something was up. ?I? I did not want this.? I said to him, ?My father was killed by a vampire in front of my eyes? I?m plotting my vengeance against him.?
He laughed, as it echoed through the small, black walls. It was a twisted laugh, and yet somewhat amused. ?You?re planning to avenge your father, correct?? He asked me with a smile, as he turned around.
My eyes widened. There, in the moonlight, he looked? beautiful. The moonlight grazed his cheeks ever so lightly, which made his jade green eyes stand out much more clear; along with his blood red hair. His smile? it seemed? calm, warming. I blinked in realization of my staring, and nodded. ?I am.?
?Then tell me?? He said to me with a laugh, ?What exactly do you know about this vampire?? He asked me, ?Do you even remember it??
I nodded, ?I do?? I looked down a bit and sighed sadly, ?Sadly, yes. I do remember it thoroughly.?
?Then tell me the name of the fool that fed with a witness.? He questioned me, his tone cold and bitter.
I shook my head, ?I know nothing of the vampire.? I fiddled with my fingers and tried to stay out of eye contact, ?All I know is that it killed my father? it was wearing a black cloak, and it left a black rose on his body.? I dug around through my pockets and saw that it was gone, and I frowned.
Clearly, he noticed it before. ?Pathetic.? He teased me, and outstretched his hand, lifting my head. He tucked some of my strands of hair behind my ear, and then took something from behind my ear. ?You mean this old thing?? he said to me, ?All vampires leave it behind after a murder? its the vampire?s sign.?
I nodded, and looked at the rose in awe of his magic trick. He gave it to me again, and I smiled, setting it back into my hair. It suited me. I looked at him and bit the inside of my lip. ?What am I? to do now?? I asked him; ?I have no idea where I am? why I?m here? or who these people are-? I began, and let my voice trail off as he interrupted.
?I?ll show you where you are. I?ll tell you who the others are, and why you?re here.? He said to me kindly, ?This place you are in is the Shadow Tower, the Home to the SLV; The Shadow League of Vampires. It lies in the middle of the Forest of Amn, and is home to millions of creatures like your kind, which seek only one thing. Revenge. There are several different races here at Shadow. Vampires mostly, but also others. Werewolves, demons, half demons, half vampires? ?He nudged me with his elbow lightly, winking as a joke-?And rarely, some Geshinkas.?
?Okay, I?ve heard of the others?? I asked him oddly, as he led me over to the door of the room, ?But Geshinkas? What the hell are those??
He laughed, ?Geshinkas are like? half human or demon, and half animal. They are very kind.? He said to me with a kind smile, ?Like Haruko, she?s a half wolf, half demon geshinka.? He said, and then walked me down from his room, to down the hallway, to another room.

The room was black, and a dark plum color. It was? mine? It had plum walls with a slightly lighter purple sponge paint on them, along with black, smooth carpet that was comfy enough to sleep on. The room was beautiful? and it was all for me?

There was a bed placed in the middle of the room; it?s large size covered with a plum velvet comforter, and silk black sheets. There was a small nightstand near it with a clock, and a violet drape over it. It had three small drawers crafted neatly inside the wood as well. There was an ebony wood dresser to the left of it; as it downs a large, tall mirror sitting on it. It also had shelves near the mirror to place knickknacks. There was also a bathroom connected, and a walk in closet. But that wasn?t it.

The thing that astounded me, really, was the fireplace in front of my bed. It was a dark red brick, wood burning fireplace that was a few feet back from my bed. It was tall and it had a distinct look; dare I say? mysterious? To the left of it was a desk, with many drawers.

My jaw, basically, was slumped onto the floor. ?All this.. for me?!? I asked him as I walked inside, ?W-what?s the catch?? I asked him, turning around to face him.
He was smiling, his toothy white smile. ?No catch. You just work here for me, train for seven hundred years, and do as I say.? He smiled, ?of course, that came with becoming a half vampire.?
My eyes widened as I looked at him in shock, ?SEVEN HUNRED YEARS!?? I screamed, ?Are you kidding me?! You?re nuts!? I said to him, ?I wouldn?t mind working for you? but man. Training?? I sighed.
He laughed at my reaction, and I liked his laugh. It was actually a kind, tickled laugh. ?Seven hundred years isn?t much.? He said to me, ? You?ve already changed so much than what you used to be; seven hundred years is nothing.?
I walked closer to him and looked him over awkwardly, ?What do you mean changed?? I asked him, ?I still feel the same.?
?Well for one?? He said to me, taking my hand as he led me to the dresser, ?your bloodline his no longer just human, but vampire as well. You?re immortal.? He turned me around to face the mirror, ?And your appearance is completely different.?

I looked into the mirror, and wondered who I was staring at. The person that was looking back at me looked maybe? eighteen. I was merely fifteen when I was given the vampire?s kiss. How did this happen?

My skin was much, much more fare; as if it were white porcelain. My eye color was still the same; the breathtaking shade of aquamarine. Although, it was a different shape. My eyes used to be round, but they were clearly almond; one hundred times more beautiful. My lips were much more smooth, a pale shade of natural red. The thing that I noticed was different, though, at the most? was my hair. Before, it was black. Now? it was a blue violet color. In the darkness, it looked a darker blue, but when I stood in the moonlight; the vibrant color really showed. It flowed all the way down to my waist and was thin; stringy.

I slid my hands down my face as I noticed the difference of how I was now. I was basically another person. My skin was smoother, my lips, not noticeable. It was if I went from an outcast to a beautiful woman overnight. My shape was much more? uhh? mature. Instead of the slight curves, I had, I now showed clear, noticeable curves. My body was still thin, and I smiled as I realized that never changed.

?Shocked?? He asked as he shook his head from side to side at my reaction.
?A little.? I replied with sarcasm, ?Not really. I figured I would look this way the time I was eighteen??
He laughed, ?You need a name now, halfling.?
I nodded. I knew the perfect name for me. It just? came out of nowhere. ?I know of one.? I smiled, as I turned to him.



?Ash.?

[The Elelmental Paladin]

Wow! This chapter is AWSOME! Even better than the first two by far. I have fallen in love with this story, Ashlynn!! Pleeeeeease post more!!!!!



So AWSOME!!

[Ashlynn Black]

^-^; Erm, thanks a lot. You realize that I'm only setting up the first five chapters...

Which happens to end in a huge cliffhanger. Sucks to be you.

[The Elelmental Paladin]

*looks devastated* Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!! You have to at least e-mail me the other chapters. or tell me when it comes out, because I'm addicted to this story! PLEASE!!!

[MormonGirlie]

I havent read your but please read mine and pass it along
I dont have a single view or review. Pity me. I'll read yours when i get teh chance

[dragonmaster892005]

great i love it i wish you would post the rest of the book and post all the books then i would never leave my computer i would be reading them over and over

[*~Illusions Kiss~*]

that was cool! definately likeing the new "ash". vamp stories are good! the part when she didn't know her own name was an interesting twist...but ash is prity close, anyways still reading awesome