Renegade's Revenge - Dark Love 2

CHAPTER 4

Azrael looked up from the formulas that he had Torin practicing on. As, yet again, another argument ensued. He had thought these two particular children would have run out of things to fight about over the last three nights, but it seemed he was wrong.

He rose to take matters into hand, once more, when a light hand rested on his arm. "Don't, Master." Torin smiled at him. "It won't do any good. They won't hurt each other, if I'm reading them right, I think it's some sort of mating ritual for them."

Azrael looked at the two males, who were fighting over, of all things, proper behavior in a Covenstead. Yes, now that he listened and watched them he could see that there was no threat. Neither had issued a challenge, both though arguing loudly, were relaxed. "Why me?" He moaned sitting back down. "You are right Tori, it would seem that it is some form of battle for dominance between them. I wonder when they go to bed, who will be covered by, who."

"My money is on Lierin, Derrik is not as aggressive as he is. But he can't just back down, it would mean that he was loosing face." He rose. "With your permission, I'll go see if I can quiet them somewhat. You don't look so good tonight." There was honest concern in his Chosen's voice.

"Be careful love. I would hate to have to punish the two boys because they damaged you." Actually, in the mood he was in he'd love nothing more than to remind these two youngsters of just, which was really the dominant Kin here. But not at the, cost of harming his, Chosen.

"Hurt 'me' ?" His pet and precious one laughed. "Please Master, I may be mortal, but I am a mage, and more importantly. I am your student. I can defend myself from any Kin here except you and Megel." He bent and kissed Azrael. "Though I would never raise my hand against any of the Vampyr without your permission."

"Well, in this case, perhaps it would be a good thing to remind these two that there are many who live here, and for the most part are better trained and more powerful than they. Go precious I am finished with your studies tonight. You have come quite a ways over the last year. I am very proud of you."

Torin walked, calmly, past the overly decorated Christmas tree to where the two vampires sat arguing. Taking both in, weighing them. Lierin, who so far was one of the better trained of the young orphans that had come to stay with them, was maybe fifty-five. His master had been an orphan too, who had been killed in an uprising of one of the Renegade groups. He had been very worried when he appeared that no one would believe that he was not a true Rogue, and kill him. It had taken his master as well as Megel and Vincent several days to get the Fledgling to relax enough to accept their help totally.

Derrik was older, but his Sire had died when he was a little more than twenty, and could barely make out on his own. But Azrael believed that with time and patience he would become a functioning member of the line. But that was what all this was about, taking, these castoffs and orphans, who so far hadn't broken any of the major rules, and training them to behave properly. It was a good idea, Torin agreed with it and as he trained and, learned, all that a good Chosen should know he went out of his way to help.

His transition here had been an easy one. Azrael had been willing to work with him patiently as he over came the last of his fears, and began to become a part of his domain. His training was moving along, much, better than he had ever believed. His master not only understood and approved of his thirst for knowledge, but also encouraged it. He shared his knowledge and his library freely. Feeding the need in him with pride. And the praise came as quickly as the criticism. Torin never had to guess how his master felt, for Azrael would tell him with each move. Right or wrong, he knew his master was there for him, and that he would never be left to fend for himself, or stifle any of his talents.

It was due to this security that he was able to stand before the two arguing vampires, and with just a light mental shove, silence both of them. "Excuse me Sir's, but I am afraid that your lack of manners is beginning to cause my Master," he stressed the word. "A certain amount of aggravation. I understand that this is something the two of you must do to assure that your relationship runs the way you want it. But could you do the rest of us a favor." He looked down at them, just a trace of contempt on his face. Just enough to make them uncomfortable, with out, really, embarrassing them. "And pipe down."

Both vampires looked at him like he had lost his mind. No mortal ever spoke to Kin like this, at least not a pet of a vampire. "Excuse me, boy." Derrik was the first to take offense. "But you seem to have forgotten your place. Best you run back to you Master, and let him remind you of it."

Torin was shocked. He couldn't believe that this man was as big a fool as he was making himself out to be. But before he could remind the pompous windbag of just exactly who he was, and whom he answered to. Lierin laid a hand on Derrik's arm. "Don't do that my friend. This is not just one of the house pets that corrects our behavior, but the Elders own Chosen. You can bet he has his Master's full approval and support. Perhaps we should take our discussion to another room, away from the rest of the house, so that we don't disturb anyone else. If we are getting censored by the mortals now, you can believe that next will be the Elder himself, and I have already felt a portion of what he is capable of." He looked up at Torin. "Thank you little brother, for stepping in and reminding us that there are more than just the two of us here, before it became necessary to rouse the house."

Torin shrugged. "I personally think the two of you are going about this all wrong, but it's your life, and far be it from me to tell you how to live it." He made to turn around when a hand caught his arm in a vice like grip. He looked around to face Derrik.

"You think what? What do you know boy, about the business of your betters?"

Torin looked from him to, the, hand that held him, and back. "With all due respect sir, you don't want to go there. Please, I meant no disrespect with my words, I have been taught by my Master to tell only the truth. Would you have me lie to you?" His eyes never once lowered. He was Azrael's Chosen, he shared that honor with Morgan, and like her refused to let any one treat him in a way that would be a slight to their master. "I only thought it best to point out to you that your conversation was disrupting others. I thought you might prefer to hear it quietly, before one of the others made an issue of it. If I was wrong, I retract my statement, and on your head with the out come. But if you don't remove your hand from my arm, right now, I will remind you of the fact that mortal or no, I am a Mage, and my Master has trained me well."

Azrael sat quietly, waiting. He would not interfere as long as Torin seemed to have things under control. But should this upstart go to harm his pet, in anyway. Well, he was not quite as forgiving as Megel.

Derrik dropped his hand laughing. "Go on boy, run back to your Master. You are right, and I'm a fool for arguing. It is not easy, learning to treat mortals as if they were something more than food and playthings. But perhaps I should try a little harder? My regards to your Master." He looked down at Lierin. "Shall we go else where?"

Lierin was stunned. Did this fool not know how close he had come to ending up dead? Something had to be done about his friend, and soon. "I think we should." He hoped that his training would out weight the fact that his partner was older, because he was going to have to take charge soon, or loose him to his own foolishness. He looked up, eyes seeking Azrael's . * Elder, a question please . * He hoped that Azrael would be able to answer with a promising reply. * Can I take him he is older than I am. But if I don't, he will end up costing us our place here . *

* You might be younger than he is, but power is weighed by training and practice. He has muddled along since his Master died, and has not worked at strengthening his skills. If you are asking me will I allow you to attempt to dominate him, I must ask for what purpose. Why does his standing here effect you? * Azrael wanted to see if Torin was right, were these two lovers, or merely toying with each other.

Lierin gnawed at his lip as he thought of how to respond. Lovers were almost rare among the younger Kin, unless it was Sire to Childe. How would the Elder see this, would he understand? * He is my husband. We have found a peace between the two of us that we lacked. I would rather keep it if I may. I am unable to sire a Childe as of yet, by your own law. But if I am to keep him, I have to, save him from his own, stupidity. *

Azrael shook his head. There were times when he was convinced that most of these children who kept popping in and out of his home were fools, and then he would be reminded that no, fools they were not, just severely lacking in training. * Do you plan to be Master? I fear nothing less will work with this one. If you are seeking to take him as such, and your intentions are as you claim, lover to lover, then yes. You have my permission to best him. If you are unable to do so, then either I will have to, or he will have to leave. *

* Allow me this night, to win my suit. If I am unable to break him to me by sunset tomorrow, I will take him and leave. *

Azrael nodded, so be it. One way or the other this little problem that was beginning to weight on everyone's nerves would be gone. Either by their absents, or by Derrik's submission. Personally he hoped Lierin was up to it. He rather liked the youngster, and would like to see him prosper. And by taking a lover that he could rule, he would be less likely to make a Childe before he was ready and his training complete. * Call upon me, if you need help. *

Derrik looked down at Lierin. "Well, are you coming or not?"

Lierin rose to his feet slowly. "Oh yes, my friend. I am indeed coming. You and I need to have a long discussion on our future." He took his husband by the hand, nodded to the rest in the room and led him out. Azrael was not the only one who noticed a certain purpose in his stride.

"Love." Maria moved to talk with Azrael. "Something needs to be done with that one. I would not complain, but you placed me in charge of the house slaves, and he terrorizes them. You have not been down in the basement where they are kept, he has abused one already, and in front of the others to add humiliation to abuse." She went freely into his lap, resting there comfortably. "I know that those downstairs are not important, they are nothing more than food, but I am concerned that if he continues to abuse them, he might actually think that he can use any of us like that."

Azrael bit back a curse. It was to be expected he knew it. Absolute power corrupts absolutely, and the boy had had no one to correct his behavior for too long. Well it would all be over tomorrow, either Lierin would succeed in breaking the boy, or he would. "Wait precious," he could tell by her response to his kiss, that he had been ignoring her too much again. "Things are about to be changed in regards to Derrik. He will either be under Lierin's rule tomorrow night, or my own. Bring the one he abused up from the basement. I will see that he is taken care of. Which one was it, and was he hurt badly?"

She accepted the attention that Azrael was paying her greedily. Over the past two years her world had been turned upside down with all the changes. And with three new ones, well she and Valerie had been spending a lot of time together. Jenna had lucked out and found a soul brother in Torin. "Some bruises, and a few welts that broke open from the belt, his physical wounds will heal with time. I more worried about his emotional state." She braved his displeasure with her words now, she knew this, but she had to say it. "Azrael, forgive me, but I must complain about the way the ones downstairs are being treated." She took a deep breath. "You have never treated any of us the way you are letting them be treated. I know they don't deserve to be loved the way you love us, they have done terrible things, but to be chained like animals, to be fed from, left to hunger for any kindness, or worse, like in Casey's situation. Abused and beaten just because they have no Master to protect them. It is not good on the moral of the rest of us."

Azrael looked at his pet, a shocked expression upon his features. "Maria, are you questioning me?" She had never, not once in over fifty years ever spoke one word against him. This was not good.

"No Master." Her eyes lowered, as did her voice. "You have the right to do anything you want, to any of us. I only mentioned it because it troubles me, you have always been so kind to us." Azrael had never used that particular tone on her. It hurt her now that he did.

Azrael sighed. "Perhaps you are right love, maybe I should rectify some of the problems that are cropping up all over the place. What would you suggest I do? I have left them in your care, what do you feel needs to be done to settle my house."

"Can't we move them up to the training rooms? There are only eight of them, and now that none of the rooms are being used for their purposes, it would be better for them. They're, not, blood-bonded, and the basement is cold. It would be better on their health. We have nine bedrooms upstairs, and with as many pairings as go on at night between us now, there is more than enough room for the ten of us who answer to a Master. And no one has even thought of opening the rooms on the second level downstairs yet."

Azrael listened to her, weighing her words. Yes, he could see the need there. He had done well, entrusting the mundane matters of running his house to her. "Yes, I agree, let them be moved up to the rooms. What else do you feel needs to be done? Go on Maria, I give you leave to speak your mind. You have served me well for many years. I trust your judgment on matters that I tend to find tedious beyond measure."

She smiled, grateful that he trusted her. "Why haven't they been blood-bonded Master? They are practically bled dry. Are you waiting for them to die so that you can replace them? Or have you forgotten how much a young vampire needs?"

Michael laughed from the couch. "I asked you the same question yesterday. She's right, either one of us needs to blood-bond with them or we need to get more feeders. We have three orphans staying with us now, and between them they feed damn near every night. What happens when more come, none of these children are bringing pets with them?"

Azrael considered the situation. Perhaps it was time to help the three he had at the moment find pets that they could feed off of. He knew that Megel was considering adding a third to his two, solely to help keep up with the added needs Joseph was placing on him. "You are both correct. It shames me to be sitting here having my pet and First-Born remind me of my responsibilities. Perhaps I did not think this through as well as I thought I had." He looked around to the last of the orphan Rogue that had come to him. "Selene, how often are you feeding now, dear?"

Dark eyes rose from the book that she had been reading. She tried so very hard not to draw anyone's attention to herself. It had been how she had survived for the last six years since her Mistress had died and left her alone. "Nightly Elder." Her voice never rose above a whisper. "I have tried to reduce it to every other night, but I can't."

Azrael snorted. "You are young my dear, you should not have to. Have you considered taking a pet or two of your own to reduce your needs on the ones I keep here?" This one worried him. He had no idea what she had been like before her Mistress had died, but her survival since then had marked her badly.

She closed the book, forcing herself to face the ancient one. "I did not think that you would approve of that Master. If I bring a mortal here or two, will that not cause even a greater drain on your house? I don't wish to be a bother. You have been kind enough to give me a safe haven, for that I am grateful, and don't want to push my luck."

Azrael patted Maria's leg. "Precious, go ask Megel and Vincent to help you move the ones from downstairs to the training rooms. Bring the boy who Derrik abused to me. I will see that he is cared for. Later I will go and bond with them all, and will see that they are allowed some relief from this point on. But for now, I believe I have a situation here that needs my attention."

"Yes dear," she smiled, it would be all right now. She turned to ask Michael and David to help, but both were already standing. She nodded at them as she led them form the room.

"Tori, why don't you go curl up with Cain, the two of you are getting along quite well, or is Jenna waiting for you?" Then he remembered. "Ah, yes, Jenna is taking a weeks vacation is she not? Somewhere where there is a lot of 'sun' ." His nose wrinkled at the last word. "Well go on, I am sure Cain will keep you from being too lonely." The boy grinned at him and went to join Joseph, who was curled up with Jason and Amber. "Selene, Childe come here, we need to talk."

'She is so tiny' . Azrael thought to himself as she moved slowly to come and stand before him . 'What was her sire thinking of to make such a small thing Kin'? Azrael did not consider himself a large man, he wasn't, but he was a good height for his age. This Childe before him however was almost a full head shorter than he was. He estimated that she was perhaps five foot, maybe a half an inch more, surely no taller. "You're trembling dear, why?"

"What do you want of me Elder?" She had tried so hard for the last eight days to avoid anyone's attention. But now she faced the greatest of them all.

"Come, sit in my lap. You are in no danger Childe. Your behavior here has been without complaint. Wish that I could say the same for others." He reached for her hand. "How long has it been dear, since anyone has held you?" She was like ice in his lap. "Relax dear, I will not hurt you."

"I--I have been spending some time with Lilith." What did the Elder want with her? "I am not hurting. I wouldn't remain here if I were."

The Childe was lying to him. She was hurting, but in a way that had nothing to do with the emotional support David's Fledgling gave her. "Will you answer a few questions for me. You have avoided them, thus, far." He felt her tense. "Selene, I give you my word, as Master of this house, nothing you say to me will get you thrown out. I will not harm you in any way. I opened this Covenstead to help little ones like you, who had been left to fend for themselves, with, no one to help them. Allow me to help you." He wanted to force her to tell him what she had been through why she was so afraid, but that would do nothing more than cause her greater fear. "Tell me of your Sire, Childe. Was she a kind Sire? Were you abused by the one that made you?"

"Oh no Elder," her face became animate for a moment. "Mara was kind to me. I loved my Sire, my Mother." There was honesty in her eyes, but the fear was growing. "She rarely ever had to raise her voice to me."

"Of that I can well believe. How did your Sire die pet?" He made soothing noises as she began to cry. "I know it is painful, I too lost my Sire many years ago. But I was an adult, already an Elder when it happened. So I can only imagine the pain you must feel to loose yours at so young an age. How old are you dear?"

"I, I'm nine now Elder. I was three when the bad one came." She was trembling so hard now, that had it not been for Azrael's grip, she would have fallen from his lap.

'Three' ! Azrael was horrified. This Childe had been an infant, was an infant still. No wonder she was so shy. "I am surprised that you are still alive dear. Perhaps there is a greater strength to you than I thought. What happened after you Sire was gone?"

"Please Elder, do not make me tell you." Shame, the Childe was ashamed of something.

"You were a slave, were you not?" He felt the cold rage of righteous anger as she nodded. "How did you escape them?"

"I gave in. I didn't fight." More tears. "Then your summons, I fled. Please Elder don't send me back. I will give you anything you ask, please let me stay here. He will strip me if I go back. I have no other way of living. I know nothing." Would he cast her out now? She was not even Kin anymore, not really, but a slave. She did not own herself; another did by virtue of killing her Sire. That was the law. Her Sire had accepted the challenge and died, and she belonged to the victor.

Azrael felt her fears as well as her thoughts as she waited in his lap, waiting to be thrown out. To be mocked, perhaps even sent downstairs with the rest of his slaves. "No Selene, you are not a slave. Your Mistress was of Legal Lines. You were her Fledgling. The one that made the challenge had no right to enslave you. He should have made you his, or freed you. That is the law. You are safe here, if he comes for you I will protect you." He lifted her chin, lips brushing softly against hers. "Will you let me place you under my protection in truth? I will train you as if you were my own; this will be your house. I cannot remake you as my Fledgling, you have been Kin too long, but I can adopt you as mine. I would be your Sire if I thought I could, if I believed that the remaking would not do more, harm, than good. But I will be your Master if you will have me. Grant you the same safety that I have granted Vincent."

She stared at him in shock. She was not related to this one in any way and yet he would grant her his protection, just the same as if her Sire had been his sister or Childe. "You--" Could it be so. Would she have a chance to live again? She who had spent the last six years, answering, to the name 'slave'. "You would have me? Elder, why, I don't understand, why would you do this? I am no one, nothing. I should have died with my Sire, fought back when she died and he took me. You would take a coward?"

It was time to take her out of here. Before she realized that everyone in the room was now silent and watching her. He felt the rage and pain that those in his house felt at the wrongs done this Childe. "We shall go aside now Selene, somewhere where you can talk without exposing all of yourself anymore than that animal has already forced you to do. But listen to me. You could not have won against him. And dying would have served no one. So let us not hear anymore about being a coward." He moved, lifting her in his arms. "Don't be afraid anymore, sweet. The fear is over, I promise you. No one will ever treat you as you have been treated, and if the fool comes to challenge me, I will see your Sire vindicated."

Joseph watched as they left the room. "Somebody is going to wish that they had never met one of the Vampyr before long." He whispered to Torin. "I don't think your master will rest till he sees this one killed."

"Good." Torin's only word which, were echoed by both Jason and Amber.

* * *

Azrael carried Selene to his resting-place, his inner sanctum. The safest place in his whole domain, "relax Childe, you are in my place now. The evil of the past cannot find you here." He laid her on the bed. "Will you welcome my protection? Allow me to grant you what any Fledgling has the right to from her Kin?"

She came into his arms, her throat bared to his teeth as for the first time in over six years she allowed another of her kind to feast from her willingly. She did not know why, and at this point she didn't care. If the Elder wished to place her under his protection, then she would bend gladly. Better he than the beast that had hurt her for so long. And as the joy took her, she wondered if his touch was like her Sire's had been, or if he would hurt her like her Master had.

Azrael kissed her throat, licking away the last of the blood. Poor soul wounded little one. He would see her healed. "Now pet, it is your turn. Drink, let my blood unite us."

She sobbed as she drank. It had been so long, so terribly long since last she had been allowed this. She would grant him anything for this simple gesture of comfort. She could still remember the last time she had lay like this with Mara, blood flowing into her with her love. And now as she pulled away at his touch, she swore, she didn't care if he hurt her, she would welcome anything he desired.

Azrael held her as she cried. Stroking her hair gently as he murmured soft and soothing noises to her. He had no idea, when he opened his home to his kind that one such as she would find haven here. But now he was glad that he had. If he helped no one else, aided no other, he had done his duty to his people with this one. Perhaps there would be more like her. Children that those who were outside the Lines had hurt, who would hear his call and seek refuge here. Perhaps he would end up adopting many. So be it. It was more than time that the Elders of the Lines stepped forward and began to heal the wrongs done to their Kin. One day the Vampyr would be as strongly linked, as it had been when he was a Childe. "Sweet?"

Large dark eyes looked up at him. "Master." There was such joy in that word.

"You Sire was female. Do you only desire women?" Time to touch the next sore spot. If the Childe's fears were any indication, he knew what had been done to her. "I would not take a woman who found no pleasure from a man, but if you are willing I would love you?"

She leaned up kissing him. She had never slept with a man that brought her pleasure, but she would deny him nothing. If it were the terror that she had already known, then she would live with it. If not, then her willingness would be reward enough.

Azrael moved slowly, whispering gentle promises to her as he began to remove her clothes. "Don't be shy sweet, I have never hurt anyone like this for anything less than punishment. You have done no wrong. There will be nothing but the sweetest of pleasure for you. No one in my home will ever cause you pain, from the lowest of my pets to my own First-Born."

She watched as he removed his clothes, taking note that unlike the one who had been her Master, whose name she never knew, because he had denied her that right, Azrael was cleanly. It was one of the greatest shames that she had been forced to bear. The filth that he had chosen to live in and forced her to accept. And as his body covered her mouth and tongue seeking to engage hers in the dance of pleasure she felt desire, true desire, for a man for the first time in her life. She had been so young when Mara had made her a pet, barely seventeen, and a virgin then. But now, as badly used as she had been, she found a man that treated her as if she were untouched.

Azrael touched the blood brand that marked her left breast. He would find the animal that was connected to it, and he would see him pay for the crimes done. But before that he would see this mark removed, and all the terror that had come with it healed. "His name is Set." He whispered to her. "The mark of his name is here. Had you been older you would have known that, but you were a baby when your Sire died." His mouth closed over the nipple of the scarred breast. Knowing that somewhere, this animal knew that one greater than he was now with her. Relishing in the anger he knew this conceited beast would feel. Good, let him rage at her joy. He would see that she felt the full extent of his love. "Does my touch bring you pleasure little one?" He raised his head to smile down at her.

She looked at him in wonder. "Yes." The smile was shy, but a true one. The first smile he had ever seen on her face. "You are kind Master."

"My name is Azrael. Use it precious. And it is not kindness that I am showing you, but pleasure. The pleasure you have had a right to all along. Join me in this." Again his mouth closed over her left breast as his hand moved to caress the right. Pleased to hear the moan that escaped her lips. Love, she would know. He would see to it. Everyone in his home would see to it. She would never sleep alone or be left wanting.

She lay beneath him, her mind in a daze as he heated her skin with his. It had been so long since she last felt like this. Lilith had been wonderful, but there was no blood there, no exchange of essence. But with this one, who held and stroked her with such gentle passion, there was everything. "Oh," a sigh escaped her as a hand gently parted her legs. Would he take her now? Would it be as pleasant as this?

Azrael smiled to himself as her body responded to his touch, her hands shyly reaching to stroke his hair, his back, as he began to move down her. His, mouth, blazing a trail of pleasure from one breast to the other and then downward. A trail of kisses over her belly, as her legs parted further at, his, hand's insistence.

"' NO' !" She cried, trying to pull away as she felt his mouth on her. "Please." Would he? The pain was too much, surely he would not do that to her. Not even Lilith had been able to touch her with her mouth there. The memories of her abuse were too strong.

Azrael didn't pull away. He would show her that her fears were groundless. Her hands pushed at his head, pulling hair until he caught her wrists in his grip. "Lay back precious, I will not harm you." No words of threat, no need, she was too used to obeying, far to broke, for, there, to be any argument.

She cried softly waiting for the pain. Waiting for the tearing and the feeding that she was used to. But none came. Azrael's teeth nipped lightly as his tongue sought her sweet coolness. Letting her feel true love for the first time since her Sire had left her.

She stopped fighting as her body began to give into Azrael's gentle persistent touch. Moans and cries the only sounds she made as suddenly she felt his fingers joining his mouth in the pleasure. Her hips rose to his thrust, legs opening wider to welcome him. There were no words for this, no way to describe the intense joy that was beginning to build in the bottom of her belly.

Azrael felt the pressure break free even as her cries sounded out through the room. He wondered how long it had been since she had fully given herself to the joy of the flesh. Even now as she trembled beneath him, hips rising in tempo with his thrusting fingers against his mouth, he could feel the joyous shock and wonder that radiated from her as her sweetness flowed over his face. Yes she would be his, he would see that she learned every pleasure he could show her.

He moaned under the honesty of her kiss as she pulled him against her. She was his. And as her legs parted even farther to welcome him between them, hips tilting to ease his entry, he knew she knew it too. "Wrap your legs around me Selene, let me love you completely."

She cried against his lips, nails raking across his shoulders as he began to move within her, pushing deep, with slow, easy thrusts. Letting her feel the joy he felt, the pleasure and the heat. Stoking her need with, his, own, waiting for the build. Knowing that if he could bring her to him, here and now, she would never fear this again. "Open up to me." His mouth against her throat, "join me."

She screamed as the force of his thrust pinned her to the bed, even as his fangs broke through her flesh and again she was thrown into the wondrous haze of passion and need. The calling and the fulfilling, till she could no longer separate herself from it, and lay beneath him lost in the wonder that he had given her.

She lay beneath him silent, as he pulled away. No words, no sounds, just a peaceful silence that had not been hers for so long. "Selene?" He gathered her close, pleased to see that though she was quiet, that her body responded as she pressed against him. "Childe?"

What could she say to him? How could she ever hope to be able to thank him for returning something she had lost so long ago? Hope and faith, if she had to wait for the words to, express, herself she might never speak again. But as she looked up at him, into those deep ancient eyes, she knew he understood. And that she did not have to find words for the unexplainable.

Azrael had succeeded in what he had aimed to do. She was his, and even more, the beginnings were there for when she would belong to herself again. "So dearest, did you find your time with me to be something you will look forward to, or shall I let you seek comfort from my girls?"

She looked at him, disbelief in her eyes. He had to ask? How could he, not, know. Then it dawned on her. He knew he was playing with her, teasing her. "If you have to ask Master, then you are not as all knowing as you have led me to believe." She bit her lip, waiting for his response.

It was Azrael's turn to look stunned. "My, my, a jest, from you ? You who have not spoken above a whisper since you, entered, my domain. Perhaps the sun will cease to rise next, and we need never hide again." He hugged her. "You will do well here, Childe. We shall see you returned to the promise that your Sire first saw in you. This I swear. But for now, we need go and let you feed again. I would let you feed off of me, but I have yet to share myself with Vincent, and have five slaves that need my attention. For now, until you feel more comfortable, when I go to rest, you shall sleep at my side."

She threw he arms around him, hugging with every ounce of her strength. He had given her more than just her life and her freedom this night. "I love you." The whisper again, but this time it was one of joy, not of fear.