House Graven

"Mr. Graven?.......Mr. Graven? A Mr. Dawn is here to see you."

Scion sat turned in his high-backed chair facing the city through the giant windows.

"Actually, it's Alpha-Count Jasper Montgomery Dawn, ma'am." Said the mountain of a man in the 3 piece suit as he brushed past the secretary on his way into the large room.

"Sir!" She said in a calm authoritative voice as she began to reach for the man. Her eye's beginning to glow a terrifying yellow.

"It's fine Ms. Holcomb. Close the door and cancel any meetings for the rest of the evening. Thank you, and you may leave for the night." Scion said nonchalant as he waved her off.

"Yes Mr. Graven, as you wish." She said in the same calm tone as she exited the room, pulling the doors closed behind her.

"She's, feisty isn't she?"

"She's loyal and a Draga."

"I could tell. Draga, the half Dragon's right? Protective beast's and loyal to a fault if I remember my history."

"Exactly." Scion smiled slightly.

"Good sort to have around. So, Scion what's this about? Why have you asked me here so late?" Jasper said as he pulled up a chair to face the back of Scion's.

Scion turned to face his friend.

"I think, no, I know the time has come old friend."

A look of puzzlement flashed across Jasper's face before realization hit him hard.

"What? You can't mean that Scion." Jasper said, flabbergasted at his friends lack of care for his own life.

"We both knew this time would come Jasper. We just didn't know when. Well, I'm telling you it's here, now, and if you will not help me then I will take matters into my own hands." Scion said coolly.

"Scion, you can't be serious. It hasn't even been that long, you've not been searching for very long at all. You have to give it time!" It was at this point Jasper started to lose what little patients he had left.

"Jasper, we made a deal. You may recall some time ago I confided in you that there may come a point where I lose my will to live. You may also recall what I told you would be the outcome of such loss."

Jasper locked eye's with his old friend, steel gray to his own dimmed ones.

"Ah, I see your eye's no longer resemble the cobalt green and metallic copper of the rolling hills that flood our mother land." Scion stated.

"Aye, that is true. However, I've not been on the hunt for my mate. She'll come when the Goddess deems me ready and worthy to receive her. Things are different for us my friend. Scion, you have so much to live for and a company to run. You have to give yourself more time."

"Jasper look at me. My eye's, my hair, my skin. I'm loosing myself to the dark. Should I lose my will to live it will not only be the end for me but for the entire city. I will bring about such devastation the likes to which none has ever seen before. I will tear the city apart brick by brick until there is nothing left but ashes and blood. It will be at this point where you realize why....why I asked what I have asked of you." Scion never moved from his chair, never raised his voice. He sat calm and spoke as though he were merely discussing the weather.

Jasper however could take no more. He rose from his seat and began to pace the office floor, racking a hand through his now frazzled golden brown hair.

"Scion, I just...I don't know if I can."

A deadly silence filled the space between them as they stared at each other.

"We were both warriors once, we fought side by side after the Great Uniting and we both saw the devastation of when House Mayweather fell. We...You saw what happened to Lucial when he succumbed to the dark and lost his will to live. He nearly destroyed an entire country. Romania will never be the same, even now, hundreds of years later. Do you want that same fate to befall this country as well?" Scion asked in his cool tone.

"I remember well what happened just as I remember what I promised you. But, I must ask, for me, please reconsider your decision Scion. Take some time, a leave off absence maybe. Come home, back to Graven Manor, I'll even accompany you. Who knows maybe it will do us both some good to let off a little steam."

"Jasper..."

"Just think about it. My plane leaves tonight, 9pm. Please Scion, just consider coming home before you make your final decision." Jasper straightened his suit and raked back his hair. He turned to leave and just as he opened the door he glanced over his shoulder.

"By the way, Maeve has been asking about you. She want's to know when her uncle is coming home to visit her."

"Damnit Jasper."

"See you tonight then?" Jasper smiled.

"Tonight." Scion sighed.

Jasper smiled to himself as he closed the door behind him. He knew Maeve would be the ticket to securing Scion's return to Ireland. He just hoped taking his friend home would help him see he was not gone yet. Jasper made his way down the elevator and out onto the street where his limo sat waiting. He lowered himself inside and nodded at his driver then rolled the adjoining window up.

"Well?" came a sultry voice next to him.

"He's coming." Jasper said coolly.

"Good." came the voice again.

"You're sure this will save him?"

"Calm your worried mind my dear and have faith. Scion Graven's story is nowhere near it's end. The mother has much in store for him."

"Mmm, I am not one to deny the Mother Goddess, however, should I find out this is some kind of... rouse or trick, I will search Heaven, Earth and Hell to find you and when I do..."

"Your threat is noted. I must go, I am needed elsewhere. We will see each other again my dear. Till then, tell no one we have spoken." With that, the woman disappeared.

"Cerridwen help me, I hope I'm not leading him into a trap."