• When Blood Runs Blue: Prologue



    The autumn leaves fell from the trees as I ran through the lovely park, my favorite place to retreat to, where I could find peace in myself. Though right now, there was no peace at all in my head. The only thing racing through my mind was to run, run from the terrible creature that gave the chase.

    I've got to admit, people think Im crazy for seeing things that almost no one else can. But there are others, others I've met and others scattered across this earth. Others in the seperate world, the world full of magic both woderous and horrifying, as well. A place that only I and others of my kind could travel to.

    I rolled up my sleeve to reveal my tattoo, the one I was born with and was destined to fulfill. A python, constricted around a black staff as if squeezing the life from it. The python symbolizes my kind. The staff symbolizes the thing we needed to rid the world of; a favor to all. The Nothings, they were called among my people. My tattoo played two roles, just like I do with my life: Nothing unusual, just something that needs to fit in, and something that stood out, seemed a little queer to a few people. I suppose you would call it a birthmark, but my kind know better than to assume that.

    The awful Nothing began to come into my view. I knew I would have to face it soon. It could no longer be delayed.

    Standing as tall as I could manage, I stopped running and turned to face the creature. Smoldering black eyes, white skin, and light blue hair. It didn't look so terrifying, but if you were trained like I was for the last 17 years -my whole life- you would know just how insanely bad they were.

    It closed in on me.

    "Giving yourself to me, eh, girl? Wise choice," it said to me.

    "If that's wise, consider me mentally challenged. That's not what I intend to do, and it never will be." I spoke as boldly as I could.

    No fear entered my thoughts as I pulled out my dagger, bejeweled with precious gems that would harm the Nothings if contact was made. I dragged it across my "tattoo", not injuring myself, for the skin there was absolutely unbreakable. Doing this would make the dagger even more powerful against this creature, causing a large amount of damage when it was used.

    If it was used.

    No. I can't think that, not when I need to be at my strongest.

    I lashed out toward the creature with all my strength. When I turned to look at the damage I had done, I noticed the deep, scarlet gash streaking across its neck. One more blow and its head, well, wouldn't be attached anymore.

    I leaped at him once more.

    He realized what I planned to do. Grabbing my wrist tightly, the creature turned toward a tree and slammed me against it.

    I flailed and kicked and struggled, trying to loosen its hold. The thing wouldn't have it. Pulling back one large hand, the Nothing extended its claws. It lowered one sharp finger to my neck, threatening to slice my throat.

    I smirked to myself. The dagger was still in reach, right behind the Nothing. I was powerful enough to kick the creature quite a ways.

    I kicked it as hard as I could. When it staggered out of the way, I dived for the dagger. Once I had it in hand, I pounced at it for the last time. The deadly dagger made its way to the Nothing's throat. With all my strength -though not much was needed- I thrust the dagger at the almost detached head.

    The Nothing lay there, headless and dead. Panting, I put away my dagger and walked away.

    I often wonder how things like that came to exist. But if it weren't for those Nothings, I wouldn't be serving the the purpose I serve. I wouldn't be what I am. But what am I?

    I am a magical being. My people have powers, which usually weren't obtained until the age of 24, and I was nowhere near that.

    But what was this feeling, this outrage, that pounded through my veins?

    Determination, I supposed.

    This... this is who I am.

    I am Toni Shane, and I am a Sage.



    Chapter One


    A piercing scream woke me from the embrace of my dreams. I sat up in my bed quickly, regretting the speed of the movement as my head spun. Leaping from the comfort of my welcoming bed, I rushed to the bed of my roommate.

    "Mabel! May, wake up!" I urged her sleeping self, nudging her arm fiercely.

    Mabel's eyes fluttered slightly, then opened completely as she let out a strangled gasp. Her eyes then darted around the room, lost and frightened. A fine coat of sweat masked her face.

    "Toni...! Is...that you?" she stuttered, her voice quavering.

    "Yes, May, it's me," I answered softly. Climbing onto her bed, I sat beside her and put my arm around her. Tremors rapidly ran through her body. "Are you okay?"

    She stared at me for a few seconds, and then at the wall for a while longer. Finally, she shook her head and whispered alomsot inaudibly, "I think so.... But, the dream..."

    I sighed. The dream was something I had hoped to avoid. Every so often, Mabel would have a "terrifying, horrible dream", as she had once told me. I was unaware of the events, only knowing that, in the end of the dream, a pair of penetrating crimson red eyes would be staring at her, uttering threatening, disturbing words.

    My gaze remained on Mabel, sympathy and understanding written plainly on my face. I was always at a loss for words when this happened.

    "Everything will be fine, May, it's just a dream," I assured soothingly. She nodded. "Will you be able to go back to sleep?"

    "I doubt it, Toni." She glanced at the digital alarm clock on the bedside table. "It's five A.M. I might as well do something until later. You go back and rest, I'll be alright."

    Apparently she had recovered, or so it seemed. "No, I'll stay up with you," I announced.

    We sat in silence for a moment, and then I decided to break the tension. "Want to go for a walk in the school garden?" I suggested, trying to uplift the somber atmosphere.

    My plan worked. She instantly perked up at the suggestion; her eyes brightened, a smile lit her face. "Sure! Let's go!" she said with enthusiasm, jumping up and heading for the door.

    Realizing how eager she was to retreat to the garden, I brought my hand up to protectively curl around my unique necklace, whispering words of thanks to Selene, the moon goddess of my "religion", and jumped from the bed, meeting Mabel in the doorway.


    Chapter Two



    Mabel was thrilled to be going to the garden. She adored the place, often coming to calm herself. Yes, it was unnatural for anyone to love it as much as she did, but, considering her affinity for earth, it was very usual at this point.

    We walked through the garden gates (though Mabel skipped more than walked) and began browsing the flourishing flowers and plants. A radiant rose here, a magnificent chrysanthemum there. Serenity wandered the air and mingled with the sweet, vibrant fragrances drifting about.

    I meandered over to a pond embedded in the soil, sitting on the bare ground and skimming the tips of my fingers over the water's cool surface. The past events forgotten, I allowed a dream to pull me under.


    I was sitting in a dark alley, deep in thought and puzzled. Then, all of a sudden, a voice called to me from the midst of the lingering shadows.

    "Toni..." it whispered. "Your time is coming. Soon enough, your mind will be black." The thing snickered. "Soon enough, soon enough..." The voice faded.

    I stared at the shadows that provided the voice. Slowly, cautiously, I stood up, my hands behind my back, pressing against the moist wall.

    "My...time? A...black mind? What is this?" I whispered to myself.

    "Fate! Fate!" cried the voice mysteriously, sounding more menacing than before.

    The voice disappeared, leaving me dazed.

    Then, a dark sillhouette flashed before me and hurried back to the shadows with inhuman speed. I couldn't even catch a glimpse of the thing.

    I began walking around even slower, my hands never leaving the wall. I searched many places for the voice, with no luck. Realizing I wouldn't find it, I turned around and blinked.

    Before me stood a man, his face inches from mine. I stifled a scream and blinked again. He had glossy, sleek black hair, pale, stone-like skin, and emerald eyes. In other words, he was handsome. But his face wasn't what frightened me. It was the lethal, pointy vampire fangs that hung from his grinning mouth.

    And then I realized something scarier.

    The man that stood before me was my father.