”You’re not supposed to hurt them, you know.” Ever so calm, and so normal that there seemed to be something… wrong with the way she watched the darkness, the woman with hair a soft shade of auburn stepped forewords into the small pool of light, her bare feet coated with the crimson touch of blood.

“He told me to get information.” The man was tall as she was, broad shouldered but darker, with skin the rough shade of cocoa if it’s been left to burn for too long. There was something scruffy about time, something hot as if the fire wouldn’t ever be sated. Slinging the mace over his shoulder and picking up the head, neither flinched as he shoved the body into the lake.

“Did you?” she stood there, mildly amused and slightly irritated that she was getting gore on her white dress. She sighed. The dry cleaning lady would never let her hear the end of it. Stepping gingerly over the spray of intestines, she tilted her head. “I think the animals are growing tired of fresh human meat.” She commented.

“Of course I got it.” He snapped, slightly irritated to see that she was always so serene. His hair was dark, but as he turned, pale silver eyes seemed to gleam in the darkness. “I’ll send someone down with some oxen tomorrow.” He amended, deciding he could never stay angry with her for too long.

“So you know where she’s being held?” for the first time, there was excitement in her voice as she watched her lover, smiling as she walked over and placed a noisy kiss on his lips.

He smiled, a quick flash of fang as crimson smeared across her finely etched features. She was a pretty one, cold just as he was hot. “Of course.” His voice deepened into as rough growl as he tugged her against him. “You know, we could wait for a moment…” he was thinking about other, more pressing matters now.

She smiled, but she lived for him, the man she considered her master. “No. Later.” She said firmly, and smiled at the teasing snarl in his voice. “Come.” Tugging at his hand with more strength than she should have, she stepped lightly over the scattered bodies, not caring that her white dress was splattered with organs and blood. “He’s going to be so pleased…”

He growled as a reply. While he was a loyal and faithful servant, the man in him didn’t like the way his woman was always aiming to please the other one. He smiled though, hand tightening around the scalp. But everything will be better soon…

 “She was your daughter once, you know.” The voice, an idle comment was whispered, and the shadow turned, silencing the voice with a narrow glare. “I’m just saying.” He muttered, defending himself. The shape still cowered though, nothing more then a rat that had some how escaped.

“I know.” The voice was cool, cold but with a hint of steel that seemed to draw itself from the flames. “You’ve been with me for a long time, I don’t’ want to see you die, yet.” While someone else might have mistaken his words for idle speech, the small man knew for what it was. A threat.

“Do you still believe you can kill me, my lord?” he whispered, not out of defiance but out of curiosity. “With all that we’ve done, together?”

The small nod was all it took, and the small man sighed, noisily. He was about to open his mouth, to disturb the peace when he heard the excited chatter outside.

“They’ve come back, then?” he sounded almost defeated, almost resigned and the tall impressive structure turned to smile, a cold smile.

“You sound disappointed.” He purred, his words a caress.

The small man tried to shrug, tried to show that all this that he was all right didn’t affect him, that… everything would be fine. But he couldn’t. Not really. He knew it was suicidal to show fear in front of this man, but he still felt it. Fear, that is.

“August, stop shaking so.” The mans voice was bored, slightly amused as he looked over with ebon eyes to see the small man jump. “I’m not going to eat you.” There was something about the man, how he made everything seem so sexual.

“I’m sorry.” He was honest, at least and his guard was down. “I don’t know why you like them.”

“They are good for me.” He replied, smiling. “Especially the girl… what was her name again?”

August looked up, slightly irritated to see that he did not know the name of his most loyal servant. But as ebon eyes met startled hazel ones, he realized this was more of the man’s kind of joke. “Lilly. But you knew that.” He said quickly.

The man frowned. “Lilly and Cole?” he asked. “Did I ever like the names?”

August shook his head. “You thought that it was very silly, but you respected them too much to give them names.” There was something almost bitter in his tone, almost.

The man smiled slightly, as he watched August. “I still think August suits you better then your old one. What was it, again?”

August frowned. “I can’t remember.” He admitted, shaking his head. “How long have we been together?”

“Two centuries?” he said, shrugging. “Does it matter?” his smile deepened then, as he watched the tall slender form of the woman walk in, followed by Cole. He frowned. “Cole, did you have to kill?”

The dark man looked up with his gleaming silver eyes. “Do you have a problem with it?” he was flippant, almost disrespectful but the man put up with it, because he knew it was more of an act, a away of accepting he had a ruler.

“Of course not. But you know the animals are getting a bit spoilt…” living in a large black keep surrounded by land to the horizon full of snarly creatures, they always bought the hostages here to torture. “Besides, I don’t want her to be angry when she finally arrives.” His tone softened, tenderized.

Lilly looked up, irritated and slightly jealous. There were times when this man spoke about his daughter as if she was more of a lover. “You have not seen her for a long time, my lord.” She said carefully. “How do you know she will even arrive?”

The man shrugged. “She will come, Lilly.” His tone was cold. “I am certain of that.” His eyes glittered. “Now, get the rooms ready.” Speaking of the large furnished chambers that should belong to the Mistress of the Keep, he watched them. “I want everything to work off neatly.”

Lilly shrugged, sullen. But she loved him too much to argue. “Alright.”

He smiled; quick to see that everything was going the way he liked them to be. “Now.” He purred. “Where is she?”

The small form, slender with soft pale skin looked up, surprised to see the messenger waiting for her. “For me?” she asked, slightly blankly as she watched him. The sun seemed to light up the pale hair, causing there to be streaks of light and fire.

“It’s an invitation.” He handed it to her, the thick parchment and the soft writing in etched ink. The ink was dark, not quite black… almost like blood. Musing this thought, she picked it up, bright ebon eyes glinting with something like curiosity. “Why didn’t you give it to Uncle?”

The man shrugged. “It only had your name on it.”

Lady Heron she looked down at the familiar name because she was so used to being called the Duke’s Ward. She smiled. Heron. That was her name, like some sort of bird, really. “Thank you.” She was polite, and she watched his features fall with shyness. She didn’t really understand why she had this affect sometimes. She was invited to as Masquerade Ball, and at the thought she suppressed a delightful shiver.

She had arrived at her Duke’s home when she had been eight years old with no memories as to how she had gotten there. She knew him as her uncle, older brother to her mother who she could not remember, except for the bright dizzying fall of blonde hair. She had inherited the blonde hair from her, and her eyes from her father. She did not know who he was, or precisely, did not remember him. There were always rumors about him, rumors as to who her father was, but she never paid any attention to them. She smiled.

“Lisa, could you get Uncle for me?” she asked the lady in waiting, smiling as she did so. “I’ve been invited to a ball.”

She was seventeen now, about to enter society and all the plans had been made. The young miss curtsied as she left the room, and Heron sat there, smiling as she looked at the piece of paper. A ball.

Her Uncle, a fine stunning form frowned as he looked over at his guest. “Do you trust this, invitation?” he asked skeptically, watching for some kind of sign to light his face, something so that he knew he was merely imagining things.

The man, tall and broad shouldered with a wealth of copper hair and keen green eyes smiled. “Do you want the truth, or a lie to satisfy your old heart?” his tone was teasing as he said this. At the age of twenty-eight and having made a name for himself due to his prowess at sea, the Captain was a stunning form.

“The truth.” His smile was grim. Like his niece, both had an odd sense of humor, but most of the time managed to be practical and sane.

The man sighed. “I thought you might say that.” He leaned forewords, reading the words. “A ball. It has to be harmless.”

“But have you heard of the Duke of Kaden before?” he pressed this man. “Or where Blackmoore Keep is, actually?”

The man shook his head. “But that’s hardly knew, with nobility arriving by the drove.” He defended his actions. “If you’re so worried, just don’t send her.”

He smiled, but it was a soft smile. “Ach. But she wishes to go so much… Alexiel…”

The man grew wary. “I’ve got a ship to catch.” He began.

“But you’ve known her since she was a child…” he pressed.

“The queen wants to meet me now?” he asked hopefully, to see a stubborn set in the jaw’s chin. “Fine, I’ll go with her.” He hesitated. “Why are you so scared for her?”

The duke watched him, wondering if he trusted this man enough to tell him a haunting secret. He trusted him with the life of his niece… but was that enough? “It’s… family.” He said simply, coldly and watched the man shrug. Alexiel was never bothered by anything as simple as personal problems.

August hesitated. “I got word she’s coming.”

“Really?” his tone was all too eager.

“Mikael.” He began. “Are you sure this is a good thing?”

Mikael, the tall warlord smiled. “I am.” Walking over, August almost missed the slight stir of the bed sheets. His eyes widened, and he flushed to see Lilly lying in their midst’s, straight black hair hiding the rest of her supple body.

“Does Cole know?”

Mikael looked over at Lilly, and smiled a purely sensual grimace. “Of course not. He won’t mind, though.” He said, so self assured.

“Oh?” he tried not to sound like he was judging the man, but it was hard. Mikael merely stared, and August felt flustered. “The people know what to do.” He said simply.

Mikael nodded. “That’s good.”

Heron looked over at the splendid gown her uncle had ordered for her. She had always had a very touching relationship with her uncle, because she was his last and only descendent. Standing there and fingering the material of the splendid gold and crimson gown, she could not help but smile. There was something brilliant about the way the colors dazzled, as if soon the dress would burst into flames and show itself in it’s true form.

“Can I come in?”

The soft, inquisitive voice of Heron, such a proper man had her smile as she waved. “Don’t tell Uncle.” She teased, arching a brow. “Me left with a man, and no chaperon.”

He chuckled slightly. He had known her since she had been a child, but not in a familiar fashion. Sitting down on one of the seats, he frowned. “Can I ask you something?”

Heron looked up, distracted. “Of course.” She said warmly.

“Do you remember… your father?”

She stilled. “Why do you ask?” she asked quietly, so quietly.

“Just… wondering.” He didn’t dare tell her what he knew, that her father had been a mad man, that her mother had died placing her in the Duke’s arms.

She sighed. “Not much, really.” She whispered. Placing the dress back into the box, she sat down, suddenly tired. “Mother was afraid of him though.”

“Afraid?” he made it a question, hating himself for doing this, really.

She nodded. “he was always hitting her, beating her if she didn’t listen… but she loved him, loved him until once he took me into his arms and smiled….I don’t know… exactly what happened…” she shook her head. “Just brief glimpses of a memory, that’s all.” She smiled. “I can’t wait until the ball.”

Alexiel cleared his throat. “That’s another thing.”

“Yes?”

He looked away. How was he to ask? “Since the Duke can’t go… and since… you do need a chaperone and all…” this was uncomfortable. “Do you want… me to go with you?”

Heron watched him, not understanding and started to laugh. “As my chaperone?” she wrinkled her nose. “I think you have to be older and less handsome, to do that. As well as a woman.”

Some part of him felt oddly pleased that she considered him handsome. He smiled, and frowned. No. Concentrate. “No, as your… escort?”

Heron smiled, laughing. “I was scared to go by myself.” She admitted, and nodded, warming slightly. “I’d love that.”

When she appeared at the formal masked ball, she was the lone sunlight among the sultry candlelight. Everyone was beautiful, their gowns expensive, some of silk and some of jewels that they all shone in the light of chandeliers. Still, she stood out among them, the lone small creature of the blonde hair streaked with fire and light, as was her gown. Her mask hid her face, but nothing hid her eyes as she walked down the large stairs, accompanied by a man dressed less so, but with bright copper hair that seemed metallic.

“That is her.” There was something reverent in his tone as he watched her, for while he recognized his own black eyes staring back at him; it was the blonde hair and the soft pose that called out. His beloved Heron, the woman who had fled his castles with his child. He did not see his daughter, but his lover. Within his child, he saw the woman. They had named the brat after her; he knew that much and seeing her… “She takes my breath away.”

Lilly, resplendent in white looked over, slightly troubled. She had thought it was merely an exercise of collecting his child, but there was something feverish about his tone, something that wasn’t quite right that made her look up with puzzlement. She barely caught up with him as he walked down the stairs, striding forewords as the crowds parted. Cole, dressed simply in black velvet followed, and behind them August, dressed as a steward he really us.

Lilly watched her, the ways she seemed to shine with life among the dark beauty of death. She was a gleaming star, all gold and crimson. Feeling a hot streak of jealousy, she looked away, urging it to disappear, to leave them alone.  

“Welcome, Lady Heron.” His voice was low, seductive with a hint that Lilly had thought was for herself. She looked over at Cole, but she belonged to Mikael.

Heron looked up, curious to see eyes as black as her own watching her with some thing dark. She did not recognize the gleam, did not recognize him so she curtsied, prettily. “Your Grace?” she made it a lilting question, because she had been taught her manners.

“Please, call me Mikael.” He sent a curious glance towards Alexiel. “And this is…” there was something testy, something protective and possessive about his tone as he watched her. Alexiel stilled, because as a man he recognized it.

“My escort, Alexiel. Captain of Windstruck.” There was pride in her voice, and as the Duke heard her pride, she watched him stiffen. This troubled her, because she hardly knew him.

“Escort?” August recognized that dangerous tone, the malice behind his words that seemed to strike at chords. The people around them hushed, moving away from the small group as if afraid of what was about to happen. They moved, silently as shadows, creating a ring around the group and for a moment, Heron missed the action.

“We thank you for the invitation, Your Grace.” But Alexiel did not think he was a Duke, or was as much of a duke as he himself was. Standing there and watching, eyes flinty cold with something close to protectiveness, he watched the man visibly calm himself.

“Please, excuse me for a second.” He whispered softly, as if he was in pain.

Heron, being the nice person she was, stepped forewords, slightly concerned. “Are you alright?” she asked softly, one hand almost extended because it was her way to touch people. The man stiffened, not in the way she would have expected, but in a much more deadly way.

“I will be, Heron.” His tone was far too intimate, far too presumptuous and Heron withdrew. Still, before she could move he had captured her hand. “Would you dance, with me?”

“I claim her first dance.” Alexiel said it because he had promised to protect her, but also because some primal part of him was rebelling against this man. Heron hesitated, and deciding to do the right thing, smiled at Alexiel.

“I’ll be fine.” She nodded. “What could go wrong?”

Mikael didn’t like the way she watched him, and as he gently led her to the middle of the dance floor, he danced in a way that transported them both. He was charming, engaging and she felt herself relaxing, just slowly.

“Heron, my love. Do you not remember the beautiful nights we spent together?”

Until he said those words. Heron looked up, nervous now. “I’m afraid you have someone else, Lord Kaden.”

He smiled, but it was a slightly rough smile. “Heron, do you not recognize me?” he said, his tone hot. He smiled. “Ah.” Heron relaxed, when he merely tugged off his mask. “It is the mask, is it not? You did not recognize me at our own masked ball.”

Heron looked up, blankly, and while she did not recognize the face, she recognized the eyes. “Father?” she asked, incredulous.

Mikael frowned. “Heron, I am not. Do not be so far sighted. It is me.” There was something slightly dark in his eyes. Tugging at her own mask, because she was frozen in his arms from fear, he frowned. “What happened to your beautiful blue eyes?”

He was crazy, he was. She tried to back away, tried to struggle when his grip on her tightened.

“Please. Sir.” She squirmed in his grasp, and his grip tightened, causing her to gasp out loud at the pain pressured onto her arms. She looked over. “Alexiel!”

He was already making his way through the crowd, running towards her and as she tore out of his grasp, Mikael reached out and back handed her.

“Fool.” He hissed. “You thought you could leave me? Me?” he hit her again, and each time she sank a bit lower onto the ground. “I have you back now, and I won’t lose you again.”

The people had left the room, screaming slightly as Alexiel used brute force to make his way closer to the golden flame. Lilly watched, and she was suddenly sickened.

This, this was what they had been waiting for?

Lilly stood there, and running lightly over the bodies stepped in front of Mikael. “Mikael.” She said desperately. “She’s your daughter… she doesn’t love you but I…” what words she would have said, were lost when a back handed slap had her spinning across the marble floor.

“She loves me.” He said fiercely. “She will learn to love me.” He looked down, eyes crazed at the form in the splendid fire gown.

“I won’t let you touch her, Mikael.” Stubborn, he watched through furious eyes as a bright copper flame appeared. He had disliked him from the beginning, the way the copper hair glittered like fire. The protector of the phoenix. Mikael, laughing spat on the ground.

“Who will help you, fool?” he pointed. “Cole, get him.”

Cold loved this man like a father sometimes, as a master always but now… he was crouched down next to Lilly, holding her close because he couldn’t quite believe that he had struck her.

“Cole!” the word was commanding, fearsome and he got up, slowly because he didn’t want to. As he gently placed Lilly on the ground, something filled him as he approached Alexiel. He admired the man, connected with him because both loved someone.

“I’m sorry.” He said softly, for the first time not liking that he was a murderer.

“You were a pathetic dog once Cole, I can change you back.”

Cole winced. The memory of having indeed being a Hell Hound was still fierce. It was why his skin was so scruffy, his voice a deep growl because some part of him would always be the same canine. Standing there, growling he forcibly pulled Alexiel to the side.

“Mikael, please. This has gone far enough.” It was August, trembling as he stood in front of the young girl, sweating as if he had never faced this fire before. He stood there, shaking like a leaf and Cole admired that he could actually stand up.

“Mikael, please.” There was something broken, something so lost in Lilly as she looked up. She had always loved him more than Cole, had shared his bed and now she was bewildered by the look of disgust he was sending her way.

“You sicken me. All of you sicken me.” Shoving August to the side, the small man scampered. Alexiel watched him leave with disgust, when August turned.

“I’ll get help.” He whispered, too quiet for Mikael to hear as he yanked Heron to her feet.

Heron, dizzyingly light looked up, bright ebon eyes swimming. She held only the eyes, but everything else was her mother. Something in Mikael snapped, seeing her not as his daughter, but as his long lost wife.

“You escaped with the brat for long enough.” He growled, and smiled a truly evil smile. “But now you’re mine again.”

“No!” Alexiel pulled free of Cole’s grasp, not because he was particularly strong, but because Cole let him go. While Cole had been a hound once, and while he did not truly enjoy being a good guy… this sickened him. “Let go of her!” lunging out, and grabbing Heron as he pulled her back with him, he saw the angry twisted face before he hit marble.

“I will kill you for that.” He said, his voice a soft growl. “I will deal with you later, Cole.”

Once, the words would have pained him except now, now as Cole watched he realized he could not get himself to feel the pain. All he felt was a sense of loss, of disbelief. “No you won’t.” he whispered.

“What?” It was Mikael who was filled with disbelief as Cole walked over, gingerly trying to pick Lilly up. She didn’t refuse.

“We’re leaving, Mikael. We can’t… we can’t take this any more.” He had never rebelled, and he found the words hard. Even though he wished to say them, his lips were slow to respond.

“I’m leaving with him, Mikael.” Lilly said, a whisper with eyes bright. Something in her wished for him to argue, because had he turned into the charming man for one second, she would have decided to stay with him.

“Go, I don’t need you.” He was filled with disgust as he turned to Alexiel. “I’ll kill you later.”

“You will not be killing anyone.”

No one recognized the voice that spoke, and all turned to see that man in blue, the one who had arrived on dragon back.

Mikael snarled at the person who had arrived, watching with eyes that seemed flinty. “You were not invited. What are you doing here?”

“Mikael, I bought him.” It was August, his voice hushed and so quiet, meek as if he was scared. “I bought him because…”

“I’m searching you.”

Mikael snorted. “What is that, a lame pick up line?”

Lilly hesitated though, having seen the dragon outside the window and knowing just well what this man was. “You take people away, and bring them back with dragons, don’t you?” she whispered, looking up. She avoided Mikael’s gaze. While she still loved him, she had been hurt too much. Now she watched the young form with a sense of pity, knowing that Mikael would always be obsessed with her.

Cole, having always had feeling for Lilly stepped up behind her, enveloping her in his warm frame. Together they appeared like a flame, he being the tough exterior of light, while she was the cold blue heart. “I saw you at the Ball.” His voice was always a growl, except now everyone knew why. A shape shifter who had been turned back into a human, without the ability to shift again.

The man nodded, the barest of acknowledgments. What August had told him, had sickened him and yet he had to come. The Mid Summer Nights Dream had no true explanation really, but these people were all touched by darkness. He stood there, unsure of what to do, unsure if this was even a good idea. Were these people going to attack him, now?

“Dragons?” Mikael looked down, almost missing the sign as the bright copper flame seemed to crawl over to cradle the limp blonde form. He hissed, trying to kick him away when the man held him back.

The search rider did not know what he was to do. He didn’t have experience with this sort of thing, but he knew he had to take them with him. What ever happened after dragons… the girl was dying, he could smell it in the air. The least he could do was save her, and give her a chance to defend herself. At least, should she bond she would have a protector. The copper haired man seemed to be doing a poor job.

Alexiel, has if hearing the thoughts looked up. “Take us, please.”

Mikael snarled. “You cannot go any where without my permission.”

The search rider watched him, cold. “I can. I can bring dragons upon dragons.” It was being melodramatic, but from the slight shifting of his color, he knew those were the right words.

“Then I go with you.” Something in the way Mikael said it, challenged the search rider except this had been what he had wanted all along.

“All of you, then.” The search rider conceded, quiet. “Will come with me.”

Mikael seemed to think he had won, and he reached over, almost tenderly to pick up the small, frail form when the search rider rushed over. “I’m stronger.” He said quietly, not wanting to see the broken form touched by the man. Mikael paused, and nodded, all the while looking over at August.

“I’m sorry.” August whispered, scared. His one brave act seemed to have stunned him even more, and he stood there, quailing with something close to fear. It was Alexiel who got up, Alexiel who walked over and clasped his shoulders.

“You saved Heron’s live.” He said quietly, solemnly. “Do not apologize for that.” There was almost a threat in his voice, and August looked up. Still, something in him was proud of having done the right thing.

“You six, no fighting.” The search rider’s voice sounded weary now, and not only because of the weight in his arms. “We go in peace.”

Mikael smiled, but it was a cruel smile. “For now.” He conceded.

Alexiel gazed over, eyes cold. “For now.” He threatened.

Six people arriving all at once as novos was not particularly exciting, but the state of these six was. He had sent his dragon back for more reinforcements, not trusting these people, and yet knowing what his job entailed. He had decided to tarry for not one moment, staying only long enough to make sure that the young girl would survive the trip. It had been a hard one, making sure that each rider could deal with his or her charges… but no one tried to fight. This unnerved him to a degree, because he didn’t trust people easily.

“Novos for the dream?” someone commented, slightly amused. “Darkness… oh, okay. Him, huh?”

He knew who that rider was speaking of. There was something angry and feral, but it was so contained he wondered if he had the right man. Mikael Kaden rode on the back of the dragon as if he owned the world, something dark and furious, like a warlord in those books his lover liked so much. He was a proud figure, and since he had not one mark on him, except for the neat imprint of teeth on his cheeks, he appeared a fetching sight. The riders face curled in disgust. The man was scary, able to hide the madness so well.

“Thank you.” It was August, the man he was carrying. Small and too much like a shrimp really, he smiled down. He was a coward, but at the right moments, he was a good man. While he wouldn’t trust him with his life, he would make a stern rider, especially if he had someone who could support him, make him a bit more active. August seemed to flinch away from the eyes of Mikael, hiding as if some how he had done something wrong. “You don’t know how grateful I am, for coming to our help.”

He had been heading out, after finding no novos until the young man had come running from the keep. He was glad his costume had not restricted his movements, and that his sword had not been real… he didn’t know what he’d have done, had he been truly armed. “It is your deed that saved the young girl.” He assured the man.

“Will she live?” copper hair hung around his face in long streaks, but there was still a vitality about it. “I have to write to her uncle, tell him what happened…” he grimaced. “I could sleep for a week, really.”

The woman he was riding with smiled. “We’ll tell you to the healer, and then I’ll send someone to write your note. It will arrive to her uncle quickly.” She frowned. “Will you be okay, though?” she did not mean, his health, but his life against the dark man.

“We will protect them” the search rider said quietly, and the woman turned, amused.

“Since when were we heroes?” while the situation might have been grim, each found a sense of humor in the moment. It was the only way they knew how to deal with it.

“From now.” He said softly. He looked over to where the tall dark man and the smaller woman sat, together. There was something deeply contemplative, and the woman looked wounded. She had refused to part from the man for even the ride, and the dragon had graciously allowed them to ride without his rider. He was grateful for that, because he didn’t have it in him to split them up. Nor did any one, really.

“She’ll be fine.” He whispered, remembering at last, the question. All were dressed in fine clothes, but there was something about the young girl. Her clothes seemed to glitter like the flame of a rising phoenix, but she herself looked so weak, so washed out. They had been unsure of how to support her, carry her until two riders had decided to ride together, supporting her between their lengths. She could hardly ride in front, slumping like a rag doll and who knew what she had hurt.

“Her uncle will kill me, for not protecting her.” Alexiel muttered, quiet.

“You did everything you could.” This was from August, shy, stuttering as he watched her. “If she dies…”

“She will not die.” While no one wanted to speak to Mikael, it was his words that Alexiel took, grateful. While he hated the man, he knew that the dark warlord will not want her to die either. “My Heron will…”

“She will never be yours.” The words left with more strength that he would have thought possible, and he stopped, sensing too much anger within him. He had no control when it involved the young girl, and he did not think he was thinking as a parent. Repulsed by himself, he looked away. “I will have your life, if you harm her in any way.”

“Even if I look at her?” his words were slightly amused.

“Especially, if you look at her.”

Mikael hushed suddenly, sensing something darker in the words than Alexiel needed there to be. Mikael nodded, sharply, and Alexiel almost missed it.

When Heron stirred, each had been kept in a group room, except for Mikael who was being watched by a rider, in his own room. When she stirred, she was by herself but her soft moans immediately but the healer to her side.

“Are you feeling better?” her tone was concerned as she looked down. “A couple of bruises, but I think the effects were more emotional.”

She jumped out of bed, looking around, hurting like hell but not wanting to drop her guard. “Where am I? Why am I in these clothes?” her voice dropped, horrified. “Where’s the monster?”

The woman sighed, clucking her tongue sympathetically even as she gently walked over. “You’re at Abri, love. A rider rescued you, bought you here as a novo. I’ve been watching over you for the past day or so.” She frowned. “Food. Yes, you need food.”

“Heron?”

The soft, hesitant voice had Heron turn to see Alexiel standing, shyly by the door. She relaxed. “Alex.” She said softly, weakly and ran over, suddenly relieved to see someone she knew. “How is… what is…”

“We’re being taken care of.” He said gently, overcome with emotion in seeing her, and smiled. “I wrote to your uncle, he’s coming to visit with some of your stuff in about a week… the rider explained everything to us, and I can explain it to you.” He looked down at her, watching her closely for any signs of distress. “Will you be okay?”

She shuddered. “Is…” she licked her lips. “Is…”

Alex, understanding, nodded. “He’s here with us, but he’s under guard.” He hugged her to him tightly, not wanting to let go and not carrying really, if he hurt her. Hell, he did, actually. Letting go, he smiled. “I’ll protect you, always.” The words came out fiercely.

Heron nodded, slightly bewildered, but felt safe. “Thank you.” She whispered. She looked over at the healer. “Thank you.”

The healer said no words, but she smiled. Ai, the mess they had on their hands.

Mikael Kaden, War Lord

A tall, darkly imposing man with long raven black hair and dark ebon eyes, his skin is the pale color of silver under a cold night with no moon present. Tall and foreboding, he has a sense of distinct charisma that attracts all to him even if they know he’s evil. He’s a crazed man, dressing in fine, dark clothes with a haunting, sensual personality that leaves all to be his victims. A long time ago, he had been in love and too obsessed with a young woman named Heron. She had loved him back, until he had grown too possessive, too much and so she had fled for the safety of her daughter, dying in her brother’s arms. Since that day he has been obsessed, seeing his daughter as his lover brought back to him. Sadistic, crazy and always a little bit hell bent, he is not safe, for he is consumed by darkness.

Cole, Hell Hound

One who lived in darkness, for he was a hellhound, he is tall with dark scruffy skin, dark hair that hangs in shadows and odd, gleaming silver eyes. There is something predatory around him, and while he is smart, he is more of a violent and physical person. With a voice that still holds the growl of a hell hound, he was transformed into a human by Mikael, and while he will always hold a sense of alliance to him, for he was born in darkness, he loves Lilly too much to truly submit any more. A tall, strong and sadistic person who would rather resort to violence then settle things in a much more civilized fashion, he is meant to kill, as he had when he had been nothing more then demon bred.

Lilly, Faithful Servant

Tall and slender with the pale silver moonlit skin and long dark hair, there is something Asian about her features, with straight hair that is cut in thick bangs over her eyes and hanging straight, not blue black but the deepest depth of night. Often dressed in white, she had always been loyal to Mikael. While she has always loved Cole, it had been to Kaden that she had gone to, giving over both heart and soul. While she still loves him after what has happened, and while, being touched by darkness she is not good, she cannot bear the thought of what he had planned for Heron, and thus seeks solitude in the arms of Cole. A lost, serene creature who sometimes acts broken, she is like a really pretty, really mean doll.

August, Friend and Betrayer

A small slender man who is shorter than the rest with pale brown hair that almost ranges on being too sandy, he has been marked by darkness, because he has been Mikaels’ companion for too long. Always a coward of a creature, he never realized what he was getting himself into until that day. With bright hazel eyes that seem to defy the slightly pallid structure of his mind, he has never spoken out, being more like an incredible loyal pet than a human being. Still, he knows right from wrong, and while he may be a little biased at times, because he does care for Mikael –truly- if pressured, he will choose good over evil, kindness over the cruelty that he has faced for almost two centuries. And a little bit.

Alexiel, Captain of Windstruck

A tall large man with the craggily skin of someone whose been at sea, there is something warm and weathered about him. While he is still a young man, the sea has surely claimed something treasured, for the sea speaks out in his eyes. Touched by the darkness that is Mikael Kaden, his skin is the deep tan of the sun, his eyes a merry blue that seems to speak of calm oceans and stormy mistresses. With hair the color of copper that doesn’t seem quite human, he doesn’t know his own feelings to a point he wonders if anything he is doing is right. A loyal, kind man who stands up for the weak, he is especially at terms with Heron, and the role he plays in her life. A solid man, he is both dependable and strong.  

Heron, Daughter

A small figure, slender instead of being curved with the pale flushed skin of peaches instead of the customary ivory, her hair is long, and the shade of blonde that comes with so many high lights that it cannot merely be called yellow. With sharp defined features and ebon eyes she has inherited from the man she calls father, something has been broken inside her. Touched and sired by the darkness that claims Mikael, while she is a kind and polite woman, she doesn’t know what is right any more and has trouble discerning who is on her side, and who is against her. A proud stubborn creature who will never give up, she fears Mikael with every ounce of her strength, but will die before submitting to him broken.

No one knew, when it happened. How it happened really, except that the waiting grew to be too much and the tension between the six people threatened to snap the unity of Nidus Abri. None of the six were powerful enough here, in this world, but they still knew how to poison the minds of the riders.

Maybe it was this, that led to them moving. Maybe in the end the riders were acting for their own safety, because soon they had found themselves acting out movements in a grand, twisted scheme one of the six had made up. But they found themselves shifted to Darkling Dawn, a world where some still mused they could be powerful.

All they needed were pawns.

It took a diplomatic struggle for the six to remain together. It was sick, in Heron's mind, to keep them all together but no one really wanted to split them up. No one wanted to anger the... the...

Moving on.

The candidates all moved to Darkling Dawn, and having any gifts they had restrained, they were watched over by guards who were hired from the Vella Crean. It seemed, a certain scientist there had a weakness for plots. And he wanted to see what happened here, when they impressed.

If, they impressed.

All Six were moved to Darkling Dawn