Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Disclaimer: I don’t own the Dark series.

A/N: I’d like to thank everyone who reviewed and especially those who looked up the French like Astrophysics Rock. Sarah, in particular, since she speaks French and has offered to proof read what I’ve done so it is more realistic.

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Atticus streaked threw the night air, powerful wings gliding on the soft breeze. It had been a long time since he had been able to enjoy the feeling of flight. The woman to thank lay, peacefully oblivious to his thoughts, below him in the master bedroom of his home. His heart burst with joy at the thought of having his lifemate home again. It had been a heavy burden on his soul, these last few years, that he would turn before her return.

It was bliss to be able to move without the haunting darkness creeping in at the corners of his mind. However, he could still turn any time now if he didn’t claim her soon. His happiness died a little at this thought and he landed on the windowsill to Autumn’s room. Silently his muscles contracted and bulged, moving bone and sinew to fit his human form. With one last silent ‘pop’, he straightened, a dark figure in the shadowy room.

He moved to the bed. It had become to dangerous to allow them both to stay unclaimed, if there was any hope for them, it would have to cost her time to get used to the idea. But, as he bent over to stroke a lock of hair from her brow, he hesitated and sent out a silent plea to his sister, Jolynn.

‘Am I making the right choice?’ he asked, brushing his fingers along her jaw, watching her turn in her sleep. His sister’s rely came back instantly, a soothing caress in the dark.

‘Évidemment frère, there can be no other way. Do you wish for us to come to you?’ she asked, speaking of her lifemate, Fredrick Dovlyn.

Atticus smiled softly; it was comforting to hear her voice with his world open again. It seemed like so long since he had felt true affection for her. ‘No, little sister, thank you, but this is not the right time.’

Jolynn sent a brush of tenderness along the walls of his mind before withdrawing and returning to her own.

Atticus bent down towards Autumn, renewed in his path. Gently, he lifted her up and laid her across his lap, cradling her against his chest. He bent his head to her neck and breathed in the flowery sent of her hair. Groaning softly, he shifted her closer and ran a hand along her side, stopping at her hip. Autumn’s eyes fluttered, trying to pull herself out of her daze to see what was going on. Tenderly, he sent her a command to sleep, pushing at her the need to return to her dreams. After a moment of slight indecision, she relax and closed her eyes. He smiled and kissed her eyelids, holding her closer. His hold body ached, his fangs already long and ready, waiting for him. With a low curse, he bent his head and sank in his fangs.

Autumn jerked, but he held her so she wouldn’t fall. When she lay limp in his arms again, he let himself swallow and taste the lifeblood that flowed into his mouth. He sealed the wound and marked the spot, an everlasting seal of what had happened this night. He pulled back and looked at it, a soft strawberry mark on her smooth creamy skin. She tasted thick and sweet, like honeysuckle on the thick air before a rainstorm. It was intoxicating, he mused, opening his wrist and placing at her mouth. He wondered what he tasted like as he pushed at her to drink what he offered. After he was sure a proper exchange had been met, he closed his own wound and looked down at the miracle in his arms. Old words, a ritual older then time, encased in the very folds of his brain, swept up and pulled him along in their current.

"Je vous réclame comme mon lifemate. Je vous appartiens. J'offre ma vie pour vous. Je vous donne ma protection, ma fidélité, mon coeur, mon âme et mon corps. Je prends dans mon coffre-fort gardant le même qui est le vôtre. Votre vie, votre bonheur et votre intérêts chérirais et placerais au-dessus du mien pour toujours. Vous êtes mon lifemate, avez attachée à moi pour toute l'éternité et toujours dans mon garde.".

Autumn shifted in her sleep again, perhaps from the feeling of her soul being bound to his for all eternity. Atticus closed his eyes and pressed his forehead to hers, suddenly feeling very tired. Smiling, he stood up and replaced where he had been sitting with her sleeping form. He kissed her one last time before standing up and removing himself from her room. A quick glance at her mind showed only peacefully oblivion. She had no idea of the change that had been worked in her life. No idea that her life would never again be the same. No idea at all.

He became solid again in front of the rock wall in his cellar. With a wave of his hand, it opened up to a candle-lit cave with a soft bed of soil. Daylight was coming and it was best he regained his strength, who knew what lurked in the corners.

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The ghoulish figure dropped the lifeless corpse onto the floor, smirking in sadisfaction at the blood coated walls.

It wouldn’t be long now, he had his orders after all and no one could stand up to his masters plans. At the thought of his master, his smirk twisted into a gruesome scowl. How he hated that arrogant fool! So haughty about his favor with the high one. It made him sick to watch him strut around giving orders. But not for long. After this, he would have enough power to kill the foolish creature and he would be the one giving orders. He cackled with glee as he lowed himself into the protesting earth. It wouldn’t be long now at all.

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a/n: Shorter than the rest, yes, but I felt like this was a good place to stop. Hope you enjoyed it! The next one won’t be too long yet.

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