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CHAPTER 8
After Cerberus and Torin left, the room fell into silence. Loki sat there looking at the two that he had just taken charge of. They looked back at him with eyes filled with hope and fear. Hope because for the first time in a long time, there might be a chance for something other than hell. Fear, because they both knew what the odds were that this one was any different from the last. "What am I going to do now?" Loki was worried. "He didn't even explain to them that they were safe now."
Maria, along with both Valerie and Jenna, moved to sit beside the two. "Don't worry about it Master." She smiled at him. "I have gotten rather good at reassuring confused and frightened new members of our house." She reached out and patted Kyle on the arm. "My name is Maria." She spoke carefully. "That is Valerie and Jenna. We belong to your new master's brother, who happens to be the Covenstead Master here." She made her introduction. "Now I didn't pay attention, what did they call you what, is, you name, again?"
"K-Kyle." He looked from her to the other two women beside her. "My name is Kyle, and hers is Amy."
Maria nodded. "With as much as you have been through so far, you might want to have your master change your name." Then, looking to Amy. "You too Hon, sometimes it is easier on you, if you can forget the past. A name change is a step in the right direction."
Amy looked from her to Loki. "What's gonna happen now?" She had faced enough in the last two months to last her a lifetime. "What's he gonna do to us?"
Azrael nodded at the two children. "Loki, you had better go and see what you can do to start their emotional healing. Tori, he took care of their bodies, and has assured us that with time their minds will heal too. Now it is your turn to work on their hearts.
Loki only nodded, before pulling away to face what he had to face. Dreading it.
They looked at him with fear filled eyes, as they cowered before him. "Hello." He tried to project calming energy, soothing both their fears. "I know that Cerberus didn't give you much notice, but, I'm your new Master."
'Master' . A, word, that had come to mean nothing but horror and shame, to them. This one was their new 'master' . The reality hit them hard.
Neither said a word, looking down, accepting the harsh facts of their continued existence. They were silent, other than Amy's soft sobs.
Loki smiled at them softly. "Tell you what, why don't we go and get you both a bathe, and then I can get you fed." He stood, holding out a hand to them. "Then we can sit down and decide what we need to do next."
Both Kyle and Amy looked at each other before deciding that it really would probably be better for them if they obeyed. Pain could come at any moment, but if they failed to obey, it would come harder and faster than if they were good. "Come on, Amy." Kyle pulled her up as he stood before Loki, supporting her.
Loki reached out, brushing first Amy's cheek, then Kyle's. "You don't have to be afraid of me. I won't hurt you. Can't you try to believe me?" He could feel Azrael's strength behind him, assuring him that he would not falter in his efforts to control himself and the energies that he was working with. Domination, even with humans, was not an easy task for him. But with Azrael's added strength and skill, it was easier than it usually was.
He looked up, seeking Maria, who he knew to be the lead among the mortals here. "Can you help me, I don't know where anything here is, yet. I need to get them cleaned up, and some sort of clean clothes dug up for them." He smiled at her. "If it is possible."
Maria nodded. "Yes, Master, it is possible. I'll just ask Casey and Morgan to loan them a few things. I am sure that Azrael will see to it that your pets are cared for. You are family now, after all." She grinned at him and then the two beside him. "Follow me."
* * *
Eris had never been so happy to see Cerberus in his life. Garren had returned with another boy, this one couldn't have been more than sixteen, maybe seventeen. And upon finding out that Cerberus had taken his other two from him, he went ballistic. Eris had had to use force to restrain him. But was beginning to want to put a stop to the whole problem by just killing him, but Cerberus had claimed that right. "About time you got back here."
Garren turned to look at Cerberus. "You had no right." He snapped pulling away from Eris to face the Covenstead Master. "I follow the rules here, am polite and show respect to those who don't deserve it, just because you ordered it. And now this is how I am treated." He was shaking with fury. "I want my two back. I also want the one your lap toy took away from me. I own them. And you had no right to take them away from me."
Cerberus refrained from knocking the fool across the room. He felt pretty sure that Torin would be taking care of that soon enough. "Garren," he looked at the enraged Kin with contempt. "Shut up. I laid down the rules for you, but you couldn't follow them. I have told you repeatedly to lighten up on those in your care. You couldn't even do that. So I took care of the problem, I took them away from you." He held up a hand to halt any protest. "Now you will listen to me. If you live through this night, and the one that is going to call challenge on you doesn't do you in. You will stay here, but I will not let you have anymore mortals to abuse."
Garren looked at him shocked. "Are you telling me that I am now yours? You think you are strong enough to take me?"
Cerberus couldn't resist this time. He knocked Garren back, over the coffee table, and onto the couch. "I don't, think, anything. I know I am. But I'm not the one you are going to have to answer to."
Torin stepped forward, letting everyone in the room, see him clearly for the first time. "I am."
"And who is this lover?" Eris looked him over. "You replacing me?"
"No, though I think about it from time to time. But no, I'm stuck with you, or you with me, which ever, way you want to see it. This is Azrael's Chosen, the Mageling that I took Amy and Kyle to see. He's here to call Garren to task for his treatment of the mortals that had been in his care."
Garren pulled himself up, looking at Torin, with an amused look on his face. "I don't accept challenges from, 'mere mortals' ." He laughed. "The idea that this little boy could threaten me, Cerberus, you are joking right?"
"Garren, I wouldn't view his threat so lightly if I were you." Cerberus warned him firmly. "Not only is he the Chosen of a Lined Elder, but a Mage as well." He saw understanding dawn in Garren's eyes. "Good, now you see what your stupidity has bought you. I hope he beats the shit out of you first, then kills you. You don't deserve to live." He looked to Torin. "Are you listening, boy?"
"Yeah, I'm all ears." Torin was actually only paying him partial attention, the greater part of him mind lost in exercises to pull the power he knew he would need for the battle.
"I want you both to listen to me. Garren, if by some strange chance, you win. I have given my word to the Mageling's Master that I will not let you kill him. So if you win, you get your life back. But if the boy win's you understand that your life will be at an end. Do I make myself clear?" He wasn't worried so much about how Torin would behave. If the boy, was anything, like his master and soon to be Sire, then he would be fine. But Garren was known to cheat and fight dirty. He would have to keep a close eye on the fool to make sure he didn't break the rules again.
Garren looked at Torin, a sneer on his face. "You can't be serious, Cerberus. If he can't be killed, then I can't really take up a challenge. Wouldn't do me any good, beat the kid, and get killed by his master because I hurt his precious toy."
Torin snickered. "Oh, I wouldn't worry about that, if I were you. I already know that I run the risk of being hurt here. My master won't come after you if I get a bit bruised. But I don't think that will be the case here. I'm going to beat the shit out of you, just to show you that not all mortals are yours to abuse." He reached out, down his tie to Robyn, to pull on the power that they shared. * Blue, I'm going to borrow a bit, if it's okay with you. I have a need to use it to teach this asshole a lesson . * He opened himself to his love.
* Not a prob, pretty face, take all ya need, just get that bastard, and get him good . * Torin had to grin. His fellow Chosen and bond-mate was much, much, more blood-thirsty than he was. It was another of the ways they balanced each other out.
He came back to himself as Garren continued to make threats at him. "Look, you." He struggled for a word that would come close to how he really felt about this beast. "You pompous ass wipe. Are you going to fight, or are you planning on winning this challenge by boring me to death?"
Garren lunged at him, certain that all he had to do was get his hands on this upstart. Once he did that, there wasn't anyway that Torin could do to save himself.
Or so he had thought.
He met a wall of force, solid and unyielding, knocking him back. The boy really was a Mage, and it looked like he had some idea how to use his gifts. A straight frontal assault wasn't going to be possible.
"Well, well, aren't we just full of surprises." He muttered pulling himself up. "I didn't believe Cerberus, when he told me that you were a real Mage. My mistake." He reached out, testing the force behind the barrier. "But I have to know, Mageling. Can you keep this up and protect yourself from this?" A mental slap, so strong that it forced Torin back a bit. He hadn't been expecting that either, well they both had underestimated the other, and they both were learning not to make that mistake again.
Torin pushed back, getting his balance once more. "You mean like this?" Could he piss this guy off, make him so angry that it would be easy for him to lose control. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to imply that you were stronger than me, it's just that, with as stupid as you are, I was stunned that you thought of that." And his will locked down, holding onto Garren's as he began to push it back where it came from.
'NO'! Garren could not believe what was happening. This boy, a 'mortal' , was winning. He could not let that happen. He struggled against the force that was being pushed down against his mind. Struggling to find a way to break free of the force.
Torin laughed. "Shit, and here I thought I was going to have a fight on my hands." His words were blows to Garren. "You could have, at the very least, given me something that was worth my time. But you're pathetic. Gabriel should have let Will take you on last night."
All around the room was silent. No one wanted to disturb the battle that went on, before them, each, and everyone, of them, cheering the Chosen of the Elder, the Mage. And what was more, not the first one felt the least bit guilty for cheering for him, against one of, their, own kind. Each, and everyone, of them had decided that Garren was no longer one of them, or their kind. The last perversion had settled it for even the least judgmental.
Cerberus held Zephyr close, as they watched the battle. "Once this is over, and the boy kills the monster. I need to talk to you." He was going to give in and accept the reality of life now. He was not going to be able to separate himself from the other Covenstead.
Zeph looked away from the battle before them. "I thought I was forgiven, Father." It wasn't like Cerberus to hold a grudge.
He laughed. "You are," an affectionate squeeze. "No, Zeph, I was being a fool. I'm sorry for taking my anger out on you when I punished you, it was wrong for me. You didn't know what had happened, Eris finally made me see that. We are going to make a pact with Azrael and his Covenstead." He watched his Fledglings face as it lit at once. "So, Eris was right. You did take a liking to that little Chosen of Azrael's."
Zeph looked at him in shock. "But, Cerberus, Father, how did he know? I didn't say anything, didn't really even think about it last night." Now Zephyr really did believe that Eris could do anything. "I don't understand, she's a 'woman' ."
This time Cerberus laughed outright. "Boy," he cuffed him lightly. "Best you learn now, that that Childe of mine, he reads folks like there were books. He knew that given more than two minutes in her company, you would decide you were fond of her, girl or no. And, what, with, her, being Azrael's, Chosen. It would be right and proper." He captured the younger Kin's face between his hands. "You are my youngest Childe Zephyr. The baby of the family, as it were. Do you think that I would do anything to keep you from growing, as you need to grow? I am even willing to put aside my past and fears, to see to it that you have a chance that I never had. I would have earlier, for any of your brothers, but they never presented me with such an incredible dilemma." He chuckled as Zeph pressed against him, returning the kiss freely. "You are spoiled, you do know that?"
"Yes, to, the core." Zeph pressed against him, as they turn their attention back to the battle.
Garren was losing ground. He knew that it would only be a matter of moments before he lost this challenge. He thought frantically of something, anything that would turn the tide of the battle. He would not lose to a mortal, no matter how powerful or gifted that mortal was.
Torin's eyes narrowed, a fine film of sweat covered his face. This was taking longer than he thought it would. Garren wasn't much in the way of Kin, but he was tirelessly persistent. No matter how much force he used, no matter how many times he was knocked to his knees, he would pull himself back up and continue the fight. Torin found himself being impressed despite himself. "Why don't you just quit." He growled the words out between clinched teeth. "The more you piss me off, the worse it's gonna be when I do get to you."
Garren wanted to respond, but he didn't dare. If he broke his concentration, even to answer this upstart, he would lose. And as he sweated and struggled to maintain his strength, he began to believe that he was going to lose. There was no way that he could hold up under this much longer. He had hoped that by just hanging on and struggling to keep his defenses up that he would wear this boy down, but he had been wrong. He was going to lose this, and he was going to die.
'So be it'. He decided. 'But if I'm going to die, I'll take this idiot with me'. Death might be his destiny, but he would see that if he went, he would take this boy, who had dared, challenge him, with him.
The sudden loss of resistance caught Torin off guard. One moment the barrier was, there, pressing back against his will, the next nothing. He fell forward, stumbling blindly, confused. He wasn't sure what had happened, but before he could gather his wits about him again to make his next move, Garren was on him.
Garren pinned him to the floor. "I might die, boy, but I don't plan to die alone." He snarled, fangs extending as what meager remains of humanity that he had still carried, vanished.
Both Cerberus and Eris moved to stop what was happening before them, both knowing that with all probability, the boy would be dead, or seriously wounded before they pulled them apart.
Or so they had thought.
Garren growled low with victory as his fangs went to rip out Torin's throat. Even, as he heard Cerberus's roar. Yes, he would die, but he would take this one with him.
* I think not . * Azrael's cold, angry, mind touched his, freezing him in place, teeth just pressing against Torin's throat.
* Thanks boss, * Torin sighed pushing the paralyzed vampire away from him. * That was a little too close . *
* You, are my Chosen, I love you. I will never allow you to face anything that you might not have the strength to face, alone. Not so long as you live in my home and are under my care . * The warmth and loving energy that flowed over him helped to pull his shattered wits back together as he struggled to pull himself back to his feet.
"What the hell was that?" Cerberus reached out to steady him so that he wouldn't fall on his face again. "How the hell did you pull that off. I was sure that I was going to have to explain to your Master how you ended up both a challenge winner and dead, at the same time, in my care."
Torin shook his head. "Wasn't me. Azrael was watching out for me. He stepped on him." He grinned. "I didn't think I was going to have that much trouble with him. Damn he's stubborn."
Cerberus looked at the frozen body of the now soon to be dead man. "And he cheats." Cerberus leaned over sneering down into the frozen face of Garren. "I thought I made myself clear, if the boy lost, you let him live. If he won, you were to die. But you could not even respect my order as Covenstead Master. You are more than just worthless, you are dangerous, far too dangerous to be left alive." He looked up to meet Torin's eyes. "So, Mageling, how do you wish him to die? Do you plan to kill him, or should I take care of it. It is enough that you beat him."
Torin went to respond, and suddenly found the ground rushing up to meet him.
Eris moved to keep him from becoming one with the floor. "First things first 'Coven Master', let the boy sit down before he hurts himself."
Cerberus chuckled. "Yes, dear." He looked down at Torin. "A piece of advice kid. Never let your lovers decide that they can run your life."
Torin just snorted. "Too late."
"So," Cerberus sat beside him. "It's your call kid."
Torin looked from him to where Garren still lay on the floor. "I suppose I need to deal with him, hu?" He hadn't thought what would happen once the war of wills was over. But now he had to decide what to do. Should he kill him, could he do it? "I don't know, Master, I never thought I'd end up doing anything like this." He ran his hand through his hair.
Garren lay there, silent and still. He would die now, and this boy, this upstart that had violated the rules with his challenge, far more guilty than he ever had been, was going to live. Not just live, but would see to his death.
Eris shook his head. "Cerberus, the boy is a Healer, and mortal too boot. There is no way that he can be expected to kill him. It would set up a bad precedent "
Torin laughed at that. "Yeah, isn't it written somewhere in the guild rules that kine don't beat up on Kin. It just isn't supposed to be done."
Eris laughed. "I am glad to see that after all that you just went through, that you still retained your sense of humor." He looked him over carefully. "Cerberus, best you call his Master. There is no way the boy is going to make it without help."
The Coven Master nodded. "You are right, of course, if I tried to return him now, he would broadcast our presence to everything that walked the Dark Paths, and in his shape, there is no way he could hope to protect himself." He looked at Torin. "So, you want to rest up a few before we decide what to do about Garren, or do you just want to wash your hands of the whole thing, and let Azrael take you home. I can call him to fetch you in a wink."
Torin closed his eyes. He wanted to go home so badly. To, curl up between Robyn and Azrael and sleep. But he had a duty here too. He had lain the challenge, and he had won it. Now it was only right that he take part in the punishment. "Nah, I suppose I best hear what you have to say. If I don't, I'll wonder for the next 100 years."
Azrael looked up at the weary touch of Torin's mind on his. * Yes pet? *
* Boss, if you don't mind too much. Could you come and get me. Cerberus and Eris are a bit worried that, with me in the condition I am in right now, I'd never make it home without becoming something's lunch. *
Azrael allowed the amusement he felt flow back to his Chosen. * I had already assumed that that would be the case when I stopped the renegade from killing you. Yes Tori, give me a moment here to see to it that all that is going on here proceeds as it should, and then I shall come for you . *
* Thanks . * The relief was strong. * I love you . *
* And I you, precious, and I you . *
Azrael looked up, mind seeking out his new Kin. * Brother ? *
A light, still timidly shy response, * y-yes . *
* I am going to retrieve my Chosen. He has won his challenge, but is unable to make it back to me safely. Is everything going well for you? *
* Maria has brought us to a bathing room. The tub, it is huge. It is positively hedonistic in size. I am in the process of trying to convince them both that I will not harm them. It isn't easy, but I think that I am making a little progress . * There was a mixture of frustration and pleasure to his thoughts. Pleasure that he had made some, progress, and frustration at how little he had accomplished so far.
* Have faith. It is only a matter of time before you win them over to you . * He briefly touched the minds of the two youths. Yes, they were frightened, but they would heal. If only given the time. * I am off. If you need help, please do not hesitate to call upon either Megel or Vincent. * Azrael sent a brief mental embrace as he stood up. "Well I am off to bring home the challenge winner." He smiled at Robyn. "That boy grows more and more surprising everyday."
"Yeah, I know." She beamed back at him as he faded from the room.
Loki moved slowly, trying to soothe the fears that were still very much a part of both his new pets. He wondered how long it would take him to win them to his, side, and then to his bed. He had never been faced with anything even remotely like this in his life, so he had nothing to draw from. All his mortal pets had been pampered and loved. He had depended on them too much for them to be treated as anything less than as the cherished, and valued, darlings that they had been.
"So," he sat on the edge of a large sunken tub, one that would easily hold twice their number. "Will it frighten you both more if I bathed with you? I have yet to have my bath today, and I am a bit grimy."
Amy looked to Kyle. Would he make waves now? "It's okay, isn't it Kyle? Our new master, he wants to bathe with us. It's okay isn't it?" Her eyes begged him to not make a fuss. Everything was going so well right then. But all the good could stop in a moment, and the hell that they had just escaped from could return just as quickly.
Kyle looked up at Loki for a brief moment before lowering his eyes. "Master," again the softest of whispers. "If you wish to join us, it's okay with me, I'll be good." He fought the urge to pull away as Loki reached for him. He would know the truth now, good or ill, his master would show his hand.
* * *
Torin smiled as Azrael sat beside him. "Hi, Boss."
"I hate to tell you this, pet, but you look wretched." Azrael brushed a loose strand of hair from his Chosen's brow. "You should always try to look your best at all times. It instills dread in the hearts of those less powerful if you can prove your strength, and look as if you have done so without breaking into a sweat." He teased the boy.
Torin groaned. "I'd tell you to bite me, if that wasn't such a bloody invitation to you."
Several other Kin in the room chuckled as Azrael nipped at Torin's Throat, playfully. "You did well, precious. I could not have asked for you to have done any better." He turned to look at where the Rogue Kin still lay frozen in place. "He's still alive I see." He looked back at Torin. "Why?"
"I'm a Healer, Master, I don't take life unless I have to. Cerberus can do whatever he want's to do with him, keep him here, kill him, what ever."
Azrael looked to Cerberus. "So, this is your Covenstead, what is your will?"
"If you leave his like he is, I'll just put him outside where he can watch the sun rise. Fitting enough death for him, don't you think?"
A frightened whimper escaped Garren's throat. They were going to leave him to the sun. Bad enough to die, but not like that.
"Yes, but really, you should be a bit more creative than that." Azrael's force left him, leaving him panting on the floor. "Strip him, bind him and remove the offending portion of him anatomy first. Then let the sun finish your work."
Cerberus moved to grab Garren. "You know what, old man, remind me never to irritate you." The sound of ripping cloth filled the air as Cerberus rendered him naked. "Will you be sure to let the Elder, that has taken charge of the two that he hurt so badly, know how he met death." He took the blade the Eris, grinning, handed to him. "So, Mageling, kill you can't, I know that. But what say you to a little alteration?"
Torin took the knife held out to him, "thank you, Master," he passed it to Azrael so that he knew he could use it effectively on the Renegade. "You know what?" He asked his master as he took the offered enchanted blade back. "You and Robby must be having a terrible effect on me, cus, suddenly I'm feeling a hell of a lot more bloodthirsty than usual. Or maybe it's just that this asshole really pisses me off."
Eris just laughed at him. "A boy after my own heart. Go on lover, take the trash over and let the boy deal with him before we set him up to see the sun rise."
Garren began to struggle, screaming threats as he was dragged to the couch where Torin lay. "Oh, do be quiet." Azrael reached out and touched the struggling vampire. He stopped his struggles, has voice reduced to being nothing more than horse cry's as Torin grabbed his manhood.
"This is for those two kids I had to fix earlier." And with that, the blade flashed and the member came away with his hand. Garren screamed, spasming, even paralyzed, in pain.
Torin dropped the bloody piece of flesh on the floor as he fell back against his master. "I'm done, can I go home now?"
"Shall I leave him as he is now, or would it be better to just leave him free, let him struggle naked to hide from the sun?" Azrael hushed Torin as he moved to gather the poor exhausted, Mageling, in his arms.
"Go on and leave his like he is, Azrael. I'll just shove that worthless piece of meat down his throat and hope he chokes on it. Thank you again for lending me your Healer Mage. The boy is going to be damn right deadly in a few years. And thanks for your help and your advice. I think I'll add gang raped to his list of punishments before we set him out to meet the day."
Azrael only chuckled. "And here, you fuss at Lined blood for being ruthless. You do us proud, Rogue or no." He bent his head in acknowledgment before stepping back on the paths.
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