I Never Made This World - Prague 2025

[nott_caine]

It was a rude awakening, to the say the least. To go from near death in Mexico to a stranger's home in Prague. At least it looked like Prague...the city hadn't changed a great deal since she had been there last. Was it with Milton? Or was it Matt? Trouble always seemed to find her in Prague.

"Who are you?" Nott asked, her voice shaky and weak. How long had she been asleep? Days? Months? Years? By the lack of strength in her form and the hoarseness of her throat, she surmised years. How did she survive? Had she been given blood? Had he been the one to heal her?

Her eyes traveled over the man. He was tall, lean, but muscular. His long honeyed hair gleaming in the moonlight. There was a roguish smile tugging at his lips, covered by open concern and knowing in his eyes. He was dressed in a purple shirt and black slacks, something that offered ease of movement and cover in the darkness. He would blend into the shadows easily. That was what he reminded her of, a shadow.

He was a vampire, that much she knew. It was evident in his energy and form, boasting of a strength that she did not currently possess. He was...different, but familiar at the same time.

Even his Haven seemed like someplace she had seen before, though it shouldn't. It was plain, hardly decorated, save for a few Persian rugs and paintings. In the corner was an instrument she didn't recognize, it looked like a guitar, but...Eastern.

His hands were up, showing her he was unarmed (or at least appeared to be), trying to calm her and keep her from spooking into attacking. As though she were capable of that. "My name's Joshua." He said, a thick New Orleans accent on his tongue.  "I'm here to help you."

"Help me?!" Nott snapped, gripping the wall tightly, trying to keep from stumbling towards him. Anger was fresh in her eyes. Roguish men were always bastards, why else would he even mention that fucking word? Help her?! After everything she went through?!

She whimpered involuntarily, trying not to let the memories invade her thoughts. The drills, the knives, the scalpels. She couldn't let herself remember yet, not what they did to her.

"How can you fucking help me!" She growled murderously, so close to the edge, though Caine couldn't cause anymore damage. "You weren't there! You don't know what they did!"

"Yes I do," he said gently, risking a step towards her.

It was a slap in her face, bringing her terror to the forefront. He knew? Was he there? Did he see what they did?! Had he taken part of it? She took a step back, pointing at him warningly.

"Stay back!" Nott whispered, hysteria close at her heels. "Don't touch me! Don't fucking touch me!"

"Selene." His voice soft and firm, suddenly grounding her and keeping her in place. His eyes held her own, serious as he reached that primal part of her deep inside. It had been so quick, so instantaneous, but somehow, he calmed her beast. Enchanting voice? Awe? It was hard to say, but he had her attention.

"I was the one who let you out of your cell. You remember that, don't you? The door was opened and someone set fire to the compound." He said, taking another step towards her.

It was a shock. He wasn't lying to her. No one had known how she got out, most who lived assumed that she had picked the lock somehow. Only she knew that the door was opened. "Why? Why did you do that? Why did you bring me here?" Suspicion filled her again. "You can't blood bond me, if that's what you're after."

He chuckled, that devilish smirk appearing. "If I was trying to blood bond you, I would have figured out years ago that it wouldn't work." He shook his head. "I saved you because I need your help. Others like me need your help."

"Like you?"

"The refugees, the rebels of the Children of Eden."

"Oh fuck! Not you too!" She snarled. "I am not part of that fucking cult."

"I gathered that when you killed Jacob. No, I'm not here to recruit you, but to appeal to you." He finally reached her side, peering into her eyes. "We're in danger and we need you to help us."

"Me? You do know I'm not your Messiah, right? Go find Diana, you picked the wrong sister."

"Diana is missing and even if she wasn't...only you understand what it is like to be the monster, the outcast, the devil." Her face flinched at his words, striking a raw and open wound. "That's what we are. We're being targeted by the new leader. He's a rather persuasive and psychotic man, groomed by the Father long ago. He's going to see that anyone who doesn't fit into his perfect image of the Garden are eradicated. The sinful, the mad, the dissenters." Joshua smiled again, clearly indicating he was the latter. "There is only one person who would know what that's like and sympathize with those in need."

She shook her head, "I'm no leader. I'm just a monster."

"So is your brother, but he has an army, a cult at his disposal."

"Brother?" She scoffed, bursting into laughter. "I don't have a brother! Now I know you're crazy."

He didn't laugh. "Esau, your brother. Lilith's son." He leaned forward, whispering something into Nott's ear. Her eyes widened, shock filling her. If her heart could beat, it would stop. She pulled back, staring at him in apprehension.

"Help us, Selene." Joshua said again, placing his hand on her shoulder. "Help them and I promise you, you will help yourself as well."