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The fire danced like flightless birds in the amber of her eyes. Flames chased each other to the sound of the drums and once again her mind was filled with childhood memories; the chases around the fire, the hushing of parents, and the scolding of the elders. Now…well now it all changed. Nothing would ever be the same. The only thing that would remain was the legends and ancient warriors that still haunted the grounds.

Nakoma sat idly, her hands tucked neatly inside the sleeves of her sweatshirt, folded delicately under her chin. This would be perhaps the millionth time she heard the story of the princess and her warrior; she could even possibly tell the story better than the elder that sat in front of them. His voice was barely above a whisper these days, wherein only a decade ago was filled with vibrancy and life. She remembered when all the children were afraid of him and he chased them playfully around the fires, while their mothers and fathers gave praise to the old spirits, filling the camp with songs and sounds that were unexplainable to the foreign ear. It was as close to heaven as a child could get. Now he was barely a fragment of his old self, especially after the fire last year, taking out his house and farm. All the rumors and accusations…which one was true? No one really knew. How could they?

Lost in thought, she hummed softly an old Indian chant, something of which many did while listening to this tale in particular. Legend told the story of a princess from a neighboring tribe. She was being forced to marry a man she didn’t want and didn’t love and had run to the Poospatuck to be with her true love. They took off that evening, down to the river, in hopes of consummating their love for another and instead were hunted down and killed by the princesses’ tribe. Her lover fought for her life, but to no avail. They were captured, tied and bound together and tossed into the river to their death. A very basic story and perhaps boring, but on good nights if you were to take a walk down the moonlit path to the river, you can still sometime hear the screams and almost feel the tears dropping off the tips of the leaves. Some would even go as far as believing that on the anniversary of that night, the princess rises and takes a couple back to the river with her. Scary thought when one is ten, but not believable once an adult.

“Nakoma,” she was shaken out of her trance when she felt her best friends hand on her shoulder.
Moema, the same age as Nakoma, had been her best friend since birth. Neither of them would have it any other way. Both of their parents were single. Nakoma’s father had died in an accident, while he was roofing for a company in a neighboring city. A bucket of hot tar fell on him, as he “accidently” fell to his death four stories high. Her mother wasn’t hearing that story however. She had it planted firmly in her head, that it was an attempt in eradicating more of their kind. Though many years had passed and their history was fading fast, most of the tribe still held a strong distaste for the Caucasians. The Poospatuck people were one of the smallest tribes that still existed in New York. Most had been killed and ran off during the revolutionary war and world war two. Not even three hundred still lived; and a fair majority due to poor health and education and family planning didn’t give a bright future to the remainders.

“Hey,” Nakoma whispered softly over to her friend, watching her take a seat on the log next to her. Moema leaned her head on her friends shoulder and sighed, she also quite tired of hearing these tales being told over and over. The girls giggled as they mouthed the last few lines of the legend, only to be glared at by one of the female elders, causing the pair to straighten up quickly, barely able to hide that laughter in their eyes however. She laced her fingers through her best friends and patiently waited for yet another boring night to be over. Sure to an outsider this may have seemed like a history story come to life, but for them it was just another night. Another tale.

“Nakoma!” she heard her mother call her from the shadows as everyone began to part ways. “It’s going to rain come home soon,” her mother tone was so full of pain and bitterness. She wished to the gods she could change that.

“I’ll be there in a second,” she called out and leaned over to whisper in her friends’ ear. “Meet me at the river tonight?” she looked up to see her response and was met with one of shock. For so long she had spoken about leaving. Running far away from this place and never looking back. What did she stay for? Her mother had her brother and if she stayed out of pity, she would never find the nerve.

“Moon over the trail?” it wasn’t as though they didn’t have watches or clocks, but the moon held something special to it, a sort of sign.

“You know it won’t be…it’s supposed to rain tonight,” Moema scrunched up her face and shook her friend, but seen the determination in her best friends eyes.

“It will be there I promise,” Nakoma nodded and let her hand slip from hers and took off running to meet up with her mother and brother.

It wouldn’t be long before the winds started to blow and the leaves began to twirl and dance in the air. It was going to be a rough night and what better way of disappearing. They wouldn’t find her so easily. The tracks would be covered and by morning she hoped to be at her starting destination. She had it all figured out and played the scenario out in her mind over and over again, almost preoccupying her words and actions at dinner.
“You barely ate anything,” her mother raised a brow from across the table. She could always tell when something was on her mind and her brother as well. They both knew her too well.

“Just not hungry…it’s really good ,” she tried smiling but was interrupted by a droplet from the ceiling, a leak that went purposely unnoticed on most occasions, except when it rained hard like this. Her brother cleared his throat and grunted. “I love how you make this stew momma…you know that,” she tried hard to reassure her now, even though she could see the tears well up in her mother’s eyes. It wasn’t like her to show emotion however, she had to and always did stay strong for them.

“I’ll fix it tomorrow,” her brother finally said and pushed away from the table ready to collect plates.
Nakoma’s eyes followed him and gave him one good final last look. This perhaps would be the last time and though the guilt flowed through her, she knew this was something she had to do. Neither of them would let her go willingly, she had talked about it before and was struck down by harsh words and ridiculous advice. Excusing herself from the table, she trudged up the creaky stairs and made haste in packing a bag. She needed to keep it light and practical in order to travel. The city wasn’t too far from them, but during the night and in the rain would make things more challenging. She made sure to be quiet as she heard her brothers’ footsteps coming up the stairs. She could barely breathe. Once she heard the door close, she slung the backpack over her shoulder, made her bed and tidied up her room. She was leaving, not being disrespectful. Taking one final look around, she grabbed a small jewelry box off her dresser and shoved it in her jean pocket. Lifting her head she caught the haze of the moon shining right into her window, despite the rain. Smiling she knew it was a sign and wasted no time in perching herself on the ledge and dropping to safety as she had done so many times while sneaking out.

Nakoma ran up the beaten path, guided by what seemed to be the moon spirits. They were giving her wings and strength that they knew she needed for this journey. Once far enough she could smell the river and hear its roars and could also see her friends shadow along the shoreline.

“Nakoma,” she heard Moema’s voice barely above a whisper, riddled with pain and fear for her.

“I have to do this…we knew this day would come,” she tried to explain to her for the hundredth time hoping this time she might understand. “I can hear them calling me,” she said softly and kissed her cheek, then handed her the small jewelry case from her pocket, telling her not to open it until morning. She kissed her friends head gently and disappeared into the cold dark air like a shadow.

The night would prove to be challenging, having to walk halfway through the woods and halfway down a long dark road. All the while she could feel the wings of freedom guiding her closer. Her plan was in short to take the bus up to Niagara Falls, NY and from there make her way into Canada via the Rainbow Bridge. They would never think to look that far and by the time they did she would be long gone in an entirely different country. She wasn’t ignorant however; she had planned this month's ago and waited for the right time to present itself. Now it was here. Now it was her time to shine and give the spirits what they wanted. A new her. A new life. A new legend to tell.

Bright lights and explosions. Nakoma stepped off the overcrowded, stinky, hot bus; and took a breath of fresh air that she thought she may never get again. She swore then and there, that she would never set foot on one again, not if her life depended on it. Reaching back she pulled her thick raven hair off her shoulders and braided it down her back quickly. She had become a pro at it since being a child, her and Moema would sit for hours playing in each other’s hair down by the infamous haunted river. There wasn’t much else to do, especially during the long hot summers as opposed to the winter where the hills came alive, filled with boys and girls sledding and building snowmen. The weather was changing, Nakoma could feel it.

Looking down at her beat up watch, the one with the owl face and fake gold plated hands that barely moved anymore. It was a gift from her father before he passed, it didn’t matter if it was on its last leg, barely connected to the leather straps that were already wearing away. She would always keep it. Her timing could have been better, but then again when was the last time she had to make bus connections in cities that she wasn’t even remotely familiar with? Looking up she seen the sign for a Quality Inn and sighed. What she wouldn’t do to be in a warm room, resting on a soft bed after taking a hot shower. Soon enough she assured herself. Adjusting the bag on her back, she started down the street paying close attention to the streets. A bit confusing she concluded, as it was mostly a tourist area. It was a little after ten o’ clock now and her connecting bus to Canada was to come at ten fifteen, otherwise she would be stuck until the morning and who knows what she would do in that situation.

As fast as her legs would take her, she walked in and out of the well manicured streets. It was stunning with all the lights, the lit up bridge and all the amusements; it was something she had never seen before and almost resented her family for not exposing her to the outside beauties besides the reservation. Nakoma’s eyes lit up instantly upon hearing an explosion and capturing her attention straight ahead. Fireworks. The only time she had seen them was when she was allowed to go with a friend to a fourth of July party in the neighboring city. And to be honest they seemed trivial to these. Her raven orbs flickered in the rays of the rainbow colored sparks. Loosing herself in the moment, it took up five minutes of valuable time, never once giving heed to the time. When the finale approached and nearly took her breath, did she think to take a look again at the time. Ten after ten…she would never make it.

Nakoma took off like a bat out of hell, running down the main strip to make an attempt to catch the train going over. She nearly came to a skidding halt when she reached the terminal, barely able to make words with the clerk, who raised a brow and rolled her eyes.

“Can I help you,” she said in the dullest tone ever.

“I need to buy a ticket going into Canada,” Nakoma pulled out the small wad of cash, starting to count the money she had betted on needing from the beginning, but was cut off by a smirk and point in the other direction where there was just a train pulling off.

“Hang on to your money dear, last train of the night,” the young woman said and made no hesitation in preparing a closed sign and turning off her lights. She locked up with a quickness and met Nakoma around on the other side of the booth.

“I missed it?!” Nako almost squealed in desperation. “What time does the first train run tomorrow,” the words felt numb coming out of her mouth. Stupid fireworks and their enchanting sparks.

“About seven or so, but you can come as early as when the booth opens and purchase your ticket,” the snotty girl almost looked sympathetic toward the little native girl for a second and then shrugged.

“Thanks,” her heart dropped a little as she began to walk away, her eyes now looking at the city in an entirely different light. Where at first it seemed beautiful and alluring; now it just seemed intimidating and scary.

“There are a few motels up the way on the boulevard and the park is closing right about now,” the girl called out as she walked in the opposite direction. “Careful,” was all she said before her shadow disappeared into the night.

This was what she feared and she was forced to make a choice. Wait patiently on a bench until the sun rose or spend her last amount of dollars on a hotel room. Her entire journey would be pointless. Nakoma ran her long fingers over her face and felt a chill come over her. It would be getting chilly pretty soon and it looked as though it might even rain. Sighing she took her loss and moved down the streets, looking for any place to take shelter, feeling homeless and helpless at the same time. The only option was to go back to the train station and take wait there. At least she’d be somewhat safe…safer than on the streets that is. So she made her way back and set herself up nicely in a corner, backpack on her lap, still attached to her chest, her hand in her pockets holding tight to a homemade knife, ready for danger.

She would be brave that night, her eyes fighting with each other to stay open and alert, but it nearly made her sick to fight any longer. Soon her eyes fluttered closed, every couple of minutes they would pop open to check her surroundings. It was to no avail that she slipped into a deeper sleep, one that would knock her out until morning came hopefully soon.

“Nakoma,” she was shaken awake by a familiar hand on her arm and a welcoming smile to brighten up her day.

“Moema!!” she couldn’t believe it, or maybe she was dreaming was her first reaction as she reached up to touch her friends face gently. “What are you doing here?!” sitting up straight, she tried to collect herself while rubbing the sand of her eyes.

“I took the train ahead of you,” she smiled and winked at her, and reached down to take her hand and pull her to her feet. “Come on…the train will be here soon,” she grabbed some of Nakomas’ on the floor trying to rush her along.

“Who knows you followed?” she followed Moema’s pursuit, still in wonderment of what was going on.

“No one. I took a few dollars from Anna’s purse last night and took the next bus out,” she laughed as she remembered how stealthy she had been while robbing her older sister’s wallet. “Got about two hundred,” she winked and watched her friends face turn into a relieved smile. “Did you really think I would let you leave on your own?” she pushed playfully at her as they approached the ticket booth.

The girls safely boarded the train and finally sat comfortably. Nakoma slipped her hand through Moema’s and sighed.

“So I did a little research,” Nako looked over at her friend and pulled out piece of paper with numerous things jotted down. “There’s a place called Harper Rock, not too far over, but far enough they wont find us if they come looking. It’s not a huge city but I think we could manage there. Lots of jobs offered and the apartments are cheap and until then we can stay at a hostel maybe?” she looked at her friend in hopes she would agree.

“I just hope it’s that easy,” still she gave her a smile and squeezed her hand softly before letting go and leaning her head against the window. “I really hope you thought this through, because we can’t go back now,” they’re families would be livid and not very understanding.

“We’re fine,” she whispered back and they stayed quiet the remainder of the trip.

“Harper Rock Wickbridge Station,” the conductor called out loudly taking the girls by surprise.

“You ready?” Moema laughed and gathered her bag.

A few mysterious looks were passed as they began to walk and the girls could feel it. Nakoma had always been spiritually inclined and her best friend recognized and supported her. If this was where her heart was leading her, then it was obviously for a reason. Moema had always been the ride a long, but it didn’t matter much, she was just happy to take part in her best friends journey.

And so the journey began.

Tizoc had been sure to set up a fadeportal leading to the Newborough Station within the bowels of his lair almost first thing. The area of town was one of the worst if not the worst in the city, a dying industrail area next to the slums of the city. Still, buses stopped there and the nearby University was assuring that they constantly would. Starving college students being the main staple in the area they had quickly become one of Ambrose's main staples in his diet.

There was another group of people that came through on occasion too though. Transients, travelers passing through from wherever they were coming from to get to wherever they were going. The ease of long distance travel in this age baffled Ambrose and he couldn't bring himself to fully trust the plethora of human made vehicles. He detested being even in a car.

Jose was gone. In a way Ambrose lamented the loss of the thrall. He was needed to play his part in the dance between Adelita and himself but it did leave the vampire without a servant which was something he surely and sorely missed and needed. It was a pity the gangster had pissed Adelita off so quickly and irrevocably. He would had been paying Adelita a hefty stipend for her silence to Ambrose about her dislike. Ambrose had not been amused with that. Jose had made a deal with another vampire behind his back. The fact it had been Adelita only enraged him further. After two centuries as a vampire walking the night and the same again as a wraith it was a cold rage that burned in Ambrose, a patient cold ember ready to burst forth an shower the altar with blood.

Ambrose have given some thought to the way Jose had thrashed under the obsidian you could tell a lot about a person in their last moments. You could see to the core of them. You saw it with each embrace, each turning. Some went with arms or legs wrapped around their murderers, others went out fighting. Some went softly, others, like Jose went begging and screaming. Xipe Totec had been appeased as Ambrose has flayed the skin from the man Tezcatlipoca's altar had been drenched, covered in the shredded remains.

Ambrose closed his eyes remembering the scent of the blood flowing through the air, splattering like like droplets of rain across his face and chest again and again... He had presented the heart and the Head to Adelita as a gift. She had been slightly unimpressed, though Tizoc knew she had wanted the thralls demise. He remembered her smile.

Unbidden the image of an owl comes to Tizoc's mind. And owl flying away from home and coming here, to Harper Rock. Behind it a human female runs laughing. The owl stops it's silent flight, landing and looking back to the human and just as she catches up, takes to flight. The girl turns and behind her, a jaguar.

As the vision fades Ambrose rises and walks toward the fadeportal leading to Newborough Station.

The gods call him and he must answer their vision with action. He must find the owl.

For the first time ever, the two young women felt free. There was nothing expected of them except the expectations that they placed on themselves. It was liberating and their souls felt light and anew. Nakoma had always been the more wise and cautious one, and Moema the more likely to use reckless abandonment with most steps she took. It was a yin and yang situation, but somehow, someway it all worked out into perfect harmony with that pair. The girls even thought it was a divine sign from the spirits that they were born exactly six months apart on the exact same time and day. This alone bonded them quickly. They were inseparable.

“I wrote down some addresses,” Nakoma stopped to search her bag, noting how dark and seedy things were beginning to look. Sure they might have been tough girls, but in a place that was unknown to them, no one could be sure what dangers await.

“You guys looking for someplace to go?” a voice from behind scared Nakoma to her feet, ready for war if necessary.

It was a young man, maybe about their age or so. He himself looked as though he needed a home. “
Nakoma’s eyes narrowed as she stepped closer to her friend. “Really just trying to find a cheap hotel or something for the night,” she said slowly then shrugged a bit. “We just got stuck here until morning when we take the next train out to Toronto,” she picked up her bag and placed it snuggly behind her back. “Visiting relatives,” she lied through her teeth, hoping to ward the weird guy off. She knew well enough that most anyone would take advantage of them out here in the streets.

“Ahh yah ok,” there was a laugh behind his voice and he raised a brow. “Take Wickbridge to Newborough,” he pointed across town in the opposite direction. “You’ll find something there and the neighborhood gets way nice then here,” he seemed sincere enough and of course the girls believed him.

“Cool. Thanks,” they both nodded to him and started back to the train station they had come from.

“So we get a cheap room there, rest for the night and as soon as we wake up there are a few places I want to go to that I think we could apply for,” looking over at Moema, her expression matched her best friends, and they both busted out in giggles.

“I really hope he’s right…seemed like it,” Moema always hoped for the best, but even though the front seemed good, there was something buried deep in the back of Nakoma’s soul that almost made her not want to head that way. It was silly she thought, always feeling paranoid and creeped out. This was supposed to be an awesome experience, she had to let go just a little.

The train pulled just moments later and the two girls boarded quickly. It was a bit further than she had expected, and it sure didn’t seem as though any of the city was looking better, but Moema didn’t seem to mind and was quite taken by the scenery that flashed by. Nakoma rolled her eyes a little and nudged her when it was time to get off. “Come on,” she urged her friend and stepped off the train.

So this was Newborough? It could have been the beginning of a funny movie, the way their faces both dropped and their mouth’s popped open in surprise. Just like Nakoma thought the man was lying, well he really did. They were better off in Wickbridge. She closed her eyes a little and ran her hand over her face.

“So he lied,” Moema said innocently, her shoulders sinking and there was a whine in her voice that screamed out disappointment.

“Yes he lied,” Nako confirmed and grabbed her friend’s hand tugging at her reluctantly.

“Let’s find a room and get a good shower, then some good sleep and tomorrow we will just have to be more cautious of who we get our information from,” she laughed a little, but couldn’t have been any more serious.

The girls weaved through a few streets, their eyes scanning up and down hoping to get a sign of life. Both could feel the fright off of each other’s skin and in such they walked closer to one another. They had come this far so good; they would go the rest of the way with courage.

Courage... some call courage valor. The willingness to do what is right no matter the consequences. What is right? To two young women making their own way in the world, right would be to get a job, a place to stay and to maybe find men to fall in love with, have children and raise a family. To Ambrose it was much the same. Right was finding suitable childer and embracing them, bringing them into his fledgling bloodline, granting them immortality while making them blood drinking monsters. In this new world courage was based on perception.

Some within his line had already voiced opinions the old monster could not understand. He had been a vampire too long to think of his telepathic abilities as anything more than his vision was, or his hearing. When he looked to someone his mind instantly reached out. When he wanted something, he would use the gifts of his path to draw someone in and make them want to give it to him. So it was this time, like all other times, as it had been for centuries.

Allurists are deceivers, manipulators. They feel things like none other of the damned. They road emotional highs and were crushed under the weight of lows. While a Killer may gradually lose all emotions the opposite was true with the Allurist. They were the passionate path. Some would call them the weakest. They didn't understand all their powers meant nothing when an Allurist turned their own power on them, neutering the desire to harm entirely.

Even worse when the volatile Allurist bridged past Illusionist and began to learn telepathy. Being able to affect the emotions of others while reading their thoughts was a devastating one-two punch in any situation. Ambrose had been alive a long time and these powers, though they took effort, were second nature. Like a human reaching for a knife to cut their meat. Unthought of, instinctive after so long.

The girls, their instincts were to fear the unknown future ahead of them as they walked through the streets of Harper Rock. That fear would have served them better than the courage they fought to muster.

Humans spend their entire lives suppressing instincts. Animals spend theirs living by them. Ambrose, a creature or thought and instinct, did both.

When he spotted the pair walking away he immediately did what he always does. He gave them a precursory scan with his mind, delved into their memories unbidden, unwanted and plucked out the things that mattered most to them. In that moment he saw the watch... modern to Ambrose's mind but tarnished with age... on the face, an owl. The vision.

The other girl, she matched the one he had seen with the owl...

Ambrose follows the two out into the cool embrace of the night, walking casually but slightly faster than them to close the distance. His mind begins to wander to the how, when and where or what needs done.

As he closes in and overhears talk of finding a place to stay he coughs from behind them...

"These streets are no place for two young girls to be out at night."

Courage slowly began to dissipate as the streets became darker and with no hope in sight of finding suitable dwelling for the night.

“We need to just head back,” Nakoma looked over to her friend hoping she would agree.

Poor Moema looked as if she wouldn’t make it another step, her shoulders hung and she had those god awful bags under her eyes that nearly puffed up her entire face. Nakoma sighed and reached over to hug her friend close. “We’ll just go back to that other side of town we were in…I think I seen some hotels over there,”

Nakoma wasn’t one to cry but she couldn’t help starting to feel responsible for Moe being there. Sure it had been her friends’ choice to follow, but now that she had, Nakoma knew what Moema was capable of and what she wasn’t.

“Maybe we should just go back home Nako…” her friend stopped and seemed irritated by her sisters suggestion.

“Maybe back home just isn’t that bad,” she knew her best friend wouldn’t understand.

“No Moema,” Nako planted her feet on the ground and stood with a stern look on her face, determined. “You can go home if you wish…but I’m not going,” she stared at her best friend for a moment, both girls drilling a hole through each other’s.

“What am I going to do at home? What are WE going to do there?” she was so frustrated and it all seemed to have built up until now. “There are no people there Moema…we are a few strong and our people are dying…there are no opportunities because the elderly can’t see past the old ways,” she paused and ran her long fingers through her hair. She would have continued but her ears picked up on the faint sound of footsteps. The girls had been having their moments of doubt and misery and hadn’t paid attention to anything around them.

“It’s not like we are running away from home or something,” she continued as she realized she had left Moema rather speechless. Again guilt set in and this time it made her growl under her breath. “Plenty of people leave home to find new opportunities, like jobs, housing…whatever,” she could see explaining was doing nothing for her best friend. Normally Moe was the carefree one, the one that always kept a smile even in the worst situations, the one that Nakoma looked to when she needed her spirits lifted. Her name matched her perfectly; she was sweet but always with a touch of insanity.

“I know,” she looked to her friend obviously annoyed. “This is just crazy and being out here isn’t safe,” tugging her sweatshirt closer around her arms, she looked around nervously as she should be.

Moema couldn’t have spoken too soon, than they heard the voice that seemed to almost mysteriously creep upon them.

“We’re actually trying to find someplace to stay…” Nakoma glanced down at her watch then over to the man. He looked harmless enough. Older. Didn’t have any obvious weapons. Still she knew better than to trust anyone in a city she knew little about. “A motel or hotel? Any around here?” perhaps this would be their breakthrough for the night and hopefully they were on their way to someplace they could relax and regroup.