The Chosen

The following is a complete work of fiction.

Any resemblance between the characters and any real life person is completely coincidental. Please do not copy or distribute the story without the author's permission.

Disclaimer:

The following story may contain erotic situations. If it is illegal for you to read this please leave now. Also expect blood, gore, incredibly funny scenes and super-powered teenagers with a destiny to save the world. If you're not a fan of any of these plus strong cursing and violence than this is not your type of story.

Chapter 8

"Spirit Staff!"

A boulder was sliced cleanly in half as it soared toward our position. The Executioner's face was set with a frown of determination. Suddenly, an explosion rocked the ground near us and I flew backward into the air. I landed hard on my back. My vision blurred as I sat up and I shook it off clearing my sight.

A hand grabbed my arm and hauled me to my feet. I blinked at the Executioner. He looked like he had taken the brunt of the fallout, but he was fine and on his feet. He was the stoutest of us all with the skin that was tougher than a dragon hide.

"Aurek, are you not injured?" I asked, touching a hand to his shoulder. "That blast was nearest to you."

He rolled his eyes. "Aye, I am well. Are you hurt?"

"No," I replied, shaking my head. I looked across the crater filled land. Monsters, tall lizard like abominations, spread in a line from our position.

I clutched a hand to my bruised ribs. "Why have they held their position, Aurek?"

The Executioner pointed his finger and I saw a flash of light and the battlefield exploded in flashes of color, as light spread forth, like a wave encompassing the creatures of dark magic. I smiled, feeling a pressure ease in my heart. Like an avenging angel, I made out my love standing at the center of that attack of light dealing back their attack tenfold.

"Admerion," I whispered, love and relief heavy in my voice.

The Executioner suddenly looked around, head snapping left and right. "Where is Apollo?"

The breath was sucked right out of me. "Have you not seen him?"

His head shake of negative was all we needed before we took off into the night looking for our other Chosen comrade. I jumped over dead, mangled demon corpses and severed limbs without a thought. My boots went squish, squish as I ran across the blood soaked ground.

"Apollo!" I called out.

He had to be around here somewhere. The explosion couldn't have thrown him so far. I had to find him. We fought like enemies but no sting was in our words. We were best friends.

"Apollo!"

I snapped awake the name still on the tip of my tongue. I took a shaky breath, running my hand across my forehead feeling sweat roll away. I collapsed and fell back on my pillows. Dream images swirled through my mind on a loop. Apollo. My best friend. I knew it without a doubt in my heart that Apollo and I were as close as brothers. I hope he doesn't regret the normal life he will soon have to leave behind when his destiny is shown to him. I know I do.

I glanced at my clock and groaned. Jesus in a manger! It wasn't even ten o'clock and I was already up. I normally liked to sleep in to noon on a Saturday morning but I didn't see returning to sleep anywhere in my future.

I slung my feet over the bed. Time to face the day. Joy. I stumbled down the stairs and made my way to the kitchen. Twenty minutes later, I was on my third bowl of cereal in the living room watching a rerun of South Park. Kids, even cartoon wars, who swore, always tickled me senseless.

"NOT GONNA GET YOU A DIAMOND RING. THAT SORTA GIFT DON'T MEAN ANYTHING."

What the deuce? My head snapped up and I looked around as a singing voice blurted to life somewhere in the room.

"NOT GONNA GET YOU A FANCY CAR. GIRL YOU GOTTA KNOW YOU'RE MY SHINING STAR."

What song was this? It couldn't be my phone. I didn't have belting R&B sounding ballads that left much to be desired lyrics wise. I listened harder trying to pinpoint the noise.

"NOT GONNA GET YOU A HOUSE ON THE HILLS. A GIRL LIKE YOU NEEDS SOMETHING REAL."

It was somewhere close by. I sat my cereal bowl on the coffee table and began to look around the room. If I was a ringing phone where would I be? Where in the murder mystery was Encyclopedia Brown when you needed him?

"I WANNA GET YOU SOMETHING SPECIAL FROM THE HEART. ITS MY DICK IN A BOX!"

What in the hell kind of song was this??

"OoOOHH MY DICK IN A BOX, BABY. ITS MY DICK IN A BOX!"

I tripped over my foot as the lyrics registered in my mind and I bit my tongue in a sudden fit of laughter. I hit the ground hard, body shaking in a laughter seizure. Lying on the ground, my eyes locked on a slim, silver phone glowing, vibrating, and singing from underneath the couch. I snatched the phone out and looked at in amazement. The phone wasn't Morgan's or Mom's. But MINE. What in the nine hells? I looked at the caller ID and narrowed my eyes. Of course. Now it made sense. I flipped it open and pressed the answer button.

"Dude, I have a question?" Kevin's voice sounded clearly from the phone's speaker.

I snorted. "No, I have a question for you. Dick in a box, Kevin? Dick in a box?"

There was silence. A pause. Then intense laughter.

"I changed your ring tone yesterday morning!" He laughed like it was the greatest thing in the world. It kind of was, but like the United States, I will not negotiate with terrorists. "Are you just now noticing? Come on. You know for Christmas you would really, really love my dick in a box, Baby. Admit it."

I rolled my eyes, fighting back my smile. "One day I will get you for this. You won't know when. You won't know where but I'll get you for this Kevin Montero. I will--"

"Oh will you shut up already," Kevin replied back, still laughing. "What, are you a cartoon villain now? Stop with the goddam empty threats already, Doctor Claw."

I chuckled. Damn it. That one was funny. I laughed and he heard me so there goes my cover of pretend anger. Sigh. I really needed to learn to reign in the emotions under duress.

"So what can I help you with?" I asked, trying to get us back on topic of why he called.

Kevin let out a few more chuckles then answered. "I was wondering if white was a color?"

I blinked. "Come again?"

"Well, white is really the lacking of color, so is white an actual color?"

I stared at the phone as if it were a foreign object. I opened my mouth to reply but my tongue got stuck. I actually found myself giving the question an honest thought before common sense took over. It took three tries before I could think coherently enough to form an actual reply.

"Kevin?"

"Yeah?"

"Get off my phone," I said feeling stupefied. "You're eating up all my anytime minutes."

I ended his call, hanging up on him. Wow. I think I just lost a few brain cells. I started to think over Kevin's question again, but I shook my head. Hell no. I was dumb sometimes but not that dumb.

"ITS MY DICK IN A BOX!"

I snapped my phone open and sighed. "Yes, Kevin?"

"You didn't have to hang up on me, bitch." I could hear the faux pout in his voice over the phone. "It was a serious question!"

"Kevin!" I said laughing. "You are too much sometimes. What do you really want, bro?"

He snickered. "I just wanted to know if you wanted to hang out sometime this afternoon?"

I shook my head but realized that he couldn't see it over the phone so I replied, "Sorry, Kev kev. No can do. It's been two weeks and Killian and I still haven't started to work on our project. I figured I would go over there soon and we could finally get started."

"Need I remind you that you will be on his property and any violence had will look really badly on you if the case gets taken to court," responded Kevin quickly, serious.

I rolled my eyes. "I'm not going to start any argument." Silence from Kevin. "I swear I'm not. I just want to get something done so we won't completely fail this assignment."

"Tomorrow then for sure right?" he asked.

"Definitely tomorrow we'll hang out for sure," I said.

We said goodbye and I hung up the phone. That had been amusing. I debated on whether to call Killian but I really didn't feel like hearing his voice. He should know I was coming. He was after all the one that demanded my presence at his house today so we could get started. I guess he was getting a little nervous at the lack of progress we had made. I was too. My GPA was at stake here after all.

I heard feet shuffling down the staircase. I turned around on the couch and spotted Morgan making her way to the kitchen. She was still dressed in her sleep clothes like I was. Where as I had just wore a pair of blue athletic shorts and wife beater, Morgan went to bed in a bright pink halter top, and a tight pair of gray shorts, that stopped just below her ass. Emblazed on the back of the shorts in pink letters was the word "Bootyliscious"... I almost threw up in my mouth a little. I licked my lips and tasted something sour. Wait. I think I did throw up a little.

I shot up the stairs to the hall bathroom and spat into the toilet. Ga- ross. I spent the next hour in the bathroom taking a shower and making myself presentable for the long day ahead. The very long day if Killian was going to involved. Sigh.

I glanced out of my bedroom window as I slid on a pair of black track pants. They had white stripes that went down the legs and they were more comfortable than anything I owned. Mom's car was gone I noticed as I looked out the window. She must have been called into work. A reporter's life was never dull. Even on the weekends, there was always news that needed to be covered. I threw on a white hoodie over my black wife beater. Over my head went a white visor beanie. I twisted it so the brim was to the side. Beanies with brims were very in this year. So of course I owned four.

I looked myself over in the mirror. I looked comfortable but stylish. Hopefully, Killian would be fooled by the stylish bit. The other motive was these clothes would make it easy to move in if I were to get in a fight. I wasn't expecting to get in a fight with Killian, but you just never knew with us.

My dresser clock read 4:43. I sighed. I guess I had better get a move on. I grabbed my keys and left the house. It was funny but even though I hadn't been to Killian's house in years, since we used to be friends, I still knew where he lived.

Killian lived in the newer, expensive homes built in the exclusive 91101 zip code. It was all lifestyles of the rich and the famous in that neck of the woods. With his dad being a senior partner at a law firm and his mom a famous clothing designer, Killian's house reflected their joint income. I found my neck straining as I looked at all the luxurious homes in Falcon's Lair Estates. For some reason Centennial City Council liked to assign all the neighborhoods names. Killian lived in Falcon's Lair Estates. My home was located in River Crossing. It was kind of cool in a weird I want to represent my hood, kind of way.

I pulled up to a huge, two-story bricked house with lots of windows. I couldn't help but gawk like a clown. I had almost forgotten how big the house was. It may as well be classified a mansion. Except it didn't have a gate. All mansions had gates or they do on MTV Cribs. It was a gated community so maybe that counted.

I parked my car next to the curb in front of the house. My blazer looked all dirty next to the shiny new sports cars and beamers that dotted the street. Rich bitches. I hurried up the sidewalk to the door. The faster I left here would be for the better. I was starting to feel like I was in a episode of Beverly Hills 90210. All I needed now was Shannon Doherty to come out and bitch slap me.

I rang the doorbell and the door opened promptly. An elderly man dressed in a black suit and tie answered the door making me take a pause.

"Can I help you?" he asked.

I finally nodded. "Yeah, I was looking for Killian..."

He smiled, a kind, grandfatherly smile that made me smile too. "Yes, the young sir is here. Please come in while I fetch him."

Ohh swank. He had a weird upper crust accent that I had only heard in movies. He was quite the stereotypical butler. I assumed he was the butler. Sure acted like one. He closed the door behind me, leaving me in the foyer, as he ascended up a staircase in the hall. I wandered to the wall and looked at the pictures on the walls, paintings and black and white stills of scenery and unknown people. Someone obviously was an art fan. The only thing I knew about art was to always color inside the lines.

"Oh good you're here," said Killian coming down the stairs. "Let's get started."

He didn't wait for me to follow before he headed up again. He was wearing some blue jeans and a fitted blue t-shirt that showed off his muscles nicely. I might not like him but I did notice he had a nice body. I was still gay.

He led me to his room and I froze as I heard the door click shut. Oh god. I quickly shuffled away from him putting distance between us. I was probably being paranoid but dammit after watching four seasons of CSI: Miami I was wary of people that could be classified as enemies.

I took a moment to look around the room. It was still twice the size of mine, but posters had been taken down in exchange for a mounted flat screen. Blocky furniture was gone ushered out by new sleek metallic desks and drawers. The bed was a king size and the black comforter made it look bigger than it was. I was growing a bit envious so I stopped my gazing. I took a seat in a chair next to the desk. Oh... comfortable.

Killian took a seat next to his bed and picked up a silver laptop from his nightstand. It was just as sleek and shiny as the rest of the things in this room. I felt like I had stepped into a Modern Look magazine. While everything in here spoke of money, it lacked a feeling of comfort and home.

"Let's hurry and get his over with," said Killian, powering up his laptop.

I sighed. "Yeah, lets. We had Bengal Tigers."

He nodded. "We are supposed to write about what we know about them before we observe the tigers at the field trip."

I found myself warming up to him. We were being civil and maybe just maybe this would pass without a fight. I was still on edge but hey Rome wasn't built in a day.

"So what do you know about them?" asked Killian, green eyes flicking from the screen to me. "Knowing you, probably not much."

There goes the peace theory.

I gritted my teeth fighting the anger down. "I know they're in the Kingdom Animalia. Pyhlum: Chordata. Class: Mammalia. I know they're a tiger sub species."

Killian ran a hand through his strawberry blond hair. It wasn't quite red or all blond, but a blended color. He smirked at me. "I guess you do know something after all. Here I was thinking you were just a dumb blond."

I smiled sweetly, a `go to hell' smile, if you will. "Killian shut the fuck up and let's get to work."

It was silent except for the clicking of keys as Killian typed on his laptop. He brought up Word and began to setup up a new document for us to get started on. He added in what I knew and I was surprised that he memorized everything that I said. Wow. He really did know how to listen. Surprise, surprise.

"I know that it is the national animal of India," said Killian quietly, breaking the silence. He didn't look up once from his typing. "And that they are usually poached for their pelts. Also, they are now heavily protected since they have few numbers."

I bit my lip watching him closely. When he was like this. Not saying anything, he was alright to be around. Why couldn't he be like this all the time? Why was he even such an asshole? A long time ago we used to be friends. Then our fight back in middle school came to mind. I could remember Killian madder than I had ever seen, yelling, swearing, his face twisted in rage. It was stupid, but still to this day I have no idea why he had gotten so angry. The entire thing could have been prevented if he had acted rational.

"So why are you such a jerk?"

Oops. Did that just leave my mouth? Dammit. Reminder to self: Check into a clinic and get test for Tourette syndrome.

He looked at me, his eyes darkening. "That is like the pot calling the kettle black?"

My eyebrows shot up in surprise. "What? I'm a jerk?"

Killian sneered at me. "Don't sit there and pretend to be all innocent. You do that all the time. Like nothing is ever your fault."

I nodded slowly. "I do say it isn't my fault a lot. Because it isn't!"

Killian shook his head, rolling his eyes. "You said the same thing when we got into that fight. You made fun of my uncle and refused to apologize—"

"I didn't know it was your uncle!" I snapped back, feeling pissed that he would blame our entire falling out on me. I pushed back the wave of resentment so I could think rationally. I could feel my magic react to my emotionally duress. I put a clamp on my powers, breathing deeply to help calm myself. "I would have apologized had you not cussed me out like a fat bridesmaid who took the first piece of the wedding cake!"

He blinked at the comment but let it roll off him. I could tell. People tended to do that a lot around me. I wonder why?

"You don't understand how much that hurt," explained Killian, heated. "Do you not have any feelings? That was my uncle! You don't know how much he means to me."

I paused as his words washed over me. "Why didn't you just say something then instead of getting all Intense Boy?"

Killian shrugged, taking that emerald eyed stare off me finally. "I don't know. My natural reaction was just to attack."

I was quiet. I didn't know what to say. I was starting to feel like I was in another dimension, some parallel reality, where Killian and I actually got along. Where was Quinn Mallory and his timer when you needed him, dammit! I sighed, thinking. I didn't know what to do. Should I apologize? I did rag on his uncle. And I did throw the first punch, messing up his face, resulting in him losing his modeling gig. I'm sure Tommy Hilfiger dropping him from their ad campaign ended up costing him a couple of grand. I would hate me too. What to do? Decisions, decisions. Man, I wish I had a coin right now. I could pull a Two-Face and flip on it. That would be a quick answer to a lot of my questions.

"I'm sorry."

Fucking Tourette's, I thought annoyed, I really needed to get a checkup.

Killian looked up surprised at the admission. He paused, debating. I was doing a mental check of all the exits just in case he flipped out. I really didn't want to fight him in his own home. He had home turf. It was bad luck. A neutral place is always the best way to go.

A minute passed.

"...I'm sorry, too."

I gave him a hesitant smile. My survivor instincts were still kicked in preventing me from being completely at ease with the situation. I took the small half smile on Killian's face as a signal of honesty.

I opened my mouth and closed it as a loud crash came from the hallway, followed by the sound of raised voices. Instantly, my head snapped up and my body tensed, as my magic swirled to the surface ready to be utilized. I held it back and looked at Killian. He wore an expression that was a mix of embarrassment, anger, and sorrow. I frowned. He wasn't surprised by the disturbance. I could tell. How I could read him so well, I had no clue, but I knew.

"Killian?" I asked, not taking my eyes off him.

He glared at the door as if it were the cause. "It's my..." he stopped and looked at me. Killian opened his mouth and then closed it. His shoulders slumped, as he finally relented with whatever mental decision he was wrestling with. "...It's my parents."

He moved his laptop and stalked out the room without a word. I blinked. O-kay. That was new. I guess Killian was going to go have a word with Mommy and Daddy dearest. My eyes strayed to his laptop. It was like mine, but better.

I picked it up and couldn't resist the drool that slipped from my mouth. Oooh shiny. I touched the keys and pouted. I wish I had something nice like this. My drool fell from my chin and splattered onto the keys. I swore. Booshaka! I hurriedly wiped away the wet spot. I remembered why I couldn't have anything nice now. I rubbed it away and my fingers pressed down on a sequence of keys. A minimized window sprung to life. I read the top line on the screen: THE JOURNAL OF KILLIAN MORRIS. My eyes widened and my jaw dropped.

"He has a fracking journal?!" I asked the air. "How Doogie Howser-esque."

I knew I should minimize the screen and put the laptop back. But I was soo curious. Who had a freaking journal these days, well besides twelve year old girls and emo boys, who just liked to write about feelings. The cursor was blinking next to the latest entry.

I'm having so many weird feelings. I don't know

what I should do about them. It's becoming too much

sometimes. I don't want to feel like this but I do. I

can accept it, but... I just wish I had somebody I

could talk to about this... my friends... I just wish.

I had another dream last night. It was... It was about

the usual... light.

"What the fuck are you doing!"

I looked up to see a furious Killian standing in the doorway. Uh oh. He raced forward and snatched the laptop from my hands, slamming it closed, glaring at me with nothing but fury and contempt. Was that fear too?

"I wasn't looking at anything?" I said quickly, hoping that I could calm him down first and then maybe tell him I read a bit of his journal.

Eyes closed and face red, Killian looked ready to blow. He clutched the laptop to his chest as if it were a lifeline. I was getting scared. Not for me. But for him. It was starting to get real Carrie around him. I was just waiting for the pig's blood to drop down and the door to telekinetically lock.

"Get out," he said so quietly I could barely hear him.

I started to speak but he interrupted me. "Get out!"

I swear the windows rattled at the sonic like yell. I didn't need to be told twice. I tore out of his room like someone shouted clearance sale outside. I ran down the stairs and didn't stop when the butler tried to ask me what's wrong, probably rude, but I had definitely over stayed my welcome.

I jumped into the Blazer and sped the fuck off. I made it home without getting stopped by any cops, hallelujah. I sighed as I lay on my bed staring at the white speckled ceiling. I could still feel my heart beating from the incident. My eyes closed and my body sagged with exhaustion.

I was pulled into the lands of dreams before I could realize it.

"Apollo!" I yelled, screaming over the explosions Admerion was causing across the field.

The Executioner jogged to my side, his mouth set in a frown of determination. "I still have not found him. I am beginning to get worried, Emrys."

I knew he had to be worried if he addressed me by my mortal name while in our warrior forms. Our white tunics were covered in black blood and our chain mail, no longer gleamed silver, but a drab gray and dirty brown from the detonations that kicked up dirt.

"We shall find him," I assured him, hiding my worry behind a faux bravery. "We shall."

I turned away and called out, "Apollo!"

We shall.

I snapped awake, jolting up in my bed. "Apollo?" I whispered sadly. "What happened to you?"

I took a glance at the clock. My God. It was after nine o'clock. I looked out of the window and sure enough the sun had long ago set and the night was here. Wow. I had been asleep for hours. It sure didn't feel like it. Stretching and yawning, I made my way downstairs. Mom was in the living room asleep on the couch with the TV on. I smiled. She only did this when she was really tired. I turned the TV off and pulled the blanket off the couch end and draped it over her sleeping form. Sleep dreams Mom. Somebody in this house needed them.

I sighed. I knew what I had to do. I was sure sighing a lot today, like some character in a Lifetime movie of the week. I left the house and jumped in my Blazer making my way back to Falcon's Lair Estates, and Killian's house.

I pulled back into the same parking spot from earlier. I walked up the sidewalk. Coming to the door I stopped. I had to give myself a little mental pep talk. Come on Summers you can do this. Even if he doesn't accept it. You still have to apologize. You did snoop through his stuff like a Hardy Boy. And we do hate those sloppy cunts. I shook off my hesitation and rang the doorbell. The door was again opened by the butler.

He smiled that grandfatherly smile but I could see it was tinged with worry. "I thought that you might be back."

"I was wondering if Killian was home?" I asked, politely. "I really need to see him."

The butler shook his head. "I'm sorry but the young sir is not home."

"Oh," I said, feeling a surprising thud of disappointment. "Well, uh, thank you, sir."

I turned around and began to walk down the sidewalk, just as loud a "Wait!" came from the doorway. "He's at The Door," the butler called out. "It's a teen club downtown. He likes to go there after a bad day sometimes."

"Thank you!" I beamed, waving and jogging off to my car.

I had an apology to make.

"Tell me why I'm here again?" asked Ryan, from the passenger seat in my Blazer, looking from the map directions to the Door, to me, confused.

"You are my co-pilot!" I said, in a duh tone. "I need someone to read the directions and plus I've never been to a club before, and I'm not going alone. Annnnnd you have super strength just in case we need to knock some bitches out."

Ryan cocked his head. "Knock some bitches out?"

I shrugged. "You never know at the clubs downtown... or at least that's what the news says."

He snorted. "Well the directions say we make a left at this light and we're there. All we need to do is find a parking spot."

"Oh, there's one!" I yelled, swerving into a parking lot, missing a couple exiting by a hairs breath, as my tires squealed against pavement.

"We're going to die!!" screamed Ryan, bracing himself, glasses halfway down his noise and gray eyes wide with fear and panic.

I gave him a look as I sped into a parking space, the car lurching to sudden halt that had us jerking forward in our seats. I cut the engine and smirked at him.

"You can stop screaming like the token slut in a bad horror movie?"

Ryan gaped at me as I hopped out of the Blazer. I tuned Ryan out as he started to lecture me about the merits of good driving and making the roads safe for everyone. I took Drivers Ed. I watched `Blood on the Asphalt' in the classroom. I knew friends didn't let friends drive drunk. Or was that friends didn't let friends drive crunk? I slept for a good portion of the class.

The Door was easy to find. It was in a building on the corner of the club strip that people liked to Deep Regent. Regent was the name of the street and all the clubs ran deep down the street, so Deep Regent. Clever. I know.

We stepped up to a little window that was beside the closed door. A big, muscular guy that made the Hulk look like a girl stood next to the window. He eyed us up and down as if checking us off for height, weight, eye color, any physical feature that would put us below the age limit.

"ID?" he asked in gruff baritone voice.

We handed them to him and he eyed the cards like a jewelry appraiser eyes diamonds. He looked at my picture then up at me. Down and then up. Down then up. I frowned. He gave our licenses back after a brief hesitation.

"Were you really that happy in the picture?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

I blushed. On my license picture I'm smiling really huge and looking like I just won the lottery. Back then I did. I had gained the right to legally drive. It's the teenage version of the lottery.

"I guess so," I replied, shrugging. "It was a good day."

The guy rolled his eyes. Bitch! "That will be twenty dollars for the both of you."

We handed him ten each and he opened the door for us. Immediately, I was assaulted by a loud bass line of music and a blast of central air. The floor literally shook with the force of the bass and the dancing bodies. I looked around feeling out of place among the dancing teenagers. I wasn't really a person who was comfortable dancing within a large crowd unless there was a large group of friends with me. It was just how I rolled.

"Hey!" I said, yelling over the music so Ryan could hear me. I pointed to a set of stairs that led to a second floor balcony. "Let go up there! Maybe we can get away from the music and spot Killian easier!"

Ryan nodded already knowing that if he replied his voice would just become drowned out. We were too close to the speakers. It was impossible to hear anything unless it was at a scream. We went up to the balcony and I assessed the throng of people. Ryan was the first to spot him. Enhanced senses at work.

"There he goes," said Ryan, pointing. "Do you see him dancing with the redhead?"

I followed his finger. He was right. There was Killian, body moving in time with a gyrating redhead girl that moved as if she wanted some singles shoved down the thong that rode up the top of her jeans. I blinked. Damn. Who knew Killian could dance like that? Don't get me wrong I wasn't starting to like him like that. NO way. NO how. But I could recognize good dancing when I saw it.

"That's odd," muttered Ryan, staring hard at the dance floor. "Look at that."

I frowned, looking. "What are you talking about?"

"Look," said Ryan, motioning.

I looked and saw what he was talking about. It was odd. Around the room girls and boys, who seemed to be by themselves were being pulled along. Pulled along by older teens. Each one doing the leading were simply breathtaking. Pale skin, striking features, and smiles that were both alluring and seductive made me weak in the knees even from up here. I looked closer at the girl dancing with Killian and she radiated the same grace and beauty as the others.

"They're leading all the people who are alone away from the crowd," said Ryan, his voice growing deeper, thoughtful. The Executioner showing through into his mortal guise. "They're all leaving through that door. It must lead to another room. It can't lead outside."

"So maybe a private party room?" I guessed, shrugging.

Ryan nodded, thoughtfully. "I think you're right. I'm more concerned about Killian right now than anything. The girl is leading him off just like that freaky-pretty group led those other single people off."

"You think they're preternatural?" I asked.

He nodded still eyeing the redhead leading Killian to the side door. "I can feel it. The way they look, the way they move. They're entirely too graceful to be human. Their beauty is a way to lure in victims. They're predators, plain and simple."

I shuddered at his grave yet knowing tone. He sounded so sure. "They seem familiar but I can't put my finger on it."

Ryan looked at me, his gaze all Executioner. "They're Vampires."

All we needed was one shared look between us before we took off down the stairs going for the side door. I took point and opened the door and Ryan shut it behind us. I was right. It was a huge room obviously used for private parties or similar events. At the end of the large room was over a dozen people surrounded by the inhumanely beautiful people, the vampires. I swallowed. There was a lot of them. I didn't know if we could take them all just the two of us. We might be in trouble. I came to as laughter started to bubble up from the vampires circling the group of confused and visibly frightened teens.

At once they're faces twisted, canine teeth lengthening and eyes taking on an unearthly blaze. Their skin began to radiate an ethereal glow as their hair started to shine and move in a sudden breeze. The room erupted into chaos and screams.

Ryan nodded at me and I got the clue. Silently we accessed that part of ourselves that made us Chosen, that well of energy where I power rested. It filled us to the brim and our clothes shifted into our uniforms, the black suits of mystical armor that nothing of modern technology could hope to duplicate.

"You ready?" asked the Executioner.

I nodded. "Let's do this." I flexed my hand and willed a fireball to appear in my palm. "Fireball!

It soared through the air and caught a vampire in the back. A shriek of agony erupted before being quickly cut off as the vampire collapsed into dust. The entire room looked at us standing at the end of the room. I gave a wave and smirked.

"Can anyone join this party?" I asked, forming another fireball, tossing it up and then catching it, all the while smirking.

The Executioner grinned. "Or is it invite only?"

The vampires turned to us, a collective hiss echoing through the room. I almost wanted to take a step back from the look of hatred and disgust they gazed at us with.

"The Chosen," hissed the redhead that held Killian's arm in a vice grip.

I knew that grip had to be painful. I could see Killian was trying hard not to cry out from the vice grip like hold on his arm. I knew later that if I looked his arm would be covered in nasty bruises. I really didn't like the way they were eyeing us. The look of hate was slowly replaced by hunger, and fuck me it was making me nervous. A vampire stepped forward and I reacted.

"Fireball!" I shouted, panicky, throwing the attack on pure reflex.

The vampire exploded in a cloud of dust. A heartbeat later the other vampires moved as one, some diving into the crowd of teenagers and the rest sped toward us. It was about to get real Mortal Kombat around here. I dodged a punch and kicked out catching a one in the gut, knocking him on his back.

"Angels above me, Clouds circling thee. Lend me your wings So I can jump higher Than the tallest tree."

I jumped away from a trio of growling vampires. I soared through the air and landed near the gathered mass of horrified teenagers. I sent two fireballs into the chests of the vampires holding them captive. I dusted another one that tried to feed on a hysterical blond girl. They looked at me, blinking stupefied, once I freed them.

"Go! Run!" I yelled, pointing at the exit door that led outside.

They took the hint and ran for it. A couple of vampires grabbed at some of the escaping people. I swore. I needed some help here. Unfortunately, the Executioner had his hands full. He was going against half a dozen vampires, holding his own well, but I knew that he couldn't keep that up forever. We needed to end this. I felt something knock me in the back of the head and my vision swam as I collapsed to my knees. What the fuck, I thought, feeling dizzy and nauseous. I looked up in time as Killian appeared at my side, swinging a chair at the vampire who was closing in for the kill.

"Stay back you fucking freak!" Killian shouted, swinging the wooden chair like a madman.

The vampire was a tall male that looked eighteen, but was older than that. Much older. He looked at Killian and laughed. His hand shot out with a speed that my eyes couldn't follow. The chair was slapped away and Killian went down at the hit, falling on his back. His head slammed hard against the ground. He stayed there on the floor, still and unmoving.

"Killian!" I screamed, my heart stopping in my chest.

My vision swam as my sight turned black. I felt time stop as my mind suddenly sparked and something within my soul clicked. I was dragged into a memory. A memory from my past life.

"Apollo!"

I could not find him. Where could he be? Could that explosion had – no, I would not think like that. I could not envision being a team without Apollo with us. He was a link in our chain that could never be replaced.

"There!" shouted the Executioner. "Warlock do you see him?"

I nodded, running toward the still form. Gods, there was so much blood. Was all of this his? I fell to my knees at his side, the starbursts of exploding power in the distance no longer registered to my senses. The Executioner came to my side.

"I can hear his heartbeat," he said, sighing in relief. "He's alive."

I touched him and suddenly there was a groan as Apollo moved, his eyes opening. I felt a stirring in my heart as relief washed over me. The mist that once obscured his face from my memory cleared and vanished, revealing bright green eyes, the color of emeralds, and hair that was neither blond nor red, but a mix of both. I knew this person my soul told my mind, finally putting a face to the mystery person. I knew him in this life as well as the last one.

"You did not think that blast would be rid of me?" whispered Apollo, his voice weak but teasing, a pained smile on his face.

I squeezed his hand, glad my friend was back. "Never. Where would I be without my best friend."

Time resumed and I found myself back in my body. It couldn't be! But it was. Apollo. Killian. Killian. Apollo. They were one in the same! Wait. Killian used to be my best friend?!? Dammit. Get a grip Summers there was no time for thinking like that! I closed my eyes and touched my power. My magic exploded outward throwing the vampires gathering around me back, sending them flying into the four corners of the room. I crawled to Killian's side. He was conscious. Thank They Above All for small miracles. His gaze drilled into me as I came to his side.

"Killian?" I asked.

He tried to move away from me, his gaze becoming panicked. "Get away from me! What the hell-"

I shushed him. "Listen! Now is not the time. You might not remember me but I remember you. Here is where you have to make a choice. Do you want to live the life you've been leading or do you want realize who you really are?"

Surprisingly, he didn't even pause. It was almost like he knew this was coming.

"Show me who I am. I've been waiting for you."

I blinked, startled. Dammit. No time for questions. I needed to do this quick before we all became vamp food. I placed my index finger on his brow between his eyelids and concentrated. I reached into his soul and touched that part of himself that had been sealed off with our reincarnation. I gave it a nudge and released the seal with a spark of power. Our eyes opened simultaneously as he gasped and jerked with such a force that I fell back.

I gasped at the sight before me when I recovered. Standing in front of me was Killian, but not. He was now dressed in the same lightweight, black armor that I and the Executioner wore. But whereas I wore a hooded cloak, and the Executioner a duster, Killian sported a short, hip length jacket, black and fitted nicely, showing off his form. On his face was a pair of black shades that he pulled up so they rested on the top of his head.

He gave me a confused smile, as he helped me up. "Emrys? Warlock?"

I nodded, wondering how much did he remember. "It has been a long time, Apollo. We must take care of these vampires first then I'll explain everything."

The expression of confusion was replaced by a look of duty. He knew what he had to do. He was a warrior first and foremost and nothing would change that. It was why we were Chosen.

"Vampires were always my specialty," he said more to himself than me. Killian raised his arms so they pointed out, fingers splayed. I gave a start as pinpoints of light began to gather at his fingertips. They grew brighter and bigger till I couldn't look directly at them without being blinded.

"DAWN..."

The pinpoints grew brighter in intensity. Killian tilted his head and his sunglasses fell down from his head landing perfectly on his face.

"BRINGER!"

The light shot from his fingers at the speed of light. The beams traveled the room, splitting and multiplying, hitting every vampire in range. The beams ripped through their bodies, melting through bone and instantly setting them aflame, making them explode into ash. The beams that didn't catch a vampire scorched the walls where they hit, turning the spots black as tar. Luckily, all the bystanders had fled and the Executioner and I both had the sense to get the fuck to the floor, ducking as if our lives depended on it. Hell, they did.

The beams died and in the silence there was nothing left of the vampires except smoking piles of ash and sprays of blood that dotted the floor. We rose to our feet and surveyed the room. I swallowed. I can see why vampires were his specialty.

We looked at the newest Chosen and he turned to us, his vacant eyes looking inward, remembering.

"I am Apollo," he shook his head. "No, I'm Killian. That's my name. I was Apollo." He swallowed, thinking, coming to a decision. "That's who I was, but I still am. I can feel it." He looked at us solemnly. "I was once called Solaris, the champion of light."

Champion of light indeed.

I licked my lips. "We should leave. And then we have A LOT to talk about."

Plus, I needed a Tylenol.

Killian, a Chosen? I could feel a headache coming on.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • I bet you guys thought you had to wait a long time too for another chapter! We finally have another Chosen with us. And drama is sure to follow with the revelation. A lot of you knew it was going to be Killian. Kudos! Next chapter: They inform Killian of their mission. Arguments, fights, and team bickering are to come.

THANK YOU everyone who has taken the time to email me. I love reading all your emails. I'm starting get a few ideas from some suggestions so please keep them coming. You can write to me at Silvenfox@yahoo.com