Dark Salvation

Warnings: None as of yet.

Dark Salvation

Chapter 1 - Forced Merriment

Dark eyes closed themselves for a moment, a hand reaching up to rub a temple in an absent manner; a simple motion that was out of habit. Chatter was around him and he slowly found it annoying. Least he believed it was annoyance. Was a headache forming? He honestly could not remember what a headache felt like. But if it involved a faint throbbing in the temple and behind one's eyes, then he most have one.

Zacarias De La Cruz was an oppressive figure for the most part. The eldest among his brothers. What was it about women when they gathered that they had to chat insistantly? The ancient kept himself quiet, a shadow behind his family. Nicolas was only slightly ahead of him, the only other unmated of their family. Zacarias had not wished to attend, but it had been proven that many were meeting their lifemates due to the gatherings the Prince had been having, though many believed it was Raven running the show behind the curtains.

He swept his dark eyes over those walking in front of him. Jasmine and Solange had come as well, though Solange had been the most reluctant, she had refused to leave Jasmine's side. The ranch had been left with many safeguards. Though it would do no good to invade when none of them were actually there. He had left the panther male turned carpathian, Luiz, in charge. The male was a hard worker and had proved his worth for the most part.

Still. Zacarias had not wished to attend. But with Nicolas going, he resigned himself to accompanying his family back home. The richness of home surrounded him as they walked, his hands wishing to bury themselves in the soil of home. But as quick as the urge came it vanished, simply a fleeting thought as they entered the safeguards surrounding the impressive cabin home before them. He heard the baby in Jasmine's arms stir and he flicked his eyes around in a cautious manner. He hung back as the doors opened and they were greeted with a warmth he and Nicolas could not truly share in. But Zacarias felt that their were others here hoping to finally discover their light; their Lifemate.

Solange was instantly on guard, but a touch from the gentle Jasmine seemed to calm her instantly. Zacarias waited and entered last, his dark hair tied back away from his roguishly handsome features. He was approached and he bowed his head in respect to his Prince before clasping forearms with him.

"We are happy you have finally come to join us, Zacarias," Mikhail said with a pleased warmth. The impassive De La Cruz simply nodded.

"I am only here to see if Nicolas will find his light," he rumbled softly. He did not care for finding his, as long as his family was safe first. Mikhail nodded in understanding. The Eldest De La Cruz sought to secure all of his siblings before caring for himself. But even so, Mikhail could sense that Zacarias was on his last dregs of strength to combating his own darkness.

"Then let us hope she is here for him," the Prince added before Gregori took his turn to clasp forearms with a male who had as much of a legend behind him as Gregori himself. Zacarius gazed at the other. The Dark One. He had heard much about the other growing up.

"I hear last year they forced you to play...Santa was it?" Zacarias asked in a monotone voice. If the elder De La Cruz could feel amusement he would have been snickering at the thought of the feared 'Dark One' dressed in a ridiculious get up to be hilarious. Gregori growled a bit and scoffed.

"More that I was tricked," he grudgingly admitted. Zacarias arched a brow and flicked his ebony orbs to the other.

"Pity I missed it," he said softly before he turned and walked back outside, finding Nicolas there as well.

"We don't belong in there, brother," The younger said as he leaned against the railing of the porch and looked out into the woods, searching for any danger. Zacarius could not find any disagreement to those simply spoken words.

"No..Prehaps we do not," he agreed as he joined his younger brother in watching the woods. Both De La Cruz men were closing in on their time. But they would not admit it to those that were happy. No. Their other brothers had a right to enjoy the christmas season with their mates. For they could actually feel the true happiness of the season.

~~~

Whoa..This chapter came to me kind of easily. I was listening to music and was thinking of how it would be to have no emotions, yet have to watch the merriment around me. I hope I am keeping everyone as close to character as possible. Also! I know Dark Curse is coming out soon and Nicolas gets paired up in that. But since this is set in timeline to what is out now I shall debate whether or not to pair Nicolas up. Up to you! Give a vote on if I should mate Nicolas with someone. Anyways. Hope you like. Review if you like and give a vote on whether or not I should involve Nicolas.

Thanks,

Cata