Colliding Worlds (BurningWillows & Greeneyed23)

Her nightmare soon faded, returning to the dream she was having of a particular wild ride in what could only be described as a sex dungeon with Narxis. But still Lucifer's words clung to her mind and even as she woke, worry was sitting behind her red eyes and they blinked open. It had been a warning, to stay away from the demon currently in her bed, and a threat if she ignored him. Arya wasn't sure if it was a bluff or not, but the thought of Octavia and Sebastian was enough to make her have second thoughts. The last thing she wanted was a third person she cared for dead. The only thing calming her now was the fingers soothingly stroking her spine.

~

Sera yawned, hearing Elaya's voice as she groaned and rolled over, freeing her fiancee. By the time Elaya would come back Sera was be sprinting to the washroom, holding a hand over her mouth again, before finding herself bent over the toilet, her stomach contents hitting the bowl.

"This...is...awful," she croaked between coughs and gags.
 
Narxis sighed when he felt her mood shift.

Then he growled as his won vision altered. He was looking into the ruins of the Palace of Hell. A torture worm, a massive beast, lay shredded and gutted through, atop and within the ruins. And at it's end sat Lucifer himself.

Covered in what could only be called the entire innards of a beast. The torture worm to be exact.

"You sent this didn't you?"

"Impossible my lord. None controls torture worms save yourself."

Lucifer glared at him. "You are playing with one of my toys."

"Sharing is caring."

"DO NOT BE CLEVER WITH ME!!"

"Apologies my lord. Me am sorry you am displused...displaced...unthrilled...not happy."

"YOU ARROGANT LITTLE SHIT!"

"Never my lord. But you do have some in your eyebrows. Shall i summon a cleanser?"

"FUCK OFF!"

"Yes my lord." Narxis began to seal the connection. Lucifer hissed and slapped at it. Narxis stopped. "Sir?"

"I wish you to leave the death hound."

"I cannot my lord. My Prince has ordered me to see to her proper care and feeding."

"Which Prince?"

"One of them."

"You think you can play with me boy?"

"Never my lord. The prince was anonymous. What can i do?"

"prove it!"

Narxis showed him the very real vision of a nameless Prince of Hell commanding Narxis to see to Arya's health, safety and nutrition."I live to serve my lord."

Luficer was fuming now. "You try my patience!"

"How may i serve?"

Lucifer glared at him, then slowly began to smile. "When Lairia is dead, I want the stone."

"I cannot supply that my lord. it is gone from this plane."

"Get it back."

"impossible my lord."

"Are you questioning me?"

"no my lord. Simply stating facts."

Lucifer's eyes narrowed. "There will be trouble for this behaviour boy."

"As my lord commands."

The connection severed, all of it blocked from Arya's ears and essence, leaving her entirely unaware. Narxis sighed, never having ceased stroking her spine. "Sleep my beauty."

~

Elaya dove out of the way. When Sera finished she had a small glass of water, and some heated seltzer water. "Rinse and spit then drink this. Settle your stomach. What else can i get you my love?"
 
Arya couldn't sleep though. Not because she had noticed anything askew, but because she was still chewing on that warning. Would she tell him? Had she made up her mind?

~

Sera tried to grab the water but ended up vomiting harder. When she felt it had ceased she tried to clean her mouth, but was weak, and her temperature had skyrocketed.

"Help," she croaked, and her knees buckled as she fell into Elaya's arms. She needed rest, but even that became interrupted as the two girls stepped out of the bathroom just as the door bursted open and one of the guards rushed in. Sera was still very much naked, and he could see most of her, to Sera's utter embarrassment as she blushed and hid her face in Elaya's shoulder.

"I...I...I'm sorry the guard stuttered. It was the guard Elaya had caught multiple times ogling Sera and he did it again now, this time licking his lips a little at her naked form, "We could hear the sounds coming from two corridors over and worried Lady Sera may need help. I did not know you were here m'lady, or would not have stepped inside."
 
Narxis spoke very softly. "I know he sends you nightmares and threats. But i've been ordered to protect you. So until we get that sorted, just relax and sleep my beauty."

He kissed her softly. "No use worrying over what can't be changed."

~

Elaya very calmly carried Sera to the bed, made her swish and spit, then got her sipping the seltzer water while she wa covered up and Elaya surprised the guard by igniting a bit of cloth and laying that on the woman's head.

Once done she marched up to the guard her hulinkg form forcing him to look up at her. "Step out."

They did so and Elaya peeked in as she shut the door. "Be right back with some stuff to help your stomach hun."

She shut the door, then whirled on the guard. Her red unblinking eyes, her jet black fur, and sharp fangs made him sweat. She slowly shrank as she glared at him, shifting into her human form, clothed. She noted the edge of a smirk on his lips and she smiled.

Then her voice snarled. "Little boy if you ever come within a hundred yards of my fiancee again i will ensure that not only are you fired and excommunicated, but also that you and your entire bloodline serve as personal slaves to the Vampire covens."

She pushed forward, noting how he assumed this was bluff. "If you ever look at my fiancee again I will personally make you wear your own nervous system as puppet strings."

He blinked then gasped as she pressed a finger to his chest and with just that finger raised him up the wall. "If you ever speak to her again, i will flay you down to the marrow. "

She raised a claw and dragged it down the wall beside his head, making a long spool of gilded marble spring out into his hair, hot and sharp.

"Finally. If you so much as speak a word about her.... i will give you to the fae. The Unseelie court to be precise. After I am done doing the rest to you. Understand little boy?"

She ignored the puddle forming below him. "Go get changed. Then reassigned. And never let me see you again."

He fled the hallway and she turned to one of his fellows. "And spread the word. People are to be respected. not veiwed as peices of meat. If I catch any of you ogling anyone againj while I am here..." She took a step forward and the tile beneath her foot cracked. They snapped to attention and saluted.

"Much better."

She came back into the room with a large flat canvas coated device. She slid it under Sera, then turned a switch. It inflated with magma hot water instantly. Elaya smiled. "Pitr gave it to me. it's a protective measure against ice magics here."

Elaya then sat by her lover and began to rub her right hand wrist and arm, focusing on her reflexology to sooth the rest of the body. Then she worked Sera's left arm. Then her legs. All gentle, loving and soothing to the redhead's state.
 
Sera had heard every word outside in the hall but she wasn't upset. It needed to be said. Sera wasnot comfortable being stared at. The stomach ache grew into cramps before Elaya returned and she was happy when the heat was turned on, aiding her flucuating temperatures.

"My sides hurt," she groaned, "Not...a lot. Just, my stomach. All the vomiting...cramps now."

Her eyes were half closed as Elaya' attentions were drawing her back to sleep. Sighing she eventually drifted off, sleep being better than awake and in pain.

~

Arya sat up more, hearing his words, "What do you mean you've been ordered to protect me Narxis? By who?"

In her head she was cursing herself. Had this all been a rouse? Of course this had been too good to be true. Was Lucifer playing mind tricks with her? Why would he want her to stay away if he was? It made no sense, but if another prince knew of her existence than she was in grave danger, and that thought alone would send her fleeing for the door, to get far from Narxis and all else.

"Who are you working for Narxis?!" she demanded, jumping off the bed even as her body swayed from exhaustion. She was not about to fall prey to him or his master though. The window was directly behind her and there was always the door to escape through. She had her escapes routes mapped out and now they were running through her head, within seconds Arya falling into her familiar survival mode, her walls slamming up so fast and hard he could see the emotion drain in her eyes.
 
Elaya just kept working her lover's muscles, even using heated stones on cramp prone places, though not near her lover's womb. She did not want to upset her fiancee.

She did supply more fluids into the redhead. Daniel came by, smelled the vomit despite the clean way Sera had reacted, and after leaving the sample fled.

When Sera was settled, Elaya took to trying out the invitation wording. She wasn't very good at it and filled up several pages of a notebook with ideas. Sera would have better answers.

~

Narxis manifested and spoke in his voice of command. "Sit down."

When she had he gripped her jaw. "I work for no one Arya. You know this. But a prince has taken interest in you. This conflicts with Lord Lucifer's interests. until they can settle you are in grave danger. Even more so than before. This means nothing to my loyalties. They are and remain myself, this group and you my beauty. i will not play these games with you Arya. now lay down."

When she had obeyed again he studied her thoughtfully and released the command voice to speak. "Arya, not everything is a conspiracy. How can I prove this to you? What would you believe? All i want from you right now is for you to rest. And consider this. I have no reason to use you. It gains me no power, and only endangers myself and my friends. And you. I am not such a fool."

He gently began to rub her back and spine again. "i can tell you have shut me out again. Very well. But do consider it while you are in this state. in pure logic. All I would gain my using and betraying you would be death for myself and my friends. Either by your hand or by the hand that were using me. i did not tell you about the order because it was anonymous. Likely someone making trouble for Lucifer. And all it said was to care for you properly. Which I like to think i was doing anyway, though you are not some dog to be fed, walked, and watered."

He knew this would take time to sink through her defenses. So he resumed the voice of command. "Now eat." he popped a large chunk of chocolate coated fresh raw meat into her mouth. "And sleep my beauty."

When she asleep was he sighed and began to touch her with hellfire, soothing her numbed flesh. She would likely feel the need to run soon. Best she not be weakened when she did. He hated commanding her like a dog. But he would not let her endanger herself. Once had been far too much.

He brushed her hair back, then kissed her temple. "You truly are exceptionally beautiful Arya." He sighed, then went still, save for his hand stroking her spine slow and smooth.
 
Sera slept in and out throughout the day. She could hold down food for a few hours before it would rise again, and the heat of the day mixed with her exhaustion was what was making her sick. At one point she begged Elaya to bring in a nurse, scared something was wrong, but they were able to tell her that everything was fine other than she needed rest, and tons of water. Sleeping in her bed, many times she would wake to find Elaya sitting over a notebook, or pacing, or massaging her. Every time she saw that beautiful face it would make her smile though.

~

Arya really hated when he did this, using his superiority over her as she sat down and glared. She did not want to be forced to lay down, nor sleep. She needed to fix this. Before she wound up dead. She was no idiot though. Lucifer would already be on the hunt to silence whoever it was. His needs to keep her a secret outweighed her own. She was, after all, a one of a kind being he'd been hiding since he raised her to Earth. The Princes would be none too happy to find he had an assassin at his beck and call killing and collection souls and contracts for him and Baal. And that neither had shared this power with them, granting them the chance to send their own Elite death hounds forward. What Arya worried about was more than just her safety, but the chances that this could spark a war if it got out of hand, one that would throw her into the very middle of a it.

But he wasn't seeing that picture. That her life was in danger yet again by the slip of his tongue in front of her masters. Every time someone let something they weren't suppose to slip out, is when Arya got hurt. Last time it had been Octavia's life that had been ripped from her. What would this time take? Herself? Narxis? Either thought was unpleasant to her, and she was surprised at how much she did not want to see this man die for the mistake either. Not that she was about to tell him. He was most likely right about not being involved at all. This was the second time Narxis had dug into her business and meddled, trying to do good and ending up hurting Arya further. And he was right that she had indeed shut him out again, but for the wrong reasons he had conjured in his head. She was pushing him away to protect him. To protect them. Whether he saw it now or not, his affiliation with her could be highly dangerous if a war did spark.

"How are you not treating me like a dog?" she asked, swallowing the bit of food and glaring at him, "Sit girl. Eat girl. Sleep girl. Sound familiar? Would you like me to start replying with 'Yes master', and rolling on my back for belly rubs like the good mutt I am?"

She rolled over, so she could not see him anymore, and allowed him to stroke her back but spoke no more. Anger was the best wall she had between him and her, if only to protect both of them until she knew what she was up against. It oozed off of her though, the bitter anger of being commanded. But while she was annoyed at being commanded, that anger still was not as much at Narxis as it was at the situation. She just could not tell him that.

Pretending to sleep, she felt the hellfire but did not move, still analyzing her options. Thoughts went back to the night before, to her meeting with Lairia. The more she thought about it, the more she dawned on it that she could do something. Something risky, and then something even riskier...but if Arya could pull it off not only would she save herself, but she might just get the one thing she long ago thought would never be possible.

Hours later, when Narxis had stepped out of her room for whatever reason, Arya got up and still naked flashed to shadow and snuck into Lairia's room. The sorceress sat on her bed, reading a book and cuddling her tiger, looking calmer than ever as she looked up and smiled, seeing Arya.

"Alright," she nodded, as she returned to flesh, her hands on her hips, "I'm in."
 
"You would prefer I had let you jump out the window? In your weakened state even you would have felt that."

He sighed letting her feel and think as she wanted. What else could he do.

He left to fetch her some more food, and got caught by Gerry and Amitiel. He told them nothing, especially not how he had managed to actually fool Lucifer and Arya.

What Arya refused to see was that Narxis had been dragged into this one. Yes he had sent the torture worm..sorta, but she could not possibly know that. Lucifer had contacted him. He had not sought out the fight, though he had expected it.

~

Sera's illness worried her lover quite a bit. Elaya would not leave the room, but she did manage to find a way to get Sera an eternal flow of water without endangering her fire.

She got Pitr to create a stream of the two elements mixed into what could be best called plasma, and flowing through Sera's body while Elaya gave her 'regular' water to soothe her thirst.
 
Overnight Sera got steadily better. The heat, water, and of course Elaya's affection and aid eventually helped Sera to relax into a deeper sleep and by morning her stomach was calm. She was nestled deep within Elaya's arms when she woke, seeking comfort from her fiancee in the night, but feeling much better.

As the next morning came, as did the trial. It had come to their attention that it was a public trial, meaning anyone from the city could watch. Seraphina wasn't quite sure what this trial would entail, but she knew she wanted Lairia to have support so with two hours before it began she started knocking on doors in their little side hall, waking everyone up and notifying that they all had an hour and a half to meet her in the hall. The guards allotted with delivering Lairia were alright with the group sticking to her until they got to the court, and as everyone filed out Sera asked to keep the cats within the rooms.

"They don't need to see this," she explained, "They are too young and they won't understand. And they love Lairia...it was just be too painful."

With the cat's inside she counted heads and looked to Narxis, noticing one more missing member.

"Where's Arya?"

"Not coming," Arya stated, standing in the doorway of her room and glaring daggers at Narxis, "Last thing I need is to watch the blonde witch give up without a fight. I have more important things to deal with. Like being a good mutt."

She turned and slammed the door closed and Sera winced but didn't ask. She didn't want to. Whatever was going on was between Arya and Narxis.

"It's better this way," she whispered to Elaya, "She doesn't have a filter, she could ruin Lairia's chances. Best we just leave her behind."

With that the group was off to the trial. Surprisingly it was not actually within the Palace but behind. They were led to the basement, then followed a long hall underground that led to a set up stairs. At the top more guards awaited at a metal gate, and outside of that Sera and the group could see the court. What it looked like was much more than that. It reminded Sera of one of the gladiator arenas, but terribly smaller. The gate opened to a large circle, surrounded by high walls. Surrounding the walls were three rows of seats, making it the smallest arena she had seen, but the benches were full, the arena teeming with city members wanting to be part of the Trial. At the far north part of the arena sat eight elegant stone chairs with cushions built just above the wall, with a railing keeping them from falling over. In them sat each of the Circle members. And in the very middle of the circle was a small raised platform where Lairia was obviously to stand, and what looked like a podium Sera was sure would be enchanted so that Lairia could present her case and all could hear.

The gate opened and the two guards escorting Lairia pushed her forward towards the platform, while the rest of them were told to stay behind the archway but they could remain and watch. Sera could see one other gated door directly under where the Circle sat and wondered what came from that door.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Zael rose as Lairia reached the platform, standing there for all to see, "Today we commence trial on this woman who has committed a heinous crime. She has come to us and admitted her involvement in the fall of Versailles. Today she stands guilty for the death of near a hundred thousand innocents, using magic."

The crowd broke into gasps and murmurs, but died down after a minute and Zael continued, "We will allow her to present her case and her wish for pardon. We will also allow the podium to anyone wishing to speak in or against her favor. We will only then pass judgement. The trial has commenced."

Ki rosed from her seat, "Lairia, you have the floor."

For fifteen minutes Lairia presented her case, reading off the notes she had undoubtably written herself. She explained her story, explained Anabelle. There were few dry eyes when she was done, and even in her voice they could hear the pain.

"So what made you decide to hand yourself in then," Ki asked.

"What I did was wrong," Lairia replied, "But at the time I was young and grieving and I lost control when I saw my baby dead on the floor. I know I deserve to face Justice for my crimes, but I came here to show you that I have changed, and that I am no longer than person. I gave you the stone, I've done all you asked. All I ask in return is for mercy. Punish me, but please do not wish death on me. There is much I have yet to experience."

Ki nodded and sat and Zael flourished his hand. Two guards stepped up and guided Lairia away from the podium, towards one of the bare walls.

"We will now have the podium open for those to wish to speak for or against this case," Zael explained, "Are there any?"
 
Elaya had pardoned herself when Sera had awoken and gone to get the others.

She came out just as Arya snarled her piece and slammed the door. Her eye went right to Narxis and he sighed and nodded. She rolled her eyes, then went up to Sera. "you forgot something my love." She placed the fire gold crown on her lover, then inspected the others.

"Gerry fix your collar."

"Amitiel i expect those feathers to be straight."

"Narxis button your coat."

"Tatia my dear your hair is a fright. Did..you tried that shampoo they offered i suspect. Come here dear." She and the Rythert altered Tatia's hair, and Tatia got a surprise. A sea green sea stone crown on her own brow. Before she could ask Elaya sighed. "i have been assured both that your truth is known but also a complete secret from the outside world. Sealed within these walls. This is for Lairia not for us. She needs the support."

She kissed the girl's temples, then looked in on the cats. "You two behave."

She then took her place beside Sera. The group looked regal, powerful, and together. Elaya was in a very fine purple gown, that hid her body, masking the muscles and making her face seem softer, accentuating her body, making her the beautiful Princess, not the Warrior Royal.

She sat in a place of honor with the others, waiting and openly holding Sera's hand.

When the time came she kissed it then descended to the podium.

She studied the crowd, the Circle, her group, and the world for a long time. Then she spoke.

"I am Elaya Blood-Fur. First Daughter of the Metuzi. The Pack of Unbroken Claws. Crown Princess. Lover and fiancee of Seraphina Flame. Battle-Master of the pack of Fernard. War-Caller of the Harri. Tusk-friend to the Blot. Scale-burner for the Hista. Blood-hunter to the Num. Nest-Warden to the Skies. Sister to Pitr Flame Fang. The Unknown Death."

She studied them as they murmured at the titles. The legends around these names and many many more spanned the ages.

She held up a hand and all went silent. "And today, the most important of my titles. Friend and pack-sister to Lairia."

She looked at her friend and smiled, then turned to the others. "Lairia admits to what she has done. No one denies her guilt. She pleads for mercy for her deeds. I urge you to the same. But while she claims her deed a mistake, I call it justice. The vampire leadership had corrupted and ruined Versailles into a shadow of itself. They were monsters like unto that which so caused the very word vampire to be feared more than any other. Murder, rape, slaughter, and untold atrocities were done by and in the name of these same monsters. And they guarded themselves by hiding behind children."

She gestured toward Lairia. "They murdered her child. What mother would do less? I am soon to be a mother. I can tell you for certain that i would do what Lairia did, a thousand times over to protect my child. Or to avenge them. Lairia may have caused great harm by her deed, but she also achieved a great good. Those vampires were constructing a cabal. A cabal of wickedness and slaughter that this good earth has not seen since the Dark Ages."

She drew a scroll out of her sleeve. "This is the sworn statement of Reynault. Vampire of more than 4 millenia upon this earth. This statement was given to the Pope himself, verified, and sealed as such. Within are illustrated the many horrors committed by the vampire coven hiding in Versailles. How they had taken the city hostage. Used the children of that city to force and bend the citizens to their will. How they were actively slaughtering thousands whether personally or command. i present it as evidence that Lairia's act was justified."

She waited as the Circle examined it. it was real. Elaya had been present when it had been verified and given. in fact she and the Metuzi had been about to accept a contract to slay the Versailles coven themselves. And they would not have been alone. But Lairia struck first.

She looked at Lairia. "you wish to know if Lairia is genuine. If she will ever do such a thing again. I can assure you, her sorrow is so deep it is nearly crippling. I have seen her weep for those souls more times than can be counted, and that only in the short time I have known her. But though she killed them, she did not damn them. I have present an Angel of the Most High. Who can and will testify to the status of each soul within that city. And can also tell you of the seven separate groups that had been contacted to eliminate the vampire coven within. Including the Metuzi, the Hunters, the Circles of Europe, the Dragons, Wamen Securities Firm, The Undying, and the ArchAngels themselves."

She nodded at the reactions. "yes. powers far beyond what was needed. powers that would have incinerated all of France. And perhaps beyond. Save perhaps my own pack. But we were never given the go ahead. The chance. Because those monsters chose to attack an innocent family. And murder a child. i applaud Lairia. I weep with her over the lost of that day, but I cannot pretend sorrow for creatures that would slay a child simply for power."

Some muttered as she spoke and she raised a hand. "Everything I stated is a matter of record. Easily gained and verified. And for those who think you see a racist before you. Either myself or Lairia. Allow me to tell you about Reynault. My friend. A vampire of exceeding kindness. One of many such honorable vampires it has been my pleasure to know. Self-sacrificing, loyal to a fault. Dear and sweet. Reynault was my friend for thirty six and a half years. He was a friend to many others over 4 millenia. i could give you dozens of names of beings still alive who would testify as to Reynault's character."

She pointed toward Lairia. "But i need but one. Lairia herself. She and Reynault fell in love. She fell in love with a vampire. She still loves him. Even though he is gone forever from this world. And Reynault loved her. That more than anything told me what I needed to know about Lairia. Reynault would not waste his love on someone undeserving. I had hoped to see them happy together for many years to come. But he was murdered. Murdered by one of the survivors of that day. A monster calling himself Nickens."

She gave a lengthy list of his many crimes. and with every one she named a witness or victim, or presented evidence to back up her statement. She only left out one. Tatia.

"Nickens was just one of those monsters. Just by the count before me he had murdered more than 700 people within three years. Think on that. 700 in three years. That we can prove. Do the ghastly arithmetic. That's more than 2000 souls in just ten years. And I have witnesses who will attest he tripled that. The path of blood and destruction carried out by this beast is one of horror beyond imagining. he slaughtered humans, supernaturals, and more without concern or mercy. He murdered, raped, and stole. And he was but one of the coven. Had Lairia not acted, yes there were others who might have been sent to kill them. But who is to say whether they would succeed? or if their actions would cause war?"

She looked at Lairia for a long moment. "When you live more than a few centuries, you are forced to take a long view. lairia saved lives that day. The coven of Versailles intended to forcibly take over the entire city. Then all of France. Who knows when or if they would have stopped. Vampires can be honorable. Most are in fact. But like the rest of us they can become monsters. These undoubtedly were monsters. they deserved their fate. Lairia saved Versailles from a a doom far greater than anything she did. And likely the world as well. She deserves the mercy asked for. Not because of your hearts. But because without her, the children here, and those to come in following days would know a fear that has been forgotten to the sands of time. A killer who can never be sated in his bloodlust. Who can overcome even the mightiest of warriors. Who will never die. An evil vampire. A beast whose sole purpose is to slaughter and ruin. lairia saved us from that. Since Versailles the dangerous covens have been rooted out, and few dare to form anymore. For the first time on this planet, the vampire ranks are truly free. Lairia aided an entire race."

A young man stood and spoke. "She speaks true! My parents and I can live in peace and safety now!" His fangs were clear.

Elaya smiled up at him. "Thank you my young friend. Where are you from?"

"Normandy."

"Welcome. And which magic do you practice?"

"Spell work."

Elaya gestured at him. "A blood speller. He would have been a slave to Versailles. Forced to do unspeakable things with his great gift. Lairia saved him so he could come here and learn. You cannot judge her actions solely on what was lost. But what was gained. peace. Freedom. Trust. And so much more. Lairia did not intend this. I will not pretend she did. But while what she did was horrible, the results have been anything but. To judge her without that consideration is a lie. It is an action of fools. And I see no fools here today. Thank you."

She returned to her seat, watching Lairia as she held Sera's hand.
 
The crowd was festered with murmurs as Elaya finished and Lairia was moved. She mouthed a thank you to her friend, and had she the chance, she would have hugged her. There were more to follow, Sera being next, although hers was short and sweet, verifying what Elaya had said, and that Lairia should be spared. Even Tatia stood and said her piece. As more started to rise and make their way to the podium Lairia began coughing, holding her hand over her mouth to stifle it. Once or twice people looked to her, but she swayed it off as a cold.

I might just make this out alive, without my plan...

Then a woman stepped up. She was old, the wrinkles on her face counting the decades she had been alive. She held on to the podium to speak, and a young teenage boy, probably her grandson - or so it looked - stood behind her with one hand on her back, a play bow and empty quiver on his back. A amateur or aspiring hunter as it looked.

"My name is Deana," she coughed, "This here is my grandson...Hons. Everyone on this podium has spoken about the great Lairia," her voice was soft but it carried, due to the magic in the podium, "How she saved the vampires, and rid the earth of evil. How she should be chosen mercy. I lived in Versailles once upon a time, when I was young. A mother, and then a grandmother. I moved away when my daughter married, to a small ranch outside the city."

She turned, her small eyes staring down Lairia and she flinched back, "I saw what you did. I watched the city burn. Watched as buildings crumbled and the sky filled with the screams of people crying for mercy. And what did you give them then? Did you honor their requests?"

She turned back to the circle, pointing a glaring finger at Lairia, "My daughter and her husband lived in that city. I was lucky to have my grandson visiting that day, but he too watched the city burn. He too had to dig through the ash and dirt to find his parents and bury them, to let them find peace. Where was the justice in that? She may have lost a daughter, but she took so many more children from all of us. I came here today to ensure this woman finds her justice, to ensure my daughter was not just another face she has forgotten."

The boy was crying, and he looked at Lairia, "Why?! Why did you take them from me?! Why couldn't you just kill the coven and leave the rest."

"I wasn't thinking," Lairia stepped forward, past the guards who reached out but didn't stop her. After all, she had no magic, "I was in pain. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry!"

"IT'S NOT ENOUGH!" he screamed back with a sudden anger, and with movement quicker than anyone had expected for the boy no more than sixteen he pulled out a hidden arrow from his quiver and nocked it, then shot. No one could stop it, and everything slowed. The guards rushed, and Lairia eyes turned to see Sera and Elaya jumping from their seats, looking to race to her rescue. But it was too late. The arrow struck, hitting her in the chest and she felt her body fall back...back...back...

The ground hit her hard and she let out a cough, swallowing what was coming up from her throat. People surrounded her immediately and someone was arresting the boy and pulling his grandmother off the podium as chaos erupted. Sera appeared, yelling at the guards to stand back as she pulled Elaya and herself into Lairia's view.

"We are here," she whispered, not touching the arrow, "Lairia your friends are here."

Lairia looked to Elaya, coughing harder and using the hand she had been coughing in to pull Elaya close, "Please...don't let...them take my body...My room..."

She let go and something wet was on Elaya's neck where Lairia had touched, but it was unseen. If Elaya touched it she'd find it black and smelling of iron and brimstone. Her eyes closed and a shuddering breath left her body.

"No..."Sera looked heartbroken, touching her friend's arm, but she could hear no heartbeat. The guards moved further away, whisking people out as the crowd quickly disappeared and the Circle was taken away for safety.

"We need to get everyone indoors," one guard stepped up, "Until we can handle matters, it is safest there. Princess Elaya and Princess Sera, please. We will take your friend to her room."

Two guards stepped up with a gurney for Lairia's body, to carry her along with them. They rushed everyone into the Palace as the city went on lock down. They had to assure no one else was in danger, although it was unlikely. But these kind of mistakes could leave more bitter or angry.

As they delvered Lairia's body to her room and set her on her bed, the group piled in, and a guard pulled Elaya aside, speaking softly, "Ki sent word. She wanted you to know they would have pardoned her. Your speech moved them."

Bowing deeply for the princess he stepped out, leaving the group alone to say their goodbyes.

"I...I..." Sera was in tears, as her and Tatia next to the body, holding Lairia's hands, "She would have been free. Why Elaya? Why?"

Standing she moved into Elaya's embrace, in tears. Rhaegal jumped up on the bed, his eyes wet, making soft chirping sounds as he tried to wake his mother, confused.

"No Rhaegal," Tatia put her hand up, trying to stop him as he licked Lairia's cheek and whined, "She's gone. She's not coming back."

He whined louder and nuzzled her face, and then growled rather forcibly and suddenly at Tatia. She jumped up, stepping away in alarm as the large tiger dropped himself on his mother's body, throwing all his weight onto her chest. Suddenly her mouth fell open and from it a dark liquid began to spill out onto her lips. It grew, bubbling from her mouth as more appeared and even Rhaegal jumped off, hiding behind Elaya's skirt. As it grew it fell into her hair but it did not stain. Instead it turned into smoke, rising in the air as more and more escaped Lairia's body, until a giant ball of black smoke hung in the air, then dropped to the empty side of the bed and in a blink was smoke no more. Instead it was a familiar black haired woman, coughing and spitting as she gasped for air.

"Fuck that hurt," she wheezed, trying to catch her breath, naked and curled up on her her knees. Her eyes caught sight of Lairia and without a warning she raised her hands - one in a fist and the other wrapped over it - and hit Lairia's chest all at once. A loud breath could be heard and Lairia's eyes popped open as she too coughed and spluttered, spitting out black slime and blood. Arya's eyes flashed to Narxis momentarily, almost as if to see what he was thinking, then to Lairia as she helped her sit up, feeling everyone's utterly confused stares.
 
Elaya had been stalled by her damned dress. Otherwise she could have reached her friend.

She moved in, but even in the confusion, she ensured no one touched Seraphina, or even got within three feet of her. Her eyes were on the grandmother and the boy, and on others she had sensed were not so impressed with Lairia's actions, no matter the reason.

When the guard pulled her aside she had had to restrain a rather nasty growl, thanking him, but then the growl came out as Arya shot out of Lairia's mouth.

Before anyone else could speak she grabbed Narxis by the ear. "What did you do?" She wrenched it and he collapsed to his knees. "I didn't know!

She squeezed and he screamed in pain. "i swear. Arya is mad at me because Lucifer is toying with her mind and threatened me and I had to speak to him!"

His eyes went to Arya warning her not to try to face down the wolf princess. Elaya's eyes slowly burned their way to the death-hound, then she twisted his ear again. "I want answers. now. Or i'll make him order you to give them."

Narxis shook his head then yelped as she twisted harder. "The Circle was going to give her her freedom. I want to know just what the hell is going on."

Amitiel spoke. "Elaya perhaps-"

"Silence. Lairia if you had anything to do with those two people down there....How exactly are we supposed to explain this? They'll be put to death unless we find a way. Unless they were some kind of illusion...."

Gerry nodded. "They looked real."

"They smelled real as well. And the arrow was certainly real."

She grabbed the splot on her neck and threw it onto Arya's feet. "But this makes me wonder. One of you two will explain. Both what happened and what you think will happen now. You're dead now Lairia. How are we supposed to get you out of here?"

Rhaeghal chuffed at his teacher and snuggled his mother. She rolled her eyes. "That doesn't help us Rhaeghal."

The Rythert spoke now. "Forgive us, but why are you so angry?"

Elaya spoke without looking at them. "Our ladies here tricked everyone. Which looks very bad no matter how you look at it. If they believed Lairia and us, it makes the Circle look like cruel monsters, and the rest of us culpable in the trickery because we didn't trust the Circle. which includes members of my pack."

Narxis tried to stand and she released his ear but stepped on his back, smashing him to the floor. Amitiel started to speak and she hissed in Enochian for him to shut up. He obeyed.

"If they find out and suspect that this was the plan all along then they will demand Lairia's death for intentionally murdered an entire city. And ours for aiding in the deception."

The room chilled and went very tense now with that point. Elaya glared at Arya and Lairia. "Answers. Now."

Narxis spoke from the floor, but not in command. "Arya...please answer her."

Gerry spoke as well. "She's right...if they think this whole thing was a lie we all die....and even the Metuzi won't be allowed to strike back.." His eyes went to Sera, then to her middle and he shook his head. His face was pale and true fear was in his eyes. "We submitted ourselves to the protection of the Circle. They could kill us all. Even you. And they would have the right of law to do so."

Amitiel blinked at his mortal friend. "They...they could not slay an angel of God."

"They could, can, and have before my friend. To protect their students? They have done anything and everything."

Elaya had not taken her eyes off Arya and Lairia, somehow holding them both with her gaze. Now the others noticed that she had moved away from Sera, though there was still no one between them. She was not acting as leader. She was not even being a princess. She was a wife to be in danger of losing her bride, and her child.

Lairia had never been in more danger in all her days. Nor had Arya. No one there would stop Elaya in time. Only one could stop her at all.

Even as they stood there, the room began to fill with something dark, something that made even Narxis wince. Ebony and Rhaeghal drew away hiding behind Tatia, the Rythert and Amitiel.

Gerry spoke into the silence. "Elaya..they are friends. They are pack."

"And they have endangered the pack. I will have answers. Now." Her voice was cold. No her voice was empty. Her eyes were a solid blood red. The room thrummed with a tension so thick it was weight upon their bodies.
 
Lairia opened her mouth and closed it several times, trying to find the words to explain her decision, but everyone was talking over one another, panic setting in. And Arya...Arya had gone terribly quiet. She wanted to tell them, but she could see they weren't understanding.

"It wasn't suppose to be like this," she whispered to herself, "None of you were suppose to deal with these consequences. I had thought for sure they would execute me..."

~

Arya hadn't heard a word of anything said, lost in her anger, her brain narrowing in on the fact that Elaya had her hands on Narxis. She let out a warning growl when Elaya first grabbed Narxis, and then a snarl when Elaya shoved Narxis to the ground, her muscles flexing as instinct and anger took over. Elaya was threatening someone Arya...well she didn't understand what she felt but Arya knew seeing Elaya hurting Narxis made her blood boil and the death hound within her itch to rip her neck apart. She barely had the restraint not to, her body too tired to fight herself. It had yet to have been said, but what Lairia and Arya had just done had been far more dangerous than anyone realized. Both had known the risks going in though.

“Don’t touch him,” she snarled, and tried to lunge at Elaya. Her intent wasn’t to harm but to knock the werewolf on her ass, in a moment when her walls were down and protecting Narxis became her drive. But as she launched from the bed her body wasn’t as agile and she stumbled, slowing in her pace. It was that small mistake that would cost her the fight. Seraphina had seen her lunge and lunged herself, her hands balls of fists as she hit Arya dead on with them, using her momentum to throw the woman into the far wall as she let out a shrill cry. Burnt skin bubbled on Arya’s shoulder and cheek and her eyes were squeezed closed as she let out a animalistic howl of pain. Instantly Sera’s flame went out, realizing what she had done.

“Holy shit,” she backpedaled, having never attacked someone she knew so viciously, “Arya, I didn’t mean to-“

Arya, eyes closed and relying all on scent was nothing more than a beast in pain now. A beast trying to protect what it saw as its, trying to fend for her life. Her body launched but missed as Seraphina moved out of the way with a twirl, ramming into Amitiel. No longer was the girl there though; now a snarling beast stood in its pace, its body leaking black liquid, the smoke that held it together seeming to be curling slower than usual, her stance not as strong. Something was indeed wrong with Arya.

There was no Arya left. In her place was only this beast, enraged at being attacked, protecting what it felt was its. It snarled and howled, and without any other warning launched again, but this time her body moved so fast you could all but blink and she had moved. No one could stop her as she lunged straight for Sera and Amitiel, blind and feral as instinct won out. There was no time for Sera to do anything but react. She felt the hilt at Amitiel's side and brandished the blade, her heart racing so fast she could hear nothing but the blood pounding in her eyes. She thrusted the sword forward just in time, impaling the beast in the stomach and watching it - no her - as she fell. The minute the death hound touched the floor she was human again, black blood leaking out of her wound, the sword embedded in her stomach. She let out another howl of pain as Sera stumbled back a step, mortified at her actions. She could hear other voices now, the room silenced by her beating heart till now, and what she heard made it all worse. The sword. Sera looked at her hands, seeing the flesh burnt and red, her adrenaline amped up so high she had felt nothing. It hadn't been just any sword, it had been Amitiel's divine sword, a sword that could kill infernal.

"I didn't know," she cried out, eyes wide and frantic as Arya stopped moving on the floor, her chest rising and falling rapidly, "I...I thought it was just a sword. I didn't, oh god I didn't mean to! I'm sorry. Arya I'm sorry!"
 
Narxis stared at Arya and screamed.

It was not the voice of a human. It was not even the voice of a supernatural. This was a demonic wail of pain and fury. He lurched. Or tried to.

Elaya ground down on him and he reached for Arya, then looked at Elaya. "Please... let me help her."

Elaya raised her foot, and narxis was upon Arya in a moment. He removed the blade then stunned everyone by jamming an infernal one into it's place. Amitiel cried out but he ignored them as he ignited the blade and Arya with hellfire, pouring power into it, cleansing her wound and cauterizing much of it, to seal it about the blade so her bleeding would cease.

He then cupped her head. "Arya, just hold on.W e can fix this. Come on. Just shadow and we can find a way to fix this. Please Arya."

Amitiel gently tugged Sera's dress pulling her back. "it was not your fault Sera."

Narxis snarled at the words. "No. ITS HER"S!!" He threw a claw toward Elaya, his eyes mad with fear driven hate. "You killed her you fucking bitch!"

Elaya looked back at him calmly, her voice still empty. "If I had done it she'd already be gone."

The others near her moved even further away. Narxis hissed, then looked back to Arya, kissing her and blowing more hellfire and other such things into her, trying desperately to help her. Somehow.
 
Lairia hadn’t moved away like the rest. Well not from Arya at least. She kept her space from Elaya, knowing now was not the time to speak as she gently moved to the end of the bed near the death hound and demon, watching but not speaking.

Sera on the other hand had moved into the bathroom, sick with herself. She could still see the room and everything unfolding but she felt nauseous again, and this time it wasn’t from the pregnancy. He had just stabbed someone, someone close to a friend of hers. If Narxis never forgave her she would deserve it.

~

Arya was now shaking in Narxis’ arms, breathing becoming harder and harder. She felt the divine blade slide out and winced, but she hadn’t expected to be stabbed again. It provided momentary relief as the blood stopped flowing and he cauterized the rather large wound. But no amount of hellfire or cauterizing would fix this. Not even a minute had passed and the smell of blood once more filled the air as it began leaking again from her open gash, pouring around the sword and onto him, Arya choking on blood reaching her throat as the divine magic worked up her body, getting closer to her heart.

“It…won’t…work,” she gasped each word with a soft voice, her eyes holding his as she threw her energy into memorizing every detail of his face, “You…cannot…stop…divine…magic…”

She reached up, touching his cheek with her bloodied hand, leaving a smear as she whispered even softer, “Forgive…me…”

She melted into shadows, the liquid dripping from it much stronger now, but she didn’t remain. The smoke rose and shot out the open window, disappearing into the city. Lairia tried to jump up to see where she was heading but her knees buckled and she fell back cursing and holding her throbbing head.

“Narxis, we have to find her,” she coughed and black liquid came out, but she wiped it away, knowing what it was, “She more hurt than you think. When we…when I convinced her to do this, she warned me of the risks. One being that the longer she was in me, the more it would kill me, and her in return. She’s not made for possession, and her venom is not made to be contained within anyone.

She coughed again, this time showing her black hand to the group, “I’ll live but it’s in my blood stream. It’s her…her essence I think. It stuck inside me, clinging when she left. It means she’s weak Narxis. She’s weak and now she’s dying. She won’t make it.”

She looked down, feeling terrible. This had been her idea. Her plan. She had never meant for this.

~

Arya didn’t make it far…but then again she didn’t stay within the city. Two miles south of the city was Octavia’s clan, and Arya pushed herself to her very limit to reach the clan’s cemetery, collapsing back into her human form next to the tombstone, her hand outreached and fingers stretched to touch Octavia’s name as she lay there in a pool of her own blood dying.
 
Narxis barely heard Lairia.

Then he was up and shrieking launched himself at Seraphina.

He never got near her.

No one had ever seen Elaya move so fast. She flicked into his path and the room suddenly was too close, too small, filled with immense pressure, and the sound of a myriad of blows.

Narxis crumpled to his knees and fell against her hip, his face a bloody mess, and he puked as well, the stink of it horrifying. She grabbed his throat. "never threaten Seraphina. Now you will help us get lairia out of here. Then I will help you find your girl. We can't do anything here."

She vanished for a moment, then came back just as quickly. She shook herself. "Alright let's get moving. Sera bring your sexy ass. We have to save the girls. Arya isn't dead yet come on!"

Narxis slowly stood as gerry and Amitiel rushed out to get everyone's stuff, telling the guards about the plan. Elaya pointed at narxis. "until you help with lairia you get nothing. Move."

He blinked through swollen eyes, his face still bleeding. The Rythert paused long enough to look at him, shuddered, then ran off. He grunted and manifested, then resumed his 'human' form, healed, but clutching his head. "fuck she hits hard...Lairia do you have all your stuff?"
 
Lairia flinched when Narxis shot towards Sera, but they had all expected Elaya to get in the way, and she did. Sera just stood there, mouth open, the look of pure regret in her eyes. Both women were feeling regret at this very moment, both women wanted to fix what could not be undone.

Even as Elaya tried to get the group moving Lairia simply looked to the floor, defeated, but unable to say the words out loud. She’s gone Lairia told herself, We barely survived the trial. The blood…its too much…

Lairia’s bleak eyes looked up again when she heard her name, only then realizing the room was empty. Everyone had left, Tatia with Rythert, all three wanting to get out in a hurry, Sera following Elaya silent and numbly, leaving just Lairia in the room with the man whose woman Lairia had aided in killing. The thought drove a stake further into her heart.

The only thing she owned was the small purse with the endless closet, and that felt like too much wealth to her at that moment. She’d rather curl up and then sneak out of the city now. The plan had been for Arya to get her out…and here Lairia was…

“Sure,” she whispered, no effort in her voice.
 
Narxis grabbed Lairia's collar and though Elaya was still there, she said nothing. "you better wake up and move girl. She's still alive. The only thing that will kill her is you flopping around like a dead fish. Move!"

Elaya looked at Lairia without pity. 

She then turned Sera. "pack up babe. I have to speak to the Circle."

She went out and kicked one of the guards in the shins. "THe hell?"
"you assholes let my friend die. i will speak to your masters. now. And maybe I'll leave my feelings at just that kick." They flinched away from her and rushed to obey, bringing her before the Circle. 

"I will be leaving now. Along with my group. i will not hold you responsible for this incident. But I expect to be left alone. I have to go bury my friend now." She did wait for any response. her sister and nephew had nothing to say, shamed they had failed a pack member.
 
Lairia felt him jostle her and tried to stand, tried to move like they wanted, but her legs buckled and she collapsed on the ground. Tears started in her eyes and she shrank back from both of them, ashamed at herself, at her state, and at what she had done.

“Don’t,” she pulled away, wanting no one’s aid. This was not how she had envisioned any of this, “I don’t deserve help. I’m responsible for Arya’s…death…”

She knew they were refusing to believe her but Lairia was so scared she was right. She pulled herself up to her feet, her legs buckling but not folding in this time, as she used the support of Rhaegal. Clutching one hand to the necklace on her neck she tore it off, handing it to Elaya as she passed her to the door. It was Rey’s stone.

“I didn’t deserve him after all,” she whispered and continued, eyes down as she waited for Elaya to move by and leave. With the guards gone she stepped out as the group came together once more. Tatia and Rythert looked tired and nervous, but no one looked as distraught like Lairia as Sera did. One look reflected the feelings Lairia was feeling on Sera’s face, and the sorceress couldn’t bear it. She bowed her head and looked away, wishing she had never come up with such a stupid plan.

~

Sera felt lost. Lost and confused, and utterly useless to the group. While Elaya barked orders rather harshly and the group seemed to scatter, Sera merely stood in the bathroom, staring emptily at the spot Arya had lain. She shouldn’t have grabbed the sword. She could have ducked out of the way…or…or moved…or something. Why had she stabbed someone meant to be a group member?

Sera blinked when Elaya spoke her name but she didn’t reply. She nodded numbly and rushed out to her room. She didn’t even pack. It just left her mind. She got to the room and the sobbing started, the emotions too much for her, her hormones raging again. She sobbed until someone knocked calling for her and then, with a splash of cold water on her red cheeks, she shoved two dresses she had no idea who they belonged to and the circlet on her head into a bag. She wasn’t even sure where the bag came from, or what use it was to her. Sera never kept clothes. But she had it. And she stared at it oddly as she stood in the hall with the rest, Lairia in the middle of them, hidden by a cloak offered to her. At that moment Sera was no longer the leader. She didn’t even want the title. She was done. As was Lairia. Both women, wishing to sulk away and grieve over their own mistakes.
 
Elaya snarled as she saw the others. "Everyone stays together. Especially you Tatia. now is not the time to run off."

Gerry came out with much more luggage, and narxis grunted and it all vanished. Then he encircled Lairia with his wings, and Amitiel moved in behind Seraphina, and Elaya took the lead, marching them out of the palace, and out of the city proper.

Once out of sight of the walls, she called and a pack of weres, all in animal form, encircled the group. "no one here leaves, and no one touches these people. They are my pack."

She went to Sera, kissed her deeply, then cupped her face. "She'll live Sera. Just rest now."

She went to Narxis and sighed. "Let's go find her."

He grabbed her and flew into the sky, then hovered as she sniffed the wind currents, losing herself in them.

Far below, the weres were instantly put on the defensive as a legion of demons swarmed them, screaming. "WHERE IS THE ONE THAT IS HIDDEN!! WHERE IS THE ONE HE MASKS?! GIVE IT TO US!!!" And fell upon the group and the weres with blades flashing.

Gerry roared at Sera and lairia. "FIGHT OR DIE YOU TWO!"

~

Arya had only just arrived when a figure appeared, leaning on Octavia's grave stone. And eating an apple.

he was calm, relaxed, and far too handsome to be any mortal being. He blew some flame onto the apple and it revealed his face. Lucifer.

"Weeelllll. Fancy meeting you here. how have you beeen?"

"Strike that. Don't care. You look like shit. But not as bad your boy. I told you to leave him be. But he got saucy. Got some prince to order him to protect you. Not sure who. probably Dagon though the little bitch won't admit it."

He took a deep bite of his apple, then hopped onto the gravestone, sitting easily, his ankles, crossed, his gleaming black shoes actually tanned from dead death-hounds. He brushed something off his pant leg as he watched her, chewing his apple.

"you know. you are something. Including a fool. He just let them kill you. Seems rather odd to me."

He finished the apple, sighed, and tossed the core away, wiping his lips with his pocket square. "I've been wondering something though. You've been pretty cocky lately. i wonder why... maybe it's because you think that one way or another you'll survive everything."

He shrugged and burned up the pocket square then folded his fingers and wrapped them about his knee, looking far too relaxed now. "So i had a thought, by the way your own venom just perforated your lower intestine. Should hurt a bitch. Anyway my thought. What is i gave you just an idea of the pain ahead for you unless you start obeying like a good dog. What do you think hmm?"

He grinned, then snapped his fingers. The pain was gone. No it wasn't. But i had moved. Now it was in her side. Into a body cavity. And no longer cauterized. Blood poured out. He smiled and stood. "Much better. Oh by the way. enjoy this. I wonder how you'll survive without your powers. Maybe i'll give them to that Elaya girl. She's a good killer. lot better than you."

He moved closer and cupped her face, studying it, then nodded. "yes. This should do. Tata." He walked off, vanishing into shadow
 
To their surprise, they made it out of the city without a hitch. Amitiel kept Sera from lagging too far back, lost in her own thoughts, and Narxis did not give Lairia a chance to do anything but walk. When they did reach the wilds again, Elaya was not done. An audible groan left Tatia’s mouth, but she masked her face as if she hadn’t, not wanting to reveal that her and Rythert had plans to leave with Ebony. Lairia didn’t move, not sure what Elaya was plotting. They were free now. All the group needed to do was move on and leave Lairia to, well whatever life she had now. She wasn’t sure exactly.

As Narxis and Elaya flew high, Sera’s head snapped up at the sound of trouble. Demons descended on them, screaming and crying their rage as the group took a defensive position. Tatia and Rythert were drawn close to Lairia who pulled up a barrier, while the rest pushed to fight. Sera stood outside the barrier, throwing fireballs at any who dared come near, too scared to turn flame and hurt herself or the baby in her process.

~

Arya lay there, coughing up blood and simply glaring him. Could she not even have her last minutes alone with her friend; must her master steal that too?

“What…do…you…want?” she croaked, holding her stomach as more black blood spurted out.

He wanted to gloat. To gloat and make her pain horribly worse. She screamed when the venom hit her intestines, knowing it was of his making. When the pain ceased she got a breath in before he decided to play more mind…or body games.

“Wha-” she gasped, looking down as the pain shifted. It was still just as painful, but now it was her side bleeding out. She felt both stronger and weaker by it, shaking on the ground as she glared at him. What had he done to her? Her powers? Gone? How? She looked down to her hand, trying to turn it to shadow and the ability…it was just gone.

At first she was shocked silent. Then she screamed in frustration and pain. No one came though. The cemetary was too far to hear. Finally when Arya realized her blood loss was much slower, she breathed, trying to figure out how to get around this. She could hunt Lucifer down, but he’s likely kill her for using him as her solution to her problem. If she had no powers, did that make her…human? Could she see a hospital? What about Narxis?

Slowly, achingly so, she stood, or well collapsed, her legs too weak. It took about five tries before she could stay standing, and then she groaned, remembering how far Ocean City was.

“Uh, excuse me, are you lost – oh shit, your bleeding!”

Arya’s head swivelling, catching sight of a blonde woman with coal grey eyes, staring at her.

“I need a doctor,” Arya coughed and wheezed and the woman kept looking at her strangely for being in the cemetery in this state, “Oh and I…knew Octavia.”

The woman visibly calmed at the last comment,“Are you? I knew her once upon a time. She was quite the dragon. And you look like it.”

“Is there a short cut to Ocean City?”

You won’t make it to Ocean City like that, not in that condition. That wound looks bad.”

Arya sighed, wincing at the pain. Out of her comfort zone as she faked it best she could, “Better start…walking.”

The woman paused then sighed, “No, let me.”

She put down her basket and suddenly transformed, becoming a dragon. Without hesitation she picked Arya up in her talons, and within minutes she was dropping her off outside the gate, to the awe and shock of the guards.

“Take care, friend of Octavia,” the woman rumbled and fly off. As she did Arya collapsed in front of one of the guards, neither of them recognizing her.

“Hospital…please…”she begged, the blood coating her hand as she stanched the blood.

An hour later she lay in a bed, bandaged up, waiting on a doctor who just happened to be a mage to heal her. Staring at the ceiling, she felt her mind a whirl of thoughts, memories, and feelings. It was overwhelming, and she had no way to shut it down. They had hit her when she had reached the hospital and they did not seem to be fading, nor quietening. Arya was beside herself, unsure what to do, overwhelmed and wishing she had Narxis here. Narxis. Her heart oddly fluttered and skipped at his name. That was…odd. Was this another trick from Lucifer? Had he given her heart problems too?!

“Nurse! You!” she snapped at a nurse making bed. Most of the hospital staff had been giving Arya a wide berth, a few thinking she was mad, others thinking she was not crazy, just rude.

“Yes?” the nurse asked.

“My heart is acting funny, someone needs to check it,” she demanded, pressing a hand to her chest, “It skipped.”

The nurse smiled, “Were you perhaps thinking of someone in your life you love?”

Arya made a face, as if the thought disgusted her. Love was not for hellspawn. It didn’t exist below.

“That’s not it,” she shook her head, “Is it one of those heart attacks?”

“Those don’t come from your heart skipping,” the nurse sighed, already tired of this bizzare patient “I have work to do. You either thought of someone you like, or you spooked yourself. Honestly, you are fine.”

The nurse walked away and Arya let her head hit the pillow, thinking harder. Could she? Honestly?
 
Amitiel stayed close to Gerry, fending off demonic blades as the human used his own special ammunition and knives to dispatch demons. he yelled at the Rythert and they used Tatia as a focus and soaked the ground under the group, and used this to defuse their fiery abilties, and forcing them to flee from Sera's more skillful attacks.

~

Elaya sniffed, then pointed. "She is in that direction. Fly straight and you will find her."

He nodded. And dropped her.

With anyone else it might have been an attempt on her life. but not so with the wolf. She fell, and finally heard the battle taking place far below. She transformed as she fell, and landed with a thud next to Sera, howled, and with her fellow were's fell into the demon ranks, slaughtering them. They formed a phalanx that mowed demons down with ease, tearing off ewings, heads, limbs,a nd hurling their own weapons back at them without mercy.

~

narxis flew on the line Elaya had indicated and he began to smell Arya's blood. Lots of it. He drew lower until he found the cemetary. Confused he continued to follow the scnet until he came to a large pool of her blood, which was killing the grass. Then he noted the name on the nearest gravestone.

His eyes went wide, then he sniffed the ground. "Where?"

He whirled suddenly catching another scent...sorta. "Damnit!" He bit his lip. He couldn't smell Arya anymore. or feel her. but she was alive. She had to be alive....Elaya.

He took off again.

When he arrived the last of the demons were being mopped up. He went to Elaya. "Please... something is happened. I can't feel her anymore...but she's alive. i just now. please Elaya?"

She studied him then grabbed Amitiel's wing. "No one leaves. At all. If they do you are to bring them back."

"But-"

"No one feathers."

He nodded.

She went to sera and kissed her lover. "Stay here baby. Keep everyone calm. Keep tatia here. Arya is still alive."

She went to narxis who picked her up and off they went.

~

It took her moments to find the new scent, and a fragment of a moment to idnetify it. "She met a Dragon. The dragon...took her to Ocean City..or at least that direction...the hospitals. Doctors. Something. My best guess Narxis. i have to go before Laria or Tatia do soemthing really stupid."

Narxis nodded and took off.

~

Elaya spurred herself and entered into an argument between Gerry and the Rythert about whether tatia could leave. Elaya snarled. "Sit your ass down!"

Everyone went still as she glared at them. "Do you not realize why I am angry? Why im so scared? Because Lairia's plan failed. Had they 'killed' we'd be fine. But now she's a fugitive waiting to be discovered. The Circle will want war when they find out about this. I pledged my protection That means all of the Metuzi and our allied packs. Against every Circle on the planet."

She let that sink in. "Arya risked her life for that plan. And it's so much more dangerous than even she knows. She thinks its only Princes of hell after her. She's wrong. Lairia... the plan could have worked. Should have worked. but now you have to stay with us. If you don't you will be seen, you will be killed, and the Circle will expect repayment. My blood. Metuzi blood. Maybe even everyone's. I can't risk that. "

She looked at everyone and sat, closing her eyes, her face in her hands. Then she looked up. "They were going to pardon Laria. It's not her fault she got shot. Had it not happened we would have just walked out of there safe and sound. But now... now Arya is hurt, far worse than what you did hun. Lairia is trapped in a world not her own. tatia the merfolken are swarming this area hunting for you.  Have been for weeks now. You can't run off. not yet. Everyone please... just find shelter nearby. We have to wait for Narxis and Arya."

~

Narxis was frantic. He was roaming the city. He had gotten the name of every healer, doctor, clinic and hospital he could. He knew she wasn't at the palace infirmary. But other than that he had no idea. And he couldn't interrogate his usual way. No violence. And he couldn't manifest. not here. He'd be attacked.

So he had to go from door to door, one by one, and ask about his Arya. He didn't give her name, but her description was enough. Some even let him look at their unnamed patients. But for every two that helped him, he had at least two more who refused to tell him anything. He had to get very creative. Jumping planes. Using disguises. Even once breaking into the special ward of what turned out to be an asylum.

But he couldn't find her. He knew she was alive. he just knew. But he began to worry he wouldn't be able to find her in time. And all the while a manic laugh filled the back of his mind. he knew that laugh well. Ba'al's. he didn't know how or why it was there. But it was.

~

Her bed jostled and Arya's left eye was forced open and very bright light was shone into it. "hmmm. You seem to still be kicking for now."

Lucifer snickered wickedly.

"You do know that even the veyr skilled doctors here can't help you? You're still bleeding to death. All alone. Only one thing will save you."

He leaned down, his breath warm and sweet, and smelling of home. His fingers probed her tummy tenderly as he hummed. Then he actually seized her wound, twisting a finger around in it, his rough skin wearing it raw. "give him up dog. Give him up or I will kill him. You are mine and no other's!"

He grabbed the hair atop her head and twisted. "You only have  23 hours left little dog. I can hurt him a lot in just 23 hours. Give him up and I'll leave him alone. Besides. you weren't made for feelings. You're a killer. My killer."

He drew a talon down her chest, opening it and pulling her heart out. He queezed it grinning with fang filled lips. Then suddenly he was gone, and there was no sign of the cut in her chest as a nurse came in to check on her. "You ok sugah?"
 
The fight had been well fought, but not hard. The demons had been sent in no given pattern, and they had underestimated the groups combined abilities. In short time, and with Elaya’s help, there was not a demon left alive and Sera pulled herself into Elaya’s arms, breathing a sigh of relief at being told Arya was still alive. Lairia looked relieved too, but she still hadn’t spoken, drawing herself off to the side of the group where she was still present but visibly excluded. Her hand kept rising to her neck, as if expecting to find something there, but she had given her pendent to Elaya, and she was not ready to take it back. Not till she felt she deserved it. And right now she felt far from it.

As Elaya and Narxis flew off a second time, Tatia made a much more audible noise and looked to Amitiel, “So I’m now on arrest for wanting to leave? I told you all last week I wished to retire. For this reason-”

She swept her hands around at the carnage. She’s been shaking since the fight ended, a sign that Tatia was far from recovered. Something had triggered a bad memory and she was fighting off tears as she snapped. She only moved when Rythert took her hands and led her to a tree stump to sit and calm, helping her destress away from the group. She had told them everything now, all the pain, all the torture, even the parts she was brainwashed. She had confided in them the first night in the Palace and they had cried for hours with her, but their bond grew. She had…well she had also told them she loved them that very night. It was the small joyous part of a night full of tears, but some of those tears had been in joy. She loved her Rythert, and them her, and no one was going to take that away again.

While they sat off to one side, Lairia sat off to another, leaving Amitiel, the cats, Gerry, and Sera in the middle, all not too sure what to do. Leaving the cats to the men, Sera stepped off to where Lairia was sitting on a large rock, sliding in beside her.

“Want to talk about it?” Sera murmured.

Lairia’s blue eyes looked up, catching hers, “About how your all risking your lives to protect me again when it is unneeded?”

“How’s it unneeded?”

“I didn’t give any of you a contract. I didn’t ask for you to throw your lives at the line for me. And now we are stuck out here.”

“What did you expect Lairia? You faked your death, we couldn’t just let you sit in your room all day. Elaya made the right call-“

“I thought you were the leader here?” Lairia asked, not accusingly but confused. Indeed Elaya had taken over the boss role, and Sera had yet to make a fuss over it.

“I was never the true leader,” she shrugged, “I can tell the group where to go and what contract we chose, but Elaya has always been the one enforcing it since she started. Face it, she gets things done. I don’t mind it. People aren’t my forte like they are hers.”

Lairia fell quiet to that.

“None of that matters now though Lairia. We are disbanding. Some are retiring, others have a family on the way,” Sera hugged her belly at that moment, “And some have gotten themselves into quite the mess.”

“I know,” Lairia groaned, “I hadn’t thought they would pardon me. I’ve seen much crueler trials in my lifetime in that city. I just…didn’t want to die. Arya was suppose to leave my body once we were in my room and then get me out of the city hidden within a casket. Our plan was to tell you after we were safe, and for me to go into hiding. I…I was actually going to try and find my father again. He’s been missing for decades. I’ve tried a hundred times to track him down, but now I have all the free time in the world to do so.”

Sera nodded, “But if someone recognises you there would be hell to pay.”

Lairia fell silent at that. Just then Elaya returned, and all heads swivelled in her direction. Sera stood, squeezing Lairia’s shoulder in an act of kindness before moving to Elaya, allowing her to see her fiancée and their unborn child were safe and unharmed. She didn’t get a moment to say anything though, as while she had been busy talking to Lairia, Rythert had taken another stab at Amitiel to get them and Tatia free. Elaya’s order came with icy silence as no one spoke, only watched and listened. Even Seraphina fell quiet. Even knowing Arya was still alive was not enough; she was still in pain, still hurting. And it was Sera’s doing. Her eyes only looked back up as Lairia stepped up to her side, mouth open to speak.

“Elaya,” she started, “I did what I did thinking there would be no pardon. But the Circle does not know I am alive, and won’t know. I…we, none of us are children. We know the risks of our actions. Even I knew, if I was to live, it would be in hiding.”

She stepped away from Sera and closer to Rythert and Tatia, whom had joined her lovers, “Which is why on the way here I agreed to getting Rythert and Tatiana home safely, using my magic skills. They have a place no merfolk can touch, a place safe for the cats and them. I’ll be staying there, helping them build their home and raise the cats. I can protect them there. Not out here. Not in the open.”

She stepped forward and knelt beside Elaya, placing a hand on her knee in a friendly manner, “I’m sorry. This is my mess and my fault. But none of you were meant to be dragged into this. I won’t involve the Metuzi, or you, any of you. You have a family now Elaya, you have to focus on them.”

“How will we visit you?” Sera spoke up, making it clear she was not going to stop them.

“We can send word to you on how once we get there,” Lairia explained, “We’d be hidden and safe.”

Sera nodded, looking at Elaya, “I’m not stopping them Elaya. They can leave come morning. It’ll be safest. Out here, Lairia is right. We are risking too much. But Elaya is also right. We are making camp and waiting for Narxis.”

Her chocolate brown eyes turned on Amitiel, “Go find him and aide him. Undoubtedly he needs a friend right now. And Arya needs our help too.”

Then she took Elaya’s hand and pulled her up, “As for us we are making camp, c’mon everyone. You two Tatia and Rythert. Not till morning.”

~

Arya was lying in the tiny hospital bed. She had no idea what one she was in. The guards had carried her. She wasn’t even sure if this was helping. But it beat lying in the hot sign bleeding out.

However there was nothing stopping her now from thinking. All the emotions she normally could bury bubbled up, with no way to push them away. Fear and panic were the first, the fact that her powers were gone were terrifying her. Then came confusion, and now she just lay there numbly, trying to decipher why Lucifer was doing all this. If he wanted to torture her, why this way? If he simply wished to let her die, why hadn’t he?

It was as if her questions had summoned in. Suddenly a light was shining in her left eye and she hissed, shrinking back as her other eye popped open, glaring at him.

“Go away,” she snapped. She didn’t want another lecture. Lucifer simply snickered at her.

Of course she was still bleeding to death. Why would he have made this easy for her? She flinched when he leaned in, the smell wafting off him almost making her homesick. It had been so long…

Suddenly she let out a scream, her wound burning as he gripped it, tears filling her eyes. It hurt worse than she could imagine, and nothing would lessen that pain.

“He’s not here you idiot!” she shrieked, confused as to why no nurses or doctors had come running in, “He doesn’t even know I’m here! You can’t give something up you don’t have!”

It wasn’t completely true. She hadn’t stopped thinking about him since she left Octavia’s grave. Not that she had control over that, or at least it felt like she had no control. Her emotions were still confusing, all these new things hitting her at once. Being human sucked.

She was still crying from the pulsing wound he had left raw when he grabbed her by the hair, yanking so hard it forced more tears out. His threat and warning was well heard.

“If I wasn’t made for feelings, why give them to me?” she growled, taking on a defensive stance as her anger flared, the only emotion she truly understood and gripped onto to, letting it burn with rage within her, “You made me this. I think your just jealous. Jealous you never got the loyal mutt you wanted when you made me for Baal. I was always loyal to him. I just got stuck with you.”

Now it was her turn to sneer, “Your threats are empty Lucifer. I am here, and Narxis is probably out of the city by now. So go threaten some other hellspawn.”

Her false bravado lasted all of three seconds before he cut into her chest and she cried out again, then her eyes widened seeing her heart in his hands. How did he…? She flinched as he squeezed it, suddenly feeling like she couldn’t breath, the room getting brighter as she felt her body numbing…was she dying…

With a jolt everything was back to normal, and Lucifer was gone. She touched her chest, feeling the skin smooth and untouched. His threat suddenly felt a lot worse. What was he going to do to her? Or worse yet, what was he going to do to Narxis? What was I thinking, encouraging him?! I have to warn Narxis…I have to find him…before Lucifer hurts him.

The thought of having sent Lucifer at Narxis, at the image of her demon being tortured and flayed by her master chilled Arya to the bone and her stomach knotted. No. She’d fix this.

The nurse appeared and Arya couldn’t hide the growing bloody stain on the blankets, the wound opened again. She still bled black and the doctors didn’t understand it, but Arya had given them much for answers.

“I need stitches again, I think they pulled out,” she whispered, letting the nurse look. As she rushed out of the room Arya had her mind set. The door had not even closed and Arya threw the blankets off, falling off the side of the bed. She rushed to get up, her balance unsteady as she toppled a rolling table with knives and tweezers on it, then a clipboard that had her information – all faked – on it. She stumbled to the closet in the corner she had seen the nurse open to grab bandages and opened it now, grabbing two pieces of gauze. There was a bottle of rubbing alcohol and she remembered the woman using that too, although it stung. Something about infections. Gritting her teeth she splashed the alcohol on the wound, cleaning it as the pain lanched through her, still not as bad as Lucifer’s tampering. Then she stuck the gauze on halfhazardly, and grabbed a large bandage, wrapping it around her torso tightly to keep the gauze and everything in place. Seeing a roll of tape she grabbed some of that too, taping the bandage down and shrugged. It would have to do.”

Getting dressed, she threw away the mesh shirt, seeing how wide the holes were in it now. Instead she zipped up her jacket, hiding her torso and the wound. It hurt to dress, but she had to get out of here. To find Narxis.

Stumbling to the door, she peaked out, seeing the nurse down the hall with her back turned, talking to a doctor. Time to go… Arya stumbled out, almost hitting a gurney as she tried to balance herself, but her wound made it hard for her to stand straight and her knees were still jelly from her little trick with Lairia. All she had done is make a protective barrier of the sorceress’ heart, so when that arrow had hit it actually embedded itself in Arya, not Lairia. Now her good deed was backfiring in her face. Well not entirely a ‘deed’. Arya had striked a deal. An eye for an eye, so it was. A favor for Lairia, in return for an uncashed favor for Arya when the need arose.

Making it around the corner she rammed into a small cart full of tiny cups, some with a pill or two in it. Swearing under her breath she looked at the cart and spot bottles underneath, each with different inscriptions and tags on them with patient names. She spotted one with her name and picked up the bottle, seeing that it was a pain killer.

“Oh thank god,” she groaned, stuffing it in her pocket and stumbling away. She could hear someone yelling that the room was empty, and to find the patient but before anyone could stop her she opened the front door, happy the secretary was missing, and slipped into the afternoon crowd in the streets. She made it a block and a half before she slipped into an alley and crashed against one of the walls, wincing as her side throbbed. Checking it, the blood was just starting to seep through, but not enough that it had soaked the bandage yet. Pulling out the bottle of pills, she fought the lid open and swallowed two pills, hoping it would help. Then she pocketed it again, and stayed there for a minute, trying to discern where to go. She had to get her warning to Narxis. But how? A communication spell, perhaps? She was in a city vibrant with magic, after all. Surely one of the stores on this road could help. Fixing her clothes she stumbled out of her hiding space, looking left and right till she spotted a store sign and headed that way, walking slowly and achingly. Her mind was set on one thought, not letting it trail off or get confused again. Help Narxis. That was what mattered. Who mattered. Why did he matter so much? Already she was getting sidetracked by her emotions…Focus! He needs help, not my mental breakdown.

Stepping into the shop, the pain was lessening, the drugs doing there job as she stepped up to the counter, “Where can I buy a communication spell…I need to contact someone.”

“There’s a shop two doors down that sells communication artifacts. Try there kid.”

She nodded, turning and walking out without a thank you. One step closer to warning him. She just hoped Lucifer wouldn’t make another surprise visit and catch on.
 
Everyone tensed as Elaya listened to the others. Her eyes filled with blood, and even Amitiel stepped back from the wolf.

But the expected explosion never came.

When Sera stepped in, Elaya cooled down instantly, obeying her lover. Her eyes returned to purple, and at the order she set to making camp, noting how everyone was giving her plenty of room, except for Sera and Gerry. but she didn't even talk to them. She got camp set up, got the extra weres to put on a roving guard, then found a place and sat, and fell asleep in moments.

Gerry got Sera alone. "Boss...you can't let them leave. Lairia is wrong. There are spies from everywhere watching us. She is guna be seen. And recognized. And no place is true untouchable. Not even magic can do that. I mean all that just happened in the damned Palace of the Circle! And the only one who got punished was Elaya and they let her go!"

He didn't touch her but leaned in close. "I know they want to be free and left alone, but you have to get them to come North with us. If only long enough for the Queen to settle things with the Circle. If the wrong person or spy sees and blabs the Circle will have no choice but to kill us to protect their students and school. Or even the were's might. They aren't thinking this through."

~

Narxis was still frantically searching the city.

He reached the largest hopsital and entered to find it in an uproar. A girl with a bad stomach wound had left while still bleeding and they were organizing a search.

For a moment he doubted, then he saw the black blood. "Arya!"

He ran outside, running right by the alley she had taken refuge in not so long ago.

~

Lucifer suddenly appeared. On Arya's shoulders. He let his weight throw her to the ground, then sat on her back, unseen by all but her and began to crack pistachios and spit the shells onto the back of her head.

"You stink dog."

He ground his ass down onto her back, knowing it would flex her wound and make the pain lance through her body.

"A stinky smelly doggy doo." he giggled, and began to bounce up and down on her back. "Gimme a ride doggy!"

Suddenly she was thrown onto her back and the nuts were gone as he pressed a heel of his shoe against her wound. "You are trying my patience dog. Not only won't you give this fool up, but you are also lying to me. And worse than that. You are thanking my Father for His help?"

He loomed closer and gripped her face, his fingers digging into pressure points so painful they paralyzed her. "You are making me angry dog. I think it's time we...speed things up."

He slapped her. Not across the face, but on her right hip, and the whole leg went numb. Then he leaned in and spit into her left eye and it went dark.

"If i hear you talking to my Dad again...." He left the threat unsaid and vanished before she could respond.

None of the crowd knelt to help her. her screams and cries and jabbering seemed those of a mad woman. But she wasn't hurting anyone...yet.

~

Pitr was trying to focus.

Normal she had the will of a mountain. But today...today she couldn't. Her heart ached after hurting Elaya so badly. "Sister I'm sorry."

"why? She lied to you."

"What?! Who!" She whirled and froze. Unlike Elaya, Pitr did truly fear the being before. "Lord Lucifer... we were not expecting you."

"Oh I know. You didn't expect a lot of things. Like that your own sister and princess would lie to you."

"She would never!"

"Oh? Where did she say she was going?"

"To...to bury her friend."

"Why bury her?"

"She's dead."

"Is she?"

"Of course she is! We all saw her die."

"Did you? Hmmm. I see. Must be hard on you all." he began to fiddle with a painting, altering the colors.

She shook herself. "no.. she would never...Lairia is dead."

"Of course you're right. I mean you saw it. And saw the body after. When they left."

"Well... No! She's dead. Elaya would never lie to me."

"Of course not. She's a good sister."

"She is! The very best!"

Lucifer nodded. "Just like she told you about the hellspawn in her group."

"Well yes... She did."

"The truth about them?"

"Of course... I...uh...."

"The archdemon. The death hound in disguise? The assassins of Hell?"

"i... I..."

"A shame. Im sure she was just protecting you. her family. her pack. Oh look at the time i have to go...Oh wait. The hellspawn are in your city. Alone. I hear they want to kill someone. One of your students in fact."

Her eyes flared. "What?!"

He shrugged. "Just what I heard. Tata."

She puzzled, then rushed out find her son. "Hagath iw ant the city searched immediately. Find otu if there are any Hellspawn...and someone tell me which gate Elaya left through!"

A few minutes later Hagath, having informed the others, went to search the city for hellspawn. While Pitr left the city and marched toward Elaya's camp. She would have answers. Now.
 
Camp was made, and since they already had guards, everyone was on a kind of house arrest to the camp. Tatia looked annoyed, but she said nothing, moving into her tent with Rythert and Ebony where no one would see them till morning. Lairia had also retired to her tent, but for different reasons she had yet to explain, although when anyone passed it they could hear her murmuring and cursing, and the tent would light up for a few seconds before dying away. Sera, meanwhile was sitting at the campfire with Amitiel and Gerry while Elaya slept, but as Amitiel wandered off Gerry broached his subject and Sera did not bear a happy face.

"They are going," she stated flatly, "Or does my leadership mean nothing now?"

It was an actual accusation, the hurt laced in her voice. It was one thing for them to follow Elaya when it was needed. Sera was still battling the demons in her head for hurting Arya, and they needed someone to get them out of the city. But it seemed the only person listening to her orders where Elaya now, and Sera had been feeling that way since Lodestone.

"If you don't like my decisions, then force a vote for leadership, and when Elaya is chosen, you can whisper in her ear," Sera looked rather hurt now too, "Go ahead Gerry, drive a wedge between the group."

She stood, wrapping her arms around herself, "Only a month ago you were following my orders without second thoughts. But now you don't trust me with this one. Lairia is stronger than you think. She just survived a death hound crawling inside her, one filled with venom. She's not using child's magic and I trust her. And I trust in the fact that if I force the four of them to stay, they'll grow to hate all of us. Do you want that?"

She didn't give him time to answer. She turned and stalked off to her tent, but before she could go inside Lairia's tent flapped ruffled and a woman stepped out. Sera blinked twice, confused. The woman before her was burnette, with green eyes and pale skin, but she was also half a foot shorter than Lairia, and yet...she looked similar to Lairia, if only slightly in her jawline.

"Who..." Sera hummed.

"It's me," she spoke and the voice was unmistakable, "Lairia."

Now Sera was more confused, "But...how...why?"

"Well I can't stay looking like myself," she shrugged, "And body modification spells are easy. It was changing my scent that will was hardest. Took me a damn hour."

Sera breathed in and realized she couldn't tell Lairia's scent anymore. It was new, but also familiar, and yet not. Like an old friend not met in many decades, and yet here she was.

"And those are..."

"Permanent," she nodded, touching her hair, "I always wanted to dye it anyways. Now I have. Looks good. Can we wake Elaya? I wanted her to test it."

Sera just nodded, still rather shocked and nudged Elaya awake, pulling her from her sleep.

"Baby you got to see this."

~

Arya was halfway to the store when suddenly a pressure hit her shoulders and she collasped screaming in pain as her wound throbbed, blood trickling down her side, wet and warm. So much for the bandage.

"Get off!" she snapped, hearing his voice, but he ignored her. He continued his torment, forcing her again and again into the cobblestone as he bounced, her side in searing pain as she cried out. All around people were giving her odd stares but no one helped her, or even asked.

"Thanking what?" she asked, utterly confused and in pain, trying her damnest to get free, although every movement came with a stab of pain. She got no answers though. Just new pain. One eye went blind as she screamed, the pain in it immense and hot. And she couldn't feel her leg anymore?! She cried out as he disappeared, in agony. If he wanted her dead so badly, she would take it.

"You think I want to live?!" she demanded into the dirt under her, trying desperately to stand, "You idiot! Kill me now if that's what you want. I don't care! I won't let you hurt him!"

She was set in her resolve. Arya didn't give a damn if she died. Hell, if she did, maybe she'd see Sebastian again. She wasn't even sure what happened to death hounds when they ceased to exist. But she wasn't about to let someone else in her life get hurt AGAIN by her mistakes. By her choices, and who she was. She had already lost two...she wasn't about to let him take a third.

With an amazing amount of effort, and biting the screams back from the pain, she got to the shop and forced the door open. Inside a small man looked terrified as the dark haired girl with a limp, blind eye, and blood soaking through her jacket stumbled in.

"I need to make contact with a man," she snapped, leaning on one of his shelves, " Just do it."

The man, terrified she'd do something to his store rushed forward and picked out a crystal ball off one of the shelves, shakingly holding it up to her.

"Just...s-say the name and it will contact them," he squeaked, pressing the ball into one of her black coated hands and rushing into the back room, undoubtedly to get the guards, or simply hide. She didn't care. She was to be dead soon anyways. She could already feel herself leaning too far to one side, her good eye getting blurry as she fought unconsciousness from the loss of blood.

Holding the ball up, she whispered into it, preying it would work, "Narxis."
 
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