Disclaimer: I do not own the Dark series or any of Christine Feehan's stories.

Black and White

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"Skyler fell back onto the floor, her large doe eyes staring at the wolf in a mixture of fear and worry. She blinked when she felt someone pick her up and looked up to see Gabriel, his face a stone mask of fury that made her cringe and retreat onto herself, trying to make herself smaller as she looked away. Gabriel set her down on one of the tables before turning to the wolf who had already changed into the familiar face of Dimitri. His expression was tense with strain but still a calm expressionless mask. He tossed the heart away as it burst into flames and smoldered into ash on the floor."

“I… I…” Skyler stammered, her eyes wide as she looked around in horror at the mess she had created. She swallowed, trying to think of something that would get everyone out of pause.

Her head tilted up when there was a dull thud. “Josef!” She screamed, suddenly alert as she tried to squirm away from Gabriel. She had to help him. He was going to die with that wound. A sickening head rush overcame her, black dots appearing in her vision like grotesque ink blots. She stopped moving, her head falling back onto Gabriel’s chest, trying to find something to keep her steady.

“Byron.” Gabriel said softly as the man appeared over at Josef’s side, already tearing a wound into his wrist and pressing it into Josef’s lips that were already tinged with blue.

Skyler watched with a horrid fascination. Looking away with a blush once Josef’s eyes opened, looking over at her.

“Skyler…” Gabriel whispered, his voice a large sigh of relief.

Skyler turned, looking up at Gabriel who had just opened his eyes. She looked to her arm which had that familiar warming sensation fading away and stared at yet another scar added to her collection.

Gabriel noticed the small frown starting to curve at her lips and he leaned over, kissing her forehead, “It will heal with proper care, Skyler.” He said gently.

“Will he…?” Skyler trailed off, looking over at Josef. He looked so pale, his shirt, although black, had a dark stain and holes ripped into it. She looked away again, cringing inwardly at the sight of so much blood.

“He will be fine.” Dimitri said gently, walking over but stopping a few feet away from him, his gaze meeting Gabriel’s. They stood, staring at one another, each calmly, although hidden anger seemed to rise up in them.

Dimitri was the first to look away, looking down at Skyler and brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. “You need rest. I believe you’ve had enough excitement for this morning.” He said gently.

Gabriel frowned, “Dimitri, she is my daughter.” He reminded him coldly.

Dimitri met his cold glare with one of his own, “And she is my lifemate. The savior of my soul. She may be under your protection for now, Gabriel-“

“Dimitri, do not strike up a fight so easily.” Byron interrupted, walking over, Josef leaning limply on his back, all of his systems shut down and he looked as still as death to the point that Skyler stiffened and looked away, unable to look at him.

Skyler bit her lip, keeping her mouth from opening and shouting out that he shouldn’t be blaming Dimitri. It was her fault, anyways. She stared down at the ground before moving out of Gabriel’s arms, not wanting to be held like a baby. She was a grown woman and she could stand on her own. “D-Dimitri…” She said softly, wanting to apologize, to say something. She instinctively reached over but stopped as Gabriel growled.

“He is not in complete control now, Skyler.” Gabriel warned.

Dimitri’s eyes narrowed, “I would never allow anything less than complete control when I’m around my lifemate.” He said, a growl rising in his throat as well.

“Both of you, stop this childish behavior. Skyler is a child, Dimitri. Gabriel, I’m sure your lifemate has already discussed with you her views on you being so overprotective. It’s unhealthy and if this continues Skyler will be in my care.” Lucian threatened, frowning as he walked over. “In the mean time, however, it is imperative that we return and get Josef under the healing Earth.” He added smoothly, his voice pure music.

Dimitri looked over at Lucian before turning to Skyler, “I will always be near if you ever in need of me, Vlyublennost, my little love.” He said softly, smiling at her and leaning over, gently taking the necklace he had given her and smiling at it before letting go and watching it fall back onto her chest.

Skyler felt her face heat up and soon felt Gabriel’s chest start to rumble in warning of a growl soon to follow.

“She needs blood.” Dimitri added firmly, looking up at Gabriel.

Gabriel frowned, “She is my daughter and always under my protection, I know what she needs without any help from a lycanthrope.” He said, frowning.

“Gabriel…” Skyler started, looking up at him with a pained expression.

“We will leave.” Gabriel added before holding Skyler closer to him and starting off back to the cave’s tunnel and running through. Skyler shut her eyes and buried her head away from the harsh wind.

“We will have to have a very frank talk, Skyler. Francesca has been worried sick.” Gabriel said softly, looking down at her, his voice surprisingly audible to her ears even with the wind rushing by so fast she felt her ears start to ache. Her head jerked up when she heard a low cry coming from a wolf. Her heart ached painfully along with her ears and she shut her eyes tightly, telling herself firmly that the wind was going to make them water.

“Dimitri is a strong person, Skyler. Do not blame yourself for anything he may be feeling, you are still a child and have a right to wait until you are older.” Gabriel said firmly, finally slowing his pace to walking as he started over towards the entrance gate and starting inside.

Skyler moved out of his arms and frowned up at Gabriel, “It is my fault though. I know it is. I am not so ignorant as to shed all blame for the petty excuse that I am not of age yet. I have no reason other than that I am frightened, terrified, even. I do not have the right to remain perfectly fine and happy while Dimitri has to suffer with my incompetence.” She whispered softly before turning and starting towards the house.

“Do not, Skyler. Do not blame yourself for this. You have a rightful reason to be frightened and though you may act like an adult, your childhood was stripped away from you before you could enjoy it. Let yourself relax, Skyler. If Dimitri is your true lifemate, he will wait for you.” He said softly.

“Like you waited for Francesca?” Skyler whispered back, staring up at him. She instantly regretted saying such a thing and looked away before starting into the house without another word.

Francesca sighed and ran over, wrapping her arms around her. “Skyler…” She sighed softly, looking over her and brushing her hair from her face. “We told you never to go outside the safeguards.” She said softly, frowning at her.

Skyler bowed her head shamefully. “I thought…” She trailed off, too embarrassed to even say that she was tricked into believing that Dimitri was there, that Dimitri was calling for her and she had been too eager to see him that she did not bother to see what was wrong with the situation.

“You need to be more careful.” She whispered softly, kissing her forehead.

Skyler nodded her head, “I’m really tired…” She said softly.

Francesca nodded, “You go to sleep, okay? I’ll make soup and wake you up later.” She suggested.

Skyler nodded in agreement and started back off to her room.

Gabriel started into the room, walking over and wrapping his arms around Francesca, kissing her lips gently. “You don’t think I forced you into being my lifemate, do you?” He asked.

Francesca stared at him, “Is that a serious question?” She asked, baffled.

Gabriel frowned, “Skyler compared me to that… that… pedophilic werewolf.” He snapped, frowning and folding his arms, his expression cold.

“You’re taking this too close to heart.” Francesca said, starting over to him and putting a hand on his arm, instantly his expression warmed. Francesca smiled before hitting him on the arm with a stirring spoon, “And yes, you did force me into this relationship.” She added, frowning up at him. “Not that I’m not grateful. I love you so much, and I know that you’ve gone through so much. I know it was something that you had to do.” She sighed, leaning back over the pot of soup.

Gabriel frowned, “You are too forgiving.” He murmured, walking over behind her and wrapping his arms around her delicate frame. “It is a different situation here.” He added firmly.

“Skyler was merely pointing out that Dimitri is suffering as you were. He is kind enough to be willing to wait until she is ready for him-”

“Or at least until he loses control and forces his will on her.”

“We’re around to protect her from that. If she’s old enough to move away from us, she’s old enough to handle Dimitri and her own choices regarding him.”

“So you say.”

“So I know.” Francesca corrected, tilting her chin and looking up at Gabriel.

“You place too much trust into other men.” Gabriel murmured, “The only male whom you should trust is all of those with lifemates and, it goes without saying, myself.” He said, smiling at her, flashing his fangs.

Francesca elbowed him, “Don’t you flash your fangs at me. I’m perfectly capable of making my own choices. You seem to have a problem with letting other women make their own choices.” She said, poking him again.

Gabriel frowned, “She is a child.”

“She is an adult, Gabriel. Skyler’s age might not be in correspondence to her maturity, but you can see it in her eyes. She’s an adult. When she decides that she wants to move out or marry Dimitri then-”

“Marry? There is no reason she needs to marry anyone for any reason.” Gabriel blustered.

Francesca frowned at him, “Every girl wants to be married, Gabriel. Every girl wants to have a day all about them and their love and to wear a white dress with roses and flowers everywhere.” She sighed.

Gabriel frowned, “Is that what you wanted, love?” He asked her softly, kissing her wrist gently.

Francesca blinked, “It’s a little late for that, isn’t it? We’ve already celebrated our love. I could care less about a wedding now.” She said, smiling up at him.

“So you say.”

“So I know.” Francesca corrected with a smile. She turned and started back down the hallway towards Skyler’s room. She opened the door a little, poking her head in and looking over at the sleeping figure curled up on the bed, her arms clutched around the small stuffed wolf with the sapphire eyes.

Gabriel frowned faintly, “She is too young to handle this…” He looked over at Francesca.

Francesca frowned faintly, “Dimitri will wait until she is ready.” She repeated before shutting the door again. “She needs sleep. She does not look like she lost much blood. We’ll make sure she drinks a lot of fluids.” She whispered, looking at Gabriel who nodded.

“She is so far into our world now. She’s going to destroy the health that it has taken her so long to regain on her current diet.” He agreed.

Francesca nodded and started back out into the kitchen, setting turning down the stove setting so the soup would remain warm.

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Josef smiled, “Yup, good as new.” He announced proudly. “Or else I wouldn’t even be allowed outside of the house. They took this way out of proportion.” He sighed, shaking his head. “I’m under constant surveillance now.” He said, grinning and nodding his head towards Byron who had his arms folded and was watching him carefully.

Skyler smiled, “I’m just happy that you’re okay. It was all my fault, putting you into that position.” She whispered softly, frowning and staring at the ground, feeling ashamed. “If I had not have been so stupid, you would not have gotten into so much danger.” She said gently, looking up at him.

“I just happened to run into you, remember? I would have been down there all alone. It was thanks to you that everyone was already searching.” Josef pointed out, ruffling her hair.

Skyler frowned and ran her fingers through it, automatically combing it out. She couldn’t think of a reply to that and just looked away, frowning.

“You know you want to try out Alex’s new game.” Josef laughed, holding it up. “Come on, it’s not bloody or gory or anything; so you’ll like it.” He suggested brightly before starting towards the room that contained a television. Skyler followed, sitting down in the chair and staring down at the controller. She frowned at the buttons. Was Dimitri unable to see the colors on the controller? He couldn’t see the beautiful detail that nature provided.

Skyler shook her head, willing herself not to think about it.

“I’ll play it on single player mode first so you can get the gist of it.” Josef added, turning on the game.

Once again Skyler was amazed at the detail and realism that the game provided. It left her in awe. She stared at the menu, quickly scanning over the directions and controller options.

The music started and a man was on screen, walking around a path and looking around before starting into a house. The man looked around, checking through baskets and trunks. The music had a sudden change as a screen popped up, announcing the arrival of an opponent.

The vampire popped up onto the screen. Skyler held her breath but sighed, grateful that it wasn’t quite as scary as the one she had faced recently. Most likely it would have been too graphic to be allowed on the game.

Josef stared at the screen and then to the controller, his eyebrows knitted together and he frowned, staring back up at the screen.

“Josef, press the red one, that’s the one to attack.” Skyler said, looking over at him. She blinked when the menu came up, “Josef, that’s the green one. Click the red one, Josef. The red one.” She said, staring over at him. Josef stared at the controller for a few moments, his expression looking horrified. The screen went to black, announcing that the game was over before it returned to the main page.

“Josef… what’s wrong?” Skyler asked, quickly starting over to him.

“I… can’t tell… which one’s which…” He said softly, staring at the controller.

“Josef, this isn’t funny, you know which one is red and which one is green.” Skyler sighed, although was tense now, leaning over next to him.

Josef shook his head, “I’m not… I’m not kidding around, Skyler… the buttons… I was looking at them a second ago, I swear. And they were all the right colors. But when I looked back, they just faded more and more until there’s only grey.” He explained, his voice trembling. He shook his head and stood up, starting at a run out of the room and out of the house.

“J-Josef! Wait!” Skyler gasped, standing up and running after him. She started out into the yard and looked over at him.

Josef was staring at the grass, “There's no color!” He shouted, kicking at the grass before falling down, staring down, his expression completely stunned.

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AH! I'm not dead!

Oh, and if anyone knows what Dimitri called Skyler (his Russian petname for her) please add it into your review or in a PM to me. Thank you!

OH! And PLEASE vote! Go to my main page and click on the poll. I want to hear your opinion!