Prologue

 

 

 

Vampires, mutants, and anything immortal wanted the human race destroyed. The immortals saw Mankind as a threat because they possessed the very thing that could kill immortals forever, the key.

 

 

The immortals prophesied that a time would come when a woman would fight for the human race and, through her power, protect them from the forces of evil. And, in doing so the immortals would be exterminated. However, the humans did not know such evil existed and so therefore did not know anything about what the key was and where it was. So both races kept their distance, until know.

Aniya Blades was being born in a local hospital in LA. She did not know the whole of the human race would depend on her when the time came. Her mother died giving birth so she was sent to an orphanage.

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 1

 

Eighteen years have passed now; Aniya is leaving her orphanage today to make her own life. But she is scared.

Ever since Aniya was young, she had had nightmares of battle scenes. However hard she tried to think about good things before going to bed she always ended up having that nightmare. Every evening of her life so far she had had this nightmare, and every night she got further and further into this horrifying battle, until she knew this wasn’t normal for any teenager.

Aniya was sad to leave the orphanage it was the only home she had ever had, but she was now old enough to make something of herself. Aniya bought an apartment with the money she had been saving for a good cause. She got a job as a waitress to bring in money so she could go to University and study History.

One Saturday, Aniya went to her local church and watched a christening take place. She wondered if believing in a religion could help her figure out what these dreams meant. After the christening she decided to talk to the vicar about it.

"Father, for a long time now, I have been having recurring dreams of horrifying battles and I am getting increasingly worried. As far as I am aware, they are battles that have never even happened in History. What could they mean?" Aniya asked shakily.

"Aniya my dear, I have no idea what these dreams might be. It could be a message from God, but only you will be able to figure that out. I have to go now child, but don’t worry I’m sure it’s nothing." The vicar said in a dismissive way before stumbling to his car and driving off.

Aniya sat on one of the pews and thought about what the dreams could mean, but nothing made sense. Maybe one day she’ll understand it? Aniya kneeled in front of the altar and made the sign of the cross before leaving the church. The orphanage christened every one of the children, because it was part of their religious tradition. Aniya, however, believed that anyone could believe in what they wanted to. The orphanage also told the children if they had any problems the church could always help them. Aniya had just found out that that was false. She was grateful for the orphanage but detested it in every way. It may have been her only home but it wasn’t the type of home she had wanted. Now, when she looks at herself she has her own flat to do with what she wants and to be able to choose what she wants. That is her home and that is freedom.

 

Chapter 2

 

Aniya sat in her Fiat Punto, took out a packet of Marlboro’s and smoked one to relax her. When she left the orphanage her friends told her about cigarettes and how they relax you. Aniya was not addicted but she liked a puff once in a while to calm herself down. As she was smoking she saw two men in their early twenties wearing black suits walk into the cemetery behind the church. Aniya knew they must be visiting a grave but they did not have flowers. She argued a bit about how cautious she was, telling herself these were just two men wanting to visit a dead relative, maybe? However, Aniya could not control her senses that told her these men were mysterious, so she left her car and followed them carefully.

 

Chapter 3

 

 

She tiptoed behind them watching their every move. Their presence felt weird as if they were hiding something. She crept behind an ancient gravestone so she was not seen, and observed them.

"He told us to meet him here, of course this is the right place Kaleb." Said one of the men dressed in black.

"Look Zion, I’m not underestimating your capabilities. I’m just wondering if you made a mistake in the directions." Kaleb whispered.

"That’s it!" Zion said. He picked Kaleb up by his throat as if he were a child’s teddy bear and threw him against a tree. "You’ve had it in for me, from the very start. I always do a good job and NEVER EVER MAKE A MISTAKE!"

"Zion, I didn’t mean anything by it. I was just wondering!" Kaleb said shakily getting to his feet.

"Just don’t wonder then!" Zion said snarling.

"Why would he want to meet us in this place anyway?" Kaleb said looking disgusted.

Kaleb and Zion carefully surveyed their surroundings with a disgusted look on their face, which could have frightened anyone away, most of all Aniya.

Out of nowhere, a huge swirling portal appeared. Its appearance caught Aniya off guard and she let out a loud gasp of surprise before putting her hand over her mouth. Before Kaleb and Zion could check out where the noise came from, a muscular man stepped out of the portal and then it vanished. This man appeared to be in his early thirties with a body so muscular that it made your eyes hurt, just looking at him. He had short, scruffy, brown hair with penetrating hazel eyes. Aniya assumed these men were something out of the X-Files. Firstly, she saw one of them come out of a portal and secondly, she felt a magical aura around them.

"Kaleb, Zion I told you to find her, before coming to me. It was an easy task to follow. Yet you come back with nothing." The muscular man said with no emotion.

"We’re sorry Reon, but you didn’t give us a detailed description on what she looked like. There are many girls with the name Aniy or something like that. We ask humbly for an even more detailed description of the key." Kaleb said on his knees looking up at Reon.

"I suppose I should give you a better description of her but before I do I need to make sure you were not followed. We don’t want the Mankind knowing of our presence just yet. Kaleb use your sight to see if anyone is near these premises." Reon said nervously looking around.

Kaleb turned around and closed his eyes. He used his mind to and spirit to glance over his surroundings. Aniya knew she would be found sooner or later so she curled in a ball wishing to not be found. Kaleb opened his eyes and turned back around to Reon.

"Master there is no one near, you have my word." Kaleb said bowing slightly.

"Well, I shall take it, but if I find out someone heard what I am about to say to both of you. You are both banished from my lair and if caught you shall be killed and your souls will be ripped from your bodies and trapped in hell forever. Do you understand?" Reon said snarling at them.

"Of course, Master" They both said in unison.

"The Key is a girl round about 18 maybe even 19. Her name is Aniya and she is an orphan. She has no family and I am betting she is not at an orphanage anymore. Hack the Government’s records you shall find her in there. Bring her straight to me do not kill her. I need her alive. Oh and boys, do not come back here with out her." Reon said before disappearing into the portal.

"Wow, I hope this girl is pretty or else it won’t be fun to grab her and make her wish she were never born." Zion said smiling.

"Zion, you heard what Reon said we do not harm a hair on her head or were dead meat. I wonder if she knows what she is, and why we need her. Oh well, all I can say is. I’m glad I am not her." Kaleb said looking at his face in a puddle.

"Lets go hunting!" Zion said before both of them ran off into the suburbs of LA.

 

Chapter 4

 

 

Aniya, who had heard all of what they had said, was very scared. She knew she could not stay at her flat and must seek a roof over head at a friend’s. She didn’t want to think about anything else until she knew she was safe for tonight. She peered over at the rusty gates as if she were certain that a presence were standing there. She quickly whipped her head around, counted to three before getting off the floor and sprinting to her Fiat Punto. She turned the engine on so fast that it stalled, she swore before rebooting the car. She suddenly realized that if they could find out where she lived they would also know her car registration number, by this time she had turned off the engine abruptly. She banged her head continuously for a few seconds on the steering wheel making it beep loudly, echoing all around her. An old lady peered out of her window and shouted at Aniya to stop beeping her horn, or else. Aniya came out of her trance and mumbled a sorry beneath her breath. Aniya sat in her car thinking about what to do, but because she was so worried her mind was not thinking straight.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

She eventually started her car and drove back to her flat knowing she only had a few minutes before they would find out where she lived.

Aniya’s flat was located on the suburbs of LA, luckily it wasn’t in the direction Kaleb and Zion had sprinted to with amazing speed. She shared her flat with an Old Lady whose rooms were directly underneath hers. She always had to remember not to turn the TV on too loud, but Aniya didn’t mind. Her flat was sacred and would always be home to her. But now she felt like it was going to be taken away from her. All what she had earned had mostly gone on the flat. New furniture, quilts, clothes and paints. Her bedroom was especially precious to her; it was the kind of bedroom she would have liked when she was a kid. It had crimson walls, a double bed with bed covers to match the walls. She had posters of all her favorite bands and actors she fancied. She also had a small TV and a stereo in the corner with a pile of her favorite CD’s. Recently she had bought a side table and a silver lamp so she could read at night when the nightmares were at their worst. Anyone who came into it would think it was a teenager’s bedroom. That was why Aniya liked it. She felt like herself when she listened to her I-pod in her bedroom. Today she remembered all the memories she had had in her flat and realized the danger she was in. She packed some clothes, money, her passport, her black tabby cat Midnight, her address book and some of the historic books she had bought on war to help her with her nightmares. She left the car and took a taxi to her boyfriend Max.

Max was kind, caring, mysterious at times and very hunky. He always wore black because he liked being in the shadows although; to Aniya it seemed that being that hunky he could never be in the shadows. Max also went to the same orphanage Aniya went to and they had been friends since six. They had only been going out since they had left the orphanage. They had thought now that they were both out of the orphanage it was time to take it to the next step and they already knew each other so well. She was meant to meet him anyway tonight so she knew he was expecting her, but not this early! Aniya had never told him of her dreams but she knew she might have to today. This made her feel uncomfortable.

She arrived at his house and paid the taxi driver. She walked with her head down up the steep stairs leading to his front door as if she were leading him too his death. Maybe that was true, but she couldn’t think about that know. She didn’t want him to get into trouble but she needed help. She rang his doorbell and no answer. She rang it again and no answer. She had told him on the phone last night, that she would be there for three. It was now one. She kept on ringing the doorbell but of course nobody answered it. She sat on his doorstep and cried. She had never felt so alone. A dark figure was slowly walking towards Aniya although she was hardly aware of his presence by all the water that had covered her eyes. The figure knelt down next to Aniya and picked her off of the cold floor. At this particular moment she didn’t care whom it was she just wanted someone to hold her. She wiped her beaten eyes and found blue eyes looking back at her. She knew these blue eyes so well. They had watched her grow up from when she was a baby. Aniya hugged this figure so tightly that it seemed she never wanted to let go. Finally, Aniya let go of the figure to pick up her heavy bags from the floor. She looked back at the figure and stared into those mesmerizing blue eyes, she wished she could melt into those eyes forever, but time was scarce.

 

Chapter 6

 

"Max!" Aniya said before breaking down into tears onto Max’s muscular shoulder. Max wiped Aniya’s tears with the back of his hand. He took her hand in his hand gently with so much grace not meant for a man.

"Aniya, What’s wrong? You said to meet me at three o’clock; it’s only one. Tell me!" Max said pulling her away from him so that he could stare into her warm brown eyes.

"I need to sit down!" Aniya said putting her hand to her head. Max slung her bags over his muscular shoulder and opened the door so forcefully that it nearly came off its hinges when he pushed it against the wall.

"Go and sit in the living room while I may you a stiff drink. Don’t protest you look like you need it…" Max said trailing off to the kitchen while Aniya walked into his messy living room and sat down on the black leather couch. Aniya looked round and knew changes had been made to this room since the last time she had stayed over. There used to be pictures of Max’s dog Chip and his old mates from the college. He used to have a huge C D collection and a huge hi-fi stereo. Now there are no photos on the walls and there are no CD’s or hi-fi stereo, just a plain work-study desk and a swivel chair. Aniya thought about the reasons why Max would do that. Aniya hadn’t seen him for a whole week and so when she had seen his baby blue eyes and cried on his shoulder, she suddenly realized how much she loved him.

The first time she had met him was when a girl was bullying her called Jess at the orphanage and he came over and threatened her to stop bullying Aniya. She ran off and cried and he told her his name, Max. Aniya grew up to like him very much and started to have a crush on him but she couldn’t jeopardize their friendship just for her feelings. He started hanging around with her and she could tell he only wanted to be her friend. Aniya went out with other boys when she was fifteen to try and get him out of her mind but it didn’t work and she always got dumped or cheated on. Max always comforted her; telling her there were other fish in the sea, but she didn’t want other boys she wanted him.

There was this one boy, Jake, who Aniya had been going out with for four months and Max was really happy for her. Aniya was actually happy, because Jake made her happy and was a lot like Max in fact. Anyway, one day she tripped over his mobile and accidentally stumbled onto his inbox and found several texts to this girl called Roxy. Aniya was so shocked she had to sit down. She then had the courage to ring Max up and tell him to come over. Aniya remembers that day so clearly; when she told Max he shouted swear words so bad she wouldn’t dare repeat them. He stormed out of her room and got a lift to the club that Jake said he’d meet this girl Roxy at.

This particular club was the kind of club mums say bad things happen there. But Aniya had no mum and at this moment didn’t care. Aniya got a cab to make sure Max didn’t do anything to disastrous. She saw Max go into the club with so much anger in his eyes that she knew he could do some serious damage. She went in after him. Max went up to Jake and punched him right in the nose and broke it. Jake just stood up looking so shocked. Max just pounded him some more before telling him to sling his hook. It was then when Max turned around he saw Aniya staring at Jake with so much sorrow in her eyes. Aniya turned her head to look at this Roxy girl. She was tall and curvy and was wearing an all in one leather suit and she had long blond hair. She even had her zip down to her navel to show off her amazing cleavage. Aniya screamed at Jake asking him why he did this to her and what pleasure did it give him to see her this sad? He didn’t say anything and didn’t even have the guts to look at her. This made Aniya angrier. She slammed into Roxy and punched and kicked her so much she was leaving bruises. Max tried to stop her but she was too quick for him. She put one of her hands in her pocket and felt her flick-knife there. She got it out and opened it up. Before she could stab Roxy, Max got in her way and pulled the flick-knife out of her grasp. She gasped at what she had nearly done and ran out of the club crying. She tried to catch a cab but they just ignored her. She saw Max stumble out of the club with fear, was he afraid of what she had nearly done? Aniya thought back to those last moments and was so shocked about what she had nearly done she threw up over the pavement.

"Aniya, are you ok?" Max said rushing down to pick her up off of the floor. Aniya pushed him away from herself rubbing her eyes to hide her tears but Max had seen.

"Do you bloody think I’m ok? You saw what I nearly did to that girl." Aniya said with so much emotion she started crying again. Max came toward her and hugged her; Aniya didn’t have the strength to argue or push him away.

"Aniya you’re not a bad person. You need to believe that." Max said slightly rocking backwards and forwards with her, which was quite comforting

 

 

 

 

.

"Max how can you say that when I nearly stabbed that b****!" Aniya shouted b**** with such venom she was shaking all over.

"Please don’t do this to yourself, It’s his bloody mother f***ing fault. Remember that. I can’t believe he was seeing her all this time when he was meant to be going out with you. I have half a mind to go back in and batter him some more." Max said releasing himself from their hug and started to clench his fists.

"Max, he’s not worth it. It’s my own fault. Look at me, I am not as good looking as that b****. I don’t have big boobs and I don’t have an amazing body. I have always tried to look my best when I was with him, but maybe that just wasn’t good enough." Aniya looked down at the pavement so that Max could not see her cry. If he saw she couldn’t bear it.

"He’s f***ing stupid to think you’re not beautiful. You have the most amazing chocolatey eyes, which draw you in, and really pouty lips that if you don’t mind me saying that are meant for kissing. You may not have an amazing figure but who cares. That b**** was artificially beautiful with all that make-up on her face. You…you’re naturally beautiful and any boy in his right mind would never leave you for that w****." Max said before he started hugging her tightly as if he didn’t want to let her go.

"Max, I want someone to love me for who I am. I am tired of being alone with no one to care for and no one to care for me. I am a f***ing orphan and I can never change that, just like you." Aniya said weeping on his shoulder.

"Aniya I have never had the guts too say this so don’t stop me or else I won’t be able to carry on. Aniya I thought of you as my friend since you were sixteen but when you started going out with Jake I was suddenly jealous. I tried not to think of you but you were there in my dreams. I kept wanting to tell you but I was too chicken. Then when you told me he had been cheating on you, I was happy…happy…could you believe that all I was thinking about was myself. Then when I saw your face all that happiness went because of how sad you looked. I wanted to make him pay for what he had done to you. Then when you nearly stabbed that b**** I had to stop you. That made me feel horrible to see how angry you were at him that you nearly killed someone. What I am trying to say is, I love you and have always loved you Aniya. Would you be my girl…" Before Max could finish his sentence Aniya snogged Max with so much passion that they nearly toppled over.

"I’ll take that as a yes." Max laughed and put his arm over her shoulder and they walked home together.

That was one of Aniya’s favorite moments in her life. She had been going out with Max for two years, but it seemed like a lifetime. He was in college at the moment working at a diploma for media studies to help get into the Journalism business. Ever since Aniya had known him he had always wanted to be either a reporter for a newspaper or a Journalist. As he got older he wanted to be a Journalist so he could visit places all over the World. Aniya had helped him all the way through his career and she was very important to him. When they left the orphanage they had seemed to separate themselves a bit because of their career choices. However, Aniya realized what was happening and started making more of an effort to keep their relationship as strong as ever. She hadn’t seen him in ages because he had gone to Italy with his mates for a couple of weeks and that’s why Aniya had made a time to see him.

Chapter 7

 

Aniya got off the sofa and walked over to the mirror hanging on Max’s wall. Aniya had tanned skin which most of her friends would die for. Her hair was blood red and was very long and straight. She also had a side fringe that was always getting in the way. Her eyes were jet black but everyone mistook them for a really dark brown because they didn’t trust in their eyesight. She was five feet nine and was happy with this height. She always wore black because it suited her and it was her favorite color. She only wore heels on special occasions. Max had often teased her saying that he bet she just couldn’t stand up in them.

Max came into the living room with what looked like whiskey in a glass tumbler. Aniya took it with shaky hands and downed it all in one and in doing so making her choke her guts out (not literally).

"Are you trying to kill yourself, Aniya? I have only ever seen you this shaken and that was when you had nearly killed a…girl." Max said pushing his anger down when he said that last word because he didn’t think that person deserved to be called a girl after what she had done to Aniya but there were more pressing issues to worry about.

"Max…I don’t know where to start!" Aniya said shakily. Max sat closer to her on the sofa and eventually she put her hand in his.

"Try to start from the beginning and don’t leave anything out, ok!" Max said anxiously waiting for her response.

So Aniya told Max everything from when she started getting the nightmares till up to now. Max had kept silent giving Aniya his attention. She paused at the end to let him sink it in giving him time to ask whatever questions he wanted. Aniya was tired from keeping this secret from everyone so she was happy to get it off her chest and be able to share it with someone.

"Let me get this right. Since you were born you have had nightmares of battle scenes that had never occurred in history and now you know two supernatural men are out looking for you, calling you the Key. This is impossible!" Max said looking up at the ceiling.

"Max look at me. What I have said is true and if you don’t believe me there is no point in our relationship and I will leave." Aniya said before getting up off of the sofa.

"Hold it! Of course I believe you, you are the most important person in my life and if it was somebody else I would naturally assume they were having me on. But I know you and you don’t lie and if you did, I can tell. It’s just hard to digest that’s all. When did you see these men?" Max said showing concern in his voice.

"Probably around twelve thirty, why?" Aniya said looking up at him.

"It means we have three hours we can sleep before we can go round my mates to help us get into another country." Max said getting off the sofa before going to his desk and opening his address book to find the information he needed.

"You would do this for me? Max I probably don’t tell you this enough but I love you. I hope you know that. Why do we need to go round your mates by the way?" Aniya said getting off the sofa to kiss him before putting her arms round his waist.

"And I love you too! My mates a hacker and he can find out if those men are already into the government’s database and if they aren’t he can keep us informed. He owes me a favor anyway." Max said turning towards Aniya before giving her a passionate kiss which ended up becoming a loving snog.

"Do we have to sleep for three hours?" Aniya said while hugging him.

"Yes we do because you need to rest and I am tired. Maybe if you’re a good girl we might play some games." Max said smirking down at her. She gave him a smile and he led her to his bedroom.

Chapter 8

 

 

They cached up on what they had both done when Max had gone to Italy. She never did get to play games because as soon as she closed her eyes she was off. Max didn’t wake her up because he had also gone to sleep. They both awoke to noise of Max’s alarm bleeping away. Max got up first and went into the bathroom to put his contact lenses in. Aniya on the other hand just lay on the bed; watching him put them in looking at his body at the same time. When he walked back into the bedroom he noticed she was staring at him with amazement.

"What you looking at?" He said smirking.

"Your handsome body which didn’t play games with me. Not fair!" Aniya said looking sad.

"I promise you that we will play games soon, it’s just you needed your sleep as much as me." Max said getting back into bed with her stroking her cheek. Before he could kiss Aniya the phone rang, Aniya was just about to pick it up but Max signaled to her that it could be them so she silently handed it over to him.