Dark Destinies

Disclaimer: Most characters featured in this story are not of my creation. They belong to their respective creators, J.K. Rowling, Joss Whedon, and any and all parties related to Bloombury Publishing, Scholastic Inc., AOL/Time-Warner, Fox, and Mutant Enemy. Grrrr, arrgh.

Chapter 5

When Ripper regained consciousness, he was vaguely aware of where he was.  He lay on the small balcony of Diedre's flat, and the busy sounds of early morning London traffic wafted up to him from the streets below.

Ripper knew that Eyghon killed again.

It killed while using his body.  Ripper could tell.  There was a slight tinge of metallic flavor in his mouth from the blood of Eyghon's victim.  Who was it this time?  A child?  An old man?  Did the victim have family?  Friends?  What'sa matter, Ripper?  Feeling remorse now?  That's not going to bring these people back.

Ripper groaned as he tried to move.  His whole body felt like someone had scraped his insides raw with a Brillo pad.

But the scariest thing was: Ripper wanted to get Eyghon back in his body as soon as possible.  He was hopelessly addicted to the rush of mad power, of just doing whatever the hell he felt like.  He sighed and managed to sit up.

Then a small owl flew up to the balcony and dropped something on his lap.  The owl glided onto the railing of the balcony and sat there, watching Ripper intently.

Ripper stared at the owl, and the owl stared right back.  It seemed to be surprised to see him there, as is he wasn't where he was meant to be.  It also seemed to be waiting for something.  Bleary-eyed and without his glasses, Ripper somehow managed to open the small envelope that the owl had given him.

Dear Rupert,

I hope this letter finds you in good spirits.  You never call or write, but Mum says people at Oxford are quite busy, so I suppose I shall have to forgive you.  Guess what?  I got accepted at Hogwarts!  It's a pity that I can't tell everyone I know, but Mum and Dad said that since you're a Watcher, it's safe to tell you.  Petunia is rather jealous, I think, but I hope she'll get over it soon.

I sent this letter with my owl.  His name's Horace and he's a nervous little thing.  Please send a reply with him, even if it's only a few words.  I can't wait to hear from you!

Love always,
your cousin Lily

Ripper stared at the name.  Lily.  That name seemed a lifetime ago.  He searched his pockets for a pencil, found one (to his imminent surprise) and scribbled a short note on the back of Lily's letter.

Dearest Lily,

Owl caught me at a bad time.  Congratulations!  Will write more later.

Love,
Rupert

He rolled up the paper into a scroll and gave it to Horace.  "Bring this back to Lily," he said, shocked at how hoarse his voice sounded.  He watched as the owl flew away out of sight.  He went back inside the flat, rubbing his head with his hands as he searched the apartment for Ethan, Diedre, and Thomas.  The others didn't join them for the ritual last night.  It took Ripper a while to figure out why the flat was so quiet.  Everyone had gone.

His feet slid on something slippery and when he looked down at what he was standing in, he let out a small gasp of horror.  There, lying before him, was the body of Thomas Watkinson.  Tom had been ripped apart by powerful claws and something feasted on his innards.  Blood pooled in a dark brown mass around the body, and Ripper stood right in the center of the carnage and didn't realize it.

Oh, dear God, Ripper thought.  I did this.  Oh, God, Oh God Oh God...

"So, you finally woke up.  I wondered when you would.  The others fled when Eyghon started to use Tom as a midnight snack, but I stayed," Ethan slid out of a hallway.

"You," Ripper grunted.  "How could I have been so blind?"

"Forgetful, is the more correct term," Ethan said.  "I put a simple forgetting spell on you so you'd not remember who I actually am.  I knew it would wear off...eventually."

"How did you know that I'd know about you?"

"Are you joking?" Ethan laughed bitterly.  "You have Watcher written all over you!  You stink of self-righteousness."

Ripper watched Ethan's every move.  Here, in front of him, was Claudius Rayne's missing son, the Muggle born to wizards.  "Why'd you run away?"

"Wouldn't you?  A Muggle, born to wizards?  I had to rely on my parents for everything.  It's impossible to live in the Magic world when you have no magic in your soul!  Then, of course, I met someone who taught me that I could channel magic."  He lifted his arm, showing off his Mark.  But it was subtly different from the Marks the others bore on their arms.  In fact, Ripper thought it looked more like a skull and snake than the Mark of Eyghon.  "My Master's symbol, the Dark Mark.  He said I was first, the first of what he hopes will be many."

"Your Master?" Ripper muttered.  "Your Master would favor a Muggle like you..."

"My Lord has offered me power!" Ethan hissed.  "He has taught me, a mere Muggle, the deepest secrets of the Dark Arts.  Imagine what he plans on doing for the rest of the world.  You've had just a taste of his power.  Imagine feeling like that, all the time!"

"I killed Tom," Ripper murmurred.

"A...trifle," Ethan smirked.  He muttered a spell under his breath, and Tom's body, including the dried blood on the floors and walls, disappeared without a trace.  "Power, my dear Ripper.  Power is what makes us want to live!"

Ripper remembered the small joy he felt when he read that Lily had been accepted to Hogwarts.  "There must be more to life that that.  There are little pieces of happiness amid the sorrow.  Perhaps that's what makes life worth living."

"Has Ripper gone Romantic?" Ethan sniggered.  "If you join me in worshipping my Master..."

"Get out," Ripper growled.

Ethan stared at Ripper but did nothing.

"Get out before I throw you out."

Ethan stood his ground.  Ripper bellowed and rushed towards the young sorcerer.  Ethan meant to summon up a barrier but he was too slow.  Ripper pushed Ethan to the floor, and he began to punch and kick him over and over and over.  Ethan then muttered something which caused Ripper to fly off him and into the nearest wall.  "Temper, temper, Ripper.  I should mention," Ethan grinned as he spat out blood, "That anger of yours will be the death of you someday."

"Get out of my sight," Ripper whispered, leaning on the wall.  "If I ever see you again, I'll pummel you within a fraction of your life."

"Fine," Ethan said, standing up.  "If you will not join my Lord in his quest, then consider you and your family his enemies!  Voldemort will destroy all who stand in his way!" He hurried out of Diedre's flat.

Ripper groaned and slid down the wall, clutching his insides in pain.  He lay on the floor, writhing.  He knew at that moment that he had to return to his studies at Oxford.  He had to become a Watcher.  He couldn't run away from his destiny any longer.

Not when his family was in danger.