Agent Fox Mulder (i_want_2) wrote in multi_fiction, @ 2010-10-31 23:58:00 |
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Entry tags: | atlantis, het, rated: teen, slash |
Fic: Tsepes 1/1 StarGate: Atlantis
Title: Tsepes
Author: Lopaka Tanu
Disclaimer: I do not own StarGate: Atlantis.
Characters: Lorne, Teyla, John, Rodney, Ronon, Weir.
Words: 2886
Prompt: Fright Night Challenge
Fandom: Stargate: Atlantis
Pairing: Lorne/Parrish, Teyla/Lorne, John/Weir, Rodney/Jennifer.
Rating: Teen
Warnings: Language, Violence, Character Death
Summary: In the woods surrounding the town of Atlantia, under the shadow of Mount Pegasus, monsters roam freely. None know this better than Evan of clan Lorne.
Author's Note: Dracula AU.
______________________________________
His breath exploded out in a cloud of steam. The chilled night air pricked at his throat when he sucked in another. He had to keep going, just a little further. If he made it to the lights, he would be safe.
Evan swayed on his feet. Gasping, he reached for the next branch ahead to hold on to. His fingers barely had chance to find purchase before his feet gave way. Exhaustion drove Evan to his knees and he cried out when they hit the frozen Earth.
In the distance, he could see them. They fluttered between the bouncing branches, the trees swaying in the wind. Even from this close, though, the lights were still too far away to do him any good. Realizing that, he dropped his chin to his chest with a quiet sob. After so long, he was going to lose.
Maybe it was for the best, though. At least now it would finally be over.
Leaves crunched underfoot behind him.
Back going straight, he took a shuddering breath. This was it. Despite the fact that he knew it was over, he still refused to turn around and face it.
Cool fingers laid along the back of his neck. They slowly slid around his throat until cupping his jaw from behind. Only his grip on the tree kept him from throwing himself forward in revulsion.
He groaned in protest as he was forced to look up at the monster standing directly behind him. The muscles in his neck twinged from the strain. Clenching his teeth together, he refused to make any further noise. That bastard wasn't going to get the satisfaction.
Snow white skin contrasted against coal black eyes. Dark hair, almost jet black in the night, gave the creature an air of humanity. The shadow of facial hair even added to that effect. It was a lie. The eyes stared down upon him like polished marbles, seeing, yet dead at the same time.
Evan knew the soul behind those had long since fled. Seeing them so close now sent a shiver down his spine.
"Lorhaine, last of the line." Voice a low growl, it rasped in a seductive purr. The monster's voice had haunted them for generations. "This has been a long time in coming."
He wanted to shout some retort. Spitting venom at the creature that had ensured he was the last was a natural instinct. Every fiber in his being screamed to deny this. Even now his body fought to survive. However, that wasn't what he wanted any more.
Closing his eyes, Evan forced his straining muscles to relax. He lost the death grip on the tree branch and fell back against stone hard legs. The monster was cold as marble even through the thick pants he wore. Evan didn't remain there for long.
With a supernatural strength that was belied by his size, the monster used his own throat to hoist him up, back to his feet. Neck still stretched back, Evan was now in the perfect position. He strained at the hand around his throat for a second before relaxing back. In that moment the monster's other hand came around to cup his chest and brace him against it.
The monster was tall and lean against his more muscular frame. It little mattered, though, the creature had centuries on his blood line and the strength that came with it. He was a killer by his very nature and Evan was his prey tonight.
Cool lips touched his throat. The skin stung where they touched and he hissed in pain. Taller, it had to bend his head forward to do so.
From the movement, Evan could tell it was smiling at him. He jerked and twitched every time it kissed his neck. There was nothing erotic about the sensation of a predator's mouth being so close to finishing the job. At least, that's what he told himself. Closing his eyes, he forced his body to go completely slack. Only the arm around his chest kept him up now.
This seemed to amuse the creature, his lips smiling again. "You are giving yourself to me? After all this time?" Stubble scraped over his throat as it paused to press another kiss, this one over Evan's pulse point. "So strong, so proud. Your ancestors would not approve." It chuckled.
Closing his eyes, Evan prayed it would be over soon. 'This waiting is killing me,' he thought with no small amount of irony.
Sensing there would be no further response, it sighed against his skin. "All right."
Evan flinched at the sound of fangs descending. Then he jerked in the monster's hold as he felt them stab into his throat. They sliced down along the artery before the mouth sealed over the wound. He felt a suction from the point and pain radiated through out his body.
Groaning, he shook violently. Although having accepted his fate before, he now fought it on instinct. This only encouraged it, though, and the suction increased.
Spots swam before his eyes. He felt the vessels in his face constrict and the breath leave his lungs. Muscles clenching, he was one raw nerve of pain. Still, the monster continued to drink the life from his body. Heart fluttering, he felt it struggle to keep up. Then, as the world faded away, it stopped.
He heard low, rumbling laughter far away, almost like thunder in the distance.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Clutching the shawl against her chest, Teyla stared out into the night. The winds kicked up snow all around her to sting at her skin. She wasn't too sure that it wasn't another storm. Still, she held out the lantern to see. Eyes narrowed against the onslaught, she could barely make anything out.
Ahead, all she could see in the dancing shadows were more trees. She wanted to scream out his name, but knew it to be fruitless. Already, she could barely hear the sound of the shawl battering her ears over the roar of the winds. Eventually the pain made her turn away.
It was not a night fit for man or beast.
Hobbling back towards the barn, she again questioned their wisdom. Why send him out on a night like this? For that matter, why any of them? There would be no word until morning, if ever. This would not be the first time a hunter had gone out and not returned in these woods.
She knew the horrible truth too. It would not be the last.
Clutching the front of her robes tighter, she grasped the handle of the barn and twisted it. The door came open with a reluctant groan and she dashed on through it. Slamming it shut behind her, Teyla prayed he made it back okay. Secretly, she already knew what fate he had met.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fighting the urge to shout at the top of his lungs, John clenched his hand around the quill. He heard it splinter, but didn't look to see. Besides, he could tell from the pain in his hand what had happened.
"We must send a party out to search for him!" Teyla's quiet demand caused a louder ruckus.
A dozen thunderous voices rose as one, each trying to drown out the other. It wasn't until the stone of order had been banged that they quieted down.
This fight had been raging for months. It was only being brought before the Council of Elders today because someone of great import had finally been lost. Not that everyone lost was worthless, he knew. Just, very few were willing to raise alarm like this over them.
Though, there was only one, even now.
John had to close his eyes for a moment. The throbbing behind them was increasing to the point where he could no longer ignore it. "There's no point. You know as well as we what has happened." It sounded strained and made him wince. Yet, he knew the cruel words had to be spoken.
"I am inclined to agree with John on this one." Her voice a regretful whisper, Elizabeth spoke to the table. "Though we share your grief, we must think of the rest of our community. To send out searchers would only invite their deaths. Truly, I am sorry." She hadn't raised her eyes from the moment the widow Lorne had entered.
Wincing, John tried not to think of Teyla that way. Yet, it was the truth. They were all down another brave hunter and warrior.
Still, she would not be swayed. Teyla moved to stand in front of John. She bent over the council table to stare him directly in the eyes. "Please, John, he is your friend." Trying to grasp his hand in her own, she reached out.
He withdrew it too fast for her to capture. Her gaze too much to bare, he glanced down at the table. "You know our law. It is the one he accepted when he joined our community. One we all agreed to."
Jaw set, she raised her chin. "I see." She took a step back to sweep her gaze over the entire gathered town elders. "I see now it was a mistake to have joined your people. Your ways are not mine." Her tone held no scorn. She spoke as if it were matter of fact. "My people would never let cowardice hold us like so many lambs waiting to be slaughtered."
"Now, just hold on a fricken minute, you ungrateful wench!" Standing up from the far side of the table, Rodney pointed a finger at her. "You don't speak to us like that! We took you in when your peasant village was wiped out by the Fantasm!"
Much to John's delight, that only seemed to light a fire in her.
Taking a step towards Rodney, Teyla drew herself up to full height. "Yes, but also, you seem to forget the role you played in that battle! As I recall, it was not us who summoned them from beyond the Shadow." She smirked when the balding man paled. "We owe you nothing. I owe you nothing."
Sighing, John deemed it time to intervene. "She's right. Elder McKay, sit down." He glanced to Elizabeth to for permission before continuing. "Teyla, you are free to leave at any time. Also, your people are free to join you. We won't stop you from searching on your own."
"Then I shall go alone, since no one else will join me." Inclining her head, she nodded her acceptance. There was still a hint of anger at them he could see.
Watching her walk out the main doors, he instantly made up his mind. A hand on his arm drew his attention to Elizabeth. He faced her with a raised eyebrow in question.
She smiled at him. It was wain, full of pain. "If I begged you, would it make a difference?"
"She has no one else." Taking her hand in his own, John clasped it tightly. This was not only his life he was risking. They had to think of everyone, not just the selfish needs of family. "We are not a community if we turn away from even one."
"When she came to us we embraced her. We are her people," she agreed. Blinking back tears, she nodded at nothing and everything. "Go safely, John. Come back to me the same."
Closing his eyes, he dropped his head in agreement. It was a difficult task ahead of them. He wondered how many would join them in the search party. The greater their number, the better their chances.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A stiff breeze kicked up ice from the roof tops. Rodney shivered in his warm skins. They were laced and knotted several times across his body, but weren't enough. He hated the winter. He couldn't understand why so many monsters chose to hunt in it!
Gloved hands clutched at the bag hanging over his shoulder. It was mostly filled with food stuffs his Jennifer had given him, but there were a few other useful items in there. They would all be needed in the days ahead.
He glanced behind him while he tread over the snow. Ice crunched under the soft soles of his riding boots as he walked the streets. It was disgrace that there was ice still on the stones. Each citizen was supposed to keep the streets around their homes clear!
Grumbling to himself, he rounded another corner. The morning sunlight suddenly blinded him and he had to put up a hand to block it.
"What are you doing here?" The grumble of a mammoth shook the air and buildings.
Well, Rodney sighed, it only felt like it. He blinked until his vision was clear. The first thing he saw was the grungy huntsman, his ax hanging over his shoulder. Sunlight glinted off the blade and nearly blinded him again. "I could say the same thing!"
Spotting Teyla at the door of her barn, he took an accusing step towards her. "Why is that big heathen here? Shouldn't he be out, I don't know, laying with the..."
Suddenly the ax was brandished within striking range. Ronon took a menacing step with a low growl. "Do not finish that sentence, Apothecary."
"Oh, for the love of..." Rodney rolled his eyes to the sky. "I don't know how many times I must tell you. I am not an Apothecary, that is my business! I am a Master of Sciences!"
"Shut up, McKay!" Striding up behind Rodney, John smacked him in the back. As he came around the grumbling man, he shifted the crossbow higher up his back. The man nodded at Ronon, then smiled at Teyla.
Only years of discipline kept Rodney from making a remark. He could perfectly flay the man alive with his words, but he chose not to do so. Instead, he walked further into the square and bowed. "Teyla of Emmagan, I offer my knowledge and skills in service to find your missing husband."
A snort came from the giant, but otherwise he remained quiet. Which was good, Rodney hated to waste good itching dust upon him this early.
Stepping away from the barn, Teyla guided her horse into the morning air. It shivered with a soft knacker at her. "Thank you. I accept."
"Yeah, me too." John raised a hand. "What he said."
Rodney turned his head to glare at the lout. The brute was probably too stupid to make his own proper declaration. That left the only other townsman to show up. He looked at Ronon in question.
Ronon stared back in amusement. "I was here first."
Shaking his head out of disbelief, Rodney headed for the barn. If they were to go after the erstwhile Lorne, then he wasn't going on foot!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
He came awake with a pained gasp. Throat sore, his voice came out high pitched. Evan blinked to clear his vision. Despite his efforts, the world was still too bright for him to make out anything clearly. Clenching them shut, he shook violently.
The cold from last night had seeped into his veins.
Wrapping his arms around his chest, he tried to sit up. Cold hands helped him when he failed. Exhausted, he leaned against the strong arms and hoped they would be enough to hold him.
Thankfully, they were. Whoever was holding him was strong and pulled the bulk of his weight to them. It was a man, he could feel the cut of the muscles against his back. Still shivering, he barely noticed when the man started to rock him gently from side to side.
A cramp in his gut made him groan. He clutched at his stomach, but the pain would not abate.
"Shh." Cool lips pressed to his throat. "It's only the final throes."
A different kind of shiver ran through him. Distant memories tugged at him, warning him about that voice. He knew the owner. Yet, they would not come to the fore. "Where am I?"
"Home." Kissing Evan's neck again, the man slid hands down his sides as if to comfort. "Everything will be all right now."
Lethargy overcame him and Evan sank within the solid embrace. The cramps slowly began to ebb. Then, they were gone. Dropping his head back on the man's shoulder, he sighed with relief.
He kissed Evan's cheek, loving affection in each soft press of lips. "See, I told you."
Comfortable, Evan nodded his acceptance. He wanted only to lay there in the now blissful numbness. Still, something nagged at him. Sighing, he figured it wouldn't go away until he asked. "What is your name?"
"I have many. My father, what little I remember of him, named me David. If you wish, you may call me that." The man's sharp teeth nipped at Evan's throat. "But, your people called me Parrish, a silly epitaph for sure. Yet, not completely unfounded."
Suddenly, the knowledge came racing to the front of his mind. Evan's eyes shot open. The world was still a bright blur, but he no longer needed to see. He shivered in revulsion. Before he could move, though, strong arms slid around his chest and stomach. "Please."
"There, there, that's quite enough begging." Nipping at Evan's ear lobe, David snickered. "At least, for now."
Evan shivered at the dark promise in those words.
THE END........................