Insimenator.org

I tend to write my contest entries as stories, and I decided it was about time for my Drop Dead Gorgeous entry, Lacine Kyle, to finish his story...

Feedback is welcome and encouraged!!

Without further ado...


Le Edit:
My apologies for the 4 month delay, lovelies...Work is eating me alive. However, I do have the next two chapters written already...so hopefully updates will come a bit sooner. :)

It was a fluke thing, my turning. I was helping my father in the stables. He had been feeling ill, and so I'd offered to finish up with the horses. It was dark by the time I was finished. I started towards the house, and then something bit me. Everything went black. When I woke up, my family was standing over me, somewhere between terrified and worried.
It took a while for me to understand what happened, but when I did, I was devastated. I was certain my family would throw me out, hate me forever. But I was wrong. They hid me from the vampire hunting neighbors, told everyone I died in a tragic farm accident, and then built me a room in our basement. They rearranged their lives, just so I would still be a part of them. We lived happily like this for 7 years. And then the plague came. In a month, I had lost everyone I had ever loved, everything I had ever cared about. And I was alone. I left. And I wandered. For 380 years. It was a pointless drop in the eternity I faced without the people I loved.
I survived off of random livestock and lived in fields. Occasionally,  every hundred years or so, a kind soul would take pity on me, and take me in for several years. But I never really recovered from the loss of my family. I had no friends, I had no life.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/laces8.jpg)
And then I met Araina.

I had moved into a small little shack in a field. It was rickety, but no one used it, and there was a lot of cattle in the area. It was all I needed to survive.
She found me the first night I was there. I had just finished dinner. There was blood everywhere and as I finished wiping my hands off on the grass, I saw her, just watching. Not panicking, not screaming, just watching and smiling.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/laces1.jpg)

She seemed small for her age, although that may have been the destroyed air about her clothes. She was beautiful, but she looked neglected and fragile. And she looked exactly like the sister I'd lost. I couldn't take my eyes off her.
"I'm Araina. What's your name?" I was stunned. No one had ever...she wanted to know my name? The words seemed to get stuck. I hadn't talked in, years.
"It's, it's Lacine." A little grin crossed her sad features.
"What kind of name is that? It sounds like Lace!"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/laces9.jpg)

Something inside me seemed to snap, and I collapsed to the ground.
I could feel her little hands on my back, could hear her asking what was wrong, but all I could think about was my baby sister, yelling my name.
"Lace!! They took my dollie!! Make them give it back!" The memories flew by in a whirlwind, and I felt as though I'd been torn in two.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/laces6.jpg)

When I surfaced, several hours had passed and I was sitting on a bench behind the shack. She was curled up against my side, looking across the field. I was slightly unnerved, but before I could say anything, she spoke up.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/laces12.jpg)

"I think you should go to your shack," She said very bluntly. I was taken aback, but as I looked around, I realized it was almost dawn. I got up and started to walk back to the shack, but before I got to the door, she called after me, and asked if she could come visit me again.
I couldn't believe it was actually my voice that told her yes. I watched as she skipped off across the field, and realized for the first time in over 300 years that I actually felt something.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/laces14.jpg)

He is a but of a stunner eh?! I love the look on his face when he's with the cow, pure evil!! I cant wait to read more!!

Kiel, this is SOOOOOOOOOO great!!!! And I want some more!!!!

Ohh feels real Anne Rice love it!

Months and then years passed. Araina came to visit every night. She made me almost feel alive again.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/laces48.jpg)

She sat and talked to me, we played games I remembered from when I was a child and my sister used to beg me to play with her, and she quickly became a close friend, and then like an adopted sister.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/laces49.jpg)

I'd finally let someone back into my life. I'd forgotten how much the love of friends and family meant, even to someone undead like me. Things became almost normal for me again. I started working, got cleaned up, and then I moved into a real house, not far away from the old shack. I hate myself now for not noticing sooner, but eventually, I did notice. She always seemed to have bruises, and she was always sad. Her clothes were so raggedy, and I never saw her in any thing other than two outfits.

One night, 3 years after I met her, she told me.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/laces16.jpg)

I'd never been so angry in my life. If she hadn't restrained me, I would have left and murdered the monster she'd been forced to call father. She cried, and as I held her, I made a decision.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/laces28.jpg)

When she left for home, I told her to pack everything and bring it with her when she came back the next night.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/laces17.jpg)

When she got there the next night, I was ready. We left, and started a new life in a place far from where we began. There was nothing left here for us.

Our new life started smoothly. I found a job, she went back to school, and away from the abuse in her home, she quickly got well and was happier than I had ever seen her. She finished high school and went off to college to pursue a degree in music. It was expensive, but I was able to work enough to put her through. She came home, and started working while looking for a break to start her singing career.

I suppose most vampires would say I've been blessed to have had as calm of an undead life as I have. The most threatening thing I encountered before I met Araina was a cow's last kick before I drained it dry. I suppose it was an advantage of being turned after I'd already set my personality, as well as not having a mentor. I really knew nothing about being a vampire. I never bit humans, I never flew, I knew nothing except that I couldn't stand daylight and that I needed a constant supply of cows to 'milk'. But Araina had much different opinions about me and my vampire abilities. Especially after she returned from school, she spent a lot of time harassing me to learn to use my abilities, rather than being afraid of them. She always seemed to be concerned that something would happen to me. I never let on that I knew what had happened while she was at school, that I knew she’d found out a close friend was a vampire hunter, and it had terrified her that something would happen to me.
I was very comfortable being as human as possible, but I loved my ‘almost sister’, and I knew it would help her relax if I played along.

We started working out together, ignoring aching muscles by chatting while we worked out. I told her the only reason I was doing this was just so I could beat up her ‘stalkers’. She always got mad and hollered about how she couldn’t bring boys home because I always scared them away. I just grinned to myself…
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/laces47.jpg)

She dragged me to sword fighting classes too. I felt like an idiot and regularly complained, but she didn't take no for an answer. So, I sucked it up and played lightsabers with all the little kiddies. I got pretty good too. I was naturally very agile and fast, and a blade seemed to be just like an extension of my arm. We spent a lot of time sparring at home and the occasional fist fight broke out. I always let her win, but some days I had to move fast. She was pretty good.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/laces46.jpg)

Araina always told me I needed to meet more of my own kind. I was unbelievably nervous about this proposition. I knew nothing of vampires, I knew nothing about how to behave around them, and I was more than a little terrified that something would happen and I wouldn’t be able to protect Araina. Because, of course, there was no way she was going to let me leave her behind. In time, I gave in, and let her drag me to the local vamp club, Blackened Red. I was scared spitless. I was still getting used to the abilities I was learning to use, but the thought of meeting anyone else like me was terrifying. I felt ridiculous, and gave my self a rather violent pep talk on the way there. I was almost 400 years old, and I was acting like a scared baby!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/laces53.jpg)

It was that night I met my very first vampire, a rather sassy vixen named Ryan. She was very polite, but I could tell she was sizing me up. She couldn't seem to decide if she wanted to shake her head and walk away, or slam me against the wall right there and take all kinds of liberties. She did neither, and as I spent more time at the club, we became good friends.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/laces40.jpg)

Through her, I discovered that there was a vampire clan headquartered here in our hole in the wall town. I was very unnerved to realize almost all the vampires I'd met since coming here were all part of a group I knew nothing about. Ryan reassured me that I'd never have to meet with their council, especially since I was such a 'shy, retreating vampire'. I almost slapped her for that. But I refrained. Insulting or not, there are always advantages to being a quiet, lone wolf. Or lone bat. However you look at it. No one bothers you with stupid politics about how you should behave around humans, as long as you don't belong to them.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/laces43.jpg)

Araina loved the club more than I did. She made a beeline for the karaoke machine every night, and very soon, she was almost legend there. Music scouts came from all over to hear her sing, and soon she was offered a recording deal. Usually, the club was very exclusive, and all non vampires were quickly served up in wine glasses, but she made friends easily, and in a few short weeks, the regulars all loved her. She incited several bar fights, but someone always bailed her out. I never knew whether to be proud of how well she held her own, or to lecture her for egging people on.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/laces50.jpg)

After several months, I was asked to start managing the club, a job I happily took. I’d come to enjoy spending time with vampires as well as humans. The club was having issues, and with the work experience I’d picked up while Araina was away at school, I was able to turn it around. It became a more open environment, still safe for vampires, but no longer a bloodletting bar. Soon it was the most popular club in town. It had it's draining moments, but it was challenging and I loved it.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/laces51.jpg)

And then came the day that challenged everything I’d ever thought about humans and vampires alike.

You've sucked me in!  I can't wait for your next update.

I'd stayed to close up the club that night since my closer had caught a nasty flu the day before. Araina was out of town that week, so I was dwaddling around. She always lectured if I got back after she did, and I was enjoying twiddling around. It was almost dawn when I finished locking up. I was heading towards the car, when I heard a soft sound coming from the side of the building. I walked around the corner to see what it was, and there was a man huddled against the wall making a funny noise. He sounded sick, so I went closer to see if I could help.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/laces39.jpg)

It happened so fast, I'm still not sure exactly how it went. One moment I was bending down to help him up, the next I was instinctively flinging myself backwards, not quite clearing the razor sharp blades that seemed to inexplicably appear in his hands. I stumbled several steps backwards, my mouth hanging open. I couldn't believe he, he was trying to kill me? I looked down at a sudden flash of pain, and realized there was a gash stretching across my side. And there was blood everywhere. Everywhere. I tried to shake off the sudden haze, and think about what was going on, but the smell was making me crazy, and then suddenly, he was diving at me again. I'd never moved so fast in my life. Ducking in and out of the spinning blades, I somehow was able to clear my head enough to start fighting back. Everything I'd unwillingly learned in the past months was all that was keeping my in one piece.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/laces42.jpg)

I was finally able to knock the blades from his hands, but as I straightened up after flinging the weapons to the ground, he was lunging at me, blade in hand. And this time, I knew there was no way I could dodge. Time seemed to slow down, and then there was a sudden white flash, and I was standing a foot aside from where I'd been.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/laces41.jpg)

I watched him stumble right through where I'd been standing, and careen straight into the wall, impaling himself on the blade. I stared, in shock. I couldn't figure out how I'd moved. I knew I hadn't moved.
As I stared, a sudden rustle dragged me out of my confused thoughts. I spun around, ready for some other bizarre foe, but it was just Ryan, landing on the grass next to me. I relaxed, and the smell of the blood everywhere hit me like a brick wall. I stumbled a little, and Ryan barely caught me. Everything seemed blurry. She pressed her wrist against my lips.
"Drink." I tried to shove her away.
"No..no..." She shoved me up against the wall.
"I said, Drink! You can't die. People need to talk to you, and it's almost morning. I can't carry you back." I quit fighting, and did what she said, fighting the urge to vomit at the thought of what I was doing. When I was done, I realized there were several other vampires standing close by, all watching. I had seen them all before, but I didn't know them.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/laces36.jpg)

I looked at Ryan.
"What are they doing here?" She shook her head.
"There's not time for that. We need to go. Now." Before I could say anything else, she turned me around and pointed to the waiting car. For a minute, I considered ignoring her, and going home to try and sleep off this horrid night. But then the gash on my side, actually, now gashes, suddenly shot slivers of pain all over my body. It took all my effort to get to the car. There was nothing left to argue with.


I think I passed out in the car. I'm not sure. I just remember everything hurting, and Ryan yelling a lot. Then it was black. Well, all except this quiet white light that seemed to be in the corner of the dark. I think it was singing. Then a door slammed, and I jolted awake. Ryan was getting out of the car, and I followed her, wincing as I got out. It wasn't as bad as before, though. Note to self...built in healing is good.
We were in front of a large dark house, and all of us slowly filed in. We stopped in a room with a large table surrounded by chairs. The chairs were occupied by vampires some piece of me already seemed to recognize. My suspicions were confirmed when the other vampires following us bowed their heads and exited. Ryan walked to the other side of the table, taking a seat in the last large chair. It took me a moment, but then, I wasn't really surprised. I always knew there was something a little...off about Ryan. That she was a clan elder seemed quite fitting, really. My mouth twisted into a half smirk.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/laces34.jpg)

The red haired woman spoke first.
"I must say, Mr. Kyle, you've made quite a mess for us. Sponsored hunters coming here looking for you, nasty people we've avoided for a long time poking around town. All of us were put in danger because of you." I opened my mouth to ask her what she was talking about, but Ryan's stern face caught my eye and I stayed quiet. The red haired woman stared at me for a moment, then turned to Ryan.
"You were the one who said he should be left alone. And look where we are now. What do you have to say?" Ryan shrugged.
"Simply that I was right. He is not the kind of vampire we need to join our ranks. As for what I'm sure you're referring to, I had no way of knowing that the girl would attract hunters. And even if I did, it's hardly my fault." The dark haired man at the end stirred.
"He should know that the laws forbid that kind of interaction with humans!" I couldn't take it anymore.
"Excuse me." They all turned towards me, looking a little surprised.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/laces35.jpg)

"I was never aware of any laws governing interaction with humans, nor would I have abided by them if I had known. I don't know what was going on tonight, although apparently everyone here does. I would not have deliberately put anyone in danger. I was unaware that there was any danger. My friendship with anyone, regardless of their humanity or lack thereof makes no difference. They tried to kill me. Not her." I was feeling shaky again. The gashes were pulling, and I could feel the blood trickling down my side.
"Unless you have an actual reason for having me here, other than just trying to blame me for crazy killers coming to town, I'm leaving. I'm not part of this clan, and no manipulation on your part will make me. I can defend myself, and you can defend yourselves. Find someone else to blame for your problems."

I mock bowed to Ryan, and stalked out of the room, seething. No one was in the car when I got to the front curb, so I just got in and drove home. I got in just before the first rays of daylight, and dragged myself into the basement, leaving a nice red trail of blood through the house. I slipped into my coffin, and slept like the dead. The really dead.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/laces44.jpg)

OOOH! It's awesome! Thank you for finally posting! I loved it!

It's like horror film(maybe)

ooo this is good
I cant believe I have never stumbled onto this before
FANTASTIC!

more!!!, must have more!!!

BIG update coming...Very soon!! I just have to crop and border a bunch of pics.

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!! :)

I healed quickly, and was back up and around 2 days later. But after that night, I realized just how dangerous the world was for me. A part of me changed that night. I was still the friendly person I'd always been, but there was doubt now. No one was what they seemed. The night had turned deadly and now everything was different.


But even in spite of the doubt, I continued to flourish in the environment, quickly making even more of a name for myself. The clan left me alone, at least for now, and things continued smoothly.
It seemed everything would end happily after. My adopted little sister would have an amazing life. The past was over and we both had a beautiful new future, despite the occasional bumps and vampire hunters we’d run into. I felt for once in my life, all 400 years of it, I'd finally done something worthwhile. I'd been able to help just one person, and she was going to make a difference. She in turn had challenged me, and I had become more than I ever dreamed possible. I was actually looking forward to my eternity. I could do anything, and I had grand plans. I was so happy.

And then one day, every dream exploded.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/Chapter%205/laces4.jpg)

She was diagnosed with cancer, and within 4 months, she was gone. She was an exquisite blinding light, extinguished long before its time. And I could do nothing. I was destroyed.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/Chapter%205/laces36.png)

At first, I was tempted to go back to my old ways, but only for a moment. I knew if nothing else, I owed it to the girl who had fought for my undead soul to remain who I'd become. So I buried myself in work, and tried to keep my friends, but I missed her more than I could ever express. I’d lost the only family I had, another sister, again. Time seemed to blur, each moment a month, and each month a moment.

After the first few months, I'd stayed away from the graveyard. It was too hard to go and see my future lying dead under a delicately carved slab of marble. But this night, for some reason, I had to go.
I went at the same time I had always gone before, but it seemed lighter than usual, even despite the extremely late hour. I cautiously slipped through the gate. When I got to Araina's grave, I stopped short. A gorgeous, blue haired angel was standing beside the stone, tears flowing down her face. Her wings were a glowing white, lighting up the area around the grave.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/Chapter%205/laces24.jpg)

She was singing a Celtic lullaby I hadn't heard in years. Her voice reminded me of a long lost past, and I had a sudden memory of my mother, singing at my baby sister's funeral, hundreds of years before.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/Chapter%205/laces34.png)

“Lennavanmo, Lennavanmo, who is it swinging you to and fro
With a long low swing and a sweet low croon
Loving words of a mother's rune
Lennavanmo, Lennavanmo, who is it swinging you to and fro

I am thinking it is an Angel fair
The Angel that looks on the gulf from the lowest stair.
And swings the green world upward by its leagues of sunshine hair
Lennavanmo, Lennavanmo, who swingeth you and the Angel to and fro.

It is he whose faintest thought is a world afar
It is He whose wish is a seven-mooned leaping star
It is He, Lennavanmo, to whom you and I and all things flow
Lennavanmo, Lennavanmo
It is only a little wee lass that you are
Eilidh mo chree
But as This wee blossom has roots in the depths of the sky,
So you are one with the Lord of Eternity
Bonny wee lass that you are, my morning star,
Elidh mo chree, Lennavanmo, Lennavanmo. “

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/Chapter%205/laces35.png)

As I stood there, mesmerized, she seemed to suddenly notice she wasn't alone. She turned, brushing a hand across her cheek and walked towards me.

The spell seemed to break, and I suddenly realized an angel was walking towards me. For the first time, I was actually concerned for my safety. My fangs seemed to gain a life of their own, and Araina's flowers fell to the ground unheeded.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/Chapter%205/laces22.jpg)

"What do you want?" It came out between a hiss and a growl. "Stay away from her. She’s already dead. You’re wasting your time." Her sweet voice was calm.

"I came here for you." My panic level went up a notch.

"Stay away from me!" She seemed unfazed and kept gliding towards me.

"You don't have to stay this way, Lace. You were never meant to be like this. Let me help you. You've lost enough."

"Who are you?!?" The words seemed to burst from my lips, almost involuntarily. She smiled, a sweet, almost sharp edge crossing her face.

"My name is Lore. I'm your guardian angel." I burst out laughing, the irony of it suddenly making the whole thing hilarious.

"MY guardian angel? Really! So how exactly is it that I'm dead? Was there a clerical error? Or were you her angel and you completely blew it, so they sent you to harass me?" Her smile seemed to slip a little.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/Chapter%205/laces23.jpg)

"How can you say that, Lace? I loved her as much as you did." I snarled, and stepped closer.

"Don't ever say something like that. You didn't know her. You weren't there when she cried, you didn't clean her bruises, you didn't take her away from them, you weren't the one tried to make everything better, a piece of you didn't die when she did!" I was shaking, I was so angry. She held out a hand as she moved closer.

"I know," She whispered. "That's why I'm here. Come away with me. None of this matters anymore. You don't have to live like this anymore." I dove at her, fangs bared.

"Never!"

She slipped away from my fingers in a whirl of white light, and when I spun back around, she was gone.

I took several deep breaths, flexed my fingers, trying desperately to calm down. After a few moments, when she didn't return, I collected the somewhat trampled flowers from the ground, and went to Araina's grave.
I slowly sat down, laying the crumpled flowers next to the stone. I couldn't believe this. I finally got the life I'd never known I could have, and then the one thing that had made it worth living was taken away. And now that I was fighting to keep what I’d become, my own 'guardian' angel had decided to 'convince' me to leave it behind. For the first time since Araina died, I cried.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/Chapter%205/laces29.jpg)

Hmmm....My old video card was realllllllly bad. The contrast is crazy. *giggles* Huge thanks to Brendabond who made Cordenta's mourning dress and veil just for this shoot!! *hugs*

OOOOOHHHH! Great update! So sad about Ariana *cries*! Why???? *sobs*

Oo, I love this story so far sweetie!

Wow, this is great!
I can't wait until the next chapter. {^_^}

*sigh* I love Lace but you already know that now all I have to say is MORE NOW!!!! lol nice work :)

Chapter 6 is coming very soon...*claps happily* I'm off to take pics now. :D

Yaaaaaaaaayyyyy! :) :) :)

Stay low
Soft, dark, and dreamless
Far beneath my nightmares and loneliness
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/Chapter%206/c63.png)

I hate me
For breathing without you
I don't want to feel anymore for you
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/Chapter%206/c66.png)

“Lorelai!!!”

Grieving for you
I'm not grieving for you
Nothing real love can't undo
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/Chapter%206/c68.png)

And though I may have lost my way
All paths lead straight to you
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/Chapter%206/c67.png)

I long to be like you
Lie cold in the ground like you
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/Chapter%206/c65.png)

Halo
Blinding wall between us
Melt away and leave us alone again
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/Chapter%206/c61.jpg)

Humming, haunted somewhere out there
I believe our love can see us through in death
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/Chapter%206/c610.png)

I long to be like you
Lie cold in the ground like you
There's room inside for two and I'm not grieving for you
I'm coming for you
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/Chapter%206/c69.png)

You're not alone
No matter what they told you you're not alone
I'll be right beside you forevermore
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/Chapter%206/c62.png)

I long to be like you, sis
Lie cold in the ground like you did
There's room inside for two and I'm not grieving for you
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/Chapter%206/c611.png)

And as we lay in silent bliss
I know you remember me
I long to be like you
Lie cold in the ground like you
There's room inside for two and I'm not grieving for you
I'm coming for you
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/Chapter%206/c64.png)


Lyrics - Like You - Evanescence

yay!!!! more lace !!!! neeed more chapters!!! but will settle out of court right now for a copy of lace :P

*sucks breath in* Woah.... that was so good. I am finally starting to really understand.

wow
I really liike how this is written

*sneaky look*
I wonder if anyone has figured out yet...:P

Yay!! I'm glad you all enjoyed it. :D
*claps*
This chapter took forever, but it was so fun.
*starts work on the next one*

that was fabulous. i loved the pictures and such in the last update.

We want more!!!  :)

Woah -room is spinning-
I keep tryting to figure it out but I'm still so confused! His sister? His friend? Guardian angel? Who is she!?  0.o

*giggles* Speculation is always allowed...:D

I'm working on the next chapter now... :D

I"m glad you are all enjoying it!

YAY!!! WE WANT THE NEXT CHAPTER!!!!!!! *chants* :)

The Pm brought me to your story... Its WONDERFUL!!!!! :worship:

Woww! Why have I never found this untill now? It's fabulous Kielen, truly fabulous!!

Kielen this is a great story! Are you almost done with the next chapter yet? I can't wait, and I don't normally like spooky-ish stories.

Kielen.. you know we're dying for an update. SO about that.... OH PLEASE!!!???? :)

LOL!!! I'll start working on it!! *claps* I got distracted by my contest mania.
But I miss Lace, so it's time to get back on track!

Yes!! I am dying for an update!! :)

I don't want to nag, but when is the next chapter coming out?:read2: :read2: I can't wait to read it. I've reread the stroy twice now it is so good! so please update when you can.

Promise...it's my next project as soon as I get settled with my new job.  ;) I don't mind nagging. Reminders are good. I'm easily distracted sometimes. LOL!!!

I second that, Cell!!!
You are reading my mind!!!!

Hey Kielen have you forgotten about us poor saps and Lace?:pale:

Yeah, Kielen...............PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I agree!

Comply...


OR BE KILLED!


:cross:


I kid. xD

But seriously, please make more. You're a fantastic storyteller.

Gah! I just found this and read the entire thing mezmerized, oh please let there be more coming soon!!

There is...as soon as Miss Fairytale is finished, it's Lace's turn. ;)

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:D:D:D:D:D

this is so good!  but ch. 6 kinda confused me...i think i get most of it but the one when he was still human and she was a younger angel just totally went over my head. so pleeeeeeease update!

I'm writing it now...Hopefully I'll have time to get pics on Saturday. :D *crosses her fingers* The younger picture will hopefully make sense in a few chapters. ;)

YESSSS!!! :D

YAY!!! I can't wait!

Ooohhhhh Kielen!
this story is fantastic! I love it... the pics are gorgeous ;)

Wow. Well done! And your photography is wonderful.

Kielen, have you almost got the pics done yet? Maybe it can be and Easter Bunny treat?!?! sorry 'bout that, but I've been spending Waaay too much time with my little sister!

Lace shot straight up in bed, his heart racing. The dream had seemed so real...but he was still in his room, still in his bed. And she wasn't there. Just like last time. He slid to the edge of the bed and sighed. This was making his life too complicated. And the dreams were insane...why did she keep showing up? It wasn't like she hadn't harassed him enough in real life...
He slid out of bed, and headed for the shower.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Crap/lace2.jpg)

The water was hot, soothing his restless thoughts. He let it wash over him, calming his scrambled mind, washing away the bizarre dream. He stood like that for several minutes, and then suddenly slapped the water off. He hopped out and toweled off quickly.
This was useless. He had to know what was going on. He dressed quickly and headed downstairs, checking his watch. 8:15. Dark enough, more or less. Sliding into the car, he backed out of the driveway, and took off, not exactly sure where he was going.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/Chapter%207/c710.png)

When he arrived, he realized it wasn't really a surprise. The weeping willows rustled softly, calling him towards the quietly sleeping dead. He'd always liked this cemetery...until Araina died. He looked down at his hands, fiddling with his keys, and then took a deep breath and started for the gate.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/Chapter%207/c79.png)

The iron creaked at his touch, but opened smoothly. The wind slipped past his face, cool and sweet. He slowly walked in. He knew exactly where Araina's grave was, but this time, it wasn't really what he was looking for. He wasn't sure what he was looking for.
He slowly wandered the aisles, looking at the weather worn stones, each representing one more person whose life had ended so soon. Some had flowers, some were empty, many were covered with vines and a few weeds.
His heart twisted for a moment, feeling an empathy with the forgotten souls sleeping cold and quiet. Like him, they had nothing left and no one to remember them.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/Chapter%207/c77.png)

After walking for a while, he was nearing where Araina was buried. His heart tugged a little more, and his eyes blurred as he walked up behind her tombstone, just enough for him not to notice the small bush in front of him. He tripped, regained his balance, and looking down, froze.
The bush wasn't a bush. It was a tangle of vines that had been twisted around another small stone, barely two feet from Araina's grave.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/Chapter%207/c76.png)

He couldn't move. He couldn't believe he'd never seen it. And even more, for some reason, he was afraid to see the name on it. He stood there for a few moments, just staring. Finally, he made himself move. He slowly knelt down and brushed the vines back from the stone. An almost shock like sensation rushed down his fingers as he touched the stone. The vines moved easily, and with them gone, the inscription was easily visible.
The sight made his blood run cold. It was the tombstone from his dream. On the marble was the name. Her name.

"I don't understand." The words slipped from his lips. He looked at the small stone, stunned. He started moving more vines away, desperate to understand. A small beat up vase rolled out of the vines, and as he pulled away the last of the leaves, he noticed a small line of text at the bottom of the stone. He gently blew the dust out of the letters and traced a finger over them. They looked newer, almost uneven. They couldn't have been on the stone originally.
He glanced around, and then bent closer.

Even in death, no one can separate sisters...

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/Chapter%207/c74.png)

A wave of sadness swept over him. Someone else here had lost a sister too. The oddity of the dream, the familiarity of the tombstone, the name, they didn't matter anymore. All he could think of was the woman somewhere going through the same pain as he was, and that something must have happened to her to leave the grave like this, deserted and dirty.
He looked over at Araina's grave, clean and white, the flowers he had delivered every week blooming beautifully. He stepped over, knelt down, and gently pulled a rose from Araina's bouquet.
"I know you'd understand..." He traced a finger across her stone, fighting tears.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/Chapter%207/c73.png)

He slowly stood up, and stepping back to the other neglected stone, he laid the single rose across the top. He finished gently clearing the vines, and stood up. He was quiet for a moment, the loss of so much hanging in the air.
Then he turned and started for the car. Blinking away the last of the tears, he slid his sunglasses on. Grief would have to wait. It was time for work.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/Chapter%207/c72-1.png)

LAAAAAAAAACCCCEEEEEEEEE!!!!

Heee heee!!! I was the first one to see the uptade of your adorable story, Kiel!!!!

I love it!!!

And I love Lace!!!

Very good! I had to go back and read chapter 6 first but I loved it.

Absolutely awesome! I adore Lace. I wish my game worked so I could ask where to find him. sigh

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/teaser3.png)

Eclipse sat on the bench, staring sightlessly across the garden. She traced a finger on his arm, and he started and turned toward her.
"I didn't hear you." He said quietly. Lucy smiled sweetly and sat down next to him.
"No one ever does, Eclipse." He half smiled, and reached for her hand, his fingers tangling with hers.
"How is she?" She didn't answer at first and looked away. "You have to tell me, Lucy. I have to take care of her, even though she thinks she doesn't need help."
She looked down for a moment, and then looked up and met his gaze. For a moment he thought he might drown in the endless beauty reflected in her eyes, but then she spoke.
"She's Lore. She always will be, Eclipse. Nothing any of us say will stay with her. She pushes us away. Especially when she needs us."
Eclipse nodded sadly, and gently released her fingers.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/teaser2.png)

"Then I have to go." She nodded and watched him stand. "Thank you, Lucy."

A sudden rush of wind, a blinding flash of light, and he was gone. She looked toward the garden's exit, absently fiddling with the fingers he'd held so close and wondering where this would end...

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/teaser1.png)

I love the teaser, Kiel!!! But now I want to read the rest!!!!

Lucy's dress is gorgeous and ur story is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!! Love it thoroughly hehe please please, UPDATE!!

The lackey quickly backed out of the room, bowing and hoping to escape before the storm started. The maid kept fussing with Ryan's hair, seemingly oblivious to what the messenger had just said. Ryan however, was most aware...

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/Chapter%208/lacec81.png)

"I can't believe she would dare to show her face here." Ryan wheeled on the maid, who looked back at her quite calmly for the amount of rage spewing from her mistress.
"Here!! Of all the places she would follow him, she would come here! Insane." Ryan spun back around and bared her fangs.
"Doesn't she know what we're capable of? How can she not know I'll destroy her before I'll let her take him away from us?" In utter fury, she smashed the closest object to her, the long useless mirror, and then stalked from the room, her skirts swishing around her and her hair still hanging tangled around her face.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/Chapter%208/lacec82.png)

As the door slammed behind her, the maid's vacant expression slowly changed. Lithia smiled slightly at the sound of furious footsteps racing down the stairs, as she slowly moved to the dresser below the shattered mirror. She gently drew a finger through the shards laying on the wooden surface, ignoring how they seemed to stick to her fingers, catching other shards and pulling them along.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/Chapter%208/lacec83.png)

She pulled her fingertips from the dresser, and gently flicked them at the broken mirror. There was a soft flash and a small clinking sound.
The flare faded away, and there was the mirror...perfect, whole and more beautiful than it had ever been.
Lithia traced a finger across the glass surface, and with a sudden gleam in her eyes, slipped out the door.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/Chapter%208/lacec84.png)

Ryan had made it to the door. The footmen were smart enough to read the furious footsteps they'd heard and the door was opened and the car was waiting. As she stalked by, the men looked at each other, surprised. While she had her occasional scary moments, the queen was always very composed. The stomping was unusual, and the fangs bared in an angry scowl was something totally new. Once she'd slammed the car door behind her, Ember turned to Even.
"Lace must have done something." Even started laughing.
"He's the only one who ever gets her worked up like that. Wonder why?" The brothers shared a look, but said nothing and went back to the weapons room, wondering what had happened this time and just what kind of mood Jet would come back in.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/Chapter%208/lacec89.png)

"Jet, go to the club. Now." He wasted no time, throwing the car into gear and speeding into the night. Ryan started jamming the last few strands of her hair into the clips, not even noticing the pain when she slammed the pins into her scalp several times. That finished, she slumped back against the seat, the fire in her eyes still burning viciously.
"She's crazy if she thinks she can take him away from us." Ryan started muttering, watching the city go by the windows. "I've waited my whole undead life to end this, and I will NOT give up the perfect opportunity to some, some freak who wants to 'help' him." She slammed her hand down on the seat. "I won't. I'll kill him first." Her moody eyes shifted back into the car. "I swear I'll kill him first."
In the front seat, Jet grimaced. It was going to be a long night.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/Chapter%208/lacec88.png)

The car skidded to a stop in front of Blackened Red, and before Jet could even open his door, Ryan was out, her skirt swirling around her as she slammed the door and headed for the stairs. Jet swore under his breath, jumped out, threw the keys at the valet, and ran after Ryan. He caught up to her as she was climbing the stairs, obviously heading for Lace's office.
"Lady Ryan, wait..." She completely ignored him, stalking onward. In that moment, Jet lost his temper. Grabbing Ryan's arm, he threw her back into the alcove just behind the stairs and slammed her back against the wall. Anticipating her strike, his arm blocked her fangs from his neck. He winced for a moment at the pain, but shoved it away, ignoring the canines stuck in his arm.
"There is a reason you have a bodyguard, Ryan. And the people who seem to be following the man you're visiting are that reason. Do NOT try to pretend I'm not here. Let me do my job. Do you hear me?" She looked at him, fury radiating from every cell, and then she closed her eyes and her mouth slipped away from his arm. He felt her relax and half melt towards the wall. He caught her gently and leaned close.
"I'm sorry to be insubordinate, but I care about what happens to you, Lady Ryan. I could never forgive myself if something happened to you." He let her go, and slowly stepped back. She straightened up, wiped his blood from her lips with a finger, and opened her eyes.
"Let's go, Jet." She waited for him to start for the office, and followed.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/Chapter%208/lacec85.png)

The last few feet passed quietly, Jet ignoring the blood dripping from his arm while scanning the club for danger, and Ryan following him with an odd look on her face.
Jet knocked on the door, and after the muffled voice called them in, he waved Ryan past, and followed her in.
Lace was sitting behind his desk, paper strewn everywhere. A quick glance convinced Jet that he'd been working on finances, but he appeared to be having problems. Lace stood up, and stepped around the desk.

"Ryan. What a surprise." He gave her a quick hug that seemed fake. Ryan said nothing, but sat down in the chair in front of his desk.
"We need to talk, Lace." He arched an eyebrow, and sat on the edge of the desk, directly across from her, ignoring the fact that their knees were almost touching.
"Talks with you never seem to go that well, Ryan. Or have you not noticed someone is always bleeding?" He shot a glance at the silent bodyguard. "What happened, Jet?" Jet shrugged.
"Someone got a bit cranky. Nothing I couldn't handle." Lace looked at him for a moment, and then nodded and looked back at Ryan, a half smile crossing his face as his eyes rested on her lips.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/Chapter%208/lacec86.png)

"I see." A fraction of a blush seemed to cross Ryan's face, but it was quickly followed by sudden fury and she launched straight into her planned tirade.
"Lace, you can't be letting that winged freak follow you around or talk to you, or anything. Do you have any CLUE what she could do to you??" The smile on Lace's faded quickly

"You're worried about my safety now, Ryan?” His lip curled up in a nasty sneer. “Last time my safety was in question, you left me standing on your rug gushing blood while you and your little...elders asked me lunatic questions you already knew the answers to. You swore to me that you'd leave me alone. And now, yet again, you're trying to run my life."  Ryan sprang up out of her chair.
"You don't understand, Lace. You CAN'T go with her. You can't!" Lace raised an eyebrow.
"Why on earth would she ask me to go anywhere, Ryan? And even if she did, why would I go with someone who could kill me before I could twitch?" Ryan looked at him, a tiny glimmer of uncertainty crossing her face. Lace stood up, his face now barely an inch from her face. "You think I don't know that this is odd, Ryan? That some angel shows up at my sister's grave, tells me that she has something to do with my life, and then starts randomly popping up everywhere I go? You think I'm stupid enough to not think there is something bigger going on?" He was furious now. "Just because I don't agree with some of your council's lunatic ideas doesn't mean I'm a fool, Ryan Alice. Don't assume anything about me. You know nothing about me. You know nothing about my life. You have no clue about any of this." She took an involuntary step back at the venom in his voice, but then caught herself.

"You can't talk to me like that, Lace. I'm..." He cut her off.
"Jet, get her out of my office. Now." Lace walked back to the other side of the desk and dropped into the chair. Ryan's mouth dropped open.
"Lace..." Ignoring her, he looked straight at Jet.
"Get her out of here now, or you'll have a bigger mess to deal with than that bite." Jet nodded curtly, and stepped to Ryan's side.
"Lady Ryan?" Ryan dragged her furious gaze from Lace and turned it on Jet. He didn't even bat an eyelash. "We do need to be going. You have another appointment this evening." She took a deep breath and looked back towards the desk.
"Don't think this over, Lace." He looked suddenly amused.
"Is it ever, Ryan? You'll never control me like you do them, like you do Jet. I belong to no one. And because you can't let anyone be free, you'll always come back to me." He smiled, flashing his fangs. "Until next time, sweetheart. Please show yourself out." He turned back to his paperwork, completely ignoring them as they left.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/Chapter%208/lacec87.png)

The drive back was very quiet. At the driveway, as she stepped out of the car, Ryan laid a hand on Jet's arm before he could close the door behind her.
"I'm so sorry I hurt you, Jet." Her eyes seemed troubled as she looked up into his face. "I didn't think." He covered his sudden tremble by moving his arm and reaching to squeeze her hand quickly.
"I'm fine, Lady Ryan. Thank you for your concern." He dropped her fingers and bowed his head. "Have a good evening, my lady." He quickly walked back around the car, desperate to hide his face, desperate to get away.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Kielen/Stories/Lace/Chapter%208/lacec810.png)

Oooohhh. I can't believe I hadn't found this.

Contest hoster, contest judger, contest enter-er, moderator, and story writer. Some people get all the luck.

Thanks, Chelsea. :) I never have time to update this though...as much as I love it. I got lucky this weekend though. My roommate had to drop our internet connection all day Saturday, so I had time to get all the pictures for the chapter, which I wrote like 2 months ago. :P
Now just have to get pics for the next chapter. :)

oh wow, fantastic story... and Ryan is a hottie!! ;)
I love stories with dark sims hehe

well all I can say is in a perfect world... Jet and Ryan would end up togehter lol.. but this is such a great story... thank you for the update