EVABELLE

Falling from a dangerous height was something Evabelle was not unfamiliar with.  Falling off the roadside in a suburban van into a pit of werewolves, falling in the arms of an angel off the cliff-side.  Falling into petrifying oblivion after hitting a magical barrier.  Nearly falling into madness in the actual place, Oblivion.  (Maybe that one wasn't so much like the others, but it had still been terrifying.)  The point was: falling was not a foreign thing to the girl clinging to the golden shield screaming her freaking lungs out.  The thing that was horrifying her more at that moment was the realization that she was responsible for the other two people falling with her.

    Faux's fingers tightened around Evabelle's shirt and he buried his face into her shoulder.  "I hate fire,"  A whimper, making him sound like a small terrified child, that could break the coldest heart formed a lump in Evabelle's throat.

    She herself, wasn't a particular fan of it at the moment either.  The three of them were getting the undesired experience of being cooked alive while falling from a collapsing cave into the hands of the same people who had imprisoned them. 

    I make the best freaking plans.  Evabelle thought.  Her eyes were rammed shut.

    The fall itself was fast, but time seemed to slow as Evabelle processed how she was supposed to save her friends.  Her grip on the shield was so tight, the metal bit into her skin, keeping her focused.  Her forced her eyes open. 

    They were not directly over the fire as she had predicted.  Large boulders and rocks littered the ground.  The elves had scattered at the sudden cave in.  Though Evabelle did not have her wings she found herself trying to find her center gravity to balance out the saucer.  It was hard to tell if it worked with the other two riding behind her.

    Before much else could run through the girl's mind, the shield slammed against one of the big rocks, sending a shockwave up Evabelle's tailbone, and Faux to grunt and nearly slide off.  "Hold on!"  Evabelle yelled, leaning to the side as the shield slid off the boulder and the rim hit the stone ground, tipping the shield vertical, dumping all three of them off and sending them rolling across the floor hard.     Somehow, the training that Evabelle had been learning from Del kicked in and she managed to control her own fall so that it didn't jar her shoulder too much and she was quickly able to bound up her feet.  Her eyes instantly searched for her Duren-dal.  The golden metal disc glinted not far from her, concave side up.  She dashed over, rolling again, slinging her arm through the strap that appeared as she reached for it and coming back to her feet, holding it up against any attackers that might run at her.  It was light and perfect in her grasp and she couldn't help but grin.

    Taking a deep breath, she gave one glance behind her to check on the boys.  Just as she'd hoped, Jamie had gotten to Faux, but unfortunately, the Anahalian man was looking worse than ever now out in the light.  Jamie had slung injured man's arm over his shoulder and was doing his best to walk Faux to one of the caves leading out, but the Anahalian man was extremely shaky, his head bowed, his feet barely managing to put one in front of the other, but at least he was moving.  Evabelle would get him help as soon as she could, but now, she had to keep any elves that came for them, back.

    She turned her back on Faux and Jamie, heart jack-hammering in her chest, and raised her shield just in time to see a wide-eyed elf man darting toward her.  Evabelle swung out and bashed the shield into his head, without thinking, sending him sprawling.  "Sorry!"  She cried and then she shook her head.  "No, I mean I'm not sorry.  You conspired and helped to kidnap me."

    "Woot! Woot!"  A shockingly familiar voice rang out, making Evabelle's head snap up to see her best friend across the cavern wrangling an elf in a choke hold, grinning wildly at Evabelle.  "You go, Captain America!"

    Evabelle's eyes widened, finally taking in the chaotic scene before her.  Some of the rocks must have crashed down on the fire, even though Evabelle and the other two conveniently hadn't.  The large branches that had been the wood in the fire had fallen, sending the flames around the room now, sparks swirled around the room like a wild pack of fireflies.  But it wasn't really the fire that was what was causing the elves the scream and panic it was the black and white winged men whirling through the room, like two opposing, yet synchronized hurricanes. 

    Obviously, the brothers had torn through their shadow suits as well.  They had also formed their Duren-dal's and, quite apparently, knew how to use them.  Evabelle stared as Lucis spun with his sword elegantly bringing it down to stop elves from escaping out one of the side caves, then he took the butt of the weapon and hit it on each head, crumpling them all in succession.

    Del similarly, moved gracefully with his dual knives, not really injuring any of the traitors, but keeping them in the cavern, knocking some out if necessary.  Even Aza, though not superhuman like the other two, ran about tying hands behind backs with rope that Evabelle didn't remember her having, swinging the dark dagger, ushering the terrified creatures away from any escape.

    The faint whistling sound hissed in Evabelle's left ear, and instinctively, she brought her shield up as several pings sounded against it.  Peeking out, she saw several elves, hiding in the shadow reloading their crossbows at her.

    Once again, going against so much of Evabelle's self, she charged them.  For some reason this shield made her feel, like she could do anything.  No one could hurt her with this.

    The elves, froze in surprise.  A bright orange haired elf woman, shrieked and ran.  But the other two stayed.  Evabelle shoved forward, swinging her shield out again, but these two were prepared.  They leaped high over her, to land on her side she left vulnerable.  Quickly, Evabelle tucked and rolled for the third time, bringing her Duren-dal up quickly stopping the darts again. 

    The girl whipped her head around and shouted.  "I need--!"  But then Aza was behind the two men, sweeping one's leg, and jabbing the other one's side with her hilt, hard enough to knock the wind out of him.

    "Gotcha' covered, oh great powerful earthbender."  Aza winked.

    Evabelle smiled, gratefully and scooped up one of the fallen crossbows, three of their poppy tranquilizers still loaded to be released with a simple trigger.  Unfortunately, Del hadn't taught them much with projectile arsenal as of yet, but it still felt better to have some sort of offensive weapon in her hands in this particular situation.  She raised it and pointed at the two elves at her feet.  "Move to the center of the room."  She commanded, just managing to hold back the 'please'.

    That appeared to be where Del, Lucis, and Aza were gathering the traitors, so Evabelle followed suit.  Aza grabbed the other bow, beaming so wide, her cheeks should have been killing her.  "You heard her, boys."

    The elves raised their hands up in defeat and scrambled to the corralled group of their assembly.  Aza whipped out some more rope and bound their wrists together as Evabelle looked for the woman who had ran. 

    Instead however, Evabelle spotted someone else across the room, tucked behind some stones.  Familiar, dark, spiky hair and a hooked nose raised a bow of his own and aimed at Evabelle's currently occupied best friend.

    "No!"  She yelled and fired a string of darts in his direction.  The aim was terrible, but it was enough to drag Uri's attention away.  However before Evabelle could pursue him, movement from the corner of her eye, had her spinning out of the way as something small and sharp whipped around just managing to skim the skin just below her jawbone.

    Evabelle gasped as the warm liquid slid down her neck.  She brought up her shield as the other familiar elf lashed out again.  Soft curly hair, smooth tanned skin, as beautiful and fragile as an orchid.  Evabelle glared at the woman who had drugged her.  "Opal," she hissed.

    The elf girl gave another shrug.  "You have to understand.  I have nothing against you.  It's not personal."

    Evabelle raised her bow.  "I'll try to remember that the next time you swing a knife at my throat."  She squeezed the trigger but nothing happened.  Evabelle glanced down, inwardly groaning, realizing she had no more pellets to reload her weapon. 

    Opal leapt forward, and Evabelle brought up her shield.  "So you traitors really do cross all the lines, then?"  Evabelle grunted as Opal easily pushed off from her defense.  "Taking a life."

    Opal sighed and shook her head.  "I'm not trying to kill you.  We just need you incapacitated.  We honestly didn't plan for you to be this much trouble, but you are an Anahalian, natural-born fighter which is the exact reason you could never understand.  You're born with strength and endurance far beyond us.  We've always been seen as weak.  I've always been seen as a toy."

    "What?"  Evabelle blinked, and then danced out of reach of the knife, her heart continuing to thud like a drum.

    Opal paused and spread her arms wide.  "I mean look at me, I'm beautiful.  I'm a stunning delicate creature for men to caress, protect, even the stupid elf men see me that way and they're all thin and willowy too."  She stuck out her tongue in disgust.  "Well, I'm not going to be their pet anymore.  Not to Uri.  Not to anyone." 

    Evabelle was thoroughly confused as to what any of this had to do with what was going on.  She didn't mean to but she started to lower her shield.  "So killing people and kidnapping children will somehow prove your feminism?"  She shook her head.  "And how the heck can you blush on command like when you were messing with Faux?"

    Opal shrugged.  "I can't blush on command.  Faux is sexy.  He's not an elf, but I know he wouldn't really go for me anyway."  She gave a little cough.  "Like I care though.  And please, you have no idea what you're talking about."

    "Actually, I have no idea what you're talking about."  She gave a wave of her hand.  "So it'd be great if you could enlighten me."

    Opal shook her head.  "Look, I can't.  That's got to be fairly obvious.  I don't necessarily like what we're doing, but the reward is worth it.  I mean, wouldn't you do anything to feel free and strong?  That feeling that nothing can stop you.  Afraid of nothing.  It opens up so many doors."  She gave a long mournful sigh.  "Perhaps if we can still deliver you, we can still get the permanent solution.  Then I'll be free of here and from the vampires."

    "Hah!"  Evabelle cried out.  "So you are working for Ravana!"

    Opal twitched back, and her lip curled.  "Crap," she shook her head.  "Alright, enough messing around."  Then she sprung into the air to attack from above, surprising Evabelle back into action, she dropped the crossbow and lunged forward, tripping and slamming hard against her shield, making her gasp and roll away, right as she heard a terrifying, bloodcurdling scream.

    Scuttling to her feet, Evabelle stared in horror at a bloodied hand, holding the knife that had nicked her neck, disembodied not three feet from her, and Opal.  The beautiful elf had fallen, curled into a ball around her stump of an arm, trembling all over, still screaming.     

    For a moment Evabelle must have forgotten how to breathe.  Her insides clenched, and she found herself unable to look away at the dismembered appendage.  She didn't like horror movies, but Aza had made her watch a few.  There'd been a few gory ones, but Evabelle could always remind herself that it wasn't real.  That it was just fake blood, a prop head.  But this wasn't like that.  Just knowing that it was real, was making Evabelle feel sick and dizzy.

    For several long moments Evabelle thought that her shock had made her briefly deaf, but as she slowly drew her eyes upward to the cavern again, she saw that everyone had gone still and was now staring over to her and the sobbing Opal.

    The bound elves that resided in the center of the room, gawked with wide eyes and open mouths.  Aza, who Evabelle was relieved and glad to see had gotten to Uri and had appeared to have disarmed as well as punched the boletus pig in the nose, which was bleeding pretty bad.  But both had stopped whatever tussle they were in, to blink in surprise at the terrible shrieking mess at Evabelle's feet.

    Uri's expression went from confusion, to fear, to anger in a matter of seconds.  He grit his teeth.  "What did you do to Opal?"  He roared and slammed the still stunned Aza in the side, making her bash hard against the stone wall, knocking her to the floor, as he bolted for Evabelle. 

    He had barely made it three steps when a long ice white sword crossed directly in front of him.  "I wouldn't move if I were you, unless you want me to do the same to you."  Whispered the low, rich voice of Lucis Mendax.

    Evabelle staggered back.  She couldn't see Lucis's face.  His great white wings took up most of her vision.  She hadn't even seen him move, but now he was there holding his Duren-dal against Uri's chest, threatening to cut off his hand just like he had with Opal.

    The brunette's head turned slowly, forcefully ignoring the severed hand and on to a long pearly dagger that matched the one Lucis had given her earlier.  It must have clattered and skid across the cave floor after Lucis had thrown it at the elf woman's wrist.  The gleaming blade's luster was stained red from the injury it had caused. 

    Evabelle felt even more nauseous.

    A movement from the corner of her eye, made Evabelle pull her attention back up to see Del who had moved forward, at Uri's outburst as well.  He hadn't been as fast as Lucis, but his violet eyes seemed to have narrowed just slightly on his brother.  "Lucis," He said softly.

    The fair angel didn't turn to look at Del, instead slowly lifted his sword so that the tip brushed Uri's throat.  "I'm done playing nice," He raised his voice so that it carried through the cavern.  "So I suggest you all get in the middle, before I show you what a real Anahalian is capable of."

    A few straggling elves slowly slid out from their hiding spots and made their way to where the others were sitting, eyes round, warily watching the golden-haired man.

    Uri didn't move, but his shaking hands betrayed his own fear.  "So what?  You can just threaten us from there?  Get us to talk?  We won't tell you monsters any--"  He gasped as the sharp tip of Lucis's sword flicked up, so fast Evabelle hadn't even seen it, and made a perfect vertical cut right in the center of his chin to adding to the blood the continued to flow from his nose.       

    "Didn't you hear me?"  Lucis whispered with a chill that carried over to Evabelle and pierced through her clothes and skin to send spider-webbing cracks across her bones.

    Uri's hands slowly rose in a surrender as he eased back from the weapon and retreaded to join his comrades.

    The two brothers neared the group, but Evabelle, instead rushed to Aza, who had stood and was now brushing herself off.  "Are you okay?"

    Aza nodded.  "Yeah," She scrunched her nose.  "I just wanted to beat on that two-faced toboggan a little longer."  She clenched her fists.  "I didn't know that Faux was part human, but the look on his face when that filth said the word 'half-breed'," Aza took in a seething breath through her teeth.  "I was ready to pound him whether he was a traitor or not."

    Evabelle had felt similar feelings toward Uri after that incident, so she gave a small nod of agreement but then cried out as the shield on her arm  nearly slipped off from her sweaty hands.  She was able to recover her grip before it fell, but she'd instantly drawn Aza's eyes to it.  "So Captain America,"  Evabelle met Aza's lit gray eyes.  "You care to explain?"

    Evabelle blinked, opening her mouth to spill out her little adventure, but all she managed was.  "My soul weapon."

    Aza shook her head, grinning, which Evabelle couldn't understand how her friend could in that moment.  "It was one of the coolest things I've ever seen!"  Aza sighed.  "Lucis and I were in the caves wandering around for forever after Uri told us where to go.  Eventually, he realized we were getting and further and further away from where he could hear the elves, and backtracked."  Aza started to head to the middle as well, carefully stepping over flickering logs that still littered the area.  Evabelle followed shakily after her.  "I have to admit, he got pretty angry as he figured out that we'd been tricked.  I've never really seen him quite like that, you know... realizing that he let you go with Opal," Aza shivered, which made Evabelle tense.  "Well, you saw what he did."  The messy blonde jerked her head back behind them.

    Evabelle swallowed.  She almost looked back at Opal, but she knew her stomach didn't have it in her.  "So you think angry Lucis is the coolest thing?"  She whispered, not wanting the Anahalians to hear her.

    Aza craned her neck around and beamed at Evabelle.  "No, you.  You were the freaking coolest thing!  Lucis and I managed to find our way here and caught sight of Del, lurking on the other side. You and Faux were obviously missing.  We saw Opal and Uri with this group, here.  They were telling them that they'd have to take care of us soon and that we wouldn't be wandering around forever.  That we'd eventually figure it out.  Which we did, obviously."  Aza smirked.  "Anyway, we had no idea where you were.  Lucis acted all straightforward, but he was tense.  We couldn't figure out how to just jump in and attack.  He was trying to figure out some kind of way to distract them, when the freaking ceiling started rumbling, rocks came tumbling down on that big campfire of theirs, and the great goddess of the sky and her companions came crashing down on the shiny golden disc that could only have been forged from the sun itself."  She went on dramatically.  "So awesome!"  Aza spun around and faced Evabelle, and continued walking backwards instead.  "Then you just came rolling to your feet and swinging and knocking heads.  It was like out of an epic movie, girl!"  She shook her head, eyes misting over.  "Man, I'm so jealous.  I want to fall out of the ceiling on a magic shield."

    Evabelle actually managed to smile herself for a moment.  "Next time I'll invite you." 

    A high, pitiful whine from behind Evabelle, made her pause.  Her stomach was starting to feel a little better.  Other aches were forming, though, but that was probably from the adrenaline drop and now the bruises were coming into light.  But that sound made her insides shrivel. 

    This time, she did glance back.  Shivering and whimpering, Opal sobbed.  Evabelle's heart clenched.  Yes, Opal had betrayed and captured her.  She had messed with Faux, who Evabelle was beginning to see just how fragile he already was.  But just letting her sit there, all alone, suffering, bleeding out was not right.

    Evabelle turned back up ahead, where Aza had made it to the twins.  Lucis had reached into his boot and pulled out a small draw-string bag and was now throwing the dust that was in it over their still conscious captives.

    Narcal powder Evabelle suspected as she watched the elves go under.  She wondered why he hadn't just used that in the first place, but realized the bag was pretty small and that it was probably better that he used it when they were all together in a concentrated area.

    Del stood off to the side, arms wrapped through Uri's.  Blood continued flowing down the cold elf's face, from both his nose, and chin, but Del kept him from wiping it away.  Instead, he poured all his energy into his glare at Lucis who continued to send all of the his companions into the world of unconsciousness.

    Once Lucis finished he stalked over to Del and the elf, but Evabelle suddenly found herself pushing past Aza to catch up to Lucis.  "Wait!"  She gasped. 

    Lucis paused, but again didn't look at her. 

    "What about her?"  Evabelle pointed back to Opal.  "She's bleeding and in pain."

    There was a rather pregnant pause in which Lucis didn't move and Evabelle's heart beat in her throat as she bit her lip.

    Without a glance, the blond man handed her the mini bag and approached Uri, taking him from Del.  "Go help her bandage that thing," he told his brother flatly.

    Del arched an eyebrow, but didn't argue, following the only slightly relieved Evabelle over to the shaking lump on the floor.   

    Evabelle sprinkled the dust over the girl, whose cries finally subsided, and the pained expression on her face slipped away.  The two of them knelt down, and Evabelle had do take a deep breath as she saw the girl now lying in a pool of her own blood.

    Del tore more of the valuable shadow suit and began wrapping the end of her arm and Evabelle had to look away for just a moment.

    "Shouldn't we clean the wound first?"  Evabelle asked quietly, still keeping her eyes averted.

    "I'm not going to waste my munera on her."  Del muttered.  "We're taking all these freaks back to the first isle for them to be taken care of.  They'll clean it up when we get there.  She'll live."   

    Evabelle nodded and took a deep, shaky breath. "I-Is Lucis okay?"  She whispered even softer.

    The dark knight didn't even look up.  "He's pissed."

    Evabelle looked back at him.  "But he doesn't get pissed."  She stiffened as she saw Del's eyes give her a quick flash of ice.  "I mean, not like this."

    Del pulled tight on the strip that bound the black cloth to the stump.  "It was you.  You were in danger."

    Evabelle's heart fluttered a little in her chest, but it didn't rise like it normally would.  The thing was, was that there was more to it.  Lucis's anger hadn't seemed to have started after she had been kidnapped.  It felt like it had started brewing a lot earlier that evening.  It had seemed that since he had confessed to her he had been stiff and cold.  He'd hid it well, but there was anger that Evabelle had sensed, but she wasn't sure where it was being directed.  Himself?  Or... her?

    The two of them approached Lucis, Aza, and the elf man again.  Lucis had thrown him against the wall, where he sat, his arms bound behind him, his head hanging low.  "You believe me to be the weakest?"  Uri snapped.  "I will not sell out my brothers."

    "We don't think you're the weakest," Del stepped up.  "We just hate traitors who say they hate traitors."  He crouched down in front of him and murmured.  "How much fun are you going to make this for us, hypocrite?"

      The elf glared at the dark-winged man and spat at him.  Del moved away just in time and gave him a good kick in the hip.  "We're going to have a good time then." 

    "Who are you working for, Uri?"  Lucis asked calmly, shocking Evabelle after all the vile.  He almost sounded back to normal.

    The elf remained silent, glaring at them all.  Del pressed his boot over the man's foot, not pushing down hard, but still resting it there.  "That's the easiest question you're going to get tonight, spike-head.  So talk before I start calling you whatever I want."

    "Who are you working for?"  Lucis asked again, ignoring Del.

    "Who says we are working for anyone?"  Uri gave a snarl.  "We may be deciding to make something of ourselves.  Maybe we just want to be more than the weak, pathetic little creatures that we've been branded as."

    Evabelle slowly stepped forward.  "I heard some of the others in your group talking.  They were saying that they were planning on turning us over to someone and getting some kind of reward."

    Uri ground his teeth, that were now stained red from the blood leaking into his mouth.  "Do not believe everything you hear, girly."

    "Opal mentioned vampires," Evabelle went on as if he hadn't spoken.  "She said once they turned me over that you might be getting some permanent solution or something.  And then you could be free of the vampires, because you your stuck under their thumb."

    Evabelle felt Lucis's eyes finally on her.  From the corner of her eye she saw them narrow and then look back at their prisoner.  "What does Ravana have over--"

    "I suppose it was a good thing you cut off her hand."  A sudden cool voice spoke from behind the four of them, making them all spin and Evabelle's heart plummet as her blood flash-froze.  "Or else she might have never shut up."  The smallest elf that Evabelle had seen before Opal had drugged her, the fuzzy haired man that had stood way to close to the fire, stepped out from one of the tunnels leading into the cavern.   Both of his small skinny arms, were each wrapped tightly around an individual's neck, dragging them forward far too easily than it should have been.  One of his captives was a dark-skinned child, wearing a navy blue beanie, his eyes wide as the sharp blade pressed against the side of his throat.

    The other was a messy red-haired, mottle-winged, completely unconscious man.  Those wings drooped against the ground, and his feet dragged over the rocks.  Evabelle couldn't tell if the wound at his side has stopped bleeding, but the dark spot on his clothes was large still looked far too fresh.  His head was flopped over the elf's arm that carried him as if he were the rag doll that he appeared to be in that moment.

    "FAUX!"  Aza screamed and rushed forward, but Evabelle caught her, catching sight of the knife held against Faux's neck too.

    "You're Siika," Evabelle said, hoping her voice sounded steadier than what she was hearing.  "You're the one leading this aren't you?"

    The short elf smiled.  "Our information on you was incorrect, guardian princess.  We were told you would not be trouble.  You are far smarter than you look."  He pressed the blade harder against Jamie's throat, allowing a bead of blood to escape, and causing the boy to whimper, staring at Evabelle both fearfully and apologetically.

    Evabelle tried to give him a reassuring look, but wasn't sure if she managed it.

    "What do you want?"  Lucis asked evenly. 

    "Step away from Urian," Siika replied.

    Lucis nodded at Del who backed away from the elf on the floor and the four of them took a few steps closer to Siika before he snapped at them to stop.

    Lucis raised his hands, his sword having vanished and having no other weapon at that moment.  "We have nothing.  You don't need to threaten them.  You're still an elf.  You're the second born of the angels.  You are--"

    Siika shook his head, eyes narrowing at Lucis.  "You make it sound like second place is something to behold."

    Lucis blinked.  "That's not what I'm saying."  He took a slight step forward, but the elf caught the movement.

    Siika flung Faux to the floor with a sickening thud, making Evabelle gasp and Aza tense, still under brunette's grip. 

    Evabelle had been trying to see Faux breathing, but hadn't caught any movement.  Siika wouldn't hold him up if he were dead though.  Now as his head crashed against the floor, Evabelle wasn't sure if she could hold herself back, let alone Aza.

    Siika held up his now free hand with the knife.  "He was dead weight anyway.  But even with this child," he gave Jamie a good shake, making the boy's eyes snap shut and Evabelle could just see the corners of those eyes glisten as he fought his tears.  She clenched her free fist.  "I'll show you that I'm not like the others, so easily defeated."

    Lucis took a step back again, though his eyes flashed down to Faux as well before looking back at their foe.  "You sound very proud to be different."

    "The only things elves know how to do is garden and doctor.  I desire more from life."  Siika twirled the knife in his fingers, fire light flashing off of it.  Then Evabelle heard it; the slight pull of a cord.  Whirling around, she caught sight of Uri, who had managed to quickly pull free of his binding and had just raised his crossbow at the back of Lucis's head.

    Evabelle lunged at the fair angel, catching him off-guard.  He stumbled as Evabelle knocked him out of the way.  Neither fell, but Lucis's arms were around her as hers pressed against his chest.  Her eyes went up to his, but the blue sky was staring widely back at Uri.  She followed his gaze to see the crossbow discarded on the floor, never fired, and up at Uri, who was now being held tightly in the grip of a tall, thin, ghostly man in a stunning blue tailcoat.  Choppy moonlight hair hung in ashen eyes as his finger tips pressed against the elf's throat.

    Evabelle had seen vampire's nails extend before, and knew that if this vampire lengthened his own they would puncture the elf's artery, meaning near instantaneous death.    

    Siika's eyes widened, a joyous smile spreading across his lips.  "Finally.  Our great heir, Prince Kairi has arrived."

    Kai blinked, long gray lashes brushing his sharp cheekbones, keeping his expression blank.  "Siika, you were part of the patrol that took me to my father.  You practically told me you were a liar when we were in the Shemloch woods.  I suspected that you would be a part of this."

    Siika's smile continued to curl.  "But did you suspect that I would be the leader?  Did you suspect that so many of your father's closest most trusted attendants would be a part of this?"  He chuckled.  "The Isles have fallen so far since you've left.  Our great king is nothing but a weak, sniveling scrap of a man.  You're father is--"

    "Enough," Kai hissed, his slate eyes darkening, a red cloud seeping into the gray like a drop of food coloring in water.  "Let the boy go or I'll Turn your friend here."

     Uri's shadowy eyes widened, his body going rigid.

    Siika smirked.  "Please do."

    Uri gasped and gaped at Siika.  "What!?"

    Kai didn't seem surprised by the small elf's response.  "No, I suppose that doesn't matter to you.  But don't you think they should at least know what you've been giving them?"

    Siika sighed.  "Of course you put that together."

    Kai may have put whatever was going on together, but Evabelle was feeling more and more lost as the two talked.  It felt as if Lucis, Del, Aza and herself were slowly being booted out of the conversation.

    Lucis had released Evabelle without a single glance, which made Evabelle shrink away from him a little, feeling acutely unwanted.  She swallowed and turned her attention back to the hostage tennis match.

    "Okay, does anyone want to use simple pre-school words to explain what the fig is going on?"  Aza wrung her hands.  "Because the big words ain't working."

    Siika chuckled.  "I'll tell you human brat.  I kill boy unless you wave little white flag, give me princess angel, and release my elves."

    Uri suddenly burst into a fit of wriggling.  "Siika, what is going on?  What does he mean?"  He cried out, but Kai's grip shook him until he stilled.

    "Don't worry, Urian," Siika rolled his eyes.  "The prince won't follow through.  He's far to good and honorable to commit such a damning act."  Siika smirked, eyes flashing at Kai.  "Or too weak."

    Uri blinked, head shaking ever so slightly, looking utterly lost. 

    Evabelle watched, horrified as Kai's eyes flared completely scarlet, and his incisors lengthened to deadly sharp fangs.  The sputtering fire bounced of his ragged pale hair so that it cast frayed shadows across his angled features.

    The first time Evabelle had seen Kai like this was when he had been feeding off of his sister. It had been brief and the look of hunger had vanished quickly when he saw Evabelle.  But this time she saw the darkness that was in him.  The beast that lay under the prince's skin.

    "You do not know me, Siika."  Kai murmured softly, chilling the room.  He tilted Uri's neck back that was already painted crimson, but still exposing the unmarked flesh for the fangs to pierce.  "Do not presume to."

    The whole room stood frozen.  Evabelle's hand had slipped off of Aza's arm and she had begun to turn toward Kai, as though she could stop the vampire.  But those red irises flashed to her, and she saw him give a slight shake of the head, right as Siika let out a cry of surprise, snapping Evabelle's focus back over to him.

    A silver plated fist, with small needled spikes pulled back from the prick injuries that the man had given in Siika's spine. 

    The small elf arched back and uncurled his arm from around Jamie, who gasped and stumbled forward in surprise.  Evabelle ran forward and caught the boy in her arms.  His shaking limbs wrapped around Evabelle and held her tight.

    Long plum hair swung around his ivory face as Commander Baldwyn, shoving his fist forward again, jabbing Siika several times in his side until he tumbled to the floor, crying out in pain.  Quickly, the armored elf drew his own broad sword and pointed it at Siika.

    "Purified silver," The Commander grunted.  "So I suggest you don't move."

    Evabelle was breathing hard, still holding Jamie and staring at what had just happened.  Lucis now freely approached, coming up beside her as Aza dashed over to the fallen Faux, and Del followed close behind her.

    Evabelle glanced over to her best friend checking the Anahalian's pulse, who gave her a relieved nod, allowing part of Evabelle's tension to slide.  Del pressed another munera to Faux's side and softly murmured the healing spell. 

    Kai came up next to Lucis and stared down at the shrimpling elf, as he bound Uri with a far sturdier cord and tossed him to the ground by Lucis.  Then the vampire knelt in front Siika, Baldwyn smoothly sliding aside at Kai's movements, still training his weapon on the traitor.

    There was a long silence where Kai just stared at Siika and where Siika just stared back.  Evabelle swallowed still feeling unnerved as she noticed that Kai's eyes had not returned to their normal pale grey.  Siika tilted his head, finally giving in.  "Well?"

    "Do you have anymore?"  Kai asked.

    Siika's lip curled.  "What do you think?"

    "I think you are immeasurably stupid."  Kai shook his head.  "I'm guessing since it was easy for the Anahalians to stop all of you that you've been cleaned out.  I suspect you took the last of it, so you'd be protected, but obviously that didn't turn out.  Most of your clan was here because they're all jonesing.  They wanted more as soon as they could."

    "Jonesing?"  Aza spoke out.  "Are you talking about drugs?"

    Kai's eyes never moved from Siika's.  "I believe the humans would probably refer to this as a drugs bust."

    Siika grit his teeth.  "It's strength!  It's power!"

    "It's blood," Kai's fingers curled into fists.

    Silence again.  "Blood?"  Evabelle whispered.

    Lucis lifted his head, his eyes dawning in understanding.  "Vampire blood," he murmured.

    Uri, still sitting on the floor stiffened all over.  "No!"  He exclaimed.  "We would never--"

    Siika rolled his eyes.  "What did you think it was, idiot?" He snapped.

    Uri shook his head, his eyes as round as dinner plates.

    "Vampire blood?"  Aza blurt out again.  "I still need an explanation!"

    "A pureblood to be exact," Kai replied.  "A pureblood's blood has a potent effect on those who drink it without being drained.  For those who live, it can give them vampiric abilities: strength, speed, endurance, without them becoming a vampire but only for a short period of time.  And giving people that kind power."  Kai shook his head.  "In the past it has been proven to be addictive."

    Evabelle could remember what Opal had said.  Perhaps if we can still deliver you, we can still get the permanent solution.  She squeezed Jamie tighter.  "That's why you didn't care if Kai Turned Uri.  The permanent solution.  Ravana's going to turn you all into vampires!"

    Uri flinched.  "No," he began rocking back at forth.

    "Obviously they didn't know," Evabelle continued.  "You never told them it was vampire blood or what the permanent solution would be."  Then I'll be free of here and from the vampires.  Opal hadn't known either.

    Siika was now looking at her.  "Clever little girl."

    "That may be true," Kai brought Siika's attention back onto him.  "You want to be Turned, but you don't want to be Turned by me.  So you're going to tell me the truth or else, you won't be his."

    Siika gave a low growl in the back of his throat.  "How could he have chosen you?"  He snarled.  "Why you?  He acted like you were so special, but you don't care, don't follow him.  You don't see his greatness like I have!"

    Kai breathed out, his eyes closing.  "You sound jealous."  His eyes opened again, still rich red.  He rose to his feet, staring down at Siika in disgust.  "You haven't been working with Ravana."

    Siika fumed.  "You've known that the whole time, haven't you?"

    "Then..."  Lucis began.

    Kai's eyes were the color of blood so dark it was nearly black.  His lips formed the word with crisp cold clarity.  "Kruor." 

    Evabelle closed her eyes.  Kruor, Ravana's brother, the leader of the vampire clan that had murdered Kai's mother and had been the one that Turned Kai.  She had seen in him in the dream where all her friends suffered.  Dark hair, with the faintest hint of lilac, donned in a black fur cape and a blood drop ruby around his neck.  His eyes were cold and hungry as he relished Kai's agony.

    Evabelle opened her eyes just as Kai turned away from Siika, Baldwyn's eyes watching him as he walked away from them all.  Then the elf Commander looked back at the puny elf on the ground and slashed his cheek with the blade, making him scream as Evabelle watched the slit steam up as though it burned his flesh as well as split it.

    Purified silver burned vampires, Evabelle had read.  Apparently it burned if they just had vampire blood in their system as well.

    Evabelle watched the rest of the interrogation blankly, only dimly aware of what was being said.  After this night, every muscle was sore.  Her arm and tailbone was killing her from her landing and all the rolling.  The adrenaline from fear and battle that had kept her going, was completely gone.  She nearly collapsed on top of poor Jamie, who was also struggling to stay upright. 

    She did her best to pay attention to what Lucis was asking Siika.  It was mostly what he knew of whether Kruor was working with anyone else.  If the name Averno had ever come up with any conversation he might have had with the pureblood.  But none of these questions had good answers.  Siika displayed a creepy reverence as he spoke of Kruor, but he didn't know if the vampire was working with others, and Averno had never been mentioned.

    Lucis asked what exactly had they been trading in the past that had been allowing them the blood in the first place.  Thus far it had mostly been information and some of their crossbows, since their careful craftsmanship allowed them to shoot farther that most weapons with ease.  There had also been a few herbs and plants that were grown there that had been sent that Lucis took note of.  But other than the living cargo they had planned for that night, there was nothing else.

    Lucis finally asked about Jamie, and Evabelle really pushed herself to pay attention now.

    "What about the boy you imprisoned with Evabelle?  What does Kruor want with him?"

    Siika leaned his head back against the stone wall.  "High Lord Kruor doesn't care about him.  But there are others in the market for anomalies."

    "Who?"

    The puny elf shrugged.  "I've not dealt with him directly.  There's just been a whisper floating across night market traders that have mentioned that there's someone willing to pay a big sum for unique anomalies."  His gaze slid lazily over to Aza.  "Humans with the Sight aren't special enough."

    Aza stuck out her tongue.

    "Where did you get this child?"  Lucis asked.

    Siika's upper lip curled.  "The beach.  He washed ashore."

    Lucis shook his head.  "Don't give me that.  We're way out in the middle of the ocean.  Children don't just wash ashore."

    "Perhaps he was in a boating accident."

    "You have magical barriers to prevent boats or people getting in like that."  Lucis argued.

    Siika's fists curled and uncurled.

    "What are you not telling us?"  Lucis crouched down where Kai had been so that he was eye-level with Siika.  "You heard Kai.  He will Turn you if you don't cooperate.  You'll still be a part of your precious Kruor's bloodline, but you'll be a Second.  I doubt he'll be willing to let you into his upper ranks like that."

    Siika's nose twitched as he glared at Lucis.  "It doesn't matter anymore!"  He shouted suddenly.  "My King will not Turn me after everything I have said!"

    "Kruor is not the king." Kai spoke after his long time of silence, finally looking back at everyone.

    Siika snapped his neck to stare wide-eyed at Kai.  "Oh, but he will be.  I can assure you, he will take the throne from his pathetic excuse of a brother, and show the world what a great vampire can do!"

    Lucis stood up, shaking his head.  He put a hand on Baldwyn's shoulder and murmured something in his ear.  The elf Commander gave a nod and brought the hilt of his weapon down on Siika's head, knocking the traitor unconscious.

    "He wasn't going to tell us anything else."  Lucis explained to the rest of them, then he tiredly raised his hand and made a circle in the air, gesturing them all to start moving.

After that long and grueling night, Evabelle wasn't sure if she could ever move again.