Eternity of Vengeance

Book 7 of the Heku Series

Published by T.M. Nielsen at Smashwords

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http://www.hekuseries.com/

Copyright © 2011 by T.M. Nielsen

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Table of Contents

Chapter 1 - Frederick

Chapter 2 - House Arrest

Chapter 3 - Robert

Chapter 4 - Woods

Chapter 5 - Teenager

Chapter 6 - Missing

Chapter 7 - Lord Dexter

Chapter 8 - Doppelgangers

Chapter 9 - Invasion

Chapter 10 - Back To Normal

Chapter 11 - Search

Chapter 12 - Dain

Chapter 13 - Visit

Chapter 14 - Memory

Chapter 15 - Illness

Chapter 16 - Gabe

Chapter 17 - Health

Chapter 18 - Encala

Chapter 19 - Confusion

Chapter 20 - Mortem Obire

Chapter 21 - Inheritance

Chapter 22 - Balance

Chapter 1 - Frederick

“What now?” Alexis asked as she stood before the Council. She was years older than her current age of 12, and she watched them with haunting black eyes, her black hair flowing down against her back.

“We’re wondering where you were last night,” Zohn asked. He watched her carefully, knowing at any moment she could turn the Council to ash. She was beautiful, like her mother, but a few inches taller. This woman knew she was attractive, and her tight outfit proved she wanted to show it.

Chevalier could feel the Council’s fear coming through Emily’s dream, so he tightened his arms around her.

Alexis smiled, “I wasn’t aware that I had to report my actions to the Council.”

“Don’t be difficult, Alex,” Chevalier said. “Just answer the question.”

“Fine, then. I was out riding my motorcycle through the city.”

“That’s all?” Zohn asked.

“Yup”

“Then the reported attack on a young man in the city wasn’t you, I take it?”

“Nope”

Chevalier sighed and sat back in his chair. His 18-year-old daughter was out of control, and the Council knew it. Her Winchester powers weren’t as strong as her mother’s, neither was the call of her blood, but she constantly put herself in danger and seemed to thrive on the negative attention.

“If we find that the attack was you, there will be dire consequences,” Quinn told her.

Alexis smiled, “I figured as much, but it wasn’t me. Can I go now?”

“Were you heading out?” Chevalier asked.

“Yes”

“In that?” he asked. She was wearing skin tight black leather pants and a short white halter top, exposing more skin than her father felt comfortable with. The thigh-high leather boots added 4 inches to her height and doubled as a place that Alexis stored small weapons on her thigh.

“Yes, in this.”

“You do realize it’s dangerous for you in the city. If you dress like that, you’re asking to be attacked,” Zohn said.

Alexis smiled, “I can take care of myself.”

“Were you heading out to feed then?”

“Maybe”

“Maybe?”

“Yes, maybe,” she said, irritated, “I don’t pre-plan feedings… if I meet a guy I like, I take it from there.”

Chevalier cringed, “Alexis…”

She rolled her eyes, “I’m an adult. I can do whatever I want.”

“You’re still the responsibility of this Council,” Kyle said, glaring at her.

Alexis crossed her arms at her chest and set her jaw. It was amazing to the Council how much this small gesture reminded them of her mother, “I’m responsible for myself. If you want a Winchester to order around, talk to Allen, he’s more than willing to play the obedient servant.”

“We aren’t trying to order you around,” Chevalier growled. “We’re trying to protect you.”

“If you feel the sudden need to protect someone, ask Mom or Dain. They are always getting kidnapped and need rescued, but leave me alone.”

“Just because you’ve not been kidnapped, doesn’t mean it can’t happen.”

Alexis grinned, “I’d like to see them try.”

“If you’re headed out, then we’ll have to insist on a guard,” Quinn told her.

“No”

“You cannot tell us no, Alexis. You aren’t Emily,” Kyle growled.

“No, I’m not my Mom… but I still won’t take a guard.”

“Why not?”

“They slow me down,” she said, and headed for the door. She shut it behind her and the Council sat back, deep in thought.

“Can Emily control her?” Zohn asked Chevalier.

“She comes closer than any of us, but Alexis still does whatever she wants.”

“She left Chris,” Kyle said, leaning forward.

“Damnit, she needs to stop dating the guard staff… they fall in love and she dumps them. It’s getting harder and harder to find one to watch her, one that hasn’t dated her,” Zohn sighed.

Chevalier grinned and tightened his grip around Emily. He was finding this particular dream to be highly amusing.

Alexis ran out to the garage and slipped onto the black Yamaha YZF-R1 motorcycle. She sped out of the city at dangerous speeds, smiling at the gate guards as she passed and disappeared into the night. There was no freedom quite like the feel of the motorcycle and the aloneness of the night. She watched the city fly past her, ignoring traffic signals and the angry horns from cars as they avoided crashing into her.

Something strange caught her eye, and she skidded to a stop. She left the motorcycle and walked slowly back toward the dark alley, barely making a sound, then stopped and watched, fascinated by what she saw.

“Please… it was an accident,” the cowering heku said.

“It’s not something we as Encala tolerate, feeding and assaulting a young man. You have to be punished,” the hulking heku said, watching him. Alexis didn’t leave, even when she saw him pull a tiny dagger from his pocket and turn the frightened heku to ash.

“What’s an Encala doing so close to Equites turf?” Alexis asked, smiling at Frederick.

He spun towards her and his eyes narrowed, “You’re a Winchester.”

“Yes, I am.”

He took a few steps closer to her, shocked when she didn’t move back, but squared her shoulders and watched him, “Out alone so late at night?”

“I can take care of myself,” she told him, and crossed her arms.

He smiled as he ran his eyes down her body, “You aren’t afraid of me?”

“No, I’m not.”

“Do you know who I am?”

“Yes, I do. You’re Frederick, the Chief Enforcer for the Encala.”

Frederick leaned back against the brick building, “Aren’t you afraid I’ll kidnap you?”

Alexis smiled, “Aren’t you afraid I’ll turn you to ash?”

“No, I guess I’m not.”

“I’m not afraid of being kidnapped either.”

“Rumors are wrong. You’re not like your mother at all,” Frederick said, watching her closely.

Alexis walked up to him and put her hands behind him on the brick wall. She leaned her body against his and whispered, “I’m nothing like my Mom.”

He grinned down at her, “Asking for trouble, are you?”

“Are you trouble, then?”

“Yes, I am.”

“Good, so am I,” she said, and put her hands on his face to bring him down closer to her. She pressed her lips against his and ran her fingers through the back of his dark hair.

Frederick responded by picking her up so she was closer to his level, and then kissed her forcefully. She finally pulled away from him and he smiled as she wrapped her legs around him.

“I do believe you may be more trouble that I am,” he chuckled.

“Oh, no doubt.”

Frederick set her down and she took a few steps back.

“You better run on home to Council City before you find yourself out of your league,” he said, shaking his head.

Alexis slowly began to unbutton her shirt, “Wanna taste?”

Frederick’s eyes grew wide, “You’re… you’re offering?”

She nodded and smiled.

As Frederick brought his teeth to Alexis’ neck, she leaned her head back and Emily sat up quickly, looking around.

“You do realize, he’s an Elder now,” Chevalier chuckled, and pulled her back into his arms.

“Yes,” she said, and pulled closer to him.

He kissed the top of her head, “I’m worried.”

“About what?” she asked, kissing his neck lightly.

“About you going after the Encala and the Valle.”

She pulled back some and propped up on her elbow, “I’ve considered it.”

“I know you have. You’ve been dreaming about Frederick all month. Let us deal with it.”

“I can do it faster and with no loss.”

“Yes, you can,” he said, and wiped a strand of hair away from her face. “However, I’m asking you to please let us do it.”

“I can’t promise that right now.”

He kissed her forehead, “Let us handle it. For now, I need to get down to the council chambers. The Encala are here.”

Emily sighed, “Do you want me there?”

“Yes, come and make sure they remain civil.”

She nodded and got out of bed, and before she could turn to him, he was already gone from the room. After throwing on a simple green summer dress, she grabbed her coffee and headed down to the council chambers. She could hear yelling before she even got there.

Emily opened the door quickly and yelled, “Behave!”

The Encala turned to her and William’s eyes narrowed before turning back to the Equites. He’d brought along his Chief Investigator and four of the Encala Palace Guards. Emily quickly ran up into the Council’s section and sat down next to Chevalier.

“Yell at the Equites and I’ll turn you to ash before you can finish your sentence,” she said, glaring at him.

William sighed, “We’re simply trying to ascertain if the Equites have Frederick.”

“Then do it calmly, no warnings.”

He nodded slightly and turned to Zohn, “We want our Investigator to spend time here, if you still deny having Frederick.”

“We do not have your Elder, but if we did, we would follow tradition and tell you. It’s insulting that you assume we’re keeping him in secret,” Quinn told him, noticeably irritated. “However, we do not want your Chief Investigator hanging around our palace.”

“If we find out that you’ve broken tradition…”

“We haven’t, so you may go,” Chevalier growled.

William nodded, glanced at Emily, and then turned and left with his faction.

“That was fun. I’m going for breakfast,” Emily said, and left through the back doors.

Kyle watched her go and then looked at Chevalier, “Is she still having them?”

“Yes, odd ones, too,” Chevalier told them. “Last night he was Chief Enforcer again.”

“Is she worried because he was leading the standoff?” Quinn asked.

“I suspect she’s more worried that he’s disappeared without a trace.”

“Has she said anything about revenge for Jaron?” Zohn asked.

“Yes, she’s still considering it,” Chevalier said, and sighed.

“With Emily though, we won’t know she’s made her decision until it’s either over or in progress,” Kyle said. “For now, I suggest we leave the Cavalry as her guards. She slips city guards a lot easier.”

“Agreed, and make sure one of them is high-ranking,” Quinn said, and started going through a notebook.

***

“It’s snowing again,” Kralen told Emily when she went to the window. She sighed and dropped the curtain.

“Is it ever going to stop?”

“Yes, then it’ll be too hot. What do you want to do today?”

She shrugged, “I don’t know. What is the Cavalry doing today?”

“We’re all going out for some training, want to come?”

“Doing what?” Emily asked, turning toward him.

“We’re going over finding heku in the trees,” the Captain explained.

“So I get city guards?”

“Yes, please don’t slip them.”

She smiled, “I haven’t had city guards in a while.”

“That’s because you slip them… We really need the entire Cavalry today and I’m begging you to stay with the guards.”

Emily sat down and grabbed a pot of coffee, “What’s the Council doing today?”

“Not sure really,” he said, and sat down with her at the table. Over the winter, Emily had begun to want company when she ate breakfast, and Kralen took it upon himself to fill that part. Things were quiet in Council City in the three months since the attack, but tensions were still high, and Kralen assumed Emily felt it. She was a lot clingier and spent more time in the council chambers.

Kralen turned to the door and then back to Emily, “Your guards are here, please… behave.”

She smiled, “I will, have fun.”

Kralen bowed slightly and disappeared from the room. Emily sat back and looked around the dark room and listened to the sound of the wind blowing through the ancient palace’s roof. Suddenly, she had an idea and grinned. Jumping from the table, she went into her closet and came out with a set of green camouflage fatigues.

She remembered the day they brought them to her. Each of the Cavalry was issued a set, and since that day, hers sat at the back of her closet. She quickly put them on and tied her hair up, then slipped on the camouflage hat. She dug around in her drawer and found the green and black paint the Cavalry used to paint their faces, and quickly applied it.

She went over and began to spray a strong smelling scent onto her clothes, something Sotomar gave her during their friendship to mask her scent when needed. After grabbing a thick camouflage coat and black gloves, she headed out to the council chambers.

The city guards fell in behind her, confused as to why she was in all camouflage.

“Good… morning,” Derrick said, frowning slightly. “Do I want to know what you’re doing?”

Emily smiled, “I need to talk to Chev.”

“Go on in,” Derrick said, and opened the door for her.

The Council all became quiet when they saw her, and watched as she walked up to the trial area. She went over and stood closer to Chevalier, not wanting to make this a Council decision.

“Do I want to know what you’re up to?” Chevalier asked.

She frowned, “That’s what Derrick just asked.”

Chevalier chuckled, “I’m sure he did.”

“I want you to back off my guards.”

“You can’t go without guards.”

“Your smell is off,” Kyle said, wrinkling his nose.

“I’m not going without guards. I’m about to be surrounded by over fifty of them,” she told him, and winked at Kyle.

Quinn grinned, “What are you going to do to our Cavalry?”

“I’m going to ambush them… actually…” Emily said, and grinned slightly.

“You’re going to ambush a heku army?” Dustin asked, raising an eyebrow.

She glared at him and turned back to Chevalier, “Please back them off. I’ll be alone for all of 3 minutes, and then I’m going to be trying to shoot as many of the Cavalry as I can with a paintball gun.”

“Does Mark know this?” Zohn asked.

“It wouldn’t be an ambush if he knew,” Emily told him.

Chevalier shook his head and then told her guards to wait by the bedroom door.

She smiled, “Thank you.”

“You do realize there’s a blizzard out there?”

“Yes, that’s how I’m going to get away with it. I’ll be harder to find.”

“Don’t get hurt,” Chevalier told her, and she grinned and walked out of the council chambers.

“There’s no way she’s going to get off a single shot,” Dustin said indignantly.

“Yes, she is,” Zohn told him. “The Cavalry has no idea she’s out there, her scent is masked, and they have no reason to suspect they’re going to be shot at.”

“She’ll be disrupting their training though. We shouldn’t allow it.”

Quinn smiled, “If the Cavalry gets shot, it’s their fault and I, for one, think it’s a good training idea. Get them while they’re least expecting it.”

Emily quickly hooked up her horse trailer to the truck and led her horse out. She didn’t want to attack from the city, so she planned on coming in from the other direction. It was slow driving with the trailer in the snow, but within 10 minutes, she was on the other side of the trees.

She mounted quickly, glad for the warmth of the horse, then led him slowly into the trees, hoping she could remember the training clearing so she didn’t run right into them. As she got closer, she got off of the horse and went towards the north, away from where they normally did exercises.

Finding the tree she was looking for, she slung the paintball gun over her shoulder and climbed it as quietly as she could. When she was in the top branches, she could see Mark talking to the Cavalry while Kralen and Silas stood at his sides. She was off to their side, high up in the concealment of the thick branches.

“The next time I see it, you’ll be put on suspension. Is that understood?” Mark growled, and the Cavalry all agreed in unison.

“Great, so now we’re going to…” Silas stopped and touched his shoulder. He looked at his hand and saw green paint on his fingers.

“Were you just shot?” Kralen asked, looking around the trees.

Silas grinned and yelled, “Emily!”

The Cavalry began to scan the trees, and Emily moved back behind one of the larger branches.

Mark’s eyes narrowed as he scanned the trees, “Team 4, go.”

Six of the Cavalry took off toward where Silas’ back had been facing. They moved stealthily through the trees, trying to catch the Winchester scent or any sounds.

“Team 2, flank her,” Kralen whispered, and another six heku took off to the east.

Emily saw the first group pass under the tree she was in and keep going. She turned around again, holding her breath, and looked toward the Cavalry.

“I swear… I told her not to slip her guards,” Kralen growled.

“She hasn’t slipped them in a while, maybe she got perm… damnit!” Mark said, laughing when he saw the splotch of red paint on his shirt.

“Team 1… She’s mortal for hell’s sake! Go find her,” Silas said, shaking his head. He watched as Team 1 followed the line-of sight from Mark’s paint stain.

“I’m a little embarrassed, actually,” Mark said, frowning. “We should have known she was by us.”

“I know. I’m sure she’s playing a game, but we’re predators. She shouldn’t have gotten close enough… snow or no snow,” Kralen agreed. He gasped when he felt the sting of the paintball explode on his back.

Silas grinned and whispered, “All teams out. The team to bring her to us gets a week-long vacation.”

“That’ll do it,” Kralen chuckled.

“I could find her,” Silas said, scanning the trees.

“Yes, but they need the practice,” Mark told him. “How are we going to get her back for this?”

Team four returned to their leaders looking irritated.

“What?” Silas asked.

They turned around and all six had paint marks on their back, “I think we lost.”

Mark sighed, “She’s mortal!”

“I know, I know,” the team four leader said, and they all moved to stand before the officers.

Emily took aim at another group and set her gun to auto-fire. She held her finger down and pegged each of them as she grinned.

“Gotcha,” she heard from behind her, and turned just as someone grabbed her and jumped out of the tree. She was thrown over a heku’s shoulder and blurred through the trees.

“Put me down!” she said, laughing.

“Seems team seven gets a week off,” Kralen said, amused.

“Get her gun,” Mark ordered, and a heku took her gun, even though she tried to hold on.

“Kneel her,” Silas said, sounding angry.

Emily was dropped to the cold ground and forced onto her knees. She looked up at Mark and grinned.

“Did you slip your guards?” Kralen asked.

“No, I had the Council back them off. This is all legal.”

“Legal, yes, but fair?”

“All’s fair in love and war,” Emily said, looking up at them and smiling.

“Now what to do with you,” Mark chuckled, and walked around her.

“Hot cocoa sounds good. It’s freezing out here,” she suggested.

“Hot cocoa… no… We need something to prove a point.”

Her eyes grew wide, “Like what?”

“Interesting use of the Cavalry issued fatigues,” Silas said, looking down at her.

Emily started to get up, but was pushed back to her knees, “Hey.”

Mark grinned, “You’re our prisoner.”

“I am?” she asked, her eyes wide.

“You got caught so… yes,” Silas told her.

“You two go find her horse and take it into the stables,” Mark said, pointing to two of the Cavalry.

“Get my truck!” Emily yelled after them, and tried to stand up again, but was pushed back to her knees.

She saw a member of the Cavalry hand Mark a pair of handcuffs, and she tried to run, but didn’t even make it a step before they were placed on her wrists, restraining them at her back.

“Start walking…” Silas told her, and pointed toward the palace.

Emily walked with the entire Cavalry behind her. She kept wondering what they were going to do, and even grew more nervous when the gate guards chuckled as they passed. She stepped into the palace and was led up to the council chambers.

Derrick grinned and opened the door. Emily walked in after Mark, Silas, and Kralen.

“Got caught, did you?” Dustin asked, amused.

“I took out a fair share first… including these three,” she told him.

“She shot you?” Dustin asked Mark.

Mark nodded, “Yes, but it won’t happen again.”

“So what do you plan on doing to her?” Quinn asked, pretending to be mad.

“She’s our prisoner, but we haven’t yet decided,” Kralen told him.

“I could use a nice swim,” Emily told them. Using what the Encala taught her, she very quietly slipped her hands out of the handcuffs. The guards were standing a bit ahead of her, so they didn’t notice when she slipped them into her back pocket.

“Swimming?” Mark grinned. “That’s too…”

He grew quiet and looked at Silas and Kralen. Emily stood up straight and brushed off her pants.

“Why are you in camo?” Silas asked her.

Emily smiled, “I was just going to go out for training, remember?”

Mark was looking around the council chambers, “What’d you erase? I don’t remember coming in here.”

“Em…” Chevalier chuckled, and then shook his head.

She turned and started for the door, but Kralen took her arm, “What did you erase?”

“You really shouldn’t use your abilities on the Equites,” Dustin growled.

Emily ignored him and pulled her arm out of Kralen’s grasp, “It was nothing, really… I better go, my guards are waiting.”

She grinned and left the council chambers.

“What did she erase?” Mark asked the Elders.

“I don’t believe it requires Council attention,” Zohn said, grinning.

Emily quickly ran up to the eighth-floor, and headed into a storage room. The door was old and stiff, but she managed to get it open, and then shut the door behind her. Inside was a dark room, long abandoned, and full of old furniture covered with dust cloths and stacked high, almost to the ceiling. She sat down on a dusty couch and started to read the book she grabbed on the way up.

Silas frowned, “Was it something bad?”

“No,” Chevalier told him. “Though I would suggest you may want to keep her in sight until you remember.”

Mark nodded, “Go find her.”

Kralen and Silas disappeared from the room.

“Good luck,” Kyle chuckled.

“Perfect”

“Mark, one more thing,” Quinn said before he left.

“Yes, Elder?”

“Lately, she seems particularly upset with Frederick’s disappearance.”

“I’ve noticed… She’s been asking a lot of questions.”

“Like what?”

“Things about the banished. Is a heku aware when in ash form? How long before they naturally heal? That sort of thing.”

“So she thinks he’s been banished?” Zohn asked, frowning.

“I’m not sure, but I think so,” Mark told him.

“Her dreams have nothing about the Equites banishing him,” Chevalier said.

“Just keep an eye on her. She may try to protect us if she thinks we’ve banished him and run the risk of an Encala attack,” Quinn said.

Mark nodded, “Yes, Elder… though, we already are watching her closely. We’re still waiting for her to seek revenge for Jaron.”

Chevalier nodded, “It’s coming.”

Kralen came back in with a confused look on his face, “We’re not catching a recent scent. It’s hours old.”

“She masked it,” Kyle told him, and went back to reading a ledger.

“What did she do?”

Dustin sighed, “She interrupted your guard training to play one of her games.”

Mark’s eyes narrowed and then he grinned, “I have paint on my shirt.”

“So do Silas and I,” Kralen told him.

“Damnit,” Mark chuckled, smiling. “She’s supposed to be our prisoner.”

“She is?” Kralen asked, eyes wide.

“Just go find her.”

He nodded and walked out of the council chambers.

“We need to find a way to avoid that,” Mark told the Council.

“Yes, we do,” the Chief Interrogator said.

The Council all grinned when they heard Silas and Kralen cursing as their memory came back. They called for the palace guards to help find her.

“You may go,” Chevalier told the General, and Mark disappeared from the room.

“I wonder if the Valle have Frederick,” the Chief of Defense said, mostly to himself.

“Why though? What could they gain?” Quinn asked.

“Causing tension between the Equites and the Encala,” Kyle suggested.

“It’s time, I think, to pay the Valle a visit,” Zohn said, and turned to Chevalier. “We could send our Interrogator and ask them outright if they have Frederick. Then we can address the tensions between Thukil and their Weber Coven.”

Chevalier nodded, “We’d risk being taken captive though.”

“So send Emily,” Quinn said, thinking. “They wouldn’t dare take us with her there, and it would give her something to do other than decide when to attack.”

Chevalier sighed, “I don’t know…”

“It would give her more purpose. We’re still seeing the effects of her conversation with Wen,” Zohn said.

“Get this trial out of the way. I’ll talk to Em, and we can send a delegation next week.”

“Good, Derrick, bring in…” Quinn stopped when he heard a blood-curdling scream from Emily. The Council rushed into the hallway and followed her screams up the stairs to the eighth-floor.

Mark, Silas, and Kralen were already there, frantically searching through the rooms. Her screams stopped abruptly, but Chevalier was picking up a strong fear from her.

Mark tore open the storage room door and saw her almost immediately. She was on the floor in a tiny ball on her knees. Her arms were covering her head, and she was whispering something into the floor and shook with fear.

He quickly moved to her and knelt down, “Em?”

The others appeared in the doorway. The Council returned to the chamber, except for Chevalier and Kyle. They both moved into the room.

“Get’em away… get’em away,” she was whispering, over and over.

“Em, what’s wrong?” Chevalier asked as he knelt down and bent over closer to her.

“Get’em away,” was all she said.

Kyle quickly scanned the room and then laughed, “Em, are you afraid of bats?”

Silas looked up at the bats swarming around the ceiling of the storage room. He reached out and easily caught one, and it emitted a piercing high screech that made the heku in the palace cover their ears.

Silas quickly let the bat go and winced, “Sorry.”

Mark grinned and got up off of the floor.

Chevalier tried not to laugh, and put his hand on her back, “Is it the bats?”

He was surprised that she was shaking with fear, and when she didn’t answer, he picked her up, still in her ball, and moved her out into the hallway. Silas shut the door to the storage room and watched her in a tight ball on the floor.

Kralen thought for a moment and then went back into the storage room, shutting the door behind him. The palace again filled with the terrifying screech of bats and the heku covered their ears in pain. A few minutes later, the screeching stopped and Kralen stepped back out into the hallway, again shutting the door behind him.

“Are they dead?” Emily whispered, still covering her head.

“No, I let them out,” Kralen said. “No reason to kill them.”

She finally looked up and her eyes were bright red. She scrambled to her feet and quickly ran into Chevalier’s arms. He wrapped his arms around her and grinned.

“That was all over bats?” Mark asked, amused.

She pressed herself against Chevalier, and he shook his head when he felt her tremble, “They’re gone, it’s ok.”

They heard her sniffle slightly before whispering, “They were after me.”

Kralen chuckled but kept quiet.

“Bats don’t really attack,” Chevalier told her.

Emily pulled away from Chevalier and was still shaking when she walked down the stairs, “I’m moving.”

“You’re leaving the palace because of bats?” Chevalier asked, now frowning.

She nodded and went into the bedroom and began to pack.

Chevalier put his hand on her suitcase, “You can’t move out because of bats. They’re harmless.”

“They’re gone. I let them all go,” Kralen told her.

Chevalier glanced at the three guards, and they all moved out of the bedroom and stood post outside the door after shutting it.

He took Emily’s hand and led her over to the bed, then sat down and pulled her onto his lap as he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her forehead softly.

“They were after me,” she whispered, and wiped a tear from her eye.

“They aren’t in the palace anymore.”

“Can you smell them?”

“Yes”

“So you knew there were bats in here?” she asked, frowning.

“Yes, but they’re harmless.”

“They bite and carry rabies.”

“Very few of them carry rabies, and you’d have to really scare one to get it to bite.”

Emily’s eyes narrowed as she looked at him, “You’re a bat lover?”

“Not really.”

“Damned vampires,” she mumbled, and disappeared into the bathroom.

Chevalier chuckled and stepped out into the hallway.

“She leaving?” Mark asked.

“I don’t know… Now she’s grumbling about vampires and bats… I’ll be in a meeting,” he told the guards, and headed down the stairs.

“They are pretty much flying mice,” Silas said, looking around the fifth-floor.

“I already have a few of the Cavalry getting rid of the bats in the barn,” Mark told them. “I don’t know how she expects to work in a barn with no mice or bats.”

Kralen chuckled, “It’s funny how she can completely wipe out our entire species, and is afraid of mice.”

They turned when Emily opened her door and stepped out with a suitcase in one hand and Dain’s hand in the other.

“We’re moving,” Dain told them.

“Em, we got rid of the bats,” Mark told her, frowning.

“I’m going to stay at the other house for a while,” she told them, and started slowly down the stairs with Dain.

“We’ll just follow you there.”

“I figured. You can come in the Jeep.”

“I have a penis,” Dain told Mark, and the heku grinned.

“Dain, stop it,” Emily said sternly, and the toddler shrugged and then disappeared down the stairs. “Damnit!”

“I’ll get him,” Kralen said, and blurred after him.

Silas took her bag and also disappeared down the stairs.

Emily heard the Council talking to Dain, so she went into the council chambers to get him.

“I’m sure you do,” the Chief Interrogator was telling the young heku.

“Do you?” Dain asked.

He looked up at Emily and then smiled and answered Dain, “Yes, child.”

“Mommy’s is gone.”

Emily gasped and grabbed him out of Kralen’s arms as the Council started to laugh, “Enough of that. I warned you.”

“Why?”

She started for the door, “Because I said so… that’s why.”

“Emily?” Quinn called out.

She sighed and turned around, “Yes?”

“Are you leaving then?”

“Yes, I’m going to stay in Exavior’s old place. I need to start throwing stuff out and making it livable.”

“Are you taking guards?”

“Do I have a choice?”

Quinn smiled, “No, I guess not.”

“Then yes, I’m taking guards.”

“You’re running because of a bat?” Dustin asked.

Emily glared at him, “I don’t like you.”

“I’m very much aware of that.”

She turned and walked out of the council chambers. A few minutes later, they heard the Jeep leave.

“Well… at least we know where she’s going and she has guards,” Zohn said, and called for Derrick to bring in the prisoner that was to be tried.

Emily had to drive slowly because of the snowstorm, but eventually made it to the dark house. She left the Jeep in front and unlocked the door, then flipped on the lights and the entire first floor lit up.

“It stinks,” Dain said, and looked around the foyer.

“That’s Valle smell,” Silas told him, and took his hand.

“Chevalier had the kitchen stocked,” Mark said, and locked the door.

Emily started up the stairs, “Pick a room… any but Exavior’s.”

Dain ran up the stairs and passed her, disappearing into the room Exavior made for Emily. She shut the door and started to get ready for bed.

“Check the doors and windows. See what security he has in place and get a count, we may need to call in more if it’s too open,” Mark said. “I’m going to go through the house real quick and check for any sign of a heku. Then I’ll lock up that ceremonial room and interrogation chamber.”

Kralen and Silas both nodded and ran off to check the main floor’s security.

***

“Release me!” Frederick growled at her from behind the iron bars.

“No, you deserve a lifetime of pain for killing my friends.”

Frederick smiled, “I’ll kill more of them when I reform.”

“You won’t get the chance. I’ll just ash you again,” Emily told him.

Suddenly, Frederick broke free of the bars and flew at her.

Emily jerked and sat up suddenly in bed when she felt a hand on her arm.

“It’s just me,” Mark whispered, and sat down on the bed beside her. “It was a nightmare, go back to sleep.”

She nodded, not fully awake, and laid back down, “Stay.”

“I will,” Mark told her, and watched as she fell back to sleep. The Cavalry took turns sitting with her while she slept until the Elder came. Chevalier spent days in the palace and the last four weeks in Emily’s house at night.

“That’s four,” Silas whispered from the door.

Mark nodded and whispered, “They are getting worse.”

Silas went to meet Chevalier when he came in that night.

“Any nightmares?” Chevalier asked, kicking off his snowy boots.

“Yes, 4 tonight,” Silas told him.

“Frederick?”

“Two of them she screamed his name, but the other two she didn’t talk.”

Chevalier sighed and headed up the stairs. Mark left her room when the Elder came in, and then shut the door behind them. Chevalier looked carefully around the room. He hated the house and the fact that Exavior was here and had plans for Emily. She had redecorated a good part of it already, and it was slowly starting to fade from a Valle home to an Equites one, now that the front foyer was painted in deep greens and had an Equites banner above the door.

He crawled into bed and wrapped his arms around her. As suggested by the Council, he’d begun delving deeper into her dreams and studied them, trying to find the source of the nightly terror.

Emily wandered slowly through Chevalier’s Colorado mansion. She was nonchalantly looking at the art and opening random doors. Some doors opened up to offices belonging to the Cavalry, while others were small interrogation rooms.

She opened up one door and saw Kyle inside the room. He had Frederick on the rack and Frederick was screaming in pain.

“Oh, sorry,” Emily said, and started to shut the door.

Kyle looked up, “Come on in, it’s ok.”

She looked behind her and then back to Kyle, “Chev wouldn’t want me in there.”

Kyle grinned, “You can help. Come here, I’ll show you.”

“You’ll show me?”

“Sure, why not?”

Emily walked in and looked down as Frederick screamed in pain, “Why are you doing this?”

“It’s fun, you’ll like it,” Kyle told her.

“You’re not interrogating him?”

“No,” Kyle said, and moved to the side a bit. “Take this lever here and pull it toward you.”

She reached out and took the lever, but didn’t move it, “What will it do?”

“It’ll tear him apart. It’s great!”

She looked down into Fredericks eyes, “He’s already in pain… just kill him.”

“Why? He deserves pain for what he did to Jaron.”

“Yes, I guess he does.”

“Do it, pull the lever,” Kyle urged.

“I can’t,” she whispered, and took her hand off of the lever.

Frederick grinned up at her, “You’re mine.”

Emily gasped when he lunged from the restraints, and she sat up in bed.

“Another dream,” Chevalier whispered.

Emily looked over at him and nodded. She glanced around the room and watched the fire.

Chevalier sat up beside her, “Not going back to bed?”

“No,” she said, and got out of bed and threw on a robe. “I’m just going to go get some coffee.”

“Sit and talk first,” he said, and patted the bed beside him. She crawled back into the bed and sat cross-legged beside him.

“About what?”

“Are you going to stay in this house permanently?”

“No, as soon as I get it fixed up, I’ll stay in the palace.”

“Oh, I didn’t know that,” he said, surprised.

“It’s easier to fix if I stay here.”

“Mark said you’ve been asking a lot of questions lately about heku banishment.”

She shrugged, “Some, I guess, though he won’t answer them.”

Chevalier smiled, “I think he’s making sure he doesn’t say too much.”

“So will you answer my questions?”

“Try me.”

“Are the heku aware when they are ash?”

“Not at first, no.”

“How long do they have to be ash before the pain and suffering starts?”

“Usually about a year. Why?” he asked her, and brushed her hair away from her face.

Emily shrugged slightly, “I was just curious. Then… how long before they reform and come back to life?”

“That takes around 10 years before they are formed enough to be sentient.”

“Is it different if they are banished in the ground as opposed to those that aren’t?”

Chevalier sighed, “Tell me what’s going on, please.”

“What do you mean?”

“Why the questions and the nightmares? Why is Frederick all of a sudden haunting you?”

She looked up at him.

“You’re using your poker face, Em,” he said, and sighed. “Just tell me.”

“Curiosity is all the questions are.”

“And the nightmares?”

“I don’t know about those,” she said, and looked away from him.

“It would really help if you’d tell me.”

A loud crash sounded from down the stairs and Chevalier blurred out the door. Emily ran for the stairs and stopped at the top of them, watching wide-eyed as Chevalier joined in a massive blur of fighting. She sat down on the top step, ready to ash anyone who wasn’t an Equites that might head her direction.

The fight was short. It only lasted a few minutes, and then she was able to see what was going on. When the fighting stopped, Mark, Kralen, and two other members of the Cavalry had four Encala knelt down before Chevalier, who was panting and crouched as if to attack.

Silas stood beside them, visibly angry, and Emily thought he looked like he might tear the Encala to shreds if given the approval.

“Care to explain?” Chevalier growled, and stood up, though his hands were still balled into tight fists.

“We don’t have to tell you anything,” one of the Encala growled. The four enemy heku were suddenly gripped in the fierce burning pain Emily sent at them. The Equites watched and waited to see if they would fall to ash or if the pain was enough to make them talk.

When Emily released them, they got to their knees, panting and groaning with the lingering burn.

“Try that again. Why did you attack this house?” Mark asked, backhanding the one closest to him.

“You can kill us. We’re not telling you anything,” another one yelled.

“Are there cells in this house?” Chevalier asked, looking up at Emily.

She nodded, and then headed down the stairs. The Cavalry restrained the Encala, and they all followed her down a staircase and into a small prison. When the last Encala was in a cell, Silas flipped the switch that electrified the bars.

“Are they staying in here?” she asked, looking over at Chevalier.

“No, we’ll get prison guards to transport them to the palace.”

“Daddy got you!” Dain said, and then grinned from behind them. Emily turned and picked him up, and then started out of the prison. When they got to the main floor, Chevalier stopped her.

“I have to go back,” he told her.

“I figured. Will you come again tonight?”

“Of course,” he said, and kissed her lightly. He then turned to Mark, “I’ll send help. I don’t want them in this house.”

Mark nodded and watched the Elder leave.

“So what’s on the agenda for today?” Kralen asked Emily, and leaned up against the wall.

She put Dain down on the floor, “First up… I’m going to make popcorn.”

Mark’s nose wrinkled, “Ugh, time to patrol outside.”

“Definitely,” Silas said, and followed Mark, Kralen, and the three other members of the Cavalry outside. The last one picked Dain up and shut the door after him.

Emily smiled. She knew that popcorn was one sure way to get heku out of the building. She ran some quickly through the microwave to make sure they stayed out, and then grabbed the sledgehammer from the closet and headed down to the ceremonial room.

She stopped and looked through the door. Trying to calm her nerves, she took a step inside and then opened her eyes. The room was dark, but she could still make out the runes etched into the walls, and could hear her heart pounding. She had to fight to breathe as the room closed in around her.

Knowing it had to be done, she grabbed the sledgehammer and turned to the nearest rune, then took aim and swung as hard as she could.

***

“That’ll make the Encala talk,” one of the Cavalry said as he patrolled by one of the kitchen windows and the smell of popcorn wafted past him.

“We should add a microwave to the interrogation room,” Silas joked.

“Make it stop,” Dain said, and covered his nose. Kralen was holding him and laughed.

“Who has popcorn for breakfast anyway?” Silas asked.

“Emily does, I guess,” Kralen said.

“She doesn’t have a penis,” Dain told him.

Kralen nodded, “Hope not.”

“Why?”

Kralen looked over at Mark and then turned back to the toddler, “Because she’s a girl.”

Dain frowned slightly, and they could tell he was thinking about that.

“Enough… Em hates when we talk to him about that,” Mark said, stifling a grin.

Silas glanced around and then lowered his voice, “I’ve been thinking about Emily’s nightmares.”

“What about them?” Mark asked.

“About how they’re usually about Frederick… How can she be that upset with a missing Encala?”

“Well, they spent time in a Ferus prison together, that could be part of it. Maybe they grew close.”

“I just don’t think so… what if…” Silas glanced around again. “What if she isn’t planning on seeking revenge for the death of the Cavalry?”

“Of course she is.”

“No… what if she’s not planning it, because she’s already in the middle of the revenge?”

“How so?”

“So… what if she has Frederick?”

Mark frowned, “Like… in ash form?”

“Right, that’d be why we can’t find any sign of him.”

“When would she have done it?”

“While we were fighting, out on the battlefield,” Kralen said. “I’ve been wondering also if she has him somewhere.”

“Why would she keep him though?” Mark asked. He found the idea intriguing.

“Revenge for Jaron and the others,” Silas said. “We’re so worried she’s going to seek revenge, but what if she’s already doing it?”

“She hates turning heku to ash though,” Mark reminded him. “I can’t imagine her doing it and then keeping it from the entire Council.”

Kralen raised an eyebrow.

Mark sighed, “Damnit, she would keep it from the Council.”

“It’s just a thought,” Silas whispered. “However, we don’t have the authority to ask her about it.”

Kralen grinned and looked over at Dain, “How are you, Boy?”

“Can I get down?” Dain asked.

“Not right now… I want to ask you a question. Can you be a big boy and answer it for me?”

Dain nodded and grinned.

“Do you know what ash is?”

Dain nodded.

“What is it?” Kralen asked him, keeping his voice light.

“It’s your bum,” Dain announced proudly.

Silas choked and started coughing and Mark had to turn around to keep from Dain seeing him laugh.

Kralen chuckled, “Not ass, ash.”

Dain shrugged, “No.”

“It’s like dirt… black dirt.”

“Ok,” Dain said, watching Mark with interest.

“Have you seen Mommy with any ash?”

“No”

“Maybe in a little bag, or maybe she buried it in the house?”

“Nope… can I get down?”

Kralen set him down, still chuckling, “No luck there.”

Mark finally regained his composure, “If there’s heku ash in that house, we would know it.”

“So maybe it’s not in the house, maybe it’s out here.”

“Gah, Dain!” Silas yelled, and ran after the naked boy.

Kralen picked up Dain’s clothes and then frowned slightly, “If she has Frederick as ash… that could cause one huge problem for the Council.”

“What would you do if you found him?” Mark asked.

Kralen thought for a moment, “I think I’d probably bury him out in the middle of nowhere and hope he didn’t remember who burned him.”

“She asked the Elder about a heku that’s been turned to ash.”

“Did he answer her?”

Mark nodded, “Yes… damn, this is all starting to make sense.”

Kralen glanced over when Silas came up, holding Dain’s hand. He tossed the clothes over to Dain and Silas helped the toddler get dressed.

“It makes too much sense,” Kralen said. “We have two options. We either break protocol and ask her, or we tell the Council what we suspect.”

“She can’t know we’re going to the Council,” Mark told him.

Silas nodded, “You two go. I’ll stay here with the other three… We can watch the perimeter of the house.”

“Let’s go,” Mark said, and he and Kralen blurred away.

***

Derrick stepped into the council chambers three hours after Mark and Kralen arrived, and requested an audience. The Council had just finished a trial.

“Sir, General Mark is requesting to speak to the Council,” Derrick told them.

“Is Emily with him?” Chevalier asked.

“No, Sir, and they’ve been here for a while.”

“Let them in.”

Mark and Kralen walked in and stood before the Council, bowing slightly.

“Is there a problem?” Chevalier asked.

“We have some suspicions we want to inform the Council of,” Mark told them.

Zohn nodded, “Ok, what suspicions.”

Mark glanced at Kralen.

Kralen took a deep breath, “Silas and I have been talking, and we’re starting to see a lot of signs indicating that Lady Emily… well… that she may have Frederick.”

Chevalier frowned, “What makes you think that she has him?”

“There are a few things,” Mark said. “Her nightmares, most of them are about Fredrick… She’s been asking a lot lately about how and when a heku can recover from being turned to ash.”

“We’ve all been so concerned… watching and waiting for her to seek revenge for Jaron,” Kralen told them. “She hasn’t done it, and we wonder if that’s because she’s already in the middle of getting revenge.”

Chevalier fell deep into thought and after almost twenty minutes, he sighed, “They’re right. She’s hiding something and I wrongly suspected it was something she’d found in that house.”

“Hiding something?” Quinn asked.

He nodded, “Yes, her poker face. She used it while we were talking this morning.”

“If she has him, it could start a war that we aren’t ready to face,” Dustin growled.

“We don’t know anything yet,” Quinn said, and turned to the Chief Interrogator. “If she’s using what the Elder calls her poker face, can you tell if she’s lying?”

“Sometimes, she has a problem keeping it for long.”

“With all due respect, Sir,” Kralen said. “If she sees the Chief Interrogator coming, she’ll clam up and we won’t get any information.”

Chevalier nodded, “He’s right.”

“However,” Mark said, and smiled slightly, “I think she tends to forget that Elder Zohn used to be the Chief Interrogator.”

“She might get suspicious though. I’ve never been to that house,” Zohn told him.

“We can think of something,” Chevalier said. “The hard part is how to casually bring it up without her turning defensive.”

“It’s an emergency that calls for drastic measures,” Dustin said. “I suggest you control her and ask.”

“That seems a little harsh,” Quinn said to him. “We’ll simply ask her and see if Zohn can pick anything up.”

“And if she does have him?” the Chief of Staff asked.

“Then we’ll handle that when we come to it,” Chevalier said, and stood up. “Shall we?”

Zohn nodded and they all walked out of the council chambers. Ten minutes later, the Humvee pulled up in front of Emily’s house and they were met by Silas and the other Cavalry guards.

“Why are you outside?” Zohn asked, frowning.

Silas glanced at the window, “She’s making popcorn.”

“This early? That’s odd,” Chevalier said, and walked into the house. He covered his nose with his arm and looked around before calling out for her, “Em?”

Dain ran in and stopped at the door leading down to the ceremonial room, feeding room, and the interrogation chamber, “Mommy!”

Chevalier looked over at him, “Is Mommy down there?”

The tiny heku turned back to the door and inhaled, and then nodded and called down to her, “Mommy!”

“Why in the world would she be down there?” Chevalier asked, and he led the way as they all went down into the dungeon. “Em?”

He first opened the Interrogation chamber door and found it empty. She’d already tried to throw away all of the devices, and wasn’t aware that Mark simply moved them to the palace.

Kralen opened the feeding room and looked inside, “That leaves just… that one.”

Everyone turned and looked at the shut ceremonial room door.

Zohn slowly opened the door and looked inside, then gasped and quickly walked in with the others. Emily was in the exact center of the room, lying on the floor with her arms crossed and her eyes closed.

“What’s going on?” Mark whispered.

Chevalier knelt down and touched her, “I don’t know.”

“I’ve never seen anything like this,” Zohn said, and looked down at her.

“Em?” Chevalier said, and shook her arm lightly. When she didn’t move, he turned to the others.

“Elders,” Silas called out, and when they turned to him, he held up the sledgehammer. “I think she was trying to get rid of the room.”

Zohn’s eyes grew wide and he looked over at her, “She tried to destroy the ceremonial room?”

Mark sighed, “She’s mentioned it before.”

“She tried to get Miri to do it once,” Chevalier added.

“So… is she hurt?” Kralen asked, walking up to her.

“I don’t think so.”

“I’ve never heard of anyone trying to destroy one,” Zohn said, and looked around the room.

“Did the runes do this then?” Silas asked, shocked.

“That’d be my guess,” Chevalier told him, and then glanced at them. “I’m sure they don’t want to be damaged.”

Mark reached down and gently picked her up. She lay limply in his arms, “Well that’s a start. I wasn’t sure we could move her.”

“Take her upstairs to the bedroom,” Chevalier told him.

As soon as Mark was out of the room, Emily looked up at him, “What happened?”

“Are you ok?” Chevalier asked, moving up to look at her.

She frowned, “Put me down.”

Mark gently set her on her feet and she looked at the heku, “What happened?”

“You tried to destroy the ceremonial room,” Chevalier explained.

“Yeah, so?”

“It didn’t want destroyed.”

Her eyes narrowed, “Did I just get my ass kicked by a room?”

“I wouldn’t call it…” Chevalier started, but then stopped when she headed back for the room.

Emily got to the door and headed inside just as a flash of bright light shone from the room and she was thrown backwards against the stone wall.

She rolled onto her hands and knees and groaned, “What the hell?”

The heku were too stunned to help her. They’d never seen anything like what was going on in that room. Finally, Mark went over and knelt down.

“Are you hurt?”

“Yes, I hit my head,” she said, and slowly got to her feet. She felt the back of her head and cringed when she hit a large knot.

“Maybe we should go upstairs,” Chevalier said, and held his hand out.

Zohn walked up slowly to the room, braced himself, and then walked in. He looked around, “Nothing happened.”

“You didn’t try to destroy it,” Kralen said, and walked in also. He grabbed the sledgehammer and followed the others up the stairs.

“That room has to go,” Emily grumbled when they got to the main floor.

“It’s not that easy to get rid of. Though, I don’t think I’ve ever heard of anyone trying to destroy one with a sledgehammer,” he explained.

“Then you get rid of it. I don’t want it here.”

“We’ll work on it. It takes months, and it will have to be relocated.”

“What? How do you do that?”

He smiled, “Don’t worry about it. We’ll get it moved.”

“Did Exavior do that?” she asked, looking back down the stairs.

“I don’t think so. You’re trying to destroy magic older than your own species using a sledgehammer. It’s not that simple.”

Emily looked at Zohn and smiled, “Come for a visit?”

“Yes, I wanted to see what the big deal was. Glad I did come, that was quite interesting.”

“For you maybe, gave me a headache,” she told him, and sat on a couch in the foyer.

Silas appeared in front of her with a glass of orange juice and some aspirin.

“Thanks,” she mumbled, and then took it quickly.

Chevalier sat down beside her, “I’d like to ask you something.”

“Yes, I tried to destroy it with a sledgehammer.”

He grinned, “That was obvious, but this is something else.”

“Ok,” she said, and looked over at him.

He looked into her eyes, “Do you have Frederick?”

Emily looked up at Zohn briefly before answering, “Yes.”

“Wait… you do?” Chevalier gasped, shocked she’d told them.

“Yes, I have him and no, you can’t have him back.”

“You have Frederick?” Zohn asked, surprised.

“I just said I did.”

“It’s just… we’ve been looking for him… the Encala… You’ve had him this entire time?”

“Yes”

“Why didn’t you tell us?”

“You didn’t ask, and I didn’t want to offer up that information,” she explained, and then picked Dain up when he walked past her.

Kralen chuckled, “That’s true. We didn’t ask her.”

Chevalier sighed, “We need him.”

“No”

“No?” Zohn asked, frowning.

“No, you can’t have him.”

“Em, I don’t think you understand how serious this is,” Chevalier explained. “This is going to cause a major incident.”

Emily held out her hands, wrists together, “I’m an Equites and will take the punishment, but you can’t have him back.”

Mark glanced at Chevalier and he thought for a moment and then nodded. Kralen stepped forward and put handcuffs on Emily, and led her out to the Humvee.

“No!” Dain screamed. He ran up to Kralen and bit him on the leg.

“Damnit!” Kralen growled as Silas pulled the toddler off him.

“Dain, stop it,” Emily said sternly.

“No!” he yelled again, and kicked to try to get away from Silas.

Emily got into the Humvee and sat in the middle of the backseat between Silas and Kralen. Mark took the screaming toddler in the Jeep and Chevalier talked to him before locking up the house and getting into the Humvee with Zohn.

Emily smiled slightly, “Am I going to prison?”

“I don’t know yet,” Chevalier said. He gunned the Humvee and sped toward the city.

Chevalier slammed the Humvee into park and blurred into the palace, followed by Zohn.

“Take a deep breath,” Kralen said to her.

She nodded, starting to feel scared.

“We’ll stay with you as long as we can,” Silas told her, and helped her out of the truck. They all walked slowly up to the fourth-floor.

Derrick didn’t greet them as usual, but kept things completely by protocol as he opened the door, “The Council will see you now.”

Kralen and Silas each took an arm and led her into the trial area. They gently helped her down onto her knees and she looked up at the Council.

Quinn sighed, “Why is Emily under arrest?”

Kyle looked over at Chevalier, but he was too angry to speak.

“I have Frederick… and I’m not giving him back,” Emily told him.

Quinn gasped, “You do?”

“Yes”

“You are refusing a direct order by the Council to return him?” Dustin asked.

“Yes”

Kyle sighed, “Why, Em?”

“He killed members of my Cavalry, and I’m going to make him pay.”

“By causing a war?”

“I don’t think this will cause a war.”

“Of course it will!” Kyle yelled.

“Then turn me over to the Encala in exchange.”

“We can’t do that,” Zohn told her. “Put her in a holding cell until we decide what to do.”

Silas and Kralen helped her up again and took her out to the one of the holding cells. They uncuffed her and she lay back on the bed and looked up at the ceiling.

“What are we going to do?” Quinn asked, turning to the other two Elders.

Zohn shook his head, “My first suggestion would be to find him. Get the Cavalry looking. Go anywhere Emily hangs out and find him.”

“Mark!” Quinn called out. When the General came in, he ordered the Cavalry out to search for the ash of the Encala Elder.

Kyle looked over at Chevalier, “Are you ok?”

He nodded, “I’m starting to calm down. First she’s attacked by a room, and now she’s in a holding cell… not my best day.”

“Wait, how was she attacked by a room?” Quinn asked.

Zohn chuckled, “She tried to destroy the ceremonial room with a sledgehammer and… well… it fought back.”

The entire Council gasped and started talking among themselves.

Kyle’s eyes were wide, “What did it do?”

“Knocked her unconscious. We found her lying on the floor,” Zohn explained. “She woke up the second she got out of the room, and when she tried to get back in… a bright blue flash sent her flying against the wall.”

“Wow,” Dustin said, shocked.

“We need to log that,” the Records Keeper said. “I don’t believe that’s ever been tried.”

“I don’t think the Valle will be very upset when they find out that Emily has had Frederick this entire time,” Zohn told them. “However, the Encala are not going to be happy.”

“We should expect an attack over this,” Chevalier said. “Alert the covens to go into level 2 lock down.”

Kyle nodded and blurred from the room.

“Things might go smoother if she’ll hand him over,” Quinn sighed, frowning.

“We should send a delegation then to tell them,” Zohn suggested.

“One that won’t make it back here.”

“True… maybe we should call them and have Emily tell them.”

Chevalier nodded, “That might be our best bet. They’re too afraid of her to do much.”

“What do we do with her then?” Dustin asked.

“She told us that she’s an Equites and will take the punishment,” Zohn said. “However, we all know we can’t banish her, nor can we put her in the prison for long.”

“Why not?” Dustin growled.

Chevalier looked over at him, “She’s not going to prison.”

Dustin sat back in his chair.

“House arrest then,” Quinn said. “Complete house arrest, no stables, no cars, nothing.”

“We can’t keep her on house arrest. She gets out,” Zohn told him.

“She’s accepted responsibility for this. I think she’ll stay,” Chevalier said.

“So house arrest until further notice, and she has to tell the Encala?”

“Sounds good to me,” Quinn said, and called for Emily to be brought back in. When she came in, she was no longer cuffed, but walked in with Kralen and Silas. She stood before them and avoided looking at Chevalier.

“There are several parts to this punishment, any of which can be lessened if you just tell us where his ashes are,” Zohn told her, and stood up.

“No, get on with it.”

“You are hereby put on house arrest until further notice. That means you won’t step foot off of the fifth-floor for any reason, except when you will be required to tell the Encala that you possess the remains of their Elder and refuse to return them.”

Emily nodded, “Very well.”

Quinn watched her, “We have the Cavalry out looking for his ashes. If we find them, we may be able to renegotiate your punishment.”

She smiled, “They won’t find him.”

“Punishment starts immediately. The Cavalry will change rolls from personal guards to wardens. There must be one guard higher than Lieutenant with her at all times.”

Both Silas and Kralen nodded, “Yes, Sir.”

Chapter 2 - House Arrest

Emily woke up and sat up in bed to stretch, and then looked around the all too familiar room. She’d been on house arrest for nine days, and was starting to get bored with the small amount of entertainment left for her. The guards could bring her books, food, and drink, but nothing else, and she spent most of her days playing with Dain, helping Alexis with homework, or training the dogs. She knew today was the day the Encala arrived, and she had to tell them about Frederick.

“You can come in,” she called out when someone knocked at her door.

Kralen came in with a tray, “Breakfast is on, and the Council wants you in an hour.”

She nodded and watched as he walked out. After eating breakfast quickly, she took a shower and got dressed, then finished just as she heard another knock.

“We’re here to escort you down,” Mark told her. The guards were treating her differently. They no longer joked and teased her, but were curt and proper. She knew they were irritated that the Cavalry spent countless hours searching for the Elder’s remains, because she wouldn’t tell anyone where they were.

“I’m ready,” she said, and put her hands out. Silas slipped the handcuffs on her and she walked down, surrounded by members of the Cavalry.

Derrick opened the door immediately, and Emily walked in with the guards, surprised to see Sotomar and Valle Imperial Guards standing beside the Encala.

“What is this!?” William yelled when he saw her. He turned angrily to the Council, “Let her go at once!”

“Hear her out first,” Zohn said. “We have our reasons.”

“There is no reason to keep the Winchester in restraints!” Sotomar yelled.

“Hear her out,” Chevalier told him.

William’s eyes narrowed and Emily walked up to him.

He put a hand on her arm and whispered, “Do we need to get you out of here?”

“No, I’m fine. I deserve this,” she told him.

“How?”

“I have Frederick.”

William’s eyes narrowed, “You do?”

“You mean the Equites have Frederick,” Sotomar corrected.

“No, they don’t. I have him, and I’m not giving him back yet,” she told them.

“Is this a joke?” William asked the Equites Council.

“No, it is not,” Dustin assured them.

“She’s on house arrest, and we’re searching everywhere she’s been in the last month to try to find him,” Kyle said.

“You cannot tell?” William asked their Chief Interrogator.

“No, actually… thanks to your Interrogator.”

William grinned slightly, “Oh, that’s right.”

“I’ll be back in my room then,” Emily said, and turned to leave.

“We aren’t done,” Sotomar told her. She sighed and turned around.

“I’m not telling you where he is.”

“Why is that, exactly?”

“His forces killed my Cavalry. It’s only fair that I get to punish him, and after talking to the heku around here, he won’t even feel pain for a year after I ashed him. For now, I’m just waiting.”

Sotomar’s eyes narrowed, “Tell me where he is.”

“No”

“I demand you hand her over to us for interrogation then,” William growled.

Emily’s eyes grew wide, “In an interrogation room?”

“If you won’t tell us then, yes.”

“No!” Chevalier yelled. “She is in custody of the Equites for crimes against this faction. You cannot have her.”

“Her crimes against the Encala are greater, and you must turn her over to us.”

“No,” Quinn said calmly. “We will not allow her to be interrogated either.”

William’s eyes narrowed, “We demand our Elder back.”

Chevalier motioned to her, “Give it a go.”

Emily looked over at him and he turned to her.

“Tell me where Frederick is.”

“No”

He concentrated.

“Won’t work,” Emily said, watching him.

William growled, “Tell me!”

“Not until I’ve gotten my revenge.”

William moved to backhand her, but Sotomar caught his hand, “Do not hit her.”

Chevalier and Kyle appeared beside her.

“Lay a hand on her and you’ll have to deal with me,” Chevalier said, glaring at him.

“Tell me, now!” William roared.

Emily took a step back, “Calm down or I’ll ash you.”

“You’re not helping,” Kyle hissed, and stood in front of her.

William lunged at Emily, but Sotomar held him back, “You will return the Elder or face my interrogation room.”

“Enough!” Quinn yelled. The booming fierceness of his voice immediately calmed the entire room.

William looked up at him, “If you cannot get Frederick from her, then I insist you let us try.”

“No one is putting Emily into an interrogation chamber.”

“Let me talk to her, alone,” Sotomar suggested calmly.

“I’m not telling you either,” she whispered.

“Just for a moment.”

Quinn glanced at Chevalier and then nodded, “Derrick, escort Emily and Sotomar to the conference room.”

Derrick opened the door and Emily and Sotomar followed him out.

“You have 5 minutes to calm down, or we’ll have you removed,” Kyle yelled at William.

The Encala Elder stood up, still furious, “Get a handle on her immediately, or I will.”

Emily sat down next to Sotomar, and he reached out and broke the handcuffs from her wrists.

“There, you don’t need those,” he said, and sat back.

Emily rubbed her wrists, “Thank you.”

“I’m not going to ask where Frederick is.”

“Then why am I here?”

“I want to know if you need assistance.”

“With what?”

“A place to go to get away from being on house arrest. A place where the Encala cannot get.”

“You mean come stay with the Valle?”

“Yes”

Emily sighed, “I brought this house arrest on myself. It’s worth it to get the revenge that my Cavalry is due.”

“I understand that,” Sotomar said, and touched her hand softly. “However, with the Valle, you won’t need to be on house arrest, and we don’t care if Frederick is ever returned.”

“Oh, I don’t want him forever.”

“You don’t?”

“No, once the year is up and he begins to feel pain, then I’ll decide how much pain he needs to feel before they are avenged.”

“We can make it easier for you, though.”

“I don’t think the Equites are going to keep me locked up forever,” she said, and smiled slightly. “Course, they think they will find him.”

“The Encala are going to take this as an act of war.”

“I thought about that, and I wish I knew how to keep the Equites out of it.”

“By coming to the Valle,” Sotomar suggested.

“Then that just brings the Valle into it.”

“Form an alliance with the Valle, and we will stand by the Equites against the Encala.”

“I haven’t forgotten that it was the Valle that enlisted the Encala’s help in the first place.”

“That had nothing to do with you, though.”

“It doesn’t matter. You attacked my friends and family. That automatically involves me,” Emily explained.

“Think about it. If the Valle stands by the Equites, then the Encala will have no choice but to lay low and leave us all in peace.”

“I can’t trust you either.”

“Try”

Emily nodded and stood up, “I will think about it.”

Sotomar smiled, “That’s all I ask.”

He took her arm and they walked out together, and returned to the council chambers.

“Why have you released her?” William growled.

“Because there’s no reason for her to be restrained. She cannot run from us,” Sotomar told him, and watched as Emily walked up onto the Council stand and sat beside Chevalier. She took his hand under the table.

“Did she tell you where he is?”

“I did not ask. It’s of no real concern to the Valle.”

William’s eyes narrowed and he turned back to her, “Consider any alliance or friendship now null and void and you… my Dear… are now target number one for the entire Encala faction.”

“Understood,” Emily whispered, watching him closely.

“If the Equites cannot get some control over you, then we’ll have to take that control upon ourselves.”

“Do not threaten us!” Kyle yelled. “Now, get out.”

William spun angrily and blurred from the building.

Sotomar smiled, “You still have a bit of a limp.”

“Yes,” Emily said, it wasn’t something she could hide.

“I can help you.”

“I’m fine. It’s going away.”

He nodded, “Think about the alliance, Emily. The Encala aren’t going to stop until Frederick is returned.”

“I will.”

Sotomar smiled and then turned and left the council chambers.

Zohn turned to Emily, “Please, for the sake of preventing a war, where is he?”

“It won’t prevent a war if I return him. They’ll just attack because I once had him.”

“That’s not true. We may be able to peacefully resolve this.”

She sighed, “He killed members of my Cavalry. Jaron saved my life once, yet he died in front of me on the battlefield.”

“He died honorably.”

“He died when I could have prevented it,” she said, and her eyes began to fill with tears. She hated to cry in front of anyone, so she stood and started for the back door.

“We’re not done,” Quinn told her.

She stopped and nodded, then wiped a stray tear from her cheek, “I’m not telling you. I’ll return to house arrest.”

“We’re releasing you from house arrest,” Kyle told her.

Emily turned around, “You are?”

“Yes,” Chevalier said. “There are rules, however. You aren’t completely off the hook.”

“Rules?”

Quinn nodded, “No slipping your guards.”

“No going out by yourself,” Zohn added.

“Is that all?” she asked.

“No, that’s not all… No going into the prison,” Kyle said.

“You stay at the palace. You may visit the other house for renovations, but you must stay here at night,” Zohn said.

“No memory wipes or turning anyone to ash,” Dustin said. “No one…”

Emily nodded, “Ok.”

“You don’t have to worry about being attacked. You won’t be alone long enough unless you are in our room,” Chevalier told her.

“And my wardens?”

“Return as bodyguards.”

She smiled, “Thank you.”

“We will continue to try to find Frederick and please… think about telling us where he is,” Quinn said.

“They were my Cavalry. I will let him go when I feel he’s been punished enough,” she told them, and then left through the back door.

“If human emotions rule out, she’ll lead us to him,” the Chief Investigator whispered.

Chevalier nodded, “Let’s hope so.”

Emily walked out and met up with Silas and three members of the Cavalry, “So now that I’m sprung, will you all lighten up?”

Silas grinned, “Maybe.”

“Maybe?” she asked, crossing her arms.

“Maybe… We’re spending a lot of time trying to find Frederick. It’s getting a bit annoying.”

“Oh, well… stop looking. You aren’t going to find him.”

“We can’t stop looking,” he said, and they followed her down the stairs. “We need to find him to prevent a war.”

She stopped at the front door and turned around, “Is that why I’m free? They hope that I’ll tell you where he is?”

“No, they freed you because it’s been long enough.”

She smiled slightly and walked toward the stables. Mark and Kralen were in the stables talking quietly.

Kralen turned toward her when they came in, “You free?”

“Yes, pretty much. Lots of restrictions though,” she said, and headed for the stall of her stallion. She stopped in front of it and touched the lock, “Why is he locked up?”

“You’ll have to take that up with Dustin,” Mark said. “He doesn’t think it’s a good idea for you to have the fastest horse.”

Emily reached over the stall and rubbed her stallion’s nose, “How long has he been locked up?”

“We take him out. He won’t let anyone ride him though,” Kralen said, and leaned back against the wall.

She smiled, “That’s because he’s mine.”

“Dustin reissued you Jaron’s mare.”

Emily turned and her eyes narrowed, “He reissued me a horse?”

“Yes”

“We’ll see about that. He has no right to do that.”

“Yes he does, he’s on the Council,” Mark told her. They were prepared for a fight and knew it was coming. They warned Dustin about it, but he didn’t seem worried.

She took a deep breath and smiled.

“What?” Silas asked, nervous about how she reacted.

“I’ll get my horse back, but Frederick remains under my control.” She noticed that all three of them winced slightly when she said that.

“Why don’t you end this and just tell us,” Mark said, irritated. “We’re spending every free moment looking for him.”

“You won’t find him. There’s no reason to look.”

“We have to. We’re trying to avoid a war.”

“The Encala won’t attack. William’s just mad, but he knows I can pretty much annihilate any army he produces,” Emily said, and walked over to Jaron’s mare.

“We going out?” Kralen asked.

“Sure, I need out of here,” Emily said, and slipped a bridle on the mare. By the time she walked Jaron’s mare out onto the palace grounds, Mark, Silas, and Kralen were already mounted and waiting for her. She jumped into the saddle and they all headed out.

***

“Lady Emily wants to speak to Dustin,” Derrick said to the Council.

Dustin smiled, “I was waiting for this.”

“What did you do?” Chevalier asked.

“I assigned her to a new horse.”

“Why would you do that?” Kyle asked, frowning.

“It’s too dangerous for her to have the fastest horse,” Dustin explained. “Add in the level of experience she has, and she can too easily escape any of us.”

“That is true,” the Chief Interrogator said.

“Let her in,” Dustin told Derrick.

Emily came in with the two dogs at her feet and moved to stand before Dustin, “Give me back my horse.”

“No”

Her eyes narrowed, “That stallion is mine.”

“Until we find Frederick, I won’t risk you getting away and going to him,” Dustin said.

Emily smiled slightly, “I’m not going to go to him. He still has months before he’s even in pain, and he’s fine where he is.”

“Nevertheless, you will keep the other horse.”

“No! That stallion is mine.”

“You’ll keep Jaron’s mare.”

“Fine, then I quit,” she said, and turned to walk out.

“You can’t quit,” the Court Reporter said, shocked.

She turned to him, “Yes I can. I’m not longer a member of your Cavalry.”

“Rank isn’t something you can quit,” Dustin told her.

“Watch me, Cujo,” she growled, and left the trial area.

“That was productive,” Chevalier said, and opened up the ledger in front of him.

“She’ll come around,” Dustin told him, grinning.

Kyle sighed, “You have no idea how much she does to those horses that we don’t know how to do.”

“She’ll come around.”

Kyle shrugged, “Ok.”

Emily angrily left the council chambers and ignored her guards when they tried to talk to her. She got to the stables and crawled under the stall door to her stallion. Once there, she began brushing him down, still seething that Dustin tried to take him away.

“You quit the Cavalry?” Mark asked, shocked. He’d just come into the stables after talking to the Council.

“Yes, I did,” she snapped, still brushing down her horse.

“Why are you being so stubborn?” he asked. “Just give us those ashes and you can have your damned horse back, and everything will return to normal.”

“No, and Dustin’s lucky I don’t do the same to him.”

Mark gasped, “Emily…”

“You cannot threaten the Council!” one of her guards growled.

“They have no right to take my horse away from me,” she whispered, and her voice cracked.

“Out,” Mark told her four guards, and she heard them leave.

Emily leaned her head against the stallion.

“They were under my command when they died,” Mark said, looking over the stall at her.

“I could have stopped it,” she whispered.

“We asked you not to.”

“Right, and because I obeyed, they died.”

“Vengeance is mine to get though. I was their leader.”

She shook her head, “No, it’s my fault they are dead. I owed Jaron my life, and yet I let him die.”

“He wouldn’t blame you for that, and if he were here, he’d tell you to let Frederick go.”

“You get revenge your way. I’ll get it mine,” she whispered, and started to brush the horse again.

Mark sighed, “It’s getting dark and your dinner is ready.”

“I’m not hungry,” she told him, and started to braid the stallion’s tail.

“I have to go to a meeting. Your guards are outside of the stables.”

Emily nodded and kept braiding. After doing all she could with her horse, she again crawled under the door and into the stables, then looked around. Only a few lights were on, and it was dark enough that most of the stable was thrown into shadow.

“Are you ready to head in?” one of the guards asked her. She turned around when she didn’t recognize the voice and saw a guard she didn’t know.

“Who are you?”

“I’m General Meun from the Samuel Coven. I’m here to cover for some of your Cavalry while they’re gone,” he said, crossing his arms.

Emily glanced at the three members of her Cavalry behind him and then shrugged, “No, I’m not ready to head in.”

“Let’s make this simple… I’m here to get you to tell me where Frederick is.”

“Why would I tell you?”

“Because, I’m not your friend, and I don’t like you. I’m your guard for a week and I will make your life a living hell.”

Emily frowned, “Chevalier knows you’re here?”

“Nope, Sweetheart, I was sent in by Dustin.”

She crossed her arms and faced him, “Why would he send you?”

“Because, I’m an ‘old one’,” he told her, and took a step closer.

The Cavalry glanced nervously at him.

“Not even an ‘old one’ can control me when I don’t want them to,” she told him, taking a step back.

Meun grinned, “Wanna bet?”

“Does anyone besides Dustin know you’re here?”

“Dustin’s all I need for permission to get the Encala Elder back,” he said, and looked into her eyes.

Emily turned her head away from him, “Stop it!”

“I also have permission to do whatever it takes…”

She looked at him with wide eyes, “Meaning?”

“Meaning…” he whispered, and his eyes fell to her neck. “Meaning you can let me control you, or I’ll force it.”

She gasped and covered her neck, “Chevalier outranks Dustin, and I can assure you he won’t like this.”

“By the time I get what I need, it’ll be too late.” He blurred to her and pinned her against the wall.

“Stop it!” she screamed as he ran his nose up her neck. She saw the Cavalry guards looking at her, shocked. They weren’t sure what to do. She was in their care, but the General’s orders came from Dustin, a member of the Council.

***

Kyle chuckled, “That’s new. I hadn’t heard that one before.”

“It’s true, I swear!” a panicked heku said from the trial room floor. He was knelt before the Council and his eyes darted nervously between them.

Zohn laughed, “We should let you go just for sure enjoyment.”

“Yes, yes, let me go,” the prisoner said.

“We’re not that nice,” Quinn said, grinning. “All in favor of banishing this poor unfortunate heku, say…”

The Council all looked toward the door when they heard the Aero peel out of the garage and speed off.

Three members of the Cavalry blurred into the conference room.

“You’re supposed to be guarding Emily!” Dustin growled.

“She left after turning the General to ash,” one of the Lieutenants said.

Chevalier gasped, “Emily turned Mark to ash?”

“No, Sir, General Meun.”

Quinn’s eyes narrowed, “From Samuel Coven?”

“Yes, Sir… he…” the Lieutenant glanced nervously at Dustin, “Fed from her… so she turned him to…”

“What!?” Chevalier growled and stood up.

“I gave him permission to control her at any cost,” Dustin said calmly.

Zohn stood up and turned to him, “You gave an ‘old one’ permission to control Emily, even if he had to feed to do it?”

“Yes”

Chevalier blurred to him in an instant and slammed him into the ground, pinning him by his neck, “You had no right.”

“He can get Frederick’s location,” Dustin gasped, fighting to breathe.

“Let him up,” Zohn growled. “I’m not done with him.”

Kyle was shaking with anger and stood up, “I’m going after her.”

“Go,” Chevalier hissed, and Kyle disappeared. Seconds later, they heard his Ferrari take off out of the city.

“What gave you the right to go behind the Elder’s backs and get someone to assault Emily?” Quinn yelled.

“To prevent a war… it was necessary to take drastic action,” Dustin said, slowly crawling to his feet. “The Elders are now free from blame on that attack. She can blame me. Had it worked, we wouldn’t have to go to war with the Encala.”

“Some of us want to go to war with them,” the Chief of Defense told him. “Emily just gave us a good reason.”

“She has no right to keep an enemy Elder hostage!”

“You have no right to send a heku after a member of the Council without Elder approval,” Zohn yelled.

Chevalier’s hands balled into tight fists, “You’ve overstepped for the last time.”

“I acted for the benefit of this Council!” Dustin yelled.

“Everyone calm down,” Quinn shouted, though he was obviously angry also.

“Sit down,” Zohn said, and everyone but Chevalier complied.

“Derrick, take him to prison,” Chevalier whispered angrily.

Dustin’s eyes grew wide when the council chambers filled with guards and he was forcibly moved down into a cell.

“Verbatim,” Quinn said, looking at the three guards.

The highest ranking stepped forward and told the Council everything that happened from when Mark left until General Meun arrived as their team lead.

“So did he successfully bite her?” the Chief of Staff asked.

“Yes, Sir,” the guard told him. “I don’t think he was able to weaken her though. I believe the second he broke skin, she turned him to ash.”

“Kyle will find her,” Zohn said to Chevalier.

“She’s afraid to come back. Not only did she ash someone, which was part of the agreement for her release, she also took off on her own, breaking yet another of the rules,” he said, and sat down, still seething.

“I don’t blame her,” Quinn said, looking over at the guards. “I vote for no punishment on this.”

“I concur,” Zohn said. “She was defending herself against an attack. Though I wish she wouldn’t have taken off, I can’t say as though I blame her either.”

***

Emily sped through the city in her sleek purple sports car. Her hands were shaking and she fought back tears. She’d just broken two rules of her release from house arrest, and she could only imagine how furious the Council would be over it. She finally pulled over in the warehouse district and leaned her forehead against the steering wheel, not sure what to do. She knew if she went back, they would yell at her. She also knew they would check her house first for her.

A scream made her jerk, and she looked up at the dark shadows and tall cement buildings. The scream continued as she looked around for the source. When it stopped, she grabbed the .357 from her glove box and stepped out of the car. From outside, she could hear a struggle off to her left.

Slowly moving forward, she crouched down and peered around the side of a warehouse and gasped. Four heku had a mortal man pinned to the ground. All four had their teeth sunk into him, and he screamed silently, fighting weakly to get away as the color drained from his face.

“Stop it!” she screamed, and stepped around the building.

All four heku jerked up from the mortal and stood to face her, crouching slightly.

“What faction are you?” she asked, and took a step closer. She looked down at the mortal man as he struggled to get to his hands and knees.

“No concern of yours, Gorgeous. Best get back in your car and get out of here before you’re next,” the tallest heku said. He was grinning at her as blood dripped from his lip into his black goatee.

She took another step towards them, “I may not be a Chief Enforcer, but I sure as hell know what you’re doing is against the heku laws.”

“Mmm, smell that,” he said, and inhaled deeply, shutting his eyes.

“Man, I think that’s the Elder’s wife,” the red headed one said, taking a step back.

“Those are just rumors, set to make us think our Council is stronger than it is,” he said, and ran his tongue along his teeth.

“So you are Equites,” Emily said, and slipped her gun into the back of her pants.

His eyes ran down her body, “Look boys, don’t kill this one. I have other plans for that body.”

The black haired heku grinned, “Leave some for us.”

Emily sighed and shook her head, “Such idiots.”

“How ‘bout a quickie before I feed, Darlin?” he asked, and inhaled again.

“Sure, how’s this for quick?” Emily asked, and turned the four instantly to ash. She ran up and knelt down beside the dazed man, “Hold still.”

He pushed weakly against her hands, and she saw that even his hands lacked any color, “Help me.”

“I’m trying. Stop fighting me,” she said, and stood up. She took his hand and pulled hard, finally getting him to his feet. He leaned against her, and she gasped and braced her legs to steady herself, “Let’s get into my car.”

“Vampires,” he gasped, trying to catch his breath.

“I know, they’re gone,” she groaned, and slowly made her way to the Aero. He leaned against the purple car when she opened the door, and then fell into the passenger seat. She shut the door and quickly got into the driver’s seat, then took one look at the alleyway full of ashes and gunned the car, heading for her home.

Heku posted throughout the city were able to give Kyle a general location of Emily’s purple sports car, one of the advantages of having such a unique color. He caught her scent in the dark recesses of the warehouse district, and easily found the alleyway. He smelled mortal blood, though not Emily’s, and then scooped the ashes into small leather bags, to be dealt with later. He searched the area for the injured mortal, but his scent stopped at the road.

Emily pulled up to the dark house and shut off the car. The man was groaning beside her and going in and out of consciousness. She ran over and unlocked the front door to the house and then opened the passenger side door to the Aero.

She leaned in and put his arm around her shoulder, “You need to get inside.”

He mumbled something incoherent, and she helped him stand up. As she supported him awkwardly, she moved him into the house and laid him down on one of the servant’s beds. The others were up the stairs and she knew she couldn’t get him up there.

Emily sat down beside him and took his hand, “You’re safe now.”

His eyes fluttered open and then shut suddenly.

“I hear ya,” she whispered, and looked toward the window.

Kyle stood outside of the wrought iron fence and looked at the purple car. He saw a shadow pass by a window and watched as Emily busied herself in one of the rooms on the main floor. He quickly dialed the Council.

“Zohn here.”

“It’s Kyle. She’s at her house.”

“Does she know you’re there?”

“No,” Kyle whispered.

“Just watch her while we decide what to do. We can’t risk her turning you to ash.”

“I found four sets of ashes she left already.”

Chevalier sighed, “Who are they?”

“I haven’t revived them yet. I smelled fresh mortal blood in the area though, not Emily’s, but pretty strong around the ashes.”

“I’ll be there in an hour,” Chevalier told him. “Just watch for now and let us know if she leaves.”

“Yes, Sir,” he said, and shut the phone. He quickly moved closer to the house and fell back into the shadows near her car.

Emily came back into the room with the injured man and set a tray down beside him, then sat on the edge of the bed and took his hand, “Are you awake?”

“Yes,” he whispered, though his eyes didn’t open.

“You need to take these pills, trust me, it will help,” she said, and grabbed a glass of juice and some B12.

“No”

“Yes, no arguing,” she told him, and slid her arm under his shoulders. She finally managed to help him sit up and he took the pills without a fight. Once she laid him down, she looked over the numerous bite marks on him.

“Vampires,” he whispered.

“There’re no vampires here, you’re safe.”

“Run, they’ll kill us.”

“I know. I’ll take care of it.”

Emily ran up the stairs to the bathroom and brought back gauze and the yellow goo, kept for her injuries. She sat down, and over the next hour, meticulously treated each of the eighteen bite marks on him. She was shocked to see scars along his torso that looked like both knife and gunshot scars.

When she finished, she dimmed the lights in the room and placed a cold rag over his eyes before she sat down and took his hand. He had shaggy brown hair and a sharp jaw and nose, with a scar on his forehead that looked like a knife wound.

“Who is that?” Chevalier asked.

Emily jumped and then looked over at him, “Don’t sneak up on me,” she whispered.

“Sorry,” he said, and walked in. He looked down at the man, “Who is he?”

She looked over at Kyle, who walked in after the Elder, “I don’t know. I caught four Equites feeding off of him in an alley.”

“Equites did this?” Kyle asked, his eyes wide.

“Yes,” Emily said, and readjusted the rag over the man’s eyes.

“You have them?” Chevalier asked him.

“Yes, I do,” Kyle said angrily.

Emily looked back when the man whispered something.

“What was that?” she asked, and leaned forward.

“He said he needs to run,” Chevalier told her when the man didn’t answer.

“You’re safe here,” Emily told him, and laid his hand across his chest. She pulled a blanket over him and motioned for Chevalier and Kyle to follow her out of his room.

“We’ll take him to a hospital and drop him off,” Chevalier told her after shutting his door.

She frowned, “No, I’ll take care of him. If we take him to a hospital, they’ll want to know who bit him.”

“We have covers for that.”

“I don’t care. Now the real reason you’re here, let me have it.”

Chevalier sat down, “You aren’t in trouble for leaving… or for turning the General to ash.”

She frowned and sat down, “I’m not?”

“No, Dustin overstepped. He went over the Elder’s heads on this, and that’s not allowed.”

“So where is he?”

“In prison, until we decide what to do.”

“I’m not in any trouble?” she asked, unsure she trusted them on this.

“None, but you have to stop running,” Kyle said, and also sat down. “If you had just told the Council what happened, we would have backed you.”

“I thought they would be mad.”

“So? What’s the worst that can happen? We yell a bit and…”

“Lock me in the dark prison where heku yell at me and it’s cold and damp,” she whispered.

“We didn’t do that though, the Council didn’t,” Kyle reminded her.

“Someone on the Council did.”

“Not with approval.”

“What are you going to do with him?” Chevalier asked, and motioned for the door.

“As soon as he’s well, I’ll take him home,” she told him.

“Be careful what you tell him.”

“I will be. I’m not stupid.”

“I know… just be careful. You’re very trusting.”

“What do you want done with Dustin?” Kyle asked, changing the subject.

“Does it matter what I want?” Emily answered.

“We will take it into consideration.”

“Nothing then… as long as he leaves me the hell alone.”

“Nothing? Keep him on the Council?”

Emily sighed, “Yes.”

“We’ll pass that on and use it in our decision.”

“He’s awake,” Chevalier said, and glanced at the door.

Emily stood up and quickly went into the room. The man looked at her with dazed and confused eyes. She sat down beside him on the bed and put the cool rag back on his forehead.

“Where am I?” he asked, and shut his eyes.

“You’re in my home, you’re safe here.”

“Vampires…”

“There are no vampires here, I promise.”

“For now, they’re everywhere.”

“Not here.”

He sighed and started to go back to sleep.

“What’s your name?” Emily asked, and touched his cheek lightly.

“Robert,” he whispered, just before falling asleep.

Emily covered him up with another blanket and then moved out into the hallway with the heku.

“He’s sleeping,” she said, and shut his door.

“Normally when this happens, we bring a doctor to look at them and then send them home to rest. We just tell them they have the flu and shingles,” Kyle said.

“That’s awful,” Emily said, frowning.

“It works, there’s actually no such thing as shingles. Keeps the heku from being implicated.”

“I’ll keep him here until he’s better.”

Chevalier nodded, “You can stay here tonight to watch over him. I’ll send Silas and Kralen over.”

“We need to go punish these heku,” Kyle said, and held up four little leather bags.

“Thanks,” she whispered, and looked back at the door.

“He’ll sleep for a while. Get some rest and have Silas tell you when he wakes up.”

“Have them bring Dain over, will you?” Emily asked, and stood up.

Chevalier kissed her softly and then left with Kyle. Emily made some quick dinner and then checked on Robert before coming out to talk to Kralen and Silas.

Dain was hissing slightly in Kralen’s arms when she came out.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, stepping back from him.

“He smells blood,” Kralen explained, and tightened his grip on Dain.

Emily took Dain from him and started for the stairs, “If he wakes up, come get me ok?”

Silas nodded and looked over at the door.

***

Emily knocked lightly on the door and entered when Robert called out. She smiled and came in, shutting the door behind her.

“I thought you might be hungry,” she told him, and set down a tray.

“Starving, thanks,” he said, and grabbed one of the grilled cheese sandwiches.

“Sorry it’s nothing more elaborate. I have steak out for tonight though.”

“No, this is fine.”

Emily sat down on a chair beside him, “You’re about ready to go home I think.”

“How long have I been here?” he asked, and looked around the small room.

“Two weeks.”

“Wow, that long?”

“Yes”

“I appreciate you letting me stay here while I got over that vampire attack.”

Emily smiled, “There’s no such thing as vampires.”

He looked over at her, “You saw the bites.”

“I saw something… not sure they were bites though.”

“Of course they are.”

“Vampires are a myth. They don’t exist.”

“That’s a dangerous way to think, living in this city.”

“It’s true.”

“Then what happened to me?”

“I’m not sure exactly.”

Robert nodded slightly and finished his sandwich.

“Well, anyway, I can take you home this afternoon.”

Robert took the other sandwich and started to eat, “Nowhere to go. I’ll just walk.”

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t have a home. I live on the streets.”

She sighed, “What do you do for a living?”

“I used to be a bodyguard.”

“Anyone I know?”

“No, just politicians mainly.”

“Is that why you’ve been shot?” she asked, trying not to pry too much.

“Yes”

“You used to bodyguard, what now?”

“Now, I’m a vampire hunter,” he told her, and set down the empty glass.

“Do you need more?”

“No, I’m fine,” he said, and slowly turned to sit up at the side of the bed.

“Oh, let me get you something to wear,” Emily said, and ran up the stairs to Exavior’s room. She pulled out a set of clothes from the closet and took them down to Robert.

He held up the clothes and grinned, “How big is your husband? Damn.”

“Kinda big,” she said. “Come out when you’re dressed, so we can talk more.”

He nodded and she shut the door behind her.

“Is he coming out then?” Kralen asked from the hallway.

“Yes, just keep out of sight, ok?”

“Will do… vampire hunter though?”

“Yeah… well…” she said, and sat down on a couch in the main foyer.

Kralen disappeared just as Robert opened the door and looked around, “Wow, nice house.”

“Thank you.”

“What does your husband do again?”

“He’s… military, kind of,” she said, and grinned slightly when she saw him holding his pants up. “Do you need a belt?”

“Yes please… He knows I’m here, right?”

“Of course he does,” Emily said, and ran up the stairs. She came back down and handed him a belt.

Robert slipped it on and kept looking around, “I just don’t want to tangle with him if he’s this big.”

“Don’t worry about Chev. He’s all bark and no bite,” Emily said, stifling a laugh.

“Good to know.”

“Would you like something to drink? We can talk in the library where it’s more comfortable.”

“Sure, more Coke please.”

Emily went into the kitchen and came back out a few minutes later. She handed him a glass and they went into the library and sat down.

“Military, you say?” he asked, looking over at the towering shelves full of books.

“Sort of.”

“I’ve never seen military with a house this big is all.”

“More about you, my life is boring. You said you’re a vampire hunter?”

He sat back on the chair and looked over at her, “Yes, I’ve made it my life’s work.”

“Why?”

“Private reasons.”

She frowned slightly, “So you hunt down the undead even though they attacked you and left you in an alley.”

“They wouldn’t have left me,” he said, and took a drink.

“You were alone in that alley when I found you.”

“I’ve been thinking about that and I wonder what scared them off.”

“No one was around you.”

“Which reminds me, what were you doing in an alley in the middle of the night by yourself?”

“I like to drive around at night when I need to think.”

“It’s not safe. You shouldn’t be out by yourself.”

She smiled, “I can take care of myself.”

“This town is riddled with vampires. You can’t possibly defend yourself against them though.”

“I told you, there’s no such thing as vampires.”

“Live here long enough and you’ll see.”

“So you have nowhere to go?” she asked, setting down her drink.

“No, vampire hunting doesn’t pay well… I do ok though. I pick up handyman jobs once in a while to buy food, and I stay under the Clock Street Bridge to stay dry.”

“Don’t you have family?”

“Nope”

“I don’t like that you’re staying under a bridge.”

He smiled, “It’s just my way of life right now.”

She sighed, “Well, stay here then.”

“I can’t move in with you.”

“Why not? Chev’s gone for a while, and I work a lot. You’d be here alone most of the time.”

He looked over at her and sighed, “You have no sense of danger do you?”

“Why do you say that? You sound like my husband.”

“You pick up a beaten and bloodied stranger, bring him to your home, nurse him back to health, and then offer to let him stay. Does that not seem dangerous at all to you?”

“I told you… I can take care of myself.”

“I’m half tempted to stay here just to watch over you,” he chuckled.

“I don’t need a bodyguard.”

“Not right now. You got lucky, and I don’t plan on hurting you… but you have to admit, you’re a pretty girl, and small. I’m sure you could land yourself into trouble without even trying.”

Emily blushed and grabbed a blanket, “Do you not have any friends you can stay with?”

“Nope, none at all.”

“Why did you stop bodyguarding and go into vampire hunting?”

“I lost a charge to a vampire. I never looked back,” he said, and watched out the window.

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

“Bloody undead. They keep eluding me, and it’s pissing me off.”

“Maybe they aren’t worth pursuing.”

“Oh they are.”

Emily grinned and grabbed her glass. She saw movement out of the corner of her eye and screamed when she saw a mouse, and then quickly scrambled to her feet on the couch. Kralen and Silas both burst in, crouched and ready to attack. Robert stood up to face them and his eyes narrowed.

“Mouse, Silas, get it!” Emily screamed, and pointed toward the wall.

Silas walked over to appear human, and once he bent out of sight of the mortal, he blurred and caught the mouse easily in his fingers. When he stood up and walked out of the room, Emily got down off the couch and smiled slightly at Robert.

“Sorry… um… this is Kralen. He’s a friend of my husband,” Emily said, and Kralen nodded at Robert.

“Friend or bodyguard?” Robert asked, and eyed Silas when he returned.

“What do you mean bodyguard?” Emily asked, and sat back down.

“I spent enough years as a bodyguard to spot one from a mile away. Both these guys are here to protect you, that’s obvious,” Robert said, and stayed standing, facing Silas and Kralen.

“They are just friends. I don’t need bodyguards… sit down, please.”

Robert sat down, but kept a close eye on the heku, “They are bodyguards, damned good ones I’d gather, and very protective of you.”

Kralen smiled slightly and then he and Silas left, shutting the door behind him.

“You sticking with the military story?” he asked her.

“It’s true.”

“Military wives don’t need bodyguards, and military paychecks don’t buy houses like this.”

“I said military, sort of,” she reminded him.

“Oh, that’s right. So what are they protecting you from?”

“I have no idea. They just hang around and do nothing all day.”

She heard Kralen chuckle from outside of the door.

Robert stood up and stretched, “Again, I appreciate all you’ve done, but I should be going now that I’ve healed.”

“The offer still stands for you to stay. It’s cold enough out there that I don’t really want you sleeping under a bridge.”

“I won’t stay and take advantage of your hospitality.”

“Fine then. I’ll hire you.”

“To do what?”

“Well… I need some work done on the house.”

“You want a live in handyman?” he asked, amused.

“Sure, why not?”

“For room and board?”

“Yes”

“Let me be one of your bodyguards, too.”

She laughed, “You don’t think those two can handle it?”

“Who watches you while they sleep… or take a day off?”

“I don’t even need them. Why would I hire another?”

“Fine then… Let me be your vampire bodyguard.”

Emily frowned, “So you do handy work in my home and protect me from vampires?”

“Yes”

“For room and board.”

“Right”

Emily thought for a moment. She knew Chevalier wouldn’t be happy that she’d hired a live in handyman, nor that that handy man thought himself a vampire hunter.

“If it’s a problem, I can go back to my bridge,” Robert told her.

“Fine, you can keep that room you’re in now, and start on Monday.”

He looked at her suspiciously, “This is the strangest deal I’ve ever made.”

“Get used to it, nothing normal happens around me,” she said, and stood up. “I have to head in to work though. Will you be ok here alone?”

“Sure, I need to go get my motorcycle and then I’ll be back.”

“I won’t be long. I’m not working a full shift,” she said, and started for the door. Kralen and Silas fell in behind her when she opened the door. Robert watched them, shook his head, and then shut the front door.

They all climbed into the Jeep and Emily took off for the palace.

Kralen started to laugh, “I cannot believe you just hired a bodyguard to protect you from vampires.”

Emily grinned, “I couldn’t let him go sleep under a bridge.”

“Still…”

“He’ll help out around the house, it’ll be nice.”

“We can do that faster.”

“Kralen…”

“And better.”

“I just don’t want to be there when you tell the Council,” Silas told her.

“I don’t see why I have to tell the Council, as long as Chev knows,” she said, and took the road off of the Interstate than led to Council City.

“Silas and I’ve been talking… about Frederick,” Kralen said, and looked over at her.

“Ok, what about him?”

“We’re going to give you an easy out.”

“Keep talking…”

“If you tell us where he is, we’ll tell the Council we accidentally found him. That returns Frederick without you having to admit you gave him over.”

She smiled, “I appreciate the thought, but he’s going to suffer first.”

“I figured,” Kralen said, and stepped out of the Jeep when she stopped in front of the palace.

“Shall we pull it into the garage?” one of the door guards asked.

“I got it,” Silas said, and climbed into the front seat.

Emily headed inside with Kralen as three more of the Cavalry fell in behind them.

“Mommy!” Dain yelled, and then blurred into her, almost knocking her down. Kralen caught her before she fell, and stood her up straight.

“Careful, Baby,” she said, and picked him up.

He kissed her cheek as they went up the stairs to her office. She propped open the door and sat down with a pile of papers she needed to go through. Her time away from her job as Staff Supervisor left her badly behind and she dove into the numerous requests and complaints left on her desk.

“Busy?” Chevalier asked from her door.

She smiled, “Come on in.”

The Elder walked in and sat down, “Behind?”

“You have no idea,” she said, and signed off on something before starting a new pile.

“How’s the mortal?”

“Robert is fine.”

“Did he go home?”

She shrugged, “You could kind of say that.”

“Kind of?”

“Yes, kind of.”

“Define kind of.”

“I hired him, so he’s staying,” she said, and tossed a stack of papers into the trash.

Chevalier raised an eyebrow, “He’s living with you?”

“As an employee, yes.”

“I’m not sure I like that.”

“It’s just temporary,” she told him. “He’s going to fix up some things around the house.”

“I have heku that can do that faster.”

“I know, but he’s homeless, Chev,” she said, and looked up at him.

“Where does that put me?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean… does he know about me?”

“He knows I’m married, if that’s what you mean.”

“And the heku?”

“Obviously, he doesn’t know about that.”

“Your guards?”

She sighed, “He figured that one out after I saw a mouse.”

Chevalier grinned, “He knows you have guards?”

“Yes, he used to be a bodyguard and immediately spotted them as more than just my friends.”

“It’s still not safe,” Chevalier said. “It’s too risky to have a mortal living near you. One that doesn’t know about the heku.”

“Well…”

“What?”

“He’s kind of… well… a vampire hunter.”

“Em…”

“So if he sees a heku attack, he’ll just think they are vampires.”

“It’s too dangerous.”

“I can’t let him go live on the streets, Chev.”

He reached over and kissed her softly, “You have such a soft heart.”

“You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

“Not my intention.”

“The living arrangement isn’t permanent.”

“Ok, just be careful.”

Emily nodded and Chevalier left her office. He stopped a ways down the hallway and called Kralen to him.

“She tell you about her new bodyguard?” Kralen asked, smiling.

“No, she told me about her new live in handyman.”

“Oh… well… he’s also going to protect her from vampires.”

Chevalier sighed, “She failed to mention that.”

“We’ll watch her closely.”

“I know… see if you can find anything out about him. I don’t trust him and most certainly don’t want him living with her.”

“Agreed,” Kralen said, and bowed slightly when Kyle walked up.

“Is Em in her office?” he asked them.

“Yes… probably seeing what other problems she could possibly find,” Chevalier sighed.

“Meaning?”

“Meaning… she just hired a live in handyman and vampire bodyguard.”

Kyle frowned slightly, “Do what?”

“You heard me,” Chevalier said before heading down the stairs.

Kyle turned to Kralen, “Seriously?”

Kralen simply nodded and returned to his post.

Chapter 3 - Robert

“We have this,” Silas told Robert when he came to answer the door.

“Sure,” he said, but stayed on the stairs to see who it was.

Silas opened the door as several heku brought in supplies for Emily’s renovations. Silas signed off on a clipboard before shutting the door and turning to Robert.

“No vampire attacks,” he said, and walked into the house.

Robert glared at him and went down to grab a 2x4 before returning to the second floor. He pulled aside the blinds and watched the black Suburban pull away from the house.

“Who was that?” Emily asked when Silas walked in. She continued to paint the wall in the dining room as Kralen carefully painted the ceiling.

“More supplies… Robert’s a bit jumpy, ever noticed?”

“Yeah, kind of,” she said, and handed Silas a brush.

He sat down and started to paint the baseboards.

Kralen looked over at the window and frowned, “Why is he patrolling again?”

“He is?” Emily asked, and looked up.

“Yes, and it’s driving me nuts.”

“It’s not hurting anyone if he wants to look around.”

“Yes, but it makes the Cavalry move back into the shadows, and they can’t get a good enough view from there,” Silas explained. “If there was an attack, it’d take them an extra second to respond because of having to hide behind trees.”

“What do you want me to do?” Emily asked, and looked over at them.

“Boot him to the curb,” Kralen suggested.

“I can’t do that.”

“Why not? What’s your angle in this?”

“No angle. I just don’t think he needs to be homeless.”

“He ran vampire tests on all of us. I still smell like garlic,” Kralen said, irritated.

“I’d like to shove that cross up his…” Silas started.

“Silas!” Emily whispered harshly.

“Well hell! I had to change my shirt this morning when he decided to shoot me with holy water.”

Emily grinned, “Sorry about that.”

“What are you going to do if he finds out?”

“Not sure. I’m hoping he doesn’t.”

“I don’t trust him.”

“That’s obvious.”

“Do you?” Silas asked.

“Sure, why not? He’s not done anything to cause me not to trust him, and he’s helping out a lot around here.”

“You’re too trusting.”

“Just paint.”

Chevalier opened the door and walked in, then wrinkled his nose at the smell of fresh paint and shut the door behind him. He hadn’t been to the house in the three weeks since they began painting for that exact reason.

“Stop right there,” Robert said, and ran down the stairs.

Chevalier looked at him, “Excuse me?”

“Who the hell do you think you are, coming in here?” Robert asked, and stood between Chevalier and the hallway.

“I live here. Who the hell are you?”

Robert smiled, “Oh, you must be Emily’s husband.”

“Must be,” Chevalier said, and stepped around him. He walked into the dining room and sat down beside Emily, “Nothing like being accosted when I come in.”

Emily grinned, “He’s just… well…”

“Annoying?” Kralen asked.

“In the way?” Silas added.

“I was going to say ambitious,” Emily told them.

“A bit too ambitious for a little thing,” Chevalier said, obviously irritated.

“He’s not a little thing.”

“He is too.”

“Just because you’re all gargantuan in size, doesn’t mean he’s small.”

“Gargantuan?” Silas asked, grinning.

“I know you don’t like him, but he’s keeping busy and helping out a lot.”

“Yeah, with things we can do faster and better,” Kralen said, still painting.

“Be nice,” Emily told him. “He’s not hurting anyone, and I won’t send him out to live on the streets.”

“I think he should have gotten kicked out the moment he fell for you,” Silas told her, and set down the paintbrush.

“He has?” Chevalier asked.

“No, he has not,” Emily told him.

“Oh yeah he has, hard,” Kralen said.

Emily rolled her eyes, “Grow up, you two.”

Silas grinned, “You’re the blindest mortal I’ve ever met.”

“I am not!”

“Hey, Em, are you hot?” Kralen asked, and smiled.

“No, I’m kind of cold.”

“See,” Kralen chuckled.

“What does me being cold have to do with anything?”

“That’s enough,” Chevalier said, shaking his head. “If the mortal has fallen for you though, that changes everything.”

“He hasn’t,” Emily assured him, and stood up, stretching her legs. “Besides, he’s not ‘the mortal.’ His name is Robert and he’s doing nothing wrong.”

“Em?” Robert called from the foyer.

“Be good,” Emily whispered, before walking out to him. “What’s up?”

“I’ve finished with that shelving,” Robert told her, and the heku stopped working to listen.

“Oh nice! That’ll help a ton.”

“What do you want me to do now?”

“Why don’t you take the night off and tomorrow see what you can do with that bathroom.”

“Who buys a house with no toilets anyway?” he asked, amused.

“I figured I’d put them in later,” she told him.

“Come with,” Robert said.

“Where?” Chevalier whispered to Kralen.

Kralen replied, “He’s always trying to get her to go riding with him on his motorcycle.”

“No thanks. Chev’s here tonight and I think I’ll spend it in,” Emily told him.

“Do you know anyone under six and a half feet tall?” Robert asked, laughing.

“Yes, you,” Emily said, and walked into the kitchen. The heku heard Robert follow her in.

“It’s odd how they don’t eat… ever.”

“They do too. They just don’t like my cooking I think.”

“That can’t be it. You’re an amazing chef.”

Emily grinned, “You’re just hungry.”

“I haven’t seen them sleep, either.”

“Well it’s not like they camp out on my floor.”

“Why won’t you ever come out with me at night?”

“It’s too cold.”

The heku heard him take a few steps, “It’s not that cold.”

Chevalier quickly went to the door and opened it slowly. He saw that Robert was standing very close to Emily, but moved away when he entered.

“Smells good, Em,” Chevalier said, and wrapped his arms around her.

“I’ll start on that bathroom tomorrow then,” Robert said, and left quickly. A few minutes later, they heard his motorcycle moving off into the dark.

“Smells good?” Emily asked, dishing herself up some.

Chevalier grinned, “Well… not really.”

She sat down at the table and was joined by the heku, including Mark, who was waiting for Robert to leave before coming in.

“He does like you,” Chevalier told her.

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

“I’m not. Watch it around him.”

“I suspect he won’t stay around much longer. We’re almost done with this house… except for… it,” Emily said, and started to eat.

“It?” Mark asked.

“The ceremonial room,” Kralen told him.

“We’re working on it. It won’t be long,” Chevalier told her. “When it’s gone, are you going to sell this place?”

“I’m not sure yet.”

“We still haven’t cleaned out Exavior’s room yet,” Silas reminded her.

“I know… I’ll start on that later.”

“Why don’t you let us do it?” Kralen asked.

“I will, it’s ok. He can’t have much else in there more than I’ve already seen.”

Mark stood suddenly and looked toward the back door. Emily looked up just as Silas and Kralen stood slowly, also watching the back door.

“Go,” Chevalier whispered, and the three heku blurred away.

The two dogs came running from the front of the house and tore past Emily as they growled and headed out the back door.

“No!” Emily screamed, and stood up to follow the dogs.

Chevalier wrapped an arm around her, “No, stay in here.”

“What’s out there?” she whispered.

“Some heku.”

“Encala?”

“Probably, they’ve been trying to get into this place for days.”

Emily frowned, “And no one told me?”

“We’ve stopped them. Over half of the Cavalry is out there in the dark.”

“I should send Robert away. It’s too dangerous for him here.”

“Now you’re protecting him?”

Emily moved away from Chevalier and looked at him, “Don’t get your jealous tendencies all riled up.”

“I’m not.”

“You’re close to it.”

He sighed, “I’m reining it in.”

She grinned and moved closer to him. He pulled her up to him and kissed her passionately. Emily wrapped her arms around his neck and laced her fingers through his hair.

***

“Damn, they are sending more each time,” Mark said as he, Silas, and Kralen walked into the kitchen.

“We just need to get her to stay in the palace,” Kralen said, slightly out of breath.

“Except we’ve all tried that.”

“We’ll keep trying. I’m ready to get back to the palace too.”

They all turned when the front door opened.

“Great, he’s back,” Silas sighed.

Robert walked into the kitchen and stopped when he saw the heku at the table talking. He walked up and joined them, “Have a bit of a scuffle?”

Mark glanced at him, “A bit.”

“You all must be new to the bodyguard game, so I’m going to give you some advice,” Robert said, and sat back in his chair after glancing around the kitchen.

Kralen raised an eyebrow, “I wouldn’t say we’re new to it.”

“Yes, well… you keep making rookie mistakes.”

“We do?”

“Yes… first and foremost, you’re too attached to your charge,” Robert told them.

Silas grinned, “Ok.”

“Never get too close to them. It slows your response to attacks.”

Kralen looked at Mark and rolled his eyes.

“Remember, she’s your responsibility, not your friend. Get too close to her and it’ll slow your reflexes and make you panic in times of attacks.”

“Ok,” Silas said again.

“Size won’t protect her either. Can you fight?” Robert asked.

“Yes,” Mark told him, now irritated.

“Ever fought a vampire?”

“No”

Robert sighed, “It’s important that you know how. I suspect the vampires are after Emily.”

“Oh? What makes you think that?”

“Just a feeling. There’s a lot of dark trees around this house, perfect spots for vampires to hide. I have a keen sense about these things and those vampires are going to attack.”

“Ok,” Silas sighed, and looked down at his hands.

“Just remember, 98% of the time, nothing’s going to happen. You have to concentrate on that other 2% and always be ready for it,” Robert told them, and leaned forward on the table.

“Yeah with Emily it’s more like 98% trouble,” Kralen said, too low for Robert to hear.

Silas chuckled as Kralen hid a grin.

“It’s not funny. I’m being serious,” Robert said, frowning. “You would be wise to listen to me. I’m more experienced than you are.”

“Oh, I bet,” Silas replied.

“Where is Emily?” the mortal asked, looking toward the door.

“She’s busy.”

“With what?”

“Stuff”

Robert nodded, “Ever have to protect her against her husband?”

“No,” Mark growled.

“You do realize that most abuse of women comes from the husband... especially when there’s a large age difference, like between Emily and her husband.”

“He doesn’t abuse her.”

“Just keep your eyes out. Course, it gets fuzzy when it’s the husband that employs you. That’s why it’s good I’m here.”

“Why is that, exactly?” Kralen asked.

“If her husband gets out of hand, I’m hired by Emily and have no loyalties to him,” Robert explained.

“Ok,” Silas said, yet again.

“Listen here, Runt,” Mark hissed. “We don’t need your help in protecting Emily, especially from her husband. We don’t need your advice, and honestly, we don’t need you here… period.”

Robert grinned, “You’re afraid I’m invading your territory. I can see how you are overly cautious and maybe even threatened by me.”

Silas reached out and stopped Mark from standing up, “We’ve been guarding Emily long enough to know what we’re doing, and we don’t need help from the likes of you.”

“Maybe that’s the problem then. You’ve been guarding her for too long. It’s common to get new bodyguards every few years to avoid this kind of attachment,” Robert said.

“You have no idea what you’re talking about,” Mark said, and stood up. He opened the door and let the two dogs in. They ran through the kitchen and headed up the stairs.

“Those are the wrong kind of guard dogs, too. You should stick with German Shepherds and Rottweilers. Labs are good for kids, but not protection. The Malamute is ok though, if trained properly.”

“Is there anything you don’t have an opinion about?” Silas asked him.

Robert smiled, “Not when it comes to guarding… You’d be smart to listen and learn.”

“Right, like watching her husband to make sure he doesn’t abuse her.”

“Exactly”

“Why am I getting accused of abusing Em?” Chevalier asked from the doorway.

“Robert here is just correcting some of our rookie bodyguard mistakes,” Kralen told the Elder.

“I see,” Chevalier said, and sat down with them. “What exactly are these rookie mistakes?”

“They’re too attached. It’s not safe for her,” Robert told him.

Chevalier frowned, “They’re no more attached than you are… which, Boy. We need to have a chat about.”

Robert’s eyes narrowed, “Meaning?”

“Meaning… stay away from my wife.”

“I haven’t touched your wife.”

“There’s obvious attraction, and Em has a bad track record with guys like you.”

“I don’t think I like what you’re insinuating,” Robert told him.

“I don’t know why you’re here, or what Emily sees in you that she wants to keep safe, but keep your hands off and remember, you’re a handyman, nothing more.”

“She hired me to protect her from vampires, too,” Robert reminded him.

“That’s stupid. There’s no such thing,” Mark said.

“I told you… I have a feeling the vampires are after her,” Robert said, and stood up. “Better watch yourselves. When they attack, I’m only protecting Emily. You’ll be on your own.”

“Noted,” Kralen growled.

Robert smiled and then walked out of the room. They heard him go into his room and shut the door.

“What an idiot,” Silas sighed.

“I don’t trust him,” Chevalier said, and turned back to the guards.

“How dare he call us rookies and try to teach us how to guard,” Mark sneered.

“What did you find?”

“Oh, right, twelve Encala trying to slowly work their way to the house,” Mark told him.

“They think Frederick’s here,” Silas said.

“Damn, I wish she’d just tell us where he is already,” Chevalier sighed.

“That and return to the palace and get rid of loser.”

“That too.”

“Why do you suppose the Encala aren’t attacking en masse?” Mark asked. “These small attacks are useless. They know we’re watching this house.”

“I’m not sure, but I fully expect that to change, and fast,” Chevalier answered.

“Let’s put Robert on guard duty out there,” Silas said, and grinned.

“Damn, was Em making spaghetti again?” Chevalier asked, and looked toward the kitchen.

“No, dumb nuts has garlic all over the house,” Kralen explained. “Smells nasty.”

“That and he keeps trying to shove crosses at us and sprays us with holy water on a regular basis,” Silas added.

“He best not do that to me if he wants to keep his head,” Chevalier told them.

“So encourage it is what you’re saying?” Kralen chuckled.

Chevalier smiled, “So you said he’s a vampire hunter by trade?”

“Yes”

“V.E.S.?”

“Nope,” Silas said. “He was offended when we asked him if he was V.E.S.”

“Right now, we need to get the mortal pain out of here and then Emily can return to the palace where it’s safer,” Mark told them.

“We’ll try,” Kralen said. “But you know if Emily sees us trying to get rid of Putz, she’ll fight back.”

“That’s true,” Chevalier said. “We could just… you know…”

“Get rid of him on his nightly ride?” Silas asked, and grinned. “I’ve been thinking about that.”

“Control him long enough to get a note to Em that he’s leaving, and then make sure he doesn’t come back,” Kralen said, and then nodded, deep in thought.

“Let’s see first if he leaves on his own, but I’m not putting up with this much longer,” Chevalier said. He looked up when he heard Emily start to talk in her sleep. “I better go before she screams and the mortal goes to save the day.”

Kralen grinned and watched Chevalier leave the kitchen.

***

“Where are your guards?” Robert asked as he walked into the kitchen. Emily was at the table with a cup of hot coffee.

“Oh, around I would imagine.”

“They are the strangest bodyguards I’ve ever met,” he said, and poured himself a cup.

“How so?”

“They break some of the cardinal rules… like never letting you out of their sight.”

Emily watched as he sat down beside her, “I don’t even need bodyguards. They’re just here to make Chev happy.”

“He must think there’s a reason.”

“Well, yes, he does.”

“Then they shouldn’t just disappear.”

Emily cringed slightly when Mark and another member of the Cavalry came into the room.

“Right on cue,” Robert said, irritated, and looked over at them. “You all really shouldn’t let her out of your sight.”

“Enough, Robert,” Emily grumbled, and finished her coffee.

“Not sure we need your help, Boy,” Mark said, and spun a chair before sitting in it backwards. The other member of the Cavalry moved quietly to the wall and stood still.

“Boy? I bet I’m older than you are,” Robert told her.

“Stop it,” Emily sighed.

“Where are dumb and dumber, anyway?”

“Who?” Mark asked, frowning.

“The two blokes that are always here.”

“Kralen and Silas had other business today.”

“Robert, please…” Emily said.

“Sorry,” Robert told her, but grinned at Mark.

Mark’s eyes narrowed, “Em, are you heading in to work today? Dain is having issues.”

She looked up at him, “Yes, as soon as I finish my coffee.”

“You should fire that Dain. He seems to cause a lot of problems,” Robert said, and got up to get more coffee.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Emily said, and grinned.

“Is there anything you don’t have an opinion about?” Mark asked, repeating what Silas asked before.

“Nope,” Robert replied, and sat back down.

“Are you going to finish that bathroom today, then?” Emily asked.

“Yes, what do you want me to do after that?”

Emily thought, “I think we’re about done.”

“I can tackle that extra room, with all the antiques and stuff.”

“No, I need to do that one.”

“You could always go try to find another job,” Mark suggested.

Robert frowned, “Then who would protect her against vampires?”

The other member of the Cavalry, quiet up until now, smirked, “I think we can cover that.”

“You three are worse than kids,” Emily said, and stood up to rinse out her cup. “I’m off then. I’ll be back tonight in time to make dinner.”

Robert nodded and watched as Emily left, followed by Mark and the other guard. They climbed into the Jeep and set out for Council City.

“He is such a pain in the ass,” Mark growled.

“He’s not either. You just antagonize him,” Emily said.

“No I don’t. He has to stick his nose in everywhere and it’s uncalled for.”

“He’s not hurting anyone.”

“He’s falling in love with you.”

“No he’s not. Now stop that before you convince Chev.”

“I don’t need to convince him, he’s already seen it,” Mark told her.

“Great,” Emily sighed, and pulled into Council City. She parked in the garage, and before she got out of the Jeep, saw Derrick appear in the doorway and wait.

Mark chuckled, “That was fast.”

Dain ran past him and toward Emily. She reached down and picked him up when he stopped in front of her, then kissed his cheek as she walked into the palace.

“What Mommy do?” Dain asked Derrick.

Emily frowned, “Yeah, what’d I do?”

Derrick shrugged and smiled, “They don’t tell me.”

Emily sighed and braced herself before walking into the council chambers, still carrying Dain. Her eyes grew wide when she saw Dustin in his chair, so she walked over to the trial area below the Elders.

“Good Morning,” Quinn said, and smiled at her.

“Depends on why I’m here,” she told him, and looked over at Chevalier.

Emily looked down at Dain when she heard him hiss, and then noticed he was looking over at Dustin. She grinned and looked back at the Elders.

“You aren’t in trouble. We are just concerned about your houseguest,” Zohn told her.

“Robert is harmless.”

“He claims to be a vampire hunter?”

“Yes”

“Have you spoken to him at all about that?”

“Not really.”

“The Cavalry doesn’t seem to like him.”

“I know.”

Chevalier turned to them, “He’s a bit of a know-it-all and now that he’s fallen for Em, it’s getting worse.”

“He has not,” she said, and rolled her eyes.

Kyle frowned slightly, “That sounds dangerous.”

“He’s done with the house now, right?” Chevalier asked.

“Yes,” Emily said. She knew where this was going.

“So he’ll be moving out.”

“I can’t kick him out.”

“Why not?”

“It’s rude.”

Zohn raised an eyebrow, “Living off of you is also rude, is it not?”

“He thinks he’s helping.”

“How?”

She sighed, “By protecting me from vampires.”

Kyle chuckled, “You have guards, though.”

“Why is this any of the Council’s concern?” Emily asked, frowning slightly.

“Because he’s been causing some problems in the city,” the Chief of Defense told her.

“Like what?”

“Like confronting some of our guards. Like storming into our donor bar and demanding names.”

Emily cringed, “Oh.”

“We also feel that the entire situation is dangerous,” Quinn told her.

“So what is the Council suggesting I do?”

“Tell him it’s time to leave.”

“That doesn’t ensure he’ll leave the city.”

“No, but at least then we don’t have to worry about you.”

“And you?” Emily asked, turning to Chevalier.

He smiled slightly, “I have even more concerns that are between you and me.”

“As much fun as that sounds, Dain and I are going to go to work.”

“Yeah,” Dain said, and grinned.

“Now that renovations on the house are finished, will you be returning to the palace?” Quinn asked.

She shrugged, “Not sure.”

“Very well.”

Emily turned and left the council chambers. She heard the Council begin talking as soon as she left, and knew what the topic was. She put Dain on the floor and took his hand as they walked up the stairs to her office. He stayed with her while she waded through massive amounts of paperwork and played on the floor with some of Allen’s old fire trucks.

She sighed and looked down at the toddler, “I think I’m done.”

Dain grinned, “Horse!”

Emily smiled, “You wanna go ride?”

Dain nodded.

“Let’s go then,” she said, and picked him up by his ankles. She carried him down the stairs upside down as he giggled.

“Where are we going?” four of the Cavalry asked as they followed her. She jumped slightly and turned to them.

“Don’t sneak up on me!”

“Sorry,” the closest guard said.

“Dain and I are going out on horseback.”

“Great, we’ll go too.”

“Of course you will,” she said, and headed out to the stables. Emily smiled when she saw the lock was off of her stallion’s stall. She quickly saddled her horse and slid into the saddle and pulled Dain up with her. When she led him out of the stables, she saw Kyle waiting for her.

“Thought you and I would go out.”

“No entourage?”

“No entourage.”

Emily whistled for the dogs, and then kicked her horse into a canter out of the city, followed by Kyle. Once they were out on the hills, they sat back and watched the dogs play.

“The Council has a request,” Kyle said, and glanced at her.

Emily sighed, “Remember when you and I used to just hang out?”

“Yeah”

“No Council requests. No hidden agendas?”

“We still can.”

“No, we can’t. You’re like Chev now, too busy to just take a day off.”

“I’m sorry, Em. I think we get so wrapped up in the faction business that we forget about lives.”

“Take a vacation then.”

“Where would I go?” Kyle asked.

Emily thought for a moment, “We could go to Australia.”

“I guess we could.”

She shrugged, “What’s the Council want now… other than Fredrick?”

Kyle grinned, “You could really score me some Elder points if you’d tell me where he is.”

“He’s buried… how’s that?”

“Where?”

“What fun is that? Besides… I owe him a lot of pain and I’m going to get it.”

“Damn then, if he’s buried then that’s why we can’t sniff him out.”

She smiled, “I know.”

“But besides Frederick…”

She looked over at him, “What?”

“We want more information on your houseguest.”

“Like what?”

“More about his vampire hunting occupation. What he’s trying to accomplish, that sort of thing.”

She frowned, “Vampire hunting… would mean he’s out to kill vampires… What more do you need to know?”

“Just talk about it, please. See if you can find out more.”

“Seriously? What’s more to find out other than he’s trying to kill vampires?”

“Weapons… how much he knows that’s the truth…”

“Sure”

“Just no kissing,” Kyle said, and chuckled.

Emily glared at him, “He does not have a crush on me.”

“Oh, no he doesn’t… it’s way beyond a crush.”

“How would you even know? You’re stuck here.”

“I was on patrols last night around your house. I saw him.”

She frowned and looked over at him, “You were spying on us?”

“I wouldn’t call it spying.”

“Sounds like spying,” she said, irritated.

“Where is he, Em?”

“You know me better than that.”

“True, however, I keep hoping you’ll tell someone.”

“First rule of being a criminal, tell no one.” She held tightly to Dain and watched the dogs chase after a squirrel.

Kyle chuckled, “You’re considering yourself a criminal now?”

“If I were heku, would I be out here on horseback?”

“Well… no.”

“Then I am a criminal. One with extenuating circumstances that let me free.”

“Extenuating circumstances? You mean you sleep with the boss.”

Emily gasped and started to laugh, “Oh… you did not just say that.”

“You must be good at it. You get away with enough,” he said, and backed his horse up a bit.

Emily’s eyes grew wide, “Kyle!”

“Just saying…”

Her hand shot back into the saddlebag and she produced a paintball gun, and shot him in the shoulder as he turned his horse to run. She kicked her stallion into a gallop after him and was able to shoot him six more times before they got to the stables.

“Problems?” Mark asked when they rode up and he saw the paint on Kyle’s shirt.

“He accused me of sleeping with the boss!” Emily said, and handed Dain down to Mark.

“Erm… you don’t?” Mark asked.

Emily slid off of her horse, “Is it just you in here, Mark?”

“Yes”

“Good, I have questions for you and Kyle, then.”

Kyle shut the stall door behind his mare, and hung up the bridle, “Ok, ask away.”

She leaned up against the stable door, “Why is Dustin back on the Council?”

Kyle glanced at Mark before answering, “There’s a law that allows members of the Council to go above the Elder’s heads if they feel that the Elders are being swayed in a decision, or are too involved to make an unbiased decision.”

“So he’s free…”

Mark nodded, “Yes, technically he did nothing wrong.”

“So he can just do whatever he wants. Have me assaulted, take away my horse…”

“Pretty much,” Kyle said, and glanced around. “However, Chevalier is livid, and the other two Elders aren’t that happy about it. They are watching him closely and have already rewritten that law.”

Mark looked behind him and then whispered, “It’s those heku from Powan. They know the rule books inside and out and rarely do anything to break them.”

“What are his thoughts about me then?” Emily asked, and picked Dain up.

Kyle shrugged, “He doesn’t say.”

“It seems strange to me, that on a whim, the Elders can get rid of a council member… just say that he’s being weak. Yet they can’t get a grip on Fido.”

“It’s more complicated than just deciding that someone’s weak. They have to prove it.”

“I should put him with Frederick.”

“Emily!” Kyle gasped.

Mark shook his head, “Keep that to yourself, would you?”

She shrugged, “Well, not a lot of incentive to stay here when I have a house all to myself with no werewolves hanging around.”

“We’d prefer if you would stay here,” Kyle reminded her.

“Come to the house, Kyle. Turn off the phone… sit and watch a movie or something.”

“You know I can’t do that.”

“Think about it,” she said, and started for the door. “Tell Chev I’m heading back, will you.”

“No, Mommy,” Dain said, and wrapped his arms around her, “I go too.”

“You can’t go, Baby. I’ll be back in the morning,” she said, and kissed his cheek.

“Come on, Screech,” Mark said, and took Dain from her.

“Stop it, Mark!”

He grinned, “Sorry.”

Kyle walked with Emily into the garage and raised his eyebrows when she walked past the Jeep and put on her helmet.

“You’re taking the motorcycle?”

“Yes, seems I’m going out tonight with Robert,” she said, and slid onto the seat.

“Be careful, Em.”

“The Council needs you,” Emily said, and grinned before starting up the Harley.

Kyle turned toward the door, “I didn’t hear them call.”

“Trust me,” she said, and drove out of the palace’s garage.

Kyle heard his name called just after she left, and he blurred into the council chambers.

Chevalier was grinning as he looked through a ledger.

“You called for me?” Kyle asked, and started for the Council stand.

“Revive Dustin, please,” Zohn chuckled.

***

“You’re really going out with me tonight?” Robert asked, shocked.

“Sure, you’ve invited me enough. It could be fun,” Emily said, and came down the stairs in her black leather pants and black leather vest. Robert’s eyes grew wide and she heard Silas hiss softly.

“No bodyguards?”

“No bodyguards.”

Robert smiled, “Let’s go then… I’ll go get the motorcycle.”

“Oh, I don’t ride bitch. I have my own.”

“You can ride it?”

Her eyes narrowed, “Yes.”

Robert grinned and headed outside.

Kralen put his hand on Emily’s arm, “Must you wear that?”

She frowned slightly, “Leather’s the safest if I wreck.”

“I can see your pulse through those pants,” he whispered angrily.

“It never seemed to bother you before.”

“That’s because you weren’t out with lover boy over there.”

“Chill,” she said, and pulled her arm out of his grasp.

“Nice bike,” Robert said as she pulled up alongside him in the driveway.

“Let’s go, my guards are watching us like I’m about to die,” she said, and glanced back at the door of the house before heading out into the night.

Robert grinned at Kralen in the window and followed her on his Yamaha TW200. They rode side-by-side for almost an hour before Robert motioned for Emily to pull over. She stopped at the side of the road and killed the engine.

“What’s up?” she asked, looking around.

“I want to go talk to that vampire,” he told her, and motioned across the street at a park. Emily saw the dark figure of someone standing in the trees.

She frowned, “How do you know that’s a vampire?”

“I just do, stay here,” he said, and started to walk across the street. Emily got off of her Harley and followed him, “I said stay.”

“I don’t take orders from you,” she reminded him. As they got closer, she recognized one of the city guards. He was in a black trench coat and looked over when they approached.

Emily started to get nervous, but then noticed he wasn’t paying any attention to her.

“You have no right to be in this city, and if I had my gear, you’d be dead,” Robert said to the tall heku.

Emily frowned, “He doesn’t look like a vampire to me.”

The heku glared at Robert, “I’m not.”

“I want to know where your cave is,” Robert said angrily.

“Cave?” the heku asked.

“Yes… where you and your vampire buddies live.”

Emily rolled her eyes and watched them.

“You’re starting to annoy me,” the heku said, and took a step towards Robert. He stood over a foot taller than the mortal, and outweighed him by almost 75 pounds of pure muscle.

“Let’s just go,” Emily said, and took Robert’s arm. “There’s no reason to harass this man.”

“I’m not going to let him push me around,” Robert said, and stood his ground.

Emily sighed and whispered as softly as she could, “Go.”

The heku glared once more at Robert and then disappeared.

“Where’d he go?” Robert asked, looking around.

“I have no idea,” Emily told him, and sat down at a picnic table. “Come, have a seat.”

Robert walked over and sat down, but kept scanning the trees.

“What’s up with that? That poor man was just standing there,” Emily asked.

“He’s a vampire.”

“How do you know?”

“I can just tell.”

She nodded slightly, “Ok, so… why kill him? He didn’t attack us.”

“I have to kill one to become one.”

Emily gasped, “What?”

Robert smiled, “I’m going to be a vampire.”

“That’s insane.”

“No, it’s not. They have it made, they live alone… they hunt, feed, rest, and get superhuman strength and speed. They answer to no one.”

Emily raised her eyebrows, “Oh?”

“Completely immune to all laws. That’s what I want.”

“And you have to kill one…”

“To become one, right,” Robert told her. “One perfectly placed stake in the heart or a cross to the chest and I’ll take their place among the undead.”

“You do realize how ridiculous that sounds.”

“Yes, I do, but I’m right.”

“You said a vampire killed someone you were guarding, though.”

“Right, and didn’t pay for it. That’s when it dawned on me that that’s the life I want to lead.”

“Without laws.”

“Right”

“So you can just kill whomever you want.”

“No, I don’t want to kill anyone.”

“Then why do it?”

“It’s the thrill of it,” Robert said, and smiled at her. “You could become one, too.”

“Not my thing,” she said, and looked into the dark trees.

“I could reconsider.”

Emily looked over at him and saw the way he was watching her, “I’m married.”

“41% of marriages fail.”

“Mine’s holding steady, I assure you.”

“You don’t know that. You’re too young to have been married for very long… plus… you married an older man. That has to up the divorce rate.”

Emily frowned, “I don’t want to talk about this.”

“Someone has to… The way he watches you, puts guards on you, it’s controlling and unnecessary.”

“He loves me and there are reasons for guards… I may not completely agree, but there are valid reasons.”

“Sure there are, he doesn’t trust you. Have you cheated on him?”

“No!” Emily yelled.

Robert grinned, “Just asking… looks to me like he treats you more like a daughter.”

“Yeah… well… sometimes he does, but most of the time, he treats me like a wife.”

“That’s what you get for marrying an old man.”

“He’s not old.”

“You’re… what… in your 20’s?”

Her eyes narrowed.

“I’d put him at 40, maybe 45… so he’s twice your age.”

“Doesn’t matter when you’re in love.”

“Don’t get me wrong. I’m all for the trophy wife but…”

“Hey! I am not a trophy wife.”

“Sure”

“Mark was right. You do have too many opinions about things you don’t know about.”

“So now let’s be honest with each other,” Robert said, ignoring her comment.

“About what?”

“12 years ago, you and your 4-year-old were captured by the V.E.S. when you were pregnant, yet I see no kids…”

Emily watched him closely.

“I know you worked for the V.E.S. later, and were even a person of interest in Bruce Isaac’s murder.”

“You seem to know a lot about me.”

“I came looking for you. That’s why I’m here.”

Emily tensed slightly, “What is it you want, then?”

“I want you to take me to the vampire’s lair.”

She grinned, “There’s no such thing as vampires.”

“You sticking by that?”

“Yes”

“So why work for the V.E.S.?”

“I needed a job. It’s amazing what you can fake when you’re broke.”

His eyes narrowed, “I suspect you haven’t been broke a day in your life. You have one huge house… nice cars… servants.”

“Not that it’s any of your business, but Chev and I were having a rough time and I’d moved out.”

“That’s all bullshit, and I want you to tell me where the vampire’s lair is, now.”

Emily stood up, “This conversation is over.”

Robert jumped to his feet and grabbed her arm, “You’re not leaving until you tell me where that damned lair is.”

“Let me go.”

“No! This is the first time I’ve gotten you away from those bloody guards, and I want some answers.”

“You know what? Yes, I know where the vampire lair is, and I’m not going to tell you.”

His eyes grew wide, “You’re friends with them then?”

“You could say that.”

His hand tightened, “Take me to it.”

“No!” she yelled, and tried to pull away from him.

Robert spun her around and pulled her body close to his as he wrapped his arms around her, “You’re not getting away until you tell me.”

Emily’s eyes narrowed and she brought her knee up hard into his groin. He groaned and dropped to his knees, clutching his groin as he fell over. She turned quickly and ran to her motorcycle, then sped away, just as Robert got to his feet and headed for his.

She kept checking behind her as she quickly made her way toward Council City. She wasn’t even close to the turn off when her motorcycle started making a grinding noise and slowly died at the side of a dark street.

“No!” Emily hissed, and tried to start the engine. Nothing happened, and she looked around for anything to help. When she heard another motorcycle approaching, she left the Harley and ran off on foot.

“You can’t run from me!” she heard Robert yell from behind her. She weaved through the abandoned business section of town and silently called for help.

Miles away, Chevalier frowned and his body tensed, “Emily’s in trouble.”

Kyle looked up from the trial area, “What?”

“She just called for help.”

“Where is she?”

“I don’t know,” the Elder said, and disappeared from the council chambers, followed by Kyle and Dustin. Mark, Silas, and Kralen met them in the garage and took off in separate cars to find her.

Emily stopped running long enough to see if she recognized any of the buildings around her. She could still hear Robert far behind her, and when she figured out she was in a completely foreign part of town, she began to run again.

“You know I’ll catch you, and I swear I’ll kill you if you don’t tell me what I want to know!” Robert screamed angrily.

The Equites, all in separate cars, spread out through the city looking for any trace of Emily. Kyle was the first to find the heku that Robert threatened earlier, and relayed her last known location.

“She’s only been gone about an hour,” Mark said from the picnic table.

Silas looked around at the dark park.

Emily emerged onto a dark street and looked both directions. She had a strong stitch in her side from the fast run and was out of breath. Something caught her eye and she gasped. It was the top of a neon sign for a Chinese restaurant, and she headed for it, knowing that it shared a parking lot with a donor bar that she hoped would be full of heku.

When she turned into the parking lot, she looked behind her and saw Robert running toward her with a pistol in his hand.

She made it to the donor bar ahead of the enraged man, and opened the door quickly and ran through the bar and into the back section.

“Please, any Equites?” Emily asked, out of breath and leaning over slightly.

One heku looked up at her from the bar, “No Equites in here, Baby.”

She leaned back against the bar, “Who’re you?”

He stood up and was joined by two more heku, “We’re Valle, why?”

“You a donor?” one of them asked, and took a step forward. She turned with wide eyes and looked at the door when she heard Robert asking the bartender about her.

“No,” she whispered, still watching the door.

“You’re Chevalier’s wife, aren’t you?”

She nodded, “That man wants to kill me.”

“What man?” he asked, and took a step toward the door to listen.

“Little thing, long red hair? You have to have seen her! She came in here,” Robert said angrily.

“Nope, not seen anyone matching her description,” the bartender said. “Hey, that a gun in your jacket?”

“No,” Robert lied. “I’ll look around then.”

Emily turned to the heku, “Can I borrow your phone?”

He grinned, “No, I’m not going to get banished because you used my phone to contact the Equites.”

“Then let me call Sotomar.”

“Nope, I don’t bother the Council.”

She sighed, and turned back around when the door opened.

Robert stepped in and his eyes narrowed toward her, “You’re coming with me.”

Emily took a step back, “No.”

“There a problem here, Son?” one of the Valle asked, and stepped between Emily and Robert.

“Nothing that concerns you. She needs to come with me,” Robert said, and stepped around the heku. Emily tried to get away from him, but he grabbed her arm, “Come on.”

“Let me go,” Emily yelled, and tried to pull away from him.

“I suggest you get your hands off of her,” the tallest Valle said, and put a menacing hand on Robert’s shoulder.

“This is no concern of yours!” Robert yelled.

“Now,” the heku hissed.

“No, she has information on vampires, and I’m not leaving until I get it.”

The heku grinned, “Vampires?”

“Yes, now come on,” he said, and pulled Emily toward the door.

With movement too fast for the mortals to see, two of the heku pinned Robert against the wall, as the third gently moved Emily away from him. He then turned to face the mortal.

“Let’s just get this straight… there’s no such thing as vampires, and there’s no reason to assault the lady, just because you’re too stupid to realize that,” he said, and showed Robert that he now had his gun.

“You’re a vampire!” Robert yelled, and fought against the two heku holding him.

“No, I’m not,” the heku said, and turned back to Emily. “Let’s get you home.”

She nodded, and followed him out while the other two heku pulled Robert along behind them. When they stepped out into the dark parking lot, Emily saw a row of sleek sports cars as Chevalier got out of his McLaren. She quickly ran to him, and wrapped her arms around him as he held her and looked over at the Valle restraining Robert.

“What’s going on?” he asked, scowling.

One of the heku restraining Robert spoke to the one in front, “Myles, we aren’t authorized to talk to Equites, and some of them are Council.”

The front heku nodded, “Let him go.”

The heku released Robert, who immediately fell into the hands of Kyle and Dustin.

“Let’s go,” the Valle said, and returned to the bar.

Chevalier looked down at Emily, “Are you ok?”

She nodded, “He’s crazy.”

“What do you want us to do with him?” Kyle asked.

“Did the Valle hurt you?” Chevalier asked her.

“No, they helped me,” she whispered, and buried her head in his chest.

“Take him back to Em’s house. Lock him up until I can figure out what’s going on,” Chevalier told them. Dustin shoved Robert into the trunk of his car and then crawled into the driver’s seat as Kyle got into the passenger seat.

“Where’s your car?” Mark asked.

“I was on the motorcycle. It died out in the middle of nowhere.”

“We’ll find it,” Silas said, and got back into his car. Kralen did the same, and the two drove off in search of the Harley.

“He was chasing me and was going to shoot me,” Emily whispered.

Chevalier tensed, “Did he say why?”

She nodded, “He wants to know the location of the vampire lair… He knows about my history with the V.E.S., and started asking questions about where my kids are. That sort of thing.”

“Let’s go back to the palace, get in,” Chevalier said, and opened the door for her. She crawled into the McLaren and then watched as Dustin and Kyle drove off with Robert in the trunk.

The drive back to Council City was in silence, and when the front door guards opened her door, she stepped out and waited for Chevalier. He joined her and she gripped tightly to his arm as they walked inside.

“Do you want to tell the Council what’s going on?” he asked.

“Do you want me to?”

“It would help.”

She nodded, and they both walked in through the back doors.

“Oh good, you found her,” Quinn said, and smiled.

Emily stood beside Chevalier and fought back the tears.

“Are you injured?” Zohn asked, frowning.

“No,” she whispered.

“Then why are you crying?”

“I’m not crying! I’m mad!” she screamed, and they all watched her, shocked. “It happened again and I couldn’t stop it!”

“Em…” Chevalier started, but she began to yell.

“The damned mortals won’t leave me alone! I can’t fight them. Do you know how frustrating that is?”

“Well…”

“No you don’t! I’m gullible, and too stupid to stay away from them, and again it got me into trouble. Then I had to be saved by the Valle… me! I could have instantly killed those three Valle, yet they had to save me from the weak-minded man.”

“Em, calm down.”

“No! You calm down… I’m tired of it! I’m tired of all of this crap,” she said, and when the tears began to spill, she ran from the room.

“You seem calm to me,” Zohn told Chevalier.

Chevalier grinned, “I’m not sure she’s completely rational.”

“So what happened?”

“I’m not sure yet. We found her coming out of the donor bar with three Valle, two of which had Robert restrained.”

Quinn frowned, “Did they say why?”

“No, they refused to talk to the Equites about it. I’m sure it’d be grounds for banishment to have done so.”

“So Emily’s the only one that knows what happened?”

“Well… and Robert.”

“I see.”

“The General would like to see you,” Derrick said when he stepped into the trial area several minutes later.

“Let him in,” Chevalier said, and turned toward Mark when he walked in.

“We found her motorcycle, it’s getting repaired.”

“What happened to it?

“Someone cut the gas line.”

Chevalier growled.

“We’d like permission to speak to Robert… Kralen, Silas, and I,” Mark said.

“I’m ok with that… careful though, this entire thing had something to do with Emily’s knowledge of what she called the vampire’s lair,” Chevalier told him.

Mark nodded, “Understood.”

“Do you know where Emily went?”

“She’s out in the training room assaulting a dummy.”

Chevalier frowned, “That’s odd.”

“I’m not heku enough to go in there and risk her turning on me.”

Zohn chuckled, “Ditto… go talk to Robert, see what you can find.”

Mark nodded and blurred from the room.

Chevalier sighed, “I better go find out what’s up before she attacks an innocent heku.”

“Sure, we’ll have Kyle standing by,” the Chief of Defense said, laughing.

“Damn, that hurts too,” Chevalier told them, and disappeared from the room.

“How many times in the last 20 years has he been ash?” the Chief of Staff asked no one in particular.

Quinn chuckled, “A lot, that’s all I know.”

Chevalier walked out to the pool building and saw Emily’s guards outside of the training room.

“How bad is it?” he asked one of the guards.

“She’s pretty mad. I wouldn’t go in there if I were you, or get the Chief Enforcer close.”

“Has she told you what happened?”

“No, Elder. She hasn’t said anything at all.”

Chevalier quietly opened the door and stepped into the training room. He stood back and watched Emily. She was kneeling astride one of the training dummies, pounding her fists into his head. Stuffing was pouring out one of his arms and she was covered in sweat and breathing heavily.

After only a few minutes, she leaned forward and put her head against the dummy to catch her breath. Chevalier walked over and sat down beside her, “Want to talk about it?”

She looked up at him, much calmer than before, “I was roughed up by another mortal.”

“What did…”

“How is it that I can obliterate the stronger species, yet the weaker species can beat me up?”

“That’s just how it works… in general, mortal men are stronger than mortal women.”

Her eyes narrowed, “It’s not fair.”

“No, it’s not.”

She sighed and looked down at the dummy, “He came looking for me.”

Chevalier leaned back to listen to her.

“He knew about my time with the V.E.S., and assumed that I could tell him where to find a vampire.”

“Why?”

“He wants to be one… and apparently to become a vampire, you have to kill one.”

Chevalier nodded, “I’ve heard that before.”

“So I kicked him in the nuts and drove away, but then my motorcycle died and I was on foot. By that time, he had a gun.”

“He cut your gas line.”

She fought back the tears that were welling up in her eyes, “When I was out there running through the dark… I was afraid, and I don’t like that.”

“That’s natural.”

“No, it’s not! I’m stronger than that. I’m not even mortal… yet I couldn’t make him leave me alone.”

“There’s nothing wrong with being afraid.”

“Yes there is.”

“You did the right thing though. You got away and then called for me.”

“I hate being saved by the Valle.”

“I know.”

“Again even…”

Chevalier simply nodded.

“Turn me,” she said, and looked into his eyes.

He was shocked, “What?”

“Turn me. Then mortal men can’t out strengthen me.”

“We can’t turn you.”

“This is my choice though. Maybe it will work if I’m not being forced.”

“We can’t risk it.”

“I bet the Valle would.”

“I doubt it. Sotomar saw the effects of your turning.”

“I guess you’re right. I am going to visit the Valle though, they keep saving me, and I’d like to thank them.”

“You can call…”

“No, I’ll just go over. It’ll give me some time to think and I’d like a little vacation.”

Chevalier stood up and put his hand down to help her up, “We’ll talk about it.”

She stood up and kept his hand, “I’ll only be gone a few days.”

“Mark is back with a report. Let’s go see what he has to say.”

“Ok,” Emily said, and followed Chevalier back to the palace, followed by three of the guards. They went to the back of the council chambers, and a servant met them in the ante-chamber with a bowl of fruit and a glass of Coke. Emily thanked him, and they all walked in. Chevalier and Emily sat with the Council while her guards went to Mark, who was standing in the trial area.

“Are you ok?” Zohn asked Emily.

“Yes”

“Very well, Mark, what did you find?”

Mark was obviously angry, “He’s been trying to find Emily for almost 4 years. He said she had too many run-ins with the V.E.S. to not be affiliated with the vampires. His goal was to be turned.”

Kralen grinned, “Good luck with that.”

“He’s of the belief that to become a vampire, you have to kill one,” Chevalier added.

“He admitted to that,” Mark told them. “He also said he’d changed his plans. At first he was going to kill Emily to bring the vampires to him, but then fell in love, and decided to get her turned too, even if it was against her will. He said then they could be together forever.”

Emily grabbed a few grapes from the bowl and sat back, uninterested.

“So what do we do with him now?” Quinn asked, turning to Chevalier.

“Kill him. I don’t want him turned.”

“Send him to the Encala,” Emily said, and grinned.

Chevalier chuckled, “Even that would be too annoying.”

“They’ve moved him here to the prison,” Kyle said, and then grinned. “Into the Emily wing.”

“I have a wing?” she asked.

“Unofficially,” Quinn said, and laughed.

“Nice,” she said, irritated.

“Chevalier votes to kill him,” Quinn said, and turned to Zohn. “Your vote?”

Zohn looked over at Emily, “What do you want?”

“I want to go visit the Valle for a few days,” she told him.

Quinn frowned, “Why?”

“They keep saving me. I’d like to thank them and talk to Sotomar.”

“We’ll get to that in a moment. What do you want done with Robert?”

“Turn him,” she said, and shrugged.

“Why would we do that?” Chevalier asked.

“Because, he thinks the life of a vampire is luxurious. You have no rules, no one that you have to take orders from or be accountable to. It’s a life of complete freedom from laws and rules.”

“I see,” Quinn said, deep in thought.

“Still, I don’t want him turned,” Chevalier said.

“I don’t want his death on my head,” she told him.

“It won’t be. It will be on ours.”

“Just let him go and tell him to get out of town.”

“We can’t do that either, not if he’s going to hunt you down.”

“Then I don’t care,” she said, and stood up. “I’m going to visit the Valle.”

“Are you going to ask them to turn you?” Chevalier asked.

“What!?” Mark growled.

She smiled, “I doubt it.”

“You want to turn?” Zohn asked, shocked.

“I don’t know… No, but it’d be nice to stop being overpowered by mortals.”

“You cannot be turned. We’ve seen that.”

“We’ll see,” she said, and left the room.

“Mark…”

Mark nodded, “Kralen, go with her.”

Kralen disappeared from the room.

***

“Emily!” Kralen gasped when she wiped the memory of the Valle city gate guards and drove through the city undisturbed.

“What? I didn’t hurt them,” she said, and smiled when no alarm sounded.

“Still… don’t they know you’re coming?”

“No, they don’t,” she said, and stopped the Jeep at the front doors to the palace.

Kralen turned when he heard a hiss and saw the four palace door guards running to the Jeep. He jumped out as they fell to their knees, and then he spun to Emily as she got out of the Jeep.

“Are you going to turn them to ash?” he asked.

“No,” she told him, and let the Valle out of pain when they fell unconscious.

Kralen shook his head and followed her into the palace, “It’s scary how easily you just got into the Valle’s palace.”

She shrugged and headed to the Valle’s council chambers, which was located on the first floor of the palace. The chamber door guard was missing, and Emily stopped at the door when she heard screaming.

“I don’t really care what you think!” William yelled. “Return that property or face another war with the Encala. This time, we’ll be prepared.”

“We will not return that land,” Sotomar said, calmly. “It was fully within our right to make that purchase.”

“You knew we were already in negotiations to purchase that.”

“Yes, and we over bid you.”

“We won’t stand for this!”

Emily threw open the doors, “Stop yelling at them, William.”

William spun, his eyes furious.

“Emily?” Sotomar asked, surprised.

Emily walked in, and Kralen followed her cautiously. She walked up the council stand and sat in an empty chair with the Council while Kralen shook his head and stood behind her chair.

“May we help you?” Valle Elder Ryan asked.

“Not right now. I’ll just keep the peace and make sure William behaves,” she said, and turned the chair to the trial area.

“This is too dangerous, tempers are bad,” Sotomar told her.

Emily smiled, “My specialty.”

“Give me back my Elder!” William yelled.

“No,” Emily said bluntly, and sat back in the chair. She kicked off her shoes and rested her feet on the desk.

“You cannot keep him.”

“Do the Equites know you’re here?” Sotomar asked.

Emily nodded, “Yes… we’re good… please continue, and William, keep your voice down or I’ll make you.”

William’s eyes narrowed, “I demand that you turn her over to the Encala immediately.”

Kralen growled softly from behind her.

“We will not,” Sotomar told him. “We also won’t return that land in Europe. It’s too central, and we won’t stand for you to have such a strong staging point for attacks.”

“It is our land, our find. You have no right.”

“We have as much right to that land as you do.”

“Even if it causes a war?”

“Yes”

William watched Emily, “So now you are aligned with the Equites?”

“I don’t think so,” Elder Ryan said, and grinned slightly.

“No, we aren’t aligned,” Emily told him.

“Then why are you even here?” William asked. “You keep our Elder, you say for revenge, yet you sit by the very Council that staged those attacks.”

“Oh, don’t get me wrong,” Emily said. “I’m not friends with the Valle. I don’t trust them any further than I can throw them. We’re still enemies.”

Sotomar glanced at her, “We are?”

She looked over at him, “Yes, we are.”

“It doesn’t look like you are enemies,” William said.

“Shows what you know.”

“They had much more responsibility in your Cavalry’s death than Frederick.”

Emily shrugged, “Maybe, but I have Frederick, and until I feel satisfied that he’s been properly punished, he’s mine.”

“Give her to me,” William said.

“No,” Sotomar told him.

“The Equites would not let you come to the Valle, unless the two factions are allies! She sits with your Council like she’s a member and that, again, tells me you have aligned,” William growled.

Emily reached over and turned the speakerphone on that was in front of Sotomar, and then sat back.

“Equites Council,” Kyle said, irritated.

Emily grinned, “Kyle… are we aligned with the Valle?”

“Emily?” Quinn asked, and she heard some amusement in his voice. “No… we are not.”

“Am I here to make an alliance?”

“To be honest, we aren’t sure why you are there,” Zohn chuckled.

“What’s up, Em?” Chevalier asked.

“William is freaking out that we’re aligned,” she explained.

“Why are you talking to William?”

“He’s here harassing the Valle Council, so I decided to keep the peace and found a chair up by Sotomar.”

There was a silence and then Chevalier spoke again, “You’re mediating a meeting between the Encala and the Valle?”

“Yes”

“Is that why you went?”

“Nope, that’s just what I found when I got here.”

“Well… no we aren’t aligned, and don’t plan on forming a friendship with the Valle,” Chevalier said. “Call me tonight.”

“Sure thing,” Emily said, and hung up the phone. She then turned to William, “There.”

“That makes no sense! How can you sit on the council stand of an enemy? You should be in their prison by now,” William yelled.

“When’s the last time I made sense?” Emily yelled back.

“That is true,” Kralen chuckled.

“We are not going to put the Winchester in our prison,” the Valle’s Chief of Defense said. “She is welcome here at any time, and is free to do what she wants while she is here.”

“That’s called an alliance!” William screamed.

“Fine then. We will admit to an alliance with Emily, but not the Equites,” Sotomar said.

Emily looked over at him, “Don’t push it.”

“And her guard? When’s the last time you let an Equites stand on your council stand?” William asked, hissing slightly.

Sotomar looked back at Kralen, “He’s not hurting anything.”

“Then let me have him,” William suggested.

Emily stood up, “Do you want to join Frederick?”

William began to blur toward her, but found himself pinned to the ground by Kralen and the Valle’s Chief of Defense.

“You will not harm her in this city!” Sotomar yelled. “Get him out of here.”

Kralen stood up when Valle Imperial Guards came in and escorted William out. He returned to stand behind Emily on the Council stand.

Sotomar turned to Emily, “To what do we owe this visit?”

“I’m sorry about that. I didn’t know he was here until I got to the door.”

“It’s ok, it was quite entertaining.”

“I came here to thank you. Once again, a Valle saved me, and I thought I would come and say thank you in person.”

Elder Ryan frowned slightly, “Who saved you?”

She shrugged, “I don’t know who they are. I was getting chased by a vampire hunter with a gun, and three Valle stopped him.”

“I wasn’t aware anyone had contact with you recently.”

“Wait! You are going to be mad at them?”

Sotomar smiled, “No, it’s just that normally when anyone contacts you, they then follow up with the Council to ensure things were handled properly.”

Emily thought for a moment and then spoke, “Why?”

Kralen chuckled, “Because if a Valle messes up, you might ash this city.”

“Is that true?”

Sotomar nodded, “Sorry, but yes.”

“Oh, I didn’t realize I was causing that many problems.”

“No problems. We like when a Valle is able to help you.”

“I don’t remember their names though, not sure they even said them.”

“Myles was one of them. They refused to speak because most of those gathered were from the Equites Council,” Kralen explained.

“Yes, I can see how that would cause problems,” Sotomar said. “Contact Myles from Genova Coven, that’s close to Council City. Let him know that Emily contacted the Council to thank him.”

The Valle’s Court Reporter nodded and blurred from the room.

“Was there anything else?” Sotomar asked, and turned to Emily.

“No, that’s all,” she said, and stood up.

“It’s late and raining. Why don’t you stay the night?”

“I don’t…” Kralen started, but Emily interrupted him.

“Not a bad idea.”

“Yes, it is, let’s go,” Kralen said, and took her hand.

“I don’t feel like being in the car for another two days. Let’s just stay and relax tonight.”

“We’ll need to get approval from the Council.”

“No, I don’t.”

“Well I sure as hell do,” Kralen told her.

“Oh,” she said, and looked over at Sotomar. “I guess we should go.”

“Please, stay. We’ll contact the Equites and let them know. The rain is getting worse and you’ll be more comfortable here than in a hotel.”

“I guess… if I call Chev.”

“Your room is ready, and your guard can stay with you.”

Emily looked up at Kralen, and he shrugged.

“Yeah, I guess we’ll stay,” she said.

“I’ll show you to your room,” the Valle’s Chief Enforcer said. Emily and Kralen followed him out of the council chambers and up to the room she had in the Valle Palace. Once inside, she sat down in the bay window to watch the rain, while Kralen checked the room for any signs of danger or surveillance equipment.

“The room is clear,” he said, and moved to stand by the door.

Emily nodded and called Chevalier.

“Having fun?” he answered.

She grinned, “Not really. We’re stuck here for the night.”

“You’re staying in the Valle Palace?”

“Just tonight, it’s raining.”

“Where is Kralen?”

“He’s here in the room.”

“Let me talk to him.”

Emily held the phone out, “Chev wants you.”

Kralen took the phone, “Kralen here.”

“Do not, for even one second, take your eyes off of her,” Chevalier hissed.

“I won’t, Sir.”

“Check her food, and double check the Jeep before leaving.”

“Yes, Sir.”

“I don’t like this, but I can tell she’s set on staying…”

“Yes, she is.”

“One hair…”

“I know, Sir.”

Chevalier growled slightly and hung up.

Kralen handed her phone back.

“Is he mad?” she asked, and looked over at Kralen.

“Yes”

“Maybe we should go to a hotel.”

“I would prefer if we stay here,” Kralen said, and moved back by the door.

“Why?”

“I had a thought that the Encala could be waiting for us. I think we should call for a helicopter home, and let one of the Valle bring your Jeep back.”

“We’re fine…” she was cut-off by a knock on the door.

Kralen opened the door and took a tray from a Valle servant. He shut the door and put the tray on the table after smelling it.

Emily wrinkled her nose, “I hate when you smell my food.”

“Not my favorite thing either.”

She sat down and looked at the tray, “What is that?”

“It looks like Baeckeoffe.”

“What?”

“It’s just a French stew.”

She looked up at him, “And you know this how?”

He grinned, “I’m originally from France.”

“You are?”

“Yes”

“Wow, didn’t know that. Why no accent?”

“Hundreds of years in America.”

“Interesting”

He just grinned.

“How old are you?” she asked, and started to eat.

“I was turned 998 years ago.”

“Will you celebrate 1000 years?”

“No”

“Why not?”

“No reason to, I guess.”

Emily shrugged and continued to eat, “Why don’t you have a girlfriend?”

“What?”

“A girlfriend, you’re a womanizer. I’d think you would have at least one.”

“I’m not a womanizer.”

“Yes, you are,” she said, and took a sip of the wine.

“What makes you think that?”

“I can just tell.”

“You’re wrong.”

“I don’t think so… I saw you having sex with three heku women at once,” she said, and started back on the stew.

Kralen gasped, “What?”

“Don’t worry. I didn’t watch or tell anyone.”

“I… when?”

“Long time ago,” she said, and covered the tray when she was finished. She sat back and patted the chair beside her. “Come talk.”

Kralen sighed, “I’m not sure I like where this conversation is going.”

“Wimp,” she said, and grinned while patting the chair.

Kralen finally walked over at sat down cautiously.

“So, no girlfriend?”

“No”

“Afraid of commitment?”

“No”

“Don’t want the same sexual partner for eternity?”

He shifted uncomfortably, “That’s… not…”

She grinned at his obvious nervousness, “Relax, I won’t tell anyone. You don’t have a girlfriend because you can’t stay monogamous.”

“That’s not true!”

“I’m thinking it is.”

“Do you subject all of your guards to this?”

“No, just you. You’re the only womanizer I know.”

Kralen’s eyes narrowed, “I wish you wouldn’t say that.”

“Why not? It’s not bad… just means you like women and they like you back… however, I would imagine you are a bit of a sex addict, too.”

“How did I get that title?” Kralen asked, his eyes wide.

She shrugged, “Just a hunch.”

“Is there anything you won’t talk about?”

“Yes, Frederick’s location,” she said.

Kralen watched the fire, “This is inappropriate.”

“Like you care.”

“I do.”

“No you don’t! I could get you into bed if I wanted.”

“No, you could not,” Kralen said adamantly.

“Oh, I bet I could.”

“I’d not risk being banished or killed, just for a one-night stand.”

“You’re the only one of the Cavalry that’s just, exactly, like me.”

“What do you mean?” he asked.

Emily shrugged, “A rebel… someone fueled by passion.”

“I’m not a rebel.”

“I beg to differ.”

“Rebellion would get me kicked off of the Cavalry.”

“I see,” she said, and curled up on the chair to watch the fire.

“How is it you’ve only had two sex partners?” Kralen asked, watching her.

She laughed slightly, “Why not?”

“Keith cheated on you.”

“Yes”

“But you never stepped out on him?”

“Nope… and there was no time between Keith and Chev.”

“Just seems odd that as attractive as you are, not to have had other options.”

“That might be true if I was attractive.”

Kralen grinned, “Ok.”

“Keith would have killed me if I had,” she whispered, and watched the flames dance in the fireplace.

“Maybe I am a rebel. This entire conversation would enrage the Elder.”

“He’s not as mean as you all think he is.”

Kralen chuckled, “He’s meaner than you could imagine.”

They sat quietly for a while, Emily wondering why Kralen didn’t have a girlfriend, and Kralen wondering why Emily was asking such personal questions all of a sudden.

“I guess I better go to sleep,” she said, and stood up. Kralen watched her walk over to the wardrobe and start going through it, “Damnit.”

“What’s wrong?”

“I forgot that Exavior picked out all this crap.”

“I can ask for a t-shirt.”

“No, I’ll live,” she said, and pulled out a short black nightgown. She dressed in the closet and Kralen turned as she ran to the bed and covered up, “Is it still raining?”

“Yes, pretty hard, too.”

“What do you think about when you stand all night doing nothing?”

“Anything… sometimes nothing at all,” he said, and moved back by the door to stand.

“Think about finding a girlfriend.”

He smiled, “That’s ok.”

Emily yawned and curled up with a pillow. Kralen watched her closely through the night as she slept. Only once did he have to put a hand on her shoulder to calm a dream, other than that once, he watched her sleep and pondered her earlier questions.

Chapter 4 - Woods

Kralen watched out the window of the Jeep as they drove west toward Council City. They got out of the palace early, because Emily wanted to get a good day’s drive in. The Valle Elders tried to get them to stay another day, but she was anxious to get back.

“Kralen?” Emily asked.

“Yeah?”

“Look behind us.”

Kralen turned and glanced behind the Jeep. Four black Ferrari’s were closing in on them, “Damnit.”

“Who is it?”

“I don’t know. We’re too far from the Valle or the Equites to get any help though.”

“They aren’t trying to box me in. They’re just following.”

Kralen turned and looked around them and then back to the Ferraris, “Just hold steady, not sure what they want.”

“Least I’m in the Jeep. I can off-road this thing.”

“We may need to,” Kralen said. “They’re getting closer.”

Emily glanced in the rear-view mirror and saw the Ferraris pull out of formation and speed toward them. She heard Kralen dialing his cell phone on speaker.

“Kyle here.”

“We’re getting tailed by four Ferraris.”

“Can you tell who?”

“No, they followed us for a while, and are now attempting to box us in… we’re still almost 8 hours out of the city.”

“We’re on the way, see what you can do,” Kyle said, and the phone line disconnected.

“Going 4x4,” Emily said, and slowed slightly while she popped the Rubicon into 4-wheel drive.

Kralen held onto the bar as Emily turned sharply off of the black top, and headed across a swampy field toward the nearby pine trees of the Superior National Forest.

“Watch it,” Kralen said, and hissed.

Emily looked over and saw over twenty dune buggy’s appear from the trees and head towards them, “What the hell??”

“They were waiting for you to off-road this thing,” Kralen hissed. “We fell right into this… it’s a trap.”

“Kralen!” Emily screamed, and slammed on the brakes when a line of men appeared ahead of her in the trees.

“Don’t ash them,” Kralen said as his hands tightened into fists.

“The last time you told me that, we were kidnapped,” she whispered, and watched the men.

“Never mind, they are mortal, won’t matter.”

“Can you take that many?”

“No, but I can take a lot of them.”

Emily reached into her glove box and pulled out the Smith & Wesson .357.

“If heku come, don’t ash them. It’s not worth the risk,” Kralen said, and stepped out.

Emily got out of the Jeep with the gun in her hand. She saw the dune buggies line up behind her, blocking her in.

“What do you want?” Kralen asked angrily.

“We want the girl,” one of the men said. He was short and stocky with dark brown hair and full beard and mustache. She saw that he had a Taser in his hand.

“Kralen,” she whispered, and put a hand on his arm.

“I see it,” he told her.

“What do you want me for?” Emily asked the man.

“We’re bounty hunters. Seems you’re wanted for kidnapping.”

“The Encala,” Kralen whispered.

Emily nodded.

“We have no business with you,” the man said to Kralen. “So just back off and let us have the little gal.”

“No,” Kralen told him. “You’ll have to come through me to get to her.”

“How many are there?” Emily asked, glancing behind her.

“Fifty”

“How many can you take?”

“Maybe all of them. Depends on how well they fight.”

“The Taser then?”

Kralen sighed, “Except for that.”

“Hand her over and no one has to fight,” the man said.

Kralen growled and blurred forward before Emily could stop him. She turned when she heard footsteps behind her and drew the gun, “Get back.”

“You can’t shoot us all,” a woman said from behind her. The woman grinned and took another step forward.

“I can take some of you out,” Emily said, and pointed the gun at the tall, blonde woman.

“For the price on your head, it’d be worth it.”

Emily screamed when she felt arms wrap around her. She struggled to get free as she heard the bloody screams of Kralen’s victims.

“Let me go!” Emily yelled.

“No way, Sweetheart,” the man holding her said.

Emily pulled the trigger on her gun and shot him in the foot. He screamed and fell backwards away from her. She took aim and was able to shoot three of the approaching men before her gun jammed. Spinning quickly, she ran back towards Kralen, but stopped when she saw no one along the trees that once held most of the mortals.

“Kralen!?” Emily yelled, and turned to face the eight mortals left.

“You don’t have a gun anymore. Might as well come with us,” a woman said, grinning.

***

Chevalier slowed down in the Humvee and looked across the Interstate, “See that?”

“Yes,” Kyle said, spying the broken down fence.

He drove through the Interstate’s median, followed by Silas and Mark in Kralen’s Ford F450. They took off over the broken fence, following the massive muddy tire tracks that all headed in the same direction.

“This has to be them. This is right where Kralen said they were,” Kyle said, carefully scanning the trees.

“There,” Chevalier said when he saw Emily’s Jeep surrounded by dune buggies.

“Damnit,” Kyle hissed, and then got out. He looked around the trees, and then yelled for her.

Silas stopped the Ford and got out of it, followed by Mark. Mark walked over to a group of bodies and knelt down, “These are mortals. They’ve been shot mostly. This one has a broken nose.”

“Not these mortals up here,” Silas said from just south of them. “These are heku kills.”

“Elder?” Kyle said, and handed him some papers from one of the dune buggies. He had Emily’s shoes dangling from one hand, “They are bounty hunters. The Encala put out a price on Em’s head.”

Chevalier growled and crumpled up the papers offering $2.5 million for Emily caught alive.

“Maybe they got her,” Kyle whispered.

Chevalier shook his head and scanned the trees, “No, she’s afraid, but not captured… More a frantic panic kind of afraid.”

“So she’s out here in the forest.”

Chevalier nodded.

Mark yelled from almost a quarter of a mile into the trees, “Elder!”

Chevalier, Silas, and Kyle blurred to Mark and saw Kralen unconscious at his feet.

“Is he alive?” Kyle asked, and knelt down.

“Yes, he was electrified,” Mark said, and motioned to a gas generator.

“Stay with him,” Chevalier said as he and Kyle blurred back to the Jeep and began to follow Emily’s trail deep into the forest.

Kyle opened his phone and sighed, “No signal up here.”

“Go back to the road. Call in the Ratliff and Kimber Covens to come help,” Chevalier ordered, and kept following Emily’s trail.

Kyle nodded and headed back for the Interstate.

***

Emily slowly made her way up the face of the small cliff, using her fingers and toes to grasp the nearly flat surface. Her gun was tucked into the back of her pants and she was frantically moving further away from where the mortals attacked. Now she was afraid of the police, too. She’d killed numerous of them to get away, and figured the Encala wouldn’t be far behind them.

She finally managed to pull herself up onto the top of the cliff and rested for only a few moments before continuing deeper into the trees. Her feet were bloody and painful as she ran through the dense forest.

In a small clearing, she glanced around quickly and pulled out her cell phone, then sighed when she saw it had no signal. Looking around, she got her bearings and again headed south. She knew the Encala were after her, and she also knew they would bring enough that she couldn’t ash them all without risking falling unconscious.

***

“They’ll be here within the hour,” Kyle said when he caught up with Chevalier. He looked around when he caught not only Emily’s scent, but the scent of fresh Winchester blood on the forest floor, “She’s hurt.”

Chevalier nodded and touched a blade of grass. He brought his hand up and looked at the blood on his fingers, “Not bad, I think… but still bleeding.”

“It’ll be dark soon,” Kyle said, looking up at the sky.

“I can smell rain, too,” Chevalier said, and walked up to the face of a cliff. He looked up the sheer rocks, “She climbed this.”

They both turned when they heard footsteps and saw Silas, Mark, and Kralen coming up behind them.

“What happened?” Chevalier asked. It was obvious that Kralen was upset with himself.

“The Ferraris began to box us in, so she put it into 4-wheel drive and took it off-road. They had dune buggies full of mortals waiting though, and we were trapped,” Kralen explained. “I headed off to fight the larger of them, and was hit with 17 Tasers. All I remember was the sound of gunshots.”

Mark sighed, “That’s all he knows. They must have taken him away from her before hooking him up to the generator.”

“Elder…” Kralen started.

“It’s not your fault,” Chevalier told him. “Just help us find her, she’s hurt.”

Mark looked up the sheer face of the cliff and touched a bloody footprint on the rocks above his head, “It’s her feet. She’s not wearing shoes. I’m going to start gluing shoes on that girl.”

Silas didn’t hesitate before starting up the cliff carefully, followed by the others. They easily maneuvered up the rocks to the top and looked around.

“Emily!” Kyle yelled, and waited to hear anything.

“How far of a head start does she have?” Mark asked.

“I’d say three hours,” Kralen told him, and looked around. “Here’s her scent.”

The heku headed off, following her scent to the south.

***

Emily finally sat down to rest. Her feet were slowing her down and it was starting to get dark. Rain began to fall and the cold drops almost instantly soaked her clothes. She looked around as she wrapped her arms around herself to keep warm.

Deciding she’d rested enough, she stood up and limped off toward the east. After an hour of moving, she smelled the familiar scent of decay and covered her nose, then followed the smell to a bloated Elk lying at the bottom of a ravine.

“Damnit, this is gross,” Emily said, and kicked the belly of the elk, which broke open, sending rotten entrails out along the forest floor. She cringed and reached her hand into the decaying Elk and brought out a handful of gelatinous, smelly slime.

***

“Gah, something’s dead,” Kyle said, and covered his nose.

“Kimber move off to the west, Ratliff to the east, and we’ll keep heading south,” Chevalier told the large group of gathered heku. “Make sure you keep your capes visible. If she doesn’t see green, she may turn you to ash.”

“Let’s go,” the General from the Kimber Coven ordered, and his group of 45 heku headed off to the west.

“Elder?” the General from Ratliff said.

Chevalier looked over at him.

“Come see this. It’s kind of odd,” he said.

The Council City heku followed him over to the dead, decaying Elk.

“What’s so weird about that?” Dustin asked, looking down at the entrails. Dustin had brought the rest of the Cavalry out to help scour the mountains for Emily.

“This isn’t a natural break,” the General said. “I’m guessing his stomach was forced open and look, there’s a handprint of his blood on this tree.”

Chevalier walked over and looked at the little handprint. He smelled it, and then held his hand up beside it, “She’s masking her scent.”

Mark sighed, “Great.”

Kyle looked around the clearing, “Silas, go tell the Kimber Coven that she’s masking.”

Silas nodded and blurred away.

“So she’s headed east,” Dustin said, and looked into the trees.

“Not necessarily. Emily’s very resourceful, and has a lot of survival skills. I don’t think she’d keep a steady path in any direction,” Kyle told him.

“Ratliffs out!” the General said, and the 31 heku from the Ratliff Coven began trekking east through the trees.

Dustin turned quickly when they heard a wolf howl to the south of them, “Damnit.”

Kyle sighed, “I’ll take Silas and Kralen to take care of those wolves. She smells like rotten flesh. They are going to find her before we do.”

“Go,” Chevalier growled.

Dustin watched them go and then started moving to the south, followed by the rest from Council City.

***

Emily looked up at a crooked pine tree. She grabbed a hold of one of the branches and lifted herself up high into the tree. It was too dark, and she wasn’t able to see the ground anymore. It was still raining and this tree had a thick top, so she decided to climb up to get some rest, away from cold rain and sleet.

Once she was up high up and found a comfortable branch to sit on, she took out her gun and dropped the four spent bullets onto the forest floor below her. She grabbed more rounds from her pocket and reloaded it. After finding a little branch covered in pine needles, she started to clear out the barrel, to see if she could find out why it jammed.

Voices caught her attention and her heart pounded in her chest. She strained to see below her, and finally caught sight of four dark silhouettes moving quickly toward her. She knew they were heku. No mortal could move that fast, especially in the dark. She drew her knees up closer and prayed silently that the branches would keep her out of view.

“Here,” a gruff voice said, and she saw one of the heku bend down to pick up the bullet casings. He looked back at the others, “We’re on the right track. You’re right, she’s masking her scent with a dead animal.”

“She shouldn’t be that hard to track then.” Emily’s eyes grew wide when she recognized William’s voice.

“The others are on her trail too,” a heku woman said from beside them.

“I hear them, they aren’t moving any faster than we are though. There are too many scents out here to track her easily,” William said. Emily sat back against the tree, afraid if she could see them, that they would be able to see her if they looked up.

“Damn wolves are on her trail,” the woman said when a howl sounded from the distance.

“That could be those bloody Powans though,” another strange heku growled, and walked up with the other Encala.

“Damnit, where did she go?” William hissed.

“Split up, let’s see if we can find that dead animal scent again,” the man said, and Emily could hear footsteps as they left the area.

She finally allowed herself to breathe normally and peered over the branch toward the ground. One Encala was left behind, the one holding the bullet casings. Emily waited a few minutes, so the Encala could move further away, and then she turned the heku below her to ash and quickly scrambled down out of the protection of the tree.

Feeling around the base of the tree for moss, she found north and took off quietly toward the south west.

***

“Chevalier!” Kyle gasped. “There are ashes over here.”

Chevalier blurred to his side followed by Dustin, Mark, and Silas. Kralen was still following one of the wolves to see if the indigenous predators could find her. The Elder stopped and bent down by the ashes. He picked up the four bullet casings and slipped them into his pocket, then touched the ash and brought some to his nose.

“The Encala are out here looking for her,” Chevalier growled.

Kyle nodded, “I’m picking up a trace of them off to the south.”

“And the east,” Mark added.

“West too,” Silas said, and joined them by the tree.

“So they split up to find her,” Chevalier said, and looked up into the tree. He reached up and grabbed a high branch, easily pulling himself up into the dense pine tree, “She’s been up here.”

“She’s probably trying to find a safe place to rest and get out of this rain,” Dustin said, and looked around. “Maybe we should call in Powan.”

“Do it. Now that the Encala are out here, it changes everything,” Chevalier told him, and looked around the small clearing.

Dustin blurred away to make the call.

***

Emily moved slowly, inching tree to tree, and checking carefully around her with each move to make sure she wasn’t walking into the Encala. The rain had stopped, but a cold wind blew in from the north and she shivered in her wet clothing. She could see her breath in the dark night, and concentrated so she could hear everything going on around her.

A dark mass came into view and she checked around and then headed for it. She smiled some when she saw the wide opening to a cave hidden behind thick aspen and pine trees. She got onto her stomach and squirmed under the branches to get inside and was finally able to sit down and relax a little.

Emily pulled her arms into her wet t-shirt to try to warm up some, and leaned back against the cold cave wall. Her eyes slowly adjusted and she could see that the cave went further back into the mountain and she could hear the sound of rushing water from deeper inside. She jumped when she heard the howl of wolves and began to wonder if Powan was with her on the mountain.

***

Mark and Silas blurred quickly through the dark trees, following a heku they spotted that was running from them. Silas was a little faster than Mark, and slowly began to catch up to the red clad heku. Their movements were silent, and not even the animals noticed their passing. The Encala wove a strange pattern though the trees as he tried to lose the Equites.

For over an hour they chased him, gaining slowly as their rage fueled them. Just outside of a clearing that led to a large lake, Silas finally managed to tackle the Encala and they immediately blurred into a vicious fight. Mark joined in quickly and the two Equites were easily able to subdue the Encala and pin him to the ground.

“Where is she?” Silas growled.

The Encala glared up at him, “You’re not going to get her. She has our Elder.”

Mark’s grip tightened on his neck, “Tell us.”

The Encala shook his head, unable to speak.

Silas looked toward the lake, “They don’t have her.”

“I figured,” Mark said, and broke the Encala’s neck. He stood up and sighed, “We’re too far off. She couldn’t make it this far.”

“What do we do with him?”

Mark looked down at the Encala as he healed, “Kill him.”

Silas nodded and tore the Encala’s head from his body, and then tossed both the head and the body into the lake.

“Let’s split up and head back,” Mark told him. “You take northeast and I’ll go more toward the west.”

“On it,” Silas said, and disappeared from the clearing.

***

Emily jerked awake when she heard footsteps outside of the cave. She was shivering violently and her teeth chattered as she reached for her gun and peeked out under the trees. She saw the paws of wolves and breathed a sigh of relief. Sliding out of the cave, she stood quickly and watched the wolves move closer to her.

“The Encala are out here, too,” Emily told them.

One of the wolves lowered his body to the ground and began to growl deeply, his sharp teeth showing in the moonlight.

Emily gasped and took a step back as the wolf pack slowly came towards her.

“That’s not a Powan,” she heard from behind her. She glanced briefly and saw a strange heku off in the trees behind her. The moonlight was bright enough that his red cape stood out against the green trees.

Emily raised her gun into the air and shot once, sending the wolves running off into the trees. When they were gone, she turned toward the heku.

He grinned, “Before you even consider turning me to ash… think about how much longer your weak human body can take this cold. You’re freezing to death. I can smell it.”

Emily’s eyes narrowed, “I’d rather freeze to death than return your Elder.”

He took a step towards her, “I can warm you up, Baby Girl.”

Emily sighed, “What’s up with that crap anyway? I’m about as tired of getting hit on as I am of getting smacked around.”

“You’d love it.”

“No, I don’t think I would,” she said, and turned him to ash. Emily quickly ran to his remains and grabbed his clothes. She shook off the ashes and pulled on his shirt, then rolled up the sleeves and fastened his red cape around her shoulders.

She hesitated, and then slipped his socks onto her bare feet and even pulled on his pants, though she realized she would need to hold them up. Lastly, she slipped on his humongous shoes and tied them as tightly as she could before stumbling off into the trees. She knew the sound of her gunfire would draw the heku to her safe cave, and she needed to get as far away as possible.

***

The Equites moved swiftly through the trees, heading toward the single gunshot that rang out from toward the west of them. Chevalier was in the lead, followed closely by the wolves of Powan.

They all stopped abruptly when they smelled the wolves and saw ash scattered around a clearing. Powan appeared as heku again and began to skirt the area.

“Revive him,” Chevalier hissed, and watched as Kyle brought the ashes back to life. The naked Encala screamed as he reformed and then dropped into a defensive crouch.

“Where is she?” Kyle asked, and backhanded him to the ground.

From the forest floor, the Encala looked around, “Where are my clothes?”

Dustin grinned, “I’m going to have to assume that Emily has them.”

“That bitch!”

Kyle kicked him hard in the side and the sound of shattering ribs filled the area. The Encala grasped his side and groaned as he got to his knees.

“How long ago did you see her?” Chevalier hissed.

“About… 30 minutes ago. She was talking to the wolves,” the Encala said, grinning. “Not too bright, that one.”

“Elder,” one of the Powans said, and Chevalier looked over as he got onto his stomach and maneuvered under the thick trees and into the cave.

“What’s in there?” Chevalier asked, walking over to the trees.

“A cave, she’s been in here. I can smell her… but no sign of her now.”

Chevalier turned around as Kyle dislocated both shoulders of the Encala, “Don’t kill him.”

“I don’t plan on it,” he said, and ground his boot into the kneecap of the screaming enemy.

Mark and Silas appeared from the trees and Chevalier turned to them, “What did you find?”

“We chased him down to a lake. He didn’t know anything, so we killed him,” Silas said as he watched Kyle torture the naked Encala.

Mark’s eyes narrowed, “Where are his clothes?”

“We think Emily might have them,” Dustin told him.

“Good… that will help her keep warm… of course, now we’re tracking the Encala scent.”

“Damnit, I hadn’t thought of that,” Dustin said, and frowned. “If she’s going to be chummy with the wolves though, she’s going to end up dead.”

“I would imagine she won’t do that again,” Chevalier said. “Now she won’t trust a wolf.”

“Understood,” General Skinner said, and ordered his heku to stay out of illusion.

Kralen suddenly walked into the clearing, “Her gunshot scared all of the wolves out of the area.”

Chevalier nodded, “We’re tracking Encala now… serves two purposes, if they have her, we’ll already be on the right track… and if they don’t, we can stop them before they find her.”

“Reporting in,” the Ratliff leader said as his coven came into the clearing.

“Any sign of her?”

“No, Elder. The Kimbers aren’t far behind us though, maybe they did.”

The Council City heku all watched in the direction of the approaching coven. They came into the clearing only a few minutes later. The leader walked up to the Elder and handed him a set of clothes, “We found these about a mile west of here.”

Chevalier looked over the clothing, “It’s Em’s.”

“Why would she strip?” Dustin asked, shocked.

“They’re wet and covered in decayed smell. I would imagine she’s now wearing only the Encala’s clothes… to change her scent and probably to help keep warm.”

“Sun’s coming up, that will help,” Kyle said, and watched the horizon.

***

“Don’t turn us to ash. Just hear us out,” William said, watching Emily carefully. She was backed up against a sheer rock wall and he could tell she was starting to panic. She had the heku’s pants held tightly at her chest and was watching the Encala closely.

“Start talking,” she whispered to the twelve gathered Encala.

“We aren’t stupid. We know you can take us out without even thinking about it, but we can help you. We can get you warm and get you some food.”

“Then what? Kidnap me and put me in an interrogation room?”

“I wouldn’t do that. I was just mad when I threatened that.”

“You would too do that!” Emily yelled. “You want Frederick back, and I don’t care what you do to me, he’s going to suffer before I release him.”

“You can’t keep running,” William said softly. “It’s dangerous out here. Your gun only scared the wolves away, but they’ll be back.”

“I can handle the wolves.”

“The Equites aren’t even out here looking for you. They got turned around and are hundreds of miles from here.”

“So? I can find a road… a town… I might even get phone signal somewhere.”

“We won’t hurt you,” William said, and took a step closer. “I swear to you.”

“I don’t trust you, so get back before I turn you all to ash,” she hissed.

William sighed, “You cannot survive out here.”

“I can too, the sun’s up. I’m warming up as we speak.”

“Where is the Encala that you took the clothes from?”

“Ashed”

One of the Encala Palace Guards growled, “Where is he?”

“I don’t know! I don’t know where I am or where I was when I did it.”

“Calm down,” William told his guard, and then turned back to Emily. “I’m not mad about that. I’m not mad about anything. You have to trust me.”

“No”

“What if we can exchange one of the Valle Elders for Frederick?” William asked.

“No… Frederick is the one I want.”

“The Valle started that battle.”

“Frederick led those who killed my friends.”

“On the Valle’s orders.”

“No”

“It’s a fair exchange, one of the Valle Elders for Frederick.”

“I said no,” Emily yelled.

“No one’s out here to help you,” he said, starting to get mad. “You can turn us to ash, but then you’ll die out here. Do you even know where you are?”

“No,” she whispered.

“Nowhere, that’s where. There’s not a town for miles in any direction, and tonight there’s snow in the forecast.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“Where is Frederick?” the Encala’s Chief Interrogator asked, and stepped closer to her.

Emily’s eyes narrowed, “I’m not going to tell you.”

“The Elder may not put you into interrogation, but I sure as hell will.”

She gasped.

“Tell me or you’ll think Exavior’s room was child’s play!”

“Stop it,” William told him.

Emily looked up at the sky briefly. She couldn’t figure out what to do. If William was right about her location, and about how the Equites weren’t even close to her, then he was also right that she could easily die out here.

“I told Chev that Robert is the last that I ever trust,” she whispered.

“Who is Robert?” William asked, and put his hands up slowly before stepping closer to her.

“Come with us, Emi. It’s ok, the Encala are helping us,” Mark said, and stepped out from behind a tree. The dark clouds caused a shadow that shrouded his face and she couldn’t fully see him.

Emily smiled and ignored the use of her seldom used nickname, “Mark.”

He put a hand out, “Come on, let’s go get warm.”

She frowned slightly, something was off, “Stay back.”

Mark stopped and smiled at her, “Emily, let’s get warm. Quinn has a pizza waiting for you.”

“Chevalier’s waiting back at the Jeep,” Silas said, and emerged into the clearing.

“Stop, don’t move closer,” she told her guards. She watched them, studying their faces. Something was wrong and she couldn’t figure it out.

“Why? Why stay here when we can go?” Mark asked.

“Something’s not right.”

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t know,” she whispered, and watched her two guards.

“We called the Encala in. They were close and they’ve been helping us.”

“They told me you weren’t even here,” she said.

“They’re idiots too, what can I say? Let’s go… Alex and Dain are waiting for you,” Silas said.

Emily frowned, “Alex?”

“Yes”

“Not Lexi?”

Silas stopped moving forward and glanced at William before looking over at Emily, “We’re all just worried about you, what does it matter if I called her Alex?”

Emily looked at Mark, “I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“That I can’t trust you two… something’s not right… and I can’t trust the Encala. We’re enemies.”

“We don’t have to be,” William said.

Emily wiped the blood from her nose onto her hand and then onto the grass at her feet. She walked forward and looked at the fourteen sets of ashes, then took three of the red capes and wrapped them around herself before running off from the remains.

***

The heku leading the Kimber Coven knelt down by one of the piles of ashes, “These are recent.”

“Sir, there’s a bloody handprint over here,” one of them said, and turned to the leader.

He stood up and walked over, touching it lightly. He brought his fingers to his nose and inhaled, shut his eyes, and then whispered, “It’s her.”

“Two of these uniforms are Equites,” a female heku said, and turned when she heard the Elder coming.

“I saw that,” the leader told her. “We’ll see what the Elder says.”

“What did you…” Chevalier stopped when he saw the ashes, “Damn.”

Mark frowned and grabbed one of the green capes, “There are Equites with them?”

Kralen grabbed another and smelled it, “Equites uniforms, but they smell like Encala.”

“Give me that,” Chevalier growled. Kralen handed the green cape over and Chevalier smelled it briefly.

“There’s a bloody handprint over here,” the Kimber Leader said.

Kyle went over and touched it softly, “She would get a bloody nose from this.”

“So they are trying to trick her now… by telling her the Encala have joined the Equites,” Mark growled.

“She obviously didn’t believe it,” Chevalier said. “Revive them so we can get some answers.”

Kyle nodded and began to revive the Encala, one at a time. The fifth one he revived screamed angrily, and when he stood up, the Equites all gasped.

“What the hell?” Mark yelled as the reformed Encala looked exactly like him.

He grinned, “Your little bitch isn’t going to last much longer out here.”

“Why do you look like me?”

“You figure it out,” he said, and stretched as the burning pain began to fade.

“Damn,” Kyle said when another of the Encala revived looked like Silas.

“Hey!” Silas yelled.

The Encala Silas sighed and shrugged, “Guess we got a few things wrong.”

“Meaning?” Chevalier growled.

“Who the hell calls an Alexis, Lexi?” he asked, amused.

“I do,” Silas growled.

“Apparently, damn. She’s the most untrusting mortal I’ve ever met.”

Chevalier stood before William as he reformed, “You have a hell of a lot of explaining to do.”

William groaned and put his hands against his knees, “I’ll never get used to that burn.”

“I hope not,” Chevalier said. “What did you do?”

William stood up and looked around, “We want our Elder back, and as you don’t seem to want to return him, we took it into our own hands. Course, there is one consolation, now when you find her, she won’t trust even you,” he said, and then grinned.

Chevalier growled, “Get these fourteen back to the palace, hold them until I get there.”

Powans appeared and pulled the Encala from the area.

“Now what?” Kyle asked, looking out over the tree filled valley below them.

“I’m not sure. William was right. She’s not going to trust even us now.”

***

Emily was following the sounds of men talking and finally saw smoke rising from a campfire. She lowered to the ground and peeked out from around a thick evergreen tree, then watched as four men sat around a campfire while a fifth cleaned out a poached deer. They were drinking and laughing about eluding law enforcement.

One of the men reached into his pocket and pulled out a cell phone when it rang. He began talking to what sounded like a wife or girlfriend. Emily moved back behind the tree and pulled out her own cell phone. She checked, but still wasn’t getting service from her cell phone company.

“Spying on us, Beautiful?” Emily heard from behind her. She sighed and turned around to face a tall, thin man. He was bald, with a swastika tattooed across the side of his head and a vicious scar on his chin.

“No, I’m lost and I need to borrow a phone,” she told him, and took a step backwards.

He ran his eyes down her and grinned, “Where’s your clothes?”

Emily looked down at the huge guard uniform, “They were wet, and I found these.”

“What did you find, Barry?” another man asked as he rounded the tree.

“A spy.”

The man smiled at Emily, “Interesting.”

“Listen, I don’t want any trouble. I just need to borrow a phone,” Emily said, and fell back into an attack stance that the Encala taught her.

“You ready to fight us?” a third man asked, and stepped out from around the tree. This man was shorter with a thick neck and broad shoulders. His brown hair was greasy and hung down to the middle of his back.

“Just let me use a phone, please,” Emily said, and clenched her hands into fists.

“You done seen us breaking the law. We c’aint let you go now,” the first man told her, and took a step forward.

Emily slipped the gun out of her pocket and pointed it directly between his eyes, “You don’t have a choice. Now you can give me your damned phone or I’ll take it.”

He grinned, “You’re pretty small to be making demands.”

“I may be small, but I’m armed and grouchy.”

He leaned his head back and started to laugh, “Feisty, too.”

Emily screamed when a strong force from behind knocked her down and slam her into the ground. Rough hands ripped the gun away from her and press her head against the dirt, “Now you aren’t so tough, are you, Baby?”

“Let me go,” she hissed, and he roughly flipped her over and straddled her hips, holding her down.

The man grinned down at her and began to unbutton the large guard’s shirt she wore, “I think you’re in some kinda trouble with the law… just likes us… and I don’t think you can run and get help.”

Emily managed to pull an arm out from under his and slammed her palm up into his nose. The man immediately fell back against the ground, unmoving. She scrambled to her feet while the other men watched her, too shocked to move.

She spun on them, “Leave me the hell alone.”

The shortest man knelt down by the one Emily punched and then looked up, “She done kilt him.”

“He c’aint be dead,” the taller one said, and knelt down beside the dead man. “Fuck, she did kill him.”

Emily took a step back and watched them.

The taller man stood up and glared at her, “You Bitch! Now you’ll pay for that.”

“Stay away from me,” Emily growled, and began to back up.

“No! You done kilt Carlos,” he said, and stepped toward her. She tried to dodge him, but he lunged at her and grabbed her roughly by the shoulders, “You took our hunting partner, now you’ll repay us.”

Emily tried to pull away from him as he ran his tongue up her face and then kissed her forcefully.

She brought her knee up hard, and caught him in the groin as she bit his bottom lip. Her mouth filled with his blood and he fell to his knees before her. Without waiting, she took off running into the trees.

“Hey!” one of the men screamed, and ran after her. She turned in time to see the heavy set man falling behind, but ran into someone and fell onto her back on the dirt.

“Nope, not getting away,” he said, and pulled her up to standing by her arm. He had a tight grip on her arm as he hauled her back to camp.

“Bitch!” the man she kneed screamed at her as he got to his feet.

Emily tried again to pull her arm away from the one restraining her, but couldn’t get it loose. She glanced at him long enough to ascertain that he didn’t have any attack points easily available to her, but she knew he would eventually.

“Get her back to camp,” he snarled, and Emily was forcibly pulled into their camp.

“You have no idea what you’re dealing with,” Emily told them. “Let me go… now.”

“No, I don’t think we will,” he said, and grinned at her. Walking forward, he began to unbutton the guard’s shirt again.

Emily tried to kick him, but the man holding her arm pulled her back and held tightly while the other removed her shirt, leaving just a thin camisole.

“I still wish I knew whose clothes these was,” he said, and pulled the pants out of her grasp so they slid down to her ankles.

“There we go, that’s much better,” the restraining man said, and moved her back to a tree. Her arms were pulled painfully back around the tree and he tied them tightly.

“Let me go,” she screamed.

“No, I wanna look at you for a while,” he said, and stood in front of her, running his eyes down her body as he reached out and softly touched the exposed skin on her thigh.

Emily kicked out at him and caught his knee cap, displacing it and sending him screaming to the ground.

“Stop it!” the tallest man said, and pressed his body against hers as he forced her face up with his hand so she was looking at him. “You better watch it, Princess. You is going to get yourself killed.”

He looked into her eyes and then pressed his lips to hers as she pushed against him. When his tongue began to run across her lips, she quickly bit it, and he screamed and moved away from her. Suddenly, he backhanded her and she slid down against the tree until she was sitting on the forest floor.

“You’r ay or at,” he mumbled, not able to talk properly.

She spit out a mouthful of blood and looked up at him.

***

“I smell death,” Kyle said, and looked around the forest.

“Yeah, I just caught that too… it’s mortal,” Mark said, and started through the trees toward the smell.

“Hold off calling the Elder until we find what it is,” Kyle whispered, and followed him.

Within just a few minutes, Mark found the body of a mortal man, and he knelt down beside it and pulled the dead man’s face toward him, “His nose is broken.”

“Em did it,” Kyle said, and looked around. “I smell others here, but it’s been a while.”

“He didn’t die here. There’s no blood on the ground,” Mark said, and stood up.

“Here’s a trail,” Kyle said, and blurred through the forest, followed closely by Mark. They both stopped when they smelled more mortals and a campfire. They walked forward slowly, using the night’s darkness to hide them from view.

Mark hissed softly when he spotted Emily tied to a tree off to the side of the camp. She was wearing only the camisole and panties and was bound and gagged. Her head was away from them, and it looked to them like she was asleep against the tree, though her arms were bent at abnormal angles around it.

Kyle’s hands tightened into fists and he moved closer to hear what the men around the campfire were saying.

“Are you ok, dude?” one of them said.

“’At ithi’ my ongue!” he mumbled.

Another man laughed, “Man, she bit you good, you c’aint even talk.”

“Stop laughing, idiot! She broke my knee and ‘bout busted my balls,” another said, irritated.

“Feisty that one. What are we going to do with her?”

“Rest up and then we’ll have some fun. We’ll kill her when were done,” he said, and shifted slightly, groaning when he moved his knee. Kyle and Mark saw that he had his pants pulled up above his knee and it was swelling badly and bruised deep blue and purple.

“You can have her, Dude! If she bit off his tongue, imagine what she’d do to your pecker,” the smallest man said, and laughed before opening another beer and taking a drink.

“Oh, I ill,” he mumbled, his words slurred and he spit out another mouthful of blood.

“Who the hell are you?” the short man asked, and stood up when he saw Mark and Kyle walk into camp.

“We’re with her,” Mark said, and moved to untie Emily from the tree. She jerked at his touch and then looked wide-eyed at Kyle.

The men all stood and faced Kyle, “You can’t have her. She kilt our friend and assaulted two of us. She owes us.”

Kyle grinned, “You got beat up by a girl?”

“You’re about to get beat up by us. How’s about them apples?” one of them said, and stepped forward. Mark moved to stand by Kyle once Emily’s hands were untied, and he watched them angrily.

“Bear attack,” Kyle whispered, and eyed the man closest to him.

“Ain’t no bears near this camp,” the closest said, and grinned slightly.

The fight was fast. It lasted only a few seconds and the men were lying in heaps around the campfire while Kyle and Mark came out unscathed.

“Where’d she go?” Kyle asked, and looked toward the tree.

Mark walked over, “I untied her. Didn’t think she’d run off.”

“Her scent is strong. I’m going after her. You go get the others,” Kyle said, and ran off in the direction Emily left.

Mark turned and blurred the other direction, heading to the staging location almost six miles to the west of them.

“If we have to, we can call in Thukil,” Chevalier was telling Dustin at the staging location.

“We found her,” Mark said, blurring up to them. “She ran off though.”

“Is she ok?”

“Some poachers had her, she… she wasn’t dressed anymore… and was bound and gagged, tied to a tree. When I let her go, we killed the men and by the time we turned around, she was gone,” Mark explained.

Chevalier growled and disappeared to the east, following Mark’s scent through the trees. He stopped in the camp of the poachers and looked over at the piles of bodies.

Mark picked up a heap of clothes matching the Encala uniform, and then headed after where Kyle disappeared thirty minutes before. Chevalier glanced quickly around the camp and then followed him, with Dustin, Silas, and Kralen close behind.

They stopped when they saw Kyle and Mark facing a cliff. Emily was standing dangerously close to a steep drop off, and Chevalier moved to stand beside them.

She looked over at him, “Don’t come any closer.”

“We won’t,” Chevalier said, and took the clothes from Mark. “Here though.”

She watched as he tossed the Encala’s clothes at her. She reached down and pulled them on quickly, keeping a close eye on the heku. When she stood back up, she carefully rolled up the sleeves and clutched the pants tightly to her chest.

“What can we do then?” Kyle asked.

“Just stay back and let me think,” she said, and glanced behind her. The drop off fell hundreds of feet to a shallow river below.

“If we move back, will you step away from the cliff?” Mark asked.

“No,” she said, and looked at those gathered.

“We know about the look-alikes the Encala had,” Mark said. “Will it be easier if Silas and I leave?”

“No”

“What did they do, Em?” Chevalier asked, watching her.

“Those men?”

“Yes”

“Threats”

“That’s it?”

“One hit me.”

Chevalier nodded, “What can we do to get you to move away from the cliff?”

“Nothing… just let me think,” she said, and looked off to the side. The moon was shadowed by thick black clouds and she wasn’t able to see far from her.

“We killed the men and the Encala are back at the palace in prison,” Kyle told her.

“I’m going to prison,” Emily whispered, and looked around.

“What for?” Chevalier asked.

“I… I killed… people,” she said, and her voice cracked at the end.

“You aren’t going to prison for that. No one will ever know.”

“I always get caught.”

“Not this time, we’ve gotten rid of them.”

She shook her head, “I can’t trust you.”

“I know.”

“I’ve been thinking about what you said,” Kralen told her, and took one small step forward.

“What?” she asked, edging back another inch toward the cliff.

“About a girlfriend… I think you’re right. I don’t want the lifetime commitment.”

She looked closely at him, “You don’t?”

Ignoring odd glances from the others, he grinned, “No… I’m not admitting to being what you called me, but I will admit that one woman for the rest of my life… seems boring.”

Emily ran forward and into Kralen’s arms. She leaned her head against his chest and shook, “I can’t trust the others. You shouldn’t either.”

“I do trust them, though,” Kralen told her, and held her tightly. He looked over at Chevalier and got a nod of approval, “Let’s go.”

“No,” Emily told him and began to push him away from the others. “You need to trust me, get back.”

“Em…” he started, but she turned to face the others.

“Get back.”

“We can all give you personal information, Em, to let you know it’s us,” Chevalier told her.

Emily turned and looked at Kralen, whispering, “I don’t know what to do.”

“Let me take you back to the palace,” he suggested.

Emily glanced at the others and then nodded, “Ok.”

Kralen gently picked her up and blurred back toward the Interstate where her Jeep and the other heku’s vehicles were waiting. The others kept a safe distance behind them and Emily leaned her head against his shoulder and shut her eyes as he ran. When a light snow began, she pulled the red cape closer around her.

She’d barely started to drift off when Kralen slowed and she looked over at the Jeep surrounded by Equites cars. Kralen set her down, and she crawled into the passenger seat and cranked the heater up when Kralen started it and drove off for Council City.

Emily curled up on her side and watched Kralen for a while before speaking, “Thank you.”

“For what?” he asked, and glanced at her.

“Coming to get me.”

“It’s the least I could do, Em. I let them get to you.”

She frowned, “That wasn’t your fault.”

“It was my fault. I knew we should have taken a helicopter back to the palace.”

“Right… and I said no.”

“I should have known they would expect and plan for us to off-road the Jeep.”

“This isn’t your fault.”

“When I saw they were all mortals. I should have just blurred you away and not tried to fight them.”

“Kralen…” she whispered, and touched his arm. “It’s not your fault.”

“Tell me the truth. What did those hillbillies do to you?”

“I did tell the truth, one of them hit me, but that’s it.”

“They took your clothes.”

“Just the big stuff.”

“And?”

“And that’s it. I know what they were planning, I’m not stupid, but they hadn’t recovered enough they said.”

Kralen grinned slightly, “You did do some pretty good damage.”

“I didn’t mean to kill one of them,” she said, and turned back to face forward.

“You had to, it was self-defense.”

“It was murder.”

“Self-defense is not murder. By that point it was either you or them.”

“I killed someone,” she whispered, and bit at her knuckle.

Kralen pulled the Jeep into the palace’s garage and shut the engine off. He looked over at the doors, “The Valle are here for some reason.”

Emily looked over at the door, “I don’t want to see them.”

He nodded and got out as she did the same. She limped slowly toward the door, still clutching the Encala’s pants at her chest to keep them from falling.

“Here, Em,” Kralen said, and picked her up. It was obvious that the damage to her feet was hurting her, and the Encala’s shoes were too big to help. As he headed up the stairs with her, Sotomar and Quinn came out from the council chambers to greet them. Emily turned away from them and put her face against Kralen’s shoulder.

“How badly is she injured?” Quinn asked, looking her over.

Kralen glanced at Sotomar, “She doesn’t wish to see you.”

He looked her over and then nodded, and disappeared back into the council chambers. Quinn followed Kralen up the stairs as he put Emily down on the bed and knelt down to slip her shoes off.

She looked up when Dr. Cook came in, but then watched Kralen carefully peel off the blood soaked socks and sigh, “This looks pretty bad.”

“Let me see,” Dr. Cook said, and knelt down by Emily. She leaned back on the bed and let them do what they could with the cuts and bruises on her feet.

“Feet and a bruised cheek, anything else?” Quinn asked, and sat down beside her.

“No, that’s it,” she whispered, and looked around the room. The fires were lit and were quickly warming the room.

“I need to get some things,” Dr. Cook said, and blurred from the room.

“Em, the others want to come in,” Kralen told her, and stood up.

“How can I trust them?” she asked, and leaned up on her elbows.

Quinn frowned, “We have the Encala imprisoned, even those that look like Mark and Silas.”

“There could be more.”

“I don’t think so, that took a lot of pre-planning to do.”

“How did they do it?” Kralen asked.

“They found mortals that looked similar and then sent them to a plastic surgeon… once finished, they were turned.”

“My God,” Kralen gasped. “I’ve never heard of anything like that.”

“None of us have. The amount of preparation is astounding,” Quinn said. “I even wonder if this was planned before Frederick’s disappearance.”

Kralen sighed, “It’s going to get worse.”

“Yes, it will.”

Emily sighed, “All because of Frederick.”

“It’s worse than you could imagine,” Quinn told her, and watched the doctor come back and begin working on her feet.

“How bad?” Chevalier asked when he walked in.

Emily looked up at him and studied his face and movements to see if she could trust him.

“Cuts, bruises, and I need to clean out the wounds. They are full of dirt and rocks,” he said, and pulled out a small needle.

“Come here, Em,” Kralen said, and sat down beside her. He reached over and pulled her onto his lap and trapped her arms down.

“What…” she started to ask, and then gasped and screamed when the doctor began injecting lidocaine into her feet. “No!”

“It’s almost done,” Kralen whispered and held her tightly as she squirmed to get out of his grasp.

“Please, it hurts,” Emily cried, and leaned against his shoulder.

“I know.”

Chevalier watched them carefully. He knew Emily only trusted Kralen, but their closeness made his jealous tendencies pull forward. He also noticed an odd behavior from Kralen and wasn’t sure what to make of it.

“Ok, that’s done, now you won’t feel a thing,” Dr. Cook said, and began picking rocks and dirt out of the cuts on her feet with tweezers.

Kralen loosened his grasp on Emily, but held her in case he needed to restrain her again. The doctor worked quickly and it was only an hour later when he finished and handed two pain pills over to Emily.

“I suggest you stay off of your feet for a day or two, and after that, think about wearing shoes,” he said, and left the room.

“Here,” Kralen said, and handed her some juice. She looked up at him and then took the two pills and crawled off of his lap to lie down on the bed, “You need to trust the Elder.”

Emily looked over at Chevalier, “Do you trust him?”

“Yes”

Kralen, Quinn, and Chevalier watched her until she fell asleep and then moved to the council chambers.

“How is she?” Zohn asked when they walked in. Quinn and Chevalier took the chairs on the stand and Kralen moved to the trial area.

“Sleeping, the doctor had to do some work on her feet,” Chevalier explained and looked over at Kralen. “Do you want to give a report?”

Over the next hour, Kralen explained everything that happened before her disappearance, until they arrived back at the palace. Chevalier filled the other Elders in on the search for Emily and the death of the poachers.

Quinn nodded, “We will return William and the Chief Interrogator then, and keep the other Encala to try them for this.”

“Sir?” Kralen said, and turned to Chevalier. “I am hereby resigning from my position and will return to my coven immediately.”

Chevalier frowned, “Why would you do that?”

Mark and Silas entered, and walked up by Kralen.

“That’s the second time she’s been injured in my care. I allowed mortals to get to her, the Encala to try to kidnap her, and I allowed her to commit murder, something she’s not equipped to handle.”

“None of this is your fault.”

He slipped off his cape and handed the rank pins to Mark, “It is, and I care too much about her to put her through that.”

“Kralen…” Mark started, but the heku merely bowed to the Council and then left.

“Talk to him,” Chevalier said to Mark and Silas, and both nodded and followed after him.

“He tried to get Emily to take a helicopter home from the Valle,” Chevalier said. “He said he had a feeling that the Encala might try to attack.”

“Let me guess, Emily talked him out of it,” Quinn said.

“Yes, she did.”

“He’s one of our best guards. That attack would have happened even if the Council had been there.”

“I know. She’s not going to take it lightly when she finds out he quit.”

“Nor is she going to take it well that by quitting his position here, he’ll more than likely be either imprisoned or ostracized by his coven,” Zohn sighed.

“Maybe Mark and Silas will get him to stay,” Dustin said.

“I will try, too,” Kyle told them, and left the room.

“He’s blaming himself for physical and emotional pain that Emily is going through, and will go through,” Chevalier whispered. “I don’t think he’ll change his mind.”

“Do you blame him, at all?” Zohn asked.

“No, I don’t. In fact, his quick thinking got Emily away from a ledge and got her back here.”

“She’s difficult to guard and needs to learn some control before she drives away the entire Cavalry,” Dustin said calmly.

Chevalier glared at him, “Shut up, Dustin.”

“This wasn’t her fault,” Zohn said to the Powan. “Yes, kidnapping Frederick started it, but this attack couldn’t have been prevented.”

Mark returned to the Council several hours later. He was visibly upset, “He’s gone.”

Kyle came in through the back doors and returned to his seat, “The three of us couldn’t get him to stay. He’s blaming himself for all of this and for the… ritual… Exavior performed on her.”

“I was there for that!” Mark growled. “He shouldn’t blame himself.”

“He said he’s no longer fit to be her guard or her friend,” Kyle told them. “He took off in his truck for his coven and said he’s going to suggest they imprison him.”

Chevalier shook his head, “None of this is necessary.”

Chapter 5 - Teenager

“Mommmmy?” Dain whispered, and kissed her forehead.

Emily looked up and smiled, then pulled him under the covers for a hug, “I missed you, Baby.”

“Feets owie?” he asked, and pulled the covers down off of him.

“Yeah,” she said, and sat up. She looked over at Chevalier, who was sitting in a chair by the fire.

He smiled at her, “Good morning.”

“Good morning,” she whispered, and pulled Dain onto her lap. He rested his head against her shoulder and smiled.

“Breakfast is on the way.”

“Ok”

“Are you ok?” he asked, watching her closely.

She nodded, “Yeah, I am.”

“Do you trust me?”

“Yes, if Kralen does then so do I… it’s just… they looked just like Mark and Silas.”

“I know.”

“I’ll be so glad to get rid of Frederick and stop this,” she said, and sat up on the side of her bed.

“There’s an easy fix for that.”

“I know,” she said, and grinned slightly, “But he deserves pain and I’ll give it to him first.”

“Mom… can we…” Alexis said as she walked in, but stopped talking when she saw Chevalier in the room. “Never mind.”

“Wait,” Emily said as Alexis went to leave. “What’s up?”

Alexis glanced nervously at Chevalier and then back to Emily, “Nothing, we’ll talk about it later.”

Chevalier raised an eyebrow, “Tell us.”

“Are you ok?” she asked her Mom.

“I am. Wanna go out riding later?”

“Yes,” Alexis said, and smiled. “That’d be fun.”

“Well I want to know what’s going on,” Chevalier said.

“Can we go without guards?” Alexis asked, watching Emily.

“Sure”

“No, you cannot,” Chevalier interrupted.

Emily sighed, “Yes, we can, we’ll talk later.”

Alexis nodded and took Dain’s hand, “Let’s go get something to eat.”

“Blood!” Dain screamed and blurred from the room.

Alexis sighed, “I hate when he does that.”

Emily watched as Alexis followed Dain out of the room and shut the door behind her.

“After everything that happened, you’re going to go out by yourself?” Chevalier asked her, frowning.

“Yes, sounds to me like Alex and I need a mother/daughter talk.”

“Guards can watch from far away then.”

“No, it’s not going to hurt us to go out for a little while by ourselves.”

“Em…”

“Where is the Encala’s Chief Interrogator?”

“He and William are being released today,” Chevalier said, not yet finished with their earlier conversation.

“So he’s still in the palace?”

“Yes, they are both talking to the Council. Take Mark and Silas, they won’t even be seen.”

“No,” she said, and stood up. “Damnit!”

“What?” Chevalier asked, instantly at her side.

She sat back down suddenly, “My feet.”

“Dr. Cook said you should stay off of them.”

“I need to talk to that Interrogator.”

Chevalier nodded, “Ok, I’ll carry you.”

She looked up at him and sighed, “Fine, but hand me some clothes first though, just a dress, something fast.”

Chevalier went to her closet and pulled out his favorite emerald green sundress and handed it to her. She quickly slipped off the rest of the Encala’s clothes and pulled on the dress. When she was done, she took a cup of coffee from a servant and Chevalier picked her up and carried her down to the council chambers. When he sat her down in her chair, he took his seat and watched William and the Encala’s Chief Interrogator.

“I have a bone to pick with you,” Emily said to the Chief Interrogator.

He looked at her and glared, “What?”

“Never… ever… threaten me again,” she said, and he fell to ash at the feet of his Elder.

“How dare you!” William yelled.

“No, I won’t put up with that! That entire nightmare was your fault, and he had no right threatening to put me into his interrogation room.”

Chevalier growled from beside her.

“He did?” Kyle yelled and stood up.

“Return our Elder.”

“No! And you better hope I don’t tell Sotomar that you offered up one of the Valle Elders in return for Frederick.”

William’s eyes grew wide and he glanced at the Equites Elders, “That… was… we didn’t mean it.”

“You did too.”

“We just want Frederick back.”

“When I’m ready, not a moment before.”

He glared at her, “You will not get a moment’s peace until our Elder is returned.”

“Do not threaten my wife!” Chevalier yelled.

“Then get control of her,” William told him.

“Get out, and take your ashes with you,” Zohn said, and watched William gather the ashes of his Chief Interrogator and then storm out of the palace.

“There’s one simple solution,” Dustin said, and looked over at her.

“No,” Emily told him and stood up. She cried out slightly when her feet hit the floor and then she walked on the sides of her feet toward the door, “I’m going out with Alex for a while.”

“Take Mark… please,” Chevalier sighed.

“No,” she told him again, and walked out the door.

“Em…” Silas sighed and picked her up. “Where are you going?”

“Stables,” she said, and held on while he carried her out to her horse. Alexis was waiting for her and had the stallion tied to the hitching post and she was mounted on her mare.

“Wait a minute, I’ll go,” Silas said, and headed into the stables.

“We’re soloing this one,” Emily said, and smiled when he looked at her. “We’ll be back in a bit.”

“I can stay a ways off from you.”

“Stay… go find Kralen, I haven’t seen him today,” she told him, and headed off, followed by Alexis.

“I’m not telling her,” Silas said when Mark came out of the stables.

“I don’t want to either. We’ll have the Elder tell her.”

Silas nodded, “I can’t believe after yesterday, that she’s out there alone.”

“The Elder said Alexis needs a girl talk.”

“Oh, well, maybe I’m glad then,” he said, and grinned before walking off.

Emily turned and looked over the city, “So what’s up, Alex?”

Alexis pulled her horse up next to Emily, “No guards around?”

Emily looked around the clearing, “Better not be, I said no guards.”

“No one can know.”

“What is it then?”

Alexis sighed, “How old were you when you first fell in love?”

Emily smiled slightly, “Well… I thought I was in love at 14.”

“With that Keith guy?”

“Yes”

“Then you married him.”

“Right, when I was 17.”

“But now you don’t think you loved him?”

“No, I didn’t. He protected me from the vampires, at least I thought he did, and I mistook that protection for love.”

“How old was he?” Alexis asked, and looked over at her Mom.

“When we met he was 26, so 29 when we got married.”

“What did your Dad think?”

Emily thought for a moment, “Dad hated him.”

“Why?”

“Keith was… mean, controlling, and underhanded. I think Dad knew that.”

“I see,” Alexis said, and patted her mare’s neck.

“Who is it then?” Emily asked, and looked at her daughter.

“Who is what?”

“The guy.”

Alexis grinned sheepishly and began to blush, “I can’t say.”

“Have you talked to him?”

“Yes”

“A lot?”

She shrugged, “I don’t know.”

“Does he know you like him?”

“No!” Alexis yelled, and blushed deeper.

“I’ll take it he’s heku.”

“Yes, I don’t know any humans.”

“True… so I would say… talk more, get to know him.”

“I do.”

“Really well?”

“Yeah, I think.”

“But he doesn’t know you like him.”

“Right”

Emily smiled and watched over the city again, “Do I get to have a name?”

“No”

“Do I know him?”

“Yes, that’s why you can’t know who it is.”

“Ok,” Emily said, still smiling. She was finding this amusing.

“Dad would kill him.”

She fell serious, “I’m not sure what Chev would do. For now, let’s keep it from him.”

“Good call.”

They sat in silence for a few minutes before Alexis sighed softly.

“What?” Emily asked, and looked at her.

“Well… it’s just…”

“What?”

“I’m… just, me.”

“What’s wrong with that?”

“Well… Allen’s older, and Dain is full heku, I’m… neither heku nor human.”

“Neither am I. It still doesn’t matter.”

“Yeah but you can ash, like… really well. I have to look the heku in the eye to do it,” Alexis said, visibly upset.

“What does ashing have to do with liking this heku?”

“It’s just cool, Mom. I don’t have anything like that.”

Emily frowned, “You’re a sweet girl. You’re pretty and smart, there’s nothing not to like.”

Alexis shrugged, “It’d just be nice to be able to be as strong as you are.”

“I’m far from strong.”

“I mean ashing. You could wipe out that entire city right now if you wanted to.”

“Yeah, so?”

“I have nothing.”

“So… a heku couldn’t be interested in you because you’re not a heku, yet not human, and you can’t wipe out the city… so you aren’t cool…”

“Right, the factions fight over you, you’re that valuable. I was kidnapped once and that was just to get to you.”

Emily laughed slightly, “So I’m cool because I keep getting kidnapped?”

“Not really that,” Alexis said, and looked at her again, “But at least you’re valuable enough to be kidnapped.”

Emily nodded, finally understanding, “So it’s a guard you like.”

“How did you know?” Alexis asked, shocked.

“Because, you want this guard to have to rescue you.”

“Well…”

“And if you could ash like I can… be a full Winchester, you think the other factions might try to kidnap you and then your guard would save you.”

“You make it sound stupid.”

“No, I fully understand… there’s…” Emily checked again for watching eyes. “There’s something… attractive, about being protected. Tell your Dad and I’ll string you up.”

Alexis grinned, “Yeah there is.”

“However, I don’t think getting kidnapped is the trick.”

“Can you at least teach me to ash like you do?”

“Why?”

“It’s just so cool, Mom, so powerful.”

“Sure, why not.”

“And… Mom… there has to be more than jeans and t-shirts.”

“So you want to dress more like a girl?”

“Yes, don’t you?”

“Nope, I dress exactly how I want to.”

“Oh”

“You need to give yourself more credit. I’m not all that powerful and strong… you have half of your Dad in you, and he’s the one you should try to be like.”

“Dad?”

Emily nodded, “Yes, he’s the strong one. He’s a leader, one that demands respect.”

“He’s just… Dad.”

“To us, I know, but to the others, he’s very much revered.”

“Yeah, I guess.”

“Let’s go to the prison then, we’ll practice.”

“Yes!” Alexis yelled, and kicked her mare into a gallop. Emily laughed and followed her. The Cavalry was changing shifts when they rode up and took the horses from Alexis and Emily.

When Silas and three other members of the Cavalry fell in behind Emily, she looked over at Alexis’ two guards and saw that Alexis had a blush rising to her cheeks. She watched as Alexis headed inside and how she couldn’t look at the young, blond heku guard walking behind her.

“Who’s the blond guard?” Emily asked, following them in.

“Gabe,” Silas told her.

“Gabe,” Emily whispered, and the heku turned toward her.

“Yes, Ma’am?”

“I’m watching you,” she said, and glared at him.

His eyes grew wide and he rushed up to take his place behind Alexis again.

“Do I need to handle him?” Mark asked from behind her.

“No, I got this,” Emily said, then smiled and took Alexis’ hand. “Ok, no guards for an hour.”

“What? Why?” Silas asked, frowning.

“Em, the Elders specifically…” Mark started, but Emily held up her hand.

“No, we’re solo for an hour, live with it,” Emily said, and took Alexis down the hallway while the six heku watched, irritated.

Emily led Alexis down into the prison.

“Ma’am, you can’t be down here,” the guard said, and stepped in front of her.

Emily frowned, “Yes, I can.”

“No, Dustin said you aren’t to be down here anymore, and there’s no exception for Miss Alexis to the rule.”

“Take it up with Chev,” she said, and stepped around him, pulling Alexis after her.

“Ma’am, we insist you go back up to the palace,” the guard said, and followed her to Vaughn’s cell.

“Well, well, do I get two Winchesters tonight?” Vaughn asked, and smirked.

“In your dreams,” Emily said, and rolled her eyes. She sat down across from his cell and leaned against the empty cell she once occupied. Alexis nervously sat down beside her.

“Ma’am,” the guard said, and stopped when Emily looked up at him.

“Chev… that Elder you are all so afraid of… take it up with him, I’m busy.”

The guard sighed and walked off.

Emily smiled, “Ok, look over at Vaughn. You have to let the anger and hatred build up. Use all of those negative emotions and just burn him, try it.”

Vaughn turned away, “She can’t burn me. I won’t look at her.”

“I don’t want you to look at her,” Emily told him.

“Mom, I can’t,” Alexis said.

“Just focus on him. He’s an ass, focus on that, how much you hate him.”

Alexis turned and studied Vaughn, remembering the times Emily was held hostage and tortured by some of the heku in this prison.

“As you get mad, let it grow, build it until you can’t possibly hate him any more,” Emily whispered.

Alexis took a deep breath, still concentrating on Vaughn.

***

“Sir, one of the prison guards wants to speak to you,” Derrick said, peeking into the council chambers.

Chevalier nodded, “Fine, let him in.”

A nervous looking guard stepped into the council chamber’s trial area and walked up to Chevalier, “The… the Lady… Emily… she said to, that I needed to talk to you.”

Chevalier looked up, “About what?”

“She’s in the prison.”

“So?”

“With Miss Alexis.”

Chevalier frowned slightly, “She has Alex in the prison?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Why?”

“They’re… trying to, well, turn Vaughn to ash.”

Zohn chuckled slightly, “Training session?”

“That’s kind of what it looks like.”

“I still can’t figure out why you’re up here telling me,” Chevalier said.

“The Coven Liaison Officer ordered that she not be in the prison, and she said to take that up with you.”

Chevalier sighed, “Dustin…”

“It was part of her release from house arrest,” Dustin explained.

“Which we did away with completely.”

“Not that part. I don’t feel she needs to hang around the prison. She starts riots.”

“Just leave her be,” Quinn told the guard, and he left.

“Stop giving orders out about my wife without consulting one of the Elders!” Chevalier hissed at him.

“Yes, Elder,” Dustin said, and turned back to a large stack of papers.

“Don’t you have a coven complaining about something?” Zohn asked him.

“Yes, I’m heading out now,” he said, and blurred from the room.

“He’s going to push it too far,” Chevalier hissed.

“He already has… twice,” Quinn reminded him. “If he can’t get this coven under control, then we may be able to claim he’s not suited for the job.”

“We’ve talked about banishing him and the risks of Powan retaliating,” Zohn said, and sat down a large ledger.

“Still, this thing he has with Emily goes way beyond the bickering she had with Damon and you two,” Chevalier said, and turned toward them.

“It was always love-hate with them though,” Kyle said, deep in thought. “With Dustin, it’s pure hatred.”

“It’s a power struggle between members of the Council, plain and simple,” the Chief Interrogator added.

“Does he not think she belongs on the Council?” Zohn asked, frowning.

“No, he does not.”

“He’s told you this?”

“Yes”

“She is and he better deal with it. It’s too dangerous to remove her,” Chevalier said.

“Agreed, removing her from the Council isn’t even an option,” Quinn said, and stood up. “I will be gone about a week.”

Zohn nodded, “I’m leaving as well in a few minutes.”

Chevalier grinned, “Ahhh to be solely in charge of the faction.”

Quinn chuckled, “Try not to kill the entire city, will you?”

Zohn stood up and gathered the papers, “I’m more worried about leaving you alone with Dustin.”

“He’ll be alive when you get back, I promise,” Chevalier told them, and followed them out of the council chambers. He left them on the fourth floor while they headed up to the helicopter and he went down to see how Emily and Alexis were doing. All six of their guards were standing at the entrance to the prison.

“You sure you wanna go down there?” Silas asked, smiling slightly.

“Why?”

“They’re trying to get Lexi to turn a heku to ash without looking into his eyes.”

Chevalier cringed, “Hopefully I’m safe.”

Silas chuckled as the Elder went down into the prison. An eerie silence filled the entire prison when he appeared. Each prisoner was too afraid to even speak around him for fear of retaliation. He rounded the corner and saw Alexis staring into Vaughn’s cell while Emily sat to her side, holding her hand.

Emily looked up at him and smiled, “Are we getting kicked out?”

“Nope,” he said, and looked in at Vaughn. “How’s it going?”

“This sucks,” Alexis yelled. “I can’t do it unless he looks at me.”

“You may not have enough Winchester blood to pull off what your Mom does.”

“Chev…” Emily sighed.

Alexis burst into tears and ran out of the prison.

“What?” he asked, and watched her go.

“I see she has the emotional control her mother does,” Vaughn said, and laughed.

“Shut up, Vaughn,” Emily hissed at him.

“Wimpy though, if she can’t ash a heku.”

“I sure as hell can, so shut up,” she said, and let Chevalier help her up.

Chevalier laughed as Vaughn fell back in a brief moment of pain and then Emily started out of the prison.

“Want me to talk to her?” Chevalier asked when they walked out into the palace.

“No, she and I need to go shopping is all… I hate makeovers,” Emily sighed, and looked back at her guards.

“Makeovers?”

“Yes, she’s getting old enough that she wants to dress up. Not sure where she got that from, but I’ll have to help her.”

“Just ask the tailor for what you want. No need to go shopping.”

Emily looked up at him, “More than shopping… makeovers.”

“You too?” he asked, grinning.

“Afraid so… no guards either.”

“Wait,” Silas interrupted. “I’m going.”

“No you’re not,” Emily said, and turned to him.

“Yeah, I am.”

Chevalier grinned and watched them.

Emily’s eyes narrowed, “You’re not going.”

“Yes, I am,” Silas said, and crossed his arms.

“What makes you think I’m going to give in and let you come?”

“You don’t have a choice. I’m not leaving you again. I thought I should have been there when you and Miri were taken… I tried to go when you and Kralen took off for the Valle… and I’m not giving in this time.”

“I can just ash you.”

“But you won’t.”

“Mom, he can go,” Alexis said, watching the stand off

“No,” Emily said, and grinned.

Silas shrugged, “I’m going.”

“Chev,” Emily said, still watching the guard.

“Oh no, I’m not getting in on this,” Chevalier said, and stepped back.

“Wimp”

“When do we leave?” Silas asked, taking a step towards her.

Mark appeared in the hallway, “What’s going on?”

“No,” Emily said, and stood her ground.

Mark looked over at Chevalier, confused at the amused expression on his face.

“We’re going shopping,” Silas told him, though his eyes never left Emily.

“You’re not going,” she said.

“Oh yeah, I am.”

“I’ll take Kralen.”

“I’m going.”

“No,” Emily said, and took Alexis’ hand. “We’re having a girl’s night out, no heku or men allowed.”

Mark grinned, “I think you’re lucky that only one heku is going.”

“No heku is going,” Emily told him, and limped for the garage, followed by Silas. “Go away.”

“No,” Silas said, and followed her out.

“Is he going to be ash soon?” Mark asked, looking over at Chevalier.

The Elder shrugged, “I don’t know.”

“We haven’t told her about Kralen,” Mark said when he heard the Jeep leave the garage.

“I don’t know how to tell her. He’s been imprisoned.”

“I heard.”

“For now, let’s see if we can keep it from her. Her feet are killing her and she still looks at us like she doesn’t entirely trust us,” Chevalier said. “The second she finds out, she’ll go after him.”

“Does she even know where his coven is?”

“No, I don’t think so actually.”

“Can she find out?”

“Not without asking Jerry.”

Mark sighed and looked over at the other guards, “Gabe… what’s your problem with Emily?”

Chevalier turned to look at the young blond guard.

“I don’t know, General,” Gabe said. “She just told me suddenly that she’s watching me.”

“You’re Alexis’ guard?” Chevalier asked.

“Yes, Elder.”

“Have you ever guarded Emily?”

“No, Sir. I’m not Cavalry.”

“Yes, I see that… so why is Emily watching you?”

“I don’t know, Sir,” he said nervously.

“Well now I’m watching you, too,” Mark said. “Go back to quarters until Alexis returns.”

“Yes, General,” he said, and blurred away.

“Wow, I think Silas went with them,” Mark chuckled.

“That’s odd,” Chevalier said, and then grinned. “Now I just hope he doesn’t come back as ash or in a tutu.”

“We’ll have the cameras ready.”

“I’ll talk to Emily when she gets back. It’s odd for her to say that to a guard,” Chevalier said, and headed up to his office.

***

Chevalier looked up from his desk when he heard the Jeep return to the garage. He headed down the stairs and heard soft gasps as he got to the main foyer.

Silas appeared first. He was wearing a black Armani suit and sported a short, spiky haircut and dark sunglasses. Mark came in just as Silas slung the jacket over his shoulder and walked up to the Elder.

“Thought the makeover was for the women,” Mark chuckled.

“Yeah… well… they let me go,” Silas said, grinning.

“Are they coming in?” Chevalier asked, looking over at the door.

Silas started to laugh, “Lexi is still trying to get Em out of the Jeep. She let Lexi dress her up.”

“That bad, eh?”

“Well… no, not at all.”

“Then why…” Chevalier started, but his eyes grew wide and his mouth dropped when Emily stepped in. She was obviously embarrassed by the tight fitting, low cut blue dress that hugged every curve in her body and showed a sleek line of cleavage. Her make-up was done heavier than normal and her hair was piled on top of her head in long ringlets.

“If you laugh… so help me I’ll ash this entire city,” she hissed when she walked up. It was obvious her feet still hurt. Alexis was grinning broadly and had on a similar dress to Emily’s, but one that wasn’t low cut or quite as tight fitting. She’d cut her long black hair into a short A-line and had light make-up.

“You look good, Em,” Chevalier said, and smiled.

Her eyes narrowed, “Don’t say it…”

“What?”

“Just… don’t,” she said, and pulled the dress up to walk up the stairs.

“That was fun,” Alexis said, still smiling. She looked around the foyer, “Where are my guards?”

“Hm,” Mark sighed and looked around, “They’re coming.”

“Wish Em did that. Found her guards when they were missing,” Silas said, and called for Emily’s guards too.

“Silas… uniform,” Mark reminded him.

“Oh! Right,” he said, and then grinned before blurring away.

Chapter 6 - Missing

Emily stepped out of her room in jeans and a t-shirt, ready to go down and re-shoe some of the horses. She looked at her guards and sighed, “Who are you?”

“City guards, Ma’am,” the tallest said, and then smiled. “We’re trying to get on with the Cavalry.”

“I see… and where’s the Cavalry?”

“In the training room.”

“Kralen too?” she asked. Emily was told that Kralen was on vacation for the first month after her time in the forest, and for the month after that, she was told he was on assignment. She was starting to get the feeling that she was being lied to.

“No, Ma’am.”

“Where is he then?”

“On a mission.”

Emily thought for a moment and then headed down the stairs, followed by the four over-anxious city guards.

“Where are you going?” one of them asked her.

She turned around, “None of your business, get lost.”

“We can’t, Ma’am. If we want on with the Cavalry, we have to prove you can’t ditch us.”

Her eyes narrowed, “Who said?”

Zohn appeared beside them, “Is there a problem?”

“Yes,” Emily said, and turned to him. “Genius here thinks he’s going to be on the Cavalry.”

The Elder looked over at the city guards, “Oh?”

“Yes, Sir, if we can successfully guard her, we have a shot.”

Zohn cringed inwardly. That information was supposed to be kept from Emily. He looked over at her just as she crossed her arms and glared at the guards.

“Whose bright idea was that?” she asked the highest ranking. His insignia was for one of the city Lieutenants.

The guard shrugged, “Not sure.”

“You think I can’t get away from you?”

“No!” Zohn said quickly. “He doesn’t think that.”

“Yes I do. How can a human get away from a heku?”

Zohn sighed, “You four, get in the council chambers, now.”

The four guards blurred away and Emily turned to Zohn, “Is that why I’ve had so many strange guards lately?”

“No, I think he’s delusional.”

“No guards today. I’m tired of being followed around by overanxious, annoying, nosey guards, who watch me like I’m seconds from getting kidnapped.”

Zohn nodded, “Very well.”

She turned to look at him, “You are agreeing to back off my guards?”

“Will you stay on the palace grounds?”

“Yes”

“Then, yes, I am.”

“Fine then, I’ll be in my office,” she told him, and started up the stairs.

“Also, remember, the new permanent Staff Supervisor starts today.”

She sighed, “Oh right, guess I’ll be in my personal office today then.”

Zohn watched her walk up the stairs and then returned to his seat. Chevalier was talking quietly to Quinn when he sat down.

“That didn’t sound good,” Kyle said to the Elder.

“It wasn’t,” Zohn told him, and then looked over at the guards. “Want to explain why you are that stupid?”

The Lieutenant frowned, “Sir?”

Chevalier and Quinn looked over at the four city guards.

“Were you or were you not told to keep from Lady Emily, the fact that new Cavalry recruits have a minimum requirement for hours guarding her?” Zohn asked.

Chevalier sighed, “Tell me they didn’t let her know.”

“Oh, they did.”

“Well,” the Lieutenant said. “We just…”

“No, we just, nothing,” Zohn growled. “You then made a statement about how there’s no way that Emily could elude you.”

Quinn grinned slightly, “That wasn’t very bright.”

Chevalier sighed, “What were your orders with regards to challenging Emily to get away from you?”

The City Commander spoke, “We were told not to mention anything in regards to her not being able to escape with us watching her.”

“She can’t though. It’s ridiculous to think she could ditch a heku,” the Lieutenant told the Council.

Kyle started to laugh, “Have we found her yet?”

Zohn rubbed the back of his neck, “No, I was there when it happened. I’ve agreed to no guards today if she’ll stay on the palace grounds… I’m hoping that will appease her enough to stay put.”

“You four, back to your General, you’re off the Cavalry list,” Chevalier said, and watched them bow and leave the council chambers.

“I’m glad I went out. I heard her ask them about Kralen and thought I better intervene,” Zohn said.

“Jerry, has she asked you anything about him?” Chevalier asked, looking over at the Records Keeper.

“No, Elder, she has not.”

“She won’t talk to him,” Kyle told the Elders. “He was a Damon supporter.”

“What?” the Records Keeper gasped. “That was… I don’t think that should be held over my head…”

“It is,” Chevalier told him, and smiled slightly. “Sorry, but that’s how she distinguishes this Council.”

“After all this time?”

“Yes, if she does come to you for information on Kralen, it’ll be as a last resort,” Kyle said.

“How do I remedy that?” the Records Keeper asked.

“You can’t. If she’s going to warm up to you, it’ll just happen on its own.”

“Or never,” Dustin added.

Kyle shrugged, “Or never.”

“Derrick, send Mark in please,” Zohn said, grinning.

“What?” the Records Keeper asked, looking at the grinning Elder.

“It’s just so nice to not be on her list anymore.”

“And you got off of it how?”

“Not sure exactly. I guess I appealed to her nature to seek out alliances with those that can relate to things she finds she needs help with.”

“Such as?”

“Such as assisting with a personal violation,” Quinn told him.

“So if I help her the next time she’s attacked, she will then take me off of what the Elder calls her ‘list’?” the Records Keeper asked.

“Maybe, no guarantees… ahh, Mark,” Zohn said, and looked up when the General came in.

“Yes, Elder?”

“The four city guards that were watching Emily, told her about the required guard hours to get on the Cavalry.”

Mark sighed, “Damnit, that was working well too.”

“I’ve given her permission to go without guards today, if she’ll stay on the palace grounds.”

“That’s good for today... but now how do we narrow down the huge list of Cavalry applicants?”

“We’ll go back to interviews,” Kyle said. “You and I both, and maybe even Emily.”

“Fine, but that other way worked better. We got a feel of how they dealt with her and how she got along with them.”

“Why do we do that, anyway?” Dustin asked. “The Cavalry is many things, the least of which is her personal guard.”

“The least of which?” Mark asked, irritated.

“Yes, I feel that protecting the palace is more important, and don’t see why we choose them based solely on their reactions to her.”

Chevalier smirked and started going through the guard roster.

“Anyone can be trained to guard the palace,” Quinn told him. “Emily, however, takes special considerations.”

“Catering to her whims again.”

“Yes, we do. Would you rather her run off to the Valle and have them systematically wipe us out?”

“No, and I don’t believe that would happen. If we stop catering to her, she would stay with the Elder, that, she’s proven.”

“Every spouse, at least in the 1900 years I’ve been on the Council, has been guarded and given extra protection,” the Chief of Defense told them. “One of the easiest ways to get to a member of this Council is through a spouse.”

“I didn’t know that,” Kyle said, surprised.

“That’s how Elder Maleth’s wife died. The Valle tried to get to him through her.”

Chevalier tensed, “Enough.”

“Yes, Elder,” the Chief of Defense said, turning back to Mark. “We have one more unit in Powan as we speak. Next time we need to send over a batch for the Cavalry, we’ll arrange something.”

Mark nodded, “Yes, Sir. And what about Emily today?”

“She’s in her office,” Zohn said. “Doing… whatever it is she does in there. Leave her be as long as she stays near the palace.”

“Yes, Elder,” he said, and left for the Cavalry training.

***

Emily sat alone in her office, looking at the computer screen with recent V.E.S. activity. She’d noticed a rather quick decline in their numbers, and most of the Internet communications between V.E.S. strongholds was about how to recruit new members and shock at how quickly members were returning to their lives outside of the society.

As much as she tried to focus, her mind kept going back to Kralen’s disappearance. Everyone assured her he was fine, either on his vacation, or away on a mission. No one seemed comfortable talking about it around her, and she noticed nervous glances whenever she brought it up.

Emily thought for a moment and then called Allen.

“Hi, Mom,” he said, sounding glad to hear from her.

“How’s it going?”

“Good, Miri and I are just working on the house.”

“Not staying in the castle?”

“Naw, that’s Dad’s house. We got one in the city.”

“I see… I have a question though,” Emily said, and hesitated.

She could tell Allen was grinning, “What now?”

“Have you heard where Kralen is?”

“Well, no, haven’t heard anything. Is he missing?”

“Yes, and they just keep telling me he’s either on vacation or on a mission.”

“You don’t believe them?”

“No, I don’t.”

Allen thought for a moment, “My guess is that he’s on a big mission. Maybe undercover or infiltrating another faction. That can take hundreds of years to accomplish.”

“What!?”

“It’s not easy for another faction to think a heku jumped ship and joined them because of fights with the Equites. If Kralen’s on a mission to be trusted by the Valle or the Encala, then it will take centuries.”

“How can I find out?” she asked, suddenly feeling sick to her stomach.

“Not sure on that one. No one that knows will tell you, it could break his cover.”

Emily sighed, “I’m worried about him.”

“You’d be better off letting him do whatever it is he left to do,” Allen told her.

“Yeah, I guess you’re right.”

“Please, Mom, don’t go after him. If you break his cover, he could be killed.”

“I won’t, talk to you later,” she said, and hung the phone up. She got up and headed for the stairs when she heard Alexis out of her classroom.

“Wait,” Emily said, and went down the stairs. “What’s up?”

Alexis looked up and smiled, “Hi, Mom. We’re going out to your leech pond to get a water sample.”

“Ew, why?”

“I need a fresh slide of protozoa.”

“Don’t go in,” Emily said, and glanced behind her at Alexis’ guard, Gabe. He was carefully scanning the foyer.

“No way, though I doubt they’d like me,” Alexis said, and blushed when she glanced at Gabe.

Emily grinned and watched them all move off down the stairs. She sat down on the top step of the fourth-floor stairs and looked around, somewhat bored, and still trying to figure out how to find Kralen’s location.

“Lady Emily?” she heard someone say from behind her. Emily stood up and turned to face the new palace Staff Supervisor.

“Yeah?” She was a little irritated that she was replaced with a heku after being at the job for so long. The Elders told her they felt it unbefitting of an Elder’s wife to work in the palace, and all of her arguments didn’t sway their decision.

“I need to check on something. May I get the keys for the palace please?” he asked pleasantly.

“Oh sure. I need to go grab something and I’ll bring them to your office.”

“Very well,” he said with a bow, and then left.

Emily smiled. She hadn’t considered before, but with the Staff Supervisor keys, she could get in any door in the palace except the Elder’s Offices. She quickly ran down to the third-floor and checked around before going in to the Records Keeper’s office. The room was pristinely clean with neatly stacked files and rows of file cabinets.

***

“Very well. We will consider the move and let you know within the week,” Zohn said, and nodded to the Records Keeper.

“Thank you, Elder,” the heku in the trial area said, and left with a bow.

The Records Keeper frowned slightly and stood up, “Excuse me for a moment.”

He walked calmly out of the council chambers. Once out of sight of the Council, he almost immediately appeared at the door to his office and stood in front of it for a moment, listening inside. He heard soft footsteps and knew immediately who set off his alarm.

“Good afternoon, Emily,” he said, stepping inside.

Emily turned quickly and looked at him with wide eyes. She was glad she’d just shut the file door before he came in, “Hello.”

“Can I help you with something?”

“I was… checking to see if the cleaning crew did a good job.”

“I see… and is that not the job of the new Staff Supervisor?” he asked, and sat down behind his desk.

“It was cleaned yesterday. I was still in charge.”

“And which file did you wish to see?”

Emily frowned slightly, “Excuse me?”

“Dear, the files are too important to leave without an alarm.”

“Oh, no, I opened them to check dust along the top of the shelf.”

He smiled, “If you’ll tell me what you want to know, I may just tell you.”

Emily sighed and her shoulders dropped some, “I want the files on the Winchesters.”

“Oh?” he asked, sitting back in his chair as he pressed his fingertips together.

“The Valle can’t be the only ones keeping tabs on my family.”

“No, they were not.”

“So what do the Equites have on it?”

“Let’s see,” the Records Keeper said, and stood up slowly. He walked over and began going through one of the top drawers in the file cabinet. “What part of Winchester history do you want?”

“What do you have?” she asked, getting on her tiptoes to try to see, but it was still too high.

“I have death records from Equites they killed, and arrest records for heku imprisoned by them. I have possible whereabouts, genealogical files, home locations, any 1800’s attack locations…”

“Wow, well…” Emily thought, “What about information like… personalities, temperaments, likes, dislikes…”

He smiled at her, “No, we did not care enough about that to record it.”

“I thought you recorded everything.”

“Only the important things. What is it you seek?”

She shrugged, “I don’t know, anything interesting.”

“Then I suggest you consult Camber. He would be the one to ask.”

“He’s a… well… I don’t like him.”

“He wrote a book on the Winchesters, maybe that might help.”

“Oh, good idea, I’ll Google it.”

“Excuse me?” he asked, shutting the drawer.

“Never mind, thanks for your help,” Emily said, and left his room quickly. She hurried upstairs and gave the new Staff Supervisor the keys, and then quickly ran up to her helicopter to think.

The Records Keeper relocked his office and returned to the council chambers.

“Everything ok?” Kyle asked, watching him.

“Emily was going through some of my files,” he said, and sat down.

“Did she say why?”

“Yes, but it was a lie.”

“Do you think she’s looking for Kralen?” Kyle asked, looking over at the Elders.

“I don’t think so,” Chevalier said. “I’d think she would ask me first… course, it’s Em, so who knows.”

“How did she get into your office?” Dustin asked.

The Records Keeper smiled, “She just hadn’t turned her keys over to the new Staff Supervisor, but she has now.”

Dustin glared at the others, “I suppose you’re going to let her get away with breaking into one of our offices?”

Quinn looked over at the Records Keeper, “Jerry, did you want to press charges?”

“No, I do not.”

“Then, we aren’t doing anything,” Quinn said to Dustin. Dustin slammed his chair back and stormed out of the room.

***

Emily nodded off in the helicopter as she contemplated who to ask about Kralen. Before falling asleep, she’d decided that none of the Council would tell her, and she already knew the Cavalry wasn’t going to either. She woke up when Equites 2 landed, and then she headed inside.

At the top of the eighth-floor stairs, she heard the front door to the palace slam shut and then heard crying. She quickly ran down the stairs, two at a time, knowing there was only one person in the palace, other than herself, that would cry.

She met Alexis on the fifth-floor as she was running to her room. When the 13-year-old saw her Mom, she ran into her arms, still crying. Her two guards were with her, but said nothing.

“What happened, Alex?” Emily asked, and held her.

She was crying too hard to speak and just pulled closer to her Mom.

“What happened?” she asked the guards.

“Not quite sure, Ma’am. Miss Alexis was collecting a plant for a science project, Stu and I were just visiting… then she ran up here,” Gabe told her.

“Get into the council chambers, now,” Emily hissed at them. They both bowed slightly and disappeared down the stairs. She watched them go and then led Alexis into the bedroom. They both sat down and Emily waited while Alexis calmed down before taking her hand, “What happened?”

Through sobs, Alexis finally managed to whisper, “He… he… he has a… girlfriend.”

That brought new sobs and Emily held her while she cried through it, “I’m sorry, Alex.”

“He never said anything before,” Alexis mumbled, and grabbed a tissue.

“Guards don’t like to get too close to us,” Emily told her.

“Yours do.”

“Yeah, well, they aren’t supposed to, but they’ve been guarding me forever.”

“M… maybe… maybe he’ll leave his girlfriend.”

“Honey, you can’t bank on that.”

Alexis broke down in tears again while Emily held her. Once she calmed down, Emily leaned back in her chair and took Alexis’ hand.

“He thinks I’m a kid,” Alexis whispered.

“You are, Alex,” Emily said, and then sighed when Alexis glared at her. “You’re 13… these heku think I’m a kid and I’m way older than you are.”

“So that’s all I’ll ever be to him?”

Emily shrugged, “I don’t know, there’s no way to tell.”

“Allen didn’t have this problem.”

“Allen was never a kid. He shot from 5-years-old to adult overnight it seems like.”

“I can do more than a heku can though, I can have kids…”

“We don’t know that, I told you,” Emily said, and then sat back when Alexis began to cry again.

“I hate it here,” Alexis said after a few more minutes.

“I know it’s hard. We aren’t heku, but we aren’t human.”

“How do you deal with it?”

“I don’t have a choice. I love your Dad and I put up with a lot to stay with him.”

“What if I don’t want to stay here?” Alexis asked.

“Where do you want to go?”

“To the island, to live with Allen.”

“Alex… he’s newly married… maybe later.”

Emily looked up when there was a knock at the door, “Come in.”

Derrick poked his head in, “The Council wants to know what they are supposed to do with Miss Alexis’ guards.”

“I’ll be right down,” she said, and made sure he shut the door behind him.

“I don’t want to see Gabe again.”

“Ok, I’ll have him replaced.”

Alexis nodded, “I’m going to go study.”

Emily nodded and watched her leave. She took a deep breath and went down to the council chambers. Derrick opened the trial door to let her in. She walked in and saw Alexis’ two guards standing with Mark and Silas. They all looked over at her when she walked in.

“They will not tell us what brought them here,” Quinn told her.

She walked up to stand beside them, “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have had them come here. I should have met them elsewhere, this isn’t a Council matter.”

“Well they are here and I want to know what they did,” Kyle said.

Emily turned to Mark, “Replace them as Alexis’ guards.”

“What did they do?”

“Just… do it,” she said, and started for the door.

“Em…” Chevalier said, and she turned to him. “What happened?”

“Nothing, just… do it ok?”

“No, I want to know what they did to Alexis.”

“They didn’t do anything,” Emily said, and glanced at her guards. “Just get her new ones.”

“No, I want to know if they need punished,” Mark told her.

“They don’t.”

“Then why are we removing them?”

Emily sighed and glanced around the room before looking back at Mark, “When’s the last time you were a 13-year-old girl?”

Mark frowned, “Excuse me?”

“When?”

“Never”

“Then you wouldn’t understand… replace them,” she said, and left the room.

“What the hell kind of question was that?” Mark asked, looking over at Chevalier.

He shrugged, “I have no idea. Just do it.”

“Very well, you two, back to the barracks,” Mark said, and followed the guards out of the council chambers.

Emily stopped at the fifth-floor foyer and a smile crossed her face when she had an idea. She quickly ran up to the roof and into the control room, which she found unlocked. She sat down by the two-way radio and began looking through the flight logs for the previous few years. She thought hard and then began looking through all flight logs from 5 years prior.

She grabbed a piece of paper and wrote the names of eight covens down on it. The eight covens the Equites flew to during the time-frame she was studying. After noting the mileage logs from the airplanes, she folded the paper up, and slipped it into her back pocket and headed inside for dinner.

“These are going to be Lexi’s new guards,” Silas said when he met up with Emily on the stairs. She looked up at two young, handsome heku with bright, fresh faces and an eagerness to be assigned to the palace.

“No, they aren’t,” Emily said, and started down the stairs. “Let’s go, I’ll pick some out.”

“Em, what’s wrong with these two?” Silas asked, following her.

Emily smiled at the two guards, “Nothing, feel free to guard me… but I’m picking out Alexis’ guards.”

“You are?” Silas asked, confused. “You quit the Cavalry.”

“Mother’s prerogative,” she said, and started walking for the barracks.

“What are you doing?” Mark asked, joining them.

“She’s going to the barracks to pick out Lexi’s new guards,” Silas explained.

“What’s wrong with Kevin and Lonny?” he asked, putting a hand on her shoulder to stop her from walking.

Emily looked up at him, “They’re just wrong for the position, let me help.”

“Nothing’s wrong with them, they’re good.”

“I have no doubt they are good, however, no.”

“Em…” Chevalier said, blurring up. “What’s wrong with these two?”

She sighed, “Nothing is wrong! Put them as my guards if you want, but I need to pick out Alex’s.”

“They can’t guard you!” Silas said, shocked. “They’re not Cavalry.”

“Then make them Cavalry,” she said, and walked toward the barracks.

“You can’t go in there,” Mark said, stepping between her and the door.

Emily rolled her eyes, “Like anyone’s going to attack me with Chev watching.”

“That is true,” Chevalier said, eyeing the door.

“I just don’t understand what’s wrong with the last four guards,” Silas said, irritated.

Emily stepped inside the barracks and the entire building suddenly fell quiet. They all turned and saw the mortal in their barracks with members of the Cavalry and the Elder. She looked briefly in the room and then smiled.

“What’s your name?” she asked an older looking heku with a deep scar running lengthwise down his face, tattoos across both arms, and a scowling expression.

“Vance,” he said, not sounding happy about talking to her.

“Perfect… and you… what’s your name?” she asked another guard. This one had long black hair and a black goatee that hid his face. He had dark, menacing eyes and no neck.

“Hudd,” he said, looking over at the Elder curiously.

Emily turned to Mark, “Hudd and Vance then.”

“What? How did you pick them?” Mark asked, looking over at them.

“I just did.”

“It takes a long time for us to pick who is capable to guard one of you.”

“These two are prefect,” she said, and left after taking Chevalier’s hand.

“What is it you’re up to?” he asked, following her back to the palace.

She looked over at him, “What do you mean?”

“Why are you picking Alexis’ guards?”

“I’m her Mom. I know what she needs.”

“So you picked two of the meaner ones in the group? Is someone after her?”

“No, Chev, just trust me on this one.”

“Fine, but Mark will need to decide first if he agrees.”

She thought for a bit and then nodded, “Ok, but if they don’t work, I pick the next ones too.”

“Fine, though that’s just odd,” he said, and grinned slightly. He knew nothing Emily did ever made full sense and most went against any heku tradition.

***

Emily looked around the empty bedroom. She woke up long enough to see Chevalier off for trials and then went back to bed for a couple of hours. She woke up with a plan and immediately grabbed her phone.

“Valle Council,” a strange voice said.

“Good morning,” Emily said, and smiled. “Is Sotomar there?”

“I am, Emily.”

“Do you have a book with the location of all Equites Covens?”

There was silence on the line, but Emily had a feeling they were talking. Finally, Sotomar spoke again, “No.”

She smiled, “So you do… I need a favor.”

“I just said we do not.”

“Yes, but you had to discuss it with the Council first. Now I’m not going to tell the Equites, but I need a favor.”

“What, exactly, would that favor be?” Valle Elder Ryan asked.

“If I give you the name of eight covens, will you tell me their locations?”

“Why don’t you ask the Equites? Coven locations aren’t exactly secret within the Council.”

She sighed, “I can’t ask them, that’s why I’m asking you.”

“What are you up to?” Sotomar asked, and she noted a hint of hesitancy in his voice.

“Nothing bad! Geesh, trust me. I just need to know the locations.”

“We don’t have the book, so we cannot tell you,” a gruff voice said.

“Who is that?” Emily asked, frowning.

“I am Salazar, Chief Interrogator.”

“Well, calm down, Salazar.”

“I am calm,” he said, though his voice still sounded angry.

“I know you know where these covens are, Sotomar. Please just tell me.”

“First tell me why.”

She thought about it and then sighed, “Fine… 5 years ago I was kidnapped by the Encala from the Valle…”

“Yes, we remember that.”

“One of the Encala freed me, and took me to an Equites coven.”

“Right”

“I want to know which coven that is.”

“Why?”

“I just do…”

“Do you know who freed you from the Encala?” Sotomar asked.

“Yes”

“Then ask that heku.”

“I’m not exactly on speaking terms with the Encala, remember?”

“Oh, that is right.”

“Please, Sotomar… just 8 locations.”

“We do not have the Equites book.”

She sighed, “Fine then, be that way.”

Emily hung up the phone and then walked over to eat breakfast.

“Mommy?” Dain said, walking in with a large glass.

“Good morning,” she told him, and turned to face him.

“I brung you this,” he said, and set a glass of blood on the table in front of her.

“Brought you this,” Emily corrected, and then looked inside. “That’s for me?”

“Uh hu,” he grinned broadly.

“Well, that is very sweet of you,” she said, and picked him up into a hug.

“Where’s Valle?”

“I think he and Encala are out in the stables.”

“Be right back,” Dain said, and blurred from the room.

Emily gave him a few seconds and then stepped out of her room with the glass. She held it out toward her guards, “Someone drink that real quick, please.”

The closest guard looked into the glass, “Why?”

“It’s blood, just drink it.”

“Whose?”

“Damnit, hurry,” Emily said, and looked down the stairs.

The guard shrugged and downed the glass, grimacing at the un-fresh, cold blood, “There.”

“Thanks,” she said, and went back inside. Seconds after she sat down, Dain came back in with the dogs.

“Was it good?” Dain asked, looking in the empty glass.

“Yes, thank you,” she said, and brushed the hair away from his face.

“When do I go to school?”

Emily shrugged, “I don’t know. I guess whenever you want to.”

She hesitated to put Dain in school. Both Alexis and Allen turned out to be so engrossed in school, that it became all-encompassing and everything else but learning was ignored or hated.

“Now,” he said, and grinned.

“Why not… next year?”

He thought and then smiled again. His smile was exactly like Chevalier’s, “Next month.”

“Deal, just give me another month.”

“Sesame Street!” the 5-year-old yelled and disappeared from the room.

Emily stepped out of the room and sighed, “I hate when he does that.”

“Want me to go catch him?” one of her guards asked.

“No, what I want… is for you to tell me where Kralen is.” She turned to the four members of the Cavalry.

“He’s on a mission, Ma’am.”

“Where?”

“That’s confidential.”

“You’re lying to me. Where is he?”

“He’s on a mission.”

She stepped closer to him, “You know I spent time with the Encala’s Chief Interrogator?”

“Yes,” he said, and glanced nervously at the other three guards.

“I learned how to tell when someone’s lying.”

“Ma’am…”

“What’s up?” Mark asked, blurring up the stairs.

“Snitch,” Emily hissed at the guard, and turned the Mark. “Where’s Kralen?”

“On a mission,” Mark told her, and excused her four guards when Silas and one of the Cavalry’s Commanders walked up.

“I don’t believe you.”

“Don’t know what to tell you. He’s on a mission,” Silas said.

She headed down the stairs, “I’m going into town… alone.”

“No, you aren’t,” Silas grumbled and followed her.

She turned on the stairs, “Yes, I am.”

“No, you’re not.”

“Mark”

“I agree with Silas, just take him,” Mark said.

“No! I’m going alone.”

Silas crossed his arms, “I’m going.”

Emily set her jaw, “Tell me where Kralen is.”

“No.” Silas squared his shoulders and watched her carefully.

“Now”

“No”

“Both of you calm down,” Mark said, and put a hand on Emily’s arm.

She pulled away from him, “Tell me.”

“He’s on a mission.”

“Stop lying to me!”

“He’s on a mission,” Silas said again.

“Tell me, or so help me, you’ll need Kyle.”

“Turn me to ash. I’m not going to give you his location, nor am I going to let you leave this palace alone.”

“What’s going on?” Chevalier asked, blurring to the landing.

“Tell me,” she said again, and stepped closer to Silas.

“No”

Emily growled and then started down the stairs.

“Wait… how did I get up here? Em, what did you do?” Chevalier asked, and followed her.

“What did you just wipe?” Mark asked, and followed the Elder after realizing he didn’t remember walking up the stairs.

“Leave me alone,” Emily whispered.

“No! Tell me what you wiped,” Silas said, joining them.

Emily spun suddenly toward them, “Leave me the hell alone or it’ll be more than a mind wipe.”

Chevalier’s eyes grew wide, “What’s going on?”

Kyle appeared with the other heku, “Em, calm down.”

“Stop calling backup!” Emily screamed, and then ran out the front doors and to the stables.

Silas called for her guards to the stables and then turned to Chevalier, “What’s going on?”

“I’m not sure, Kyle?” the Elder asked.

“She was asking about Kralen. I honestly don’t know why she wiped memories,” Kyle said, and watched the door. “It doesn’t make sense.”

“Watch her closely,” Chevalier said, and returned to the council chambers with Kyle.

Mark and Silas both shook their heads and headed out to the stables.

“Where is she?” Mark asked the Cavalry’s Commander that was waiting outside of the stable doors.

“She’s inside, up in the loft.”

“Doing what?”

“I don’t know. She wanted to be alone, so I’ve posted heku at each door.”

Chapter 7 - Lord Dexter

“Has she said anything about him lately?” Kyle asked Chevalier as they waited for the end of the trial day.

“Nothing, which actually makes me nervous.”

“He’s been gone for 7 months. Maybe she’s given up,” the Chief Investigator said.

Chevalier shook his head, “Not Emily, I suspect she’s waiting to see if he comes back.”

“At least she sent that poor child to school finally. He was running all over making a mess,” Dustin said, and studied a roster in front of him.

Kyle turned and glared at him, “If Dain follows the pattern of Allen and Alexis, he will soon ignore his mother, which is hard for her.”

“They are highly intelligent children, ones that must be encouraged.”

“She’s their Mom.”

Dustin shrugged and ignored Kyle.

Kyle sighed and turned back to Chevalier, “The guards are worried, that’s why I ask. She’s still not really speaking to them, and even Mark and Silas can’t get her out of whatever slump she’s in.”

“I can’t either. She’s not different with me, but I’ve seen how she is with the guards,” Chevalier said, deep in thought. “She’s not rude, by any means, but she doesn’t talk to them, and when she rides with them, she stays off to the side.”

“Then get her a psychiatrist, isn’t that what they do?” the Chief of Defense suggested.

Chevalier looked over at him, “A psychiatrist?”

“Why not? Have her talk to one.”

“Do we have one in the faction though?”

“We must, somewhere,” Zohn said, and looked over at the Records Keeper.

“I’ll see what I can find,” he said, and left the room.

Kyle smiled slightly, “She’s not going to want to talk to a psychiatrist.”

“I know,” Chevalier said, and smiled slightly.

***

“Return our Elder!” William screamed into the phone.

Emily sighed, “Not yet…”

“It has been 16 months. He’s suffered enough.”

“Not yet… now, I asked nicely to talk to Aaron in private.”

Emily heard the distinctive click of the speakerphone turning off, “Fine… Aaron here.”

“Can anyone else hear this?”

“No,” he said, and she could tell he was moving.

“I need to know the location of the Equites coven you took me to.”

He gasped, “What?”

“I won’t tell anyone, I swear. I just need to know where it is.”

“Return Frederick and I will tell you,” he whispered.

“Tell me or I’ll tell William.”

Aaron growled, “I should have kept you.”

“Yes, you should have… but I appreciate that you didn’t. I never thanked you for that, but I am thankful.”

His voice softened, “I took you to the Equites’ Okanogan Coven, outside of Tonasket, Washington.”

“Thank you.”

“Please, return him.”

“I’ll think it over, because you helped me.”

“Are you doing something dangerous?” Aaron asked, still whispering.

She sighed, “I don’t know yet.”

“Okanogan is very close to our palace. Is it something I can help you with? In secret, of course.”

“I suspect that coven is housing one of my former guards, and I wish to speak to him, but they won’t even let me in.”

“You are a member of the Council. Just order them to let you in.”

“The heku don’t listen to me like that. I suspect they will first call Chev.”

“I am sending you a package… please keep its contents and sender a secret. It will get you in the doors, more than likely into the prison, but still inside,” Aaron assured her.

“Thank you,” she said, and hung up. Next, she dialed a local car rental company and made some arrangements.

***

Emily leaned her head against Chevalier’s chest and ran her fingers lightly over his abdomen as she watched the morning sun out the window.

“What are your plans today?” he asked, and then brushed the hair off of her shoulder.

“Nothing, I guess.”

“Sounds like fun.”

“Why don’t you take the day off? Let’s go do something,” she suggested, and looked up at him.

“I can’t today, maybe next week.”

“You haven’t taken time off in forever.”

He smiled, “It’s not in my nature to vacation.”

“Yeah, well, it’s in my nature to spend more time with you.”

“I know, and I’m sorry… as I said, next week we’ll do something.”

She sighed, “Ok.”

“Why don’t you get dressed and meet me downstairs?”

“Why?”

“Just do,” he said, and grinned.

“Do I have guards today?”

“Of course.”

“Then no.”

He chuckled, “Em, just come down for a minute… before swimming.”

“No,” she said, and sat up, taking the sheet with her.

He gently ran his fingers up her back and grinned when she shivered, “Stop telling me no.”

“No,” she said again, and walked into the bathroom. She heard Chevalier leave just as she crawled into the shower. She knew that soon she would have to go find Kralen. She still suspected he was at his coven, and she knew that Aaron had given her an easy way inside.

The Council was watching her close lately and she supposed they knew that she’d called the Encala the previous month, and were waiting for her to release Frederick. Deciding she didn’t feel like going to talk to Chevalier in the council chambers, she got her bikini on and opted to go swimming instead.

***

“She’s coming down here?” Kyle asked.

“Yes, before she swims,” Chevalier told him as he watched the female heku in the trial area. “How long since you practiced psychiatry?”

“It’s only been about 30 years, Elder,” she told him. The woman was close to seven feet tall with short, dishwater blonde hair and harsh, angular features. She wore a pale blue business suit and carried an ancient brief case in her hand.

“She’s not going to do this willingly,” Kyle told her.

“I am aware of her leniency. I will see what I can do.”

He nodded, “Oh, here she comes.”

The Council listened to the conversation outside of their doors.

“He’s waiting for you,” Derrick said to Emily.

“He can keep waiting. I told him no, I’m going swimming,” she said, and they heard her walk down the stairs, followed by her guards.

Kyle grinned, “That went well.”

Chevalier chuckled, “She did tell me no.”

“Unacceptable,” Dustin mumbled, and sat back in his chair.

“Maybe we should meet her there,” the woman said, and looked from the door to Chevalier.

“Give her a second to get in, and then you and I will go,” he told her and then turned to Kyle. “You too.”

“Yes, Elder.”

“Why are we taking the Chief Enforcer?” the Psychiatrist asked.

“He is good friends with Emily,” Chevalier explained. After a few minutes, the three heku left for the pool house. They walked past her guards and into the steamy hot room. Emily was in the middle of a lap and they watched her for a few seconds before she noticed them and stopped swimming.

She began to tread water and watched them, but didn’t speak.

“Em… this is Lori. She would like to speak to you,” Chevalier said, and walked to the edge of the water.

“About?”

“Just about stuff.”

Emily’s eyes narrowed as she looked from Chevalier, to Lori, to Kyle. She thought Kyle looked uncomfortable and the female heku seemed to be studying her.

“I’m busy.”

“Please, just for a few minutes.”

She sighed and then swam to the ladder. After climbing out and slipping on a robe, she walked over to them, “Ok.”

“Hello, Emily, I’m Lori from the Dover Coven.”

“In New Hampshire?”

“Yes, Child.”

“I’m not a child.”

“Sorry, I meant no disrespect,” the Psychiatrist said, and took a seat on a chaise.

“What is it you wanted to talk about?” Emily asked. She stood and watched the heku suspiciously.

Lori smiled, “Have a seat, please.”

“No, I think I’ll stand.”

“Em… just sit down,” Chevalier said, and patted the chair beside him.

Emily glanced at Kyle and then sat down.

“We’ll leave you two alone,” Chevalier told her, and he and Kyle quickly left the pool room.

“Good, we’re alone,” Lori said, and smiled again. Emily felt like she was coddling her, and it was making her irritated.

“What is it you want?”

“Just to talk, nothing more.”

“About what?”

“Well… for starters, how are you doing?”

Emily frowned, “Why do you care? I don’t even know you.”

“I just want to help.”

“With what, exactly?” Emily asked, and crossed her arms.

“Please, just girl talk, nothing more.”

Emily grinned, “Chev brought you here so I have a girl to talk to?”

“Sort of.”

“Well I’m fine, thank you.”

“Good, good… and how are things going with your guards?”

“Peachy”

“They say you’ve been pretty quiet with them lately.”

“Oh?”

“Yes, is something bothering you?” Lori asked, and watched Emily carefully.

“Yes”

“What is it?”

“You, actually,” Emily said, and stood up. “Are you a shrink?”

“Well, I was schooled in psychiatry.”

“Chev thinks I need a shrink?”

“No, the Elder thought you may need to talk to someone.”

Emily started for the door.

“He’s worried, please, just talk for a bit.”

She ignored the Psychiatrist and stormed out of the out-building, followed by both Lori and the four Cavalry guards.

“They’re busy…” Derrick started, but just shook his head when Emily walked in anyway.

“You got me a shrink!” Emily yelled at Chevalier. The three heku on trial looked over at her with wide eyes.

Chevalier sighed, “Yes, I did.”

“Do you think I’m crazy?”

“No, not at all… I just…”

“You just thought you’d get me a shrink.”

“Em, you seem depressed lately. I didn’t know what else to do.”

“Depressed?” she asked, still standing defensively.

“Yes, you don’t talk to your guards, you no longer go riding, you haven’t tried to slip out or play pranks…”

Her eyes narrowed, “You have no right telling me I’m depressed.”

“It’s obvious to us all,” Zohn whispered.

Emily spun towards him, “So this was a Council decision?”

“No, this was a decision of your friends,” Quinn told her.

“Dear, please,” Lori said from behind her, but Emily ignored her.

“We’re just concerned about your obsession with keeping Frederick, and then questions about Kralen’s mission,” Kyle explained.

“Where is he?” Emily asked, walking over to Kyle.

“We’ve told you. He’s on mission.”

“Bullshit, where is he?”

“He quit,” Dustin said, ignoring the glares from the others.

Emily looked over at him, “What?”

“He quit the Cavalry. The day after you got back from playing in the woods.”

Her heart sank and she felt the room closing in around her, “Why?”

“I would imagine you’re too much to handle,” Dustin said, and leaned forward towards her.

“Dustin, stop it,” Chevalier growled.

“He… he just quit?”

“Yes, he did.”

Suddenly, Mark and Silas appeared in the trial room behind her, after being called in by Kyle.

“He didn’t want to be my guard?” she whispered, and took a step back.

“No, Em, that’s not it at all,” Mark said, and she turned pained eyes toward him.

“It’s hard for us when you get hurt in our care,” Silas told her, and touched her arm softly. “He took a lot of that responsibility and wasn’t sure he was fit to guard you.”

“Where is he?”

“He left here,” Mark told her.

“Because of me,” she whispered, as her eyes scanned the floor.

“No, it’s not your fault,” Silas told her.

“Maybe something to calm you down,” Lori said from the side and started to dig in her purse. She pulled out a tiny syringe just as Emily screamed.

“No!”

“It’s nothing strong. I can hear your pulse racing. You just need help calming down,” the Psychiatrist said, and smiled softly.

Emily backed up to the door while turning Lori to ash.

“Em, calm down,” Mark said sternly. He saw how quickly things were going downhill fast.

“Em,” Chevalier said, and started down the stairs towards her.

Emily felt trapped as they all closed in on her. She quickly grabbed her phone and dialed, “It’s time,” she whispered, and then shut it.

Chevalier stopped moving and frowned, “Time for what?”

Without another word, Emily turned and ran from the council chambers.

Kyle sighed, “I’ll go talk to her.”

“No, stay here,” Chevalier said. “The more panicked she feels, the more she ashes.”

“We’ll talk to her,” Mark said, and followed Silas out the door.

“I thought it might help,” Chevalier said, and then sighed. “Course, I don’t really understand human emotions.”

“She’ll calm down,” Dustin told him.

Zohn turned suddenly toward the Coven Liaison Officer, “How dare you tell her that he quit.”

“She deserves the truth.”

“You want nothing to do with her, but decide to tell her the truth when you know it will cause problems,” Quinn growled. “Get out of my sight.”

Dustin nodded and blurred from the room.

Chevalier thought for a few minutes, “I’ll go talk to her. Kyle, revive Lori and send her home.”

“Yes, Elder,” he said, and grabbed the dagger from his pocket.

Chevalier started up the stairs, not sure how to apologize for bringing in a psychiatrist to see Emily. He was still worried about her nightmares with Frederick, and how the questions about Kralen suddenly stopped when her personality changed. He rounded up to the fifth-floor and gasped when he saw Mark and Silas both on the floor, recovering from electrical burns, and three sets of ashes beside them.

“What happened?” he asked, kneeling down.

“She tased us,” Mark growled angrily.

Chevalier turned when he heard the SSC Aero speed out of the garage, then blurred to the council chambers after ordering Mark and Silas to their cars.

“She tased Mark and Silas and ashed the others,” Chevalier said, and looked over at Kyle. “Revive them later, get in your car, let’s find her.”

Quinn looked over at the Records Keeper, “Are you sure she hasn’t gotten Kralen’s home coven from you?”

“No, Elder. She was only in my office that once.”

“I’ll go too,” Zohn said, and disappeared from his chair.

Chevalier crawled into his McLaren and pulled out of the garage, followed by nine other heku in cars. They all sped off in separate directions, keeping an eye out for the purple Aero. Chevalier stopped to ask a few of the guards posted in the mortal city if they’d seen Emily, and was just heading over toward the warehouse district when his phone rang.

“Go,” he growled.

“I found her Aero at 35th and Pineview Road. You better come over here,” Kyle said.

“On the way.”

Chevalier turned suddenly and sped off toward Kyle’s location. He pulled up and parked alongside one of three sports cars surrounding the Aero.

“Is she here?” Chevalier asked when he walked up.

“No,” Kyle told him, and turned to an older mortal. He was short and round with a pleasant smile, “This guy here has information.”

“Well…” he said, and looked up at the tall man. “The lady contacted me last month, offered me $10,000 cash to do everything she asked.”

“Which was?” Chevalier asked, stepping closer to him.

“She wanted a car parked here, something with dark windows. The keys had to be in the ignition, there had to be a full gas tank, and there had to be a blonde wig in the seat,” the man said, and shrugged. “It was odd… but for 10 grand, I did it.”

“She asked this last month?”

“Yes, said to wait for her call and to do it immediately.”

“What kind of car did you give her?” Kyle asked, and leaned back against the Aero.

“It was a beauty, a Mercedes CL600.”

“Color?”

“Black, and the windows have a tint that lets through only 5% of the light.”

“Which way did she go?” Chevalier asked, and glanced over at Zohn.

“Not sure, I didn’t watch… I told her I’d wait here to make sure her car didn’t get stolen.”

“Take the Aero back to the palace and wipe his memory,” Chevalier hissed and blurred back to his car.

“What do you m….” the man started, but Silas already had his gaze locked.

***

Emily drove quickly until she was sure she was far enough away from Council City that they couldn’t catch her easily. She felt comfortable with the dark windows and sat back for the drive west towards Washington State. She checked again to make sure the package from Aaron was in the seat, and then finally turned up the music and ignored her ringing cell phone.

She drove through the night, stopping only for gas and always checking around her for any signs of heku. As she neared Tonasket, Washington, she kept a close eye out for the small road that would lead her back into the Okanogan National Forest. When she found it, she shut off the lights and drove slowly up the small dirt road.

After a few miles, she shut off the car and dug through the box that Encala Elder Aaron sent her. Inside was a shrink-wrapped red robe. The note attached said it would be easy for any heku to catch the Encala scent from it, and more than likely she would immediately be thrown into their prison. There was also a warning that her Winchester scent would overpower the Encala scent after only an hour or so. She sighed and opened the robe before stepping out into the night and slipping it on. She smelled the sleeve, but didn’t catch any scent.

Sighing, Emily pulled the hood up over her face and walked forward toward the entrance to Okanogan Coven.

“Stop!” a heku yelled at her, and she saw the entry way fill with 6 Equites heku.

Emily stopped, too afraid to speak. She suddenly found herself surrounded by heku wearing the familiar green capes.

“You’re short for a heku,” one of them said, and his nose wrinkled. “Damned Encala.”

She didn’t speak, but took a step backwards.

“Where you going?” one of them asked, and she backed into another and stopped.

“Why are you here?” another asked her.

One of them touched part of her blonde wig that hung from under the hood, “Encala sending a toy for us to play with?”

“Bow before me,” Emily hissed, and then had to stifle a giggle when she was immediately thrown over a heku’s shoulder, and then carried into the coven.

“Little Bitch, see how you like our prison,” he said, and blurred down a dark hallway. The others laughed and joked behind him when he threw her hard into the prison cell and slammed the door shut.

Emily crawled slowly to her feet. She had landed up against a hard metal chair, and it knocked the wind out of her.

“We’ll see how long Lord Dexter wants her in here,” the large heku said, and Emily heard the bars electrified before the others left and shut the light off, throwing her into complete darkness.

She slipped off the hot blonde wig, but kept the robe on. Her time in heku prisons told her that it was about to get a lot colder.

“I smell a mortal,” she heard an angry voice say from down the row from her. She cringed and stepped away from the bars.

“I do too,” another hissed.

“You’re imagining things… those guards probably just fed,” another said, amused.

There was silence in the prison for a while before she heard another low hiss, “No, there’s a mortal here.”

“Yeah… yeah, you’re right. It’s getting stronger.”

“Odd smell that is too, ahh, to get one taste.”

She heard a loud inhale and a hiss.

She shielded her eyes when the lights were turned on and then heard footsteps coming closer. A heku in beautiful blue robes appeared. His face was stern and she could tell he wouldn’t take well to disobedience.

“I’m Lord Dexter, who are you?” he asked her angrily.

She shrugged.

He frowned slightly and inhaled, “That… scent…”

Emily moved back further away from him, pressing her back against the wall.

“Is Emily here?” Kralen’s voice rang out through the prison and she gasped.

“No,” Lord Dexter said, “Though… that scent...”

Emily scanned the heku standing in front of her cell, but didn’t see Kralen.

“You, Encala… you didn’t answer, why are you here?” one of the heku guards yelled at her.

She sighed and slipped her hood down, “I came to find Kralen.”

“Emily!?” Kralen yelled.

“Oh my God, get her out of there!” Lord Dexter shouted.

“No!” Emily screamed. “Touch those bars and I’ll ash you.”

She saw the heku all turn down the row of cells and look when Kralen spoke, “Em, what are you doing?”

“Come so I can see you.”

“I can’t… Em…”

She frowned, “Are you in a cell?”

Lord Dexter looked over at her, “He came back without honors.”

“Let him go!” she screamed.

“We cannot.”

“You have to go,” Kralen said to her.

“No, I’m not leaving without you.”

“I quit the Cavalry. They had no choice but to put me in prison.”

“That’s stupid! Come back.”

“No”

She sat down on the hard metal chair and glanced up when the electrical current was cut off to the bars, “Last warning… touch those bars and I’ll ash this entire coven.”

“Contact Council City,” Lord Dexter told another heku.

“No!” she screamed. “No one calls the Council… you’re on very thin ice right now, and unless you want to lose your entire coven, I suggest you sit tight and do nothing.”

“Lord Dexter,” Kralen said softly, “She’s starting to panic. It would be best to step back and give her a moment.”

The heku all stepped back away from Emily’s cell and watched her.

She looked around, trying to find a way out of the situation.

“Emily, listen to me… this is where I belong,” Kralen told her.

“No, it’s not! You belong on my Cavalry.”

“I can’t protect you.”

“You’re my friend.”

“I can’t protect you.”

“Yes you can and you do. I want you back.”

“No”

“I’m a member of the Council, damnit! I’m ordering you to come back.”

“That’s why I’m in prison, the Council already tried that.”

Lord Dexter sighed, “Lady Emily, I must insi…”

“Shut up!” she screamed.

“It’s not their faults that I’m in here,” Kralen explained.

“Come back with me, please. You’re the only guard that I can relate to. You’re the only one who’s not too afraid of Chev to enjoy life.”

He chuckled, “I should be afraid of him.”

“Not around me.”

“You need to go back to the palace. You don’t belong in this prison.”

“Neither do you! I’m telling you right now, I’m not leaving until you do.”

“Fine then, I’ll take you back and then return.”

“No, damnit, Kralen, stop being like that.”

“Emily, you were kidnapped and had a heinous ritual performed on you in my care.”

“They got Mark and Silas too… that wasn’t your fault.”

“Then I wanted to go with you and Miri, but backed off when you told me to.”

“You had to!”

“Lastly, when you ran from the bounty hunters, I should have been able to protect you.”

“There were too many of them with Tasers,” she said. She was suddenly feeling like she was losing him.

“Because of that you had to kill.”

Her heart skipped a beat, “That wasn’t your fault.”

“Yes it was. It was my duty to protect you.”

“Come back, please.”

“I can’t.”

“What can I do to get you to change your mind?”

“Who did you slip to come here?”

She sighed, “I tased Mark and Silas, and then ashed three others.”

Lord Dexter looked at her and gasped.

“You need someone who can protect you in spite of yourself.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means… you’re valuable to the Equites and don’t even know it. It takes a lot to keep you safe.”

“I’ll be good then. I won’t slip you. I won’t run off by myself.”

“Em, it’s too late. I let too much get by me to be safe for you.”

“I’ll give you Frederick,” she said, and couldn’t help but notice how quiet the entire cell block fell.

“You still have him?”

“Of course.”

“The year is up. I’m just surprised.”

“Well I do, but I’ll give him to you if you’ll return to the Cavalry as my guard.”

“You are safer without me,” Kralen said, but she caught the slight hesitancy in his voice.

“Yeah, because driving for 24 hours by myself to wear Encala robes and be thrown into a coven’s prison is completely safe.”

Lord Dexter grinned, “Some of the rumors about you are true.”

“Like what?” she asked, looking over at him.

“That you have no sense of self-preservation.”

“Gah, that’s what Chev tells me, he’s wrong.”

“Obviously”

“Kralen, please, it’s not the same without you… Chev even got me a shrink.”

“He did?” Kralen asked, shocked.

“Yes, and then I ashed her.”

Kralen chuckled, “So nothing’s changed is what you mean?”

“Everything’s changed.”

“No, I’m not going to put your life at risk because I miss my job.”

“Fine then… good night,” she said, and sat down on the cement. She shifted the red robe around until it was a little more comfortable and then laid down on the cold cement floor.

“What’s she doing?” Kralen asked.

“She’s… lying down,” Lord Dexter told him, and then walked over to Kralen’s cell. “The Council won’t like this.”

“Emily, you’re risking the coven here getting into a lot of trouble with the Council over this,” Kralen called out.

She just ignored him and pulled her arms into the robe to get warm.

“Maybe she will get uncomfortable enough that she will ask to be let out,” Lord Dexter said, and glanced back into her cell.

“She’d rot in there before caving,” Kralen said, and then sighed. “She’s not going to turn the coven to ash. At least call the Elder and let him know she’s here.”

“Do I ask him to come?”

“Tell him what’s been said. He may decide not to.”

Lord Dexter nodded, “Good idea… though you’re sure she won’t attack?”

“No, she won’t. She’s a lot tougher sounding than she really is.”

Emily smiled slightly and settled in for the night.

“There’s a snow starting. I’ll have her car pulled in and will call the Elder.”

***

“Elder?” Derrick said after knocking on his office door.

“Did she call?” Chevalier asked when he opened the door.

“No, Lord Dexter is on the phone. He says it’s urgent.”

“Fine, send it to my cell.”

“Yes, Elder,” Derrick said, and disappeared. Chevalier sighed and headed up the two flights to his bedroom. His cell phone was already ringing when he stepped in.

“Chevalier here,” he said when he answered.

“Elder, this is Lord Dexter from the Okanogan Coven… The Lady has shown up here.”

“Emily is in Washington?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Put her on the phone.”

Lord Dexter cleared his throat, “There’s a slight… problem… Sir.”

“Such as?” he growled.

“When she arrived, she was wearing a blonde wig and had on an Encala robe. She was immediately mistaken for an Encala and thrown into prison.”

“Understandable, so let her out.”

“She’s threatened to turn the entire coven to ash if anyone gets near the cell, Sir.”

“So she knows Kralen’s there?”

“Yes, Elder. They’ve been conversing.”

“Has he agreed to return?” Chevalier asked hopefully.

“No, Elder, and she says she’s not leaving without him and has gone to sleep on the cement floor of the cell.”

“Of course she has,” Chevalier sighed. “I’m on my way. I’ll arrive by helicop…”

“Sir… there’s a blizzard warning, high winds and heavy snow.”

“Damnit, when’s that supposed to clear?”

“It’s supposed to last a good two days. We’ve moved her Mercedes into the coven and have locked up for the storm warning.”

“Let me talk to her then, take the phone to the prison.”

“She threatened to turn the coven to ash if we notified you though,” Lord Dexter told him. “Also… she’s offered to give Frederick to Kralen if he’ll return as her guard.”

“She did!?”

“Yes, Elder.”

“Wow… damn… let me talk to the Council. Have Kralen call us at 8am.”

“Yes, Elder.”

“Just toss a blanket and pillow into the cell if she’s going to be that stubborn.”

“Right away.”

Chevalier shut his phone and looked around the room.

“Is Mommy coming back?” Dain asked from beside the fire.

“Not yet, I’m going to talk to the Council. You stay here ok?”

Dain nodded and ran his hand through the malamute’s thick fur as Chevalier left.

“Convene the Council,” he said, and left for the council chambers. When he arrived, most of them were already at their seats. Kyle and Dustin were still missing, as they had a hunch and were headed for Thukil and Powan.

Chevalier sat down and conferenced Kyle and Dustin on speakerphone, “She’s at Okanogan Coven.”

“I’ll head that way,” Kyle told them.

“Lord Dexter said there’s a good sized storm there… plus, she’s threatened to ash his coven if he notified me,” Chevalier explained.

“Tell them to just send her home then.”

“It’s not that easy. She’s in their prison and threatens to ash anyone who touches the cell.”

“Why would she do that?” Dustin asked, shocked.

“Because she’s trying to get Kralen to come back.”

“Let her try… I’m heading back.”

“There’s more,” Chevalier said, and looked over at the Elders. “She’s offered to give Kralen Frederick’s ashes if he’ll return.”

“She did!?” Zohn gasped.

Quinn shook his head, “And he said?”

“He said no, but I have him calling in a couple of hours to see what we can arrange.”

“How did she get put in prison?” Kyle asked, confused.

“Somehow, she showed up with a blonde wig and an Encala’s robes. They mistook her for an Encala and tossed her in.”

“They mistook her for an Encala? She’s barely 5-foot tall.”

Chevalier looked over when the Chief of Defense chuckled.

“Sorry, Elder,” he said, and turned away.

“They didn’t really have a choice. She smelled like an Encala.”

“Where would she get an Encala robe from then?” Kyle asked, mainly to himself. “I mean… to have their scent, it had to have been obtained recently.”

“I’m almost afraid to ask… however, if we can convince Kralen to return, we can end this abduction,” Chevalier told him.

“You sure you don’t want me to go? I can take the truck,” Kyle suggested.

“No, come back here. We need to convince Kralen to stay, and then hopefully, she’ll hand Frederick over.”

“On my way,” Kyle said, and hung up.

“I’m an hour outside of Powan, may I continue?” Dustin asked.

“Yes, go,” Chevalier said, and turned off the phone.

The Council was deep in discussion when Derrick came in, “Kralen is on the phone.”

Quinn nodded, “Right at 8am… patch him in here.”

Zohn turned on the speakerphone when it rang, “Hello, Kralen.”

“You asked me to call?”

“Yes, we know Emily is there and that she offered to give you Frederick.”

“Yes”

“Did you agree?”

“No, I did not. I can’t protect her.”

Chevalier sighed, “I trust you more than most of those guards.”

“That’s what she said. However, history speaks for itself. She’ll give Frederick back without me involved,” Kralen told them.

“What’s it going to take to get you back here?”

“I can’t protect her.”

“No one can,” Quinn said. “However, you were one of the most capable.”

“He’s right, even I cannot protect her and I’m married to her,” Chevalier told him.

“Mark,” Zohn called out, and it was silent until he entered.

“Yes, Elder?”

“Are you completely capable of protecting Emily?”

Mark grinned slightly, “No, am I getting replaced?”

“No, you are not. Is anyone able to fully protect her?”

“I don’t believe so… no disrespect, Elder,” Mark said to Chevalier.

Chevalier smiled, “None taken.”

“That ritual was performed right in front of me,” Kralen reminded them.

“I was there, too,” Mark said.

“I tried to go with Emily and Miri when the Encala took them, yet I backed off when asked.”

“We all do that,” Chevalier said.

“I allowed her to be hunted and to commit murder.”

“No, you did not,” Mark said. “Now get your ass back here before I drive to Washington and get you.”

“Good, you can share a cell with Em,” Kralen said, slightly amused.

Mark gasped, “Emily’s in your prison?”

“We’ll explain later,” Chevalier said. “Emily aside, I see it as your duty to protect the Equites and you can do that by returning Frederick to us immediately.”

There was a long silence while Kralen spoke, “If it happens again…”

“It will,” Zohn told him.

“If she’s injured on my watch. I want to be free to leave.”

“She will be though,” Mark growled. “She’s always injured and takes unnecessary risks. She tased me just to get to you!”

Kralen chuckled, “Yes, she told me that.”

“As soon as the snowstorm is over, return her to us,” Quinn said. “Then we’ll handle Frederick, and you can meet with the Elders on the rest.”

There was another silence, “Ok.”

Mark grinned, “Great!”

“Just understand that once I return Frederick, there are no guarantees that I will stay.”

“Fine, but next time you have to tell Emily yourself,” Mark said, and then smiled before leaving with a bow.

“Call when you are on your way,” Chevalier said, “And get her out of that cell.”

“Yes, Elder,” Kralen said, and hung up.

“So?” Lord Dexter asked as he watched Kralen hang up the phone.

“I’m going back, long enough to return the Encala Elder, and then I’ll decide,” Kralen told him.

Lord Dexter smiled, “You’re too good to be in my prison. Return to Council City where you belong.”

“Let me get Em out of prison, and then we’ll leave when the snow breaks.”

Kralen walked back down to the prison. He still wasn’t sure if he felt right about claiming to be one of Emily’s protectors, when he doubted his ability to do so, but the others had valid points. He stopped in front of her cell and shook his head. The blanket and pillow Lord Dexter gave to her were sitting in a pile in the corner, while she slept on the cement with her arms inside the Encala robe.

“You’ve been sprung,” Kralen told her.

Emily looked up, “You’re out!”

“Yes, get out of there,” he said, and then opened the cell door.

“You’re coming back?”

“Yes”

“Good, this place is awful,” she said, and followed him back up into the main house.

“Good to see you out of our prison,” Lord Dexter said, and smiled at her.

“He’s so stubborn,” she told him.

“Yes, he is… seems to be contagious though.”

Emily just grinned.

“Come, I’ll show you to your room,” Lord Dexter told her, and Emily followed him up with Kralen behind her.

He opened a door and she stepped in and moved to the side so Kralen could enter.

“I will see what we can do about food,” Lord Dexter said, and shut the door.

Kralen sat down on a chair, “We’ll be here for a couple of days until the weather clears.”

Emily nodded and watched him from across the room.

He looked over at her, “What?”

She shrugged.

“Tell me.”

“You won’t tell?”

His eyes narrowed, “Depends.”

Emily swallowed hard and then sighed, “I’m… kind of… late.”

“For what?” he asked, and frowned.

“Late… late.”

“Not following.”

“Don’t make me say it, please.”

“Oh!” Kralen gasped, and looked at her with wide eyes.

“Can you smell me?”

“It’s normal,” he assured her.

“Get closer,” she said, and walked toward him with her wrist out.

“You’re going to get me banished on my first day back,” he told her, and took her wrist, then lightly ran his nose along the vein. “Nothing.”

She sighed, “Neck then, get closer.”

“No,” he told her, and stood up.

“Please”

“No, are you kidding? If someone saw…”

“Who is going to see? I need to know.”

“Don’t you have tests for that?”

“Yes, you, now please.”

Kralen looked up at the ceiling and sighed before he walked up to her as she pulled the hair away from her neck and tilted her head.

“You’re going to get me banished,” he said, and bent over to run his nose along her neck.

She grinned, “No one will see.”

His body tensed and she looked over at him when his voice was strained, “Damn, do you know how appetizing you smell?”

“So?”

“It’s normal… just… stronger,” he said, and again lightly ran his nose along her neck.

“When’s the last time you ate?” she asked when his body pressed lightly against hers and she heard him hiss softly. She pulled away from him and he turned suddenly toward the window.

“Months”

“Go, I’m ok here while you’re gone.”

In an instant, he was gone. The only sign of his movement was the softly shutting door. She sat down on the edge of the bed and called Chevalier.

***

Kralen stopped his truck at the front gates to Council City and turned to Emily, “No more slipping me?”

“Right”

“No tasing me to get away?”

“Right”

“If I feel I need to go somewhere with you.”

“Then you can go, right.”

“Frederick?”

She smiled, “He’s yours.”

Kralen nodded and put the truck back into drive. The front guards waved him through, and he pulled into the garage and turned off the engine.

Emily looked toward the palace’s door, “Am I going to get eaten?”

Kralen grinned, “No, your smell is normal.”

“Or are you just used to it?”

“It’s normal.”

“Check again,” she said, and held her wrist out.

Kralen looked around the garage and then took her hand in his and smelled at her wrist. He gasped and dropped her hand when Chevalier appeared beside the truck with Zohn, Kyle, Mark, and Silas.

“What the hell?” Mark growled, and Chevalier opened Emily’s door.

She smiled and he lifted her out of the truck, “We’re back.”

Chevalier put Emily down on the ground and moved her behind him, then turned to glare at Kralen, “What was that?”

Emily pushed past him to stand between them, “Stop it. I asked him to smell my wrist.”

Kyle moved a few steps closer to Kralen, “Explain.”

Emily pushed Kyle hard against his shoulders, though he didn’t move, “Leave him alone!”

“I was just doing her a favor,” Kralen said, and took a step back.

“I spent 5 days getting him back, and now you all attack him?” Emily screamed.

“What kind of favor was that?” Kyle asked him.

“Stop it, Kyle, now,” Emily said, and pulled on his arm.

“Everyone out,” Chevalier growled. Everyone but Emily, Kralen, and Zohn blurred angrily from the room.

Emily walked over to stand by Kralen, “That was pretty much uncalled for.”

“It’s ok, Em. I’m sure it looked really bad,” Kralen told her.

“It doesn’t matter what it looks like, they need to trust us.”

“I do,” Chevalier said, calming himself. “Now why don’t you tell us why you consider that a favor to her?”

Kralen shrugged, “She asked me to.”

“Why?” the Elder asked, and turned to Emily.

She blushed and glanced at the others before speaking, “I just… Chev, this is private.”

“Between you and Kralen?”

“No, between you and me.”

Chevalier glanced at Zohn and then back to Emily, “It’s ok… just tell me why.”

She looked over at Kralen and then whispered to Chevalier, “I’m late.”

“For what?” he asked, confused.

Emily shook her head and took Kralen’s hand, “Let’s go get Frederick.”

Chevalier sighed and shrugged at Zohn before following them into the palace.

Emily stopped, wide-eyed, when she saw the entire Council gathered in the foyer along with Encala’s Elder William and Elder Aaron, with four members of the Encala Council. They all turned to look at her and she was able to see past them and noticed that two of the Valle Elders and four of their Council was also present.

“Welcome back,” Quinn said, and smiled.

Emily blushed, “Why are you all here?”

“We came to get our Elder back,” William said angrily.

“Watch it,” Kralen growled at him.

“I’m not showing you all where he is. You can wait here,” Emily told them.

“I am going,” William said, and stepped forward.

“No, you aren’t… Aaron can come.”

“Why not me?”

“Because I said so… now… the Equites can come in, but the Encala and Valle can wait out here, except Aaron.”

“You cannot dictate how this is going to go.”

“If you want your Elder back, I suggest you back off,” Kralen told him.

Chevalier stepped forward, “Yes she can dictate how this is going to work. As we’ve not been able to find him for 16 months, she has every right.”

William glared at them and stepped back.

“Get backup in here,” Kralen whispered, and Emily looked up at him. Seconds later, ten of the Cavalry joined them, including Silas and Mark, who moved up to stand by Kralen.

“Ready?” Emily asked, and looked at Chevalier.

“Yes, is it far?”

She smiled, “Nope, he’s in the palace.”

“He is!?” William screamed.

“Stop it or I’ll ash you,” Emily said, and frowned. Instinctively, the Cavalry moved closer around her as Chevalier moved to her side.

“Let’s go then,” Quinn said, and walked over to her.

Emily nodded and started off down the hallway, followed by almost thirty heku. She stopped at the door to the ancient’s room and smiled slightly before opening the door.

“He is not in here!” Chevalier gasped.

“I knew you wouldn’t be able to smell him in here,” she said, and walked in. She immediately went over to Damon’s banishment marker and started to dig.

“You buried him with Damon?” Kyle asked, watching her.

“Yes”

After a few minutes, she pulled out a small pink leather bag with a drawstring tie. She stood up with it and held it up, “Here’s Frederick.”

Mark shook his head, “He was right here the entire time.”

“Yes, he was,” Emily said, and knelt down on the dirt. She carefully opened the bag and dumped the ashes out onto the ground.

Kyle stepped forward, “Em, you better stand back, in case he knows you did this.”

Chevalier reached up and pulled her back to stand beside him, while the Cavalry fell in around her. Kyle checked with the Elders and then pulled the dagger from his pocket. The screaming started the instant his blood hit the ashes and Emily watched, shocked, as Frederick reformed.

She took a step back and Chevalier moved between them when Frederick’s furious eyes fell to her, “You Bitch!”

“Frederick, calm down,” Aaron said, and touched his arm.

“I will not calm down,” Frederick said, and pulled away from the Elder. “You need punished for that.”

“She will be, by the Equites,” Chevalier told him, and he crouched slightly, followed by the Cavalry.

“Not enough! She deserves pain beyond human tolerance… she needs to feel what a heku goes through.”

“No,” Chevalier told him. “Now you can go.”

“Give her to me,” Frederick hissed, and moved forward.

“Let’s go,” Aaron said, and started for the door.

“Fear me, little girl,” he said, and turned to follow Aaron out. Emily looked over as Kyle re-covered Damon’s banishment sight and stood up.

Emily sighed, “It’s over.”

“No, it’s not,” Mark told her. “He’s going to come after you.”

“I’ll just ash him.”

“Let us handle it,” Silas said, and smiled at Kralen. “The three of us.”

Kralen shrugged, “We’ll see, I need to meet with the Elders.”

“Em, Silas and I want to talk to you,” Mark said, and everyone left the ancient’s room.

“What’d I do now? Other than… oh wait… I tased you,” she said, and cringed.

Silas grinned, “That’s not what this is about…though we may have to bring that up.”

Kralen chuckled and left with the Elders.

Emily followed Mark and Silas quietly up to Mark’s office and stepped in when he opened the door. She sat down when Mark sat behind his desk and then glanced back at Silas when he shut the door.

“I’m sorry, ok? I’ve already talked to Kralen about behaving,” Emily said.

“We’ll discuss that later. What we want now is to find out how to get you back on the Cavalry,” Mark said, and he leaned forward with his elbows on the table.

“Why?”

“What do you mean why? You’re an important part of the Cavalry and we miss you.”

“I can’t do it though… I can’t obey every order. I can’t sit for hours watching drills.”

“We don’t expect you to,” Silas said, and leaned against Mark’s desk. “However, we do want some compliance when it comes to Cavalry dealings with the Council and… well… guards.”

“I’ll help with the horses, but I see no reason to call myself a Commander and pretend to fit into the heku ranks,” Emily said.

“Fine then, I’ll come out and say it,” Mark said with a slight grin. “We need you to help us with morale.”

“Morale?”

“Yes, your little… well… ambushes, your personality and flare, it not only keeps the Cavalry on their toes, but wanting to be here. It’s a hard job, pretty thankless, and there are little rewards. Your presence just happens to be one of them.”

Emily frowned, “Are you kidding?”

Silas laughed, “No.”

She crossed her arms, “What are you up to?”

“Nothing,” Mark said. “Just because you normally have ulterior motives for everything, doesn’t mean we do.”

“If Kralen agrees to stay, then I’ll think about it, but I need a few days.”

Silas nodded, “Agreed then, we’ll talk again on Saturday.”

“Oh, and Em?” Mark said.

“Yes?” Emily looked over at him.

“Tase me again… and I’ll bite you.”

She gasped, “No!”

“Yes”

Silas laughed and opened the door, but stopped when he immediately came face-to-face with Chevalier.

“Late?” Chevalier asked, raising an eyebrow.

Emily sighed, “Yes.”

“Come on,” he said, and put a hand out.

“If you’re late for something, we can take you,” Silas said as he walked out of Mark’s office.

Chevalier chuckled, “Won’t help.”

Silas shrugged and followed Chevalier and Emily to their room. He stood outside of the door when they went inside.

“How late?” he asked when they were alone.

“A week… but Kralen’s not picking anything up.”

“Let me try,” he said, and she held her wrist out. He grinned, shook his head, and then picked her up so he could more easily smell along her neck. He set her down after kissing her softly, “Nothing.”

“Taste then,” she said, frowning.

“Taste?”

“Yes, it’s more accurate, right?”

“Well, yes, but…”

“Just not my neck,” she told him, and held her wrist out.

“You sure?”

“Yes”

In one fluid movement, he pinned her to the bed and sunk his teeth into the soft flesh of her neck. Emily started to protest, but felt herself relax under his body. When he finished, he pressed his lips to hers and then laughed when she tried to slap him, but he caught her hand.

“I said wrist,” she growled.

“I’m your husband, I don’t have to use your wrist,” he told her, and then kissed her again.

“You do if I tell you to,” she said, and tried to get up, but he held her down.

“Oh? So I have to do as you say?”

“Yes”

***

“So what’s up with you, power struggles, and sex?” Emily asked, and looked up from the bed at him.

Chevalier shrugged and grinned, “No idea.”

“We gotta stop this,” she said, and leaned her head on his bare chest.

“Why’s that?”

“I keep getting pregnant.”

“We don’t know that yet. I don’t detect anything.”

“Yet,” she mumbled.

He kissed the top of her head softly, “I’m sure we’ll know for certain by the time I get back.”

“I forgot you’re leaving again.”

“I’ll only be gone two days.”

“Great, just enough time to get eaten.”

He grinned again, “Have Mark check, will you?”

“I tried that, remember, and you almost tore Kralen a new one.”

“Just have Mark do it… smell only.”

“Fine, who are you taking?” she asked, and sat on the edge of the bed.

“Kyle, Jerry, and Dustin.”

Emily looked over at him and smiled, “Thank you.”

Chapter 8 - Doppelgangers

“Emily?” Zohn whispered, and touched her shoulder. Emily jerked out of a deep sleep and jumped out of bed.

She looked around the dark room and her eyes fell on Zohn.

“I’m sorry to wake you,” he said, and stood up.

She sat down on the edge of the bed, “What’s up?”

“Chevalier is missing.”

“Missing?” she gasped.

“Yes, he, Kyle, Jerry, and Dustin were supposed to be at the Lake Placid Coven last night and didn’t show up. We’ve tried all three cell phones, and no one’s answering.”

“Did they fly?”

“No, Dustin drove his car. The Lake Placid Coven’s been out all night and hasn’t seen any sign of it.”

Emily looked around the room, still confused, “We’ll go then, drive the route and find them.”

“Quinn and the Cavalry already went out. There’s no sign of them,” Zohn said, and watched her, concerned.

“What kind of mission was it?” Emily asked, and picked Dain up when he came out of his room.

“Nothing bad. The Coven Lord asked that some of the Council come to a medal ceremony.”

“Where’s Daddy?” Dain asked, looking up at Emily.

“He’s just away, Baby.”

“We’re still looking and we’ve sent someone to each faction in case this is an attack.”

Emily frowned and put Dain down on the floor, “I’ll go look then.”

“We need you to stay here.”

“No! I can find them.”

“If this is an attack, then we need you in the safety of the palace.”

“No!”

“It’s more important that you stay safe.”

Emily sunk back down on the bed, “I can find him.”

“We’re looking,” Zohn said, and watched her briefly before leaving.

She picked Dain up again and held him close to her, “Alexis?”

A few minutes later, Alexis came in as she read a book, “Yeah Mom?”

Emily turned to her and frowned. Since Alexis’ incident with Gabe, her guard, she’d taken to wearing all black and always looked depressed.

“Your Dad is missing,” she said, and sighed when Alexis shrugged.

“He’ll turn up.”

“Alex… he’s missing. He could be hurt.”

“He’s fine, he’s heku,” she said, and sat down by the fire.

“Way to care, Alex,” Emily growled, and started for the door. She opened it and was immediately blocked by Silas, Kralen, and two other members of the Cavalry.

“We can’t let you go, Em,” Kralen told her. “We’ll find him.”

Emily set Dain down, “I just need to talk to Mark.”

“That’s it?”

“That’s it.”

“He’s in his office,” Silas said, and moved aside. Kralen alone followed Emily up the stairs and she knew why. She’d promised not to slip him when he agreed to be her guard again.

Emily knocked and then stepped in when Mark called for her. She shut the door behind him and watched him for a few seconds.

Mark looked up, “To what do I owe this honor?”

“Did Chev… tell you?”

“Tell me what?”

“What I need you to do?”

Mark leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms, “I’m not sure what you mean.”

She sighed, “I need you to smell my wrist.”

“Why?” he asked, frowning.

“Just do, please,” she said, and held out her hand.

“Tell me why first. It’s not proper.”

“Come on, Mark, it’s bad enough…”

“No, tell me why and I’ll tell you if it’s something I’ll do.”

“Chev said to ask you.”

“The Elder said nothing to me.”

“Fine, then I’ll ask Kralen again,” she said, and turned for the door, but he was already standing in front of it. “I hate when you do that.”

“Why?”

“It’s shocking to suddenly see someone appear.”

“Not that, Em…” he said, and rolled his eyes.

“Oh… well… you can’t tell anyone, not even the Council.”

“The Elder said this?”

“Not that part, that’s my request.”

“Tell me, and then I’ll decide if I’ll keep it a secret,” Mark said, and didn’t move from the door.

Emily shifted nervously and looked down at her hands, then whispered, “I need to know if I’m pregnant.”

“Oh,” Mark said, his eyes wide.

She held her wrist out and without another word, Mark took her hand and inhaled deeply at her wrist, ignoring the way it made him salivate. He shut his eyes and calmed the thirst before speaking, “It’s normal.”

“Thanks,” she said, and started around him.

“How long?”

She shrugged, “Just a little late is all… the scent usually doesn’t come this early, but he wants me to have you check while he’s gone, so no one tries to eat me.”

Mark smiled slightly, “They better not.”

“I’ll have you check tomorrow,” she said, and he moved aside so she could leave. She blushed when she saw Kralen and he looked at Mark and shrugged before following her back to her room.

“What do you want for breakfast?” Silas asked when he saw her return.

“Nothing,” she mumbled, and opened the door.

Kralen touched her shoulder, “We’re not going to let you starve while the Elder is away.”

“Away? You mean missing?”

“What do you want?”

“Coffee,” she whispered and shut the door. She looked up and saw Dain and Alexis on the floor staring at each other, “What are you doing?”

Neither of them moved, so she went over to look out the window, “They won’t let me go after your Dad.”

Neither responded, so she turned and looked at them again. They were sitting cross-legged, facing each other. She stepped closer and saw that their breathing was in sync.

“Dain!” she said, and rushed forward. She knelt down and looked closer. Alexis had a vacant expression and Dain was whispering too softly for Emily to hear.

“Dain, stop it!” Emily hissed, and pulled on his arm. His expression didn’t change, but his concentration deepened and he kept his eyes locked on Alexis’.

“Silas!” Emily yelled, and stood up when they walked in. “What’s he doing!?”

Silas immediately appeared at Dain and pulled the young heku to his feet. Dain looked up at Silas and then back to Alexis. Kralen was knelt down by Alexis, but she was still staring off into nothing.

“What’s going on?” Emily asked, and knelt down by Alexis.

“What did you tell her?” Silas asked Dain, and picked him up by his shoulders.

Dain shrugged, “I don’t know.”

“What!” Silas yelled, and shook Dain briefly.

Dain glared at him, “She was being mean.”

Kralen immediately re-locked Alexis’ gaze and was softly talking to her.

“Dain!” Emily screamed, and pulled him from Silas. “What did you do?”

“She was being mean,” Dain repeated.

“Never… ever, do that to her. Do you hear me?”

Dain nodded and looked over as Alexis began to stir. Kralen finally stood up and helped Alexis to her feet.

“You little vamp!” Alexis screamed, and started for Dain. Emily turned to block Dain, but he was gone.

Silas sighed, “I’ll get him.”

She watched as Silas blurred from the room.

“Are you ok?” she asked, and knelt down beside Alexis.

“I hate being human!” the teenager screamed, and stormed out of the room.

Emily looked over at Kralen, “Maybe we were both better off in prison.”

Kralen grinned, “I know I was.”

“Hey,” Emily gasped, and he walked out and shut the door. She could hear him laughing in the hallway.

She sat in the bay window and looked out over the city, wondering what happened to Chevalier.

***

“Kyle?” Dustin whispered, and shook him as Jerry watched.

Kyle opened his eyes and sat up quickly, “Where are we?”

They all looked around the deep hole they were in. It was a cylindrical room of dirt and the only light came from over fifty feet above them.

“I don’t know,” Dustin said, and turned to look at the walls.

“Where’s the Elder?”

“I haven’t seen him either, course… you just showed up. I’ve been here for 3 days.”

“Down here?”

“Yes”

Kyle sighed, “I was being interrogated by the Encala.”

“I figured,” Jerry said, and looked up. “I assume the Elder is being interrogated also. What were they asking about?”

“Mostly about some of our big covens, strengths, numbers, outposts, that sort of thing.”

“Nothing about Emily?” Dustin asked, shocked.

“Nope, though I can’t help but think this is in retaliation for her taking Frederick.”

***

“Em?” Kralen said after knocking on the door.

“Come in,” she called out. Kralen came in and found her sitting in the bay widow again. She hadn’t eaten since Chevalier disappeared and spent most of her time sitting in the window looking out. Alexis was back in school, and Dain was attending his classes with two guards to watch him. In the last couple of days, he’d locked Alexis’ gaze four times and twice attempted to lock Emily’s.

“He’s back,” Kralen told her and smiled.

Emily gasped and stood up, “He is?”

“Yes, he’s in the garage.”

She ran past him and headed quickly down the stairs, taking two at a time in bare feet. Her four guards ran behind her, also glad to see the four missing council members back safely. When she saw him, she ran to him and put her arms around him.

“I don’t think so, just a random unfactioned I think,” Chevalier said to Zohn. Zohn was surprised that Chevalier didn’t react to Emily’s hug.

“Are they dead?”

“Yeah, we killed them all,” Kyle said, and started inside.

Emily looked up at Chevalier, “Are you ok?”

“I’m heku,” he said, and pulled away from her to walk after Kyle and Jerry. Dustin followed him in and Emily glanced back at Kralen, and they went into the palace.

They all walked into the council chambers and when Chevalier sat in his chair and turned toward Quinn, Emily sat down beside him.

“Good to have you back,” Quinn said, and smiled.

“It’s those unfactioned, not Ferus, but unfactioned… They wanted information on the palace,” Chevalier told him.

Emily sat quietly behind him and watched how Kyle, Jerry, and Dustin were whispering in the corner.

“It was stupid for them to think they would get information from you,” Zohn said.

“It was, but we handled them. What is going on here?” Chevalier asked.

“It’s been quiet. We’ve spent most of our resources looking for you four.”

Emily reached down under the desk to take Chevalier’s hand, but he pulled his out of hers and opened up the log book for the last few days. She frowned slightly and then quietly stood up and left.

“Dain’s been… controlling Alexis a lot lately,” the Chief Interrogator told him.

Chevalier shrugged, “He’s heku, it’s his right.”

Quinn frowned, “It is?”

“Yes… why has J.R. been put on suspension?”

“He snuck out again to meet up with a donor,” Zohn told him.

“Kill him, that’s my suggestion then. Suspension is too lenient.”

“We considered it, but he’s very young,” Quinn said.

“Doesn’t matter.”

Zohn started to say something, but stopped. Chevalier usually gave young heku one chance before banishment, but this heku had been in no trouble until now.

“What else?” Chevalier asked, and looked up.

Quinn cleared his throat, “We’re ready for the Madden trial.”

“Good, let’s get it over with.”

“Don’t you want to rest? It could take weeks.”

“No, let’s do it,” Chevalier told him.

“You don’t want time with the family first?”

“Oh right, yes, just an hour or so,” he said, then stood up and blurred away.

Emily looked over from the bay window when Chevalier walked in and she set her book down, “I’m glad you’re back.”

“Yes, I would imagine,” he said, and sat down on a chair by the fire. “Come, we must talk.”

“Ok,” she said, and sat her book down before moving to a chair beside him.

“I’ve had a lot of time to think over the last few days, and I’m not sure our current arrangement is working.”

“Arrangement?”

“Yes, by keeping Frederick, you proved to me that you may not be ready to run free with the heku, and I think it’s time to rein you in,” he told her, and sat back in the chair.

Emily frowned, “What do you mean?”

“What I mean is… no more running around the palace. If you need to go somewhere, then you’ll need to have your guards ask permission.”

“What?” she whispered.

“You have to see how Frederick’s capture put a strain on our marriage, and right now, I’m not sure it’s working out.”

“I didn’t know that.”

“Well it did. I don’t feel as close to you, and I don’t feel as though I can trust you… It’s going to take a while to get that back.”

The cold way he spoke sent chills up her spine, “Chev…”

“We’ll try the new way. See if I can learn to trust you again or if you are too loose of a cannon for this to work. I took a big risk bringing a human into the palace, and I see now that may have been a mistake.”

“I don’t understand what…”

“Alexis has the same rules you do.”

“But…”

“Dain is free to roam the palace. He’s full heku and will be treated as such,” Chevalier told her, and then stood.

Emily just watched him. Her heart sunk at how quickly she could lose him now.

He opened the door and then turned around, “Pick up this room, it’s a mess.”

She nodded and he shut the door behind her. She looked around the massive room and saw only one pair of shoes sitting out of place. She got up and put them away and then returned to the window to think.

***

Dustin and Kyle both moved to the sides of their confinement space when Chevalier was thrown down on top of them. When he landed, unconscious, they both knelt down beside him.

“He’s burned,” Kyle whispered.

Chevalier quickly began to heal and after only a few moments, opened his eyes and sat up.

“Are you ok, Elder?” Jerry asked, and sat down on the mud beside him.

“Where is this?”

“The bottom of a well, I think.”

He sighed, “They gave up torturing me when I wouldn’t tell them Powan’s information.”

Kyle nodded, “They asked me about that also.”

“Are they going after Powan then?” Dustin asked.

“I don’t know. When they were done, they just electrocuted me and dropped me down here,” Chevalier said, and stood up. He looked around the tiny dirt tunnel.

“There’s no way out, we’ve tried.”

“Have they mentioned any ransom demands?”

“No, Elder.”

***

Zohn, Quinn, and Chevalier sat in the Elder’s Conference room on the second day of Madden’s trial.

“We’re just worried about how you’re treating her,” Zohn said. They heard immediately about his new plans for Emily, and then caught wind that he had other changes in store for her. They knew she wasn’t eating and was afraid to talk to any heku.

“Don’t worry about her. She’ll be fine.”

“It’s just odd that you are so cold towards her. Did something happen?”

“You mean other than Frederick’s kidnapping? I had four days alone to think about that, and it just makes me angry.”

“I see,” Quinn said, and leaned back in his chair. “What else did you tell her?”

“Nothing more than making her do more productive things. There’s no reason she can’t cook for herself and clean up after the children. She sits around here and does nothing all day, it’s time she works.”

Zohn frowned, “Then we should have left her as Staff Supervisor.”

“That’s too high. She needs to start at the bottom.”

“Why is that? I thought you found cleaning… unbecoming of an Elder’s wife.”

“I did, but now I see that work will help keep her busy enough to stay out of trouble… now are we going back to Madden or not?” Chevalier growled.

“Yes, we’ll go,” Zohn said, and they all headed back to the trial.

The Elders joined the trial and Madden looked up angrily from the trial room floor.

***

Mark knocked lightly on the bedroom door, “Em?”

“Come in,” she whispered. He came in and saw her folding laundry on the bed.

“Do you want me to check?”

“No,” she said, but didn’t look up at him.

“Has the Elder?”

“No”

“Then I really should.”

“No, I can’t risk him getting mad.”

“I think someone should check… but I won’t force you,” he said, and left her room. Chevalier told her guards to spend as little time with her as possible. He felt she needed to be isolated from the day-to-day workings of the heku environment.

Emily watched him leave and then stood up to put the kid’s clothes away. When she was done, she opened her door.

“Please ask if I can go start lunch,” she asked Silas, never looking up.

He sighed and then blurred away. Silas returned a few seconds later, “We can go.”

She nodded and started quietly down the stairs. The heku guards watched as she made herself some coffee, and then sat at the dining room table to drink.

“Em,” Kralen whispered, and looked around the room before bending over toward her. “Coffee isn’t food.”

Emily swallowed hard, “Chevalier said I could lose a few pounds… so I’m on a diet.”

“What!?” Kralen whispered harshly. They’d watched her drop a lot of weight the last week since his return. She was refusing to eat and her clothes started to hang off of her.

She shrugged, “I guess he’s right.”

Kralen stood back up and looked over at Silas. They were both inwardly angry, but knew any outward appearance could be detrimental.

When Emily finished her cup of coffee, they started back up the stairs. She stopped on the fourth-floor foyer when Chevalier walked around from the back of the council chambers and looked at her.

“You know, you could stop dressing like a western movie reject… you look awful,” he told her, and then went to his office.

Emily just turned and slowly walked up the stairs. She felt a sharp stab in her stomach and bent over slightly as she walked.

“What’s wrong?” Silas asked, and touched her arm.

“Nothing,” she whispered, and walked into her room, shutting the door behind her. The pain became stronger and she fell to her knees and bent over to try to relieve the pain. The sound caused Silas and Kralen to rush into her room.

“Em, talk to me, what hurts?” Kralen asked after kneeling down beside her.

She’d broken out in a sweat and her arms shook from the pain, “Go away.”

“No, something’s wrong,” Silas whispered, and shut the door, leaving two of the Cavalry out in the hallway.

“Just go away,” she whispered, and the panic in her voice was obvious.

“He’ll want to send you to a doctor,” Kralen told her.

“No… please… don’t tell him,” she said, and then stood up slowly and fell onto the bed. Silas and Kralen watched until she fell asleep, and then both went to talk to Mark.

“Enter,” Mark said when he heard the knock on his door. He watched Silas and Kralen come in and shut his door behind them.

“We want to go for a ride,” Silas told him.

Mark shrugged, “So go.”

“We want you to come.”

“I’m busy with…”

“No,” Kralen said, sternly. “We want you to come.”

Mark sighed, “Fine… let’s go riding.”

Within twenty minutes, the General and both Captains were out on horseback, heading deeper into the trees.

“He can’t keep treating her like this,” Kralen said when they were far away from the palace.

“He’s going to kill her,” Silas added.

Mark shrugged, “It’s our duty to follow Elder’s orders, and it’s no different when it comes to Emily.”

“Something’s not right. He never treats her badly,” Kralen said, and stopped his horse.

“I know,” Mark told him. “However, she’s never gone so far as to kidnap an enemy Elder either.”

“That was almost 17 months ago.”

“I realize that, but he couldn’t do anything about it at the time, or he risked never getting Frederick back.”

“So you’re ok with what’s going on with Emily?” Kralen asked, irritated.

“No, but it’s not my place to question the orders.”

“She’s in pain,” Silas said, and looked over at Mark. “She’s not eating and has some type of pain in her stomach.”

“She told you?”

“No, we heard a thud and went into her room. She was already acting strangely on the stairs, and when we got into her room, she was on the floor on her knees, obviously in a great deal of pain.”

“Damnit, we have to tell the Elder,” Mark said, and turned his horse.

“She ask that we not.”

Mark sighed, “She might be pregnant.”

“I know,” Kralen whispered.

“That’s even worse then. What if something’s wrong?” Silas asked.

“That’s why we have to tell the Elder.”

“Can’t we just get Dr. Cook?”

Mark looked around the trees, deep in thought, “We have done that in the past.”

“So do it now. For some reason, she doesn’t want him to know.”

“She’s just trying to keep a low profile.”

“That’s because every time he sees her, he insults her,” Silas growled.

“Something’s different with him,” Kralen said, and sighed.

“Let’s go get Dr. Cook,” Mark told them after a few minutes of silence. They all kicked their horses into a fast gallop, and met Dr. Cook outside of Emily’s room.

“What’s the problem?” Dr. Cook asked.

“She’s in some kind of…” Silas stopped when Chevalier appeared on the landing with Kyle.

“Why is the doctor here?” he asked.

Mark turned to him, “We just want him to look at Emily. She’s not feeling well.”

“She’s looking for attention,” Chevalier said, and opened the door. He looked around, but didn’t see her, “Where is she?”

“She was in there,” Mark said, and stepped inside. He turned when he heard a noise in the bathroom, “She’s in there now.”

Chevalier sighed, “She’s just looking for attention… She’s not used to being out of the center of it. I’m sure nothing’s wrong.”

“But…” Mark said, and looked at him.

“No buts, just watch…” Chevalier slammed open the door, and the other heku gasped. Emily was leaned over the toilet with blood on her hands and blood splatters around the toilet bowl.

Dr. Cook blurred to her side and knelt down, “Are you in pain?”

“Leave her alone,” Chevalier ordered, and Dr. Cook hesitated before standing up.

Emily looked up at them, not sure what to do.

“She’s vomiting blood… I need to…”

“You need to stop catering to her and leave her alone,” Chevalier said. “Emily, that’s enough, I’m tired of your attempts at getting attention.”

“Her heart is racing and she has a fever,” Dr. Cook said, with wide eyes.

“She’s faking… Emily, pack up, it’s time to go.”

She slowly got to her feet and started to wash the blood from her hands.

“No time to clean up… you’re such a pig it won’t matter anyway. I said to pack.”

“Where is she going?” Zohn asked when he walked in.

“I’m kicking her out. I’m tired of this.”

Quinn appeared behind Zohn, “You’re what!?”

“She’s my wife… or was my wife… and I’ve had enough of her drama. Frederick was the last straw, and I’m not going to allow her to cloud the palace any longer.”

Emily walked past them, stooped slightly with her arm against her stomach.

“Take nothing the Equites or I gave you,” Chevalier said, and followed her into the bathroom.

She looked over at Kyle, surprised he wasn’t helping her. Jerry walked in and stood casually beside Kyle.

“That leaves just what you are wearing, no reason to pack,” Kyle said.

“Where will she go?” Zohn asked, almost too shocked to speak.

“What do I care? Join the Valle… see how much drama they can take,” Chevalier told them, and sat on his bed.

“Mom?” Alexis asked when she walked into the room with Dain.

“Are you sick?” Dain asked.

“You can take Alexis, but Dain stays here,” Chevalier said.

Emily turned suddenly and stood up straight, “No.”

Kyle crouched slightly, “The heku stays with his own kind.”

“You can kick me out, but you will not take my children from me.”

“Everyone calm down. Emily, you aren’t leaving,” Zohn said, and turned to Chevalier.

“She’s my wife, and I have every right to kick her out!” Chevalier yelled.

“Elder’s vote is 2 to 1, she stays.”

“No,” Emily whispered. “I’m no longer wanted. I’ll go… but I’m taking Dain.”

“Over my dead body,” Jerry hissed, and immediately turned to ash.

“You Bitch!” Chevalier growled, and went to hit her, but Zohn caught his arm.

“You can make her leave, but I won’t stand here while you assault her.”

“Get out,” Chevalier told her.

“Alexis, get Dain into the Jeep,” Emily said, and started for the door.

“Chevalier bought you that Jeep, it stays,” Kyle told her.

“No!” Quinn yelled. “This isn’t right.”

“She’s too sick to leave,” Dr. Cook said, aggravated.

Chevalier reached out and pushed Emily slightly, “Get out of this palace.”

“She cannot go!” Quinn yelled.

“As her husband, I have a right to get rid of her. She’s not good for the Equites.”

Mark, Silas, and Kralen stood aside when Emily passed. They weren’t sure what to do. Their charge and friend was obviously in pain, while her husband fought with the other Elders, and she was being kicked out of the palace.

“Emily?” Chevalier said.

She turned and saw his hand out.

“The ring,” he told her.

She pulled on the essence ring, but found it tightly sealed, “It won’t come off.”

“It will. When it does, I want it back,” he hissed.

She nodded and headed down the stairs after Alexis and Dain.

“We’re taking the Aero,” she whispered when they entered the garage.

“Stay, we’ll talk to him,” Zohn told her.

“He’s just mad about Frederick. He’ll calm down,” Quinn said.

She slid into the Aero and leaned her head against the steering wheel while she turned on the engine.

Dr. Cook knelt down, “Please, go directly to the hospital.”

“You should be gone by now,” Chevalier told her, and folded his arms.

Emily glanced at him briefly before driving out of the palace garage.

Kyle smiled, “Good, get the Cavalry back onto the streets where they belong.”

“Yes, Sir,” Mark replied, holding back his temper.

“Let’s go finish that trial,” Chevalier said, and started up the stairs.

“Revive Jerry first,” Zohn said, obviously angry.

“I don’t feel like it,” Kyle told them, and followed Chevalier.

“Banish him, that’s my vote,” Dustin said, and smiled.

“Agreed,” Chevalier growled, banish him for 300 years.

“For what?” Quinn asked, shocked.

He sighed, “There were some things said against the Council while we were gone and…it’s just time.”

“He’s been our Records Keeper for 2,000 years. We can’t just banish him.”

“He mentioned that the Encala could be trusted, and how he once considered joining them.”

“He did!?”

“Yes, banish him.”

Zohn sighed, “Fine, banish him.”

Quinn growled, “That’s not right!”

Zohn shrugged and they disappeared into the council chambers.

***

“They could at last have the decency to tell us why we’ve been down here for two months,” Jerry said, and looked up at the hole.

“Surely, the Equites are looking for us,” Kyle sighed.

Dustin continued to draw pictures into the mud, “You’d think.”

“If I’m reading Emily right, they know we’re missing. I get a lot of loneliness from her, and I hate how scared and afraid she is,” Chevalier said.

“And the pain?” Kyle asked.

“I haven’t felt it for almost six weeks, so whatever it was, is gone.”

“Do you think she…”

He shrugged, “I don’t know.”

“She what?” Dustin asked.

“When I left, Emily thought she might be pregnant.”

Dustin gasped, “So the pain could be that she lost it?”

Chevalier nodded, “That’s what I suspect.”

“What about the scared and afraid? The Equites would make sure she’s safe,” Kyle asked.

“I don’t know.”

***

“Oh, sorry,” Zohn said when he opened the Elder’s Conference Room door and saw Chevalier, Kyle, and Dustin speaking.

“Well if you’d knock…” Chevalier growled.

Zohn glared at him, “I’m an Elder. I don’t have to knock before entering my own conference room.”

“Well we’re busy, and this is private.”

Zohn slammed the door and met Quinn in his office, “Call in two members of the Council.”

Quinn looked up, “It’s time?”

“It’s damn well time,” Zohn scowled, and sat down. “I just got yelled at for opening the conference room door.”

“Still… to banish him,” Quinn said. “He’s the strongest Elder we’ve ever had.”

“The strongest and now the angriest, most selfish, moodiest, and unreliable one.”

“It is becoming a problem.”

“I don’t see why we banished Jerry for 300 years, yet caught an Equites red-handed giving information to the Valle and he’s spared and put into prison.”

“Then… Emily…” Quinn said softly. They hadn’t spoken of her in public since Chevalier kicked her out, but they had some of the Cavalry on a mission to find her and make sure she was safe.

“I never, not in a million years, would think he would say what he did about her, and then kick her out.”

“It was awful. She was so sick.”

“I just hope she’s alive.”

“Do you think she was pregnant?”

“Mark said he didn’t detect anything,” Zohn reminded him.

“It was still early.”

“I know.”

“I’m just so confused about those three,” Quinn said, deep in thought. “Since their return from being missing for four days, they’ve acted strangely.”

“I agree, though, not enough to suspect that they are up to something.”

“Does it seem to you that Kyle is resisting turning anyone to ash?”

“Yes, but it’s not something the Chief Enforcer enjoys,” Zohn said.

“No, but he’s never hesitated if it was called for.”

“True”

“So are we banishing Chevalier?” Quinn asked.

“Let’s wait until we’re sure.”

Quinn nodded.

***

“How are you holding up?” Frederick asked as he looked down into the hole.

“This violates so many heku laws…” Chevalier growled.

“So did your little whore.”

“This has nothing to do with her, and you know it!”

“It does too. Why do you think I keep you down there? My plans are going perfectly.”

“What plans might that be?”

“To rid the Equites of the Winchester, of course.”

“What did you do?” Chevalier yelled.

Frederick smiled, “She’s gone… no one can find her. It’s beautiful.”

Chevalier’s features turned dark, “What did you do?”

“It’s time to get you out of the hole. We’re sending down a rope. First the wolf, then the Records Keeper, followed by the Chief Enforcer, and then the now single Elder,” he told them, and disappeared from the top.

A rope was lowered and Dustin looked at the others before taking it. Within ten minutes, the Equites were above ground and saw that they were in an old well located in the Encala’s palace. Encala guards surrounded them as they were escorted to the prison and locked in separate cells.

“Are we even going to get a trial?” Dustin asked the Encala guard.

“Nope, Elder Frederick just said you’re in custody.”

***

“We’re trying. So far… nothing,” Mark whispered as he sat in Quinn’s office with Quinn and Zohn.

“It’s been 5 months. She could be anywhere,” Zohn said, and sighed.

“Do we keep looking?”

“Yes, I regret letting him throw her out… she was sick, and it was horrific and vile.”

Mark nodded, “I know.”

“Keep up with what we’ve told Chevalier about your absence. Go back out and keep looking.”

“Yes, Elder,” he said.

“Have you tried all of Kyle’s houses?” Zohn asked, smiling slightly.

“Why would she go there?” Quinn asked him.

“She went there when she ran from the Ancient.”

“Yes, and he found her. She won’t make that mistake again.”

“Did we keep a record of the location of all of Exavior’s old houses?”

“Yes, and we’ve tried those,” Mark said. “Most of them actually belong to other Equites now.”

“Oh, I wasn’t aware she gave some away.”

“She did, all of them but the one close to here actually.”

“Keep looking then,” Zohn sighed.

Mark bowed slightly and then left.

“Now… about Kyle,” Quinn said, and turned toward Zohn.

“He murdered that entire village when he was supposed to banish them.”

“I know, which is a direct violation of the order.”

“He said that Chevalier overrode our orders and had them killed.”

“Since when do we allow one Elder to outweigh the other two though?” Quinn asked, deep in thought.

“Never, he’s overstepped again.”

“He keeps overstepping. That’s very much unlike Chevalier.”

Zohn sighed, “Do we do it then?”

“Let’s decide who should replace him first. We will probably need to do something about Kyle too. I don’t think Kyle will banish Chevalier.”

“What about Dustin?”

“He’s always been an ass, but between the three, he’s the least of our problems.”

“He may fight us, though. Those three are inseparable and back each other up.”

Quinn pulled out a file, “Li is my first choice for Elder. He’s been with the Council for 2,150 years as Chief of Defense.”

Zohn nodded, “I agree… and Kyle?”

“My first instinct is Mark.”

“We’ve never had to replace two members of the Council at the same time.”

“I know it’s going to be difficult, but I don’t see how we can just replace one of them.”

“Agreed… let’s just wait first, see if Chevalier and Kyle come around.”

***

The Encala guard opened Kyle’s cell first, “Go.”

“Where to now?” Kyle asked, and stepped out. He frowned slightly when he noticed no other guards were there.

“Elder’s orders, you’re free,” he said, and opened Dustin’s Cell.

The Coven Liaison Officer stepped out and joined Kyle, “Just like that? We’re free?”

The guard opened Jerry’s door next and the Records Keeper walked out and waited for Chevalier, “Our Elder, too?”

“Yes, all of you,” he told them, and opened the cell door. “Now get out of this palace.”

They glanced once at each other and blurred from the enemy city. Once far away, they slowed and then stopped so they could decide what to do.

“Why would they just let us go?” Kyle asked, looking around the strange area.

“I suspect that they were afraid of keeping us. It broke too many laws,” Chevalier replied.

“Now what?” Jerry asked.

“Now we find a ride back to Council City. Isn’t there a coven around here?”

“Yes, Kralen’s, actually… Okanogan Coven,” Kyle said, and blurred toward it, followed by the others. An hour later, they walked up to the gate.

“Elder?” the guard gasped, and moved aside.

Without speaking, Chevalier walked in with the other members of the Council.

“Elder Chevalier, good to see you,” Lord Dexter said when he met up with them.

“We need a car.”

“Right away,” he said, and then gasped when he saw Jerry.

“What?” Jerry asked, frowning.

“You… you were banished.”

“I most certainly was not!”

“I… I saw your banishment site.”

A low growl sounded from the Records Keeper.

“You were… you were replaced on the Council. How did you get out?”

Chevalier looked at Lord Dexter, “We’ve been in an Encala prison for 5 months.”

“No, no I saw you last month when they replaced the Records Keeper on the Council.”

“How?” Kyle asked, frowning. “We just got out.”

“I saw you there. All of you… except for the Records Keeper, of course,” Lord Dexter said, confused.

“So no one was looking for us?” Jerry asked.

“No, why would we? You weren’t gone.”

Chevalier sighed, “And you saw us when?”

“Last month, Elder, and then I was called to help handle Thukil.”

“What happened to Thukil?”

“When… well… when the Lady… when she disappeared… Thukil raised a big raucous and the Council threatened to remove them from the Equites.”

“Thukil did??”

“Yes, Elder,” Lord Dexter said, and shook his head. “But you were there…”

“What do you mean when the Lady disappeared?” Chevalier asked.

“Lady Emily… she took off with the two youngest children almost 5 months ago, and hasn’t been seen.”

Chevalier glanced at the others, “Call the Council on your cell phone, and use the speakerphone so we can hear… ask for me.”

Lord Dexter nodded and then hesitated before calling.

“Council,” Zohn said, obviously mad.

“Can I speak to Elder Chevalier?”

“I’m here.” The voice was exactly like Chevalier’s and he glanced at the other heku, shocked.

“Umm… never mind,” Lord Dexter said, and went to hang up.

“Who is this?” they heard Kyle’s voice yell. The true Kyle gasped and looked over at Dustin.

Chevalier took Lord Dexter’s phone and hung it up, “Do you have a helicopter?”

“Yes, Elder.”

“We need a ride… We’ll land outside of Council City and go in in secret.”

Lord Dexter nodded and led them to the helicopter. Dustin climbed into the pilot’s seat and began preparations for take-off. Soon they were flying toward Council City.

“Why would they banish me?” Jerry asked, breaking almost an hour of silence.

“There’s no telling what we’ve done… or… what our… others… have done,” Kyle said, somewhat confused.

“She’s not answering,” Chevalier said, and shut the cell phone.

“Whatever happened… we can fix,” Kyle told him. “I’m sure she was afraid of something and ran off. We’ll get her back.”

Chevalier nodded.

“Landing in 20 minutes, we’ll have to run the last 10 miles,” Dustin called back.

“That’s fine.”

“What’s our plan?” Kyle asked, looking over at Chevalier.

“We storm the palace and kill those that usurped our places on the Council.”

“Easy enough.”

“We have to make sure the Encala didn’t keep any more doppelgangers when we killed them off,” Chevalier said, watching out the window.

“Why do you suppose they didn’t use doppelgangers when they tried to deceive Emily out in the wood?” Dustin asked. “The time it took to find Mark and Silas look-alikes and then the surgery…”

“Not sure, unless they didn’t want to give away the fact that they broke laws and kept some,” Chevalier suggested.

Dustin set the plane down by the Equites airplane hangar and all of them got out. The four heku surveyed the area quickly before blurring toward Council City.

“Elder,” the gate guard said, though he looked somewhat confused. Jerry was hidden beneath a robe to keep their path to the palace easier. They were afraid if the banished Records Keeper was seen, they could be seen as the fakes.

Chevalier smiled slightly and walked through the gates. The city people peeked out at them from dark windows and then disappeared back inside their houses. Their behavior was abnormal, but nothing was said as they approached the palace.

Derrick frowned when he saw the Elder walk up the stairs, “Oh, Elder, I thought you were inside.”

“Gather the Cavalry,” Kyle whispered.

“Into the palace?” Derrick asked, confused.

“Immediately”

Derrick nodded and blurred from the hallway.

Chevalier listened to the door and heard his voice proclaiming that whoever was on trial was to be beheaded immediately.

“We attack on 3,” Chevalier whispered, and got nods from the others. Jerry slipped off his robe and all crouched. On the count of 3, they all instantly appeared in the trial room, crouched toward their chairs and ready for blood.

“What the hell!?” Quinn yelled and stood up. He looked over at the doppelganger Chevalier.

The fake Chevalier, Kyle, and Dustin blurred to their look-alikes and a fight broke out, each fighting the one they looked like.

Jerry looked up at Quinn, “Where is mine?”

Zohn was shocked and stood slowly, “He… who are you?”

The Records Keeper walked up to the Council area, “We’ve been in an Encala prison for 5 months. Where is my doppelganger?”

Chevalier’s opponent seemed to block every hit, and miss each attack on the true Elder. Their fighting was evenly matched and too fast for most heku eyes to even see.

The true Elder finally felt flesh beneath his hands and he threw his doppelganger at the stone wall, shattering it as the fake fell to the ground. Just as he approached his counterpart, the fake Elder lunged from the floor and sunk his teeth into Chevalier’s arm. Four strong hands pulled him away from his target and he fought against them until he realized that it was Mark and Kralen holding him.

“Stop!” Quinn shouted, and the trial area fell quiet. The Cavalry had all 7 heku restrained and they turned to the Council.

Zohn stood up, “Until we ascertain what’s going on here, you will remain restrained.”

“Where is Emily?” the doppelganger Chevalier asked, looking up at the Council.

“Shut up!” Chevalier growled at him, and tried to attack, but was held back.

“Stop it,” Quinn hissed. “No more until we can figure this out.”

Dustin growled and then his image shimmered and he became a wolf. After only a few seconds, his illusion faded and he looked over at his doppelganger, “Try that.”

The fake Dustin screamed, “You don’t know what you’re messing with!”

“Let him go,” Quinn told the guards restraining the true Dustin. He spun suddenly and removed the head from the one that looked like him. Once done, Dustin straightened his shirt and walked up by the true Chevalier.

“That was easy,” Zohn said, and turned to the fake Kyle. “Turn the other Kyle to ash.”

“I don’t have to prove myself!” he yelled at the Elder.

“Ask me,” the real Kyle hissed, and stared at the doppelganger.

“Do it,” Zohn ordered.

The Cavalry let Kyle go and he reached into his pocket and pulled out the little dagger.

“Don’t do it! That proves nothing!” the fake one yelled, seconds before turning to ash.

“Take your seat, Kyle,” Quinn whispered. He nodded and walked up to his chair.

“You two are harder,” Zohn said, looking over at Jerry and the two, identical Chevaliers.

Quinn tapped his pen against the desk as he thought, “Ok then… before Emily… left… she was possibly sick. What was the problem?”

The doppelganger grinned, “She was vomiting blood.”

“She what!?” Chevalier growled.

“Before that,” Zohn said, and looked at the real Elder.

He sighed and frowned slightly, “Was it true then?”

“Was what true?”

“Is she pregnant?”

“Take him to prison,” Quinn said to the guards holding Chevalier’s doppelganger.

“Is she?”

“We don’t know,” Zohn told him, and turned to Jerry. “This one’s harder.”

“He was with us in prison for the last 5 months,” Chevalier explained.

Dustin nodded, “Agreed.”

“So who did we banish?” Quinn asked, and frowned slightly.

The new Records Keeper stood up and bowed, “I respectfully return to my coven and restore the position to its proper owner.”

Jerry nodded, “Thank you.”

“Where is she?” Chevalier asked as he stood in the trial area.

“We don’t know. We can’t find her,” Mark said from behind him. “We’ve been looking for months.”

“Why did she leave?”

Mark looked up at Zohn.

Zohn cleared his throat, “You… well… damn. We stood there and watched it happen.”

Quinn looked down at his hands, too angry to speak.

“Tell me,” Chevalier whispered, his anger growing.

“You… your doppelganger… kicked her out of the palace,” Zohn whispered, and sat down.

“We can just call her and get her back, tell her it wasn’t me.”

“There’s more,” the Chief Investigator said.

Over the next two hours, Mark and the Council was able to fill in what happened between the time the doppelganger arrived and when Emily drove out of the garage. Chevalier slowly sunk down in his chair and rested his head in his hands as the abuse at the hands of his doppelganger was spelled out for him, every insult, every snide remark, making him angrier.

“We should have known, when the ring wouldn’t come off,” Zohn said to Quinn.

“Or when he tried to backhand her.”

“Get Powan, Thukil, and the Buffalo Coven… get the Cavalry and the palace guards… find her,” Chevalier hissed.

“Tell Thukil they were right. They are removed from any suspicion and probationary status,” Zohn said.

Mark nodded and blurred away.

“Has she not called once?” Kyle asked. “When she left before, she called.”

“She won’t call us,” Chevalier said, still too shocked to move. “When she left before, it was her choice… this time… she won’t call.”

“Have you asked Allen for updates?” Dustin asked.

Quinn shook his head, “We did one thing right.”

“What?” Chevalier asked.

“We sent Silas to talk to Allen. We forbid him from telling the other Chevalier anything about Emily’s phone calls. We told him to keep the information secret, until two Elders voted to withdraw that order,” Zohn explained.

“Bring Allen here immediately,” Chevalier whispered, and within minutes, the helicopter took off from the roof, headed for Island Coven.

Kyle slowly stood up, “I want to go look for her.”

Quinn nodded, “You may go.”

Chevalier sat up straighter, “It’s time we deal with the Encala.”

“Agreed, immediate action is warranted,” Quinn said.

“You said that my doppelganger told Emily to join the Valle?”

“Yes”

“Have you contacted them?”

“Yes”

“They told us the truth,” the Chief Interrogator told him. “They don’t know where she is, and they are also looking for her.”

“Belay the order to find Emily, pull in all Covens from Level 3 and above… we’re going to war,” Chevalier hissed, and blurred from the room.

Zohn and Quinn both nodded in agreement.

Chevalier appeared in his room. The fires were dead and the lights were off and covered in dust. The room was cold and dark. He flipped on the lights and saw that most of the bulbs were dead. He could still smell traces of Emily’s blood when he walked past the bathroom, and saw that it wasn’t cleaned after her.

He sat down on the bed and ran his fingers across some of the clothes that Emily had been folding. Looking around the room, his heart sank and the anger within him rose. He immediately appeared in the prison.

“Where is he?”

The guard swallowed hard and whispered, “Row 9, Cell 8.”

Both guards moved back into the stairway, afraid to even be near Chevalier when his features were as dark as they were.

Four hours into the torture of his doppelganger, Derrick entered and cleared his throat.

Chevalier looked up at him, “What?”

“Allen is here, Elder.”

“Return him to a cell,” Chevalier said, and blurred to the council chambers. He sat down and saw Allen standing in the trial area.

“I came as called.”

“All three Elders are withdrawing our earlier order.”

“I was filled in,” Allen told Chevalier.

“Where is she?”

“She won’t tell me.”

“But she calls you?”

“Yes, every week.”

Chevalier sighed, “Is she pregnant.”

Allen frowned, “She didn’t say.”

“What does she say? How is she?”

“She had surgery two days after leaving the palace…”

“For what?”

Allen shifted slightly, “Bleeding ulcer.”

Chevalier leaned forward, “Go on.”

“All she’ll really say is that they are ok. Though, something’s happening with Dain that has me worried, and I’ve been trying to get her to let a heku see him.”

“Like what?”

“She says he’s grown a lot lately, and the growing causes a lot of pain. I guess when it gets bad, she has to hold him down and he becomes angry when the pain is at its worst.”

Chevalier looked toward the other Elders, “What could that be?”

“Growing pains?” Zohn suggested.

“Transformation from a child to a full heku?” Quinn added.

“Whatever it is, he hurts Mom, and she said when the pain is gone he sleeps for days. When he wakes up, he’s bigger,” Allen explained.

“Is he intellectually advancing?” Chevalier asked.

“Yes, his mind is growing along with his body.”

“What do you mean he hurts her?”

“He thrashes and scratches, bites, that sort of thing.”

“How often is this happening?”

“It’s happened twice since she left.”

“Have you tried to trace her cell phone?”

Allen nodded, “Yes, but she uses the Internet and places her number around the globe. There’s no way to find her using her phone.”

“We need to find her, when she calls…”

Allen interrupted, “I can’t talk about you to her.”

“Why not?”

“The second I mention you, she hangs up. If I want to talk to her for any length of time, then you have to be kept out of it.”

“When does she call?”

“Sunday nights.”

Chevalier sighed, “So she calls tonight.”

“Yes, usually around 7pm,” Allen told him.

“Did she tell you what I said?”

“No, she won’t talk about you at all.”

“We will go ready the troops,” Quinn said. “Why don’t you wait for her call?”

Chevalier nodded and sat with Allen while the rest of the Council made war preparations. Two and a half hours later, Allen’s phone rang. As agreed, he would use the speakerphone and Chevalier would silently listen.

“Mom?” Allen asked.

“Yes, it’s me, how are you?” she asked. Chevalier’s heart sank at her voice. Although it was definitely her, she sounded tired and strained.

“We’re fine, Mom. I’m more worried about you.”

“We’re all fine, Allen. I’m just tired.”

“I really miss you. Please, reconsider telling me where you are.”

“No, I won’t put you in a position to have to lie to your Dad.” Her voice cracked slightly.

“You sound ill. Are you sure you’re ok?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. It happened again last night.”

“With Dain?”

“Yes, I don’t know what to do. I can’t take him to a hospital, but it causes him so much pain.”

“Is he awake yet?”

“No, but when he wakes up I think he’ll be as tall as I am.”

Allen sighed, “He’s going to be too big for you to handle.”

“He almost is… he’s going to be big, like…” Her voice cut off. She couldn’t bear to speak about Chevalier.

“How old was I when I became as tall as you?”

“You were 8, but you didn’t have these pains.”

“Maybe it’s because he’s a full heku, more like growing pains,” Allen said, relaying what the Elders thought.

“Maybe, he’s so strong. You wouldn’t even recognize him now,” Emily said. “I swear if you blink he’ll grow a foot.”

“How are you feeding him?”

There was a pause, “Alexis misses you too. She’s been busy studying.”

Allen looked up at his Dad.

Chevalier whispered too low for her to hear, “Ask about heku attacks.”

“So… have you seen any heku at all?”

“Nope, not a one.”

“I was afraid you might get attacked.”

“The ranch is safe, no heku here.”

“So you bought a ranch?” Allen asked.

“How is Miri?” Emily asked, ignoring his question.

“Mom…”

“Don’t do it, Allen.”

Allen sighed.

“Have you seen the horses in Council City?”

“No, I haven’t been there in a while.”

“I just wonder if they’re being taken care of.”

“I’m sure they are,” Allen said, and glanced over at Chevalier.

“That wasn’t me, Em,” Chevalier said to her. He sighed when the phone disconnected.

“I want to go on this attack,” Allen told his Dad.

“Very well, let’s go,” Chevalier said, and they walked out to where two thousand heku were gathered in perfect rows, all listening to Zohn speak about attack plans.

“Elder,” Derrick said, blurring up. “The Valle want in on this.”

“How do they even know?” Quinn asked.

“I don’t know, Elder. They just called and insisted they come.”

Zohn turned to Quinn, “That would up our numbers quite a bit.”

“And possibly align us to them.”

“We don’t need their help,” Chevalier said. “And we most certainly don’t need an alliance with them.”

“You’re right, I’m sure we have enough to easily take the city,” Zohn said.

“Call them back,” Chevalier said to Mark. “This is our fight… it was our Council they abducted.”

“Tell them focus on finding Emily,” Zohn told him.

“Yes, Elder,” Derrick said, and disappeared.

“We start moving troops out in the morning. Get into your battalions under attack plan Omicron,” Zohn called out. The heku moved into six groups, and the leaders began going over strategy and protocols.

“I’ll check on battalion 4,” Quinn said, and moved to his group.

“I’m on 6,” Zohn told them and left.

“Allen, you can be in my battalion,” Chevalier said, and they both moved to battalion group 1.

Chapter 9 - Invasion

Chevalier moved to the front of his group with Cavalry Commander Horace. Allen went to stand on the back row to listen for instructions.

“We move out first,” Horace told them. “We’ll be assigned the front gates and the last few houses, which are home to the higher ranking city guards. We expect the Encala Council will immediately be shipped out, our goal… get to the palace and control the inside.”

“We’ll take the first helicopter out and will survey the landing area while we move everyone over to Washington,” Horace explained. “We hope to have all 2,000 troops in place by tomorrow night. 1500 more will meet us at the staging location. As one, we’ll then run the last 25 miles to the Encala’s main city.”

Chevalier watched carefully. His mind was focused entirely on the obliteration of those who kept him prisoner. Any thoughts of Emily were carefully tucked away, hidden behind the feelings of resentment toward the enemy faction.

Horace walked along the front line, “Because we’re battalion 1, we’ll be in charge of the initial gate clearing. Then, our goal will be to ascertain which of the Council stayed behind, who is leading their defensive forces, and then initial penetration into the palace.”

“Once we’re inside the palace, you’ll split up into your teams, and take the floor I’ve already assigned to you. Those floors are your responsibility and you will ensure they are clear of anything living. Palace Guards are to be detained. Anyone else is to be killed immediately.”

Horace glanced at Chevalier and then back to his group when the Elder didn’t have anything to add, “The Elder will be responsible for dealing with the top ranking Palace Guard staff, and any council members left. They aren’t to be touched. Leave them to be interrogated by the Elder. When your floor is secure and any Encala are disposed of, you will send one member of your team to notify me.”

Kralen appeared in front of the first row and began handing out black armbands. Each battalion was given a different color.

“Commander?” one of the guards called out.

“Yes, Dale?”

“What are we to do if we find the Lady?”

Horace turned to Chevalier, “Is it suspected that the Encala have Emily?”

Chevalier shook his head slightly and looked over at the guard, “We don’t think that the Encala have her, but if you find her, keep her where she is and call for me.”

“Yes, Elder,” the guard said, and then moved back into formation.

As night fell, the Cavalry’s Commander continued to give instructions and answer questions. Chevalier added to them when needed, but he let the Commander lead, as was customary. Zohn and Quinn were to remain with the Council in the palace until the attack was over. Only Chevalier would be going with the heku to fight. Kyle was still out looking for Emily, and Mark was on his way back from Ohio to join the fight, but wouldn’t arrive until later that night. Instructions for Mark’s battalion were being given by Silas.

When dawn approached, the feeling on the lawn changed. The Equites were ready for battle and the excitement grew. Four Chinook CH-47 helicopters landed on the west lawn and powered down. The massive black helicopters were stripped out and could carry 100 heku a piece. Their pilots, copilots, and flight engineers moved up to talk to Chevalier.

“Orders, Elder?” the first pilot asked when they gathered.

“Move them quickly. Land where the map specifies, and then get the hell out of there to get more troops. We have 2,000 we need in place by tomorrow night,” Chevalier said.

“Yes, Elder,” he replied, and then bowed before returning to his helicopter.

Mark found Chevalier among the thousands of heku, “Elder, a moment please.”

Chevalier followed the General off to the side, “Did you find her?”

“No, Sir, but I found an ashed heku.”

“Where?”

“Outside of Dayton, Ohio. He hasn’t been revived yet because Kyle is gone,” Mark said. “I’ve done a sweep and there are sixteen horse ranches within one hundred miles of Dayton. Nine of those are owned by long-standing families. That leaves just seven that have been purchased within the last twenty years.”

“Any within the last year?” Chevalier asked.

“No, Elder, but I wasn’t sure if she had one before she left… maybe another of her hidden houses.”

“True”

“It would help if I knew how much money she had, so I could limit it down to property value.”

Zohn came up and joined them.

“Let me see how much of the money she’s used,” Chevalier said, and grabbed his phone.

Zohn watched him and then turned to Mark, “I wouldn’t stick with horse ranches. She once had cows, but I seem to remember she has an aversion to sheep.”

“Good idea,” Mark said, and watched Chevalier.

Chevalier turned to him, “She’s removed $534,000 from the account. See if you can find property in that range.”

“That may not work,” Zohn said. “You… or… he… told her he wanted everything back you’d given her, or anything the Equites gave her.”

“Yeah, so?”

“So… she had $34,000 left over from the sale of the Montana property after paying off the ranch debts, and $500,000 from Keith’s life insurance. She merely took out of that account what was hers, and left everything you put into it.”

“She also has whatever Exavior left her,” Allen added.

“No, she refused to do anything with that money. The bank book is still sitting in the safe in the room,” Zohn told him. “She has exactly $534,000.”

Chevalier sighed, “Damnit, you’re right… so we have no way of telling how much she spent on a ranch and how much she left for living expenses.”

“We also can’t use the bank account to track where purchases were made from.”

“I knew that. She would realize it would be too easy to track.”

“Let me talk to the Chief of Finance and see if he can help me locate where the 500 grand was moved to, and then see if there’s a way to access that account,” Mark said, and then whispered. “Do you want me to break into her accounts?”

Chevalier thought for a moment, “Yes, if you can, do it. Use Allen if you need to.”

Mark nodded, and then turned toward battalion 2, “I’ll do that as soon as we get back.”

Chevalier was the first to climb into the Chinook transport helicopter and once his battalion was inside, they lifted off and made the 3-hour trip without incident. The helicopters landed in a large field and soon, the entire area was filled with anxious heku, checking to make sure the landing field was secure.

By the following evening, all 3,500 Equites were ready to head the 25 miles to the Encala Palace. Chevalier and Horace led the way as their battalion, including Allen, started for the enemy city. When they arrived, they immediately fell into combat with the gate guards and the city alarm sounded. It took only 10 minutes for the Encala helicopter to lift off from the palace roof, carrying the Encala Council away from danger.

Chevalier stuck by Allen as both wrestled and bit their way through the enemy, fighting with their battalion to find a path to the palace. Blood soaked the Encala streets and the still burned out houses were again lit and smoke filled the sky, blocking out the sun. Chevalier heard Horace yell for his battalion to leave the battle and head for the palace, the way was clear.

Chevalier and Allen ran side-by-side toward the massive stone building, killing anyone that came at them. They were both covered in blood and healing from injuries when the entire battalion came to the doors of the palace. They began to scale the side of the building, because iron bars were covering the windows and doors. When they got to the roof, they regrouped and looked around. There was one Blackhawk helicopter left and the door to the palace was slightly ajar.

“This sucker’s going into a lake,” one of the guards said, and crawled into the helicopter. He lifted off, still grinning as the others watched the door.

“Think it’s a trap?” Horace asked Chevalier.

“Yes, I do… Who’s stupid enough to leave a door unprotected during an attack?”

“Team 4, head in,” Horace called out. He and the Elder watched as ten heku carefully approached the door, and while one opened it, the other nine rushed inside. They came out a short time later.

“Nothing, sir,” the first one out said.

“In,” Chevalier growled, and battalion 1 blurred into the enemy palace. The Elder watched as the teams spread out through the palace, killing the servants and searching for any of the Council or ranking officers. He waited on the top floor for any word from the battalion taking the palace.

“Sir,” Horace said as he blurred toward Chevalier. “All three Elders left, none of the Council stayed behind… We have two Generals and four Captains confined on floor 4.”

Chevalier nodded and started to walk down the stairs. He had a malicious presence about him and radiated pure evil. Bodies of servants were strewn around the palace and he nonchalantly kicked one of the heads hard against the wall and grinned at the sickening way it cracked open and splattered to the floor.

“Floor two is clear,” one of the heku guards told Chevalier and Horace, and then returned to watch his post.

“Floor three and four are clear,” another said, then turned quickly and disappeared down the stairs.

Before Chevalier got to the enemy leaders on the fourth floor, all floors had checked in, except for those clearing out the Encala’s prison. The six heku leaders were knelt beside the Equites troops posted to the fourth floor.

Chevalier walked up to the first one and kneed him in the chin, instantly breaking his jaw, “Where did your Council go?”

The one beside him growled, “We don’t know.”

Chevalier shrugged, “Fine, then you first.”

The Elder bent over and slammed his fist deep into the enemy’s chest. The heku began to scream as Chevalier pulled his still beating heart from his chest and tossed it onto the floor. The Encala General fell back onto the floor, writhing in pain as blood pooled around him.

“We don’t know!” one of the Captains yelled, and started to stand up, but was pushed roughly to his knees.

“We’ve taken your palace, your city is in ruins… if you want your life, I suggest you start talking about where your Council might be,” Chevalier hissed.

“They don’t say where they are going… We were just told to hold the palace.”

“Good job at that,” Chevalier said with a grin, and looked up at the guards. “Drain him.”

“What!? No!” the heku screamed, as four sets of teeth sunk into his thick flesh.

Chevalier squatted down by one of the Captains, “You’re being quiet.”

“Nothing I say can change the fact that you’re about to kill me,” he scowled.

“Oh, true,” Chevalier said, and stood up. He walked over to the last General and looked down at him. “I suppose you’re not going to be much help, either?”

“We don’t know where the Council is.”

“I figured, it’s just fun to torture you about it,” he replied with a grin. The drained heku was released by the Equites and he began to pant and look hungrily around him. His skin was turning an ashen gray and his body began to shake with thirst.

“Go find me some blood,” Chevalier said, and one of his guards blurred away.

Chevalier tore the heads off the remaining General and two Captains, leaving just the dying General, the drained Captain, and one more Encala Captain that watched Chevalier with wide eyes. The Encala all knew about Chevalier’s temper and furious rage, but none had seen it in the last twenty years. He was no longer thought of as a harsh disciplinarian and callous warrior, but these Encala now realized that by taking Emily away, he had returned to his former nature.

“Just kill me and get it over with,” the Captain growled.

“Oh, that’s no fun,” Chevalier told him. He walked over and looked down at the cowering heku. Before the enemy could react, Chevalier reached down and removed his arm and he began to scream.

“Your blood, Elder,” one of his guards said. Chevalier turned and took a bag of blood from the heku and turned back to the drained Captain, “Thirsty?”

The gray heku only hissed at him and stood to crouch.

Chevalier grinned ominously, “Come get it.”

The heku lunged at Chevalier and then slammed into the stone wall when the Elder deftly stepped aside, still holding the blood up for the starving heku to see, “You missed me… I thought you were thirsty.”

“Stop it! There’s no reason to torture him,” the Captain said.

“Oh, yes there is… I was held for 5 months by you. Someone has to pay for that.”

“You cannot hold us responsible for what our Elders order us to do.”

“Yes, I can,” Chevalier told him, and then moved away when the gray heku lunged for the bag of blood again.

The heartless heku General began to groan a guttural noise and Chevalier looked over at him, “Did you say something? Speak up there, Boy.”

“Just kill him!” the Captain yelled.

“No,” the Elder told him, and turned to the guards. “Whoever has the council chambers… tell them to start taking it apart.”

“Yes, Elder,” one of the Equites guards said, and bowed before blurring away.

Crashes were almost immediately heard coming from the council chambers and Chevalier smiled at the Captain.

“It’s disgusting,” the Encala yelled.

“I would imagine… however, you should never let the enemy into your palace.”

“Elder,” Silas said, coming up the stairs. “We’ve found how to get the palace out of lockdown, and the city is almost clear, battalions 3, 4 and 5 are waiting outside for access.”

“Open it up, have them come in and get some frustrations out… destroy this building,” Chevalier ordered.

Silas grinned, bowed, and then blurred away.

“This is getting boring,” Chevalier said, and tore the head from the starving Captain.

“Just kill me!” the last remaining Captain hissed. Blood quit pouring from his missing arm and skin had already grown to cover the area.

“Nope, you’re my new toy,” Chevalier said, and turned to one of the guards. “Make sure he’s taken, unharmed, to Council City and put in prison.”

“Yes, Elder,” he said, and then hauled the Captain away.

Chevalier looked down at the suffering General. The skin had grown back over his chest wound but the pain his face showed was intense as his body struggled to live without the missing heart, “You… I think we’ll just leave you.”

The General’s back arched as the pain increased.

“Elder, the city is finished,” Thukil Captain Darren said when he walked up. “The houses are either in ruin or burning. We figure only about 400 heku fled, the rest were killed.”

Chevalier grinned, “Alert the Valle and our Council that we’ve taken the Encala City, and its palace is now under our control. Make sure the Valle know we won’t tolerate even them within the city walls right now.”

“Yes, Elder,” Darren said, and disappeared to make the calls.

“What now, Elder?” Horace asked. “We’ve never actually taken the palace before.”

“Now we hold it. The Encala will put out a call for help, and covens will begin to arrive… We hold them off.”

“Yes, Elder,” he replied, and moved off to alert the troops.

***

Chevalier sat on Encala Elder William’s chair in the council chambers. His feet were propped up on what was left of the desk while he listened to everything around him, trying to catch where the next Encala attack was coming in.

“Dad?” Allen said, and moved up beside him.

Chevalier looked up at his son.

“It’s almost time for Mom to call.”

He nodded, “I’d like to listen again.”

“I figured, that’s why I’m here,” Allen said, and brushed the rubble off of another chair before sitting down. It was only a few minutes later when the phone rang. “Hi, Mom.”

“Hi, how are you?”

“I’m fine. Sitting bored on the island is all.”

“Sounds nice actually. I’ve been so busy.”

“Doing what?”

“Just stuff. I’m getting ready for a horse sale and we have hay that’s about ready to harvest.”

“That sounds like fun. How is Dain?”

“He’s good. He’s pretty proud of himself because he’s taller than I am now,” she said, and sounded amused.

“I bet he is… and Alex?”

“She’s studying. I had to hire a tutor. I tried to put her in regular school, but that didn’t work out.”

“I would image it wouldn’t.”

There was a slight pause.

“So… nothing new going on?” Emily asked.

“Not really,” Allen said, and grinned slightly at Chevalier. “Heku stuff is all.”

“Right, right, are you still studying?”

“No, Dad’s letting me try out for the Island Coven guard staff.”

“Ew, be careful, I don’t trust them.”

“I know you don’t. I wish you would.”

“Just be careful around them. I’d prefer if you didn’t join the guard staff… can’t you do something else?”

Allen grinned, “I can I suppose, but I don’t want to.”

“Then join Thukil and do Cavalry instead.”

“Mom… Miri and I like Island Coven and I want to be a part of Dad’s guards.”

“I wish I had my dogs. Do you know if they’re being taken care of?” Emily asked.

Allen sighed, “They were…”

“What?”

“The fake Dad… had them killed.”

“What!?” she gasped.

“I’m sorry, Mom. I didn’t find out until after the fact or I would have taken them.”

“Stop with the fake Dad shit too. I’m not up for that.”

“Ok,” he whispered. He knew if he pushed the issue that she would hang up, “Is there any way we can meet, just you and I?”

“I’ve been trying to decide how best to do that. I really miss you.”

“Just name it, I won’t tell Dad.”

“I’ve told you, I’m not going to do anything that makes you choose between him and me. I’ll keep thinking and come up with a way.”

“Well, at least let’s webcam next Sunday. I’d like to be able to see you.”

There was a slight pause and when she spoke, she was laughing slightly, “You’re going to check for injuries, aren’t you?”

“Not injuries… or… I just want to see you,” Allen told her.

“Fine, I’ll webcam in next week.”

Allen smiled, “I can’t wait.”

“I better go. Dain’s been complaining about being thirsty, dang he drinks a lot.”

“How are you feeding him then?”

“Alexis wants to talk to you. I can’t trust her yet, but just know she misses you really bad.”

“Mom, I have one more question.”

“Ok,” she asked, sounding unsure.

“Rumor has it, around the Equites, when you left… that you are pregnant.”

“I know he’s listening,” Emily said, and her voice sounded angry. “So… Chevalier… mind your own fucking business.”

Allen glanced over at his Dad when she disconnected the line.

“When are you heading back?”

Allen nodded, “I’m actually heading back today.”

“Let me know if she calls.”

“I will…” Allen stopped talking when the phone rang again. He answered it on speaker, “Mom?”

“No,” Alexis whispered.

“Alex! Please, tell me where you are,” Allen said, shocked.

“I can’t,” she whispered even softer. “I won’t betray Mom… but there are problems here.”

“Heku problems?”

“Mainly mortal ones. I don’t know what’s going on, but Mom keeps getting attacked by mortal men.”

“Mainly?”

“Mainly”

“So there have been heku attacks?” Allen asked.

“It’s irritating how mortal men seek her out and end up over-stepping,” Alexis whispered.

Allen sighed, “We suspect that mortals are attracted to the Winchester scent. They just don’t know it.”

“She had a bad attack last night. One of her ranch hands attacked her with a knife… if Tucker and Pelton hadn’t shown up, I don’t know what would have happened.”

“Who’re Tucker and Pelton?”

Alexis grew silent for a few seconds, “I can’t say.”

“Does Mom have a boyfriend?”

“No, are you kidding? Her employees are scared to death of her. They are just field-hands that have been good friends.”

Allen shrugged, “What do you want me to do? I can’t help if I don’t know where you are.”

“Alexis?” Chevalier said.

“Oh my God, Dad?”

“Can you talk to your Mom? She needs to understand what a doppelganger is.”

“I can’t. She clams up if anyone mentions you.”

“Try, please, that wasn’t me… those things that were said, and that she thinks I did, none of that was me.”

“I know, and I’ll try… but she’s pretty mean.”

“Mean?” Chevalier asked.

“Yes, she flies off the handle in an instant. She demands things from the employees, and is harsh with punishments. Everyone here is so afraid of her that we have a very high turn-around rate. The only ones that’ve stayed the entire 4 months are Pelton and Tucker.”

“Don’t put yourself at risk then.”

“Dain is big, Dad… like… scary big, and he follows Mom around and won’t let anyone near her. He was upset because during the attack last night, he was inside with me and wasn’t with her. I suspect now he won’t let Mom out of his sight,” Alexis explained.

“How is he with her? Does she upset him or anger him?” Allen asked.

“No, he adores her.”

“Please, Alex, where are you?”

“She’s coming,” Alexis whispered and hung up the phone.

“I’m heading back,” Allen said when Chevalier sat back to think. His Dad simply nodded and Allen left for Island Coven.

Chapter 10 - Back To Normal

Chevalier held tightly to the woman’s hand and sunk his teeth into her wrist. She gasped when she felt the sting of his teeth and then began to relax back against the bench. When finished, he tossed $100 onto the table and left without a word

“Damn, that one hurts when he bites,” she complained to her friend when Chevalier was out of the room, though he heard and grinned.

He got back into his Humvee and sped away from the house of his donor. He didn’t care that he’d hurt her, didn’t care to bite softly, or even try to be gentle. In the two months since the Encala city fell under his control, his entire attitude had changed. He no longer bothered to try to be nice, and enjoyed the way heku cowered when he walked by and ran to get away from him as he passed.

The entire Cavalry was scouring the country, desperate to find Emily to try and calm the Elder. He banished heku for minor infractions, and killed anyone who even came close to crossing him. The guards were strict and conforming, eager to do what they could to please him.

Encala City was still under Equites control. Even the Valle had asked for it to be returned to the Encala, but Chevalier angrily told them that he would occupy their palace for the 5 months they had him abducted. The entire Encala faction was in ruins. What covens they had left, no longer tried to retake the city, but stayed hidden in their covens, hoping that the Encala could someday reclaim their city.

Chevalier pulled the Humvee up and stopped it at the front doors to the Encala Palace. The four door guards bowed when they saw him, and he walked into the palace, avoiding the rubble and ignoring how smoke poured out of the seventh floor.

He stopped when he heard a woman scream, and looked up just as a mortal woman came running out of the second-floor foyer and down the stairs. She blew past him, grasping her neck, and two of the Equites guards appeared laughing.

Chevalier walked up to them, “Were you feeding without consent?”

“No, Elder!” one of them said. “I just don’t think she planned on it hurting.”

He nodded, “I take it she was an exclusive Encala donor?”

“Yes, Elder,” he replied, and grinned.

Chevalier started back up the stairs and went into the Encala’s council chambers, where he’d spent the last two months, overseeing any Encala attacks and fielding questions from the Encala and Valle Councils.

***

Chevalier looked up when Kyle walked in and sat down beside him, “We have a really good lead.”

“Oh?”

“There’s an Equestrian Ranch outside of Richmond, Kentucky. It was purchased 8 months ago by a single woman. We’ve talked to some of the people in Richmond, and no one’s seen her. They said she keeps to herself and one of her field hands does all of the shopping.”

Chevalier thought before speaking, “I want to go on this one. It’s too coincidental.”

Kyle nodded, “I figured you would. The helicopter is waiting.”

The flight to Richmond, Kentucky, took most of the day and they arrived just as the sun was setting. Four of the Cavalry were waiting for them at the landing zone, including Silas and Mark. Chevalier stepped out and looked around.

“We’ll wait until full dark, and then run up to the house. Avoid contact with anyone, even Dain and Alexis. I want no contact. I only want recognizance to ascertain if this is the correct ranch,” the Elder ordered.

They nodded and Silas led the way to the large horse ranch. The heku fell back behind the trees and watched the house as it grew dark. Lights came on after dark, and they could see the shadows of people moving around inside.

Chevalier was the first to move, and he blurred toward the house, careful to make sure no one else was around him. He got to the dining room window and watched a mortal man sitting at the table, reading a newspaper.

Kyle appeared beside the Elder and crouched down, “Anything?”

“Not yet,” Chevalier whispered, and watched carefully.

“Did you see that new horse movie is out?” the man yelled toward the kitchen.

“Yeah, but I’m too busy,” a woman said, and walked out of the kitchen. She was middle-aged with short brown hair and brown eyes. She sat down beside the man and took half of the newspaper from him.

Chevalier sighed, “I don’t think this is her ranch.”

“That could be a field hand,” Kyle said.

“I don’t smell her here.”

Kyle sighed, “You’re right.”

The heku quickly blurred back to the helicopter and crawled in. Mid-flight back to the Encala city, Chevalier’s cell phone rang.

“Chevalier here,” he growled.

“Dad, it’s me.”

“Did she call?”

“Yes, and she’s agreed to meet me.”

Chevalier gasped, “She did? Where?”

“She bought me a plane ticket to Denver. I’m leaving in the morning.”

“Take us to Denver,” Chevalier ordered, and the pilot immediately changed course.

“What time are you meeting her?”

“The plane lands at 8am. She said she’s sending someone to get me.”

“We’ll be there, following.”

“I figured,” Allen said. “Be careful though, Dad. She’s not playing at being mad.”

“I know, but she has to see that that wasn’t me.”

“I’ll keep in touch. Let me have her alone for 24 hours before you come.”

“Very well,” Chevalier said, and hung up his phone. He then turned to the other heku. “She’s agreed to meet Allen in Denver in the morning.”

Kyle shook his head, “She’ll know we will be there. She’s too smart to let it be this easy.”

“Unless she’s desperate for contact,” Mark suggested. “It’s been 7 months.”

“I agreed to let Allen be alone with her for 24 hours before we come in,” Chevalier told them.

The helicopter fell silent and then landed outside of Denver at 4am. There was a Suburban waiting, and they crawled in and headed for the tall peaks of Denver International Airport. They spread out and had all entrances covered before 7am. They all reported in every 15 minutes, and when no one had seen Emily or Allen by 10am, they met back up in front of the airport.

“Something must have happened,” Kyle said, and called Allen’s cell. He sighed and held the phone up so they could hear.

“The number you dialed is no longer in service. If you think you’ve reached this…” Kyle hung up.

“Damnit, Em!” Chevalier growled. “Go control one of the workers… find out where he is.”

Silas nodded and disappeared into the airport. They waited for him to return and turned when he walked up, it was obvious he was frustrated.

“That woman, I swear…” Silas growled.

“What did you find?” Kyle asked.

“There were reservations for Allen Winchester to fly to Denver. Those reservations were changed this morning to a group fair,” Silas explained. “The family group included Mark Jones, Silas Jones, Kralen Jones, Allen Jones… and twelve others, I’m sure you get the picture. Each of those tickets had insane routes with no less than 5 layovers each.”

“Well, which checked in for a flight?”

Silas sighed, “All of them.”

Kyle growled, “So that means that Allen could be in any of 60 locations.”

“Right, and every State in the continental United States has at least one of the layovers or final destinations,” Silas explained.

Mark shrugged, “So we wait until he returns and then ask him where he was.”

“There’s no way Emily is going to make it that easy,” Chevalier said, and looked around the airport. “Let’s just get back. We’ll see what we can get from Allen when he returns.”

The heku returned to their helicopter and started again for Encala City. The entire ride was silent until the pilot announced they would be landing in 5 minutes. He set the helicopter down gently on the Encala’s palace and Chevalier returned to his spot in the council chambers.

“Sir?” Kralen said, and came into the trial area.

“What?”

“Sotomar is here with 4 Imperial Guards. He wishes to speak to you.”

“Sure, why not. Tell Kyle to come in also.”

Kralen nodded and left. Kyle came in a few seconds later and was just sitting down beside Chevalier when Sotomar came in.

“So what do we owe this visit?” Chevalier asked, outwardly irritated.

“How long are you going to occupy this palace?” Sotomar asked. His tone wasn’t accusing or angry. He held back for fear of bringing out Chevalier’s recent temper.

Chevalier shrugged, “I have 3 months left… I told them I was holding it for as long as they held me and my Council.”

“Is this really about that, or is it because of what happened to Emily?”

“Do not even speak her name,” Chevalier hissed, and a dark shadow crossed over his features.

Kyle spoke quickly, “This has nothing to do with Emily. Four of the Equites Council were held here without cause.”

“Understood,” Sotomar said. “We also wanted you to know that we’ve been trying to find… her… and as of yet, haven’t had any luck.”

“We appreciate the update,” Kyle said, and sat back.

Sotomar shifted nervously and glanced back at his Imperial Guards.

“What now?” Kyle asked.

“What are your plans with the Encala? Our last count showed their numbers to be only 19.4% of what they were 10 years ago. We’ve had 12 covens petition to join the Valle. They are in ruins… it’s never been done to this extent.”

“Why do we care?” Chevalier asked.

“Well… she… dropped their numbers with the first attack of hers on the Ancient. Our attack years later damaged them again… now though, they are completely wiped out. The Encala Council is held up in some remote location, trying to find what remains of their dying faction,” Sotomar said.

“Again, I don’t really care.”

“It’s just that we’ve always been at war, the three factions, yet never in our history has one come so close to being completely obliterated,” Sotomar said. “We ask that it stop… you can keep this palace for 3 more months but then, we beg you, leave them be so they can rebuild.”

“You’re so opposed to having only 2 active factions?” Kyle asked.

“Yes, we are… it’s never been done.”

Chevalier hissed, “There’s a first time for everything. Now get out of my sight before the Valle becomes my next target.”

Sotomar gasped and then sighed before walking out.

Chevalier sat back in his chair and an evil grin formed on his face, “Can you imagine a world with only Equites heku?”

Kyle shrugged, “Other than how boring it would be, yes.”

“That’s true… who do we fight if there are only Equites?”

“Each other I would imagine.”

“I guess we’ll have to let them rebuild or we won’t have any more toys.”

Kyle chuckled, “That is true. So when is Allen set to return?”

“Next Monday, unless that’s been changed also.”

“I gotta give her credit, she’s a smart one.”

“Too smart for her own good.” Chevalier’s voice softened slightly before speaking again, “She’s out there alone.”

“I know.”

“I can only imagine how badly she hates me.”

Kyle simply nodded.

“What if we never find her?”

“I honestly believe we will… now… what she does once we find her, that I don’t know.”

“The bond’s not broken.”

“I wondered about that.”

“She has to see that and know that that wasn’t me. If that were me, she would have been able to take the ring off when the doppelganger asked for it.”

“She may not see it that way.”

“It also tells me that she still loves me too, which, for some reason, is almost worse.”

Kyle nodded, “It’s worse because it means more pain for her.”

“I’m not satiated yet, let’s go feed again,” Chevalier said, and stood up.

“Sounds good to me,” Kyle told him, though he inwardly cringed. The vicious way that Chevalier attacked his mortal donors and the pain it caused, made it hard to go along with him.

***

“Where is he?” Chevalier growled.

“Kralen said they’re only 10 minutes out,” Kyle said, and sat down beside the Elder in the Encala’s council chambers.

It was a tense few minutes before Allen came into the trial area with a bag slung over his shoulder. He looked around at the sheer destruction in the room and then walked up to his Dad.

“Where were you?” he hissed.

Allen sighed, “Dad, calm down, ok? I have no idea where I was.”

“How can you not know?” Kyle asked.

“Because, I got off of a plane in Cincinnati, and was escorted by some cowboy onto a little plane with black windows,” Allen explained. “When we landed, I was blindfolded and driven for 8 hours to a horse ranch that Mom runs.”

“She didn’t buy it then?”

“No, the owner has her managing it, and she said it’s nice because she’s able to put more into the bank.”

“How can you not know where you were!?” Chevalier yelled.

“How am I supposed to? Every license plate was covered, there was no mail, no phone books, nothing! I had no way to know where I was.”

Kyle nodded, “How is she?”

Allen glanced at his Dad, “Moody, pale, too thin, and she still has stomach pains.”

“I thought she had surgery for that.”

“She did and it stopped the bloody vomiting, but the pains are still there.”

“From what?”

“She said it’s ulcers, caused by stress.”

“Did you talk to her?” Chevalier asked.

“I talked, but I don’t think she listened.”

“And Dain?”

Allen shook his head, “I didn’t recognize him. I thought he was a field hand at first. That’s a big boy, and you have no idea how protective he is of Mom. I wasn’t even allowed to be alone with her for the first few days.”

“Is he violent?”

“Towards others, yes.”

“How is she feeding him?”

Allen shifted nervously, “She wouldn’t tell me… but I noticed that she’s taken to wearing thick leather bracelets.”

“She’s feeding him herself!?” Chevalier yelled, and stood up.

“I suspect so, yes… Where else is she to get blood though?”

“He’ll kill her. He has no control.”

“I know. I talked to her about that, but she denied letting him feed from her.”

Chevalier sat back down and slammed his fist into the desk, sending the last remaining unbroken part into splinters, “I need to know where she is.”

“There’s more.”

Kyle looked up, “What?”

“Dain had one of his… episodes, while I was there. Dad, it’s bad, and even I was afraid to get near him. Mom rushed to his side and jumped on the bed to hold him down.”

“She can restrain him?”

“No, that’s the problem. He threw her in a panicked rage into the wall… so she crawled to her feet and went back to him.”

Chevalier glared at his son, “Go on.”

“He bites, kicks, hits, and scratches. I could restrain him, but it took everything I have and I was pretty cut up when he calmed down. His pain is excruciating and then suddenly, he fell asleep. When he got up two days later, I swear he was a good 4 inches taller and had put on almost 25 pounds,” Allen explained.

“Does she look abused by him?”

“It’s hard to tell. She only wears long sleeves and those damned leather bracelets. All I can tell is that she’s pale and weak. She barely eats anything and is up from the crack of dawn until well after midnight. The field hands are too afraid to ask her to get rest. They’re terrified of her temper.”

“She said nothing when you told her that wasn’t me?” Chevalier asked, his voice softer.

“No, she just got up and started on the dishes.”

“What is she going to do about Dain then?”

“Nothing, I guess. She keeps Alexis away while he’s fighting, and then sits with him while he sleeps. She cries a lot, mainly in the shower, and then runs the ranch with a steel fist. She wears a holster at all times with a .45 on one side and a Taser in the other. She constantly scans the area looking for one of us,” Allen told him.

“If she has a Taser, that means she’s waiting for a heku attack,” Kyle said, looking at the Elder.

“I suspect… she’s had to use it,” Allen said.

“She’s been attacked by heku?” Chevalier asked.

“She won’t say, but when I asked, she acted differently.”

“You said she’s thin?”

“Too thin.”

“Pale?”

“Another reason I suspect Dain feeds from her.”

Chevalier sighed and sunk his head into his hands.

“She’s miserable and lonely. The field hand, Tucker, he really likes her, and tries often to get close to her, but she pretty much snubs him. He’s a good guy and realizes that Mom has problems with men, that they flock to her, and attack her.” Allen stopped when he heard Chevalier growl.

“What about the other field-hand, Pelton?” Kyle asked.

Allen shrugged, “I think he’s more interested in Tucker.”

“Tell us everything about the location, anything you can think of,” Kyle said, and grabbed a pen and paper.

“It’s southern. It was hot every day and very muggy. It was green with rolling hills and Tucker has a southern accent.”

Kyle wrote it down to pass to those looking for her, “Anything else?”

“Her ranch was covered in Cyprus trees. That’s about all that I have.”

“What kind of horses does she have?”

“She’s mainly raising Missouri Fox Trotters, but there are a few other breeds mixed in. She also takes in mustangs that are injured and nurses them back to health,” Allen explained. “She had a delivery from Wyoming come in with 4 injured mustangs.”

“Did you catch a business?”

“It was from the state of Wyoming. I tried to talk to the delivery guy, but he clammed up and drove off, wouldn’t say a word.”

“Kyle…”

“On it,” Kyle said, and blurred from the room.

“I need to get back. Miri’s waiting for me,” Allen told his Dad. “I slipped Alexis a cell phone that she can use in emergencies. Mom doesn’t know she has it.”

Chevalier nodded, “Good idea.”

“I’m off then.”

“Go, if you think of anything else, then let me know.”

Allen nodded and took a helicopter back to Island Coven.

The following week was quiet. The Valle were waiting to see if the Equites backed off, and the Encala were still too afraid to come back to their city. Chevalier stayed in the Encala Palace unless he was needed in Council City, and the Cavalry continued to follow coven leads about possible sightings of Emily.

Kyle returned from Wyoming after being gone for 6 days and sat down beside Chevalier.

“What did you find?”

“The state of Wyoming delivered 37 horses to ranches throughout the United States this month. I have a list of all of them, along with their contact names and numbers.”

“Let me see,” Chevalier said, and took the list. He quickly looked it over, “She’s not on here, nor is that Pelton or Tucker. Course, knowing Emily, she has an alias.”

“I know, so I want to bring in the Cavalry and send them out to each ranch. It will take longer, but I want to send half to each location.”

“Why so many?”

“In case she decides to ash them when she sees them. They’ll be easier to find in large groups and there’s more of a chance that some can get away.”

“Do it,” Chevalier said.

“I don’t want to use the covens for this. We’re so close to finding her, that I want only the Cavalry,” Kyle suggested. “I know that it’ll take months, but if we work too fast, or get too many different heku involved, we could miss something.”

Chevalier nodded, “Agreed.”

Kyle nodded and disappeared to contact the Cavalry.

***

“Is everyone out?” Chevalier asked, and looked back over his shoulder.

“Yes, Elder, all Equites are accounted for,” Kyle told him.

“Give them back their city,” the Elder said, and got into the helicopter. The 5-month mark hit and it was time to return the Encala to their city. He’d gotten his revenge for his 5-month confinement, and was ready to be far away from the ruins of what was left of their city.

Chevalier was now thought of as a tyrant, and was feared by even those that used to be close to him. Infractions were dealt with harshly, and the other two Elders stood by him and let him be the main punisher for the faction.

When Chevalier got back to Council City, he immediately returned to the Equites council chambers and sat down to wait for news from the Encala. He’d only been back for a few days when Mark returned with an update.

“Let him in,” Zohn told Derrick when he was notified Mark was waiting.

Mark came into the council chambers and it was obvious he was nervous, “There… there was a… problem… with the list of mustang drop offs.”

“What kind of problem?” Chevalier growled.

“The list they gave Kyle, was for the previous month,” Mark said, and took a slight step back when Chevalier hissed.

“So we’ve been searching the wrong ranches for three months!?” Kyle yelled.

“Yes, Chief Enforcer,” Mark said, and turned his attention to Kyle. “I have the new list though, and we’re starting on it. There are 33 ranches here that had mustangs delivered, only two of those were repeats from the previous month.”

“I want the mortal that made that mistake,” Chevalier ordered.

Mark met his eyes, “Silas killed him, Sir, when he found out we were searching the wrong ranches.”

Kyle nodded, “Start over then…”

“Yes, Sir,” Mark said, and disappeared from the room.

Chevalier turned to Zohn, “I’m ready for Lon.”

“Bring in Lon,” the Court Reporter called out to Derrick. The gray and withered heku was brought before them and forced to his knees.

“Charges?” Zohn asked.

The Court Reporter thumbed through some documents, “Lon is 599 years old and he’s been in Equites the entire time. He was caught in the city paying for a hotel room for a displaced Encala. He’s been in our prison for 4 months.”

“That was smart, now wasn’t it?” Chevalier asked him.

“I knew him from before I was turned… he was a good friend,” Lon said softly.

“That gives you the right to betray your faction?”

“No, I didn’t betray the Equites. I put him up in a hotel so we could try to work out a deal with the Council so… he could join the Equites.”

“Where is the Encala?” Quinn asked.

“Deceased,” Zohn told him.

Chevalier grinned, “Oh that’s right, I killed him.”

The heku addressed Quinn, and avoided looking directly at Chevalier, “I was trying to help him join the Equites, I swear. He wanted out of the Encala.”

“Still fraternizing with the Encala,” Zohn told him.

“He would have been a great addition to the Equites. He was willing to give us information about the Encala,” Lon explained.

“So he was a traitor to his own faction,” Chevalier said, and raised an eyebrow. “Not sure I would have wanted him here.”

“Agreed, however, that doesn’t change the fact that you helped an Encala,” Zohn reminded him.

“It was to help the faction!”

“Anyone find him not guilty of treason?” Quinn asked, and looked over the Council. “I suggest prison.”

“Kill him,” Chevalier said, uncaring. That was his answer to most trials now.

Zohn smiled crookedly, “Prison for 100 years.”

Derrick hauled Lon away, screaming.

Kyle looked over at Chevalier and grinned evilly, “It’s here.”

Chevalier looked at him, “Is it set up?”

“Yes, it’s ready to use.”

“Let’s go then,” the Elder said, and stood up. “I already know who gets to try it out.”

Chevalier and Kyle left the council chambers and Zohn turned to the Chief Interrogator, “What arrived?”

“That water tank,” the Chief Interrogator said. “During one of our interrogations, the Elder mentioned wanting a water tank. Something about how being able to drown a heku would come in handy.”

Quinn cringed, “I haven’t heard of that.”

“No one has. I think the Elder just thought it up.”

Zohn grinned slightly, “I’m glad he’s on my side.”

Quinn chuckled and walked out of the council chambers.

Chevalier and Kyle entered the interrogation chamber and looked over the tank of water. It stood 3 feet tall with a base footprint of 4ft x 4ft. The tank was wrapped in thick chains.

“Polyimide, as specified, right?”

“Yes, a heku can still break out, but if we run electrodes along the outside, he’ll get shocked if he touches the walls,” Kyle explained, and squatted down to look inside.

Chevalier turned toward the door, “Bring my doppelganger in here.”

Less than a minute later, Chevalier’s look-alike was brought in by two prison guards.

Chevalier smiled menacingly, “Get him in the water.”

“What!?” he screamed, and fought against the two guards. After a struggle, they were able to get him into the clear box and chained the top shut.

Chevalier sat down as Kyle knelt beside it and they watched the heku inside. First he was calmly looking around, but as his air began to run out, he started to panic and thrash about. Chevalier focused in on his eyes, his panic filled eyes were shocked and terrified. The minutes passed and the two heku watched the suffering prisoner without making a sound. His frantic movements were hurried and no longer cohesive.

“Interesting,” Kyle said, and stood up.

“It’s a good addition,” Chevalier said, still watching the heku’s eyes.

The doppelganger fell silent inside of the water tank after a few minutes without air, but healed quickly and again began to thrash around.

“Didn’t see that coming,” Kyle chuckled.

Chevalier grinned, “This’ll be even better if they heal and then drown again and again.”

Starting to panic, the mythical creature slammed his fists into the thick walls of the water tank and electricity filled the tank. He jerked suddenly and fell silent.

Chevalier and Kyle both looked over when the door to the interrogation chamber opened. Zohn and Quinn walked in and bent slightly to look inside of the water tank.

“How’s it going?” Quinn asked, then leaned back against the wall.

“Pretty interesting actually,” Kyle told him. “He keeps healing and then the torture resumes, all without us having to lift a finger.”

“That’s pretty… well… impressive,” Zohn said, studying the thrashing doppelganger.

“We actually came because we heard a report from the Cavalry,” Quinn said as he watched the tank.

“Ok.” Chevalier finally turned to Quinn.

“They just said they’ve had no luck so far. There’s not one sign of her or the kids.”

“I figured.”

“She’s not going to make it easy,” Kyle told them as he stood up and sat down on the rack. “I have no doubt that she could disappear indefinitely.”

“We have the advantage of Alexis now though,” Quinn said, keep in thought.

“She’s not going to go against Emily’s wishes.”

“Still, if we can just convince her of how important it is to let us know.”

“I still don’t think she will tell us.”

Zohn stood up and turned to them, “Maybe we can convince her to see Allen again and he could get more information.”

“It took her almost a year to see him the first time,” Chevalier said. “We’ll try, but I’m guessing she won’t let him come back this soon.”

While the Equites weren’t paying attention to the doppelganger, he again slammed his fists into the side of the water tank and the entire prison fell into darkness as the fuse blew. Within seconds, a backup generator kicked on and the emergency lights came on.

Chevalier grinned and turned toward the tank. The doppelganger was floating limply, “Nice.”

“Any problems?” Kyle called toward the door.

“No, Sir,” the guard reported back.

Quinn laughed, “Seems your new toy will need its own power source.”

“Well worth it,” Chevalier said. He knelt down beside the tank when the doppelganger healed enough and began to move again. The horrified creature looked out at the heku and silently screamed.

Chapter 11 - Search

“Ok, next ranch is in the Kisatchie National Forest in Louisiana, just outside of Winnfield,” Mark explained to the Cavalry. “This ranch had 3 injured mustangs delivered, but the delivery driver saw no one but field hands that day.”

“We’re on number 28, right?” Kralen asked.

“Yes,” Silas sighed. “He’s going to kill us if we can’t find her.”

Mark cleared his throat, “It’s been 4 months that we’ve had this list, but we’re almost done.”

“Yeah, and the last list panned out pretty well for us,” one of the Cavalry said.

“Just listen,” Kralen growled.

Mark continued, “Same as last time… stick to the trees until we find out what’s going on. If we don’t see anyone, then Clark will illusion and head in as a wolf. That’s brought most mortals out with a gun and given us a good view.”

One of the Powans nodded, “Will do.”

The Suburbans stopped in Winnfield, Louisiana, and the heku got out. Mark, Silas, Kralen, and fifteen of the Cavalry stood and looked around the Louisiana hillside.

“Silas, lead us in,” Mark said, and they all blurred behind him. When the white fences of Coventry Equestrian Ranch came into view, the heku slowed and moved off into the trees. It was still two hours until dusk, and they needed to keep their view.

“I hate that smell,” one of the Cavalry said, and covered his nose against the scent of barbecuing meat.

“This should be easy if they’re outside then,” Mark said. “The smoke is around behind that main house. Let’s go look.”

The heku stealthily moved through the trees until they saw the backyard, where five men were barbecuing. One stood in front of the grill while the other four sat at the table. Three of them were drinking beer while the other visited with them.

Mark sighed. There was no sign of Emily, Alexis, or Dain, and the men were talking football, which didn’t help them at all.

The General motioned for Kralen to move to the house, to see if he could catch Emily’s scent, and he slowly crouched down and moved from tree to tree, slowly edging closer to the building.

“Stop,” Mark whispered when one of the men stood up from the table. He was taller than the rest, standing just over six feet, and was muscular with large shoulders and long black hair that was tied into a low ponytail.

The man they were watching tilted his head up slightly, and the heku gasped when he inhaled and then turned to face them. They were able to duck back behind the trees to avoid his gaze. Kralen froze. He was away from the others, and had seen the large man turn to face the trees where the heku were hiding. The man’s hands balled into tight fists and he stared intently toward them.

“Sit down, Bull, no reason to puff all up,” one of the others said, and chuckled before he finished his beer. He stood up and walked over to a cooler to get another one. On his way back to the picnic table, he hit the man on the shoulder, “Sit down.”

The man nodded, but the heku could hear him inhale again before turning around to sit with the others. Kralen took a deep breath and continued moving toward the house.

“Move back,” Mark whispered, and then he stopped when the man turned around from the picnic table again and looked toward the trees.

“Shit! She’s coming,” the man barbecuing yelled. The men began to quickly pack up their beer and food, and hid it in the cooler, which one man threw into the trees where it landed a few feet ahead of Silas.

“Get! Get!” he yelled, and ushered the men out of the backyard. The heku watched as four of the men ran off toward the barn. The fifth man was still watching the trees, his breathing was slow and controlled and he scanned the area carefully.

Mark gasped when Emily appeared from the front of the house and walked over to the large man.

“Hello, Baby,” she said, and hugged him.

Dain didn’t look at her, “I smell something.”

She looked toward the trees, “Like what?”

“I don’t know.”

“Is it them?”

“No, it’s different.”

Emily took a step toward the trees and the heku were able to get a better look at her. Other than being thin and pale, with a cast on her left forearm, she looked good to them. They also noticed that, as Allen mentioned, she carried a .45 on one hip and a Taser in the other.

“Go inside then,” Emily said, and then she turned when Dain didn’t move. “Dain! Get inside.”

“No, I don’t know that smell and I’m not leaving you alone out here,” he growled. Now that they knew who he was, the heku saw the similarities between him and the Elder. His pitch black hair and dark ominous eyes were now familiar to them. They didn’t move, too afraid to even breathe as Emily again looked over at the trees they were hiding behind.

Emily turned around and took Dain’s hand, “Let’s go inside, ok? I’m sure it’s nothing.”

Dain nodded, “Ok, Mom.”

“Ma’am,” the barbecuing man said, and walked up to the backyard.

Emily turned to him, “What?”

“That mustang’s leg looks worse. It’s swelling up again.”

She glared at him, “If you all weren’t out here taking a vacation, then you’d have caught that before it got worse!”

“It was… I’m… sorry, Ma’am. It won’t happen again.”

“You’re damned right it won’t happen again! You don’t barbecue on my time, is that understood?”

“Yes, Ma’am,” he said, and lowered his eyes.

“Get that leg fixed, now!”

The man turned and ran off, obviously terrified of the small woman.

Kralen slowly moved behind a wood pile beside the house. He had to wait until both Emily and Dain turned their attention to the field hand, so that his movement wasn’t detected.

Emily smiled up at Dain, “Come on, let’s go inside.”

Dain nodded and followed her into the house.

“Team 4, go get the Elder,” Mark whispered. “Everyone else hang tight until I decide what to do.”

Four of the heku moved quickly out of the area.

“Can you hear inside?” Mark asked Kralen.

Kralen nodded.

“What’s going on?”

“They’re getting ready to go out,” Kralen whispered.

“Who is in there?”

“I hear all three of them.”

“Surround the house. I’m going in before they leave,” Mark said, and then smiled slightly. “I hope the Elder brings Kyle.”

Kralen grinned and watched the front door as Mark approached. He took a deep breath, and then knocked.

“I’ll get it,” Alexis yelled from inside. She opened the door and her eyes grew wide, “Mom!”

Alexis ran from the door and Mark stepped inside the large log cabin that served as the main house for the ranch. He saw that Alexis had grown a few inches and looked even more like Emily, though she would now be a couple inches taller than her Mom. Her black hair was cropped short and she still had Chevalier’s dark, angry eyes.

“Why are you screaming, Alex?” Emily asked as she wiped her hands on a towel. Mark’s heart skipped in his chest as she turned around to face him and froze.

Dain appeared behind her and looked at Mark. He crouched instinctively and hissed.

“Dain, get back in the kitchen,” Emily whispered.

“I’m not leaving you alone with him,” Dain growled. The child heku stood over a foot taller than his Mom and his massive form looked threatening behind her.

Mark put his hands out, “I’m not here to hurt you. I just want to talk.”

“Dain, I said to get back,” Emily growled. Dain glared at Mark, and then slowly moved into the kitchen. “Is he coming?”

Mark nodded, “Yes.”

“Alexis!” Emily yelled.

The 14-year-old ran up to her Mom and watched Mark closely, “Yeah?”

“Keep your eye on him, if he moves… even an inch, turn him to ash,” Emily said, and looked over at her daughter.

Alexis nodded, “Ok.”

Mark grinned slightly, “I wish you’d listen to me.”

Emily looked up at him, “One move…”

“I won’t,” he promised.

She disappeared up the stairs and he could hear fast movement.

“What’s going on?” a man asked as he walked up behind Alexis. He looked over at Mark and smiled, “Can I help you with something?”

“No, I’m just a friend of Emily’s,” Mark told him.

“Oh, well, nice to meet you,” he said, and walked up, holding his hand out.

Mark shook his hand and looked him over. He would be no match for any heku, standing just under five foot ten with a lanky build.

“I’m Tucker, and you are?”

“Mark,” the heku said, and stayed where he was standing.

“Where’s your Mom, Alex?” Tucker asked, and turned toward Alexis.

“Upstairs,” she told him, though her eyes never left Mark.

Tucker went upstairs and Mark could hear him and Emily speaking.

“Are you leaving?” Tucker asked.

“Yes, I quit. The kids and I are leaving immediately,” Emily said, and Mark sighed.

“What? Why?”

“We just are.”

“Because of that guy downstairs?”

“Yes,” Emily told him. She came down the stairs with one large suitcase. Tucker had two more in his hands.

“Em…” Mark whispered, but Emily looked up at him angrily and he stopped talking.

“Dain!” Emily yelled.

“Yeah, Mom?” he asked, and came out of the kitchen.

“Get my truck. Put these in it and bring it around front.”

Dain nodded and picked up all three suitcases at once. He disappeared out the front doors and Mark noticed that he knew to keep a mortal’s pace in front of Tucker. Mark heard the Cavalry restrain Dain and pull him deeper into the woods, though he knew neither Emily, nor Tucker, could hear it.

“Don’t leave, Emily,” Tucker said, and Mark noticed the way he looked at her, and how his heart began to beat faster at the thought she was leaving.

“No choice, Tucker, I have to go,” she said, and went into the kitchen.

Mark started after them, but Alexis whispered, “Don’t make me do it, Mark. I like you.”

“Listen to me, Alex,” Mark whispered. He knew that Alexis’ hearing was more capable of hearing him than Emily’s, and dropped his voice so only she could hear. “Your Dad didn’t do those things to your Mom. He didn’t kick her out, and he’s been frantically looking for you for over a year.”

Alexis continued to stare at him and whispered back, too softly for Emily’s mortal ears, “She doesn’t want him.”

“The ring is still on her finger, so she still loves him.”

“It doesn’t matter what she feels. I know she loves him. I get to hear her crying over him every night. However, she doesn’t want him back.”

“He didn’t do those things.”

“She’s never been the same. She’s unhappy, moody, and miserable. Seeing Dad again will only make that worse.”

“No it won’t. Not if she’ll listen and understand that it wasn’t the Elder that insulted her and kicked her out of the palace.”

“I know,” Alexis whispered.

“Then help us convince her.”

“No, she trusts me and Dain. If we lose that trust, then she’ll send us back to Council City and she’ll be alone.”

Mark sighed and looked up when Emily walked into the hallway, “Where is Dain?”

“I don’t know, Mom,” Alexis told her, though Mark was fairly certain she knew.

Emily whistled, “Devia!”

Mark watched as a Border collie ran into the hallway, wagging his tail as he looked up anxiously at Emily.

“Go get in the truck,” she ordered, and the dog ran past Mark and out the door.

“Em, please, talk to me,” Mark said softly.

“There’s nothing you can say that’ll stop this.”

“You know that through all of that, the Cavalry was behind you.”

She stopped and turned toward him, “I know.”

“So talk to us.”

“Us?” she gasped, and looked out the window, “How many heku are out there?”

She took a step back when Kralen walked in behind Mark, “You owe me, Emily.”

“I owe you nothing. I held my side of the bargain, until I was thrown out on my ass.”

He cringed slightly, “All we ask is that you listen to us.”

“How much of the Cavalry is out there?”

“What Cavalry?” Tucker asked as he walked into the hallway. He looked out the window and grinned, “I’d like to see the Cavalry, but you’re a long ways from any military bases around here.”

Emily sighed, “Tucker, I need you to go back out to your bunkhouse.”

“And leave you alone with these guys? No way,” Tucker said, and turned toward the heku. He crossed his arms and looked at them.

“We won’t hurt her,” Kralen said to him.

“Don’t matter. I’m not leaving.”

Emily sighed, “Alex, go find out why Dain hasn’t brought my truck.”

Alexis nodded and left, moving around Mark and Kralen carefully.

Mark grinned slightly when he heard Silas, “Shhhh, Lexi, it’s me.”

“Silas? Uncover my eyes. What are you doing?” Alexis whispered.

“I can’t uncover your eyes, just trust me,” Silas said, and Mark heard him move back into the trees with her.

“Tucker, I’m not kidding. Get your ass out of here!” Emily yelled at him.

Tucker faced her, “Are these guys the reason you are always checking over your shoulder? The reason you are afraid to answer the phone or the door?”

“No,” Emily said softly.

“Are they the reason you won’t date anyone? The reason you don’t trust a soul?”

“Go, Tucker,” she told him again.

“Damnit, Emily, stop it… I don’t care how big your gun is, or how mean your Taser looks. You’re barely 5-foot tall and weigh nuthin’. You can’t keep acting like you’re tough,” Tucker said, frustrated. “You don’t even have both arms right now.”

Mark watched Tucker carefully.

Emily glared at him, “Unless you want to find yourself out of a job, I suggest you get your ass out of my house!”

Tucker yelled and then threw his hands up in the air before leaving.

Emily looked at Mark and Kralen, “Don’t move a muscle.”

“We won’t,” Mark told her.

She moved to the large picture window and looked out before returning to them, “Where the hell are my kids?”

“They aren’t hurt. They’re out with the Cavalry so you’ll talk to us.”

Emily swallowed hard, “There’s nothing you can say that’s going to keep me here until… he… gets here.”

She spun when she heard footsteps behind her and saw Silas walk in the back door, “Stop it!”

He stopped and looked at her, “What?”

“You’re surrounding me and I don’t like it,” she said, and they heard her heart begin to race in her chest.

“Em, calm down,” Mark told her. “We called Silas in so we can all talk to you about what’s going on.”

“Nothing’s going on! I live here, I work here, my life is normal… I have no desire, whatsoever, to return to that place and be insulted and humiliated,” she said, and took a step up the stairs.

“Listen to us… give us 10 minutes to explain what happened,” Kralen asked.

“Is that how long it takes until the entire Council arrives?”

“No, Chevalier is on his way, but it’ll take him a few hours to get here,” Mark said. “I swear to you, I’m not lying.”

“We stood behind you,” Kralen told her, “Even up against the Elder… We ask now that you trust us.”

Emily looked over at Silas, “Where’s my baby?”

“Baby? You mean that massive 7-year-old?”

“Where is he?!” she screamed.

“He’s out with the Cavalry. He’s ok, Em,” Silas said, and stepped into the living room. “Let’s sit in here and talk.”

Kralen cleared his throat, “Is there… is there another, here in the house?”

Her eyes narrowed, “Another what?”

“Baby”

“No,” she said. She’d forgotten that when she left, she still thought she might be pregnant.

“Let’s sit,” Mark said, and joined Silas in the living room.

Kralen smiled at her and joined them.

Emily slowly walked into the living room and sat in an overstuffed recliner across from where the heku sat. She pulled a blanket over her legs and sighed, “You have 10 minutes and then I’m leaving.”

Mark smiled, “Thank you.”

“Make it good.”

“Have you ever heard of a doppelganger?” Kralen asked.

“Evil twin… yes.”

“That’s what it was… That wasn’t Chevalier, it was a look-alike. Doppelgangers were creatures that the heku disposed of thousands of years ago, but the Encala decided to keep a few, it seems.”

“Right,” she said, and rolled her eyes.

“The entire time, Chevalier, Kyle, Dustin, and Jerry were being held captive by the Encala.”

“Likely story.”

Mark smiled slightly, “I can get pictures… the Encala are in ruins. The Equites obliterated their city, and occupied their palace for 5 months… That’s when Chevalier considered his revenge for his abduction complete and let them have it back.”

“What can we say to get you to stay here long enough to talk to the Elder?” Silas asked.

Her voice cracked, “I can’t see him.”

Kralen sighed, “I shouldn’t say this, but… he’s changed since you left.”

“Changed?”

“Yes, he’s become an oppressor. He’s evil and malicious, and doesn’t care about a soul. He kills for nothing, and the people in the city are afraid of him.”

She shrugged, “What he does doesn’t concern me anymore.”

“I just wanted you to know how much he misses you, how insane he’s gone not knowing where you are, or how you’ve been.”

“He knows I’m alive,” Emily told him. “He can tell that I haven’t been able to get this damned ring off.”

Silas grinned, “That should be your first clue… If he were the one yelling insults at you, that ring would have come off.”

Mark frowned slightly when he smelled sweat and realized Emily was suddenly quiet. She stood up slowly, and though she tried not to stoop, she was bent over slightly.

“Em, what’s wrong?” Silas asked, and took her arm. He gasped and fell back to the couch when a flash of burning ran through his chest.

“Don’t touch me,” she whispered, and walked into the kitchen. The heku heard the sound of a pill bottle and Emily poured herself a glass of water from the tap to take them with. They listened to her stand in the kitchen for almost 20 minutes before she came back in and sat down. “You’re down to 5 minutes.”

“Are you ok?” Kralen asked.

“Let’s just get this clear. My health and well-being is of no concern to any heku… as for that, the heku species as a whole, is of no concern of mine. I don’t care that,” she paused and took a deep breath, “That Chevalier is on a rampage. I don’t care that the Encala are in ruins or that some mythical creature has returned.”

“You don’t mean that,” Mark whispered.

“I do… Now, I need to go get the kids. We are leaving,” she said, and stood up.

“Tell me what’s wrong,” Silas asked.

“Nothing’s wrong with me,” she said, and started for the door. She opened it and the Border collie ran in and wagged his tail at the heku.

“Damnit, Devia, get in the truck,” Emily yelled. The Border collie spun suddenly and ran out to an old Chevy pick-up parked in front of the barn.

The heku followed her out. It was now dark and she looked around the empty yard before yelling, “If my kids aren’t with me in 5 seconds, I’ll ash anyone in those trees.”

“Em,” Kyle said from behind her.

Her shoulders fell and she stayed facing the trees, “You said he was a few hours away.”

“I’m not with Chevalier. I was with Thukil when I heard they’d found you.”

Emily saw Alexis and Dain walking towards her from the trees. Dain’s face grew furious and he blurred to her side and faced Kyle, “Did you touch her?”

“Who the hell are you?” Kyle growled, and crouched slightly.

“Stop it!” Emily screamed, and put her hand out to stop Dain. “Don’t touch my son, or so help me, I’ll scatter your ashes.”

Kyle’s eyes grew wide, “Dain?”

“Dain, Alex, get in the truck,” Emily said, and slowly backed away from Kyle.

“Em… listen to me, it’s important,” he said, and took a step forward.

“No, I’ve listened to these three for 10 minutes, the agreed on amount. Nothing changed my mind. Now, if I find you following me, you’ll regret it, that’s a promise.”

“Mom,” Dain said from behind her. His voice was cracked and it was obvious he was in pain.

Emily’s eyes grew wide and she ran to him, “Not now, Dain, please…”

He groaned and fell to the gravel, writhing in pain.

Emily knelt down beside him and took his hand, “I’m here, Baby.”

Kralen moved quickly to his side and started to slip his hands under the young heku, “Let’s get him inside.”

“Get away from him!” Emily screamed, and Kralen blurred back to Mark when he felt a burn begin in his chest. “Alex!”

“I’m here, Mom,” Alexis said. Between her and Emily, they managed to get Dain to his feet. He leaned on his Mom and she struggled to get him inside while the heku watched helplessly. When Alexis shut the door behind her Mom, she turned and faced the heku.

“Lexi, we can help her,” Silas said, and stepped forward.

“She can handle it, stay back,” Alexis growled.

“Allen told us what’s going on with Dain,” Mark explained. “We can keep him from hurting your Mom. We won’t hurt him, I swear.”

“Mom taught me how to ash without looking,” Alexis said, and shut her eyes. “Want me to show you?”

Mark sighed, “No, I don’t.”

Alexis looked over at Kyle, “Don’t move.”

“I won’t,” he whispered.

A crash sounded after a loud roar from Dain. The heku were tense, wanting to go help, but were at a standoff against the teenager.

“She needs our help,” Kyle said to Alexis. “Listen to that, he’s going to kill her.”

“Dain won’t hurt Mom.”

“Not on purpose. You’ve seen him. He’s huge compared to her, and when a heku is in pain, we just don’t think rationally. He’s going to hurt her.”

“Mom said you stay out here, and that’s what’s going to happen,” Alexis said, and crossed her arms.

The standoff continued into the night with Alexis standing her ground by the front door, while the heku waited in front of her. Silas tried once to move around back, so Alexis yelled for Emily. When the pain began, he quickly went back with the others. They all turned when a black Chevy Tahoe pulled up and stopped at the side of the house.

Alexis gasped when Chevalier got out, followed by the Chief of Defense.

“Mom! Dad’s here,” Alexis yelled.

“Alex, what’s going on?” Chevalier asked, and started toward her. He gasped and stopped moving when a brief burn was felt in his chest.

“Stay back,” Alexis said. “Mom’s orders.”

“Dain’s in pain,” Mark told him. As if on cue, another crash sounded and Dain screamed in pain.

Chevalier started forward again, but Alexis stepped in front of him, “Stay out.”

“That’s my son, too,” Chevalier hissed.

“Mom said to keep you all out… We’ve practiced a lot and I think I can ash all of you at once, so don’t push me,” Alexis yelled.

“She only has one good arm, Lexi,” Silas said. “Let the Elder help.”

“No,” she screamed. “Stay back.”

“Alex, what’s going on?” Pelton asked, and ran up to her. This field-hand was taller than Tucker and well-built, with blond hair and a thick blond goatee.

“It’s Dain,” Alexis whispered.

Pelton turned to the heku, “Can I help you fellas?”

“We’re friends of Emily’s,” Mark said, and smiled slightly. He couldn’t explain why they were all standing outside while Emily fought with Dain alone. Dain roared inside the house and Pelton turned to look at the upstairs window.

“Damnit!” Pelton yelled, and ran into the house.

“There, now she has help,” Alexis said, and grinned smugly.

The heku heard what was happening inside the house when Pelton arrived, “Hold his legs,” Emily said.

“I got him,” Pelton told her, and they could hear the strain in his voice. “We need to call an ambulance.”

“We can’t!” Emily screamed. “He’ll be ok, just hold him down.”

“How bad did he get you?”

“I’m ok.”

“That’s not what I asked… how bad?”

They heard Emily strain as she held Dain down.

Hours passed and Alexis held the heku at bay. Things in the house finally quieted down and Dain no longer screamed in pain. Emily and Pelton began to whisper quietly from the upstairs bedroom.

“It’s nice to see that you help your Mom,” Chevalier said softly to Alexis.

She shrugged, “Someone has to.”

“I have been looking for you.”

“I know.”

“Lexi,” Silas called from beside her. The second she turned to look at him, he locked her eyes and the heku flooded into the house.

Emily spun when the door opened and gasped when she saw Chevalier standing inside the door.

“Who the hell are you to just walk in here?” Pelton asked, and moved between Emily and Chevalier.

“I’m her husband,” he growled, and then moved to sit on the bed beside Dain.

“Leave him alone!” Emily whispered harshly.

“He looks ok, but I smell blood,” Kyle said, and looked at her.

“You smell blood?” Pelton asked skeptically.

Kyle sighed, “Mark…”

Mark blurred to the mortal man and immediately locked his gaze.

“Leave him alone,” Emily yelled, and pulled at Mark, though he didn’t move.

“Em, leave Mark alone… Pelton can’t know this stuff,” Chevalier said to her.

She turned to him and glared, “Get out of my house.”

“Not until you hear me out.”

“No, I’ve listened enough, get out.”

“Where’s the blood coming from?”

“Maybe from my fat ass,” she growled, and started to push the heku out the door.

“That wasn’t me!”

“Sure as hell looked like you, get out!”

“No, not until I can prove to you that I didn’t say those things.”

Emily glared at him, “Ashing this entire house in 3…”

Mark ordered his Cavalry to leave the house and they took Pelton with them.

“2…”

“Elder, let’s go,” Kyle said.

“1…” she growled, and saw Kyle and Chevalier both disappear from the room.

Emily walked up and shut the door behind them, then returned to Dain’s bed and sat down beside him and took his hand, “It’s ok, Baby. We’ll keep them away from you.”

The heku surrounded the house as Pelton was sent back to sleep in the bunkhouse. Alexis stood at the door and glared at them, and when the sun came up, she turned toward the house when she heard Emily walk down the stairs.

“Please, at least let me in,” Chevalier asked her. “He’s my son too and I’m worried about him.”

Alexis stepped aside, “If she ashes you, I’m not cleaning it up.”

He grinned slightly, “Agreed.”

Chevalier glanced once at Kyle and then walked into the house. With the trace amounts of dried blood on her shirt, it was easy to find Emily, and he walked into the kitchen as she made a fresh pot of coffee. She saw his reflection in the window and turned around to face him.

“I’ve missed you,” he whispered.

She just watched him.

“I know you don’t trust me, and I don’t blame you, but I can’t leave here until I know that you know the truth.”

Again, she didn’t speak.

Chevalier sighed, “Kyle, Jerry, Dustin, and I were on our way to a coven ceremony when we were in a car wreck. When I woke up, I was in an Encala interrogation room. I was in there for days before they knocked me unconscious and I was dropped down an empty well with the other three.”

He watched her and then continued when she didn’t speak, “We were held captive for 5 months until, one day, they let us go… free for no reason. When we got back, we found what happened to you and immediately began to look. I destroyed the Encala, to the extreme that the heku have never seen before.”

Emily turned and got herself a cup of coffee before leaning back against the counter to watch him.

“We’ve looked everywhere. My doppelganger was kept alive just to help prove to you that this is all true.”

They stood in silence and studied each other for a few minutes before Emily spoke, “I have to get back up to Dain.”

“He’s my son too, and I’m worried about him,” Chevalier told her.

She swallowed hard, “I don’t know how to help him.”

“He may need the heku.”

“No, he needs me, that’s all.”

“Just let me see him, please.”

Emily nodded and then led Chevalier upstairs to Dain’s room. He was sound asleep, barely breathing, and completely unmoving.

She sat down on his bed and took his large hand in hers.

“My God, he’s grown,” Chevalier said, and then sat down on the other side of him.

“Dad?” Dain whispered, though his eyes didn’t open.

“I’m here,” he said, and looked over the heku child.

“Save Mom.” His voice was soft and slurred.

“I’m here, Baby, I’m ok,” she said, and kissed his forehead softly.

Dain settled back down into a deep sleep. Emily brought his hand to her lips and kissed it.

“I can’t believe how big he’s gotten,” Chevalier whispered, watching his son.

“I know.”

“How are you feeding him, Em?”

“I knew he’d be big though… you are.”

“Em…”

“He’s well fed, don’t worry about that.”

Chevalier sighed, “I’m not worried that he’s starving. How are you feeding him?”

“I find ways.”

“I want Dr. Cook to look at him.”

Emily shook her head, “He can’t help. Dain’s the first of his kind, no one can help him.”

“You can’t take him to a doctor, and no heku knows how to handle pain,” Chevalier whispered. “Dr. Cook is our best bet to stop this.”

“I can’t go back there.”

“Then let me take him to the palace, just for a couple of days.”

She again shook her head, “No, we can’t be separated.”

“Em, he’s in pain, this could get worse. We have to have someone look at him.”

“Then bring Dr. Cook here.”

“There are too many mortals around. Someone is going to notice us.”

“Tucker and Pelton are the only ones that come into the house, and I trust them.”

“Em…”

“If you say I shouldn’t, then you can leave,” she whispered. “They’ve been supportive of everything this last year, and I couldn’t have done it without them.”

Emily gasped when Chevalier appeared on his knees by the side of the bed near her. He took her hand and looked into her eyes, “I can’t live without you, and I can see it in your eyes, you miss me too.”

“Of course I do,” she told him. “What I don’t miss are the fat comments, or the ‘merely a human’ crap.”

“That wasn’t me.”

“I’ve heard that too many times from you.”

“Don’t do it for me then. Come back for Dain. He’s still young and he’s too big for you to handle. He’s going to hurt you, and what if it gets worse?”

“Mom?” Alexis said from the door.

Emily looked over at her.

“Mom, Dad’s right. I’m so afraid that Dain is going to hurt you.”

“I can handle him.”

“Barely, Em,” Chevalier said. “I’m not saying come back to me. I’m not saying to come back to the palace to stay… but at least let Dr. Cook look at Dain. What if he dies?”

Emily looked over at her son and her heart sank. She knew they were right. He was getting too big and too strong for her to control during his pain, and even Pelton was having problems controlling him.

“I won’t stay,” she whispered.

“Yes!” Alexis yelled, and ran down the stairs.

“You don’t have to. We won’t even assign you guards or put your stuff in our room.”

“My room. I’ll take servant’s quarters.”

“If that’s what you want.”

“It is,” she said, and leaned over closer to Dain. “Baby?”

Dain sighed in his sleep.

“We’re going back to Council City, just for a little while. I won’t leave you, I swear.”

Kyle appeared in the doorway and Emily looked over at him when he spoke, “What do you want to do with Pelton?”

“Erase today from both Pelton and Tucker. Tell them I quit and left… that’s all,” Emily said, and stood up. “I can’t come back here now.”

“Land the helicopter in the empty field,” Chevalier told Kyle. “I’ll bring him out.”

Kyle nodded and smiled at Emily before blurring away.

Chevalier put his hand on hers, “I know how hard this is for you. You’re an amazing Mom to do this for him.”

She turned away from him and walked down the stairs.

“I heard you’re coming back,” Kralen said, and smiled.

“Not permanently. I just need to get some help with Dain and then I’ll be off again.”

“To where?” Mark asked, and walked out to the field with her.

“Somewhere else is all. I made some mistakes… next time, the heku won’t find me.”

Silas turned and hissed towards the trees, and before Emily could turn also, the Cavalry blurred from the lawn and disappeared in the woods behind her house.

“What’s…” she started, but Mark put his hand over her mouth.

“Shhhh, someone’s out there,” he whispered.

Chevalier appeared in the doorway and looked toward the woods. Emily watched the trees when she heard the sounds of heku fighting. Mark let go of her and disappeared into them.

The helicopter landed behind her, but she ignored it and listened to the growing sounds of fighting coming from the trees. Chevalier and Kyle carried Dain out of the house and into the helicopter, followed by Alexis. Emily called again for the dog, and he jumped into the helicopter, excited to be with her.

“Let’s go, they’ll catch up,” Chevalier said, and put a hand down for Emily.

Even with only one good arm, she managed to get herself into the Blackhawk helicopter without help and then found it hard to breathe as it lifted off, taking her away from the home she grew to love, and toward the home she’d fought for a year to try to forget.

Chevalier looked over at Emily, “The Encala found you, too.”

“Oh,” she said, looking down at the ranch.

Kyle nodded, “Yes, a scout group though… the Cavalry is already on their way back to Council City.”

Chevalier and Kyle glanced at each other, both surprised the thought Encala were after her didn’t seem to bother her.

Emily watched out the window and her eyes filled with tears. The insults and humiliation came flooding back to her, and she dreaded nothing more than returning to the palace. The trip seemed nightmarishly short and she was surprised when the pilot gently landed on the roof. She watched out the window as the customary palace guards filed out onto the roof, forming a line into the palace.

“Dr. Cook is waiting in our room,” Chevalier said, and hopped out. She got out on her own and ignored the shocked looks on the guard’s faces when they saw her.

“Emily!” Quinn yelled, and ran up to her. He picked her up into a tight embrace and then set her down, “It’s so good you’re back.”

“I’m not back,” Emily told him, and followed Chevalier inside.

“My God, Emily!” Zohn gasped when he saw her walking down the stairs.

“I’m not staying,” she told him, and walked past him coldly.

Emily stopped when she saw Dustin standing by the stairs, and she looked over at him. He nodded slightly, and she hurried past him and into the bedroom with Dain and Chevalier.

“Good to see you, Dear,” Dr. Cook said with a smile. “I was so worried when you left here, you were very ill.”

“Help him, so we can go,” Emily said, and sat down beside Dain.

While Dr. Cook looked over the boy, Chevalier filled Quinn and Zohn in on what happened on the ranch.

Dustin came into the room and looked down at Dain, “I wouldn’t have recognized him.”

Emily nodded, but didn’t speak. She was concentrating on the doctor and could feel the old hatred for the Powan flooding back into her.

“What’s he been fed?” Dr. Cook asked, and looked over at her.

“Why?”

“I need to ascertain if outside influences are causing this. Maybe bad blood or…”

Emily readied herself and then pulled off a thick black leather bracelet, revealing the bite marks, “I feed him.”

Dr. Cook quickly looked down at Dain and began to listen to his heart.

“Em, you can’t supply a full grown heku,” Chevalier said, and touched her shoulder.

“I sure as hell can, and I have been,” she snapped at him, and brushed his hand off of her.

“He’s not fully grown. I know he’s big, but he’ll get bigger.”

“It’s no concern of yours.”

“It is though. I care about you.”

She couldn’t answer. She felt like there was a lump in her throat.

Dr. Cook looked over at her, “How often are these attacks.”

“At first they were months apart, now they are only a week or so between.”

“Then when he wakes up he is taller?”

“Taller, heavier, even more intellectually advanced,” she explained.

“I hate to call them growing pains, but that’s what they are, just extremely bad ones. I’d like to try medication when he has the next attack. I hope he has enough mortal blood in him that it can dull the pain,” Dr. Cook said.

Emily shook her head, “No, we’re not staying that long.”

“Emily?” Chevalier said from behind her. She turned and gasped, and then stood up when she saw two identical Chevaliers, “This is what I was trying to tell you.”

The doppelganger looked at her, scowling, “Run away, Princess.”

Emily simply turned and sat down beside her son and took his hand.

“How long has he been asleep this time?” Dr. Cook asked.

“It’s been just about 12 hours.”

“Can you wait until he wakes up? Stay at least until then so I can study him further?”

She nodded, “Yeah, I guess.”

Dr. Cook turned to face her, “I want to talk about you now.”

“What about?”

“You were vomiting blood.”

“I had a bleeding ulcer, surgery fixed it.”

“Just the blood though, not the pain?”

She shrugged, “I have pills that help.”

“And your weight?”

She frowned, “What about it?”

“You’ve lost a lot. You look unhealthy and pale.”

“Why thank you. You look like hell too.”

Dr. Cook smiled, “I just want to make sure you’re well.”

“I am.”

“Did your doctor say how to solve the stomach pains?”

“Yes, alleviate stress was his solution.”

Dr. Cook chuckled, “I see… so it’s just gotten worse.”

“I’d say so. I’m ok though, just fix Dain so I can go.”

“Emily, you saw the doppelganger. None of that was Chevalier,” Quinn told her.

Emily turned to Zohn, “Thank you for stopping him from hitting me.”

Zohn nodded slightly, “We’re ashamed about the rest. We watched it happen and planned in secret to stop it, but we were too late.”

“How did you break your wrist?” Dr. Cook asked.

Emily looked down at her cast and then back up to the doctor, “I was attacked.”

She ignored the soft hiss from behind her.

“A mortal?”

“Yes”

“How was he stopped?”

“Tucker stopped him. He’s been watching over us.”

Dr. Cook smiled, “I’m glad he was there.”

“Mom!” Allen yelled and ran into the room. He picked her up off the bed and spun her, “You’re back!”

Emily smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck, “I missed you.”

“I missed you, too. Never take off again!”

He sat her down and smiled down at her.

“I’m not staying, Allen.”

His face fell and he glanced at Chevalier before talking, “But you saw the doppelganger. You saw who did it.”

She shrugged and took his hand, “One doppelganger and everyone else just let it happen. I’m safer out of the palace and I have a job offer that I fully plan on taking.”

Zohn spun suddenly and stormed out of the room.

“Come live with Miri and me then.”

She laughed softly, “No, no newlyweds need their mother around.”

“The castle then. Stay there where I can see you every day. I’ll help with Dain… and Grayson was a professor at Duke. He can teach Alex and Dain.”

She shook her head and reached up to kiss his cheek, “No, I’m ok on my own with them.”

Allen looked over at his brother, “He’s huge, Mom.”

Emily looked over and smiled, “He’s a good boy. He doesn’t mean to hurt anyone.”

“Why is there a dog loose in the pa…” the Chief Interrogator started, then stopped when he walked in. “My God, it’s Emily.”

She smiled, “Hello, Richard.”

He smiled broadly, “It’s so good to have you back.”

“I’m not back though,” she told him, and then sat down by Dain. “As soon as he wakes up we’ll go.”

“Hey, Mom, can I go swimming?” Alexis asked. Emily looked over and she was already in her swimming suit.

“No, Alex, stay in my sight.”

“Then you come, too. You’ve been complaining that there was no pool in town.”

Emily smiled slightly, “I don’t know…”

“Go swimming, Em. We’ll clear the out-building,” Chevalier told her.

“I don’t even have a swimming suit anymore,” she said, and brushed the hair away from Dain’s forehead.

Chevalier moved to her dresser and pulled out a bikini, “You mean this?”

“There’s an entire Council here to watch over Dain. Go swimming, take a break,” Kyle said, and handed her a towel.

She looked at Alexis, “I really do want to swim.”

“Come on, Mom. It’ll be fun.”

Emily sighed and then nodded and took the bikini from Chevalier, “One comment about my looks…”

“I wouldn’t,” Chevalier said, and then frowned, insulted.

She disappeared into the bathroom and Alexis waited anxiously with the heku. When Emily stepped out, Chevalier turned away from her suddenly as rage passed over his face. Quinn gasped. She was too thin, and her ribs poked out of pale, bruise covered skin. There were bruises of varying depths across her torso, some as old as a month, some as new as within the last day. Emily took Alexis’ hand and walked out, assuming the quietness of the heku was to keep from saying anything that might upset her.

When she was gone, Dr. Cook turned to Chevalier, “Do you realize that too much bruising can cause liver problems?”

Chevalier shut his eyes and then opened them slowly, “Those were fist and hand bruises.”

“I suspect Dain did them in his pain.”

“She’s so thin,” Quinn whispered.

“She’s had two years full of stress. It causes ulcers, a weak appetite, and weight loss. I would imagine she’s sicker than she knows,” the doctor said, and turned back to Dain. “Has she mentioned if she was pregnant?”

“No, she just told Kralen that there was no baby in the house,” Kyle said.

“What did you make of Tucker and Pelton?” Chevalier asked.

Kyle glanced at the door, “Good men. They care a lot about Emily and watched over her.”

“Just care?”

“Ok, so Tucker loves her, but that’s a common mortal emotion around her.”

“And Pelton?”

“He’s more like a brother to her. He cares a lot about her and has helped her over the past year.”

“No attraction?” Chevalier asked, surprised.

Mark shook his head, “No, Allen was right. Pelton’s more infatuated with Tucker.”

“I’m glad they were there.”

“Yeah, well, Mark and I have been considering approaching Tucker.”

Chevalier looked over at Kyle, “You are?”

Kyle nodded, “He has the kind of instincts you can’t teach. He’s protective and strict.”

“Emily would kill you.”

“If she’s not around, then she won’t know.”

Quinn looked over at Kyle, “You think he would be interested?”

Kyle smiled, “I know he would. I know the type… I’ve found three in my life that I thought had heku qualities, and each has joined and become a strong leader.”

Emily’s Border collie ran into the room and sat down at the foot of the bed. He looked over at Dain and his tail began to wag.

“What is his name?” Quinn asked.

“Devia,” Kyle replied, and then smiled.

“I wonder who named him that.”

“I don’t know. Emily might have found it on her Internet, or Alexis might have suggested it.”

“Alex speaks Native?”

Kyle nodded, “Yes, both she and Allen are fluent.”

“It seems odd, a dog named Lonely,” Dr. Cook mentioned.

“My guess is Alex named him, and Em doesn’t know the meaning,” Chevalier said.

“I’m worried about her health,” the doctor said, and looked over at the Elder.

“I am too, but she won’t let us look at her.”

“Do we know who her doctor is?”

Kyle glanced around the room and then opened up Emily’s bag. He pulled out a bottle of pills and tossed it to Dr. Cook, who quickly memorized the information and gave it back to Kyle to put away.

“I’ll contact him,” Dr. Cook said, and blurred away.

“I still can’t believe how big he’s gotten,” Kyle said, and looked down at the massive 7-year-old.

“I know, faster than even Allen,” Chevalier said.

“When he wakes up, they’ll disappear.”

Chevalier nodded.

“I thought seeing your doppelganger would help.”

“I did too.”

***

Alexis swam up to Emily, who was floating on her back and letting the warm water wash over her.

“Feels good, doesn’t it?” Alexis asked.

Emily nodded, “Very much so.”

“Did you know you’re covered in bruises?”

“I forgot about that. No wonder the heku were so quiet,” she said, and grinned.

“Did Dain do that all?”

“Some are from Rod.”

“That guy… he was creepy from the start.”

“I know. I didn’t hire him though.”

“Tucker was furious,” Alexis said, and rolled over to float by her Mom.

“I know.”

“He likes you.”

Emily smiled, “I know that, too.”

“Mom?”

“Yeah”

“I want to stay here.”

Emily began to tread water and looked over at her, “You do?”

“Yes, I miss it. I missed Dad and my teachers.”

“It’s not safe here.”

“It is too. You saw the guy that looked like Dad. Dad’s the same Dad I’ve had for 14 years, that wasn’t him.”

Emily started to get choked up, “You really want to stay here?”

Alexis nodded, “Badly, this is my home. It’s where I belong.”

“We’ll… talk to your Dad when we get inside.”

“Stay with me.”

“No, I know you think you belong here, but I know for certain that I don’t.”

“You can’t stay in one place in the mortal world. You’ll be moving for eternity.”

“As opposed to being afraid here?”

Alexis shrugged, “You loved it here. One little incident and off you go forever? Think about the amount of good times as opposed to the bad.”

“Alex…”

“Also consider how nervous you were on the ranch. Getting attacked from the shadows, always having to look over your shoulder, always having to check and make sure no one was there.”

“You’ll understand when you’re older,” Emily said, and swam over to the ladder. She climbed out of the warm water and slipped on a soft pink robe.

Alexis followed her out and grabbed a robe off of the rack, “I already understand more than you know.”

Emily started out the door with Alexis, “It’s not that easy to just waltz back in here after being gone for a year.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know… it just isn’t… and I can’t help but remember that during all of that crap with your Dad…”

“His doppelganger.”

“Whatever… I can’t help but remember that the heku let it all happen.”

“I saw that happen. They were too shocked to react. Dad doesn’t think those things about you. He adores you. They didn’t know what was going on.”

“He doesn’t adore me,” Emily said, and glanced nervously at the door guards when they smiled at her and opened the doors to the palace.

“Oh yeah he does! Why do you think they are all so afraid of him? He’s insane without you.”

“That’s a little extreme, Alex.”

“No it’s not…” Alexis and Emily both stopped when they heard yelling from inside the council chambers.

“Lots of them!” William screamed. “We demand immediate action by this Council to repair the damages to our city that were made without justification.”

“Without justification?” Zohn growled. “You held four of our council members for 5 months, replacing them with doppelgangers that sat on our Council and assaulted members of this faction.”

“No one was hurt. It was harmless!”

“It was harmful!” Quinn yelled.

Emily started for the door.

“Mom…” Alexis sighed.

“Ma’am, not sure you should go in there,” Derrick said, and blocked the door.

“I have a bone to pick with them,” she said, and stared at Derrick until he sighed and opened the door.

The Encala didn’t turn when she walked in, but the Equites’ eyes grew wide.

Emily’s eyes narrowed toward them. William and Frederick fell to their knees as they grasped at their burning chests.

“Em…” Kyle said.

William fell forward, gasping for breath, as Frederick groaned and sunk to the ground, writhing in pain.

“Emily, please stop,” Zohn said.

She concentrated harder. She didn’t want them to turn to ash. She wanted them to feel pain, the pain she carried for a year. As the burning smell filled the council chambers, the Encala’s skin began to bubble and turn red, filling with blisters.

“Let her go,” Chevalier told the Council when Kyle and Dustin stood up to stop her.

“Mom,” Alexis said softly, and put her hand on Emily’s shoulder.

Emily looked over at her and the Encala were released from the pain and laid silently while their skin began to heal.

When Frederick managed to get to his hands and knees, Emily jumped forward and kicked his ribs, sending him onto his side. He was too weak from the burning to fight back and clutched his bruised ribs as they healed. William looked up at her just as she slammed her cast into the side of his face.

Frederick flew at her, but found himself immediately restrained by the Chief Interrogator and the Chief of Staff. William stood more slowly as Dustin and the Chief Investigator took his arms to hold him away from Emily.

Chevalier gently put an arm around Emily’s shoulders when she started toward them.

“Let’s take a second and calm down,” Quinn said softly.

“You couldn’t leave me alone, could you?” Emily asked as she fought back the tears. “You tore me away from my home and my family.”

“You held me hostage for 16 months!” Frederick yelled.

Emily’s voice was soft and full of pain, “You killed my friends, and now you’ve ruined my life, broken up my family, and ostracized me from the Equites.”

“You deserved it,” Frederick hissed.

“Frederick, enough,” William told him, and looked over at Emily. “We had to fight back. You wouldn’t stop.”

“I did stop. I returned Frederick and washed my hands of you… then you came at me again.”

“You deserved all the pain and humiliation.”

“Well you won. Now it looks like I get to live without my daughter, and soon I’m sure my son will want to be with his Dad. I hope you’re happy, I’m alone now,” she said, and Chevalier let her go when she pulled away from him and headed for the door.

“Happy that you’re alone? No!” Frederick growled. “I’ll not be happy until you’re dead.” Without stopping, Emily left the trial area and went up the stairs to check on Dain. The Council let the Encala go and returned to their seat.

“You could have warned us that she’s back,” William growled.

“She’s not back. She’s merely here for some business and will be leaving soon,” Zohn explained.

Frederick grinned, “You won’t take her back?”

Chevalier hissed, “No, because of you she won’t come back to Council City.”

“Good, out from under the Equites’ thumb. She’ll be easier to repay for what she did to me.”

“Touch her and I’ll finish wiping out your faction!” Chevalier said, and stood up. His mere presence made Frederick take a step back, and the dark features Chevalier had brought the Council to silence.

“Let’s leave,” William said, and walked backwards toward the door, too afraid to turn his back on the sinister Equites Elder.

Frederick spun and stormed out of the Equites council chambers, followed quickly by William.

Chevalier sat down, and spoke with a furious voice, “When she leaves here, we’re putting her out for the wolves.”

“Yes, we are,” Zohn said, “But what do we do?”

The Council stood suddenly when the Council chamber’s door flew open and crashed against the stone walls. Dain blurred in and stared at his Dad, “Where is my Mother?”

Those that hadn’t seen Dain were shocked at his size, and watched him with awe.

“She’s not hurt,” Chevalier said, and walked down to his son. He stood only 6 inches taller than Dain, and had broader shoulders and a wider stance, but Dain was still massive against most heku.

“Where is she?” Dain asked, and took a step towards his Dad as his hands balled into tight fists.

“She’s here somewhere in the palace with Alex.”

“She better be,” he said, and blurred from the room.

Chevalier sighed and looked back at the Council, “He’s 3 inches taller than before he slept.”

Kyle nodded, “Yes, he is… I’d wager he’s put on over 10 pounds of muscle, too.”

“Chevalier is big, even by heku standards,” Zohn said. “It stands to reason that Dain will be a large heku also.”

“Yes, but he’s 7… so he has a lot of growing years,” the Chief of Staff said.

“Maybe, Allen quit growing when he hit 9, so Dain will stop here eventually,” Kyle reminded them.

“She’s been feeding him,” Chevalier whispered, and walked back up to his chair.

“By herself?” the Chief of Defense gasped.

“Yes, I presume that’s why she’s so pale.”

“One mortal cannot possibly sustain a full grown heku,” the Chief Investigator said, and then shook his head. “He’ll kill her.”

“How else was she supposed to feed him? Not like she could just go buy some at the store,” Kyle said, slightly irritated.

“Dad?” Alexis said softly, and the Council looked down at her as she walked into the trial area.

“Did Dain find your Mom?” Chevalier asked.

She nodded, “Yes.”

“Is she getting ready to leave then?”

“Yes… but…”

“What’s wrong?”

Alexis glanced back at the door and then looked at her Dad, “I want to stay here.”

“Does your Mom know?”

“Yes, I told her I’m staying if it’s ok with you.”

Chevalier smiled slightly, “You are more than welcome to stay here.”

“That leaves Mom living alone with Dain.”

“It’s not your responsibility to watch over your Mom and brother,” Chevalier told her. “Do what is best for you, and I’ll take care of the rest.”

Alexis smiled, “Thank you… as soon as she’s done feeding Dain, she’s going to leave.”

“She’s feeding him now?”

“Yes”

Before she’d even finished her word, Chevalier and Kyle disappeared from the council chambers.

“Oh, she’s not going to like that,” Alexis gasped, and ran out of the room.

“No, she’s not,” Zohn sighed.

Chevalier and Kyle appeared in the bedroom and stopped. Emily was lying down on the bed with her right arm outstretched while Dain sat at her side with his teeth sunk into her wrist. His eyes were closed and he was slowly drinking, savoring her blood as he drank.

“Enough!” Chevalier growled, and pulled Dain away from Emily.

She blinked a few times and then sat up and grasped her wrist, “Leave him alone!”

“You cannot feed him,” Kyle hissed, and stepped between Chevalier and Emily.

“I can too. I have been for a year.”

“He will kill you,” Chevalier growled.

“I won’t hurt her,” Dain told him angrily.

“You aren’t old enough to know when to stop.”

“When I start to feel anxious and sweaty, I tell him to stop,” Emily said, irritated. “That works for us.”

“That anxiety is a sign he’s overfed!” Kyle yelled.

“What am I supposed to do?” Emily screamed. “Run out to a donor bar? Steal from the blood bank? This is what we do, and you don’t have to like it. As soon as my truck gets back here, we’re leaving.”

“What are you supposed to do? You stay with the heku where we can help him,” Chevalier said calmly. He let go of Dain’s arm and walked around Kyle to talk to Emily, “Don’t go.”

Emily looked up at him, “I… I tried… once. I got a donor for him. He won’t drink it.”

“It was disgusting,” Dain said, and moved to Emily’s other side.

“Of course he won’t drink it, Em. We’ve told you how succulent your blood is. It’s like giving a child cake for a year and then expecting him to eat onions,” Chevalier explained.

She fought back the tears, “I’ve done what I can to feed him…”

“You’ve done an incredible job, but he’s getting too big. You need heku help now.”

She looked up into Chevalier’s eyes, “You want me to leave him here?”

“No!” Dain said, scowling, “I’m not leaving her.”

“No, I want you to stay here with us,” Chevalier said.

“Come on, Dain. Let’s get you something to drink,” Kyle said, and stepped toward the door.

Dain looked at Emily and she nodded for him to go. He hesitated, and then followed Kyle out the door, shutting it behind him.

“Em…” Chevalier whispered, and stepped towards her.

She looked up at him and her heart skipped a beat.

“I love you,” he told her. “I don’t want to live without you again.”

“I can’t,” she said, and he instantly picked her up and pressed his lips gently against hers. She pushed against his shoulders, but he held her tightly and then pressed his lips more firmly against hers. Suddenly, Emily cried out softly and then wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her body against his.

***

Emily laid her head on Chevalier’s bare chest to hide the tears that were streaming down her face.

“What’s wrong?” he whispered, and brushed the hair off of her cheek.

“I shouldn’t have done that,” she said, and shut her eyes.

“That’s not exactly what I had planned either, but it’s not a bad thing, right?”

She shrugged, “It’ll make it harder to leave. I miss you so bad.”

“Then don’t leave.”

She turned her face and rested her forehead against him, “Do you know how hard it is, to wake up every morning, and know that you’re going to be alone?”

He sighed, “I don’t get to sleep to forget that I’m alone.”

“Everyone saw,” she whispered.

He gently ran his fingers up her back, “Saw what?”

“The insults, the way he treated me. How he threw me out and wouldn’t let me take my Jeep or clothes…”

“They know it wasn’t me.”

“It doesn’t matter. The humiliation is still in their minds.”

“It doesn’t matter to them. They want you back.”

She looked up into his eyes, “They don’t want me back, they want you back… which apparently takes me.”

He frowned, “What do you mean?”

She crossed her arms and rested them on his chest, “I heard you’ve become a pain in the ass Elder.”

“Oh?” he asked, amused.

“Rumor on the outside has it that you’ve become a bit harsh and cruel.”

“No more than usual.”

“Not what I heard.”

“From whom?” he asked, smiling slightly.

She shrugged, “Just around.”

“So, your field hands were talking about how mean I am?”

“Maybe”

“I admit I’ve been in a bad mood.”

“Bad?”

“Fine… maybe I’ve been a bit callous.”

“How about heartless and unsympathetic?”

“That’s pushing it… besides… rumor on the inside has it that you are a bit of an authoritarian.”

“Me?”

“That’s what I heard.”

“It’s not true,” she said, and leaned her head back on his chest. She shut her eyes and listened to the sound of his heart.

“Stay,” he whispered.

She sighed, “Alexis wants to stay.”

“I told her she could.”

“Dain is getting harder to handle.”

“No, Em,” Chevalier said, and she looked up at him. “I want you to stay with me. I don’t want you to stay for the kids… I want you to stay for you.”

“It’s been a long year,” she said, and he saw tears filling her eyes.

“Yes, it has.”

“I’m so tired,” she whispered.

“I know.”

“Dain is just… he’s big.”

“Yes, he is.”

“I can’t stay here.”

“We’ll help you adjust.”

“I don’t want to leave you.”

He lifted her chin up so she faced him, “Then don’t.”

“If I don’t leave, the Encala will attack you.”

Chevalier grinned, “They can’t.”

“Why not?”

“There aren’t enough of them left.”

“Now… give them 100 years.”

“We’ll still always be stronger. We grow as they do.”

“Things will never be the same.”

“Give it time.”

“Can I take a shower?”

He sighed, “Of course you can.”

Emily sat up and pulled one of the blankets up with her when she stood. She wrapped it around herself and headed into the bathroom.

Chevalier ordered her some lunch and heard a knock on the door. He slipped his pants on and opened the door. A servant was cowering in front of him.

“El… Elder…”

“What?” he asked, frowning.

“There’s… no… there’s no food… here…”

“Stop shaking. I’m not going to kill you,” Chevalier growled, and it infuriated him when the heku began to panic more.

“Pp…pp… p… pizza… the Chief Enforcer ordered… pizza,” he stammered out.

“For hell’s sake, calm down and go grocery shopping,” the Elder told him, and shut the door, shaking his head.

Chevalier waited for her to shower and thought about ways to keep her in the palace. He knew now was the time to talk her into it. She was close to caving, but her stubbornness kept her from committing.

He was brought out of his meditative thoughts when he heard the shower turn off. He could hear Emily getting dressed and wondered how long it would take her to feel comfortable around him again, and how long it would take her to fall in love with the heku and the palace like she once was.

Emily stepped out of the bathroom as she braided her hair and wound a rubber band around the end.

“There’s pizza on the way up,” he told her, and stood up slowly.

“I’m not hungry,” she said, and began to dig through her bag.

Chevalier gently pushed her against the wall and pressed his body against hers, with his hands behind her on the wall. He looked into her eyes, “You need taken care of.”

She frowned, “I’m…”

He cut off her words with a soft kiss and then whispered, “I’m going to take care of you.”

“Ser…” she started, but his lips again cut her off.

“Stop talking, and listen,” he whispered.

“There…”

“Stop”

“But…”

“Stop,” he said again, and then kissed her softly before looking into her eyes. “You’re not alone anymore… You’re going to stay here and let me take care of you.”

“Cheval…”

“Stop arguing”

“But…”

“No, I’m not going to hear it. You need taken care of, badly, and I’m going to do it. You’re going to do what I say… you’re going to listen to me, and we’re going to take the advice of the doctor.”

“But…” He pressed his lips to hers, and then looked down at her.

“You’re going to eat, and sleep, and enjoy being here… you’re not going to worry about money… or the kids…”

She frowned and he kissed her before she could talk.

“For once in your life, you’re going to let go and let me take over… you’re going to let me take care of you like I’ve always tried to.”

“Ch…” His soft kiss broke off her words and then he looked at her.

“I’m going to take care of you, and you’re going to allow it.”

She couldn’t breathe. His closeness to her and the words he spoke were consuming her and she fought against how right it felt, and how perfect his promises sounded. The weight of the last year, of Dain’s attacks, his feeding schedule, running a ranch, attacks from the mortals, and the fear of the heku all flooded away and she felt the strong protection of his body and the loving way he looked at her.

“Right?” he whispered, and kissed her softly.

She nodded, unable to speak.

“You’re going to let me take care of you?”

She nodded again.

“And protect you?”

Emily blinked back the tears and nodded.

Chevalier smiled and kissed her again, “Good… now it’s time for pizza.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her lips to his again as her legs wrapped around his waist.

He pulled away from her and smiled, “As much fun as this sounds… you need to eat.”

“Ok,” she whispered, and bit lightly at his neck as her hand wound through his hair.

“Or…”

“Hmm?” she sighed, as she ran her lips along his jaw and up to his mouth.

***

Chevalier laid Emily gently on the rug in front of the fireplace and smiled down at her, “That wasn’t on my agenda of how to take care of you.”

She smiled, “Oh, it took care of me.”

He reached down and kissed her softly before sitting beside her, “Yes, well, the poor heku at the door is still holding your pizza, and for some reason, seems to think I’m going to kill him.”

Emily frowned, “You’ve been really mean, haven’t you?”

“I don’t think so. Not any more than normal,” he told her, and then stood up. He went to the bed and pulled off a blanket to cover her with before slipping on some pants and going to the door to get the pizza.

The heku servant was shaking with fear and held the box out to his Elder, not meeting his eye. Chevalier glared at him and tore the box from his hands, hissing slightly when the heku blurred away. He was angry at how an Equites dared to cower.

Chevalier calmed quickly when he saw Emily leaned up on her elbow, watching the fire. He sat down and opened the pizza box, “Dinner is served.”

She looked over at the pizza, “I’m really not hungry.”

“Are we going to go through that all again?” he asked.

She reached over and grabbed a slice, then rolled onto her back and started to eat.

“We’re going to have some problems with Dain,” Chevalier said, and sat down beside her.

“Like what?” she asked, still eating.

“He… well… heard… things… and thought I was hurting you. Kyle actually has him restrained in the game room.”

Emily gasped, “He heard?”

Chevalier shrugged slightly, “Some.”

She sat up, “Oh my God, do the heku hear when… we…”

He grinned and then lied, “No, calm down and eat… He was trying to hear what was going on, that’s all.”

She watched him for a few seconds and then laid back down after grabbing another slice of pizza.

“I’m just saying that, for a while, I’m going to have to watch him. His instincts will be to keep heku away from you… all heku, but he’s going to have to learn that some are ok.”

“He’s a good kid,” she told him.

“I know it, and I’m pretty damned proud of how protective he’s been of you… however, he can’t pull that on me.”

“I’ll talk to him.”

“It won’t work. He’s a predator, we protect our own.”

She sighed, “I hate when you talk about him like he’s a wolf. He’s still a little boy.”

Chevalier pulled the blanket off of her and ran his hand along the bruises on her abdomen, “Was this all Dain?”

“No,” she whispered, and set down what was left of the pizza.

“What happened?”

“I had problems with a field hand.”

“Tell me.”

Emily looked over at him, “He kept asking me out and got madder when I kept refusing… so… he… decided to stop waiting, I guess.”

“Where is he?”

“I don’t really know. Tucker interrupted and hauled him away. I haven’t seen him since… but he liked to stomach punch, apparently,” she said, and cringed.

Chevalier fought for control, pulling from thousands of years to contain the anger that threatened to erupt. It was only a few seconds before he was able to speak calmly, “And your arm?”

“He broke my wrist when he grabbed me.”

“How much longer in a cast?”

“I can take it off at any time.”

Chevalier grinned, “Stop lying. You’re not the only one that can learn from an Interrogator.”

She sighed, “4 more weeks.”

He suddenly grew serious, “Were you pregnant?”

“No”

“Just late?”

“The stress caused all of that to stop.”

He frowned, “What?”

“Not permanently, though I wouldn’t have minded. Once I got the job on the ranch and settled down into a routine, things returned to normal.”

“And the pills?”

“They help when the pain starts.”

“So they’re pain pills.”

“No, it’s a PPI.”

“What’s that?”

She shrugged, “I don’t know, but it makes the pain go away.”

“Fine… then let’s talk about how much you weigh.”

She gasped and sat up, “Why?”

“You’re too thin.”

“I’m fine.”

“How much?”

“I’m not going to tell you how much I weigh.”

“I thought you were going to let me take care of you,” he reminded her.

“There’s no reason for you to know how much I weigh.”

“Yes there is. That way we know how far away from normal you are.”

She blushed and turned back to the fire, “Stop talking about my weight.”

He reached out and took her hand and then ran his thumb softly along the puncture wounds, “How often did you feed him?”

“Every Monday.”

“You fed him once a week?”

“Yes”

“Why?”

She shrugged, “I don’t know… I asked on Mondays if he was hungry, and he always said yes.”

Chevalier sighed, “Em… heku are always thirsty… always. We never turn down an offer to feed. It’s experience that teaches us that we don’t need to eat constantly.”

“Now you tell me,” she grumbled, and looked back over at the fire.

He smiled, “We’ll teach him together.”

“I don’t want guards.”

“I don’t really care.”

She looked at him with wide eyes, “What?”

“You heard what Frederick said. I’m not letting you off without guards… and I’m going to be handling the schedule myself.”

“Meaning?”

“Meaning, no more city or palace guards, and there’s to be one ranking with you.”

Her eyes narrowed, “I’m already being confined?”

“Nope, you can go wherever you want. They’re just there for attacks.”

“So other than force feeding and guards, what else do I get to look forward to?”

“We’ll have to wait and see. Get dressed and let’s go talk to Dain,” he said, and helped her up. She disappeared into the bathroom with a simple, dark green dress and then came out and looked over at Chevalier.

“You better be nice to him.”

He smiled and looked down at how the dress showed off some of her curves, “I will be… first though, you weigh.”

“No!” she yelled, and took a step back.

“You’re too thin and we need to keep an eye on it.”

“Don’t touch me,” she hissed, and stopped when her back hit the wall.

Chevalier blurred into the bathroom. It was fast enough she didn’t see him leave and it appeared to her as if the scales suddenly popped into his hand.

“I’m not standing on that thing,” she yelled.

Chevalier stepped on it and looked down at the numbers.

“Fine, you weigh yourself all you want.”

“I couldn’t care less how much I weigh,” he said, and walked towards her.

Her eyes grew wide, “Don’t touch me!”

He picked her up and slung her over his shoulder, “Stop fighting.”

“Stop it!” she screamed, and hit his back.

She struggled to get off of him when he stepped back up on the scales.

“Chevalier, I’ll ash you!” she yelled.

“No you won’t,” he told her and let her down. “Em, you’re down 15 pounds.”

She glared at him, “I hate you.”

“No you don’t. Now let’s go see Dain.”

Chevalier tried to take her hand, but she tore it out of his and stormed out of the room when he chuckled. She ignored Kralen and the three other guards when they fell in behind her as she ran down the stairs to the game room.

“Let him go!” she screamed, and pushed Kyle away from the massive 7-year-old.

“Did he hurt you?” Dain growled, and turned on his Dad. His hands were balled into tight fists and it was obvious he was ready to attack.

“Watch it, Boy,” Chevalier hissed, and crouched slightly.

Dain crouched to match his Dad, “When she screams at you to leave her alone, you do just that, or you’ll have to face me.”

“You are no longer her protector, and the faster you learn that, the easier your stay here will be,” Chevalier hissed.

“Stop it!” Emily yelled, and got between them with her back to Dain and her hands out to Chevalier. “He’s just a little boy.”

“Em, let the Elder handle this,” Kyle said, and pulled her gently by her arm.

“Don’t touch her!” Dain yelled, and blurred into Kyle. They immediately began fighting and Kralen quickly grabbed Emily out of the way.

“Don’t hurt him!” she screamed, and pulled at Kralen’s hand.

The fight lasted only a few seconds before Kyle pinned Dain to the floor with a hand around his neck, “Never attack me, Boy.”

Kyle stood and pulled Dain up, restraining him, facing his Dad.

“Let’s just get this out in the open,” Chevalier told him, his hands clamped into tight fists. “I’m first and foremost your Mom’s protector, you, Son, are just… a Boy.”

Dain hissed at him.

“Stop!” Chevalier yelled, and Dain’s eyes widened. “You never stand between me and your Mom. You never get in the way of any of the Council, or the Cavalry as far as she is concerned. Do you understand?”

“Chevalier…” Emily whispered, and took a step forward.

Dain glared at Chevalier and nodded slightly.

“I have a new personal mission, and that’s to take care of your Mom like she’s never let me before… if you interfere, I’ll have you locked up,” Chevalier told him.

“No!” Emily yelled.

“I understand,” Dain said, scowling at his Dad. “But you listen to me… if you ever hurt her, I’ll tear that ugly head from your body before you know what’s happening.”

“Dain!” Emily gasped. She hadn’t heard him threaten anyone before.

Chevalier grinned, “That’s my boy.”

She frowned, “Let him go.”

Kyle let Dain go and she ran to him and wrapped her arms around him.

“I’m ok, Mom,” Dain told her, still watching his Dad.

Emily turned suddenly and tried to slap Chevalier, but he caught her hand, “If you hit me, you’ll hurt yourself.”

Dain stood up straight and pulled down his shirt, “Why were you screaming? What did he do?”

Chevalier started to argue, but Emily spoke, “He weighed me.”

“You screamed because he weighed you?”

Emily glared at him, “Yes.”

Dain frowned, “That’s it?”

“Yes”

“Did it hurt?”

“Well… no.”

Chevalier chuckled and Kyle grinned before leaving the room.

“He’s probably just concerned because you are too thin,” Dain told her.

“Shut up, Dain,” she growled, and walked out of the game room. Kralen and the guards again fell in behind her and she went down the stairs to see the stables. She stopped at the front doors when one of the door guards looked at her with wide eyes.

“Lady Emily!” he gasped.

“What?”

“Surprised to see you back.”

Kralen grinned, “Your return was kept quiet until we knew if you were staying.”

“Yeah, well, I don’t even know if I’m staying,” Emily told him, and walked toward the stables.

“One thing, Em,” Kralen said as they neared the stable door.

She turned towards him, “What?”

“We… meaning the Cavalry… spent the last year looking for you.”

“Ok”

“Just saying…”

Emily frowned slightly and walked into the stables. She looked around with wide eyes at the unkempt stalls, the burnt out lights, and dust covered surfaces. She noticed that the horses all had fresh food and water, but it smelled like the straw hadn’t been cleaned out in a while.

“Who’re you?” a mean looking heku said from the back of the stables. He glared at her and walked forward.

“Watch it,” Kralen growled at him, and the heku froze.

“Sorry, Sir,” he said, and looked at Emily. “I’m in charge of these stables, and you aren’t authorized to be in them.”

She nodded slightly and whispered, “Ok, I’m… sorry to intrude.”

He huffed and she turned around and left quickly. After the guards left the stables, she jumped slightly when the door was slammed shut.

Emily heard soft whispers from behind her, and knew that Kralen was telling someone about the short incident in the stables. She looked over when she heard the familiar engine and saw Mark arriving with her old Chevy pickup, towing the purple Aero.

He stopped in front of the palace and got out and walked over, “That pickup needs some serious work.”

“It’s fine, thank you,” she said, and walked over to unhook the Aero.

“Let me get that,” one of the Cavalry said, and quickly ducked under to start removing the tow line.

“He did what?” Mark growled. Emily turned around and saw he and Kralen off to the side, whispering.

She ignored them and crawled into the pickup to pull it into the garage, then parked next to a new black McLaren and looked around the garage. Chevalier’s Humvee was newer and she assumed it was his new McLaren, too. Her Ram 3500 and Rubicon were missing, and their parking spaces were empty. One of the Cavalry pulled the Aero into the garage and parked beside her truck.

“Em… about your Jeep…” Mark started, but she cut him off.

“It’s ok,” she said, and then walked back into the palace.

“No, it’s not like…”

“Mark, I really, just… don’t want to know.”

He sighed, “The stables then, we were all…”

“Kralen explained it,” she told him, and started up the stairs. Dain met her on the third floor and looked suspiciously at the guards behind her.

“Are you ok, Mom?” he asked, and snarled slightly at Mark

Mark started for him, but Emily took Dain’s hand and led him up the stairs, “Come on. Let’s get ready for bed.”

The General fell quiet, and decided to just talk to the Elder later. Emily started into Chevalier’s room, but saw Kyle’s door was open. She peeked inside and then walked in when she saw it had been abandoned. A bare bed was set off to the side and the dressers were all gone.

“He moved over with the rest of the Council,” Kralen explained. “This room was meant for Elder Guards, but isn’t really used anymore.”

Emily nodded at him and checked in the bathroom, where it was dark and dusty, “Dain?”

“Yeah, Mom?” he asked, stepping into the dark bathroom.

“Get my bags. I’ll stay in here.”

He nodded and blurred out of the room.

“Em, why are you staying in here? It hasn’t been cleaned,” Mark asked.

“It has a bed and a functional bathroom.”

“So does the Elder’s room.”

She turned to look at Mark, “Am I not allowed to stay here? I can go find another room.”

“Sure you can. Let me get a cleaning crew really quick though.”

“No, it’s fine.”

“It’s dusty and full of cobwebs.”

“It’s fine, no use putting anyone out,” she told him, and took her bag from Dain.

“I’ll start a fire,” Dain said, and began to work at the long-dead fireplace.

Emily turned on the lights, but most were burned out. Only one small bulb put out light and she used it to dig through her bag, while the guards took up a post outside of the door and shut it behind her.

Once Dain had a fire going, it was easier to see and the room started to warm up, “Want me to get you some dinner?”

“No, Baby, I’m fine. I’m just going to go to bed.”

Emily dressed quickly in the dark bathroom. None of the lights were working, but she still figured it was better than one of the servant’s quarters with no bathroom. Dain was waiting for her on the bed with the Border collie. She smiled and sat down, looked one more time around the room, and then laid down.

“I’ll go find you some blankets,” Dain said, and stood up.

“No, don’t, I’m ok.”

“It’s freezing in here.”

“The fire will warm it up. I don’t want to bother anyone.”

“I’ve heard them talking, Mom. The servants are happy you’re back and will do anything for you.” Dain studied her face, “Are you hurting?”

“Some, it’ll go away.”

He reached down and pulled her pills from the bag, “Take one.”

“No, really, I’m ok,” she told him, and shut her eyes. Dain leaned back on the headboard and watched the fire while Emily and the Border collie fell asleep.

***

Chevalier looked over at Emily’s guards. They were still standing in front of the empty bedroom, “Is she in there?”

“Yes, Elder,” Kralen said.

He sighed, “Why?”

“I don’t know, Sir. She just said it was better than one of the servant quarters because Kyle had a bathroom installed.”

“It’s dirty though, and dark.”

“She wouldn’t let me have it cleaned.”

“Damnit, Em,” Chevalier sighed. “I should take her another blanket I guess.”

“She doesn’t even have one. She wouldn’t allow Dain to go find one.”

“Because…”

“Because she didn’t want to bother anyone,” Kralen explained.

Mark appeared beside them, “Did you tell him about the stables?”

“What’s up with the stables?” Chevalier asked.

“Mortimer was pretty harsh with her,” Kralen said. “I also had no idea how bad they’d gotten. He’s not been mucking the stalls out, he’s not maintaining the building, there are cobwebs, dust, and burnt out light bulbs.”

“Fire him,” Chevalier said, and opened the door to where Emily was sleeping. The guards blurred inside when they heard a hiss, and found Dain crouched, facing the Elder.

“Don’t do this,” Mark whispered.

“She’s sleeping,” Dain hissed softly.

“Back off,” Chevalier ordered.

“No, leave her alone. She’s had a rough day and she’s in pain.”

Chevalier stood up and frowned slightly, “Pain from what?”

“Just go away,” Dain said. The Border collie lifted his head and suddenly jumped from the bed to face the heku. His hackles bristled and he growled deeply.

Emily woke up slightly when she heard the voice, and noticed her stomach was hurting. She moved slightly and the stabbing pain became worse. She curled up and groaned, “Dain.”

Dain spun suddenly and dropped to his knees, “Mom?”

“Get them,” she whispered, and the heku could hear her heart race and knew she’d broken out in a sweat.

Dain grabbed her bag and dug through it quickly until he found her pills. Chevalier tried to step closer, but the Border collie moved with him and snapped at his knees.

Chevalier growled, “Get rid of this damned dog.”

Silas appeared with a rope and pulled the dog from the room as Dain handed Emily one of her pills and she downed it with no water. She leaned over, clutching her stomach, and Dain put his arm around her.

Chevalier ordered the guards out and when they left, he sat down beside her, “Em?”

Dain looked up at him as he held her and her body shook from the pain, “Don’t talk to her.”

“That’s enough, or I’ll have you removed.”

“Try it.”

Chevalier stood up, but Emily whispered, “Don’t…”

“Em, what can I do?” he whispered, and gently brushed the hair from her face.

“She’s had her pill. Now she just needs to sleep,” Dain told him, his voice full of anger.

The room grew quiet and within 30 minutes, Emily was asleep.

Chevalier stood up and pointed to the door, “Get out.”

Dain stood also, “No.”

The Elder roughly pulled Dain from the room and the heku guards moved aside when they exited. Kralen reached over and quietly shut the bedroom door when Chevalier and Dain faced each other and crouched.

“I told you, Boy, you don’t get in the way of anyone in this palace, especially me,” Chevalier said sternly.

“I know what you said, but you’re not my boss and you stay away from Mom when she’s in pain,” Dain yelled.

Chevalier roughly pushed Dain against the stone wall and wrapped his hand around his neck, “You will do as I say.”

Kyle appeared in the hallway and quickly moved beside Dain.

“I won’t let you hurt her,” Dain choked out, still glaring at his Dad.

Chevalier slammed Dain’s head against the stones, “You are no longer responsible for Emily. Do you understand?”

Chevalier stepped back and Kyle restrained him while the Elder went in to check on Emily. A few minutes later, Dr. Cook walked past them and disappeared into her room. Dain struggled to get out of Kyle’s grasp.

“Let me go,” he growled.

“No, not until you learn your place,” Kyle told him.

Chevalier looked up when Dr. Cook walked in, “She’s pretty bad.”

The doctor sat down beside her bed and felt her forehead, “She’s running a fever. Has she taken her pill?”

“Yes, about 15 minutes ago.”

“Did she eat dinner?” he asked, listening to her heart.

“No”

“Has she been stressed?”

Chevalier sighed, “She’s sleeping in here…”

Dr. Cook looked around at the empty bedroom, “If she’s taken her pill, there’s not much we can do. Make sure she doesn’t drink coffee in the morning and try to get her something to eat.”

“That’s it?”

“That’s it, I’m sorry.”

Chevalier watched the doctor leave and laid down beside Emily. He wrapped his arm around her and immediately fell into her dream.

“Emmmily,” the clear voice pierced the dark stables. Emily looked behind her and kept running, past rows and rows of angry horses that kicked at the stalls and whinnied loudly.

“Keep running or he’ll get you,” Exavior said as she passed. He grinned when she turned to him for help, and put his hands out, “I can’t help you, you killed me.”

She turned, still frantically running, trying desperately to find a way out of the massive stables. As she rounded a corner, she stopped suddenly when a row of gray wolves appeared in front of her. They were lowered and snarling as they slowly advanced to her with their teeth glowing in the night.

Emily walked backwards away from them and felt someone at her back. She turned and gasped when Chevalier smiled at her.

“Help me,” she whispered, and stepped behind him.

“Why would I? You’re just a fat, lazy, good for nothing mortal. I hope Dustin drains you,” Chevalier said, and started to laugh.

Emily turned to the wolves and they were now heku. Dustin, Kyle, Damon, Encala’s Lieutenant Andrew, and Thukil’s Captain Darren were all grinning maliciously and moving towards her.

“Do it fast. I hate to hear her whine,” Chevalier said, and disappeared into the stables.

“Let me get that for you,” Silas said from beside her. She turned and saw he had Kyle’s dagger in his hand. Emily turned, thinking Silas would protect her, and instead, he sunk the dagger deep into her stomach.

Chevalier gasped when he could feel the pain from the dagger in his stomach, the burning stab of the blade as it cut through her.

“Emily, wake up,” she heard the voice from far off, but the pain increased. Silas took a step back and ran his tongue along the blood coated dagger.

“Mmm, not bad, have at her,” he said, and stepped back. The heku again turned to wolves and dove at her.

“Come on, Em, wake up,” the soft voice sounded again.

“I can’t wake up!” she screamed as Damon began to chew through her stomach. The pain was intense and her entire body shook as the wolves devoured her flesh.

Chevalier appeared beside her and sat to watch the wolves, “Do it faster. She’s still bitching about it.”

Kyle looked up at the Elder as blood dripped from his chin, “Damn, Elder, let us enjoy this.”

“Fine,” Chevalier growled. “I guess we just listen to her.”

“Stop it!” Dain yelled, and ran towards where the heku were eating.

“Dain…” Emily whispered through the pain.

The young heku sat down by his Dad, “You promised me I could have some.”

“Em…” she heard the soft voice and tried to get to it, the pain kept her from pulling away from the heku.

“What’s that smell?” Tucker asked. Emily looked up at him and gasped. He was now a heku and he was watching her with hungry, predatory eyes.

“Dear, wake up.” She heard Dr. Cook’s voice echo through the stables.

“Help me,” she whispered, hoping the doctor could hear her.

“Can I have some?” Tucker asked, and walked up to where the heku were feeding.

“Sure,” Damon said, and moved aside. Tucker’s teeth digging into her stomach renewed the pain and she cried out softly.

“Why isn’t she waking up?” Chevalier asked. Emily looked over at him and he was talking to the stable wall.

Dr. Cook’s voice sounded through the stables again, “She’s just caught in her dream… Emily, come on, Child, wake up.”

“Damn, if I would have known she tasted this good, I would have killed her on the ranch,” Tucker said, grinning. His canines were longer than the others and had silver tips that dripped with her blood.

“Emily, listen to me,” Chevalier said. She looked over at him and saw he was no longer smiling, his voice was serious, “Wake up. It’s just a dream.”

She heard an angry growl from Dain, but when she looked at him, he was still feasting on her stomach, intensifying the pain.

“Get him out of here,” Chevalier said, he was still talking to the wall.

“Get your hands off of her,” Dain growled.

“Kyle!” Chevalier called out.

“Damnit,” Kyle hissed.

“No!” Dain yelled.

Emily gasped. Suddenly, she was standing before the Encala Council, still grasping her stomach as blood poured from the bite marks.

“We sentence you to death,” Frederick said, and grinned.

“Death by what though?” William asked.

“She’s already dying, can’t you see?” Frederick told him, and lunged at her.

Emily cried out and sat up suddenly. She barely saw Kyle’s old room come into view when she doubled over. The pain in her stomach was still burning.

“Em, take this,” Chevalier said, and handed her a pill. She took it quickly and swallowed it dry, then leaned over to lessen the pain in her stomach.

“Drink this,” Dr. Cook said, and handed her a glass of milk.

She didn’t have the strength to argue, so she took the glass and drank it. She hated how Chevalier and Dr. Cook watched her while she waited out the medicine, so she buried her face in her arms and rocked slowly.

When the pain began to dull, she looked over at Chevalier, “Where’s Dain?”

“He’s out with Kyle… Em, how often does this happen?”

“Not often,” she said, and sat up straight to stretch.

Dr. Cook sat down beside her, “More than once a week?”

“Coffee please,” she said, and slowly got out of bed.

“Belay that,” Chevalier called toward the door.

“What? Why?” she asked, and turned towards him.

“Coffee makes ulcers worse,” Dr. Cook said.

“My doctor said coffee is ok.”

The doctor smiled slightly, “I talked to your doctor. He said he told you no coffee.”

She glared at the doctor and then grabbed her clothes and walked into the bathroom, slamming the door behind her.

Chevalier shook his head and ordered pancakes. He walked the doctor out when they heard the shower start and then turned to Kyle, who was again restraining Dain.

Dain glared at his Dad, “She called for me.”

“In her sleep,” Chevalier told him. “She was in the middle of a dream when she called for you… again… you are no longer responsible for your Mother.”

“I am too!” Dain yelled. “You were gone for a year after kicking her out of her home.”

“You know as well as I do that wasn’t me.”

“Didn’t see you looking for Mom either. You sent your Cavalry while you sat around in the Encala’s palace and did nothing to find her,” Dain growled.

Kyle’s arms tightened around him, “Watch what you say, Boy.”

“No, he needs to hear it and I’m not too afraid of him to set him straight,” Dain said, and glared at his Dad.

“Until you understand the workings of this faction, you have no right to talk to me like that,” Chevalier told him.

“Let him go!” Alexis screamed, and ran up to Kyle. She began pulling at his hands.

“Alex, stop it,” Kyle told her.

“No, let him go!”

“Alex…” Chevalier said, and pulled her away from Kyle.

“No, Mom wouldn’t let you restrain him.”

“He’s not hurt,” Chevalier told her. “He just overstepped and…. Alex, no!”

Kyle gasped and turned quickly away from Alexis when he realized that as he watched her, she was gearing up to turn him to ash.

“Alex,” Allen said as he walked up the stairs.

“Allen!” she gasped, and turned toward him. “Make them let Dain go.”

“No, Alex, you need to let them do this,” Allen said, and took her hand.

“You don’t understand, he takes care of Mom. She needs him.”

“No, I take care of your Mom,” Chevalier told her.

“You weren’t there! You didn’t see what Mom went through when you first kicked her out. You didn’t see how it was just Dain and I in a hotel room when Mom had surgery… You weren’t there when the Encala attacked us and Dain fought them off of me so I could turn them to ash…”

“Wait,” Chevalier said, and his eyes grew wide, “The Encala attacked you and Dain?”

“Yes! They were after Mom,” Alexis said, and glared at him. “You weren’t there when men started attacking Mom… I’m not stupid, I know what they wanted, and between Dain, Pelton, and Tucker, they kept her safe. You can’t expect him to turn that off just because all of a sudden you decide to return.”

“Alexis,” Allen whispered, and started to pull her down the stairs.

“You may have occupied the Encala’s palace… but Mom, Dain, and I fought them off, attack after attack… She doesn’t have ulcers! She…”

“Allen, wait,” Chevalier said, and walked down the stairs to them. “Keep going, Alex.”

She stopped talking and glanced at Dain when he yelled, “Alex, stop it!”

Dr. Cook grabbed his phone and quickly dialed Emily’s doctor in Louisiana as he walked into a servant’s room to talk in quiet.

“Keep talking,” Chevalier told his daughter.

Alexis looked over at Dain and sighed, “Nothing, let’s go, Allen.”

“No, what did you mean?” Allen asked her.

Alexis held her hand out for Dain, “All I’m saying is… Mom, Dain, and I did fine on our own. We don’t need the Equites.”

Kyle let Dain go when he tried to get to his sister, and he walked forward and took her hand.

“Good morning, Elder,” Miri said when she walked up by Allen.

Chevalier ignored her and watched Dain carefully as he and Alexis walked down the stairs with Allen and Miri following.

Dr. Cook came out and sighed, “Her doctor in Louisiana won’t tell me what Alexis meant, but he knows. He’s claiming patient confidentiality.”

Chevalier walked back into the room when he heard the shower turn off and he sat and waited for Emily. She came out finally in jeans and a t-shirt as she braided her hair.

“We need to talk,” Chevalier said softly.

She looked over at him and tied her hair off, “About what?”

“The Encala attacks when you were away.”

She sighed, “We took care of them.”

He patted the bed beside him, “Sit, please.”

She hesitated and then sat down and turned towards him.

“How often did they attack?”

“It’s ok, we handled them.”

“Tell me.”

She looked down at her hands, “There were 8 attacks.”

“How many heku at a time?”

“The worst was 83.”

“You turned them to ash?”

“Yes”

“Where are the ashes?”

“Dain buried them out in the trees by the ranch.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

She looked up at him, “Because it doesn’t matter. Heku attacks were part of my life before, and if I return to the mortal world, it only stands to reason that they are going to be again.”

“Still…”

“What, Chevalier? You already practically wiped out the Encala. What good would it do to seek revenge for those?”

“What did the Encala do to cause your stomach pains then?”

“Those are ulcers,” she told him.

“Emily?” Zohn said from behind her, and she turned to face him. “Try that again, please.”

“You promised me you’d let me take care of you,” Chevalier reminded her.

“The ulcer pills help, though.”

“Not entirely, or you wouldn’t have had that happen last night.”

She glanced again at Zohn, “Fine… no, I don’t have ulcers.”

“What do you have?”

“I don’t know what it is,” she told them. “When the ulcer pills kept working, I didn’t get the tests my doctor ordered to find out what the Encala caused.”

Zohn pulled a chair up and sat down.

“Don’t interrogate me, please,” she whispered, and looked toward the window when tears began to fill her eyes.

“We just need to know what they did,” Chevalier told her and took her hand. “I have Zohn here to make it easier for you, lying won’t help.”

“It doesn’t matter,” she said to both of them. “The attacks were taken care of by Alex, Dain, and I. Telling you will only tick you off and the damage is done. I hope that the no-aging thing will fix it and the pains will stop.”

Chevalier touched her hand lightly, “What did they do?”

“Was it a poison?” Dr. Cook asked, and she looked over at him, but didn’t answer.

Zohn sighed, “Yes, it was.”

She looked over at him, “Zohn, don’t.”

“What did they poison you with?” Chevalier asked, and she looked down at her hands.

Emily stood up and looked around the room.

“Please, tell us.”

“I need… will you ask the overseer if I can ride my horse?”

Chevalier tried to take her hand, “Why won’t you tell us?”

“I can’t handle it… I can’t take the anger,” she whispered, and dug through her bag until she found her riding gloves. “I’ve done ok on my own, protecting myself and the kids from the Encala.”

“We won’t get mad. It will help me treat you,” Dr. Cook told her.

“Please,” she whispered, and they could tell she was starting to panic.

“I fired the overseer, do whatever you’d like in the stables,” Chevalier told her.

She nodded and quickly left the room.

“I’d like to know,” Zohn told him.

“Yes, well, this will be easier without Emily here,” Chevalier said, and then called for Allen to bring Alexis.

Miri and Alexis appeared a few minutes later.

“I’m sorry, Elder. Allen was holding Dain back so I brought her,” Miri said, and bowed slightly.

“Have a seat, Alex,” Chevalier said, and pulled a chair up.

“What’s going on?” Alexis asked, and sat down after looking over at the doctor and Zohn.

“Out,” Chevalier said to Miri, and she left, shutting the door behind her.

“What, Dad?” Alexis asked, irritated.

Chevalier sat down beside her, and when she looked at him, he immediately locked her eyes. Zohn and Dr. Cook sat back to listen.

“Can you hear me?” Chevalier asked softly, his voice was calm and soothing.

“Yes,” she answered softly.

“Tell me about the Encala attack that made Emily’s stomach pains start.”

She sighed, “We were fixing the kitchen table, Mom and I.”

The heku watched as her voice caught and her body tensed.

“There were only two Encala,” she whispered, starting to panic. “They had controlled the field hands, two of them… it was too much and Dain was asleep. He had an attack the night before… we were painting, varnishing the able… Mom told me to run, but I watched from the trees.”

Chevalier spoke softly, “It’s over, Alexis. There are no Encala here.”

She calmed slightly, “Mom tried to fight them. She’d ashed the Encala, but the mortals kept coming. Their eyes… they were empty. They didn’t know what they were doing. She fought them, but she was tired from being up with Dain. They saw the varnish remover…”

“It’s ok, Alex, they aren’t here,” he told her when her heart began to pound.

“I wanted to help, but they were mortals. They were strong and they held her down while I watched…”

“Shhhh, Alex, it’s ok,” he whispered again when her eyes began to fill with tears.

“They held her down and made her drink it,” she whispered, and fell silent as her mind replayed it over and over.

“Made her drink the varnish remover?” Chevalier asked.

“Yes… then Tucker came… he was furious… he had a gun, a hand gun, and he shot them. There was blood and Mom was throwing up and shaking. It smelled like varnish and the blood, it was everywhere,” Alexis whispered. “I had to… I had to call an ambulance, Mom was bleeding and in so much pain.”

Chevalier couldn’t speak. He was in too much shock.

Alexis spoke quickly, “Tucker and Pelton quickly hid the bodies in the trees and Tucker picked Mom up, and he took her to the ambulance. She couldn’t breathe and he was breathing into her mouth when the ambulance got there. He rode with her, but we couldn’t go… He told the field hands that came to keep us away from the trees.”

Chevalier took a deep breath and held her gaze, “Where are the bodies?”

“Dain woke up when Mom was in the ICU,” Alexis whispered. “He took the bodies deeper into the woods. I don’t know where they went. Police came and asked the field hands questions, but they didn’t see it happen. Dain… Dain controlled the police and told them that Tucker and Pelton weren’t involved.”

Chevalier looked deeper into her eyes, “Alex, you won’t remember telling us… you did not tell us what the Encala did.”

“Ok,” she said as if in a dream.

Chevalier broke the gaze and looked over at Zohn.

Zohn stood up, “Alex, what did the Encala do to your Mom?”

She frowned, “I won’t tell you.”

“We need to know.”

“No”

“We know already that it was a poison, your Mom slipped and gave us that. We just need to know what kind.”

Alexis set her jaw, “No.”

He nodded, “Very well, return to your brothers.”

Alexis watched him and then quickly left for the game room where Allen and Dain were waiting.

Dr. Cook was visibly upset, “I need to go research that, to see what we’re dealing with.”

“Do it,” Chevalier hissed, and then looked over at Zohn when the doctor was gone.

“I’ve never heard of anything like that,” Zohn whispered. “I would imagine they thought it would kill her.”

“I’m going to talk to the Encala,” Chevalier growled, and started for the door. He stopped and turned when Zohn spoke again.

“You can’t take care of Emily if you are away. No one else can even come close to doing what you do for her.”

“They need punished.”

“Take care of her first, and then we’ll talk to the Encala and decide how far we want to take this.”

Chevalier nodded, stood up, and then threw his chair against the stone wall where it shattered into splinters. He took a few minutes to calm down, and then walked down to the game room. He could hear Allen and Alexis talking to Dain, trying to calm him down while Kyle watched. They all looked over when he walked in.

The Elder sat down by Dain, “Your Mom told us what the Encala did, what they made her drink.”

Alexis glanced at Dain, shocked.

“What did you do with the bodies?”

Dain looked his Dad in the eyes, “I tore them to pieces and buried them.”

“Where?”

“Out in the trees, about 2 miles south of the ranch.”

“I’m on it,” Kyle said, and disappeared from the room.

Chevalier sat and watched his kids talk about the last year, though he noticed that neither Dain, nor Alexis, spoke of any Encala attacks.

“Elder?” Dr. Cook said from the door. Chevalier followed him out into the hallway.

“So? What are we up against?”

“We’re dealing with hydrocarbon poisoning, the hazardous ingredient in varnish remover,” Dr. Cook explained. “It would immediately cause her throat to swell, that would be why this Tucker guy needed to force air into her lungs. As for the rest, it burned her esophagus and tore away the lining of her stomach, which causes severe pain because of the damage.”

“For how long?”

“Indefinitely, though… she’s right, her heku blood makes her heal when others may not. For now, we keep her on the PPI and watch her. She’s going to have to have limited acidic foods, which includes her coffee and Coke.”

Chevalier nodded, “Get with the chefs on what she can and cannot eat. If she orders something on that list, they are to contact me, and I’ll pick something else and talk to her.”

“The hard part,” Dr. Cook said, “Is going to be her getting enough rest, and stress is going to make it worse, a lot worse. She’d be better off staying in bed in a calm environment for now.”

“She’s not going to do that.”

“I know, but at least we should keep physical exertion to a minimum and try to lessen any stress.”

Chevalier sighed, “Easier said than done. I’ll do what I can, but I don’t want to make her too upset.”

“Starting now.”

“She’s just out riding, I think.”

“Not what I heard,” Dr. Cook said, and started down the stairs.

“Mark…” Chevalier called out, and they both walked out to the stables. Emily’s guards were standing outside of the stable doors and the doors were shut. All of the horses were out in the corral gazing.

“Elder,” Silas said, and bowed slightly.

Chevalier looked at the doors, “Why are you out here and not inside watching her?”

“Emily requested some time alone in the stables. We have heku at the back doors also,” Silas explained.

“What’s she doing?”

“It sounds like she’s just cleaning.”

“Of course she is,” Chevalier sighed. “Put out new orders. She’s not to do anything physical until the doctor releases her.”

Silas nodded, “Yes, Elder. Shall we go talk to her?”

“No, we will,” Chevalier told him, and he and Mark walked into the stables. Emily was covered in sweat and mucking out one of the stalls. She was only done with four of them, but those four were pristinely clean with fresh straw, and the water and food troughs were scrubbed clean and refilled.

Mark opened up the stable doors and called for the entire Cavalry.

Emily looked over at him, “What are you doing?”

“Calling in the Cavalry. This place is disgusting and it’s going to take a while to clean it.”

“Yes… that’s why I’m cleaning it. I don’t need their help.”

“Yeah you do,” Chevalier said, and took the pitchfork out of her hand. “You’re off any physical work until the doctor releases you.”

“What? Why?”

“Because of the damage the varnish remover did,” he told her.

Emily gasped, “What?”

“We know… you can supervise, but you aren’t to lift a finger.”

“I don’t know who told you that, but it’s wrong,” she told him, and tried to get the pitchfork.

“Do we need to go over that all again? About you listening to me?” he asked, and held the pitchfork higher.

Emily turned when each of the 57 members of the Cavalry began to muck out a stall.

She sighed, “I’m ok to work.”

“No, you aren’t.”

She crossed her arms and glared at him, “How dare you control Alexis.”

He grinned slightly, “I had to know what we were dealing with.”

“Lady Emily?” one of the city guards asked from behind her. She turned and saw him standing outside of the stable doors. The heku was nervously watching Chevalier, and Emily noticed that his hands were shaking.

“Yes?”

“There’s a visitor for you at the farmhouse.”

She sighed, “Ok, I’ll go.”

Emily started for the door, and turned when she felt someone behind her. She sighed when she saw Kralen, Mark, and Chevalier. Knowing she couldn’t fight them, she walked to the tunnel and was soon stepping into the farmhouse. She hadn’t been in the new one that was built when the V.E.S. destroyed the last one. It was bigger, and she liked how everything was painted brighter.

The farmhouse guard opened the door and Emily saw Tucker waiting on the porch. She ran forward and hugged him.

“You’re hard to track down,” Tucker said, and pulled away from her. He looked over at the three heku, and then back to Emily.

She smiled, “I didn’t know you were looking for me.”

“Of course I was. You disappeared one night and I don’t like that… I wanted to make sure those blokes didn’t get to you again.”

“I’m ok, I just… returned to my husband is all,” she told him, and turned to look at Chevalier.

“Some big’ole men have been at the ranch looking for you,” Tucker told her. “I told them you moved to Texas.”

She smiled, “Thank you.”

Tucker turned toward the door, and then sighed and faced her again, “I can’t leave you alone…”

“It’s ok,” Chevalier told him. “We protect her.”

“Yeah, well where were you when all them big guys were bothering her?” he asked, crossing his arms.

“That’s hard to explain.”

“Where’s Pelton?” Emily asked, and looked out the window at Tucker’s dusty truck.

“He left the day after you did. Last I heard he was working at a ranch up in Wyoming and wasn’t interested in following me around the country looking for you,” Tucker explained.

Mark smiled, “Funny thing, though. I was coming to find you.”

Tucker’s body tensed, “For what?”

“I just wanted to talk… to make you an offer.”

Emily gasped, “What offer?”

“Yeah, what offer?” Tucker asked as he crossed his arms.

Mark smiled at Kralen, and then turned back to the mortal, “An offer to become one of us.”

“No,” Emily gasped.

“You want me to join the military?” Tucker asked, confused.

“No, you don’t,” Emily said, and opened the door. “I’ll write you later, Tucker.”

“No, I want to hear this,” he said, and turned to Mark.

Mark glanced nervously at Emily, and then back to the man, “We’re not military… we’re… heku.”

“What the hell is a heku?”

“Don’t do this,” Emily said, and stood in front of Tucker. “Mark, stop or I’ll ash you.”

“Ash?” Tucker asked, now completely confused.

“Em, let them at least give him the offer,” Chevalier suggested.

“No, it’s not right.”

“I don’t understand,” Tucker told them.

“Don’t do it, you don’t understand,” Emily told him. “They want to kill you.”

“Em…” Chevalier whispered. “Don’t.”

Tucker’s eyes narrowed and his finger twitched above the gun at his side.

“No, we don’t want to kill you,” Mark told him, and then smiled. “We want to make you immortal.”

“They’re vampires,” Emily told him, and moved closer to him. “They want to turn you into one.”

Tucker grinned, “Vampires?”

“The vampire myth came about from our kind,” Mark explained. “However, we’re not vampires.”

“They drink blood,” Emily said.

“Em, stop it,” Chevalier told her.

“Do you?” Tucker asked.

Kralen smiled slightly, “Well… yes…”

“It’s more though,” Mark told him. “The three of us, the heku in this room, we’re thousands of years old and are part of a species that is militaristic in nature. We spend our time protecting ourselves from others like us that we consider enemies.”

“They will send a stake through your heart,” Emily yelled.

Tucker kept looking at Mark, “You big fells are all… what was that?”

“Heku,” Mark told him. “Chevalier, Emily’s husband, is an Elder. He’s one of the highest ranking of our faction.”

“How many of these factions are there?”

“The rest of the information will be given when you’ve decided to join us.”

“Ya’ll are all big fellas.”

“Part of being a heku.”

“Tucker, listen to me,” Emily said, and took his hand. He looked over at her, “Don’t do it.”

“Why not?” he asked. “I have nothing, no family, and no real friends. Do you know when you quit, the owner decided to sell the ranch to some nitwit from New York?”

“What’s the problem, Em?” Mark asked. “You didn’t care when Dr. Edwards turned.”

Emily gasped and Chevalier growled, “Mark…”

Mark’s eyes grew wide and he became quiet.

She turned to Chevalier, “You… you turned Dr. Edwards? When?”

“He came to us about six months ago. He’s in his 80’s now and wanted to join Island Coven… so he lives there.”

“You turned him!?”

“Yes, at his request.”

“If you’re offering Tucker this just because you think I need a new guard, then you have another thing coming,” Emily screamed.

“So Emily isn’t a heku?” Tucker asked.

“No, she’s not… Her story will come after you turn,” Mark told him.

“He won’t be your guard, Emily. He’ll become a member of Island Coven,” Chevalier explained.

“So, what?” Tucker asked. “I join you fellas and move to this Island place and I never die?”

“You’ll drink blood, Tucker,” Emily said, becoming angry when she saw that he was seriously considering their offer. “You don’t even know the half of it.”

“If he decides to turn,” Mark explained. “Then we will tell him the rest, and he can still back out.”

Her eyes filled with tears, “I won’t be a part of this!”

The heku watched as she disappeared into the farmhouse and they heard the door to the tunnels slam.

“If she’s not a heku, then why does she live here?” Tucker asked.

“She’s my wife,” Chevalier told him.

“Then where were you when she was getting attacked?”

“I was looking for her… she disappeared.”

“Heku… so those big blokes who kept attacking her?”

“They are an enemy of ours,” Mark explained.

“I’m older than all of ya’ll, and a lot smaller.”

Mark smiled, “That’ll change.”

“I have no family and right now no job. I was hoping to find Emily to see if she was going to buy a ranch like she’s always wanted… so I could work for her,” Tucker said, deep in thought.

“You won’t grow old, or die of old age… Island Coven will fully take care of you, no money worries, and you could later try for their guard staff,” Mark told him. “Kyle and I both spotted qualities in you that we can’t teach, something innate that would benefit Chevalier’s coven.”

“Why is Emily so against this?” Tucker asked Chevalier.

Chevalier shrugged, “She had a traumatic experience with the heku as a child. It’s made her have a strong aversion to turning anyone.”

“But she lives with the heku.”

“Lives with and loves the species, just won’t join us.”

“I would automatically become a member of this Island?” Tucker asked.

“No, you would be turned as a probationary member,” Chevalier said. “After 50 years, it would be made permanent.”

“Probationary?”

“Yes, but it takes quite a lot to get kicked out.”

“What happens if I say yes?”

“Then Mark and Kyle will get you started. We’ll clear you medically and then arrange a date to turn. Once turned, we’ll give you a mentor on the Island that will answer all of your questions and help you along,” Chevalier explained.

Tucker sighed, “I don’t want to upset Emily.”

“She’ll get over it,” Mark told him. “Once she sees you’re happy.”

Mark turned toward the back of the farmhouse and whispered, “Elder, there’s a problem with Dain.”

Chevalier and Mark disappeared, and Tucker gasped.

Kralen grinned, “Let’s talk… have a seat.”

Chapter 12 - Dain

“Do something,” Chevalier yelled at the doctor.

“There’s nothing we can do, the damage is done,” he said, and stepped back from the furious Elder.

Chevalier looked over at Emily as her body shook with the stomach pains and he was reminded that the Encala caused it. The only sound that escaped her was the soft groan when she pulled herself into a tight fetal position.

Dr. Cook glanced nervously at the door, “He’s putting up quite a fight.”

Chevalier looked towards the door also, “I know, but he’s not coming in here.”

“If he comforts her, we should let him in.”

“We can’t. It’s been 2 months since she returned, and he still feels he’s her protector. I’m not going to cave in to that.”

Chevalier put a cool rag on Emily’s head when the pain caused her to start sweating. He watched her carefully, secretly vowing to repay the Encala for her suffering.

“He’s here,” Dr. Cook whispered.

“Bring him in.”

Dr. Edwards walked through the door hesitantly. Not even one year into the life as a heku, he was nervous about approaching the Winchester scent, but was called in by the Council to see if he could help Dr. Cook with her pains.

“It’s good to see you,” Dr. Cook said, and shook his hand. “Take a second and acclimate fully, though there’s not normally blood.”

Dr. Edwards nodded, “Was it really varnish remover?”

“Yes, we don’t know how long she kept it down or what the Emergency Room did for her, they are pulling confidentiality.”

“I see… what’s being done?”

“We have her on PPIs. We’ve cut out coffee and any acidic foods, and we’ve tried to get her to take it easy, but…”

Dr. Edwards smiled, “I know.”

Emily looked over and smiled weakly, “Dr. Edwards?”

He walked over and sat down on the side of her bed, then took her hand, “My Dear, how are you?”

“It’s going now,” she said, and shut her eyes. The pain was slowly backing off and she took a deep breath and looked around, “Why am I in here?”

Chevalier looked around his bedroom, “I think it’s time you move back in here and stop staying in the Elder Guard’s quarters.”

She sat up slowly with help from Dr. Edwards and then sighed, “Where’s Dain?”

“Let him in,” Chevalier said towards the door. It burst open and the massive 7-year-old came in furiously.

“Do not restrain me!” he growled at his Dad.

“Dain, sit,” Emily said, and patted the bed.

Dain glared at Chevalier and sat down beside her, “Are you ok?”

She wrapped her arm around him and he leaned his head against her neck, “I’m good, Baby. You need to stop fighting the heku, it’s upsetting.”

He frowned slightly, “It is?”

“Yes, your Dad is just trying to help me and I promised him two months ago that I would allow it.”

“Mom…”

“It’s hard, Dain, when you fight them.”

“I don’t trust them,” he said, and looked into her eyes.

“I know.”

“They abandoned you for a year.”

“We didn’t abandon her,” Chevalier explained. “We tried to find you.”

“So you say,” Dain growled.

Emily touched his face lightly, “I trust them.”

“Mom, you trust everyone.”

Chevalier chuckled, “This though, she’s trusted for 22 years.”

Dain just glared at him until Emily moved his face to look at her, “Trust your Dad, Dain.”

She studied the conflict in his eyes and then kissed his cheek lightly.

“Elder, we’re ready,” Mark said as he stepped into the room.

Chevalier nodded, “Call for the helicopter. I’ll be out in a few minutes.”

“You’re leaving?” Emily asked.

“We’re going to talk to the Encala about what they did.”

“Chevalier, it’s over. Don’t cause more problems because of it.”

“It’s my right to seek revenge on this.”

She sighed, irritated that she agreed to let him do what he thought was necessary, “You’re taking the Cavalry?”

“Yes, all of them.”

She smiled slightly, “You’ll outnumber them.”

Mark chuckled, “Yes, we will.”

“Do the Valle know I’m back, yet?”

Chevalier nodded, “Yes, they were looking for you too, so we had to notify them.”

“Dear,” Dr. Cook said, and stepped forward, “I have to return to Pason Coven, and will leave you in the ever capable hands of Dr. Edwards.”

Emily frowned, “You’re leaving?”

“Yes, I’m close to retirement and would like to spend my last years with my coven.”

Emily’s eyes began to fill with tears, “You’re going to the ground?”

He smiled softly, “It’s not what you think, Child. I’m looking forward to it.”

“Is it because I give you a hard time?”

Dr. Cook began to laugh, “You have kept me on my toes, but no, I’m tired.”

She started to stand up, but Chevalier held her to the bed, “Don’t go, don’t retire.”

“It’s been a pleasure to be your doctor. It was nice to spend my last years doing what I love, which is medicine.”

“I won’t ash you again, I swear.”

He leaned forward and kissed her forehead, “Listen to Dr. Edwards, he knows you better than even I, and he’s anxious to be your personal physician.”

“Don’t retire,” Emily whispered, and she felt her insides starting to tighten.

“I’m tired, and like Leonid, it’s my decision. No one is forcing me, and I’m looking forward to it,” Dr. Cook told her, and started for the door. “It’ll be interesting to see you again in 300 years.”

Chevalier nodded to Dr. Cook, and he bowed slightly and walked out. Emily again tried to stand up, but this time, Dain put a hand on her leg and kept her down. She looked over at Chevalier, “Don’t let him do this…”

Chevalier took her hand, “It’s his choice, Em. Don’t get upset… it could make the pains come back.”

Dr. Edwards smiled, “Retirement seems so foreign to me.”

Chevalier chuckled, “Wait a few thousand years and you’ll see its appeal.”

“Emily?” the doctor said, and frowned. Her heart rate was picking up and her eyes showed the terror she felt toward the heku retirement.

“Em, calm down,” Chevalier told her, and took her hand.

She put her hand on her stomach and nodded when she felt the pains starting.

He stood up and looked down at her, “I’ll be back in a few days. Quinn is going to take care of you.”

Dain growled, “He’s not needed.”

“You… don’t get in Quinn’s way,” Chevalier said, and his hands balled into fists.

“Then tell him to stay away from my Mom. I can take care of her.”

“Please, don’t fight,” Emily said, and took Dain’s hand again. “I trust Quinn, too.”

Quinn smiled from the door, “We’ll be ok, go.”

Chevalier glanced once more at Dain, and then left with Kyle and Mark.

Quinn shut the door to her room and Dain looked over Emily, “Are you ok?”

“I’m fine. Please though, stop fighting your Dad.”

“He’s so infuriating.”

Emily grinned, “Yes, he is.”

“Do we have to stay here?”

“Where do you want to go?”

Dain smiled, “The Island, with Allen and Miri.”

“I don’t see why not,” Emily told him, and stood up to get her keys. “I’m sure the truck will make it.”

“Where’s your Dodge?” Dain asked, and started for the door.

“I don’t know, actually, but that old truck will be ok.”

Dain sighed, “Alex said we can’t go.”

“Why’s that?” Emily asked, and turned to face him.

“She said there’s a turning.”

She sighed and set down the keys.

“Oh, it’s Tucker.”

“What?” Emily gasped, and took a step towards Dain.

“Tucker, he’s being turned. I guess Kralen and Silas are on the island to do it.”

She sat down hard on the bed, “They’re doing it?”

Dain sat down beside her, “It was his choice.”

“Still…”

He smiled and took her hand, “It’s ok, Mom, he’ll be fine.”

She pulled away from him and walked into the bathroom, locking the door behind her. Emily was just stepping out of the shower when she heard a loud commotion in the bedroom. She threw on a robe quickly and rushed out to see what was happening.

Dain was writhing in pain on the bed while four members of the palace guards were holding him down. He suddenly arched his back and screamed, filling the entire palace with blood curdling wails.

“Dain!” Emily yelled, and ran to the bed.

“Let them handle him,” Quinn said as he stopped her with a hand on her arm.

“Let me go.”

“No, he’ll hurt you. Let the Guards hold him down so he doesn’t hurt himself.”

She stopped fighting and watched how much strength it took the full heku to hold Dain down. Her heart sunk as the pain continued and Dain began to fall in and out of consciousness. Dr. Edwards was called in, but no amount of medication seemed to lessen the agonizing pain.

For hours, the palace stayed silent as the screams from Dain filled the corridors. Emily refused to leave his room, but Quinn kept her away from the bed. Eight hours after it started, Dain’s body fell silent on the bed and the guards moved back.

Emily started forward, but Quinn took her arm, “Wait.”

She frowned at him and tried to pull away from his grasp, “Let me go.”

Quinn looked over at Dr. Edwards, and she could tell they were talking, but wasn’t able to tell about what. She watched Dain as he lay silent on the bed.

“Quinn, let me go,” she said again, and started to pull at his fingers.

Quinn looked over at the motionless heku and shut his eyes before looking over at Emily, “He didn’t make it.”

She frowned, “What?”

“I’m sorry, Emily,” Dr. Edwards whispered, and covered Dain’s body with a light sheet.

“Wait!” Emily screamed. “No, he’s not dead.”

“Em…” Quinn said, and all of the palace guards left the room.

“No, he’s not dead,” she said again, and roughly pulled her arm away from Quinn.

Emily walked slowly toward the bed and the room fell silent as they watched her. She pulled the sheet down to his chest and sat beside him, then took his hand in hers and gently touched his face, “Baby?”

“Mom?” Alexis asked from the doorway.

“He’s just sleeping,” Emily whispered, not looking away from Dain.

“Mom… I don’t think so,” Alexis said, and sat down on the edge of the bed beside her brother. “Something’s not right. It’s just…”

“Emily, we did everything we could,” Dr. Edwards told her respectfully.

She frowned, “No, heku don’t just die.”

“Not often, no,” Dr. Edwards told her.

“We’ll move him to…” Quinn started, but stopped talking when he felt a burning begin in his chest. He gasped and took a step back.

“Get out,” Emily whispered. The Elder looked at the other heku in the room and saw that they were equally shaken. She’d sent a small burn to each of them.

“Em…” Quinn started, but the burn began again and he moved toward the door. “Everyone out.”

“Mom?” Alexis whispered.

“Get out,” Emily said through gritted teeth. The girl nodded and followed the heku out of the room.

“Get Chevalier back here,” Quinn ordered, and sat down in a chair outside of the bedroom.

One of the guards nodded, and then headed down the stairs slowly.

Alexis sunk slowly to her knees, watching the door and she softly whispered, “Dain.”

Quinn pulled Alexis into a hug and looked over at Dustin when he came to the hallway and spoke, “What do we do?”

“Maybe I should go talk to her,” Dr. Edwards suggested.

“Try,” Quinn told him quietly.

Dr. Edwards knocked softly and then opened the door. He gasped and fell backwards, clutching his chest and the door slammed behind him. Dustin and Quinn watched him with wide eyes as he slowly got to his feet.

“Don’t go in there,” he said, still groaning slightly.

Emily gently brushed the hair away from Dain’s eye and adjusted his covers, “It’s ok, Baby. I won’t let them take you away.”

She watched him for a few hours, burning anyone who dared to touch the bedroom door. She held Dain’s hand and waited for him to wake up. As night fell, she started to get cold and began to stoke the fire.

Deciding to get some rest, she pulled a pillow and blanket over to the door, and then made a make-shift bed in front of it. It let her still watch Dain, but allowed her to immediately be alerted if anyone tried to come in.

“She’s asleep,” one of the palace Generals said as he listened at her door.

“It sounds like she’s close to the door though,” Quinn told him. “Have we found Chevalier?”

“Yes, he’s on the way back, though he doesn’t know why.”

“For now, leave her alone until he arrives.”

“Yes, Elder,” the General said, and turned to watch the hallway. Quinn looked at the door for a few minutes and then decided to return to the council chambers.

“Is it true then?” the Chief of Defense asked when Quinn sat down.

He nodded, “Yes, the boy had another attack and didn’t make it.”

“Should we evacuate the palace?”

“No, she’s not hurt anyone but those who’ve tried to open the bedroom door.”

“What happened?”

Quinn shrugged, “I don’t really know. He was having another attack and just… suddenly… his heart stopped.”

“When will Chevalier be back?” the Court Reporter asked, leaning forward on his elbows.

“He’s returning from Encala City. It shouldn’t be long now.”

“Does he know?”

“No, he does not.”

“And the girl?”

“Alexis is in my room, resting,” Quinn explained. “We need to find Zohn and get him back. The funeral could turn into more than our guards can handle.”

“Agreed,” the Chief of Defense said. “I suggest we immediately pull in Thukil and Powan and have Banks on standby just in case.”

“Do it,” Quinn said, and ordered all city guards to head to the palace lawn for a briefing.

The Chief of Staff suddenly looked toward the ceiling, “She is up again.”

Quinn nodded, “I hear… keep an eye on her while I talk to the guards.”

“Yes, Elder,” he said, and blurred to the hallway with her room.

Quinn dreaded what he was about to do, but walked out to face the hundreds of city and palace guards that were gathered.

He took a deep breath and then spoke, “The Council regrets to inform you that the heku child, Dain, has passed. We suspect the news will travel quickly and will bring Equites from around the globe. Until further notice, everyone is to be out in the city watching for anything amiss. No one is to come to the palace. There are situations involved that we must deal with and we cannot if there are heku around.”

A murmur ran through the guard staff.

***

“Do you want to play a game?” Emily asked, and sat down beside Dain on the bed. When he didn’t answer, she just shook her head, “You’re right, get some rest.”

“Mom?” Allen called through the door.

Emily smiled, “Your brother’s here.”

“Mom, can I come in?”

“I bet he thinks you’re dead, too,” she said, and looked towards the door.

“Mom?”

“No, you may not come in,” she said, just barely loud enough for the heku in the hallway to hear.

“I just want to talk.”

“No”

Emily stood up and went to look out the window, “I don’t know how they can think you’re dead. You’ve done this how many times and haven’t died?”

She saw the gathered troops on the lawn and briefly wondered what they were doing, before turning back around to Dain, “I can see you’ve grown. When they first told me that you were dead, your feet weren’t that near to the end of the bed.”

“Mom, let me at least see him before Dad gets here,” Allen told her. “I want to see for myself.”

“No,” Emily said, and sat down beside Dain again. She pulled another blanket over him when she felt how cold he was.

“I don’t believe he’s dead either,” Allen said through the door. “I just want to see if I can help you prove it.”

She smiled, “Encala’s Chief Interrogator, Allen…”

Allen sighed and looked over at Dustin, “I tried.”

Dustin leaned back against the wall, “Have we at all considered that he’s not dead? She said he’s grown.”

“I was in there,” the guard General said. “The smell of death was unmistakable.”

“I’m going in,” Allen told them. “I don’t think she’ll burn me.”

“Your ash,” Dustin said, and watched Allen open the door. He gasped and jerked back, falling against the floor as the door shut behind him. He stayed on the floor as he caught his breath.

“I could be wrong though,” Allen whispered, and then stood up slowly.

The sound of Equites 1 landing shook the building and the General called for troops to meet it on the roof.

“Is that Dad?” Allen asked as the troops filed out onto the roof.

“No, that’s Elder Zohn,” Dustin explained. “Your Dad didn’t take a helicopter.”

“What’s so important that I was called back here?” Zohn asked as he approached Dustin.

Allen looked down at the ground, “Dain had another attack and didn’t make it.”

Zohn gasped, “He’s dead?”

“Yes,” Dustin said respectfully. “Emily won’t let anyone in there. She says he’s alive still.”

“Where is Chevalier?” Zohn asked, and looked toward the door.

“He should be here any minute. He doesn’t know either.”

Zohn knocked on the door, “Emily?”

“I wouldn’t go in there if I were you,” the General told him.

“Why not?” Zohn asked, just as a burning began deep within his chest. He gasped and stepped away from the door.

“That’s why.”

“How long has it been?”

“Twelve hours,” Dustin told him.

“Stay here,” Zohn ordered, and went down to help Quinn with city preparations.

Emily smiled, “Like they thought I’d let Zohn in. Wonder whose bright idea that was.”

She watched Dain and again took his hand. She couldn’t understand why they insisted that he was dead. She saw that he’d grown. His skin was still pale but held a hint of color. Though she’d rarely seen a newly dead person, she thought it looked like he was merely sleeping.

“I wonder how tall you are now…” she said, and stood up to look down at him. “If I had to guess, you’re close to your Dad’s height now. Ever noticed how he’s bigger than most heku? I bet you will be, too.”

She turned to the window and sat down to watch the happenings on the lawn, “Something’s going on down there. Seems Quinn and Zohn have all of the guards out.”

“Emily, can I please come talk for a moment?” Dr. Edwards asked from the hallway.

“Oh, your Dad’s home,” Emily told Dain when she saw the long line of black Suburbans returning.

***

“What’s going on?” Chevalier asked as he approached Quinn and Zohn. They were still out on the lawn with the guard staff.

“Mark?” Quinn shouted.

“Yes, Elder?” Mark asked when he walked up to them.

“Get them ready to reinforce the city streets.”

“Right away.”

“Come, Chevalier,” Zohn said, and headed for the palace.

Chevalier glanced again at the gathered forces and then followed Quinn and Zohn inside. When he stepped into the Elder’s private conference room, he frowned and sat down. Quinn and Zohn were obviously upset and hesitated to tell him something.

“What?” he asked, somewhat irritated.

Quinn sighed, “Dain had an attack while you were gone.”

“Ok”

Zohn lowered his voice, “He didn’t make it.”

“I’m so sorry, Elder,” Quinn said.

“What do you mean he didn’t make it?” Chevalier asked, confused.

“The doctor was there, but he couldn’t save the boy.”

Chevalier stood up suddenly, “He’s dead?”

“We did what we could,” Zohn told him. Chevalier blurred from the room with the Elders right behind him.

“Elder… don’t…” the guard said when Chevalier reached for the bedroom door.

“Why not?” he growled.

“She’ll burn you. She won’t let anyone in.”

Chevalier turned to Zohn.

“She kicked us out and won’t let anyone in. She swears he’s not dead.”

Chevalier turned and knocked lightly on the door. He took a step back when a burn started in his chest and he clutched at the front of his shirt.

“She won’t let me in either,” Allen said when Chevalier joined them.

“Emily?” Chevalier said, stepping back up to the door.

“Go away,” she shouted from inside.

“He’s my son, too. I want to see him.”

“No”

“Emily…”

“He’s not dead!”

“Just let me look. I won’t take him, I swear.”

“Fine,” Emily said, and then stood up to block Chevalier from the bed. He walked in and shut the door softly behind him. He immediately smelled the scent of death and looked over at his son. She was right, he had grown, but the unmistakable scent of death was strong.

“You can look, but don’t touch him. He’s sleeping and needs the rest,” Emily told him, and crouched the slightest bit. The small heku gesture shocked Chevalier and he fought the instincts to meet her posture. It was deeply ingrained in the heku nature to immediately attack when anyone stood defensively. When Emily began picking up some of the heku postures, they had to quickly teach themselves not to react to it.

Chevalier watched Dain and tried to decide how to handle this and lessen the stress on Emily.

Emily smiled, “He’s grown a lot.”

“Yes, he has,” Chevalier said, and pulled a chair up to the bed. He sat down and watched his son.

“I hope he’s done with this. I’m guessing he’s as tall as you are now.”

Chevalier simply nodded.

“When he wakes up, we are going to the island for a bit. He wants to go visit Allen.”

“He’s not going to the island.”

She frowned, “He’s not dead.”

“I’m imagining he just couldn’t take it anymore.”

“If you want to keep talking about him like he’s dead, you can get out,” she whispered, and walked over to look out the window.

“He is. I know it’s hard for you, but you have to understand that nothing could be done to stop it.”

“No, you understand. He sleeps deeply, he’s not dead. This isn’t the first time we’ve done this.”

“I can smell death.”

“Then get some menthol and get over it.”

“Please…”

“What’s going on down there?” she asked, continuing to watch the city and palace guards out on the lawn.

“They are preparing for a mass pilgrimage to the city.”

“Why?”

“For the funeral.”

She turned suddenly, “Get out.”

Chevalier stood up, “I hate to do this to you, but for your health, you have 10 more minutes before we take him away.”

She glared at him, “Over my dead body.”

“Ten minutes,” he said, and left the room. As soon as the door shut, Emily crawled into the bed beside Dain.

“Dain, come on, Baby. You need to wake up,” she said, and shook his shoulders slightly.

He sighed softly and she glanced at the door before turning back to him.

“Dain, listen to me,” she whispered. “You need to open your eyes.”

Suddenly, his eyes opened and looked at her. A low growl erupted from his chest and she slowly crawled away from him. His hands tightened into fists and his eyes darkened as his body tensed.

“Chevalier…” Emily whispered, unsure what was going on.

Chevalier suddenly appeared in the room just as Dain sprung at Emily. Mid-air, Chevalier slammed into the 7-year-old and they both went through the bathroom door and into the bathroom. The door shattered and Emily was whisked out of the room by the palace General.

When the General gently put her down in the council chambers, she spun and turned towards the door, her eyes wide.

“What’s going on?” Dustin asked, standing slowly.

“I’m not sure, Sir,” the General said, and bowed slightly.

“He was going to attack me,” Emily whispered, still watching the door.

“Who was?” Dustin asked.

“Dain”

“He’s alive?”

She nodded, “I told you he was… but, why did he want to attack me?”

Dustin gasped and blurred from the room. Emily turned toward the Chief Interrogator, “Where did he go?”

“He went to help.”

“Chevalier needed help with Dain?”

“No, Child. Dustin went to intervene.”

Emily started for the door, but the General reached out and took her arm, “Our orders are to keep you here.”

“Tell me what’s going on.”

He glanced at the Council, and then back to Emily, “Seems Dain is having troubles controlling his thirst around you.”

She frowned, “He never has before.”

“We’ll know more, the Elder is coming,” the General said, and let go of her arm.

Emily turned to the council chairs when Chevalier came in and sat down. She found it odd that he sat with the Council instead of coming down to the trial area to talk to her. As she looked up at the council stand, she felt irritation starting. Irritation at how she was being treated like a heku coming before the Council with a problem, and not like the wife of an Elder who considered herself an equal with her husband.

“What’s going on?” Emily asked.

Chevalier glanced at Dustin as he came in, and then turned back to Emily, “I think Dain’s transformation into a full adult heku is complete.”

“What makes you say that?”

“He died… which, actually, we do when turned. His thirst is stronger, and his senses are more in tune.”

“Why did he attack me?”

“It’s going to take time for him to re-acclimate to you,” Dustin said when Chevalier looked down at his hands.

“He’s never had problems before.”

“He wasn’t full-grown before.”

Emily frowned, “I don’t understand.”

“When someone’s turned,” the Chief Investigator explained, “The process isn’t complete until the heart stops and then begins to beat again. It wasn’t until Dain’s heart stopped fully, before he completed his transformation into a full heku.”

“You all said he was a full heku from birth though.”

“He was… though not, apparently, complete,” Chevalier told her.

Emily fell silent as she thought about what they were saying. It didn’t make sense to her why he would be born full heku, yet not completely heku until his heart stopped.

“We apologize for telling you that he died,” Quinn said. Emily looked up suddenly. She hadn’t seen him come in.

She shrugged and started for the door, but found the way blocked by Chevalier, “Leave him for now.”

“No, I want to see him,” she said, and headed around him.

“No, Em. Let the guards feed him before he gets near you.”

Emily glanced back at the Council and then whispered to Chevalier, “Go back up to your Elder seat, and leave my family alone.”

He frowned slightly and took a step back, “Meaning?”

“Meaning… nothing,” Emily said, and then turned and left the council chambers. She walked down toward the garage, ignoring the guards that fell in behind her and climbed into the old Chevy pick-up.

“Where are we going?” her guard asked when he crawled into the passenger side.

“We… aren’t going anywhere. Get out,” Emily told him, and turned the key.

“Elder’s…”

“I don’t really care what the Elder’s orders are. Get out of my car.”

The guard looked over at the other three heku and then back to Emily, “You’ll have to ash me to get me out of this truck.”

“Fine,” she growled, and then took off from the palace garage with a pile of ash next to her on the seat.

As she drove, she smiled slightly. She realized the Equites would consider this running, but to her, she just had to get out of the tight control of the Council. She needed time to clear her head and consider what was happening with Chevalier.

She understood from the moment he became Elder, that she and the kids would always take second place to the Equites and his responsibilities as Elder. She also knew about that when she married him, but at the time it was only the coven and not the entire faction that she stood against.

Her mind was far away when she pulled past the iron gates of Exavior’s old house and stopped at the front doors. The sight of a new building brought her out of her deep thoughts and she got out of the old pickup and walked over towards it. What used to be a large open field of grass, was now a massive garage painted to match the dark exterior of the house.

She shook her head and opened the side door, somewhat surprised that it wasn’t locked. When she flipped on the lights, she gasped. The garage was full of cars, everything from an old Model-T to a sleek black convertible. Parked toward the doors, was her dark blue Dodge Ram 3500 and the green Rubicon. She walked over and ran her hand along the pristinely clean Rubicon before opening the garage door.

After pulling the Chevy pickup inside, she shut the doors and then laughed at the sight of the dirty gray truck parked among the expensive sports cars. Spying her Harley over in the corner, she walked over and swung her leg over to sit down. Sitting on the comfortable seat, she looked over the motorcycle and saw that it had been immaculately maintained and was in perfect condition.

“Hey! Who’re you?” a heku yelled from the door.

Emily jumped at the sudden voice and scrambled off of the motorcycle, “What?”

“You have no right being in here,” the heku said, and walked over towards her angrily. He was scowling and she was glad to see he wasn’t a big heku, at least by heku standards. His long blond hair was greasy and pulled back into a long braid.

“I do too, this is my house,” she said, and squared her shoulders towards him.

“I doubt that. Now get out before I call the cops,” he told her, and stopped a few feet from her.

“I suggest you call the Council before you call the cops on me,” she said, and walked past him.

She heard him gasp, “You’re… are you Lady Emily?”

She ignored him and walked out of the garage, slamming the door behind her. She heard the heku follow her out and he was no longer bold and angry, now he seemed unsure as he followed her to the house.

“I guess I should ask then, who the hell are you?” she asked as she crossed her arms and turned to face him.

“Green, Ma’am,” he replied and bowed slightly. “It’s my duty to watch over the house and property.”

“Was your duty. Now get off of my property,” she hissed, and walked into the house. She was surprised when he didn’t follow her inside, so she locked the door and looked around. Not much had changed since she left, though she did appreciate that the house was kept clean and in order. She could smell fresh paint, and wondered how much they had changed since she left.

Emily set her keys on the small wooden table by the door and slipped off her shoes. The wooden floor was cold and she immediately headed for the thermostat to turn up the heat. After looking through the empty kitchen, she headed down the hidden passageway to see if the ceremonial room had been dealt with. The heavy stone door had been replaced with a much lighter wooden one, and when she peeked inside, she was pleasantly surprised to see solid white walls with shelves lining it. The Equites had turned the old heku ceremonial room into a large storage space.

The entryway was already warming up when she got to the main landing and started for the third-floor, where the bedrooms were. She slowly opened Exavior’s bedroom door and was surprised to see that it hadn’t been touched. The empty boxes she stacked in the room were still there, and dust covered every surface.

Emily turned her phone off when it rang, and then grabbed a box and sat down in front of Exavior’s DVD collection. When she opened the doors, she realized they were housed in an antique armoire. She ran her hands over the ancient wood and marveled at the craftsmanship that went into the intricately etched bears along the outer rim of the door.

She was able to fit Exavior’s porn collection into three boxes, and taped it up after writing Kralen’s name on the top, then stacked them in the corner and turned to the first set of drawers.

***

Derrick stepped aside and let Green into the council chambers. All seats were full, and he began to panic when 13 sets of eyes looked down at him. He quickly removed his red baseball cap and wrung it in his hands.

“Is there a problem?” Dustin asked him.

“No… well… maybe? I don’t know, could be I guess,” Green stammered out.

Dustin sighed, “Is there or is there not a problem?”

“Depends, I guess… well, not really.”

Chevalier growled, “Is there a problem with the house?”

“No, actually,” Green mumbled. “But I got fired.”

Zohn gasped, “Emily went to her house and fired you?”

“Yes, Elder.”

“And you felt that important enough to tell the Council?” Quinn asked, confused.

“Yes, Elder.”

“Why?”

“Well… she was pretty upset.”

Chevalier nodded, “So you came to us for punishment?”

“Yes, Elder.”

“Go back to your own house. There is no punishment needed.”

Green looked briefly at Chevalier and then instantly disappeared.

“He should be punished just for that display of hesitation,” Dustin sighed.

“I’m sure Emily just scared him,” Kyle chuckled.

“Just because she’s angry at the Elder, doesn’t give her the right to take it out on poor unsuspecting heku. He was doing his job, and more than likely was verbally assaulted for nothing,” Dustin said.

“Wait… why do you assume she’s angry at me?” Chevalier asked, and turned toward the Coven Liaison Officer.

“She was.”

“How so?”

“By my guess… it’s because when you came to give her the news on Dain, you did so from your Elder’s chair.”

Chevalier frowned slightly as he thought about that.

“Elder… did you?” Kyle asked, and then sat back in his chair when Chevalier didn’t answer.

“It’s going to take time for all of us to get used to having her back,” Quinn explained. “While that may have been a poor lapse in judgment, I’m sure there was no harm intended.”

“Damnit,” Chevalier whispered. “I didn’t even think about it. No wonder she’s mad.”

“She can’t expect you to suddenly fall back into the husband roll after a year,” Dustin said, and thumbed through a coven listing book.

“Everyone’s a little on edge with her return,” the Chief of Defense said. “Things were hectic for a year while we searched for her, and once she returned, and the aftermath of the Encala was learned, it’s been worse. I suspect that Chevalier was simply in Elder mode, not something easily turned off.”

“I’m sure she’s still feeling uncomfortable around us also,” Zohn said. “She was alone for a year, and we’ve again thrown her under our protection.”

“It’s obvious to us all that things are not as they were before she left,” the Chief Interrogator mentioned.

“So what do I do?” Chevalier asked, and looked down the row of heku.

“Time will fix things,” Quinn told him. “I am guessing eventually, things will get back to normal and she’ll feel comfortable here.”

“She must feel like an outsider,” Dustin said, and then quickly became quiet with Kyle glared at him.

“Maybe you should court her again,” the Chief of Finance suggested.

Chevalier smiled slightly, “That wasn’t exactly easy the first time.”

“Mortals date, did you do that?”

“No, actually, I didn’t.”

Kyle grinned, “You could always knock her out and drag her to Colorado against her will again.”

Chevalier chuckled slightly, “Don’t tempt me… it worked once.”

“It’s just going to take time. We need to be patient with her and be understanding of her needs,” Quinn said. “It’s not really in our nature to try to understand feelings, but in her case, they mean a great deal to this faction.”

“She has such close dealings with this Council, maybe it’s not just the Elder that needs to court her,” the Faction Liaison Officer said.

“Do what?” Quinn asked.

“Not in the literal sense… but instead of treating her like we did before she left, maybe we need to put on kid gloves and be more in a stage of trying to help her accept us.”

“How, exactly?” Zohn asked, intrigued.

“Well I’m not sure. One thing is, not to force guards on her, or not to enforce any rules.”

The Chief of Defense nodded, “So we work her back into the faction slowly. Until she’s comfortable with us, we treat her like a guest?”

“We just need to remember that she didn’t marry the Council,” Kyle reminded them. “When she married the Elder, he was a Chief Enforcer and Coven Lord. He lived with his coven, so she was with him a lot and wasn’t fighting for alone time.”

“She doesn’t have to fight for time alone with me,” Chevalier said, slightly irritated.

“She doesn’t?” Kyle asked, and looked over at him.

“Has she ever asked you to stay away from trials and you denied it?” Zohn asked.

Chevalier sighed and nodded slightly, “Quite often, actually.”

“On the Island, that wasn’t as much of a problem,” Kyle said.

***

Emily finished loading the back of the Chevy truck full of things from Exavior’s room that she wanted to throw out. A few items were going back to Council City, but the rest needed to go to the dump. She locked up the new garage and the house and drove back to Council City in the dark.

She stopped the truck in front of Cavalry housing and turned off the lights, then looked at the dark building and wondered if anyone was inside. She knew that Kralen and Silas were housed inside of the palace, but spent most of their free time in the Cavalry’s barracks.

Emily got out and grabbed the three boxes for Kralen, along with a box full of miscellaneous items that she thought the Cavalry could use. Unable to see past the boxes, she walked carefully to the door and used her foot to knock on it, and then waited only a few seconds before the door opened.

“Erm… can I help you?” a strange heku asked.

Emily grinned, though they couldn’t tell from behind the stack of boxes. She lowered her voice to answer him, “Delivery for Kralen Jones.”

“Captain?” the heku said hesitantly.

“What is all of that?” Kralen asked, and tried to peek around the boxes at the carrier.

“Porn,” Emily said, and started to laugh.

“Gah, Em,” he growled, and took the boxes from her. “You aren’t supposed to be lifting.”

She stretched out her arms and walked inside. The barracks were too dark to see much, but she could tell by the sounds that they were full.

“What’s in the boxes?” Kralen asked, and set them down.

“I told you, porn.”

He grinned, “You brought me four boxes of porn?”

“No, of course not,” she said, and lifted the top box. “Only 3 of those are porn.”

He shook his head, “Clean out that room did you?”

“This box,” Emily said, and sat down on the nearest bed with the box on her lap, “Is fighting stuff that I thought you all might want.”

“Fighting stuff?” one of the Powans asked, and looked into the box.

“Yes, help yourself,” she said, and tried to pull on a pair of brass knuckles with spikes, but they didn’t fit.

“Nice, let me try those,” another guard said, and she handed them over as the guards looked through the box.

“What’s in these?” Silas asked, and motioned to the 3 boxes for Kralen.

Emily grinned, “I told you, porn.”

“There’s no way you brought the Captain three box of porn,” one of the Commanders said.

“Open it,” she suggested, and pulled out a weapon she didn’t understand. She ran her fingers along the sharp white spikes and cut her finger slightly, “Ouch.”

“Give me that before you kill yourself,” Kralen said, and took it from her. He looked over it and smiled, “It’s a leiomano, haven’t seen one of these in a while.”

“I had one of those about 500 years ago made of real sharks teeth,” Silas said, and opened the top of the three boxes. “Ok, so this is porn.”

“Told ya,” Emily said, and looked into the box again as she blushed.

“This stuff is pretty nice, a lot of antiques,” one of the guards said as he tried on a pair of shiny brass knuckles. “Most of it’s been used too.”

“What else did you find in the room?” Kralen asked as he threw the leiomano at the wall, where it stuck.

When Emily didn’t answer, he looked up at her and took a step towards her, “Em?”

The others turned toward her. She had a dazed expression and blood trailed from her nose.

“Emily?” Silas asked, and moved to her quickly.

She looked up at him and the whites of her eyes were turning blood-red. As the guards gasped, she fell back onto the bed.

“Get the Elder and the doctor,” Silas ordered, and pulled the boxes off the bed beside her.

“Em?” Kralen asked, and took her head in his hands. “Can you look at me?”

Emily’s breathing slowed as she relaxed into a deep sleep.

“What happened?” Dr. Edwards asked when he blurred in and sat down on the bed.

“I’m not sure. She was just talking, and all of a sudden, got a bloody nose and fell back,” one of the Cavalry told him. They all moved back when Chevalier entered.

“What’s going on?” he asked, not seeing Emily.

“She just… passed out,” Kralen said, and moved aside so Chevalier could get to the bed.

Chevalier sat down, “Did she turn someone to ash?”

“I don’t think so. She was just talking to us,” Kralen told him.

“Search around here, see if there are ashes.”

“Yes, Elder,” Silas said, and the Cavalry spread out around Council City.

“Her blood pressure’s pretty low,” Dr. Edwards said, and looked over at Chevalier. “This looks like that time when she was pregnant and we flew her to Bangor.”

“That was when she interrupted a turning though,” Chevalier said, and took her hand. “There are no turnings here today.”

Dr. Edwards pulled her eyelids back and then sighed, “According to Dr. Cook, we let her sleep it off.”

Chevalier nodded and picked her up, “We need to find who she turned to ash.”

Kyle appeared in the barracks, “I heard what happened. Did they find anything?”

“Nothing yet,” Dr. Edwards said, and followed Chevalier back to the palace. He arrived in the room just as Chevalier laid Emily in bed and covered her with a blanket.

Chevalier waited with Emily while the Cavalry searched Council City. Four hours later, Mark came into the room.

“What did you find?” Chevalier asked.

“Nothing, there are no ashes in this city or in the woods,” Mark told him.

The Elder sighed, “Then what caused it?”

Mark shrugged, “I talked to each member of the Cavalry, and no one saw anything. Emily brought four boxes in from Exavior’s old house, and they were going through them when she just quit talking.”

“Well, maybe when she wakes up she’ll know.”

“Maybe, but just in case, I’m putting upper-ranks only as her guards,” Mark said, and then grinned slightly. “She turned Tate to ash when she left here.”

“Why?”

“She told him to leave her truck. He said she’d have to ash him.”

Chevalier chuckled, “Give him leave. Not many would have stayed in the truck.”

“Yes, Elder,” Mark said, and moved outside of the bedroom door. He shut the door just as Silas and Kralen arrived to take up spots in the hallway.

Early the next morning, Chevalier was just shutting the curtains to keep the sun out of the room when he heard Emily shift slightly. He quickly moved to her bedside.

“Em?” he whispered and took her hand.

She slowly opened her eyes and looked up at him, “Good morning.”

“To you too. How are you feeling?”

“Fine, why?” she asked, and sat up to stretch.

“What’s the last thing you remember?”

She frowned slightly, “Come to think of it, I was in the barracks.”

“Did you ash anyone?”

“Just Tate.”

“Nothing after going into the barracks?” Chevalier asked, and called silently for her breakfast.

“I remember being in the barracks. We were going through boxes of stuff from Exavior’s house. How did I get here then?”

“You passed out.”

She sighed, “I hate when I do that.”

Chevalier grinned, “We’re kind of getting used to it.”

Emily hit him on the arm, “I’m not that bad.”

He suddenly turned serious, “You don’t remember anything? Anything at all?”

“Not a thing,” she told him, and crawled out of bed.

“Do you have a headache?” he asked, following her toward the bathroom.

“No”

“Dizzy?”

“No”

“Nauseous?”

She turned at the door to the bathroom, “No, nothing’s wrong.”

“Any pain?”

“Just you,” she told him, and shut the door.

He grinned when she locked it and then went to the door to talk to the doctor.

When Emily got out of the shower, she threw on jeans and a t-shirt and quickly ran a brush through her hair. She started out the door and ran into Chevalier, who was standing in the hallway talking to her guards.

He turned and smiled, “Problems walking?”

“Well don’t stand so close to the door,” she said, and pushed past him.

“We’ll talk more when you are done,” Chevalier said. The three heku guards began to follow Emily down the stairs.

She turned and frowned, “Finish your conversation. I’m not going anywhere.”

Mark grinned and crossed his arms, “If you aren’t going anywhere, why are you trying to get rid of us?”

“I’m not, you’re just paranoid.”

“We’re going with you,” Kralen said.

“For hell sake, go finish talking to Chevalier. I’ll be right back.”

Chevalier sighed, “Fine, stay here for now.”

The three members of the Cavalry returned to talk to the Elder while Emily went down the stairs. She was surprised he let her go without guards, and her plan went from getting breakfast, to making the illegal. She walked faster at the thought that alone, she could sneak a cup of coffee without the heku cooks around to tell Chevalier.

Once she saw that the chefs were already gone for the morning. She pulled out the coffee pot and got her cup ready while it brewed. She inhaled and smiled at the smell of coffee and poured herself a cup when it was done.

Leaning back against the counter, she shut her eyes and smelled deeply. As she brought the cup to her lips, it was ripped from her hands and she gasped and looked toward the blur.

“You do realize we can smell that stuff from a mile away,” Dustin said, still holding the cup of coffee.

“You don’t give a rat’s ass about me. Let me have my coffee.”

“No, it will cause the pain to return. I’m not taking it to be mean.”

“Then give it back.”

“Again, no,” he said, and dumped the coffee into the sink. “You can’t sneak it.”

Emily watched him leave the kitchen and then yelled toward the door, “Ego contemnovos!”

Kyle frowned and turned to Dustin when he came into the council chambers, “What did you do to Em?”

Dustin sat down in his chair with the Council, “I took her coffee away.”

“Interesting that she’s learned to say she hates you in Native,” the Chief of Defense said, amused.

“Yes, well, she really wants her coffee,” Dustin said, and opened up the roster.

Quinn walked in and sat down, “Who is Emily screaming at now?”

“That would be me, Elder,” Dustin said, not turning away from his book.

“Interesting”

After searching the entire kitchen, Emily left angrily and headed for the stairs.

“Problems, Em?” Mark asked, and grinned as she reached the fifth-floor.

“Yes, Dustin’s an idiot.”

“So I heard.”

“He took my coffee.”

“Ahh, that’s why you wanted us gone,” Mark said, finally understanding.

Chapter 13 - Visit

Emily reached out to the toolbox and grabbed a wrench. Her guards watched her nervously as she worked on the old Chevy truck. Only her legs and feet were visible from beneath it. They offered to do the oil change for her, but she insisted on doing it herself. She was nearing the third month back with the heku and, as of yet, still felt like an unwanted guest, and she vowed not to add to the workload of the heku staff at the palace.

She knew that if the Cavalry wasn’t away, she wouldn’t have gotten away with the oil change by herself. She was currently being guarded by four over anxious city guards, who she suspected were vying for a spot on the Cavalry, though they denied it.

“Lady Emily?” one of them asked, and bent down to look under the truck.

“What?” She didn’t look over when his bright face appeared next to the rusted out gray Chevy.

“I just confirmed with my General, you aren’t supposed to be working.”

She grinned slightly, “I’m lying down, what more do you want?”

“I… well… I don’t think that’s what he meant. He was pretty adamant that you not work on your truck.”

“He was?”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

“I’m almost done. Why don’t you four go inside and make sure no one broke in while we were out here?”

He stood up, “Do you suspect a break-in?”

She grinned, “Yes, I do.”

Emily’s grin got wider when she heard the four rush out of the garage. She wondered how long it would take them to search Exavior’s old house and return. She was almost finished with the oil change though, but the idea that these guards were extremely over ambitious gave her an idea.

“The house is clear,” one of them said, just after she saw their shoes reappear in the garage. She wheeled the creeper out from under the truck and looked up at the guards.

“Good… and I’m done.”

One of them helped her to her feet and she sighed when another blurred her tools into the box and put it on the counter before she could stop him.

She shook her head and walked back into the house. It was just starting to get dark and she wanted to leave soon. After a quick shower, she walked down the stairs toward the guards. They looked up at her, frowning curiously at the black leather outfit.

“Were we going out?” one of them asked.

“No,” she said, and then smiled and walked into the kitchen. Right on time, her phone rang. She looked down at the blank face of the phone and then pushed a button, “Hello?”

Emily listened to dead silence for a few seconds, “Yes, four of them are here.”

She started putting clean dishes away as she spoke to no one, “I don’t want to, though. I have things to do here at the house and I’ll stay here, I swear.”

The guards stood back along the wall and watched her. They strained to hear the conversation, but assumed she’d turned her phone down too low for them to hear.

“I promise! Yes, I’ll send them right over,” she said, and pretended to hang up the phone, then turned to the guards. “There’s a problem with the Encala, and the Council needs you to wait in the Council’s ante-chamber until you are called in.”

The closest one tensed, “Let’s go.”

“They said I can stay here if I promise not to leave,” Emily told him.

“We can’t just…”

“Go! The Council can’t be made to wait.”

He nodded, and the four blurred from the house. Emily grinned as she slipped the phone into the pocket of her black leather jacket and then headed out for the garage. The Harley started right up, so she pulled her hair into the helmet and drove out into the night.

Once she got onto the Interstate, she turned away from Council City and toward a small town 45 miles away. She knew of a quaint coffee shop there that was open 24-hours a day and had one of her favorite lattes.

***

“I don’t agree. I think that deserves a harsher punishment,” Chevalier said, and looked down at the cowering heku that was knelt before the Council.

“I concur,” Kyle said, and growled slightly when the prisoner’s eyes left the Council for a moment. The prisoner heard the growl and immediately turned back to the Elders.

“It’s a first offense,” Quinn said, and looked over at Zohn. “Does it warrant 800 years?”

Zohn shrugged, “First offense or not, it was stupid and careless on his part.”

The Chief of Defense turned toward the ante-chamber briefly and then back to the trial area, “Nothing like making a first offense a big one.”

“Just for sheer stupidity, I vote for the 800 years,” the Chief of Staff said.

Quinn’s eyes narrowed as he watched the panicked heku. The way the heku cowered and shifted nervously irritated the Elder, and he began to agree with the harsher punishment, “Is something wrong with you?”

“No… no, Sir,” he whispered, and swallowed hard. His eyes darted nervously between members of the Council, and he breathed in short, rapid bursts.

“Sit still then.”

The prisoner froze for only a few seconds before he gasped and turned to look at Derrick, who was standing behind him.

Quinn sighed, “Maybe death is warranted. I’m not sure he’s completely sane.”

“I am! I am! I swear!” he yelled, and shuffled a bit to the side.

“Then sit still!” Zohn yelled.

The heku nodded and held still for no more than 10 seconds before looking back at Derrick again. Derrick shook his head and kneed the heku in the neck.

“The Elder said to hold still,” Derrick growled.

“How old are you?” Dustin asked him.

“It’s… well… maybe around… no, wait, it’s more like…”

Dustin sighed, “Tell me your age. This isn’t a hard question.”

“84, I think… no wait… 82.”

“Just kill him, get him out of my sight,” Chevalier hissed.

“Agreed,” Zohn said.

Quinn grinned, “Kyle?”

In an instant, Kyle removed the head of the heku and stepped back.

“Now who in the hell has been in our ante-chamber for the past hour?” the Records Keeper asked, and turned his chair.

Derrick blurred to the back door and opened up the doorway to the ante-chamber while the entire Council watched.

“Is there some reason you’re standing in the ante-chamber?” Zohn asked, irritated.

“Yes, Sir. We’re doing as instructed,” the tallest guard said with a slight bow.

“By whom?”

He frowned slightly, “We received a phone call that the Council needed us to wait here because the Encala were acting up again.”

“You received a call from us?” Dustin asked.

“Well… sort of. Actually, Lady Emily did, and relayed the message to us.”

Chevalier shook his head, “Did you actually hear someone on the phone?”

“No, Sir.”

Quinn sighed, “Dustin, get some guards and go find her.”

He nodded and blurred away.

***

Emily sighed when the Mustang she was following began to slow down. There wasn’t any traffic for miles and she wasn’t paying much attention until she slowed to keep from hitting the black car. She turned and saw four more cars surrounding her. She had been so deep in thought about Dain that she didn’t see them arrive.

Slowing the Harley, she edged over to the side of the road and stopped. Before anyone got out of the cars, she had her helmet off and sat sideways on the seat. She didn’t have much time to wonder who was bothering her, when she saw the Encala’s Chief Interrogator step out of the first black car.

He looked over at her and the cars emptied out. Suddenly, eight Encala were standing with her on the dark, empty Interstate.

“What now?” she asked, and set her helmet down on the seat beside her.

“We just want to talk,” the Chief Interrogator said, not moving any closer.

“Did you want to feel the burn? Or should I just ash you before you get the chance to take a step?”

He smiled slightly, “Talk… that’s all…”

“You threatened to put me into your torture room,” she reminded him.

“You had my Elder.”

Emily looked at the motionless heku, “Ok… start talking, I’m busy.”

“We are merely waiting for one more car to arrive. It won’t be long.”

She looked down the road just in time to see a silver sports car come into view. She watched as it slowed and then stopped behind the line of black cars. The Encala Guards saluted as William stepped out of the car. He smiled and walked toward her.

“Stop there,” Emily said, and he complied.

“I just want to talk.”

“You can talk from there. I don’t trust you.”

“We were surprised to see you out alone this late at night.”

Her eyes narrowed, “You came to talk to me about slipping my guards?”

“No, we came to talk to you about Chevalier.”

Emily smiled, “You’re afraid of him.”

“It’s hard not to be. The Encala have no chance of rebuilding if he won’t stop attacking our covens,” William explained.

“Why should I care?”

“You once did.”

“Yeah… well a lot of things have changed.”

“There are less than 1,000 Encala left,” William said, and stepped closer. “Your Thukil took out one of our larger covens last week.”

“Again… why should I care?”

“They are doing it in retaliation for what Frederick did to you.”

“I’m aware of that.”

William sighed, “We need you to stop them.”

“Even if I wanted to help you, Chevalier has a mind of his own and does whatever he wants.”

“Correction… he would do anything for you.”

She laughed slightly, “You must have your wires crossed. He doesn’t listen to me.”

“I beg to differ,” William said, and leaned against one of the black cars. “We feel that if you were to appeal to him, on our behalf, that he might stop the attacks.”

“You threaten me, tear my family apart, ostracize me from my friends, and cause me daily pain… What exactly are you hoping to accomplish by talking to me?” Emily asked.

“The attack of that coven was not authorized by the Encala Council. We cannot be blamed for that.”

“Bullshit!” Emily yelled. “Everything that’s happened over the last 18 months was done by your Council.”

“We did not give permission for them to poison you.”

“That’s minor compared to kicking me out of my home.” Her voice dropped slightly as she looked into his eyes.

“Please, Emily.” William said. “Never has the heku had only two factions. As it stands, it will take thousands of years for us to rebuild.”

“Maybe you shoulda thought of that before you decided to mess with my family.”

“I agree that it got out of hand, but you have to admit that you started this skirmish.”

“I did? I didn’t try to take out your city!”

“We didn’t kidnap your Elder.”

“You’ve kidnapped me enough times.”

“Help us, please. Emily, I beg you.”

“Things still aren’t the same with me and the Equites. We’re like strangers, and that’s all caused by you.”

“Why are you out here alone tonight?” William asked, and took a small step forward.

“If you must know… I’m headed over to the Junction to get coffee.”

“I thought you were on a restriction.”

Emily’s eyes narrowed, “Get out of my business.”

“Go,” William ordered, and two of the Encala got into their car and sped off.

“That’s a start… now why don’t the rest of you go?”

“We’re not done talking. I need to make you see why it’s best for the heku if Chevalier leaves the Encala alone.”

Emily shrugged, “You’re still under the mistaken impression that I could get him to stop if I wanted.”

“You can. You’re sick and in pain most of the time. He will do anything to lessen your stress.”

William turned when another silver sports car pulled up. Encala Elders Frederick and Aaron stepped out and moved up with William.

“Three of you aren’t going to make any more of an impact than just one of you,” she said, and watched Frederick closely.

“We have to try,” William said.

Emily watched the way Frederick looked at her and she could feel the anger radiating from him, “Trust you? Befriend you? Frederick would kill me right now if you weren’t here.”

“He wouldn’t,” Aaron said.

Frederick growled softly.

“Then stop growling at me!” Emily yelled. “You deserved every ounce of pain I caused you, and I’d do it again if I could.”

The enemy Elder’s body tensed, “Do not speak to me like that.”

“I’m done here,” she said, and grabbed her helmet.

“Please, we aren’t done,” William said, and took the keys out of her motorcycle.

“You’re pushing it, William. You know good and well that I can ash all of you without even a thought.”

“Yes, I am aware of that. I’m also aware that you have a soft spot in your heart for us. You always have.”

“Had… past tense. That pretty much left when you kicked me out of my home and then forced me to drink poison.”

“Again, we are sorry for the unsanctioned deeds of that coven,” Aaron told her. “They have been dealt with and won’t bother you again.”

“Yeah, I ashed them,” Emily reminded him.

“Some of them… the rest of the coven were killed.”

Emily sighed and watched the dark trees as the Encala Elders spoke among themselves. She wondered if calling for Chevalier would work. He hadn’t picked up any of her feelings or emotions since she left the Equites for the mortal world.

After what seemed like an eternity, the Encala Elders turned back to Emily, “We’ve come to a decision.”

“Yeah? About what?” she asked, now irritated that she was being made to sit out in the cold. Her leather jacket didn’t do much against the cold night air.

“We want to make amends.”

She grinned, “To me?”

“Yes”

“How?”

“Name it,” Aaron said.

Emily turned when another car pulled up. She saw it was the one William had ordered away earlier. The two heku stepped out and Emily saw that one of them held a large coffee in his hand. Coffee from the small shop she was headed to.

She shook her head and smiled, “That’s a start.”

The heku stepped forward hesitantly and handed her the cup. She wrapped her cold hands around the hot cup and inhaled the scent.

“It should help warm you,” Aaron said, and smiled.

Emily pulled the tab on the top of the lid and as she brought it to her lips, it was ripped from her hand. She gasped and spun suddenly, just in time to see Dustin pour the coffee out on the side of the road.

“Dustin!” she screamed.

He stood up straight as the Encala all crouched. Emily turned suddenly and saw the green capes as twelve Council City Guards walked around the small group of Encala.

“What’s going on here?” Dustin asked, and moved up to Emily.

“None of your business, Benji. Why don’t you take your guards out of here?” Emily snarled.

He didn’t take his eyes off of the Encala Elders, “You have no right bothering her.”

“We just wanted to talk. There’s no law against that,” Aaron told him.

“You’ve done enough damage to Emily, and the Equites for that matter. I suggest you leave her alone or we will have to intervene.”

Emily frowned slightly at how the Encala recoiled from Dustin. She finally truly believed how very terrified they were of the Equites and Chevalier.

“We meant no harm,” William said, taking a step back. “We just wanted to talk to her.”

“I suspect when the Elder hears that you spoke to Emily alone, he will contact you,” Dustin said, and nodded to one of the guards. The highest-ranking City Guard moved back toward his car and pulled out a cell phone.

“Let’s not tell Chevalier just yet,” Emily said, and watched the guard that walked away.

“He’s not notifying the Elder… yet,” Dustin told her.

“It’s just…”

“You calling him Chevalier is proof of the damage the Encala have done.”

“Meaning?” she asked, turning toward him.

“Not only did the Encala have you kicked out of the palace, but you are no longer comfortable around us, and seem like a stranger at times.”

She frowned slightly, but looked at William when he spoke, “We can help. Please, let us make it up to you.”

“You’ve done enough,” Dustin said, and opened the passenger door of his car. “Why don’t you let me drive you home?”

“I’ll take the motorcycle, Ma’am,” one of the guards said from beside her. She looked over as William handed him the keys.

“Please, stay,” Aaron asked. “Just help us work this out.”

Emily looked from Dustin’s car to the frightened Encala, “I just need to think about it, ok?”

“Please do, and then let us know,” William said.

She hesitated and then crawled into Dustin’s car. He said something to the Council City Guards before getting into the driver seat and speeding off.

“Are you ok?” he asked after a few minutes of awkward silence.

“Yeah”

“Did you go off to meet them?”

“No”

“Did they…” His hands tightened on the steering wheel. “Touch you?”

“No, just talk.”

He nodded, “I’m sure the Council will want to know.”

She didn’t respond, but watched out the window as Dustin quickly sped toward Council City. He didn’t slow as he passed into the city and then stopped in front of the palace’s double front doors. Guards ran up and opened both doors. Dustin stepped out and then turned at the door to wait for Emily. She hesitated and then followed him inside.

Derrick smiled, “Good, the Elder just returned.”

Emily sighed, knowing which Elder he was referring to, and then watched Dustin disappear around back. Derrick held open the door and she stepped inside. Off to the side of the Council were the city guards she had tricked into letting her out alone.

She moved up to the trial area and looked up at them.

“Are you inured?” Zohn asked, obviously irritated.

“No”

“She was in the company of the Encala Elders, their Chief Interrogator, and some of their guards,” Dustin told them.

She sighed, “Enough, Snoopy.”

“Interesting,” Quinn said, and turned to Emily. “Did you go out to meet them?”

“No”

“Where did you meet then?”

“Out on the Interstate.”

“But it was not prearranged?”

“No”

“What did they want?” Zohn asked.

Emily crossed her arms, “I don’t think what we discussed is a Council matter.”

“Oh, I do believe it is.”

“No, it’s not. I was asked a favor by the Encala, and if I decide to take them up on their offer, I will not be asking you first,” Emily said, and her eyes narrowed.

Chevalier growled softly.

“Then you will understand if we keep your guards to the higher-ranking officers of the Cavalry,” Quinn told her.

“By all means,” she said, and finally risked a glance at Chevalier. He was watching her, but she wasn’t able to tell by his expression if he was angry.

“We assume you have heard of the serial killer known as the Heartbreaker?” the Chief of Defense asked.

She smiled slightly, “Yes, why? Is he heku?”

“He most certainly is not.”

“Then why do I care?”

“All of his victims have been found within 20 miles of this city.”

“I’m aware of that.”

“Then you understand the need for guards.”

“No, I don’t. Let me show you all something,” Emily said, and started for the door.

“Where are you going?” Quinn asked. When she turned to look at him, she saw that Chevalier was no longer in his chair.

“I’m leaving for the night without guards, and… against all odds… I’ll be back in the morning,” she told him, and opened the door.

“Emily?” Zohn asked, and then stood up when she froze in the doorway. They saw Derrick blur to her and pick her up as she fell to her knees. Chevalier appeared beside them and Derrick handed her over. He looked down at her pale face and saw the slow trickle of blood appear from her nose.

“Damnit,” he growled, and then called for Dr. Edwards. He was just laying her in bed when the doctor appeared.

“What happened?” he asked, and immediately began listening to her heart.

Chevalier gently lifted her eyelid and sighed at the scarlet color of her eyes, “She was just in the council chambers when she fell to her knees.”

He watched quietly as Dr. Edwards checked Emily over. After an hour, he turned to the Elder, “I still have no explanation, unless we can find ash.”

“Mark,” Chevalier called out and turned when he entered. “Put the Cavalry out again, look for ash.”

“Right away, Elder,” he said, and disappeared.

Dr. Edwards watched Emily and sighed, “It just doesn’t make sense. Have we checked all of the ceremonial rooms?”

“We did last time, no one was turning at the time,” Chevalier said, and ordered the fires stoked.

“Close covens? Maybe not even Equites then?”

Chevalier grinned slightly, “The only nearby coven was Encala… I took care of them a few months ago.”

“I’d like to stay,” Dr. Edwards said. “I want to be here when she wakes up. I have some tests to run immediately.”

“Test?”

“Yes, just to check a few things. I suspect there may be something deeper going on that just fainting episodes.”

“Like what?”

“Now that I’m not sure of. I just know it can’t be healthy, whatever it is.”

Chevalier nodded, “She won’t submit to testing though.”

“Luckily, the ones I need are non-invasive and fairly simple to run.”

“Good luck then.”

Chapter 14 - Memory

Dr. Edwards, Chevalier, and Dain watched over Emily for two days. She started to stir just as the sun came up on the second day and they all watched, eager to see if she knew what happened.

She sighed slightly and rolled over, clutching the pillow tightly.

“Em?” Chevalier said, and sat on the bed.

She turned and looked at him, “Yeah?”

“You going to get up?”

She frowned and looked at Dr. Edwards, “Why are you in here?”

“What’s the last thing you remember?” Chevalier asked, trying to turn her attention away from the doctor. It was obvious that he was watching her intently.

She glanced at Dain and then turned back to Chevalier, “I was in the council chambers… or leaving, more like. Damn, did I pass out again?”

“Yes, you did. Did you ash anyone?”

“No”

“You sure?”

“Well, if I did I didn’t mean to.”

“What did the Encala want?”

“Personal stuff.”

“Did you ash any of them?”

“No, though I should have.”

“Why?”

“Because they’re idiots.”

“You didn’t want to tell the Council… now it’s just me. What did they want?”

“It doesn’t matter. It’s not something I’m going to do.” Emily looked over and noticed Dr. Edwards was watching her.

“Smile for me, Emily,” Dr. Edwards said, and stepped closer to her.

“Go away.”

“Just one smile?”

“What the hell for?”

Dain stepped toward the doctor, “She said get away.”

Dr. Edwards looked up at the massive heku and took a step back, “I just wanted to see something.”

Emily jumped out of bed when Dain lunged at the doctor. When her feet hit the ground, she stumbled slightly, and caught herself on the edge of the bed, “Stop it!”

“Dain, get out,” Chevalier growled. Suddenly, the four Cavalry watching the door appeared and dragged the 7-year-old away.

“Don’t hurt him!” Emily screamed.

“Did you fall… just now?” Dr. Edwards asked her.

“No”

“Looks like you stumbled a bit. Were you dizzy?”

She sighed, “Go away.”

“Were you dizzy?” Chevalier asked, watching her carefully.

“No, ok. I’m clumsy and I got off balance.”

“Just one thing? Please…” Dr. Edwards begged.

“What?”

He stepped closer to her, “Push me back… a hand on each shoulder.”

“You want me to push you?”

“Yes”

She shrugged and did as he asked. He didn’t even budge as she pushed him as hard as she could, “There, happy?”

“Yes, very,” he said, and smiled.

Emily just shook her head and walked into the bathroom to take a shower.

“What was that all about?” Chevalier asked the doctor.

“She’s weaker on her left side,” Dr. Edwards said, his voice cracking slightly.

“Meaning…”

“Meaning, I think she’s had a stroke. Whatever is happening to her when she passes out is more than just syncope… or fainting.”

“So fix it.”

“I can’t just fix it. She heals though, so she can recover if it stops.”

“What do we do?”

“Watch her… closely. Make sure she doesn’t lose memory or start to lose feeling on one side.”

Chevalier nodded, “We’ll watch her. Do we need to try to keep her down?”

Dr. Edwards shook his head, “No, not at all. That would tick her off and make things worse. I suggest we alert the guards to watch for any sign she’s dizzy, losing memory, or weakening more, but to otherwise not let on that anything’s wrong.”

“Agreed”

“I’m coming out naked,” Emily called through the door. Dr. Edwards chuckled and disappeared from the room.

“It’s safe,” Chevalier said, and turned to the door. She came out of the bathroom fully dressed. “Naked, eh?”

“Got him to leave,” she said, and sat down to braid her hair.

“The Cavalry is calling for you, something about a sick horse,” Chevalier told her as soon as Dr. Edwards filled Mark in on what to tell the Cavalry.

She turned toward him, “What’s wrong?”

He shrugged, “Silas didn’t say. He just asked if you were able to come down.”

“Go to the council chambers. I’ll head down.”

“What makes you think I’m going to trials?”

She turned to look at him, “You’re fidgeting by the door, that means you’re supposed to be elsewhere.”

He grinned, “I’ll see you afterwards.”

She nodded and finished her hair, then grabbed her riding gloves and headed down the stairs with her four guards following.

“Four is what I heard,” Kralen said as he leaned up against the wall in the stables.

“Yeah, wonder why the call him the Heartbreaker,” Silas said, and then turned to Emily when she came in. “’Bout time you woke up.”

“Oh, ha-ha… so who’s sick?” she asked, and reached over to pet her stallion’s nose.

“Horace’s mare, not sure what’s wrong,” Kralen said, and walked over to the stall. He opened the door and Emily stood back a bit and watched the horse. The mare was shaking and unsteady on her feet.

“When’d this start?” Emily asked, and ran her hands along the horse’s chest.

“Just a couple hours ago,” Mark said as he walked up.

“Where was Horace today?”

“Up past the leech pond. He was stationed there for a few hours this morning.”

She nodded and whistled, “Devia!”

When the dog ran in, Emily slipped a bridle on her stallion and led him out of the stables. By the time she slid onto the horse, Mark, Silas, and Kralen were mounted and ready to go.

She shook her head and then called the Border collie as she set off through the city. The heku spoke about the serial killer while Emily thought through reasons for Horace’s horse to be listless and shaky. It wasn’t until they got to a small field outside of the pond that Emily slid off and bent down to pick up a small white flower.

“What’d you find?” Mark asked, looking closely at the flower in her hand.

“Hemlock, damnit. That horse must be dumber than a box of rocks,” she said, and got back onto her horse.

“Is hemlock bad?”

“Yes, it has neurotoxins. Hopefully she didn’t eat too much. Take this,” she said, and handed it over to Mark. “Make sure your guards don’t let their horses sit and munch on this stuff.”

He took it and looked closely at it, “Will do.”

Emily looked out over the changing fall colors of the nearby trees and flexed her left hand. It felt stiff to her and tingled slightly.

“You ok?” Kralen asked, and pulled his mare up beside her.

“Sure, just looking.”

“Did you hurt your hand?”

“No, just bent it wrong.”

“When’re you going to officially re-join the Cavalry?” Silas asked. Mark looked up and moved his horse up beside them.

She grinned, “Never, I told you… not my thing.”

“She’s already a member anyway,” Mark said, and then smiled broadly when she looked over at him.

“No I’m not.”

“You can’t quit the Cavalry, or guard staff for that matter. It’s against all heku tradition.”

“Yes I can, and I did.”

“Can’t… it’s never been done,” Mark said, and kicked his horse into a gallop.

Emily glared at him and did the same, easily catching up and passing him. Devia ran along behind them, barking and nipping at the horses as they ran. They were just past the front gates to Council City when she heard shouting and stopped her horse. She glanced behind her and saw the three heku were further away and watching down a dark street.

“What’s up?” Emily asked when she neared them.

“City Guards are fighting,” Silas whispered. Emily looked toward the noise and saw fifteen heku in a bloody brawl.

“Stop them!”

“Let them fight it out, unless it gets out of hand, and then we’ll step in,” Mark told her, keeping a close eye on the fight.

She sighed, “We can’t just let them kill each other.”

“Course we can. They’ll feel better after there’s blood spilled,” Kralen said, and then laughed.

“Lady Emily?” she heard from behind her. She turned to find one of the prison guards.

“What did I do now?” she asked him, frowning.

He grinned slightly, “I’m not here for the Council. We have a prisoner asking for you and Elder Chevalier said it would be ok to relay that to you.”

“Which prisoner?”

“Alec, Ma’am.”

“I… I don’t know,” she said, and suddenly found her heart racing.

Mark pulled his horse up beside her and laid a hand on her shoulder, “If you want to talk to him, we’ll go with you.”

“The Elder said you could, so it’s ok,” the guard said, and watched her.

Silas hissed at the prison guard and his eyes grew wide, then he blurred away quickly, returning to his post.

She sighed, “I wonder what he wants.”

“Why don’t we all go find out?” Kralen suggested. “If it gets out of hand, we’ll just leave and he can go back to his cell where he belongs.”

“He hates me,” Emily whispered as she watched her horse pick at the lush grass alongside the city street.

“Alec is too new to the heku lifestyle. He’s just confused.”

“He chose Exavior over me.”

“I’m not saying it’s an excuse, but it’s hard to break your ties to your maker,” Silas told her.

She nodded, “I’ve heard that.”

“Bring Alec to the conference room,” Mark said, and then looked toward Emily. “We’ll be there.”

She took a deep breath and kicked her horse into a canter back toward the palace. The city guards were no longer fighting, and it seemed to her like a sudden silence had fallen over the city.

Members of the Cavalry took their horses and the four headed quietly into the conference room.

Emily stopped outside of the door and took a deep breath before turning to Mark, “Let me do this alone.”

He frowned slightly, “Are you sure?”

“Yes,” she whispered, and walked into the conference room, shutting the door behind her.

Alec shifted uncomfortably as Emily took a seat across from him and laid her hands on the table, “You called for me?”

Alec nodded, “How are you, Emi?”

“I’m good, thanks.”

They sat in silence for a few minutes before Emily spoke, “Did you need something?”

“Yes… I made a mistake. I see that now and I wanted to apologize.”

“Ok”

“I don’t want to spend my new life in prison.”

“So are you apologizing to get out of prison, or to ask forgiveness for turning on your family?”

“We both turned on our families, don’t you think?”

“No, actually, I don’t think I did.”

“You did… when you chose the Equites over me.”

Emily fought the tears, “You wanted me to leave my husband and children to go live with someone who tortured me.”

“I wouldn’t have let that happen,” Alec told her.

“You wouldn’t have had a choice.”

He sighed, “I don’t want to get into this again, Emi. I want to know how to get out of your prison.”

“My prison?”

“Yes, I believe I am here because they are afraid I will hurt you.”

“You are here because you took over where Exavior left off. You led the Ferus faction, instigated attacks against the Equites and the Valle, and just won’t stop… You have to let it go, Alec.”

Alec whispered harshly, “Don’t act all high and mighty… You are the one living with the same creatures that killed your mother. How would your Dad like that, Emi? He was hell-bent on keeping you safe from them, and as soon as he dies, you join up with them.”

Her eyes narrowed, “That was the Encala…”

“Same species… you think no Equites never attacked you or your Mom? She was terrified of heku and you protect them now.”

“You can’t generalize the species, Alec. You know good and well that the Equites don’t treat me badly and…”

“Yes they do! You’re just too stupid to realize it. You never were a bright one, Emi,” Alec said, and leaned back in his chair with a sigh.

“If my Dad was alive, he would support me on this and you know it! You can call me names all you want, but it’s not going to change the fact that the Equites are my family now. I offered to let you come over, but you insisted on staying with Exavior.”

“Allen would not have agreed with you!” Alec growled. “You may not remember how much he hated the heku, but I sure as hell do…”

“Yet you joined them.”

“That’s different. I wasn’t the one he was fighting to protect, you are.”

“What exactly are you hoping to accomplish by this, Alec?” Emily asked. It was obvious to Alec that she was getting extremely angry.

“I want you to pull your head out of your ass and join me in an unfactioned coven.”

“What makes you think I would do that?”

“It’s where you belong,” he said, smiling. “It’s no secret that you and the Equites are no longer close.”

“That’s not true.”

“Oh yeah? Why are you making your own meals?”

“There’s no reason to have it done for me, when I can do it myself.”

“Where is your Rubicon?”

“In storage… what does that have to do with anything?”

Alec grinned, “You make your own meals because you don’t want to bother the Equites. You drive that old beat-up Chevy because you bought it yourself and the Rubicon was purchased by an Equites. You no longer feel welcome here, and you’re afraid if you make a pain out of yourself, they’ll kick you out… again… Next time they may not come looking for you.”

“They didn’t kick me out, that was a…”

“They didn’t stop it though did they?”

“No, they didn’t. I don’t blame them for that,” Emily told him.

“They didn’t stop it because Chevalier is the only heku keeping you here. The rest would let you walk out of here and wouldn’t so much as think of you again.”

Emily lightly tapped her fingers on the desk, too angry to speak.

“I also didn’t hear of Chevalier going out to find you, not once. He sent the Cavalry, secretly hoping you wouldn’t come back. He had to put up pretenses to keep the other factions happy, to make them think you were still Equites property.”

She stood up suddenly and headed for the door. Alec reached out and grabbed her wrist tightly, “Stop making mistakes, Emi. Stop pretending the Equites are your family… see them for what they are. I’m all you have left in this world.”

“Let go,” she whispered, still facing the door.

“Let me out of here and come with me.”

She shook her head and ignored the pain in her wrist as his grasp tightened on her, “No.”

“Maybe it’s you that needs to learn the meaning of proditor,” Alec hissed.

Emily turned to him, “I don’t even know what that means.”

“Your son once tried to brand Damon with the word proditor… to brand him a traitor. You, Emi, are the real traitor, and it’s only a matter of time before everyone sees that,” Alec said, grinning evilly. “You don’t have the loyalty to stay with the Equites… You’ll turn on them as you turned on your family, and when you do, they will hunt you down.”

When the conference room suddenly flooded with the Council, Alec let go of Emily’s wrist and was pinned against the wall. Emily ran for the garage and was soon alone in her truck, heading away from the city.

As she drove at fast speeds down the Interstate, her eyes filled with tears at Alec’s words. Her Dad had hated the heku, warned her about them, and even known one killed her mother. She knew that he would be upset that she’d grown to love the species and married into it. Alec was all she had left of her family before Chevalier, and he had turned against her.

Emily pulled over at the side of the Interstate when a heavy rain started and she couldn’t fight the tears any longer. She leaned her head against the steering wheel and wrapped her arms around herself. Thunder crashed from above and the sky lit up with huge flashes of lighting. The rain continued to pound the old truck and Emily used the solidarity to think through what Alec had told her.

Emily jumped when someone suddenly opened the passenger door and sat down beside her. She frowned slightly at the gray robed figure and then smiled when Sotomar dropped his hood and looked at her.

“Fancy meeting you out here,” he said, and handed her a tissue.

Emily wiped her eyes and nodded, “Long day.”

“I would imagine.”

“What are you doing this far from home?”

“We came to get Larry and Cody. It is the Valle’s time with them,” he explained, and looked out as the rain began to come down harder. “Might I ask why you are out here in the rain by yourself?”

“Thinking”

“Do you need to talk?”

“It’s Alec.”

Sotomar nodded, “Is he free?”

“No”

“He would, therefore, ask you to free him.”

Emily nodded, but didn’t reply.

“When you denied that… then he would get angry.”

“He did.”

“And the only ammunition he has is to bring up when you stayed with the Equites instead of joining him and Exavior with the Ferus.”

“You’re good,” Emily said, and smiled slightly.

“Things are still tense between you and the Equites Council. I would imagine he thought it would be a good time to play off of your weaknesses,” Sotomar said, and turned to look at her.

“Weaknesses?”

“Insecurities… you still don’t feel worthy to live with the heku and are afraid that at any moment, you will again be expelled.”

She couldn’t respond. Everything he said was true.

“Well, as much as I would like you to join the Valle, I don’t see the Equites giving you up any time soon.”

“They can’t, I would be a danger to them.”

“That’s not why and I wish you could see it. Why do you still feel like an outsider, even after being back for 4 months?”

She shrugged and watched the rain pound against the asphalt.

“Do you know how hard they looked for you?”

“Yes”

“Have you been told about Chevalier’s behavior while you were gone?”

“Yes”

“That’s not what happens when you misplace a weapon, that’s what happens when you misplace a member of the family.”

Emily shrugged again.

“Alec’s loyalties may always be toward Exavior, but it’s not a reflection on you.”

“My Dad… hated the heku.”

“Yes, I would imagine he did,” Sotomar said.

“I’m living with the very species that he hated, the species that killed my mom and my brother. One that plagued my life with terror.”

“I wouldn’t condemn the entire species for the acts of an Encala Ancient.”

“Dad didn’t understand.”

“No, he did not.”

“I don’t know how to fit in.”

“Is the Council acting strangely around you?”

“Well… no.”

“The guards?”

“No”

“Then it is you that has changed. I believe the Equites already feel as if you’d never left.”

“How do I do that?” she asked, and looked over at him.

He smiled and handed her another tissue, “Time maybe. It’s been said to heal all wounds.”

“I don’t know what to do.”

“Let me drive you back. I’m sure they are worried about you,” Sotomar told her, and got out of the truck. Emily moved over to the passenger seat and they were soon heading back for Council City.

The gate guards reluctantly let the truck through, and Sotomar pulled into the palace’s garage. Emily saw a large black Tahoe parked at the front of the palace and the Equites were getting ready to hand the former V.E.S. Leaders over to the Valle.

When Emily and Sotomar appeared in the hallway, Larry was just being moved by four prison guards and his angry eyes fixed on Emily.

“You’ll rot in hell for this,” he yelled.

Kyle walked around the corner and grinned at Larry, “I’m sure you’ll beat her there.”

Larry struggled, but was hauled out to the waiting Tahoe. Emily turned when Alec appeared, being escorted by two Valle Imperial Guards.

“What’s going on?” she asked, watching him glare at her.

“The Valle are going to keep him for us,” Kyle explained. “He will be on house arrest, not in their prison.”

Emily nodded and turned away as tears again filled her eyes. She understood their reasoning for sending him away, but it still seemed to her like she was condemning her Uncle to a lifetime of loneliness.

“Allen, Elizabeth, and Jess would be so disappointed in you,” Alec said, and was quickly pushed out of the palace.

“Child, he’s just angry,” Sotomar said, and touched her arm lightly. “We will not be mean to him. He will be comfortable, and in a few hundred years, may choose to just stay with the Valle and start over.”

She nodded and headed up to her room.

Chapter 15 - Illness

“How long has this gone on?” Dr. Edwards asked, rushing into the room.

“Started about 20 minutes ago, but the pill isn’t working,” Kyle said, and held the bottle up for the doctor.

“How many?”

“I gave her 2 of them.”

Emily’s body shook as she fought to breathe through the stabbing pains in her stomach.

“Now we just wait… what did she eat for lunch?” Dr. Edwards asked, and set the pills down on the table.

“She wouldn’t eat lunch,” Mark said from beside the fireplace.

“What’s wrong?”

“She does this when the Elder is gone.”

Dr. Edwards nodded, “Ok, let’s wait it out.”

Kyle glanced at the door when he heard a loud crash and then smiled slightly at Dr. Edwards, “He wants in here badly.”

“That he does.”

“How long can these go on?” Mark whispered.

Dr. Edward sighed, “I don’t know. She heals faster than a full mortal, but there was a lot of damage done.”

“But she’s been back for 5 months.”

“If I had to guess, it’s going to be longer than a year for it to completely go away.”

“I’d like to get my hands on the Encala again.”

“Isn’t that where the Elder is?”

Mark grinned, “Yes, he found an Encala coven near St. Louis that was claiming even we cannot break through their defenses.”

“Well that was stupid,” Dr. Edwards said, and then smiled when Emily looked up at him. “Is it backing off?”

She nodded and sat up slowly.

***

Silas held up four fingers and Chevalier nodded. The darkness of the night hid their location as they quickly surrounded the thick cement walls of the Encala Coven.

Chevalier nodded to Kralen, who turned and passed a message to the Cavalry around the compound. The Elder watched as Kralen appeared by the cement wall and held a hand up. He slowly lowered his hand into a fist and an alarm sounded inside the cement walls as eight members of the Cavalry scaled the tall walls and descended into the quiet compound.

Silas and Kralen quickly took out the four gate guards, and the rest of the Cavalry walked in through the front gates, having already disabled the coven’s main generators. Chevalier walked in last and watched as the Cavalry destroyed the homes.

He made his way deeper into the coven until he stood in the center and faced the large main house. All 54 members of the Cavalry joined him after they killed the members of the coven. Chevalier walked up and opened the front door to the sound of screams from inside.

“Is anyone home?” Kralen yelled, and then grinned and walked up the stairs, followed by his team of fifteen heku.

Silas led his team to the basement, and Chevalier’s team began to scatter through the main floor, looking for the Lord of Draw Coven. He quickly killed any heku he saw and the death toll was at 152 when he finally found the Coven Lord.

“Please… what have we done to deserve this?” he asked. He was on his knees before Kralen and watched Chevalier fearfully.

“You’re Encala, that’s enough,” Chevalier said, and walked up to the Coven Lord.

“Sir!” Silas yelled, rushing in.

Chevalier turned to him with his hands on neck of the Coven Lord, “What?”

“Don’t kill him yet. You have to see this first,” Silas said, and started out the door.

“Hold him,” Chevalier ordered the guards, and he followed Silas, with Kralen beside him.

“We were destroying the courtroom, and Rilen threw a chair through the wall, revealing a hidden room,” Silas explained, as he stepped into the courtroom.

“What was in it?” Kralen asked, stepping over rubble inside the courtroom.

“Just come look,” Silas said, and stepped through a large hole in the wall. Chevalier followed him and looked quickly around the hidden room. It was obviously a war room, with a large table and a bulletin board full of maps and photographs.

Chevalier’s temper began to rise when he saw a map of Louisiana with the location of the ranch where Emily had worked. There were photographs of Emily posted around the map, all taken while she was working on the ranch.

“I know that the Encala said they destroyed the coven that poisoned Em,” Silas said, handing over a stack of papers, “But I doubt that now.”

Chevalier looked through the papers and his features darkened. He began to read out loud.

“That bloody Winchester has a heku bodyguard with her. The Equites lied when they said she disappeared alone. This bodyguard is very protective of her, but we’ve noticed he has a bad habit of disappearing every few months for days at a time.”

Kralen picked up a book of photographs and thumbed through them while he listened to Chevalier.

“Heku bodyguard?” one of the Cavalry asked, and turned toward Chevalier.

“Dain, I suspect.”

He nodded, “He kind of was a heku bodyguard.”

“The poison didn’t work. She was in the hospital for a while, but survived and is now back home and even more heavily watched by her guard. Her daughter keeps close and we’ve noticed she doesn’t wander off like her mother is famous for doing. We hope that the poison did lasting damage and that we can honor the Encala by claiming her death soon.”

Kralen’s eyes grew wide and he looked up, “My God, this coven did it then.”

Chevalier nodded, “Looks like it. The rest of this is pre-planning, logs, notes, and celebration preparations for her death.”

Silas grabbed a box from the corner, “I’ll gather all of this. Let’s take the Coven Leader back to the palace.”

Chevalier growled, “Do it.”

Kralen followed him out while Silas and his team gathered up any evidence they could find.

Chevalier stood before the Lord of Draw Coven and scowled, “We found your war room and now… you get to pay for what you did to Emily.”

He looked up with wide eyes at the enemy Elder, “We… we didn’t.”

Chevalier kneed him in the jaw, shattering it, “Stop lying to me. We found the maps, and pictures. According to your logs… you poisoned Emily and planned a ceremony for her death.”

The Coven Lord spit blood and teeth onto the floor, “We were ordered to do it, by the Council.”

“Even better,” Kralen said, and hauled him to a waiting helicopter. After Silas and his team put twelve boxes into the helicopter, they headed back for Council City, eager to get the former Coven Lord into the interrogation room.

Palace Guards lined up to greet the helicopter and Quinn met Chevalier at the helicopter.

“You brought one back?” Quinn asked Chevalier when the Cavalry hauled the Encala from the helicopter.

Chevalier grinned, “His coven poisoned Emily.”

“Wow… wouldn’t want to be him,” Quinn said, and then sighed. “Speaking of poisons…”

“How bad?” Chevalier asked, starting for the palace.

“This one lasted quite a while… and was followed by another fainting spell. She’s still sleeping that one off,” Quinn explained, following him inside. “We searched and, yet again, can’t find any ashes.”

Kyle looked up from the bed when Chevalier walked in. He sat down beside her and quickly looked her over, “What was she doing when it happened?”

“She’d just barely gotten over stomach pains, so she was sitting up in bed,” Kyle explained.

Chevalier grinned maliciously, “I got the Coven Leader who poisoned her.”

“You did?”

“Yes… we accidentally found a room with photographs of Emily while she was away, maps of the ranch location, and a journal of one of them who poisoned her. Somehow, he must have gotten away.”

“Nice, he’s still alive?”

“Yes, though he will soon wish he wasn’t.”

“Going to try out that new water tank?”

“Thinking about it,” Chevalier said and stood up. “Tell me when she’s waking.”

Kyle nodded and watched Chevalier disappear from the room. When he arrived, Mark, Silas and Kralen had the Coven Lord in the wooden chair and the spikes were extended over an inch into his flesh. His blood poured out and was pooling beneath him on the floor.

“He talking yet?” Chevalier asked, and sat down on the rack.

“Not yet, but he will,” Mark said as he turned the crank, removing the spikes from his flesh.

“I won’t talk,” the prisoner groaned.

“Sure you will,” Chevalier told him, and then turned to Silas. “Put him in the tank. It’s fascinating to watch.”

“Come on, Cameron,” Silas said, and unhooked the restraints from the Encala.

“Wait! What’s that?” he screamed, and began to fight. Kralen grabbed his other arm and they shoved him into the water tank. After locking the chain and electrifying it, they sat to watch.

“Hmm… he seems calm,” Mark said, bending down to get a better look.

“Wait for it,” Chevalier whispered and then grinned then the heku began to run out of air. “Now it gets good.”

As his body began to thrash, he started to hit the walls of the tank and the electrical current filled the water.

“Nice,” Kralen whispered, his eyes wide.

“He’ll talk after this,” Chevalier assured them.

“When did we get this tank?” Mark asked, baffled by the violent thrashing the heku exhibited after running out of air.

“I ordered it about a year ago. I’ve only used it a couple of times though,” Chevalier explained. “It’s quite effective… and entertaining.”

“Remind me never to tick you off,” Kralen chuckled.

Chevalier was too enthralled to respond. His predatory urge to cause pain was at its fullest and he exhaled slowly as the heku in the tank began to convulse violently as every cell in his body sent out waves of pain, struggling for oxygen.

When the Encala fell unconscious, Silas turned to the Elder, “Get him out?”

“Sure, we can always revive him and do it again if he won’t talk,” Chevalier said and watched the guards pull the heku’s limp body from the water. They dropped him to the floor and watched as he began to slowly breathe again.

When he’d healed enough to groan, Mark poked him with the toe on his cowboy boots, “Ready to talk?”

The heku nodded slowly and coughed up water.

“Good, let’s start with… Whose bright idea was it to poison my wife?” Chevalier asked, watching him closely.

“He’ll kill me…”

“We’ll kill you,” Kralen responded.

“You have a choice in this though,” Chevalier told him. “You can either stay here as my play toy… or you tell us and we kill you quickly.”

The Encala struggled to his hands and knees, still coughing. The Equites watched him until he finally managed to whisper, “Elder Frederick.”

“This was Frederick’s idea then?” Silas asked him.

He nodded, “Yes, the Council didn’t know.”

“Hmm, interesting. So Frederick went behind the backs of the Council to torture Emily?” Mark asked as he leaned back against the wall.

“Yes”

“Surely the other Elders knew.”

“No… we were banned from telling them. Elder Frederick said they would try to stop him.”

“So, the Encala regularly make a practice of listening to one Elder when the majority normally rules?”

“Frederick… he’s… he can be brutal.”

Chevalier grinned, “Not as bad as I can be.”

“You know now… you promised to end this,” the heku said, and looked up at the enemy Elder.

“I lied,” Chevalier told him, and headed up the stairs when Kyle told him Emily was waking up.

Dr. Edwards met Chevalier outside of his bedroom, “She’ll be awake soon.”

“Send Mark in,” he said before stepping into his room. Kyle looked up from beside the bed.

“What did he say?”

“He’s blaming Frederick, but trying not to get the entire Encala Council in trouble for it.”

Kyle shrugged, “I guess it could be.”

Emily sighed slightly and rolled onto her side and looked over at them, “Why the look?”

“What look?” Chevalier asked, and sat down.

“You both look like someone died.”

Kyle smiled, “If you’d stop passing out, we might look more chipper.”

“Damnit, I did?”

“Yes,” Chevalier said, and motioned for Kyle to leave. Kyle nodded and blurred from the room, “What happened?”

“I don’t really remember,” she told him, and leaned up onto her elbow. “I was having stomach pains and then woke up to your gloomy self.”

“Hmm, well… enter,” Chevalier said, and turned to the door when Mark entered.

“You called for me, Elder?” Mark asked.

“Find anything.”

“Again, no.”

“There has to be something.”

“We’ve searched for ashes, we’ve searched for bodies.”

“Keep looking.”

“Yes, Elder,” Mark said, and left quickly.

“Be nice. He didn’t do anything,” Emily said. She rolled out of bed, stumbled slightly, and then headed in for a shower.

Chevalier was deep in thought when the palace went into lockdown.

Emily appeared from the bathroom, “What’s going on?”

“Not sure.”

“You going then?”

“No, this type of lockdown we all stay where we are.”

“How do you know which kind it is?” she asked, and disappeared into the wardrobe to get dressed.

“They announced it,” he explained.

Just as Emily came out of the wardrobe, the door burst open and Kralen appeared, “Now.”

Chevalier nodded and disappeared from the room.

“What’s going on?” Emily asked.

“You need to come too, Commander,” Kralen told her, and disappeared.

She started to argue, but followed him out instead. Halfway down the stairs, the palace came out of lockdown and she saw Silas standing on the fourth floor waiting for her.

“What’s up?” she asked him when she got closer.

“There’s a briefing,” Silas told her, and opened the door to the council chambers.

Emily walked in and stood among the entire Cavalry that was facing the Council. Mark was standing up front, and when the door closed, he began, “We just found Wilson, out west of the city. He’s been murdered.”

The Chief Investigator stood up, “I have searched the area and there are subtle clues that point to the Encala. We don’t, however, know why they killed him.”

Emily listened carefully, and could feel the anger rise.

“It could be in retaliation to our attacks,” Zohn suggested.

“They wouldn’t risk that,” Quinn said. “It’s something else and I want to know what.”

“Put the Cavalry out there in the trees. Keep looking for evidence,” Zohn said.

“I’ll go talk to the Encala,” Kyle said, and stood up.

“I’ll go too,” Emily told him.

“We need you here,” Mark said, turning to her. “His horse won’t let us get near her. She’s skittish and runs when she sees anyone.”

Emily sighed and looked up at Kyle, “Fine, but you tell the Encala, from me… Deal’s off.”

Kyle glanced once at the Elders and then nodded, “I’ll relay that.”

“I’ll go,” Dustin said, and he and Kyle left the room.

Emily followed the Cavalry out. They already had her horse ready and she grabbed a lasso off of the wall before following Mark out to where Wilson’s body was found. It was just east of the leech pond, and the grass was still stained red. She looked around the clearing, ignoring the blood and focused in on Wilson’s mare off in the trees. Her ears were pressed back against her head and she jerked back when Silas entered the clearing.

“Stop,” Emily whispered, and took the lasso in her hand.

Silas froze and looked over at the mare.

“You…” Emily frowned and pointed at the heku next to her. His name was on the tip of her tongue and she studied him while it came to her.

“Kralen,” he said, and looked over at her.

“Yes, Kralen, blur around behind her and see if you can scare her toward me.”

“Did you forget my name?”

“No, just do it.”

He glanced at Mark and then disappeared. Emily edged her horse slowly forward.

“Damnit!” she yelled when the mare jerked and ran the opposite way she was supposed to. Emily kicked her horse hard into a gallop and raced toward the mare. Her stallion quickly caught up with the frantic horse and she lassoed the mare and slowed her down. When the mare walked up to her, she reached out to pet her and suddenly brought her hand back.

Emily slipped off her glove and looked down at her hand. It seemed almost unattached and when she tried to grasp the rope, nothing happened.

“Something wrong?” Mark said from behind her.

“No,” Emily said, and pulled her glove back on.

“We’re going to stay here and comb the area. Do you want to stay or do you want to head back?”

“I’ll stay. Another set of eyes can’t hurt.”

“We’ll put you with Silas and Kralen then.”

“Have someone take this horse back. She needs put in her stall and a hood put on until she calms down.”

Mark nodded and one of the Cavalry appeared and took the mare from Emily. They walked over and she started moving with the two Captains as they meticulously searched the area assigned to them. Tension filled the air as they searched for some reason to explain Wilson’s death. Nothing infuriated the Cavalry more than when one of their own died in the line of duty.

Before night fell, the Chief Investigator walked up and began talking to Silas and Kralen while Emily continued to search the ground.

“We’re heading in, Em,” Kralen told her, and she turned toward him.

“What did they find?”

“It was the Encala. As soon as Kyle and Dustin get back, Chevalier wants to pay them a visit.”

She nodded and returned to her stallion. As soon as she was mounted, she waited for the others and then rode silently back to the city. No one spoke as they put their horses away for the night. When Emily shut the stall to her stallion, she turned and saw Silas and Kralen waiting for her.

“Are you sure you’re ok?” Kralen asked.

“I’m fine, why?”

“You forgot my name and you’re not using your left arm.”

“I didn’t forget your name, and nothing’s wrong with me.”

“We’ll see,” Silas said, and leaned back against the wall. “Let’s go out tonight, it’s been a while.”

“You aren’t going to go to the Encala with Chevalier?” Emily asked, sitting down on a bale of hay.

“Not Kralen and I, we’re staying here.”

“To make sure I don’t go?”

Kralen chuckled, “Yup.”

“Seems odd. Why not put city guards as my babysitters so you can go pick on the Encala?”

“Because you keep slipping the city guards.”

Emily grinned, “I bet I can slip you two.”

Kralen chuckled, “You can’t slip me, you promised you wouldn’t.”

“True, however, I can slip Silas.”

“Hey now…” Silas said and crossed his arms. “Let’s not, shall we?”

“Doesn’t matter, I don’t have anywhere to go.”

“Now let’s get down to it,” Kralen said. “Tell us why you are acting like you don’t belong here.”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“Yes you do. You used to be confident and assured. Now you are quiet and stand-offish.”

“I’m not either.”

“Then let the chefs make your dinner.”

“I’m perfectly capable of cooking for myself.”

Silas shrugged, “Before you left, you let the chefs do their job.”

“You mean before I was kicked out?” Emily asked.

“You used to let the tailor do his job, the chefs do their jobs, and let housekeeping do their thing.”

“Yeah well, maybe I don’t plan on relying on anyone else again. I learned one thing while I was away… one can only rely on themselves.”

Kralen frowned, “That’s not a way to live life.”

“That’s how I survived for a year.”

“Not sure I would call that surviving.”

“It was.”

“It’s over though. You need to get over what happened and get on with your life. Stop walking around here like an outsider and stop acting like at any moment we’re all going to turn on you and you’ll be alone again,” Kralen said.

Emily frowned slightly.

“It’s over is all we’re saying. If you’re going to spend an eternity with us, you’re going to have to trust us again,” Silas told her.

“Stop acting like a martyr…” Kralen started.

Emily stood up, “I don’t have to take this. I did the best I could.”

“We’re not saying you didn’t… but now it’s time to let us take over. You’re not alone anymore,” Silas told her, and put a hand on her arm.

Emily turned suddenly and walked out of the stables. She ignored Silas and Kralen as they followed behind her silently. Each wondered if they’d overstepped and what would happen if she told Chevalier. She walked up the stairs and went into her office, slamming the door behind her.

“She has a limp,” Kralen said as he took up his spot outside of her office door.

“I saw that,” Silas said. “Stay here. I’ll go report to Dr. Edwards.”

Silas called for the doctor, Quinn, and Zohn to meet him in the main conference room. When he arrived, the others were waiting.

Dr. Edwards sat down at the table, “Is there a problem?”

“Yes, we were asked to watch for signs of problems while with Emily, and she’s shown some of those today,” Silas explained, and sat down beside Quinn.

“Like what?”

“She forgot Kralen’s name, and she has a slight limp. We also noticed she’s not using her left arm.”

Dr. Edwards frowned, “That’s not good. Those are all signs of a stroke. We need to get her in for a CT scan to see if we can find out which kind of stroke she’s having.”

“She’ll never go in for a CT scan,” Quinn said.

“Can we buy one?” Zohn asked. “She may be more willing to have a scan if it’s done here.”

“I disagree,” Quinn told him. “She’s more likely to sneak out and get a CT scan.”

“That’s true. She did sneak out to see me on numerous occasions,” Dr. Edwards said. “It would be nice if we could find out the extent though… how weak she is on her left side.”

“Any suggestions?” Silas asked.

“I’ve already asked her to push me once, I’m not sure she’d do it again.”

Zohn turned to Silas, “Do you think you can make her mad enough to push you?”

“I’m pretty sure I can. She’s already irritated with Kralen and I.”

“For what?”

“Just stuff we were talking about.”

“Restrain Dain,” Quinn told him. “It doesn’t matter for what. She’ll fight back.”

“I hate to upset her this soon after waking,” Dr. Edwards said. “Just watch her and see if you can ascertain how weak she is on the left side.”

“When will the Elder be back?” Silas asked Zohn.

“He hoped to only be gone a couple of days. He just wanted to scare the Encala Council.”

“Keep her calm for now, but see if you can catch her using her left hand for something and see if it’s working properly,” Dr. Edwards suggested.

Silas nodded, “Will do.”

Silas walked back up and stood beside Emily’s door with Kralen. He filled Kralen in on what was decided and then stood back to wait for her to emerge.

***

“Good morning,” Chevalier said, and smiled. He was sitting on the edge of the bed watching her sleep.

Emily crawled out of bed and onto his lap, and then wrapped her arms around his neck, “I’m glad you’re back.”

He kissed the top of her head, “I was able to come back early.”

She looked up at him, “What happened?”

“Nothing really. The Encala, of course, denied it and again asked us to let them rebuild.”

“Did Kyle give them my message?”

“Yes, and it seemed to send a panic through their Council. Wanna tell me what that was all about?”

She sighed, “They want me to ask you to back off.”

“Interesting”

“They’re under the mistaken impression that I can influence what you do.”

“If it were up to you, would you let them rebuild?”

“I’ve been thinking about that and I’m torn.”

“Ok… tell me.”

“Well, they killed Wilson, not happy about that. On the other hand, there’s always been 3 factions. What if two throws off the balance of power or something?”

“That is a concern to us all. That’s why we’re having a meeting with all of the Elders next week.”

Emily looked up at him, “All nine of you?”

“Yes”

“Even Frederick?”

“Yes, and we’ll want you there to keep the peace.”

“Ok”

“And, Em?” he asked, and looked down at her. “We need you to not ash Frederick right away.”

She grinned, “Am I that predictable?”

“Yes, you are.”

Emily reached over and pulled a blanket over both of them as Chevalier studied her every movement.

“I just talked to Silas and Dr. Edwards,” he told her.

She looked up at him, “They’re watching me like I’m a leper.”

“They’re worried, and I want you to be honest with me.”

“About what?”

“Are you having memory problems?”

“Don’t you think if I were, I’d be the last to know?”

He chuckled, “Yeah, I guess. They mentioned you forgot Kralen’s name.”

“I did, for just a second.”

“And your left hand?”

She sighed, “It’s not really working right now.”

“How bad?”

“It’s actually gotten better over the last two days.”

“Let me see,” he told her, and she scooted off his lap. “Grab my hands.”

“Are you doing Dr. Edwards’ dirty work?”

“No, I want to know.”

“Fine,” Emily said and took his hands in hers.

“Squeeze”

Emily squeezed his hands as hard as she could, but knew her left hand wasn’t putting a lot of pressure.

“Hmmm,” he sighed and then looked down at her hands. “Your left-side is pretty weak.”

“I know, but it’s getting better.”

“I just wish I could figure out what’s going on,” Chevalier said, obviously frustrated.

“Who knows. I know everyone around here thinks I’m ashing someone in secret, but I’m not.”

“I don’t think that.”

“Well, maybe not you, but others do. Then half the palace staff acts like I’m going to keel over.”

Chevalier chuckled, “You sort of keep doing so.”

“Gah, it’s embarrassing,” Emily groaned.

“Why don’t you go join the Cavalry? They’re running through water drills today.”

“I quit the Cavalry, doesn’t anyone remember that?” she asked, crawling off of the bed.

“You can’t quit the Cavalry,” he reminded her, and then grinned.

“I can too.”

“Nope, it’s not allowed.”

“Fine, I’ll go… but not in uniform and not as a Commander. I’ll go to make sure they’re not abusing their horses,” she told him, and then disappeared into the bathroom to get ready. When she came out, Chevalier was gone and her breakfast was on the table. She ate quickly and then headed down to the stables to get her stallion.

“Where are your guards?” the front door guard asked.

Emily looked behind her. She hadn’t noticed that her guards were missing, “I actually have no idea.”

“Did you slip them?”

She glared at the door guard, “No.”

“Wait here while we find them then.”

“No, I’m heading out to the Cavalry.”

“Still…”

“I’m not going to get attacked between here and the pool,” she told him, and then headed out of the palace.

Halfway to the out-building, she heard a timid voice from behind her, “Lady Emily?”

She sighed and turned around to face a cowering heku, “Yes?”

“Please… may I speak to you for just a moment?”

“Sure, why not? Just don’t attack me, I’m not in the mood,” she told him, and crossed her arms.

“I beg of you,” he whispered, and then scanned the area closely. “Please, ask your Council to leave the Encala in peace so we can rebuild.”

“You’re Encala?”

“Yes, M’Lady.”

“Did the Encala Council send you?”

“No, Ma’am. I was a member of a coven that was wiped out while I was away. The Encala are in ruins. I beg of you to stop the slaughter,” he whispered, still scanning the area.

“If you’re Encala, how did you get in here?” she asked suspiciously.

He sighed, “It’s taken me days to get in here. I had to wait until the front gate guards were occupied.”

“Well… I can’t influence the Council. If they are killing off the Encala, then I’m sure they had it coming.”

“You can influence them, though. It’s well known that you are not well and the Council will do what they can to make you feel better.”

“What do you mean not well? I’m fine.”

“Are you? You have a slight limp.”

“I hurt my foot.”

“If you say so.”

Emily’s eyes narrowed, “Ok, so spies have told you things… that still doesn’t mean I can influence the Council.”

“I beg you to at least ask them.”

“I’m not so sure I want them to stop.”

He gasped, “M’Lady, you are a friend to the Encala. Why would you not help us?”

“The Encala killed one of my Cavalry.”

“It was necessary.”

“For what!?” she screamed. “Don’t come ask me for help and then try to justify killing my friend.”

“Shhh, please…” he whispered, and slunk back slightly into the shadows of a lone pine tree.

“There’s no reason to have killed him. He was doing nothing more than watching that area. He wasn’t attacking anyone.”

“I apologize for that.”

“You killed him?” she asked, taking a step toward the trembling heku.

“No!” he whispered. “I wouldn’t do that. I couldn’t do that. Your Cavalry is too strong and well trained for one such as myself.”

“You know that you’re not leaving here, right?”

“Yes, I know I will be killed for being here.”

“Then why do it? You know that I’m not going to stop the attacks by the Equites Council,” she asked.

“I had to try. The Encala are falling and it is my duty to do what I can to make them strong again,” he told her.

“You do realize that the Encala Council already asked me, and that I refused?”

“Yes”

“Then why would I do so for you?”

“Because I’m begging you. I appeal to your gentle nature and the friendship you once had with us.”

She sighed, “I’m not going to ask the Equites Council to back off the Encala until they prove to me that they have changed.”

“We have!”

“You have not!” Emily yelled. “Killing Wilson doesn’t show me they have changed.”

The once cowering heku stood up tall and squared his broad shoulders, “Enough… do as I ask or you’ll pay.”

Emily’s eyes grew wide, “What!?”

He took a menacing step toward her, “It’s taken me a month to find you without a guard… now you’ll do as I say or I’ll end this immediately.”

“Ya think?” she asked, and narrowed her eyes. The Encala fell to his knees, clutching at his chest. When the pain stopped, he fell forward, gasping for breath.

“Don’t come to my home and threaten me. I’ve about had it with your entire faction,” she whispered. He groaned when the pain started again and she held him in agony until he fell unconscious. Running quickly to the stables, she grabbed her Taser from the tack room and returned to watch him heal.

“Do that again and you’ll pay,” he growled when he caught his breath.

“I don’t think so,” she said. “Now you’re coming along with me nicely or I’ll ash you here.”

“You can’t tell me what to do.”

Emily leveled her Taser at him, “I think I can.”

He hissed and stood up straighter.

“Start walking,” she said, and motioned for him to head for the out-building where the Cavalry was doing more water training.

“You don’t know what you’re messing with,” the Encala said, and then hesitated before doing what she told him.

“I’m sure I do. I’m messing with a piece of shit Encala that is willing to lie and deceive to undo the stupidity of something his Council did.”

“Don’t talk about my Council like that!” he yelled, and turned on her, crouching slightly.

“Fine… I’m done with you,” she said, and then grinned. “Mark!”

Suddenly, the entire Cavalry surrounded her and Mark appeared beside the Encala, “What did you find?”

The Encala spun suddenly and his hands balled into fists.

“Putz here came to ask me to stop picking on his faction,” Emily said, and lowered her Taser. “I figured you all might need a new toy.”

“All contact with the Encala has to be reported to the Council,” Mark told her, and then turned to the Encala. “Let’s go tell them.”

He growled and then started off with the Cavalry. Silas and Kralen started after them, but turned and walked back to Emily.

“You have to come too,” Silas told her.

“No I don’t.”

“You encountered him first. The Council will need a report,” Kralen said.

“The Council can figure it out on their own. I’m going swimming,” Emily said, and started for the out-building. She stopped and sighed when she felt a hand on her shoulder.

“Seriously, Em. They need to talk to you,” Silas said.

“Where are your guards, anyway?” Kralen asked, scanning the area.

“I didn’t have any.”

“Then you should have called for us.”

Emily grinned slightly, “That’s what the front door guard said, so I assured him I wasn’t going to get attacked between the palace and the pool.”

“Yeah? How’d that go for you?” Kralen chuckled.

“Well I wasn’t attacked.”

“Close enough.”

Emily glanced toward the doors, and then whispered, “Please don’t make me talk to the Council.”

“What’s wrong?” Kralen asked, watching her closely.

“I just… I just don’t want to.”

“Ok… ok… I’ll go talk to them for you,” Silas said. “Kralen can stay with you while we find out who’s on the roster to guard you.”

She nodded and then left for the pool, followed by Kralen. They both got into the steamy pool room and Emily sat down on a chaise. Kralen hesitated and then sat down beside her.

“Not swimming?” he asked.

“No, I just don’t want to face the Council.”

“Why is that exactly?”

Emily looked over at him, “They let it all happen.”

“Do you realize how bad they feel about that?”

“No, I don’t.”

“Zohn and Quinn mainly.”

“It’s just hard to trust them is all.”

“They are trying really hard right now to help you feel welcome again.”

“I can’t let myself become that meshed with the Council again,” Emily explained. “It made the year alone that much harder.”

“How so?”

“You can’t tell anyone…”

“I won’t.”

“I’m safe here… or was at least,” she started, and then cut Kralen off when he started to argue. “When I was out on my own, I wasn’t just alone, I was a target and I knew it. When the Encala started to attack, I realized just how dangerous my life is.”

“There’s a reason we guard you. We already know how dangerous it is just to be you.”

“Yeah… well it took months before I could even breathe. Months before I could stop double checking every shadow and could answer the phone without being afraid.”

Kralen nodded, “So if you get comfortable here again, in our protection, then next time you’re alone you’ll have to do it all again.”

“Right… if I just keep my distance, then it won’t be so hard.”

“Why does there have to be a next time?”

“Why should I assume there isn’t going to be?” she asked, watching him closely.

“The Council isn’t going to fall for that again.”

“Not that, no, but there are always other methods. Next time I’m alone, I probably won’t have my kids with me.”

“Is there anything I can do to change your views?”

“No, not really.”

Kralen glanced at the door, “The Council is asking for you again.”

Emily bent her knees and pulled them close to her chest, “They’ll live.”

She could tell his lips were moving quickly, but couldn’t hear what was being said.

Finally, Kralen turned back to her, “Did the Encala touch you at all?”

“No”

“What did he say?”

“He cowered and begged that I ask the Council to leave the Encala alone. Then when I refused, he tried to bully me.”

“Did he say how he got in?”

“He said he waited until the gate guards were busy.”

Kralen again turned toward the door and Emily grinned.

He looked over at her, “What’s so funny?”

“The Council, using you to get information from me because I refuse to come in.”

“It would be a lot more efficient if you’d go tell them yourself.”

“I don’t want to.”

He sighed, “What do you want, exactly?”

“Let’s go for a ride.”

“Where?” he asked, standing when she did.

“You and I… out alone.”

“Why?”

“Stop being so paranoid, let’s go,” she said, and started for the garage. Before she got there, Silas and Mark joined them.

“We going somewhere?” Mark asked.

“Kralen and I are going out,” Emily told him, and slid into the driver’s seat of the old beat-up Chevy pickup.

“We’re not taking Silas and Mark?” Kralen asked, looking into the passenger window.

“Nope, get in.”

Kralen glanced at Mark and, after he nodded, got in. Emily grinned and drove out of Council City.

“You just love driving them insane, don’t you?” Kralen asked, buckling his seat belt.

“I do, it’s the small joys…”

“You’re so female.”

“What?” she asked, glancing at him.

“You were just saying how comfortable you felt in our protection, yet all you do is struggle to get out of it,” he told her, and then grinned.

“This trip is a necessity.”

“Oh? So where are we going?” he asked as she pulled onto the Interstate.

“Away”

“That’s it?”

“I don’t want to say. I wouldn’t put it past the Council to bug my truck.”

Kralen grinned, “Good to know you aren’t paranoid or anything.”

“I’m not paranoid.”

“Ok”

Kralen jerked slightly and looked out his window.

“What?” Emily asked, looking over at him.

“Nothing”

“Then stop being jumpy, we’re not breaking any laws.”

“I am”

“How so?”

“Per Elder’s orders, you’re to have no less than 3 guards with you at all times.”

“Well… it feels good to be bad.”

“I’m sure it does… but you won’t be banished for it.”

“You’re not going to be banished by coming with me to get coffee.”

Kralen looked over at her.

Emily sighed, “There, I said it… we’re going for coffee.”

“So it’s two rules I’m breaking.”

“No one will know.”

“Why are we in this truck?” Kralen asked when the old Chevy pickup backfired.

“There’s nothing wrong with this truck.”

“Have you had one of our mechanics look at it? It doesn’t sound right.”

“No, I did an oil change a few weeks ago and it’s fine.”

They drove the rest of the way in silence until Emily pulled up at the small coffee shop, “I can smell it from here.”

Kralen chuckled, “I didn’t realize you savor also.”

“Oh… I do,” she said, and got out of the truck. She grabbed her purse and they headed inside.

They waited in line and Emily was getting excited for a taste of her favorite drink.

“Yeah?” the teenage boy behind the counter asked.

“I’ll have a double, half caf, skinny quad with legs and extra whip,” Emily told him, and pulled out her purse.

“Is that even English?” Kralen asked, frowning.

“And for the virgin?” the boy asked, looking with irritation at Kralen.

“The what?” Kralen gasped.

“He’ll have the same,” Emily told the boy, and then paid him. She pulled Kralen’s arm until he quit glaring at the tiny boy behind the counter, and they sat and waited for the drinks.

“I’m not drinking that,” Kralen told her.

“I didn’t think you would. I’ll drink one here and there’s one for the road.”

“Why does it sound like you just ordered two thin minotaurs with a knout?”

“A what?” she asked, and took the drinks from the server.

“Never mind,” Kralen said and looked at her. “You’re really going to do it.”

“Do what?” she asked, blowing on her drink to cool it.

“Drink coffee… you know what that’ll do.”

“But it’ll be soooo worth it,” she said, and removed the lid. As she brought the drink to her lips, it was torn from her hands, “Hey!”

Kralen grinned when she looked over at him, but he didn’t have her drink.

“Why?” Dustin asked from the doorway.

Emily glared at him, “Just give me my drink.”

“You know we can’t let you do that.”

She looked over at Kralen, “You called him?”

“Nope”

“Then how did he know?”

“I suspected it when you left,” Dustin said, pouring her drink into the trash.

“Don’t make me ash you,” Emily whispered.

Dustin grinned and held up the keys to the truck, “Get in, I’ll drive back.”

“No”

Kralen sighed, “Em, I’m in enough trouble as it is without you staying here.”

“Tell me again why he’s in trouble,” she told Dustin.

“He not only left without sufficient guards for you, but allowed you to have something expressly forbidden by the Elders,” Dustin explained.

“He can’t get in trouble for that. If he hadn’t come, then I would be alone.”

“Still…” Dustin held the door open. Emily finally walked out with Kralen, glancing once more at the coffee left on their table. Most of the drive was silent, until Dustin spoke again, “I find it hard to believe that you didn’t realize that by taking one of the Cavalry, they would have to be punished.”

Emily leaned up from the backseat and whispered quietly into Kralen’s ear, “Take the wheel.”

“What?” Dustin asked, just as he turned to ash. Kralen quickly grabbed the wheel and he pulled over to the side of the road.

“Damnit, Em. Are you trying to get me banished?” he asked, and scooped Dustin’s ashes into a cup.

“No, but he needs to chill. You did nothing wrong,” she told him, and crawled into the front seat of the truck.

Kralen slid into the driver’s side and started back for Council City, “Well the Council is going to want to know why we’re returning with a pile of ash instead of their Coven Liaison Officer, don’t you think?”

“They can figure it out on their own. I’m not talking to them about it.”

“You have to!”

“No, I don’t.”

Kralen growled slightly and his hands tightened on the steering wheel. Emily sat back and they drove the rest of the way in silence.

They walked into the palace together, but when Kralen stopped at the fourth floor, Emily turned and walked back down to her office. He sighed and then entered the council chambers when Derrick let him in.

“You have a lot of explaining to do,” Zohn growled.

Kralen nodded, “I would imagine I do… first though, we need to have the Coven Liaison Officer revived.”

Kyle sighed, “Bring him up here.”

Kralen walked up and placed the large cup of ashes in front of Kyle. It was only a few minutes later when Dustin was sitting back in his chair, furious at having been turned to ash yet again.

“What made you think it was ok to leave with Emily?” the Chief of Defense asked Kralen.

“I know the look on her face. Had I insisted on more guards, she would have gone alone,” Kralen explained.

Chevalier nodded, “I know that look.”

“Very well… and we are aware that Mark knew you left with her,” the Chief of Staff told him. “However, there is a direct rule that Emily is not to drink coffee…”

Kralen sighed, “That I can be punished for. She’s an adult and I didn’t feel as if she needed anything more than a reminder of what it would cause.”

“So you felt you could do what you wanted, in contrast to Council orders?”

“More like… she’s an adult and again, had I tried to stop her, then she would have simply turned me to ash and did it anyway. I saw the Coven Liaison Officer pass us on the Interstate and knew he would intervene.”

“Bring Emily here,” the Chief Investigator called out.

Kralen looked over at him, “She won’t come before the Council.”

“Why not?”

“She doesn’t feel comfortable here in the palace and I get the impression that most of that is because of the Council.”

“Explain yourself,” Dustin growled.

“No disrespect, Sir. I just know what I’ve seen and she still feels like an unwanted outsider. Any time the Council is mentioned, she clams up and starts to panic.”

“I’ve seen that also,” Chevalier told them. “See if she comes now.”

Derrick returned a few minutes later, “She…”

“Is she coming?” Zohn asked.

“No, Sir. She asked me to tell you that it will be a cold day in hell before she steps before the Council for anything,” Derrick said, then took a step back. He wasn’t sure if delivering that message would be detrimental to him.

Quinn sat back in his chair, “I see.”

“That’s unacceptable,” the Chief of Defense growled. “Get her.”

“She’s in her office, Sir,” Derrick explained. “Orders from Elder Chevalier are that we aren’t to enter.”

“Make that can’t enter,” Kyle corrected. “We made that room heku proof.”

“She has to come out eventually. Bring her here when she does,” Dustin said.

“Forcibly?” Kralen asked, frowning.

“Yes”

“No,” Chevalier said, and looked over at Dustin. “We’re trying to rebuild a relationship with her as a faction. Forcibly dragging her here won’t help that.”

“I agree,” Zohn said. “We can punish Kralen without her here.”

“Fine,” Dustin hissed, and then turned back to Kralen. “I suggest 5 years in jail and removal of his rank.”

“Seems a bit harsh for a coffee infraction,” Zohn said, frowning at Dustin.

“He broke an order, no matter how minor it may have been,” Dustin growled, watching Kralen closely. Kralen stood confidently in front of the Council.

Chevalier thought for a moment, “Broke an order or not, if we punish him, Emily’s going to take that personally.”

“That is true,” Quinn said. “Reforming this trust with her has turned out to be harder than we first expected and this would delay it even further.”

Zohn nodded to Kralen, “That’s three. Please try to refrain from undermining our decisions for Emily’s health though.”

Kralen nodded, “Yes, Sir.”

“We can’t just let him walk!” Dustin yelled.

“You may go,” Chevalier told Kralen, who nodded and disappeared to stand by Emily’s door.

Chapter 16 - Gabe

A lone heku walked into the council chambers and stood before the Equites Council. She had no green cape, but wore civilian clothing like the regular residents of Council City.

“What brings you in today, Andrea?” Quinn asked her. She didn’t shift nervously or cower before the menacing eyes of the Council, but stood her ground and addressed them calmly.

“I wanted to come before the Council because of something I encountered while in the mortal city last night,” Andrea said. Her shoulder-length brown hair was flipped up in a 50’s style, indicative of the era in which she was turned into a heku.

“What might that be?”

“I assume you are aware that another body was found, another victim of the serial killer known as Heartbreaker?”

“Yes, we are.”

“I happened upon the crime scene… the park where the body was found, and the mortal police were just leaving the area. I got curious and went to the chalk outline on the sidewalk and found the fading scent of a heku,” she explained.

Quinn frowned, “Are you certain?”

“Yes, Elder. I wish I could place a faction, but I have never encountered an Encala or a Valle. It was not the scent of an Equites.”

“That’s disturbing.”

“The News isn’t saying much about the serial killer, but I also smelled no blood in the area.”

“None at all? Or just faded?” Zohn asked.

“None, Elder.”

“Were you alone?”

“Yes, Elder.”

“Take the Chief Investigator to the scene,” Chevalier told her.

She nodded and left the room with the Equites Investigator.

“This takes on a new meaning if the serial killer is a heku,” Kyle said, turning toward the Elders.

Zohn nodded, “Yes it does, more so if it’s not an Equites.”

“We need to keep Emily and Alexis out of the mortal city,” Dustin said. “It’s not safe, especially if it is a heku.”

“That’s true,” Chevalier said. “I spoke to her though, and she hasn’t run off since she snuck out for coffee with Kralen 4 months ago.”

“Alert the Cavalry that the Heartbreaker may be heku. Have them up her security. I’ve seen, at times, she has only one or two guards,” the Chief of Defense said.

Zohn frowned, “What happened to 4?”

Kyle sighed, “We’ve been using the Cavalry more and more to handle Encala skirmishes, and she’s often left with the palace guards. While they may be more than efficient at protecting the palace, they are sometimes lax when assigned directly to Emily.”

Chevalier’s eyes narrowed, “Remedy that.”

“Yes, Elder,” Kyle said, and disappeared from the room.

Zohn turned to Chevalier, “Whose turn is it?”

“I think it’s Richard’s,” Chevalier told him, and turned to the Chief Interrogator.

The Chief Interrogator stood up, “I’ll see what I can do… this plan doesn’t seem to be working.”

“I had no luck at all,” the Chief of Staff told him. “She is getting suspicious.”

Chevalier grinned, “I told you she would do that if you all make a point to interact with her out of the everyday norm.”

“There is no everyday norm. We only spoke to her when she came before the Council,” Richard said. “However, she’s not been in 7 months.”

“Not since the Encala Council confronted her,” the Chief of Staff said.

Quinn thought for a moment, “Why don’t you tell us who is on the ‘Damon Follower’ list, and we’ll work with those.”

“Oh no, I’m not giving out that list,” Chevalier said, and then laughed. “It’s best if we just back off… She’ll come around when she feels more comfortable.”

The Chief Interrogator sat back down in his chair, “Very well.”

“Elder?” Derrick said, stepping into the room.

Chevalier sighed, “What did she do now?”

Derrick smiled slightly, “Her guards advised me that she is currently in a fight with Dain in her office.”

“Alone?” Chevalier gasped.

“Yes, Elder. They are unable to get in.”

“Let’s go see what’s up,” Zohn said, standing up.

Chevalier grinned, “You go. Let me know if it’s an emergency.”

“Not my family,” Zohn chuckled, and waited for Chevalier. He finally stood up and they both headed down the stairs to Emily’s office on the third floor.

Silas saw them coming and turned, “She dragged him into her office by his ear.”

“Over what?” Chevalier asked, stepping closer to listen carefully through the door.

“We aren’t sure,” Kralen told him, and turned toward the door. The heku could hear Emily screaming through the door.

“Never! Do you hear me?” Emily yelled.

“Yes, Mom… but…” Dain mumbled.

“No! No buts… now stand up straight.”

“Mom…”

“No! You do not crouch at me!”

“I’m sorry.”

“Now get those hands out of fists… this instant.”

“But…”

“Do it,” she growled. “If you ever expose your teeth and crouch at me again, I’ll not hesitate to throw you over my knee. Is that understood?”

Chevalier cringed slightly and glared at Kralen when he laughed.

“Yes, Mom,” Dain whispered.

“You’re 8 years old!”

“I know.”

Chevalier sighed and knocked on her door, ready to defend his son, “Em? Can I come in?”

“Is your Dad in on this?” she yelled at Dain, and Chevalier winced.

“No”

“Is he?”

“No, he didn’t know… I was just…”

“Stop! I’m not listening to this. You aren’t to leave the palace without my permission, is that understood?”

“Mom…”

“Is… that… understood?” she said through gritted teeth.

“Yes, Mom,” Dain whispered.

“Who gave it to you?”

“It’s… it doesn’t matter, I’ll give it back.”

“Who!?”

Chevalier knocked again, “Em… let me in.”

“Answer me!” Emily screamed.

“It’s not what you think though,” Dain explained.

“Is that what I asked?”

“Well… no.”

“Then who gave it to you?”

“Gave him what?” Chevalier whispered to her guards.

Kralen shrugged, “I’m not sure.”

“Dain! I’m waiting,” Emily said, obviously furious.

Dain sighed, “Stuart gave it to me.”

“The Cavalry Stuart?”

“Yes… but Mom, I asked him for it.”

“Stuart!” Emily screamed. “Get to my office, now!”

Chevalier’s eyes grew wide and he turned when the Cavalry member walked calmly up the stairs and bowed toward the heku at Emily’s door.

“What did you give Dain?” Zohn whispered to him.

“Just a copy of the Council City Guard Manual, Elder. He asked for it,” Stuart explained.

Chevalier turned to him and whispered, “You’re on vacation. Go to your coven for a week.”

“Sir?” Stuart asked, confused.

Zohn grinned, “Trust us… get out of Council City immediately.”

The Cavalry member nodded, still confused, and disappeared from the palace.

Kralen and Silas jumped back when Emily’s door slammed open. She stormed out and turned to Silas, “Where’s Stuart?”

“He’s on leave this week,” Silas said, taking a step back. The heku looked into her office and saw Dain in the corner, watching her with wide eyes.

“Mark!” Emily screamed, and went back into the office again, slamming the door after her.

Mark appeared suddenly and frowned slightly as he saw the heku gathered outside of her door.

Silas grinned, “Did you want buried at Hall Coven or here in the City?”

“Why am I dying?” Mark whispered. It was obvious from the looks on the heku’s faces that something was wrong.

“If you think for one second I’m going to let this happen, you have another thing coming!” Emily screamed from inside her office.

Mark grimaced and looked over at her door, “Who’s in there with her?”

“Dain is,” Kralen whispered.

“She’s actually mad at Stuart, but we decided to spare his life and sent him away for a week,” Zohn whispered to him.

“Do you!?” Emily yelled.

“Mom, just list…” Dain started.

“No you listen to me! Where the hell is Mark?”

Mark grinned slight, “I quit.”

“You can’t quit, get in there,” Zohn told him and chuckled.

“Last I heard, the Ferus was looking for more leadership… maybe they’ll take me.”

“Not a chance… I’m sure I’m next in line to get yelled at and I’m not in the mood,” Chevalier told him, and then reached over and knocked on Emily’s door.

“It’s Mark,” he called through the door.

“Get your ass in here,” Emily yelled, and Dain opened the door. The massive 8-year-old started to step out of her office, but she reached over and pulled him back inside by his collar. Mark glanced once more at the Elders and then walked into her office. She slammed the door after him.

“Is Chevalier out there?” Emily snapped at Mark. Zohn looked over just as Chevalier disappeared from the hallway. He grinned and whispered through the door.

“He… he’s not here right now,” Mark told her.

Emily stepped closer to Mark, “Are you trying to piss me off?”

“Well… no,” Mark said, and took a step back. His back hit the wall and his eyes grew wide. It wasn’t often he saw Emily this mad and he was silently waiting for the burn to begin.

“What makes you think I would allow my 8-year-old to join the guard staff?” she screamed.

“I wasn’t aware he…”

“Don’t lie to me! Your Cavalry gave my son a manual… Why would they do that if they weren’t trying to recruit him?”

“Mom… I asked…” Dain started, but Emily’s glare shut him up.

“Em… calm down,” Mark said. “No one’s trying to put Dain on the guard staff.”

“Yes they are! The same thing happened to Allen… It starts with a glance at the manual, and turns into banishment from this city!”

“As far as I know, Dain’s never expressed an interest in the guard staff.”

Emily was suddenly toe-to-toe with the massive General, “It’ll be over my dead body before my son joins your guards.”

“It’s not even been considered.”

Emily pushed him as hard as she could, though he didn’t budge, “Don’t defy me on this!”

“I’ll talk to Stuart…”

“I asked Stuart for a manual, Mom,” Dain said, and then took a step back when Emily turned on him.

“Why?”

“I was just curious how your guards were trained… that’s it.”

“You’re what?” Mark asked, frowning.

“I wanted to ensure that my Mom is well protected,” Dain explained.

This time it was Mark who stepped toward the boy, “You doubt our ability to protect your Mom?”

“Yes, I do.”

Emily stepped between them, finally calming down, “Calm down, Mark.”

Mark pointed, his finger just inches from Dain’s face, “You… are an infant and know nothing!”

Dain pushed Emily aside and shoved Mark.

“Stop!” Emily screamed when the two immediately began to fight. She was thrown back against her desk by one of them when she tried to get into the middle of it. She gasped and ran for the door when Mark slammed Dain onto her desk, sending computers and wood flying around the room.

As soon as the door opened, Mark and Dain flew out of her office and Mark pinned Dain against the far wall, leaving a long crack up the marble.

“Do not attack me!” Mark growled, and tightened his hand around Dain’s throat.

“Let him go,” Emily yelled, and started to pull at Mark.

Chevalier appeared on the landing and picked Emily up off of the General, “Let him do this, Em.”

“No! He’ll hurt Dain.”

“Yes, he will… but he’ll heal and he’ll learn from it,” Chevalier explained.

“If you ever so much as look at me wrong, I’ll send your head through the wall… is that understood?” Mark asked, and slammed Dain’s head back against the wall.

“I understand,” Dain growled at him. Mark let him go and took a step back.

“I told you, Dain. Don’t mess with anyone in this palace,” Chevalier told him. He let Emily go and she rushed to Dain to make sure he wasn’t injured.

“He’s fine, Em,” Mark told her.

Emily moved forward and slapped Mark, “Keep your hands off my son.”

“Our son, and I say the boy had it coming,” Chevalier told her.

Emily turned to Dain, “Get in the truck.”

Dain nodded and disappeared. Emily spun and started down the stairs.

“Where are we going?” Silas asked, following her. He gasped and took a step back when he felt the burn in his chest begin. Emily disappeared down the stairs. He turned to explain to Mark and Chevalier why he backed off, but could tell by the look on their faces that they felt it too.

“Just let her go burn off steam,” Chevalier told them. “I personally don’t want to mess with her when she’s in this bad of a mood. Kyle’s gone for three more days and I don’t like spending my time smoking.

“Agreed,” Mark said, straightened his uniform, and then walked up the stairs to his office.

***

“I just wish you would stay out of it. I can handle it,” Dain told Emily.

“I’m not going to let them bully you around just because they can,” she told him.

“I can take it though.”

“You can… but you don’t have to.”

Just before the gates to the city, Emily slammed on the breaks and threw open her door.

“Is that Alexis?” Dain growled, and opened his door.

From beside the gate, Gabe, Alexis’ former bodyguard, looked over at the truck and took a step back away from Alexis. He had been talking to Alexis as he leaned against the wall beside her and his hand was lightly brushing hair off of her cheek.

Emily scrambled out of the truck when Dain blurred to the guard and slammed him up against the wall.

“Dain, get in the truck,” Emily yelled. Dain growled once and then slowly walked to the truck.

“Mom, this isn’t what it looks like,” Alexis told her, but Emily noticed the blush in her cheeks.

“We were just talking,” Gabe told her.

“I’m not leaving with you,” Alexis yelled.

“Gabe, get in the truck,” Emily said, and walked back to the old Chevy.

“What?” he asked, shocked.

“Mom, no!” Alexis screamed.

Emily turned back to the guard, “I’m a member of the Council and I suggest you get in the damned truck.”

“Don’t do it Gabe,” Alexis begged.

“I have to…” Gabe told her, and walked to the truck. He got into the front seat of the truck while Emily crawled into the driver’s seat and Dain got in back. Alexis screamed at her Mom as she pulled out of Council City.

Dain growled softly from behind Gabe and he watched out the window, too terrified to move.

“Are you Alex’s guard again?” Emily asked him after a few minutes of silence.

“No, Ma’am.”

“Where are her guards?”

“I don’t know, Ma’am.”

They drove in silence for almost an hour before Emily finally pulled over into a small park and got out, “Come on, we’ll talk over here.”

Dain and Gabe got out of the truck, both too afraid to defy Emily. She walked over and sat down on a picnic table.

“Why are we here, Mom?” Dain asked, and scanned the area quickly.

“Have a seat, Gabe,” Emily said, and patted the picnic table beside her. Without a word, he complied.

Dain grinned at the frightened look on Gabe’s face as he sat beside a mortal a fraction of his size. The young looking heku stood almost 3 inches shorter than Dain, but his shoulders were broader and his uniform shirt clung tightly to massive muscles. He had short spiked brown hair and dark eyes.

Emily sighed, “This is where I get confused. Heku, at least most I’ve met… are intelligent and make wise decisions.”

Gabe didn’t reply. He just watched her.

She looked over at him, “So are you just that stupid?”

“Ma’am?”

Dain grinned.

“Stupid… are you not as bright as most?”

“I don’t understand, Ma’am.”

“How old are you Gabe?”

“1,188 years old.”

“Ok… well that’s old enough to be smarter than that.”

“I’m sorry, Ma’am. I don’t know what you mean.”

“Alexis…”

“Is a friend.”

“No, she’s not. I may not be thousands of years old, but I can spot affection from miles away.”

“Friends only.”

“See Dain over there?” Emily asked, and motioned to her young son.

“Yes,” Gabe said, and swallowed hard.

“He’s a hair taller than you, wouldn’t you say?”

“Yes”

“Ever met his Dad?” Emily asked, and turned to look at him with a glare.

“Yes, Ma’am.”

“That kind and patient heku… the one with infinite tolerance and caring. The one who wouldn’t hurt a fly and strives to be kind to all creatures… that’s the Dad we’re speaking of, right?” Emily asked.

“Erm… Ma’am?” Gabe wasn’t sure what to say.

“Yeah… that’s not the Dad I’m talking about either. So you’ve met the Elder, correct?”

“Yes”

“Could he remove your hand if he had the desire?”

“I’m sure he could.”

“Your head?”

Gabe nodded, too afraid to speak any longer.

“With one word he could have you banished?”

Again he nodded.

“Killed?”

Gabe glanced nervously at Dain.

“Yet you decide to touch his only daughter?” Emily asked, looking over at him. “If you’re afraid of me right now… you’ll never make it with the Elder.”

“Friends…” he whispered.

“How old is Alexis?”

“She… she’s 15.”

Emily grinned, “And in your infinite wisdom, you guessed that the Elder would be ok with you dating his 15-year-old daughter?”

“No, Ma’am… not dating… friends.”

“Have you slept with her?”

Gabe gasped, “No!”

“Well… that may keep you alive for now,” Emily said, and looked out as the sun began to set behind the trees. She tapped her fingers against her leg as she thought.

“We’re just friends, I swear.”

Dain reached over and put a menacing hand on the heku’s shoulder, “You touched her.”

“There… there was just… a hair on her face…”

“Still a touch,” Emily told him. “Gabe… Gabe… Gabe… ever hear what Chevalier does to heku who touch me?”

Gabe nodded.

“Ever seen it?”

“Yes,” he whispered.

“Ever seen what he does when someone touches his daughter?”

“No, Ma’am.” His voice was barely audible.

“That’s because no one’s been stupid enough to do it!” Emily yelled.

“Are you… are you going to tell the Elder?”

“Not sure. If I wanted you banished, I’d do it myself.”

His mouth fell instantly dry and he looked over at Dain. The 8-year-old grinned at him.

***

“Silas!” Alexis screamed, and ran up to him in the stables.

Silas turned suddenly and blurred to her, “Lexi, what’s wrong?”

Alexis looked around and then pulled him into the stables, “Mom’s going to kill Gabe.”

“Our Gabe? Why?”

“He… she just is. They left two hours ago in the truck and she’s not come back yet.”

Silas put a hand on her shoulder, “Calm down and tell me what happened.”

Mark and Kralen walked into the stables and Alexis froze, her eyes wide.

“What’s up?” Kralen asked. He glanced over at Alexis and it was obvious that she’d been crying.

“I’m still trying to figure that out. Something about Emily killing Gabe.”

“Gabe? Your former guard?” Mark asked.

Alexis nodded, but didn’t speak.

“She’s had it out for him for a while but no one knows why,” Mark said, and looked around the stables. “Maybe we need to go to the Council.”

“No!” Alexis yelled, and then lowered her voice. “No, we can’t tell them.”

“Tell us, Lexi. Why is Emily after Gabe?” Silas said softly.

“Not after! She ordered Gabe into her truck and then drove off.”

Mark frowned, “How long ago?”

“Two hours,” Alexis said, and began to wring her hands.

Silas touched her arm, “Tell us what happened so we can fix it.”

Alexis glanced at Kralen and Mark. They were again struck how much she looked like Emily, but with Chevalier’s black, haunting eyes and dark hair.

“Gabe… we were talking,” Alexis whispered.

“Keep going,” Kralen urged.

“Well… he just moved a piece of hair off of my face and Mom overreacted and…”

“Wait… moved or lovingly brushed?” Kralen asked, frowning.

“Moved! Kralen, not all of us are perverts.”

“How does that make one a pervert?”

“Shut up…” Alexis growled. “So she took off with him and Dain in the truck.”

Silas grinned slightly, “If I ask what the topic of conversation was, will I get called names too?”

“No,” Alexis said, and rolled her eyes. “We were just talking about stuff.”

“Did he touch you?” Mark asked her.

“Well… I guess probably.”

“Then you’re damned well lucky it wasn’t the Elder,” Mark whispered harshly.

“He didn’t do anything wrong!”

“Wait,” Kralen said, thinking. “When your Mom fired Gabe as your bodyguard… was it because you had a crush on him?”

Alexis just blushed and looked down at the ground.

Silas nodded, “So you had a crush and your Mom replaced him… dang, I wondered what he’d done. He didn’t even know it.”

“I know,” Alexis told him. “He had a girlfriend back then.”

“Right… her name was… Heidi?”

Alexis nodded and looked over when Mark put his cell phone to his ear. They all waited for a few seconds before he shut it, “It went to voicemail.”

“We have to tell the Elder,” Silas said.

“No!” Alexis gasped. “Dad would kill him.”

“This is big, Lexi. We can’t just let it go.”

“Mom’s taking care of him… but I’m afraid she’ll ash him and hide it like she did Frederick.”

“She may, depends on her mood.”

“Mad is what she was, I could tell.”

“Yes, mad it would be,” Mark said. “Or furious more like.”

“See! She’s going to kill him,” Alexis said, and then tears filled her eyes.

“Calm down, ok? We’ll go look for them… but the Council is going to start asking questions,” Kralen told her.

“Damnit, we run the risk of a lot of trouble for not telling the Elder,” Mark sighed. “Kralen’s already on thin ice from the coffee trip.”

“Please, Mark,” Alexis said, and touched his arm lightly. “She’ll kill him, but if Dad finds out… he’ll torture him first.”

“Silas take Alexis… Kralen and I will go out together. We’ll see if we can find her and figure out what’s going on,” Mark said. They all ran for the garage and Kralen chuckled as he buckled in.

Mark looked over at him, “What?”

“You have a soft spot for Em and Alex.”

“So?”

“So… all they have to do is bat their eyelashes and you cave.”

“That’s not true,” Mark told him, and headed out of the city.

***

Emily shivered in the dark night, “If that’s what you say.”

“It is! I swear, we’re just friends,” Gabe explained.

“But you left your girlfriend?”

“Yes, while you were gone. It wasn’t because of Alexis.”

“Was it because of someone else?”

“No”

She sighed, “You know I spent time with the Encala’s Chief Interrogator and picked up some tips.”

“No… I didn’t know that.”

“Yeah, well, I did. Now start telling me the truth. We’ve wasted 3 hours out here with you lying to me and I’m not all that happy about it.”

Gabe looked down at the ground, “I didn’t mean for this to happen.”

“She’s 15, Gabe.”

“I know! I realize that, ok?”

“Here’s the real problem… I don’t really care that she may have a boyfriend at 15. However, I think Chevalier will have problems with that.”

Gabe nodded.

“I’m not sure if you quite understand how he may react to this.”

“I do, Ma’am. We were just friends. I can’t help it if it turns into more.”

“Yes you can, Gabe… and if you value your life, then you may rethink that.”

Gabe looked slowly around the park, “He has to understand that at some point, she may find someone.”

“He’s not unreasonable, so I’m sure he does. I just don’t think he would agree with the age.”

“You were married at 17.”

Emily sighed, “Damn, does everyone know everything about me?”

“Probably,” Gabe said, and then grinned.

“Mom, it’s going to rain soon,” Dain said, walking back over to the picnic table. He’d been surveying the area and had just caught the scent of rain.

Gabe stood up, “I appreciate the warnings, but I’d also appreciate it if you could keep this from the Elder.”

Emily nodded, “Sure… unless it gets out of hand, and then the entire Council and Cavalry will come find you.”

Gabe’s eyes grew wide before he walked back to the truck. Dain grinned and followed him while Emily looked around the small park and then climbed into the truck.

Emily cranked up the heater when they got into the truck and then took off for Council City. With the dark clouds of the approaching storm, the night was pitch-black and it wasn’t long before lightning lit up the sky and the truck was pelted with hail.

Gabe turned in his seat to face Dain, who was sitting in the backseat, “So is it true that you fed from your Mom for a year?”

Dain’s eyes narrowed and Emily gasped, “What?”

“Just curious is all.”

Dain growled slightly before speaking, “That’s none of your business.”

“You can’t expect to be as famous as you two are without speculation and rumors. I simply wanted to see if it were true. If it is… I say kudos.”

Emily looked over at him, “Mind your own business.”

“Fine,” Gabe said, still watching Dain in the backseat.

“What?” Dain asked, now irritated.

“How is it you’re full heku and Alexis isn’t?”

“No one knows.”

“I’m glad, don’t get me wrong… heku women aren’t built like your sister.”

“What the hell?” Emily asked, glaring at him.

He shrugged, “Do you have any mortal traits at all?”

“Yeah,” Dain said.

“Like what?”

“Like the sudden urge to remove your arm.”

Suddenly, the truck slammed into a tree. The force of the impact threw both Gabe and Dain out the front window and they slumped down against the mud. The night fell eerily quiet as the two heku healed, but no sound came from the truck.

Gabe was the first to heal enough to stand up, and he stumbled over to the truck as steam poured out of the engine. He tore open the driver’s door and studied Emily, not quite sure what to do. She was leaned forward, still in her seat belt, and the airbag was deflated in front of her. She had blood covering her neck and chest, but he could tell she was breathing.

Dain roughly shoved Gabe away and leaned into the truck, “Mom?”

“I need an ambulance at mile marker 321 on County Road 22,” Gabe said into his cell phone.

“Mom… can you hear me?” Dain asked, and took her hand. It was completely limp in his.

“There’s an ambulance on the way,” Gabe said, and then he inhaled deeply and a soft hiss escaped his lips.

Dain turned toward him in a crouch, and Gabe’s feral eyes turned to the young heku as the smell of blood filled the area and his primal instincts came forward.

“Get back,” Dain yelled.

Gabe again inhaled and exposed his teeth menacingly moments before Silas slammed into him and they blurred into a fight in the muddy woods.

“What happened?” Mark asked, and moved Dain out of the way so he could check on Emily.

“We wrecked,” Dain said, frowning slightly. The smell of blood became stronger and he started to shake.

“Oh no you don’t,” Kralen growled, and pulled Dain off into the trees.

“Em?” Mark asked, and touched her cheek lightly. He looked up when he heard sirens, and ordered the heku all back into the trees instantly. He watched silently from behind a tree as the paramedics gently put Emily on a backboard and then strapped her onto it before putting her in the back of an ambulance.

Police arrived shortly after the ambulance and they were going through the old Chevy pickup, trying to find out what happened. When the Ambulance left for the hospital, Mark ordered Kralen to return Gabe and Dain to Council City, while he and Silas blurred to the car waiting a mile away and sped off toward the hospital.

They pulled up in Emergency Room parking just as Chevalier and Quinn arrived.

“What happened?” Quinn asked, after Chevalier disappeared into the hospital.

“We aren’t really sure. Dain just said they wrecked. Looks like Em hit a tree, but not sure how. She was a ways off of the road,” Mark explained. “When we got there, Gabe was about to attack her. There was a lot of blood.”

Quinn nodded, “Let’s go see what they found.”

The three heku went into the Emergency Room and waited while Chevalier spoke to the nurse. After arguing with her for a few minutes, Quinn took his arm, “Come on, we’ll wait out here.”

Chevalier glared at the small nurse and then turned angrily and sat down in the waiting room. A few hours later, a young doctor came out to talk to them. She was in blood covered green scrubs and looked exhausted and worried.

“Who is Emily’s husband?” she asked the four heku.

“I am,” Chevalier said, and stood up.

The doctor shook his hand before she spoke, “I’m Dr. Webb… have a seat.”

She sat down after Chevalier and then leaned forward with her elbows on her knees, “I’ll just make this brief. Your wife is still unconscious, but it’s not from the wreck.”

“Then why?”

“We ran a CT and MRI on Emily and found signs of past strokes, but one new one. I suspect she had a stroke while driving and then fell unconscious.”

Quinn glanced nervously at Kralen.

“So she’s not injured from the car wreck?” Chevalier asked.

“Not that we can find. She had a nosebleed and blood pooling in her ears, but we can’t find a cause for those. The strokes wouldn’t cause that. My main concern is how someone as young as Emily has that many strokes.”

“She has blood pressure problems,” Dr. Edwards said, walking into the Emergency Room.

“You are?” Dr. Webb asked.

“I’m Dr. Edwards, Emily’s personal Physician.”

Dr. Webb shook his hand and waited until he sat down, “We are suspecting they are just TIAs, but we won’t know until she wakes up and recovers for a few days.”

“Did you CT?” Dr. Edwards asked.

“Yes, she’s having Ischemic strokes. I’ve can clearly see six previous and then the new one today, but the bleeding has stopped.”

“What antiplatelet is she on?”

“We’ve started her on Clopidogrel, Aspirin, and dipyridamole, but when she goes home we’ll drop the Aspirin.”

Dr. Edwards nodded, “When can we take her home then?”

“I’d like to wait until she wakes up and we can evaluate her for brain damage.”

“Can’t Dr. Edwards do that?” Chevalier asked her.

“Yes, but I still don’t feel comfortable sending her home unconscious. Let’s just wait it out until she wakes up.”

Dr. Webb stood up and left the heku in the waiting room. They all turned to Dr. Edwards and he spoke, too softly for the mortals to hear.

“This is good, now that I know what kind of strokes she’s having, we can take preventative measures.”

“Like what?” Chevalier asked.

“Those medications she mentioned… We’ll keep her on those but I’ll warn you… they are anti-coagulants. If Emily is to be fed off of, she could bleed to death.”

Chevalier hissed softly.

“I don’t know if the medications will work. I lied to the doctor about her having high blood pressure, but that’s the best excuse for strokes in one listed as young as Emily is.”

“What else can we do?” Quinn asked.

“That’s it unless we can find out what’s causing them.”

“Could this all be caused by her age?” Chevalier asked, mostly to himself.

“She doesn’t age,” Dr. Edwards said.

“What if part of her is aging though? She’d be 46 years old now.”

“That’s still pretty young to be having strokes.”

“Who all was in the car with her when it happened?” Chevalier asked, and turned to Mark.

“Dain and Gabe,” Mark said, and then sighed. He had to tell the Elder the truth.

“Gabe? Why?”

“I think you may need to take that up with Emily.”

“But you know?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Tell me.”

Mark looked down at the ground for a second before addressing the Elder, “Emily caught Gabe and Alexis talking. From what Alexis said, Gabe brushed hair away from her face, thereby touching her and…”

“What!?” Chevalier whispered harshly.

“Emily then ordered Gabe into the truck and took off with he and Dain.”

“Are we sure he touched my daughter?”

“Yes, Elder.”

“Put him in prison until I can deal with him.”

Mark nodded to Kralen, who disappeared from the waiting room.

“Is her old truck destroyed?” Quinn asked.

“I would imagine so.”

“Good, it was untrustworthy and badly in need of repair.”

“Move her truck and Jeep back into the garage,” Chevalier said to Mark.

***

“Get him out of prison!” Alexis screamed as she stormed into the council chambers.

Zohn’s eyebrows rose, “Who are we speaking of… sorry… yelling about?”

“Gabe,” she said, and then crossed her arms at her chest, which made her look even more like Emily.

“I see… well… until he’s fully interrogated, he stays where he is.”

“Get him out right now or I’ll ash this entire Council!”

“We know you can’t do that Alex. Your Dad is on his way back from the hospital right now with Emily. You can discuss this with him.”

Alexis carefully scanned the Council, and when no one would meet her eyes, she screamed and ran from the council chambers.

“We’re lucky she doesn’t have Emily’s full abilities,” Dustin said after the door slammed behind her.

“Yes, we are,” Zohn agreed.

Kyle came in the back door and sat down, “Why is Alexis trying to catch my eye?”

Zohn grinned, “To turn you to ash, no doubt.”

“What’d I do?”

“She’s trying to turn the Council to ash so we will release Gabe.”

“Good luck, he’s waiting in the Interrogation Chamber for Chevalier,” Kyle said.

“Just don’t tell her that. I’m not sure she realizes he’s to be interrogated in that manner.”

“I’m not telling her,” Kyle said, and started to look through a stack of forms on the desk in front of him. He was so engrossed in the papers that he didn’t hear when he was called.

“Enforcer?” Zohn said, a little louder.

“Oh, sorry… yes, Elder?”

“Seems Alex found someone to look at her.”

Kyle sighed, “Where?”

“The prison guards, both of them.”

“I’m on it,” he said, and disappeared. When he emerged in the prison, the entire dungeon fell silent. He saw two piles of ash beside the door, but walked past them, following Alexis’ scent into the prison. He found her walking up and down the rows, “What are you doing, Alex?”

“Where is he?” she asked, turning on him.

Kyle made sure to avert a direct look into her eyes, “He’s waiting for the Elder.”

“Dad’ll kill him. We’re getting out of here.”

“No, you’re not. Go back upstairs. You don’t have the same privilege to be down here as your Mom does.”

“Make me!”

Kyle shrugged and threw her over his shoulder. She kicked and screamed as he hauled her up the stairs and out of the prison. New guards had already appeared to replace the piles of ash.

“What now?” Chevalier asked from the first-floor stairs. He was just walking up with Emily when they heard Alexis scream at Kyle.

“She’s trying to run away with Gabe,” Kyle told him, and set her down. He easily dodged when Alexis tried to slap him.

“Alexis, upstairs, now!” Chevalier yelled.

Alexis glared at Kyle and followed Emily up the stairs. Kyle grinned at the Elder, and then went back down to revive the guards. Mark, Kralen, and two members of the Cavalry were already waiting outside of their bedroom.

“Welcome back,” Mark said, and smiled.

“Is my truck really gone?” Emily asked. Her words were slow and somewhat slurred.

“Yes, sorry.”

She nodded and walked into the bedroom with an obvious limp.

“Is she ok?” Kralen whispered to Chevalier.

“We don’t know. Be careful around her though, she’s hard to understand at times and she’s getting frustrated with the weakness on her left side.”

Kralen nodded and Chevalier went into the room after Emily and Alexis. Mark reached over and shut the door behind them.

Emily walked over and sat down by the raging fire, and then turned to Alexis and Chevalier, who were having a silent type of standoff in the room.

“Both of you sit down,” she whispered, carefully enunciating to alleviate confusion from slurred words.

Chevalier pointed to a chair and Alexis sat down hard, still glaring at her Dad. Chevalier sat down beside Emily.

“What is going on?” Emily asked them.

“Dad put Gabe in jail,” Alexis explained.

Emily looked at Chevalier and he nodded, “I did, until I can talk to him.”

“Talk or interrogate?” Alexis snapped.

“I’ll do what I have to to find out his intentions.”

“His intentions were to be my friend!”

“Friend only?”

“Yes!”

“I can tell you’re lying, Alexis,” Chevalier growled.

“Fine… then so what if he’s my boyfriend?”

“Is he?”

“What if he is? You let Allen date Miri this young!”

“This is different,” Chevalier argued. “He matured faster and was already an adult by the time he was 14.”

“So you’re punishing me because I’m more human than heku?”

“No, it’s not a punishment, but at your age I’m not so sure you’re ready for a boyfriend.”

Alexis glared at him, “It’s my life! You have no say in it.”

“I’m your father, which gives me the right to have a say in it.”

“Let him go,” Alexis said, gritting her teeth.

“Alex, please calm down,” Emily whispered and looked at Chevalier. “Will you not interrogate him?”

“He touched my daughter!”

“He pushed hair away from her face, that’s it.”

Chevalier’s eyes narrowed, “Is that all, Alexis?”

“Mostly”

“What do you mean mostly?”

“Dad, I love him,” Alexis said, and looked down at her hands.

Emily reached out suddenly and put her hand on Chevalier’s leg when he started to stand up, “Chevalier, calm down.”

He glared at his daughter, “How far have you gone with him?”

“Don’t make it sound like that! We’ve kissed… that’s all.”

“He kissed you!?”

“I love him!”

“Alexis, go,” Emily said slowly, and took Chevalier’s hand.

“I hate you!” Alexis yelled at Chevalier before storming out of the room and slamming her door.

“I can’t fight you on this. You need to calm down,” Emily said.

Chevalier looked at her and his heart sank. Her slurred speech was proof that something was drastically wrong with her and so far, no one could figure out what. He took a deep breath, calming his anger, and then took Emily’s hand, “She’s too young.”

“Yes, she is. Yelling isn’t going to help her though. We both know that Allen was already an adult by her age, but she doesn’t see it that way.”

“He’s kissed her.”

“I heard. Do all of us a favor and don’t interrogate him. Send him away on an assignment, but don’t hurt him, or she could hate you forever.”

Chevalier nodded, “Maybe that’s the best plan.”

“She’s a teenage girl. Nothing you can say will be right, nothing you can do will be enough, but we both agree that her dating Gabe is a bad idea,” Emily said, and then reached over and pulled a blanket over her legs.

“You would tell me if you knew what’s going on with you, right?” Chevalier asked. He was afraid that she knew what was causing the strokes, but was somehow protecting the heku again.

“I would… and I don’t.”

He reached over and kissed her lightly, “You look tired. Why don’t you lay down and I’ll go make arrangements for Gabe to go on a mission.”

She nodded, and he picked her up and gently laid her in bed. She was pulling the covers up as he stepped out of her room.

“Get Gabe into the council chambers immediately,” Chevalier whispered. “Silas, keep Alex away.”

Silas nodded and blurred away while Kralen gave orders for the prison guards.

Chevalier stepped into the council chambers and took his seat. Zohn turned to him, “How is she?”

“She has slurred speech, numbness on her left side, and her eyesight isn’t as strong,” he explained. “Whatever going on is going to take a while for her to heal from.”

“Do you suspect she knows what’s going on?”

“No, I don’t. This last one scared her because she wrecked her truck while Dain was inside.”

“What are we doing here?” Quinn asked as Gabe was forced to his knees before the Council.

“Dealing with this useless heku,” Chevalier said, glaring down at the guard.

Kyle watched him, “You, Son, are accused of breaking Elder orders to stay away from Alexis… How do you plead?”

“It’s not like that,” Gabe said, watching Kyle closely.

“Are you in love with the Elder’s daughter?” Dustin asked, leaning forward slightly.

“Well… no.”

Chevalier’s eyes narrowed, “Then why the kissing?”

“She’s… well I kinda like her.”

“Kind of?” Kyle asked.

“How old are you?” Quinn asked.

“1,188 years old.”

“So you’re old enough to know better.”

“She claims to love him,” Chevalier said to the other Elders. “Sounds to me like he’s taking advantage of that.”

“I’m not!” Gabe said, frantically trying to save his life. “I didn’t know she loved me… I swear.”

“How far has this attraction gone?” the Chief of Defense asked.

“Just kissing.”

“Banish him,” Chevalier said. “Give him 600 years to think about messing with my family.”

“Sir,” Kyle said, turning to him. “This is going to seriously make things hard between you and Alexis.”

“I don’t really care.”

Quinn sighed and looked down at the heku, “My vote is for demotion and to return to his coven without honors.”

“If Alexis is anything like her mother, she’ll seek him out,” the Chief Investigator said.

“Your call, Elder,” Dustin said, looking over at Zohn.

Zohn thought for a moment before speaking, “While I agree with Quinn that banishment is too strong for this offense… I also see how the entire situation could delay Emily’s ability to heal from whatever it is that’s going on. To lessen her stress, I vote for banishment.”

Kyle nodded and walked down to the trial area. Gabe attempted to run from the council chambers just as a drop of Kyle’s blood fell to his arm and he instantly turned to ash. Kyle knelt down and scooped the ashes into a small leather bag and was just tucking it into his cape when the door flew open and Alexis came in.

“Where is he?” Alexis screamed. She scanned the Council and then turned to Kyle, the only heku in the trial area, “Did you do it?”

Kyle carefully averted her gaze and looked up at Chevalier.

“Gabe has been sent on a mission,” Chevalier told her.

Alexis glared at him, “You banished him, didn’t you?”

“He’s on a mission, and will be for quite some time,” Zohn said.

“Alex, where’s Silas?” Chevalier asked.

“Where is Gabe!?”

“We told you.”

“Don’t lie to me!” Alexis screamed, and then turned to Kyle. “If you don’t want to find the Equites without a Chief Enforcer, I suggest you bring him back.”

“Kyle, go,” Zohn whispered, and Kyle disappeared from the trial area.

“Coward!” Alexis screamed toward the door.

“Alexis, you cannot date heku yet,” Chevalier told her.

“Why not?”

“They are all too old. You are only 15.”

“Yeah… how old are you?”

The Council all looked over at Chevalier. Though known an ‘old one,’ no one had ever asked how old he actually was, “That’s not impo…”

“How old?” Alexis asked again, and took a step forward.

“Alex?” Emily said softly from behind her.

The entire Council looked over at her and they were shocked. She limped forward to take Alexis’ arm and her words were more slurred than they at first imagined. Her left arm hung limply at her side and Dain emerged and put a supporting hand against her back.

“Mom, they banished Gabe,” Alexis told her, and then started to cry.

When Emily replied, her words were carefully formed in an attempt to speak clearly, “They did what they thought they had to.”

“I love him,” Alexis whispered, her eyes full of pain.

“I know.”

The 15-year-old turned to the Council, “I hate all of you.”

“Come on,” Emily said, and led Alexis out of the council chambers.

Zohn sighed, “I didn’t realize how bad she was.”

“She can heal from this though, right?” the Chief Interrogator asked.

“I would assume so,” Chevalier told him. “First though, we have to stop it.”

Kyle returned through the back doors and sat down, “I’ve revived Silas.”

Chevalier nodded, “Do a systematic search of the area. Find any coven, any faction, and get dates of all turnings for the last year.”

Quinn looked over at him, “I thought none were close enough for it to affect her.”

“We don’t really know that… I suspect when she had the ritual performed on her, it made her more susceptible and maybe the proximity is larger.”

Kyle nodded and disappeared with the Chief of Defense. After an hour of deliberation by the Council on an upcoming trial, the doors again opened and this time Emily came in, followed closely by Dain.

Quinn smiled, “Hello, Dear.”

She limped up to the Council and spoke softly, “I suggest we ban Alexis from here until she has calmed down.”

“That isn’t a bad suggestion,” the Chief Interrogator said. “It would behoove us to protect the Council until she’s no longer a threat.”

“Thank you, Emily,” Zohn said. “We will do that immediately.”

“I also… have a question,” she whispered, still fighting to clear her speech.

“What, Em?” Chevalier asked.

She sighed, “I want to know from the Council what will be done to control Chevalier when I die.”

“What!?” Chevalier gasped.

“I’m not sure what you mean,” Zohn said, barely above a whisper.

Emily glanced up at Chevalier and then to Zohn, “I think that question explained itself.”

“What aren’t you telling me?” Chevalier asked.

“That I think I may be dying. I want to ensure you don’t end up getting killed because of your temper.”

“You aren’t dying… you will heal from this.”

She shrugged slightly, “Maybe. I want a promise from the Council that neither Chevalier, nor Kyle, will be allowed to go on an enraged rampage if I die.”

Quinn frowned slightly, “If that were to happen, I’m not sure the Council could stop it.”

“You can stop them, I know you can. I want a promise,” she said, and looked up at them.

“We cannot promise that,” the Chief of Staff told her.

Chevalier began to panic. For the first time since the strokes began, he started to wonder if this was something she may not be able to heal from, “Emily… what aren’t you telling us?”

“I don’t know what’s causing them. I just know that I’m not doing it on purpose and I can’t stop it. My Dad died of a stroke, I know the signs, and I’m heading in that direction.”

“You are not dying!” Chevalier growled.

“You won’t promise me?” Emily asked, looking up at Quinn.

“I cannot.”

A stray tear fell from her eye, “I’m dying, I can feel it. I will leave behind children that need a father and the only way I know to protect that need is if he’s restrained and not allowed to go on a killing spree.”

Zohn swallowed hard. The slowness and strain of her words became more evident as she proclaimed her impending death, “We cannot promise that.”

“Kyle will need protected too, from himself.”

“Em…” Kyle whispered.

“I’m not sad that I’m dying,” Emily whispered, watching Chevalier. “You gave me a wonderful life, gave me children, and friends, and a family. I couldn’t ask for anything more. I’m just afraid of how you are going to react when I die.”

“You are not dying,” Chevalier told her.

She looked over at Quinn and Zohn, “Is that your final say then? You won’t grant me this one request?”

“Emily, they can’t keep us from avenging your death,” Kyle told her.

“We can’t, please don’t ask us,” Zohn whispered.

She turned slowly and limped out of the room.

Dain hissed and his hands balled into tight fists, “You cannot grant her that one wish, just to ease her mind?”

“No, we can’t,” Quinn told him.

“She’s not dying… I won’t allow it. Yet you could lessen her stress by lying and telling her that Dad and Kyle will be kept safe!”

“We won’t lie to her.”

“Do it!” Dain screamed.

“Dain, no,” Chevalier said. “She’s not dying, and we’re not going to give in to the notion that she is.”

Dain turned suddenly when he heard Emily’s Rubicon leave the garage.

“Let her go and think,” Zohn sighed. “For now, leave her be.”

***

“Sir,” one of the Imperial Guards said to Sotomar. “The Winchester is here and wishes to speak to you.”

Sotomar frowned, “Emily is here, now?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Let her in,” he said, and then smiled. The Valle were always pleased when Emily paid them a visit. They had heard she was ill and wanted to see for themselves how bad.

Emily limped in slowly. She was tired from the long drive and with half of her body no longer fully under her control, everything was tiring.

Sotomar watched her, too shocked to speak. It was immediately obvious to the heku that she was significantly weak on her left side and she looked pale and drawn.

“Emily…” Elder Ryan whispered.

Emily stopped in front of them and looked up at the enemy Council. She formed the words carefully in her mind and spoke slowly so they would understand, “I have a request of the Valle Council.”

Her slurred and distorted speech shocked the Valle Council, and it was a few moments before anyone could speak.

“What is it you ask?” Elder Randall asked.

She swallowed, “I want promised, by the Valle Council, that when I die… Chevalier and Kyle will be imprisoned until they are in their right minds and in control of their tempers.”

“Are you dying?” Sotomar gasped.

Emily nodded, “Yes, I think I am.”

“But you can heal.”

“Whatever is going on isn’t stopping. I can’t heal, and I’m so tired.”

“But…”

“I’m not afraid of death. The Equites have given me a wonderful life… but I’m afraid of how Chevalier and Kyle will react when the time comes, and I need you to help me protect them.”

“You cannot die…” Sotomar said, finding it hard to speak.

“I am, I’m sure of it. Please, promise me… grant me this one request.”

Elder Ryan took a deep breath to calm himself, “We cannot imprison two members of the Equites Council.”

“For me… forget about factions… forget about rank and Councils. Help me, please,” Emily said slowly.

“If you were to die,” Sotomar said, picking his words carefully. “It would not be our place to deny them vengeance. It’s our way.”

“I’m not asking to stop them from seeking revenge… I only ask that you stop it long enough for them to think clearly. I will leave my children without a mother. I cannot risk leaving them without a father, too.”

“This entire conversation is a moot point,” the Valle’s Chief Interrogator said. “You aren’t dying… you are immortal.”

Emily shook her head, “No, not immortal. Just not aging… I’m dying and I need someone to assure me that my children won’t be left alone.”

The Chief Investigator and Chief of Staff appeared beside Emily when she swayed slightly.

“Please, rest here,” Sotomar said softly. “We will discuss things when you feel better.”

She nodded. The drive to the Valle’s main city was exhausting and she wanted nothing more than to sleep.

While two of the Imperial Guards showed Emily to her room, Sotomar called the Equites Council.

“Zohn here.”

“It’s Sotomar, may I speak to Chevalier?”

“He’s busy. What can I do for you?”

“We really need to speak to him personally.”

Zohn sighed, “He’s out looking for Emily.”

“She’s here,” Sotomar told him.

There were whispers heard from the Equites, though it was too softly for the Valle to hear over the speakerphone. It was only a few minutes before Zohn spoke, “I’ll call him back and have him contact you.”

“Very well,” Sotomar said, and disconnected. He quietly left the council chambers and silently slid into Emily’s room to watch her sleep. He studied how silently she slept and how peaceful she looked in her sleep. His heart sank at her desperate plea to save her husband and friend, and he wondered if his world would ever again be this intertwined by another mortal.

Three hours later, he returned to the council chambers when he was alerted that Chevalier had called.

“Is she still there?” Chevalier asked him.

“Yes, she’s sleeping. It seems the drive wore her out,” Sotomar explained. He knew how furious the enemy Elder would be that he watched Emily sleep, but his instincts were telling him that something was severely wrong with her.

“I can come get her.”

“Let her sleep for a while. She’s well protected here.”

“Very well.”

“We will have her call when she wakes.”

“Did she ask you, then?” Chevalier asked.

Sotomar sighed, “Yes.”

“I wonder if she’ll go to the Encala next.”

“That would be my guess, as we denied being able to assist her.”

“We can’t let her go there. Frederick is still angry with her and I’m not sure how they would react to an impromptu visit.”

Sotomar thought for a moment, “Maybe we should go there instead.”

“The Valle?”

“No, you and I.”

“They are more likely to break tradition and agree to help her though,” Chevalier said. “If we go there first, it may even make their decision easier.”

Sotomar smiled slightly, “That is true… They will agree to help her if for nothing else than to make us mad.”

“I would like to come and get Emily… I will bring someone to return her Jeep.”

“Why don’t you let her stay here for a bit?” Sotomar suggested. “Give you some time to further investigate what is going on, and it will take more time to help Alexis with her newest problem.”

Chevalier chuckled, “Damn that got around fast.”

“Things do.”

“Have her call me when she wakes up then… I’ll suggest she take a vacation.”

“We will,” Sotomar promised, and then hung up.

Chapter 17 - Health

“You’re cheating!” Emily yelled, and then started to laugh.

“I am not… just because you’re losing, doesn’t mean that I must be cheating,” the General for the Imperial Guard said to her. He nervously glanced at Dain and then turned his attention back to the TV.

The Equites had good leads on the whereabouts of the serial killer known as Heartbreaker, and were also still searching every coven within a 12-hour drive of Council City. During the last month that Emily had spent with the Valle, her condition was improving and her speech was beginning to clear. Dain insisted on being with her in the enemy palace, and was flown over during her second week with them.

“Damn… that’s 4 out of 5 wins for you,” Emily said, and set the game controller down.

The General grinned, “Yes, that is.”

Emily looked over when a familiar heku spoke, “Are you ready, Lady Emily?”

She sighed, “Do we have to do this today?”

“Yes, Elder Sotomar ordered it.”

“I’d like to know when I started taking orders from Sotomar,” Emily said, and then stood up to leave. Her limp was markedly improved as she followed the Physical Therapist out of the game room. Dain was close behind her and scrutinized every heku that came near her.

The Imperial Guards smiled and bowed when Emily walked past, ignoring the growls from the young heku that was bigger than most of them.

They walked into a room the Valle made especially for Emily, and she sat down at a table across from the Physical Therapist.

“Ok, today we’re working on eating again,” he said, and set out a plate and fork.

“Which makes no sense to me,” Emily said, and took the fork in her right hand. “I don’t eat with my left hand.”

“It doesn’t matter, we’re not training your left hand to hold and use a fork… we’re training it to simply do as it’s told.”

“Gotcha,” Emily said, and then looked over when Sotomar entered.

“How is it going?”

“Peachy, I can now eat air with my left hand,” she said, and grinned slightly.

“Did Chevalier say when he would be visiting again?”

“He’s hoping for tonight.”

The Physical Therapist cleared his throat and looked up at the Elder.

“Oh… right… carry on,” Sotomar said, and left the room.

After an hour of fine-motor work with her left hand, the Physical Therapist moved his chair beside her and took her left arm in his hands.

Dain growled deeply when the Valle touched her and Emily looked up at him, “Stop it.”

“He doesn’t need to touch you!” Dain growled.

“Let him do his job.”

“I’m watching you,” Dain said to the Valle.

The Physical Therapist began to massage her impaired arm, alternating between range-of-motion exercises and sensory stimulation to her left arm.

“All fixed?” Emily asked when he was done.

“Not yet, your TENS unit came in,” he told her, and took a small black box out of a desk. The black box had long wires coming off of it and he attached them to her arm with tiny white discs.

“So what’s this do again?” she asked, and then her eyes grew wide when small electrical impulses were sent through her arm.

“We’re trying to, essentially, wake up your arm.”

“What would this do to you?”

The Physical Therapist chuckled, “I’m imagining a lot… we leave this on for thirty minutes and then we go back into the water.”

Emily looked over at the large water tank, “Seriously?”

“Yes, your limp is improving and I’m certain that we can get rid of it all together.”

She read her book and ignored the minor face-off between Dain and the Valle while her TENS unit sent electrical stimulation into her arm. It wasn’t until it turned off that she noticed the two heku staring at each other.

“Will you two stop?” she asked, and the Physical Therapist turned back to her.

“Sorry… I cannot back down to him though,” he explained while unhooking her from the device.

“Dain, that’s enough,” Emily told him.

“Mom…”

“No! He’s helping me… so leave him alone.”

Dain’s eyes narrowed, but he nodded slightly.

Within a few minutes, Emily was in a one-piece swimsuit and was walking slowly across the water tank with the Physical Therapist watching.

“You are progressing well,” he commented. “Make sure and lift your left leg equal to your right when walking though… you’re still babying your left side.”

“I’m not babying it… it doesn’t work.”

“It does, but you’re avoiding using it when at all possible.”

By the time Emily was done with the water tank, she was exhausted and ready for a nap. Dain helped her out of the tank and she wrapped in a towel.

“We done then?” she asked, drying off in the dressing room.

“Yes, though, I’m going to help encourage you to use your left side more,” the Therapist said to her.

She stepped out fully dressed, “What do you mean?”

He held up a thick belt, “I’m tying down your right arm.”

Her eyes grew wide, “What?”

“Restraining your right arm will force you to use your left side.”

“No”

“Yes,” he said, raising his eyebrows.

“No, I don’t mean it won’t work… I mean I won’t do it.”

“I know what you mean… and yes, you will do it.”

“I will not d…” she stopped talking when the Physical Therapist suddenly appeared in front of her and her right arm was already restrained at her side. “Damn that was fast.”

“Let’s see how it goes… I do believe your husband has arrived.”

She nodded, “I’ll get out of this thing.”

“Not without help,” he said, and then grinned when she walked out, struggling against the strap holding her arm to her side.

“Undo this for me,” Emily asked one of the Imperial Guards that was following her to the council chambers.

“Sorry, Ma’am. Elder’s orders that we cannot release you,” the closest one said to her.

“Dain…”

There was a small scuffle behind her when Dain started for her and two of the Imperial Guards restrained him.

“Stop!” Emily yelled and went to Dain. “It’s ok, Baby. I’ll get it off myself… don’t risk a war for it.”

Dain growled at the guards and they let him go and fell in behind Emily when she continued to the council chambers, still struggling to get her arm free.

Emily was so busy concentrating to free her right arm, that she hadn’t noticed that she passed into the council chambers.

“Having problems?” Chevalier asked, amused.

She looked up and smiled, and then quickly moved into his arms. He lightly kissed the top of her head.

Emily pulled away from him and turned her back to him, “Let this thing loose.”

Chevalier chuckled, “I’m sure it’s there for a reason.”

“It’s not… the Valle are restraining me.”

“I would say not,” Elder Ryan said, hoping Chevalier wouldn’t believe her.

Chevalier leaned his head back and laughed, “It’s good to have you back, Em.”

“No seriously, take it off,” she said, pulling against the binds.

“Em… whatever it is they’re doing is working. Your limp is better, your speech is almost perfectly clear. I’m not going to take that off if it’s helping you.”

“It hurts though.”

Dain growled and Chevalier glared at him before turning back to Emily, “It’s not hurting you, so leave it alone.”

Emily turned when the door opened and Alexis ran to her and threw her arms around her Mom.

“Oh I missed you, Alex,” she said, and hugged her with her left arm.

“Are you ok?” Alexis asked, and looked over her Mom.

“I’m fine.”

“Good, then I came here to talk to the Valle Council,” Alexis said, then turned to look at the Council.

“You did?” Chevalier asked, frowning.

Alexis looked over at Sotomar, “I want to stay here.”

“You may stay with your Mom if you’d like.”

“No, permanently. I want to join the Valle.”

Chevalier gasped, eyes wide, “You what?”

The Valle Elders looked nervously at Chevalier.

“I’m done with the Equites… and I want to stay here with you,” Alexis repeated.

“That’s… we… is there a problem, Child?” Sotomar finally managed to ask.

“Yes, I hate them.”

“Alexis…” Chevalier growled.

“If you say no… then I know the Encala will take me.”

“It’s not… quite that easy to change factions,” Elder Ryan said, quickly glancing at Chevalier.

“Then start the process or I go to the Encala.”

“You are out of line, Alex,” Chevalier said, and grabbed her arm roughly.

Alexis tried to pull free of her Dad’s grasp, but was unable to, “Yes or no? I need to know now.”

“Alex, now is not the time for this,” Emily told her.

“I hate them, Mom,” Alexis told Emily, her eyes full of tears. “They killed Gabe.”

Emily wrapped her one arm around her daughter and let her cry it out on her shoulder. She could tell by how Chevalier was watching Sotomar that they were having a conversation, but they were speaking too quietly for her to hear and she suspected too quietly for even Alexis to hear.

Finally, Emily pulled back from Alexis and looked into her eyes, “I’ll go home, ok? We’ll talk there.”

Alexis nodded and then glared at her Dad before stepping back by Dain.

“We’ll be sad to see you go,” Elder Ryan told her.

“I appreciate all you’ve done, but it seems I’m needed at home.

“You’ve not had fainting spells here though, maybe it’s something in the Equites palace.”

“I doubt it. I’ve been there long enough it would have shown up before now.”

“Very well,” Sotomar said, and then smiled. “You are more than welcome to return if the need arises.”

“I’ll be in touch,” Alexis said to him, and then took Dain’s hand and they walked out of the council chambers.

Emily watched them go and then smiled at Chevalier, “We could always leave both of them.”

“Don’t tempt me,” he said, and they walked out together.

***

“How is she?” Quinn asked when Chevalier sat down.

“She’s improved quite a bit. Their Physical Therapist did wonders for her.”

Zohn smiled, “Good to know.”

“Alexis, however, asked Sotomar if she could join the Valle.”

Quinn gasped, “She did?”

“Yes, Emily and I are going to talk about that tonight after she gets some time in the pool.”

“Any other Equites would be instantly banished,” Dustin mumbled.

Chevalier glared at him, “She’s not officially an Equites.”

“So what, exactly, did Emily have to do to become one then?”

“She pretty much declared herself to be an Equites and then showed loyalty to the faction.”

“So we’re just going to let Alexis go off and join the Valle on a whim?”

“Shut up, Dustin,” Chevalier growled, and then turned back to Quinn.

Zohn looked up when he heard Emily come down the stairs, “Derrick, send Emily in please.”

Only a few minutes later, Derrick came into the council chambers, “Sorry, Sir. She said no.”

Zohn turned to Chevalier, “Is she still avoiding the Council?”

“Last I heard, yes.”

“Well I, for one, would like to see her progress,” Quinn said, then stood up to leave.

Kyle stood also, “I’ll go with you.”

“As will I,” Richard, the Chief Interrogator, said.

“Limit it to three at a time or it could be construed as ganging up on her,” Chevalier told them.

“Send in Dain, then,” Zohn called out. The others left to visit with Emily while the rest of the Council waited for Dain.

He walked in, eyeing the Council suspiciously, then walked forward and stood before them, “You called?”

“Yes, we are curious how things went with the Valle,” Zohn said.

“Fine”

“That’s it?”

“It went fine.”

Chevalier grinned, “What exactly did Emily tell you in regards to informing the Council about her stay?”

Dain chuckled and in that moment, looked exactly like Chevalier, “I’m just not supposed to say anything.”

“You do realize that as your Dad, I can override that.”

“Mom outranks you.”

“Interesting,” Dustin said.

Chevalier turned his chair toward the Coven Liaison Officer, “Leave.”

“Yes, Elder,” Dustin said, and blurred angrily from the room.

“Does anyone outrank your Mom?” the Chief of Staff asked the boy.

“No”

“What has she told you?” Zohn asked, turning to Chevalier.

“Not much. She spent most of the trip trying to get out of a restraint the Physical Therapist put her in. The rest of the time she slept.”

“Restraint?”

“Yes, it’s a belt that holds her right arm at her side so she’s forced to use her left arm. It’s fastened where she can’t get out of it without assistance.”

Zohn grinned, “Oh I bet she loves that.”

“It was actually good to see her fighting to get out of it, more her old self.”

“Shall we call in a Physical Therapist then? Someone to continue her treatment?” the Chief of Defense asked.

“I already have,” Chevalier assured him, and then turned back to Dain. “Were you aware that your sister was going to try to join the Valle?”

Dain shrugged, “I suspected she might.”

“All because of Gabe?”

“She claims to love him.”

“And he?”

“He was an ass,” Dain said bluntly.

“Do you think he loved her?” Chevalier chuckled.

“No, I do not.”

“Did you talk to her more about joining the guard staff?”

“No, I don’t think she’s well enough.”

“She looks good though,” Chevalier said.

“She still believes she’s dying.”

“How so?”

“She fully expects the fainting spells to return and often thinks of her Dad’s demise and how humiliating strokes can be.”

“Humiliating?” Zohn asked, frowning.

“Yes, toward the end, Mom did everything for him. She fed him, bathed him… He was completely dependent on her and she often says he would have rather died than lived like that.”

“She thinks that’s still happening to her?” Chevalier asked.

“Yes”

“You’re right. She does look back to normal,” Kyle said, sitting down.

“She said you wanted this,” Quinn said, and handed Chevalier the restraining belt the Physical Therapist had given her.

“You took this off of her?” Chevalier asked him.

“No, it was sitting beside the pool… why?”

“It’s helping her. She’s not supposed to get it off.”

“Of course she’s not,” Quinn sighed, and looked down at Dain.

“Where is she now?”

“Swimming laps.”

Chevalier stood up and took the belt, “I’m going to see if I can get this back on her.”

Kyle chuckled, “I won’t make you wait long before I revive you.”

“Much appreciated,” he said, and left the council chambers, followed by Dain. He stopped at the pool door to talk to Silas and Kralen, the only two guards on her at the time.

“We didn’t take that off of her,” Silas said when he saw the belt.

“Do you know who did?” Chevalier asked.

“Someone in the prison is all we know.”

“Once I get this on her, keep her out of the prison, and alert the palace that no one’s to take it off.”

Kralen grinned, “You’re going to get it back on her?”

“I’m going… Why do I smell blood?” Chevalier asked, and burst through the doors. He quickly dove into the water when he saw Emily floating face down in the pool as the water turned pink around her.

Kralen called for Mark and jumped into the water after Silas. Chevalier flipped her over in the water and held her while Silas checked to see if she was breathing.

“Get her up on the cement,” Kralen said. Chevalier lifted her onto the cement just as Mark arrived with Dr. Edwards. A few rough hits on the back and Emily began to breathe on her own.

“What happened?” Dr. Edwards asked as he lifted her eyelids.

“She was just swimming and we smelled blood,” Kralen explained.

Dr. Edwards watched her for a moment and then picked her up, “I don’t think the water did much damage. You must have caught it when she first went unconscious.”

“It happened again then?” Chevalier asked, watching Emily in the doctor’s arms.

“Looks like it… When did you get back?”

“Just four hours ago… so it is something in this palace causing it.”

“Not necessarily. There aren’t a lot of environmental causes for strokes… in fact… I can’t think of any. This could all be coincidence.”

Dr. Edwards started inside with Emily while the others followed. By the time he got into the Elder’s bedroom, most of the Council had gathered. He laid her down and they all left so Chevalier could get her out of her wet swimsuit.

“You can come in,” Chevalier said when she was tucked in bed.

Dr. Edwards did a thorough examination and then turned to Chevalier, “Elder… it’s the same thing. She’s had a stroke, but her blood pressure is good. I don’t understand why this is happening.”

“The closest turning we’ve found is over 6 hours from here,” Mark explained. “They’ve turned 1 in the last four months.”

“Maybe I should take her away from here, just in case,” Chevalier said, mostly to himself.

“Let’s wait this out and see how she is when she wakes up,” Dr. Edwards suggested.

“You should just let Mom and I join the Valle,” Alexis said from the door.

Silas quickly ushered Alexis out of the room when Chevalier turned to yell at her.

Chevalier sat down on the edge of the bed and looked at Emily, “This is going to set her back again… back to the slow movements and slurred speech.”

“Maybe… strokes affect people differently,” Dr. Edwards said. “If it’s small enough, we may not notice anything at all.”

Chevalier cocked his head slightly to the side when he heard an emergency meeting of the Council.

“Go, I’ll watch her,” Dr. Edwards said, and watched as Chevalier left. He was the first to the council chambers, but the others soon gathered.

“Why were we summoned?” Zohn asked, but none of the Council knew.

“Let’s…” Quinn started, but stopped speaking when the palace went into lock down. “Oh… well I guess we’ll see soon enough.”

Kyle looked over at Chevalier, “So is it true? It happened again?”

Chevalier nodded.

“Damnit”

“If we can’t stop them soon, I’m going to take her away for a while.”

“Speaking of taking Emily away,” Zohn said. “We have two turnings next week that we’ve put off for too long.”

Chevalier nodded, “I was planning on visiting the coven for those days. Emily wants to go see Allen.”

“Just… no yachts,” Kyle said, grinning.

“Not a chance.”

“Oh good, here comes Mark with a report,” the Chief of Staff said. They all looked up when Mark, Silas, and Kralen entered.

“What’s the problem?” Chevalier asked. It was obvious that Mark was furious.

“We found Vic… he’s dead, and the stench of Encala is all over that place,” Mark growled.

“What!?” Chevalier yelled, and stood up. “Are you certain?”

“Yes, he was the Cavalry member assigned to Section A3 in the trees, and when he didn’t come in for shift-change… we went out and found him.”

Quinn’s eyes were enraged, “I say we pay them a visit.”

Zohn stood also, “To hell with tradition, I say the Elders go with the Cavalry and handle this once and for all.”

Mark nodded and disappeared from the room.

“Kyle, you’re with us,” Zohn said, heading out of the council chambers. Kyle nodded and blurred from the room.

“What about Emily?” Dustin asked.

“Dr. Edwards is there, he knows what to do,” Chevalier said, seconds before disappearing. Within the hour, helicopters left the front lawn carrying the Elders and the Cavalry.

The Chief of Staff sighed, “This makes me nervous.”

“It does seem a bit dangerous to have all three Elders go to the enemy,” Dustin agreed. “However, it is their decision to make and I’m certain their presence will more strongly affect the Encala if they are all together.”

“I suspect they better back off or soon there will only be two factions left,” the Chief of Finance said.

“Maybe that’s not all a bad thing,” Dustin added.

Chapter 18 - Encala

“We have no idea what you’re talking about, and I won’t sit here and be insulted!” Encala Elder Aaron yelled.

“Don’t play stupid,” Chevalier said, his voice controlled and even. “Your stench was all around him.”

“We have no guards… we don’t have the resources to attack the Equites,” William said as calmly as he could. “We would be stupid to attack you with our numbers.”

“Well… the Encala have never been known to be all that bright,” Kyle said, and grinned when the Encala Council looked at him.

“Where is Frederick?” Quinn asked, scanning the Council.

“Out,” Aaron said.

“Out causing problems, no doubt.”

“No, he’s visiting his coven.”

Zohn’s eyes narrowed, “Stop lying to us.”

“Fine!” William growled. “We have no idea where he is. He’s been unreachable for almost two weeks.”

Chevalier grinned, “Did he abandon ship? You should check with the Valle.”

“No use… they were too busy taking care of your responsibility to take on Frederick.”

“Meaning?”

“Meaning… you’re losing your touch. Emily is weakening under your control and we’re well aware that when she stayed with the Valle, she began to recover,” William said.

“What do you know about Emily’s illness?” Kyle asked, taking a step forward.

“Nothing, I assure you.”

“Then you won’t mind if we look around,” Mark said, and nodded for twelve of his Cavalry to move off and search the Encala’s palace.

“You have no right to do that!” their Chief Interrogator screamed.

“You going to stop us?” Chevalier asked calmly.

Aaron glared at him, “You know we can’t stop you.”

Zohn grinned, “That’s right… you’d be lucky to steal a box of Girl Scout cookies right now.”

“Get out of our palace!” the Chief of Finance yelled.

Chevalier crossed his arms, “No.”

Mark walked along the Council’s platform and looked at the wooden skeleton of the desk that was being rebuilt. He grinned and pulled out one supporting beam and the entire structure fell to the ground with a loud crash.

“Oh… oops,” Mark said, chuckling as he walked back to the Elders.

“Is that how it’s going to be from now on?” William asked. “We will be forced to endure torment and humiliation at the hands of the Equites?”

“I wouldn’t say from now on… I would say for a while though,” Chevalier told him. “I also wouldn’t say it was unprovoked, so my suggestion is you put up with it until we no longer find it amusing.”

William met Chevalier’s eyes, “Emily wouldn’t want this… she still considers us friends.”

“You’re right, she does… but lately, she’s letting us do what we feel needs done.”

“Is she ok?”

“She’s of no concern of yours,” Chevalier told him. “We’ll be out of your destroyed palace as soon as we ascertain if Frederick is here or not.”

“Look all you want, he’s not.”

“While we wait, care to explain why you have killed two members of the Cavalry while they were doing nothing more than watching an area around the city?”

“I don’t know anything about that.”

“Sure you don’t,” Quinn mumbled.

Silas walked back into the Encala’s council chamber with Kralen, “Sir, there’s no sign of Frederick.”

Chevalier looked over at William, “If we find him first, he’s ours.”

“By what authority?”

“For suspicions of unwarranted attacks on the Council City Cavalry.”

“You cannot prove that it was Frederick who killed your guards,” Elder Aaron said.

“The Encala stench was all over the area. If it’s not Frederick, then maybe we should punish the entire Council for it,” Zohn said, leaning up against one of the damaged walls of the council chambers.

“We will investigate and punish those that were there then,” William said. “If there’s nothing else, then I politely ask you to get lost.”

Chevalier grinned when William stormed out of the council chambers.

“Our guards will show you out,” Aaron said, and followed William from the room.

“I do believe our business here is done,” Zohn said. Mark nodded and called for the Cavalry to return to the helicopters. It took a few minutes for the Cavalry to gather, and when they did, some had small trophies to take back from the Encala palace.

The Elders left together and Quinn stopped at a large hole in the stone walls of the Encala Palace. He stepped through and then returned to the hallway, “Is there anything in here you didn’t destroy?”

Chevalier grinned, “Nope.”

“Let’s get back, I’m thirsty,” Zohn told them. He was the first to step into the helicopter with the others.

***

“What do you mean she’s gone?” Chevalier growled, his hands balling into fists.

“Just listen,” Dustin said. “We weren’t negligent…”

“Then how did she get out of your care?” Zohn yelled.

“Well…”

“Where is Dr. Edwards?” Quinn asked calmly.

“She… Emily told him to leave.”

“And you let him?”

“Well… yes…”

“Who was guarding her then?” Chevalier asked, taking a step closer to the Council.

“It was… well there was a small mix-up between who exactly was supposed to watch her.”

“What!?” Mark roared.

“Find her,” Chevalier ordered the Cavalry.

“How long has she been gone?” Mark asked the Coven Liaison Officer.

He sighed, “Two days.”

Mark disappeared without another word.

“I expect you to be able to take care of things in our absence,” Quinn said to the Council. “We felt it necessary for all three of us to confront the Encala about the attacks on our guards… yet we come back and things have gone amiss.”

“One missing mortal isn’t as if everything was neglected,” the Chief of Finance said.

“One missing mortal?” Zohn asked. “What were the effects on her from the last stroke?”

“Well… we aren’t sure… exactly,” Dustin said.

“So she could be out right now wiping out an Equites Coven.”

“I highly doubt that.”

Chevalier’s hands slammed down onto the desk in front of Dustin, “So help me… if she’s hurt…”

***

Emily was surprised at the lack of guards around the gate into the Encala’s main city. She pulled the Aero slowly through the burnt out city and watched as shades were pulled and doors slammed when she passed. Once at the doors to the palace, she stopped and turned off the car.

Taking a deep breath, she stepped out of the purple car and looked up at the broken windows along the face of the once majestic palace. She stepped over the rubble from the stone archway that used to frame the front doors, and emerged in the silent palace.

“William?” she called out. She heard a slight sound off to the side of her and turned quickly, but saw no one.

Making her way slowly up the stairs, she pushed aside the broken door into the council chambers and stepped inside. The nine Encala council members looked up at her and gasped.

“Emily?” the Chief Interrogator whispered.

“Where’s William?” she asked him.

“He’s not here.”

“Aaron?”

“I’m here,” Encala Elder Aaron said, coming in through the back entrance and sitting in his seat. He sighed, “You cannot be here.”

“Did Chevalier do this?” she asked, looking around at the destroyed room.

“He led the way, yes.”

She frowned, “I didn’t realize.”

“You must leave,” Aaron said, looking nervously around the council chambers.

“Why?”

“If Chevalier finds you here, we will be punished.”

Emily looked closely around the room and walked over to one of the walls. She reached out and touched a shiny spot on the surface of the dark rocks and realized it was blood.

“Please… you have to go,” Aaron said.

“Where’s Frederick?” she asked, and turned to Aaron.

“We don’t know.”

“Do you have him?” the Chief Investigator asked.

“Not this time,” she replied, and picked a torn Encala banner up off of the floor. She turned and laid it across part of a broken desk.

“Emily, we aren’t joking… you have to go,” Aaron told her.

“No, I want to know what the Equites did to this place,” she said, and walked out of the council chambers. Aaron appeared at her side and touched her arm.

“You have to go. We can’t take any more anger from the Equites.”

“I’ll handle them, ok?” she said, and walked up to the room the Encala kept for her. She opened the door and stepped in. The room had no damage at all. Her favorite book was still sitting by the dead fireplace, propped open to where she’d left it. Clean clothes for her hung in the wardrobe and an empty tray sat on the wooden table.

She picked up her hairbrush and looked around the room.

“This is the only room they didn’t destroy,” Aaron said as he walked into her room.

“I didn’t ask for them to do this,” she whispered, and set her hairbrush down on the table.

“We know that,” he told her.

Emily sat down on the bed and ran her hand along the soft comforter, “I don’t know what to do.”

Aaron ordered the other heku to leave and then sat down beside her, “I’m not sure there’s anything you can do.”

“Was this because I was gone for a year, or because you all held the Council members?”

“Both”

Emily looked over at Aaron, “Where’s your guard staff?”

“Either dead or in hiding.”

“Servants?”

“Same… though there are enough here to take care of what Council is left.”

“Do you think Frederick is dead?”

“No, I honestly don’t know what he’s doing.”

Aaron looked toward the door suddenly.

“What?” Emily asked.

“Your phone is ringing in your car.”

“You can hear that from here?”

He smiled, “Yes.”

“How many Encala are left?”

“It’s hard to say… a mere fraction of what we once were though. Some are still in hiding, so it’s hard to get exact numbers.”

Emily nodded and pulled her pillow into her lap, “Have any joined the Equites or the Valle?”

“The Equites won’t take them. The few that have petitioned to join the Equites have been wiped out.”

“I can ask Chevalier to stop.”

“It could make it worse… as will you being here.”

“He doesn’t know I’m here.”

“I figured.” Aaron gently took her hand, “Are you ok?”

“I’m dying.”

“You’re immortal though.”

She shook her head, “No… I don’t age, but I’m far from immortal.”

“You seem fine though.”

“I keep having strokes… and since the last one… I feel on the edge of something.”

“What do you mean?” he asked, watching her closely.

“I don’t know how to describe it. It’s like at any moment, I can lose myself.”

“Let me take you home.”

“No… it’s ok. I’ll drive back and don’t worry, I won’t tell the Equites where I went.”

“They’ll know.”

Emily looked over at Aaron and the pain in her eyes made his heart jump, “When I die… Chevalier and Kyle are going to kill everyone.”

“You think they will come after the Encala?”

“I suspect so.”

“We have nothing to do with your illness though.”

“I know… but I’m still afraid for you.”

Aaron smiled slightly, “I still don’t think you’re dying.”

“I’ve asked both the Equites and the Valle to imprison Chevalier and Kyle when I die… but they both said no.”

“I can see how that would be a problem.”

She tightened her grasp on his hand, “Can you do that for me?”

“We don’t have the manpower anymore… the Equites would come after them, and we can’t hold them off. Your best bet is the Valle.”

The door to Emily’s room suddenly slammed open and Frederick walked in, his eyes furious, “What are you doing in here?”

“Frederick!” Aaron gasped. “Where have you been? We’ve been looking for you.”

“Why is she in here and not in the prison?”

“Because she’s not a prisoner.”

Frederick appeared at Emily’s back and instantly threw her over his shoulder, “I’m glad she’s here… this will be easier than I thought.”

When Frederick began to haul Emily down the stairs, Aaron yelled, “No! Let her go.”

Aaron appeared at the bottom of the stairs and his eyes grew wide, “Frederick! What are you doing? We can’t harm her or they’ll kill us.”

Frederick didn’t respond, but put a hand against her back, ensuring she couldn’t get loose. When Frederick continued down the stairs, Aaron ordered the palace and city cleared.

Aaron gasped when he realized where Frederick was going and he blocked the door, “You can’t take her into the ceremonial room.”

“You going to stop me?”

“Yes, I am.”

Frederick growled and threw Emily to the floor, knocking the wind out of her. Emily looked up just as the two Encala Elders blurred into a fight. She was scrambling to her feet when she saw Aaron’s lifeless body thrown against the stone wall and heard the sound of helicopters leaving the palace roof.

***

Mark and Kralen appeared in the Equites council chambers. Both were furious and anxious to talk to Chevalier.

“We’re busy, can it wait?” Zohn asked.

“No, it can’t,” Kralen said, and then turned to Chevalier. “It’s the Encala… Emily’s attacks… the Heartbreaker Serial Killer… it’s all connected.”

Chevalier frowned, “How?”

Mark took over, “The news just announced that the Heartbreaker name came from the method the killer uses. He bites the victim numerous times and then sends a stake through their hearts.”

“There have been 12 bodies found… 11 of those were killed on the same days that Emily passed out,” Kralen said. “The 12th was killed while Emily was with the Valle.”

Chevalier nodded, “They’re turning a mortal, knowing he’s going to die… just to torture Emily. Damnit! I should have thought of that when we couldn’t find ash.”

“It has to be an Encala attack… the strokes… those are from her abilities interfering with the turning process over and over,” Mark growled.

“The Encala don’t know where Frederick is. He has the most probable cause for the attacks… It has to be him,” Quinn said, his eyes narrowing.

“We have to find her and get her out of here,” Chevalier said. “She can heal if we can get her where he can’t find her.”

“Allen is trying to get a trace on her phone,” Kralen said, and quickly dialed him.

Chevalier’s features grew dark, “I’ve had enough of the Encala… it’s time to finish them off.”

“Let’s find out if it’s just Frederick,” Zohn said. “We honestly don’t know the long-term repercussions from having only two factions.”

“Damnit!” Kralen yelled, and turned to Mark. “Allen traced her phone… she’s in Encala City.”

***

“Don’t do this!” Emily screamed when the thirteen heku entered. Frederick was just pulling up the hood on his black robe and one of the blue robed heku had a frightened man in his grasp.

She fought against the restraints, trying desperately to get out of the round ceremonial room before she killed the mortal. She was afraid if she turned them to ash, she might have another stroke.

Once the mortal was forced to lie down on the dirt floor of the ceremonial room, Frederick controlled him long enough to calm him down and the blue robed heku moved to the outside of the walls.

“Please… Frederick… don’t do this,” Emily begged.

“Mortal, do you know where you are?” one of the heku asked.

“I do,” he said. His voice was soft and monotone. Emily gasped when she realized that Frederick had controlled the mortal into going along with the ceremony.

“Do you know what is about to happen?”

“I do.” His voice was hauntingly displaced.

“Do you do so willingly and without coercion?”

“Stop it!” Emily screamed.

“I do.”

She started to panic when the heku moved forward and bent down to feed from the mortal. There was nothing she could do, no way she could stop from killing him when the ceremony finished. She could feel blood trickle down her hand as she struggled to get out of the tight binds.

The mortal screamed when thirteen sets of teeth sunk into his soft flesh and began to feed. The control Frederick had wore off and he was now aware of his impending death.

His screams echoed through the empty palace as Frederick tore open his own wrist and the mortal began to drink from it.

“Frederick, stop!” she screamed. She was finding it hard to breathe and her time was running out to save the man.

Frederick stood and began to write the ancient runes into the dirt as the mortal’s blood started to fill the deep trenches. Emily looked up when the ceiling runes began to glow a deathly blue and she screamed one last time before Frederick sent the wooden stake through the mortal’s heart.

Emily’s body relaxed and she fell forward onto the dirt floor as blood pooled around her head.

Frederick smiled and looked down at her, “The only thing worse than dying… is watching someone you love die slowly when there’s nothing you can do about it.”

“She’s not dead yet,” one of the heku said after checking her neck for a pulse.

“No, she’s not,” Frederick agreed. “I’m not done torturing Chevalier yet.”

“What do we do with the mortal’s body?”

“Leave it… and leave her too,” he said, tapping her with his foot. “She’s not going anywhere.”

“If we leave her here, they will know it’s us doing it.”

“They can’t catch me… it won’t matter.”

The heku nodded and they all left the ceremonial room.

***

Chevalier stepped through the broken front doors of the Encala’s palace and he was immediately aware of the smell of Winchester blood.

Mark was right behind him and he crouched slightly and yelled, “Where is she!?”

The heku listened closely and could hear no noise in the Encala palace. They were aware that the city was also abandoned. Silas appeared at the bloody heku on the floor by the main stairway and bent down.

“Sir, it’s Aaron.”

“She’s here somewhere,” Chevalier growled, and the Cavalry disappeared to search the enemy palace.

One of the Cavalry from Powan was the first to find the ceremonial room. He quickly called for the others and knelt down by Emily, then felt for a pulse.

“She’s alive,” he said to Chevalier when he arrived.

Chevalier gently picked her up as Mark tore the metal restraints from her wrists.

“He’s dead,” Kralen said after checking on the mortal.

Mark looked her over, “Other than the cuts from the restraints, I don’t think they hurt her.”

Silas appeared with twelve members of the Cavalry, “The palace is empty.”

“Is her room intact?” Chevalier asked him.

“Yes, just as we left it.”

“I don’t want to travel with her unconscious, let’s take her there.”

Mark nodded and left orders for the mortal to be buried before following Chevalier up the stairs.

For two days, the twenty four members of the Cavalry with Chevalier meticulously went through the Encala Palace, destroying anything they could and making sure to leave the Equites crest drawn on every surface.

Toward nightfall on the third day, Mark called Chevalier into Emily’s room when she started to wake up. He appeared with a torn shirt and blood on his arms.

Mark grinned slightly, “Go shower, I’ll wait here.”

Chevalier looked down, “Oh right… I found a Valle prisoner alive.”

“I figured,” Mark chuckled as Chevalier left to find a shower.

When Emily’s eyes opened slowly, Mark sat beside her on the bed and touched her shoulder, “Em?”

She looked over at him and then scanned the room, “Why did you change my room?”

“We’re in the Encala palace,” he explained. “Does this not look familiar to you?”

Emily shook her head, “Why are we here?”

“Do you remember the turning ritual?”

Emily gasped and then whispered, “Yes.”

“It’s ok… we’re here with you now and the Encala are gone.”

Chevalier walked in and sat down on the bed, “How are you feeling?”

“I don’t know,” she said, and again scanned the room.

“Do you have a headache?”

“Just a little one.”

His eyes narrowed as he studied her face, “Do you know where you are?”

“Yes,” she said, and then looked at Mark. “What did you call it?”

“The Encala palace,” Mark told her again.

“Oh, right, that’s where I am.”

Chevalier helped her sit up and she pulled the blankets over her shoulders, “It’s freezing in here.”

“Now that you’re awake, we can go back to Council City.”

She nodded and stood up slowly. As she walked toward the door, the heku noticed her limp had returned and she seemed unsteady on her feet. They followed her down to the front entrance and out into the night.

Emily looked closely at the dark parking lot, “Where’s my Jeep?”

Chevalier and Mark both looked at the purple Aero parked right in front of where Emily was standing.

After a brief conversation in tones too low for Emily, Mark answered, “We had it taken back to Council City. Why don’t you come in the helicopter with us?”

She nodded, ignoring the two members of the Cavalry that drove away in the nearby purple car. After following the others to the helicopter, she crawled inside and shivered when the helicopter took off. Kralen immediately removed his cape and wrapped it around her shoulders.

The flight was quiet, each wondering how much damage the two turning rituals in four days had caused. They were met on the roof of the palace by a line of palace guards. Emily frowned at them slightly and clung tightly to Chevalier’s arm when they moved into the palace.

Dr. Edwards smiled as he neared their bedroom at the same time they did, “How are you, Dear?”

Emily smiled, “Just tired.”

“Can I look over you a bit?”

She looked up at Chevalier and he nodded. Emily let go of Chevalier’s arm and went into the bedroom with Dr. Edwards.

“How is she?” Zohn asked, coming up the stairs.

“Dr. Edwards is in there now… her memory seems kind of sketchy,” Chevalier explained.

Kyle joined Chevalier and Mark as they waited for Dr. Edwards to finish with Emily. It was only an hour later when he came out and shut the door behind her.

“You’re right about her memory,” he explained. “I don’t see any physical injuries other than cuts and bruises on her wrist. She’s definitely had another stroke, and I’m concerned about her being alone.”

“How bad is her memory loss?” Kyle asked.

“It’s hit or miss. Right now, it looks like the bulk of her memory is good, but there are some things missing. For instance… she doesn’t remember the name of her dog, but knows he’s a Border collie.”

Chevalier glanced to the door, “So can I take her away until Frederick is found?”

“Your best bet right now is to keep her in familiar places and around familiar heku. Don’t let her go out alone or she could wander off and get really lost.”

“Easy enough,” Mark whispered.

“Try to reduce any stressors from the memory problems too. So if it’s not hurting anything, let her believe whatever it is she believes.”

Chevalier turned to Mark, “Get the word out.”

Mark nodded.

“She’s also… well… somewhat changed,” Dr. Edwards continued.

“Meaning?”

“Meaning… she seems more quiet and reserved and more open to medical testing and such. She didn’t fight me at all when I wanted to look in her eyes or take a blood pressure.”

“Will she return to normal then?”

“Yes, as she heals things should clear up. Right now we’re dealing with what’s called a TIA, sort of a mini stroke. They mimic the full stroke, but the symptoms usually go away, even on a full human.”

“Good, so we protect the area from Frederick and keep her calm,” Kyle said, eyeing the area around the door.

Dr. Edwards turned to Mark, “Make sure her guards watch for signs that the stroke symptoms are getting worse. Strokes can repeat, though I’m hoping if we stop the turning rituals, hers will stop all together.”

Mark nodded again and disappeared.

The heku turned when Emily walked out. She smiled softly and took Chevalier’s arm, “I need to talk to you.”

He nodded and led her back inside, “What’s up?”

Emily sat down in the chair by the roaring fire, “I want to talk about the Encala.”

“Ok,” he said, and sat down beside her.

“William and Aaron are my friends,” she said, watching the fire.

He started to tell her that Aaron was dead, but changed his mind, “I know.”

“I don’t want them punished because of what Frederick did.”

“They’ve made poor decisions as a faction, and I’m getting tired of their games.”

“From what I can tell, it’s Frederick.”

Chevalier reached out and took her hand, “If you want us to back off, then we will.”

She looked over at him, “I do.”

“Then come talk to the Council. Tell everyone what happened to you.”

Emily laced her fingers with his, “I don’t want to go before the Council.”

“I won’t make you.”

“You can tell them what happened.”

“You tell me first.”

She shrugged, “I talked to Aaron for a bit and then Frederick threw me over his shoulder and took me… you know.”

“Yes. Did they ask you to come?”

“No, they were surprised.”

Chevalier chuckled, “I would imagine they were afraid of what the Equites would do.”

“Chev?”

“Yes?” He was somewhat relieved that she’d returned to his nickname. She hadn’t used it since his doppelganger threw her out of the palace.

“Don’t go to work today… Can you stay here?”

He smiled, “Sure, I can stay here. What do you want to do?”

“Order a pizza and stay in for a movie?”

“That sounds perfect,” he said. He turned to the fire when he heard an announcement that the Encala Council was requesting an audience. He quietly told the others he wouldn’t be down, and then ordered Emily’s favorite pizza.

Kyle heard Chevalier and turned to Derrick, “Let them in.”

Derrick nodded and left the room, returning a few minutes later with William and six members of the Encala Council.

“What can we do for you?” Zohn asked.

William was furious, “Why did you kill Aaron?”

“We didn’t,” Kyle told him. “We found Aaron’s body when we went to retrieve Emily from your ceremonial room.”

William frowned slightly and turned to his Chief Interrogator.

The Encala’s Chief Interrogator nodded at his Elder and William turned back to the Equites Council, “Do you know who?”

“It was Frederick.”

William sighed, “I didn’t realize he’d gone rogue.”

“He has, and he better hope no Equites finds him.”

“How is she?” he asked, looking across the Council.

“She survived,” Kyle said, not willing to give out more information.

William looked down at the ground, “We will take care of Frederick and bring back proof if it can help mend the relations between our factions.”

Quinn stood furiously, “The only reason I don’t tear you apart right now is that we’ve promised Emily to leave you alone.”

“It wasn’t us!”

“Frederick is a member of your Council.”

“One that will be banished the next time we see him.”

“We haven’t forgotten that it was you who brought the doppelgangers back…”

“That was…”

“Frederick, we know.”

“Again, you cannot blame the entire Encala faction for the actions of one out of control Elder!”

Zohn’s eyes narrowed, “We agreed what, exactly?”

“Elder Chevalier promised Emily that we wouldn’t punish the Encala,” the Court Reporter told him.

“Prison then,” Quinn said.

“What!?” William roared.

“You can’t imprison us! We’re still the ruling body of the Encala,” the Encala’s Chief of Finance yelled.

“You can rule from our prison,” Zohn said, and watched the Cavalry take the Encala away.

Kyle grinned, “Technicality.”

“Let’s just ban her from the prison again,” Dustin suggested.

“Agreed, alert the guards,” Zohn told Kyle.

Kyle nodded and began whispering instructions to the prison guards.

“Will the Elder be coming down for the next trial?” the Chief Investigator asked.

“No, he’s listening though and can give us a verdict when we need one,” Quinn said.

Chapter 19 - Confusion

“You’re letting them go with you?” Mark asked Emily when she emerged in her jogging clothing. She’d only been back from the Encala palace for two weeks, but her limp was already improving and there had been no further strokes.

“Yes”

“All four of them?”

She smiled, “Yes, the guards can go jogging with me if they’d like.”

“Thank you,” Mark told her, and grinned. “Don’t outrun them.”

Emily glanced at the four members of the Cavalry, “I don’t know, they are pretty small.”

“Small?” the largest one asked, chuckling.

“I won’t ditch them… promise.”

“I’m holding you to it, they’re all we have right now,” Mark said. He eyed the Cavalry with her and it made him nervous that they were all rather new to the position and hadn’t yet been assigned to Emily without a seasoned member with them.

“Why’s that?”

“The rest of us are heading out on a mission.”

Emily looked at her guards, “You don’t want to go?”

Again the taller one spoke, “We have duties here.”

“So babysitting me instead of going out on a killing rampage? How fun.”

He grinned, “What makes you think they’re going out on a killing rampage?”

Emily put her hands on her hips and looked at Mark, “I can just tell. He’s either going out killing or he’s going to rough someone up.”

“You can’t read me that well,” Mark told her.

“Oh yeah? So what are you going to do?”

“Confidential heku stuff.”

“Killing”

“No, now enjoy your run and don’t ditch them.”

Emily shrugged and started down the stairs with her four guards following behind. Just as she ran past the palace’s front lawn, the helicopters took off from the roof above. She turned up her iPod and headed for the front gates of the city.

She tried to ignore the peeking heku as she passed, how the curtains pulled slightly to the side or the doors opened just an inch. Things felt better when she passed through the front gates and headed down the side of the road.

Emily was deep in her own thoughts, and when one of her guards appeared ahead of her and stopped, she slammed into his back and fell to the ground.

“What was that?” she mumbled, and stood up slowly. She pulled the earphones from her ears and peeked around the line of four guards who were blocking her from something.

“Make it easier for you, Son. Hand her over,” Frederick said to the highest ranking of the Cavalry.

Emily sighed and tried to step in front of them, but they blocked her.

“You have no business here,” the Cavalry Commander told him.

She could barely see Frederick from between the guards and he was grinning, “You can’t protect her forever… then she’ll be mine.”

In an instant, Frederick disappeared and the four members of the Cavalry took off after him. Emily wasn’t even sure which way they went, but they disappeared from the road. Unsure exactly what to do, she headed back into the city. She was within sight of the gate guards when a strong headache hit and she stumbled slightly and braced herself against a tree.

***

Kyle grinned down at the heku in the trial area, “I just don’t see why any of this matters.”

“It matters because I would be next in line for Elder,” the heku told him. His white shirt was dingy and gray and his red cape hung threadbare at his back.

“Says who?” Quinn asked.

“It’s well known that as soon as Frederick returns, he was to be banished and I was to take his place.”

Chevalier shrugged, “Not important now. I’m tired of the Encala and I’m ready to do away with the entire faction.”

“It is though!” he yelled. “There has never been only 2 factions. The consequences could be astronomical.”

“That’s stretching a bit, isn’t it?”

“We wouldn’t know.”

Kyle glanced at Chevalier, “What’s your vote? It’s still tied.”

“I see no reason why we need to keep any Encala alive,” Zohn said to Chevalier.

“We really don’t know though… what would happen to the balance of power with only two factions,” Quinn said.

Chevalier leaned forward and looked at the proud Encala, “Hmmm… well…”

“I beg you, think about what you’re doing,” the Encala said to him.

“I may wait and see… I did promise Emily I wouldn’t punish you.”

“You already punished us! Elder Aaron was one of our finest Elders ever.”

“I didn’t kill him. We told you that.”

“You’d do more good if you’d stop holding the Encala responsible for everything Frederick’s done, and start helping us hunt him down.”

“Really?” Chevalier asked, slightly amused.

“Yes… he’s gone rogue. Elder William told you that.”

“I can do both. I don’t need the Encala’s help to do away with Freddy.”

The Encala sighed, “Emily is our friend… has been for a while. We wouldn’t have allowed any of this to happen if we had known.”

Chevalier’s face grew furious, “You have no right talking about her.”

The Council turned to Kyle’s chair when he disappeared from the room.

“What luck… I can’t banish you this exact second,” Chevalier told him. “You’d be wise to hold your tongue and not to talk about Emily.”

The Encala lowered his voice, “She’s our friend.”

Quinn’s fists slammed into the desk in front of him, “Get him out of my sight!”

Derrick appeared and hauled the Encala out of the courtroom.

Zohn sighed, “We should decide soon whether we want to get rid of the Encala all together or just lessen their numbers.”

“I’ll make a decision soon,” Chevalier told him. “I promised Emily I wouldn’t punish them though, and I’m not ready to break that.”

“Does she even know they are imprisoned?” the Chief of Defense asked.

Zohn grinned, “He’s not that brave.”

“I’ll tell her… when she’s feeling better,” Chevalier said, and chuckled.

“So she’s getting better?” the Court Reporter asked.

“Yes, every day she gets a little stronger.”

“Maybe Frederick has backed off.”

He shrugged, “Hopefully, but the doctor said there can be residual strokes that can’t be predicted or prevented.”

“But we’ve not seen any of those?”

“No”

Derrick hesitated in the doorway and then walked up to Chevalier, “The Chief Enforcer is requesting your presence at Luke and Tracy’s house in the city.”

“Did he say why?”

“He just asked that you come quietly.”

Chevalier nodded and followed Derrick out of the council chambers. By the time the Elder got to the small house in the city, a small crowd had gathered and Kyle was keeping them back away from the house.

“What’s going on?” Chevalier asked, looking around the gathered heku.

“I swear… we didn’t touch her!” Luke said frantically.

Kyle sighed and turned to him, “I told you, you aren’t in trouble!”

Chevalier turned to look at Luke and Tracy, the residents of the house he was standing in front of. They were both terrified and seemed to be waiting for Kyle to turn on them at any time.

“Do we need an audience here?” Chevalier growled. The heku in the area all disappeared and he smiled, “There… now what’s going on?”

Kyle turned to the door of the house, “Go on in.”

Chevalier frowned slightly and walked up the two steps to the door. He opened the door and stepped into the warm house, then sighed when he saw Emily curled up on a rocking chair in front of the fire.

“Em?” he said, stepping closer to her.

Emily pulled a blanket tighter around her shoulders and looked over at him and smiled, “You’re home.”

He nodded and pulled up a chair, “Are you injured?”

“No, why?”

Chevalier looked around the small home with its quaint wooden fixtures and warm beige décor, “Just asking. So… how long have you been here?”

She shrugged and turned back to the dead fireplace, “I got home a few minutes ago.”

“Where are your guards?”

“They went after Frederick,” she told him, and began to rock the chair slowly.

“You ran into Frederick today?”

She nodded.

“Did he attack you?”

“No”

“And the guards went after him?”

“Yes”

“They left you alone?”

“Yes, but I came right home.”

Chevalier turned when Kyle and Dr. Edwards walked into the home. Chevalier motioned for them to sit down.

Emily smiled at Kyle when he sat down.

“So what’s up?” Kyle asked.

“Just relaxing,” Emily told him.

He nodded while Chevalier filled him in quickly.

“So if we have to play along with this, how do we get her back to the palace?” Kyle whispered to him.

“I’m not sure… any ideas?”

“Well… we need to hurry, whatever it is. I can’t convince Luke and Tracy that they aren’t going to get banished for this.”

“She just walked in, didn’t she?”

Kyle nodded, “Em?”

She looked over at him and he instantly locked her gaze.

Chevalier watched them closely while Kyle told Emily to return to her home in the palace. She got up, almost as if in a dream, and walked out of the house, followed by Chevalier and Kyle.

Once in the palace, she walked up and into the bedroom. Kyle softly told her to lie down, and when she was asleep, Kyle and Chevalier returned to the council chambers, where they met with Dr. Edwards.

“He filled us in,” Zohn told Chevalier.

“It happened then, right?” Chevalier asked the doctor.

He nodded, “Yes, I believe so.”

“Her guards ran off after Frederick.”

“Have they returned?” Quinn asked.

“Not as far as I can tell.”

“Mark will be back soon,” Kyle said. “I say we put ranking on her again and make sure they don’t leave her, even if Frederick appears.”

Chevalier nodded, “Agreed… even if only one of them is left, at least to keep her from wandering into heku homes. It wouldn’t be hard to find some that would retaliate.”

“She’s lucky she found Luke and Tracy,” Dustin said. “They’ve always been big mortal supporters.”

“So she just walked into their home?” Quinn asked.

“Yes… she thought it was hers,” Kyle explained.

“How can that be?” Zohn asked. “Has she ever even been in their home?”

“Not that I know of,” Chevalier said, and turned to Dr. Edwards.

“The human brain just works that way. Confusion is one of the main symptoms of strokes.”

“Will she heal?” Quinn asked him.

“She should.”

“Where is she now?”

“Kyle locked her and put her to bed. We didn’t know how to play along and still get her back here,” Chevalier explained.

“You locked her?” Dustin asked, surprised.

Kyle nodded, “Yes. I’m not sure if she allowed it or she’s weakened.”

The Chief of Defense cocked his head to the side slightly and then turned to the Elders, “The four members of Emily’s guard have returned… or 3 of them I should say.”

Quinn frowned and turned to the door, “Let them in.”

Derrick opened the door and three of the Cavalry came in wearing torn, bloody shirts, and all looking tired and haggard.

“What happened?” Kyle asked.

The Commander stepped forward, “Frederick appeared just outside the city gates. We followed him and were ambushed in the north trees by over twenty Encala.”

Chevalier growled softly.

“They killed Caleb, but we managed to get away after a fight,” he said, looking at the ground.

Zohn frowned, “It’s unacceptable that you fell into such an obvious trap.”

“We…”

“No!” Quinn shouted. “There’s no excuse for our elite to fall into enemy hands that way. Report to Mark as soon as he returns.”

They nodded and walked out of the council chambers.

“If the Lady had been with them…” Richard, the Chief Interrogator, whispered.

Chevalier nodded, obviously angry, “It’s time we put a stop to Frederick.”

“It won’t help if we make fools of ourselves and our so-called elite run into their hands,” Kyle said angrily.

“How to catch him though?” Dustin asked. “He’s obviously just toying with us.”

Quinn smiled slightly, “He wants Emily… let’s give her to him.”

Chevalier frowned, “Excuse me?”

“No… now hear me out. What if we use Alexis as bait to lure him out into the open?”

“There’s obviously a scent difference between them.”

“Not if we enlist the help of the Valle.”

Zohn sighed, “That’s just asking for trouble.”

“It would get Frederick out where we can capture him,” Quinn said.

“I won’t risk Alexis though,” Chevalier said.

Dustin grinned, “What if we use one of our smaller heku… one that smells like Emily.”

Chevalier growled, “No.”

“Just think about it Chevalier,” Quinn said. “We’ve done it before… we give… say… Mariah, Emily’s scent.”

“She is tiny compared to the rest of us,” Kyle said, deep in thought.

“No,” Chevalier said again.

“Put the Cavalry on his trail,” Zohn said. “Call in Powan if we need to. Let’s see if we can find him first.”

***

“Em, lie down,” Chevalier whispered, and then pulled her back into the warm bed.

“I have to feed the cows,” she said, and pulled against his hands.

“It’s 4am.”

“So?” she asked, and looked at him.

“Kyle has already fed them.”

“Oh…” she said, and looked around.

“Come on, back in bed,” he said again, and this time he managed to get her into the covers.

“Chev?”

“Yes”

“If that cow calves, I’ll need to go out there.”

“Silas is watching her… he’ll let us know.”

She nodded and snuggled up beside Chevalier, “Ok, good night.”

Chevalier lightly kissed the top of her head and watched as her swirling thoughts turned into confusing and unrealistic dreams. He still wondered when she would start healing from the last few minor strokes she’d had since she walked into the heku’s house in the city. The minor strokes were causing memory problems for her and she was now watched continuously throughout the day and night, never to be alone.

One thing that worried Chevalier was her personality change. She was more clingy and a lot more calm and docile. She rarely showed any temper and when she did, it was muted and controlled. Her voice stayed soft and timid and she rarely spoke to anyone but her closest friends.

No one had the heart to tell her she was no longer on a ranch, and each of her guards were careful to play along, yet steer her clear of finding out the truth. They were having to come up with unique and inventive ways to keep her calm and stress free when all she wanted was to take care of her cows and horses.

Chevalier pulled out of his trance when he felt Emily begin to wake up. She’d slept another four hours so he let her up when she got up to get dressed.

“Are you heading out?” Chevalier asked as she pulled her hair into an old black cowboy hat.

“Yes, I want to go find out what’s scaring the cows,” she told him, and kissed him lightly before heading out.

Chevalier waited until he heard Mark and Silas join Emily on her horseback ride, and then went into the council chambers for the trial day.

He sat down and started to thumb through the docket.

“Where’s she off to today?” Kyle asked.

“Out chasing off cow spooks,” Chevalier said, and smiled slightly. “Are we going to get Kaela out of the way?”

“That’s going to take a few days,” Quinn told him.

“So we break in the middle, let’s get it out of the way.”

“Let’s handle Suzanne first. That’ll be an easy one.”

Zohn turned to the door, “Derrick, bring her in.”

Dustin turned to the others, “Are we going to address the blatant disregard of the rules last night by high-ranking members of our Cavalry?”

Zohn growled slightly, “What rules might that be?”

Chevalier looked up. He was afraid he knew where this was going.

“We cannot sit by while Elder’s orders are ignored in lieu of doing what they feel might be right.”

“They gave her coffee, Dustin. Not exactly grounds for banishment,” Quinn said, annoyed.

“Still… Elder’s orders were that she wasn’t to have it.”

“She hasn’t had a stomach pain attack in weeks,” Chevalier reminded him. “New orders were to appease her to lessen any stress, and that’s exactly what they did.”

“I still see it as grounds for punishment.”

“I disagree.”

“Ditto,” Zohn said, turning to the door when Derrick came in with their prisoner.

“Three against it,” Quinn said to Dustin.

Dustin turned angrily and watched the prisoner as she was forced to her knees.

The Court Reporter stood up and read from a file, “Suzanne, you are hereby charged with treason. She was found imprisoned by the Encala under the charges of living with an Encala. How do you plead?”

“Not guilty,” she said, watching the ground.

“Did the Cavalry find you in the Encala’s palace prison?” Kyle asked her.

“Yes… but…”

“Did you or did you not go there because you were living with an Encala at the time?”

She nodded, “I love him.”

“Loved, I killed him already,” Chevalier said, and smiled slightly. “It was an accident.”

Zohn chuckled, “So what coven was this in?”

“No coven. They were living in Cincinnati in a single residence, living as mortals,” the Court Reporter explained.

“How do we know this?” Quinn asked.

Chevalier looked down at her, “I found her and her lover imprisoned and pulled records to find out why.”

“What made you think that would be tolerated?” Kyle asked her.

The anguish in her face was prevalent when she spoke, “You can’t choose what your heart does. We hoped the factions would leave us alone if we stayed away from covens.”

Quinn laughed, “I see.”

“You…” the prisoner said, looking up at Chevalier. “We thought you of all people would understand and sympathize with our love.”

Chevalier looked shocked, “Me? Why?”

“You didn’t marry within the faction either.”

“I didn’t marry a heku.”

“Still… the same thing. You didn’t marry in the faction and we should be granted the same right that you did to keep your marriage.”

“Except for a few things,” Chevalier said. “First off… I didn’t marry into another faction. Second… I killed your husband, so it’s kind of a moot point.”

She glared at him, “You had no right.”

“Oh, but he did,” Zohn told her.

“You can’t compare marrying an unfactioned mortal who knows nothing even about the factions… to marrying an enemy,” Quinn explained.

“Yes, well I didn’t have to kill Gage’s spouse to marry him either,” she said angrily.

Chevalier glared at her, “I vote for death.”

Zohn nodded, “Kyle…”

Kyle instantly appeared at the prisoner’s back and tore her head from her shoulders. He looked over when the door opened unannounced and was shocked when Emily walked in backwards, then shut the door softly and listened at the crack between the two doors.

The Council watched her quietly, wondering what she was doing. After almost a minute, she opened the door just a little and peeked out into the hallway.

Finally, Chevalier cleared his throat to get her attention. Emily gasped and spun quickly, her eyes growing wide when she saw the Council watching her.

“Is there a problem?” Chevalier asked, heading down to the trial area.

“Um… no,” she said, though she sounded unsure.

Kyle moved to block her view of the headless heku and smiled when she looked over at him.

“Are you hurt?” she asked him.

Kyle shook his head, “No.”

“You’re covered in blood.”

He looked down at his shirt, “I had a bloody nose.”

Chevalier gently took her arm, “Let’s go, Em.”

“Wait,” she whispered, and then looked at the Council before turning to Chevalier. “Weird things are going on out there.”

“Like what?”

“Like people disappearing.”

“Where are you guards?”

“See… they disappeared,” she told him, and took his hand in hers. She wiped a stray drop of blood from under her nose and then looked to the door.

“I see… well…” He thought for a moment, “Maybe they just ran off.”

“No, I don’t think so.”

Quinn frowned slightly, “Disappeared or turned to ash?”

Emily looked over at him, “Well… there is ash on the floor.”

Dustin gasped and called for the palace guards.

Zohn glared at him when the trial area filled with battle ready guards.

Emily gasped and pulled closer to Chevalier when they turned to her.

“Get out,” Chevalier ordered. Without a word, the heku cleared the trial area and Emily finally looked around.

“Was that necessary?” Quinn yelled at Dustin.

“It is if she’s turning heku to ash!”

“I didn’t,” Emily told Chevalier.

“Kyle…” Chevalier whispered. He looked over when Kyle didn’t move after his order to go find her guards, “What?”

“The body, Sir,” Kyle whispered back, too low for Emily to hear. He shifted slightly to better block Emily’s view of the dead heku behind him.

“Oh, right,” Chevalier said and led Emily toward the door. “Let’s go check on the horses.”

Mark and Silas met Chevalier by the front doors and they all went out to the stables so Kyle could find her guards. The heku in the barn looked at each other when Kyle announced that not only her guards, but most of the fifth-floor staff had been turned to ash.

Mark shifted nervously, “Em?”

“Yes?” she asked, coming out of one of the stalls.

“Did your guards… I don’t know… scare you in any way or were they mean?”

“No”

“Were you mad at them?”

“No,” she said, and sat on a bale of hay to pet Devia.

Once Kyle announced that all had been revived, Chevalier turned to Emily, “Ready to go back in?”

She nodded, “I’ll go make dinner. Is steak ok?”

Mark nodded, “Sounds good. We’ll let the El… erm… Chevalier go back to his meeting and Silas and I will go with you.”

She frowned slightly and looked at the heku.

“What’s wrong?” Chevalier asked.

“You don’t eat, do you?”

“No, we don’t.”

“I forgot about that.”

He smiled, “It’s ok, it’ll all come back.”

“I think I’ll go lay down,” she told him, and headed inside, followed by Mark and Silas. Chevalier left them on the fourth-floor and Emily continued up to the seventh-floor and started down a dark hallway.

“Where are we going?” Silas asked when she started trying to open random doors.

“My room,” she whispered, and Mark frowned when her words slurred. He put a hand out and steadied her when she swayed slightly and leaned against the wall.

Silas reached down and picked her up, “I’ll show you.”

She nodded and leaned her head on his shoulder, further worrying Mark. He called for Dr. Edwards to meet them in her bedroom. The doctor was arriving as Silas laid her down on the bed.

“What’s wrong?” Dr. Edwards asked, and sat down on the bed beside her.

“I just need a nap,” Emily told him. Her words were slow and hard to understand.

“Look at me,” he whispered. Mark gasped and immediately called for Chevalier when she looked over at the doctor and the left side of her face drooped. Emily fell silent on the bed and blood again began to trickle from her nose and ear.

“What’s…” Chevalier started, but rushed to Emily when he saw her.

Dr. Edwards looked up at Mark, “Frederick has to be near here.”

Mark nodded and blurred from the room.

“We can’t move her,” Dr. Edwards said when Chevalier picked Emily up.

“I can and I am,” he said, then called for Alexis and Dain.

“I want to go,” Kyle said, coming into the room.

“We leave in 5 minutes.”

Kyle nodded and disappeared. Chevalier heard Kyle naming off members of the Cavalry they were taking. He knew not to ask the Elder where they were going, as it was too dangerous to announce it.

By the time Chevalier got Emily to the Humvee, a black Suburban was parked inside of the garage and several members of the Cavalry were inside waiting, while Kyle sat patiently in the driver’s seat.

Alexis and Dain crawled into the Humvee and Chevalier buckled Emily into the passenger seat and leaned it back. It took less than 5 minutes for everyone to be ready as Chevalier pulled his car out of the garage and headed west.

***

“It’s clear,” Kralen said, coming into Chevalier’s office. Chevalier looked out his window at the snow covered trees outside of his Colorado mansion and nodded.

“I want regular checks outside, cover a 1 mile radius.”

Kralen nodded, “Yes, Sir. The dogs should be here from Island Coven in a few hours.”

“When they get here, have them on regular rotations out there.”

“Yes, Elder,” Kralen said, and disappeared when Chevalier’s phone rang.

Chevalier had just gotten off the phone with the Council when someone knocked on his door, “Enter.”

Dain came in, “Alexis and I are back from the store. Dr. Edwards said Mom won’t eat though.”

“I’ll see what I can do,” Chevalier said, and followed his son out. Emily was back in the same room where she’d recovered from the horse falling on her 23 years prior. She didn’t look up or respond when Chevalier and Dain walked in. She was slumped over in a soft recliner and her distant gaze stared at the wall.

Chevalier knelt down beside her, “Em?”

Again she didn’t respond.

“Em, you need to eat.”

He picked her hand up and laced his fingers through hers, but her hand laid limply in his.

He sighed and looked up at Dr. Edwards, “Anything?”

“No, she’s completely unresponsive, even to pain.”

Chevalier frowned, “You hurt her?”

“Not in that way, Elder,” Dr. Edwards explained. “It’s a medical stimulus to try to trigger some type of response.”

“What did you do?”

“I simply poked her fingers with a needle, nothing dangerous.”

“You got nothing?” Chevalier asked, and turned back to her.

“No, Elder.”

“Come on, Em, heal,” he whispered, watching her unmoving eyes.

Alexis was crying softly from the corner of the room. Dain walked over and pulled her into a hug and she cried against his chest.

Dain looked over at his Dad, “Is this how her father was?”

Chevalier nodded, unable to speak.

“If we can keep Frederick away… she should be able to heal,” Dr. Edwards said, watching Emily.

“Will she starve?” Dain asked.

“No, if she doesn’t eat by morning, I’ll feed her by I.V.”

Chevalier studied her, desperately looking for some way to bring her out of the catatonic state. She looked unharmed, though there was no expression on her face and it was abnormal for her to sit so still and unmoving. He watched her for hours, waiting for her heku blood to heal her damaged brain. By nightfall, nothing had changed and he gently laid her in bed and stoked the fire before leaving. As he headed out, Mark and Kralen moved into the bedroom to watch over her while she slept.

Chevalier stepped out into the snowy night and met up with one of the Island Coven Generals.

“We have six heku with dogs out, watching for any sign of a heku,” the General reported.

“I don’t care what faction or who it is… if it’s heku, destroy them.”

“Yes, Elder,” he said, and bowed before leaving.

Chevalier quickly scanned the dark trees before stepping back into the warm mansion.

“Dad?” Alexis asked timidly, walking up to him.

He turned toward his daughter.

“Allen and Miri just caught the snowcat,” she told him. “They should be here in an hour or so.”

“Ok,” he whispered. Chevalier studied her. He could tell she was fighting back tears so he pulled her into a tight hug and felt her tears wet his shirt.

“I… I don’t want to join the Valle,” Alexis sobbed.

“I know.”

“I’m afraid,” she said against his chest.

Chevalier smiled slightly, remembering when Emily had told him the exact same thing. He reached down and kissed the top of her head lightly, “Don’t be afraid, she’ll heal.”

“What if she doesn’t?”

“We took her away from the attacks… she’ll heal.”

“I can’t live without her.”

Chevalier’s heart pounded in his chest at the thought of Emily dying. He finally was able to smile and his voice calmed, “Just give her time, Alex. She’ll be ok.”

“But Grandpa…”

“Emily’s Dad wasn’t half heku.”

Alexis finally pulled away from him and looked up at her Dad with red, swollen eyes, “You promise?”

Chevalier nodded, “Just give her more time.”

“Alex?” Dain asked from behind them.

Alexis turned and looked at her younger brother.

He grinned, “I found Dad’s interrogation chamber.”

She smiled and followed him toward the door.

“Wait…” Chevalier said, and then called them both back with the bend of a finger. “What, exactly, are you going to do?”

“Just check it out,” Alexis told him.

“Can’t you find something more productive to do?”

“Why?” Dain asked.

“I’m not sure Em would want you in there.”

Alexis rolled her eyes, “We’ll be fine.”

“If you get hurt, I’ll deny knowing you were in there,” he said, and watched them both run off.

Dain led Alexis through the labyrinthine corridors and then turned at a bookshelf. He reached out and moved it aside easily, revealing a door behind it. Alexis stepped in first and her eyes grew wide at the torture devices in the large room.

“Nice, eh?” Dain asked, and stepped inside. He immediately opened up a large iron maiden and looked inside.

Alexis wrinkled her nose a bit at the smell, and then crawled up onto the rack to reach something high above the ground.

Chevalier listened briefly to Dain and Alexis talking, and then returned to Emily’s room. Dr. Edwards was sitting in a rocking chair by the bed, while Mark and Silas watched her from beside the door.

“Irritating that legends aren’t true,” Dr. Edwards said after a few moments of silence.

“Do what?” Chevalier asked, sitting down on the edge of the bed.

“In vampire lore, your blood would have healing powers.”

Chevalier ignored the insulting comment and focused on Emily. He watched for any sign of movement, any form of communication, and didn’t look over until Allen and Miri came in a couple of hours later.

“Has she woken up?” Allen asked, moving to stand by the bed.

“No,” Chevalier told him, and brushed a stray hair away from her cheek.

“How long has she been unresponsive?”

“Two days.”

“We’re going to have to start an I.V.,” Dr. Edwards whispered, then watched Emily for a reaction.

Chevalier waited a few seconds for Emily to respond before speaking, “Just do it. Not sure you’re going to have a fight.”

Chapter 20 - Mortem Obire

“Em?” Chevalier asked, taking her hand as he watched for any sign of response. He briefly looked around the empty room and then sighed and turned back to Emily. It was day nine of her recovery in Colorado, but nothing had changed and Dr. Edwards suspected she’d had another stroke the night before.

“Emily, if you can hear me… give me a sign… any sign,” he told her. He gently touched her pale cheek and again bottled up the fury at Frederick. He knew soon enough he would get his revenge for this, but for now, he needed to take care of her.

Chevalier turned toward the door when he heard a knock, “Come in.”

Allen stepped in with a cup of hot coffee. The steam trailed along behind him as he walked into the room, “Dr. Edwards thought maybe a familiar scent might get a response.”

He nodded and watched as his eldest son walked up to Emily and knelt down beside the bed, “Mom? I brought you some coffee.”

They both waited but she didn’t move.

Allen sighed and tried again, “If you want it you better hurry, Dustin’s coming, and he won’t let you drink it.”

Chevalier smiled slightly. If anything would make Emily move, it would be Dustin taking her coffee. He squeezed her hand softly, hoping she would return the gesture, but nothing happened.

Allen set the coffee cup down on the bedside table and looked up at his Dad, “I had to try.”

Chevalier nodded, “I know… she’s still healing.”

Allen’s eyes grew wide when the corner of Emily’s mouth moved a tiny bit, “Mom?”

“Emily, can you hear me?” Chevalier asked, watching as her mouth moved into a slight smile.

“It’s my Dad,” she whispered softly.

Chevalier stood up, “Emily, no!”

Allen couldn’t breathe as the familiar scent filled the room. He stood up slowly and watched as Emily relaxed on the bed and her eyes opened slowly, staring lifelessly at the ceiling.

The heku in the house blurred suddenly into the room when the scent filled the home, and then froze when they saw Emily.

“No,” Mark whispered.

“Emily! Wake up!” Chevalier growled, and shook her by the shoulders.

“What’s going on?” Alexis screamed, and started into the room. Dain turned suddenly and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

Kyle appeared beside the bed and his hands balled into fists as he watched Chevalier try to wake Emily.

“Emily!” Chevalier roared.

Dr. Edwards put a hand on the Elder’s shoulder, “She’s gone.”

“No she’s not,” Kyle hissed.

Dr. Edwards stepped back when Chevalier stood up and his features grew dark.

“Fix it,” he told the doctor.

Dr. Edwards looked down at Emily’s body, “It’s too late. Too many strokes…”

Alexis fought against Dain’s hand, “Mom, no! You can’t do this!”

“Alex…” Allen whispered, and took his sister from Dain. She buried her face in his chest and began to cry as Allen watched Emily, too stunned to move.

Dain walked up to the bed and knelt down, “Mom?”

They all watched her, willing her to open her eyes and respond.

“Mom… you can’t die,” Dain whispered, and took her hand.

Kyle took a few steps back and his eyes turned black as he watched the lifeless body on the bed. He could feel his temper already growing out of control and he felt the need to kill, the need to inflict pain and seek revenge for the death of his cherished friend.

Even before the heku could tell what was going on, Chevalier disappeared from the room with speed only available to an ‘old one’. A loud crash sounded deeper in the house and Kyle blurred out after him.

Mark stepped up to the bed and sat down, still unsure if this was really happening. He took her hand, “Em?”

“She can’t be gone,” Kralen whispered.

“She’s not dead,” Silas growled, and moved up to the bed. “Emily… come on… look up at me.”

Allen turned and led Alexis out of the room, followed shortly by Dain. Mark came out of Emily’s room a short time later cradling her gently in his arms. His was confused and frowning, not sure exactly what to do.

Chevalier appeared in front of him and carefully took Emily from him. He held her close to him in a loving cradle and softly kissed her before whispering, “Heal, Emily… come on.”

Silas and Kralen disappeared when they heard Kyle get into one of the snowcats. Within a few seconds, the three heku were headed back to civilization with blood in their eyes.

Dr. Edwards stepped out of Emily’s room and looked over at Chevalier. He seemed dazed and uncertain, and the doctor gently led him to the garage.

Mark followed them, and crawled into the snow cat when Chevalier sat down in the backseat, still holding tightly to Emily. When they made sure the kids were following, Mark started the long drive back down the mountain to the waiting cars.

***

Zohn sighed and looked down at Sotomar, who was standing in the trial area with four Imperial Guards, “We have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Yes you do!” he yelled. “You cannot decide for the entire species to eliminate a faction.”

“We can and we have.”

“Are they all dead then?”

“No, not yet,” Quinn told him. “I would suspect as soon as Emily is better and Chevalier returns, he will deal with them though.”

“No!” Sotomar shouted. “You cannot kill off the last Encala.”

“Again… we can,” Zohn said.

Quinn began to yell, but stopped and frowned when the smell of death filled the palace, “What in the hell is that?”

The Chief Investigator wrinkled his nose, “Someone in the palace died?”

The door to the council chambers violently tore from the hinges as Chevalier walked in, Emily still cradled in his arms.

“No!” Quinn yelled, and stood up.

Zohn was too shocked to speak and could do nothing but look at Sotomar when the enemy Elder stepped toward Chevalier.

“What… no,” Sotomar gasped.

Dustin quietly whispered to clear out the city and the palace immediately.

Chevalier looked up at the Council with hatred in his eyes and they knew immediately that he was beyond reason. Sotomar suddenly stepped back to avoid becoming Chevalier’s target, and he slowly slunk back into the shadows.

Chevalier turned and walked out of the council chambers, then headed up the stairs. He gently laid Emily in bed and covered her with a blanket, and then ordered the fires stoked. When he turned, the Council was standing in the room behind him.

Zohn sat down beside Emily in bed and took her cold hand, “Child…”

Quinn could feel his temper raging out of control and stepped back, unsure of where to go to get the revenge he needed.

“No one touches her until she wakes up,” Chevalier growled, and then disappeared from the room. The Council heard him call for the Cavalry, and preparations were made to find Frederick.

“Call Storm and Anna,” the Chief of Defense whispered.

“No!” Alexis screamed, running into the room. She stood between the Council and Emily’s bed and looked at them. No one would meet her eyes, “No one touches her until she wakes up.”

“I don’t think she’s going to wake up,” Dr. Edwards whispered.

Alexis glared at him, “You all told Mom that Dain was dead when he wasn’t! You aren’t touching her.”

“Dain is a heku…”

“No!” Alexis said again, and Dain appeared beside her. He crouched slightly and his hands balled into fists.

Dr. Edwards took a step back, afraid the young heku’s temper might flare out of control.

“No one touches her,” Dain repeated.

The Council backed out of Emily’s room and met in the conference room. They shut the door and Derrick stood guard as they secretly met.

“Can she still survive?” the Chief of Staff whispered.

“I don’t know… this isn’t an illness…” Quinn said, his eyes full of pain.

“She knew,” Zohn said, and looked around the room. “She told us and we didn’t believe her or prepare for the aftermath.”

“As soon as word gets out, things are going to get nasty,” the Faction Liaison Officer said. “We need to bring in more guards and prepare for a pilgrimage.”

“How long do we wait before we make funeral arrangements?” the Court Reporter asked.

Quinn shook his head, “She can’t be gone.”

“We need to decide what to do with the Elder and Chief Enforcer,” Dustin said softly. “They are no longer in their right minds and are a danger to both themselves and all heku.”

“She warned us that would happen,” the Records Keeper said, and then leaned his head into his hands.

“Do we imprison Chevalier and Kyle then?” the Chief of Staff asked.

“I’d rather not try that, myself,” Dustin said.

“No, we don’t,” Zohn told them. “It is their right to seek revenge if that’s what they want to do.”

“How do we protect the city?”

“By letting them be,” Quinn said. “We let them get their aggressions out and plan the funeral ourselves.”

The Court Reporter sighed, “Storm and Anna were summoned. They should be here within the next few hours to ready… her.”

Quinn frowned and then disappeared from the room. As the door slammed shut, Zohn turned to the others, “Stay out of the way of anyone involved with Emily… that not only means Chevalier and Kyle, but possibly the entire Cavalry and most of the palace staff.”

“And the children?” Dustin asked.

“Dain will be our biggest threat. Don’t catch Alexis’ eye and hope that Allen has some control over them.”

Dustin nodded, “I’ll call in Powan… though I suspect Thukil won’t be much help.”

Zohn sighed, “No, they won’t be. You may call them though, they can assist Chevalier in whatever capacity he sees fit.”

“We did tell Emily that Dain was dead when he was not,” the Chief of Defense said, mostly to himself. “Maybe we should give her time to heal.”

“Dain is full heku,” Dustin said. “Emily was only 51%.”

“Enough that she heals and doesn’t age,” the Chief of Finances reminded them.

“Let’s wait three days then,” Zohn said. “After that time we will need to bury her.”

The Council agreed and adjourned. Most of them wanted to get out of the city and into the safety of their individual covens.

***

“Where is she?” Chevalier growled, and took an ominous step toward the other Elders.

“Chevalier… we have to bury her,” Zohn told him.

Quinn sighed and looked at the Elder, “We’ve let her heal for three days… she’s gone.”

“I said no one touches her!” Chevalier yelled.

“You have to listen to us,” Zohn said. “She’s gone. Anna and Storm have prepared her to be buried. We’ve tripled the guards in the city, thousands of heku from around the world have come to see her laid to rest.”

“She can’t be gone,” he whispered.

Quinn put a hand on his shoulder, “She is. Now we need to prepare for the aftermath and it would help if you were there.”

Chevalier sat down in a chair in the conference room and looked down at his blood caked hands. He hadn’t sat down since he laid Emily in her bed, and had been killing suspected Encala since then. His shirt was torn and crusted in blood, but Frederick hadn’t yet been caught.

“The burial is tonight,” Quinn told him. “We’ve chosen to bury her near Maleth and Jaron.”

Chevalier couldn’t speak. Up until that moment, he truly believed she would recover. As the seconds ticked past, his rage grew and an emptiness unfamiliar to him filled his heart.

“You need to be there,” Zohn whispered.

Chevalier nodded slowly.

“We’ve taken care of everything, but the kids are going to need you. Especially Alexis.”

“Where is she?” he asked, and finally looked up at his fellow Elders.

“She’s in her room with Dain. No one can get near her.”

Quinn sighed, “We’re heading out to begin choosing who will be allowed to attend the burial. We can’t accommodate everyone, but there are some she would want to be… some she would want to be there.”

Quinn found it hard to talk through his rage. He knew he had to keep it controlled until Chevalier was more in control of his. Things had to be done and it wouldn’t wait for anyone.

Chevalier nodded, got up slowly, and walked out of the conference room.

Zohn and Quinn started out for the stables, where the Council City and Thukil Cavalries were waiting for instructions.

Zohn stepped up beside Mark and swallowed before speaking, “We… we will allow only 100 into the cemetery.”

Everyone was silent as they watched him. Most were still in shock at the death of their precious charge and Commander. Each was personally anxious to get out and find Frederick, to make him pay for what he’d taken from them.

“There are a few that will be allowed in immediately,” Quinn said when Zohn could no longer speak. “Obviously Lord and Lady Thukil will be let in, along with General Skinner.”

There was a pause while Quinn composed himself, “Lord Dexter, Lord and Lady Bradford from Hall Coven, Lord Taylor from Michael’s Coven, and we believe Lord Clark should be able to attend.”

Zohn simply nodded and followed Derrick out of the stables when he called for him.

Quinn thought for a moment, “The Cavalries have their assignments. Powan and Banks have agreed to patrol the city and make sure no one will get in that’s not preapproved. For now, keep your eyes out and I’ll go select the others we’re going to let in.”

When the Cavalries left solemnly, Quinn turned to Zohn when he returned.

“The Valle Council has arrived and are asking for permission to attend.”

Quinn sighed, “What did you tell them?”

“I told them Sotomar and Ryan would be let in, but that’s all.”

Quinn smiled slightly, “She did always consider them friends.”

“They also want to help find Frederick.”

“No, that is something we need to do.”

“I told them that and they agreed to return to their city after the funeral.”

One of the prison guards called to Zohn from the doors to the stables, “Elder?”

Zohn turned to him, “Yes?”

“Encala Elder William is asking to speak to you immediately.”

“Is he going to tell us where Frederick is?”

“No, Elder. He wants to go to the ceremony.”

Quinn’s eyes narrowed, “No.”

“He said that we can’t deny that he and… Lady Emily… were friends and he wants to be there.”

“If he shows up,” Zohn said. “I have no doubt that he will be dead before he steps foot near the casket.”

The prison guard nodded and walked back to the palace. Over the next few hours, Quinn and Zohn fielded requests from Coven Dignitaries to attend the funeral. They made decisions based on encounters the dignitaries had with Emily and soon had filled each seat in the cemetery.

Dustin came into the stables with their green robes, “Elders, it’s time to gather.”

They both pulled on the ceremonial robes and followed the Council out to the cemetery. Lord and Lady Thukil were already seated as Lady Thukil sobbed tearlessly into a tissue while Lord Thukil scanned the area carefully.

Five chairs sat in front of the others, and the Council took up the spots immediately behind them. When Chevalier, Kyle, Allen, Alexis, and Dain appeared, the gathered heku stood slowly and lowered their eyes out of respect. Alexis was clinging tightly to Chevalier’s arm and her eyes were red and swollen from crying.

The five of them sat down in front of the prepared grave without saying a word. Zohn stood and motioned for Emily to be brought out. He noticed Sotomar and Ryan standing off to the side, watching the proceedings, each with a look of disbelief and anguish on their faces.

A lone trumpet sounded from a distance, playing Chopin’s funeral march as the Thukil and Council City Cavalries formed a mounted line from the palace doors to the cemetery.

Mark was the first to step out of the palace in full dress-uniform. Behind him, Silas and Kralen carried the maroon, gold encrusted casket. The pain in their eyes was evident as they slowly walked past the line of Cavalry. Each member of the Cavalry, in turn, bowed slightly to their Commander as she past.

Alexis started to cry harder when the casket was gently placed over the burial sight and Kyle wrapped an arm around her. Mark, Silas, and Kralen all turned and bowed to Chevalier, and then took their places off to the left of the crowd.

Quinn took a deep breath and stood up slowly. He walked over to stand beside the casket and spoke as soon as he could control his voice, “Thank you all for coming.”

He took a second, again regaining control, “What does one say when a friend passes? What does one do when someone you care so deeply about is lost?”

“This mortal came to our lives 23 years ago and gently worked her way into our hearts. She saved the faction, she saved the species, and she changed how we all view the mortals that share our existence.”

“Emily leaves behind a legacy that will forever be in our minds and in our hearts. Never before has anyone united the three factions in a friendship that had never before been imagined. Even when that ended, she still felt friendship with them, showing her kind spirit and loving heart.”

“She embodied undying loyalty to the Equites and will be laid to rest among our most prestigious dead… never to be forgotten.”

Alexis stood slowly, her eyes fixed on the casket, “Stop this! She’s not dead.”

Allen stood and pulled her against him, “Alex…”

“No!” she screamed, and pulled away from him. “You can’t bury her! She’ll wake up afraid and cold… she’s always cold.”

“Alex, come on,” Allen said, and tried to pull her gently back to the chair.

“You told me she was going to be ok!” Alexis yelled at her Dad. “You said she was going to heal.”

Chevalier couldn’t think. Her words dug into his soul and his temper again began to rise above what he could control.

Silas moved forward and took Alexis from her brother. He wrapped his arms around her and she cried against his chest as Chevalier quietly watched the small casket.

“Emily…” Quinn started, but had to stop when his throat closed off and his heart sunk.

Sotomar quietly stepped forward and put his hand lightly on Quinn’s shoulder. When no one came to stop him, he recited the ancient burial incantation, his voice rising powerfully above the burial ground of the enemy faction. When he finished the ancient verses, he quietly stepped back to his fellow Valle and lowered his eyes.

Chevalier stood slowly as the casket was lowered into the ground. Silas gently picked Alexis up when she lunged for the casket, and took her into the palace. Allen watched breathlessly as his mother was forever buried in the cold ground.

Mark took a single step forward, but felt Kralen’s hand on his shoulder. He wasn’t sure where he was going or what he was doing, but felt the need to stop the burial, to somehow bring her back and fix what Frederick caused.

Quinn reached down and picked up a handful of dirt in his strong hand, and then tossed it onto the casket, softly whispering a good-bye, “Tedesidero.”

Zohn walked forward and did the same, followed by the Council. Chevalier couldn’t move. He couldn’t will his body to go forward and cover her with dirt. Alexis’ words about Emily being in the cold ground rang through is head and made his heart turn hard and cold.

Without a word, Chevalier disappeared from the burial sight. His movements were caught only by Sotomar, the only other ‘old one’ at the funeral. Sotomar let him go and left quietly with Ryan after Kyle followed Chevalier.

Chapter 21 - Inheritance

It was four days after the funeral before the Council met again. Chevalier hadn’t been heard from and most of the city was still in mourning over the loss of Emily. Allen returned to Island Coven the next day, while Alexis and Dain waited silently in their bedrooms for Chevalier to return.

Zohn sat down and glanced briefly at Chevalier’s empty chair before addressing the Council, “We have a lot to catch up on, so let’s get started.”

Quinn cleared his throat before speaking, “There are some things we need to take care of before Chevalier and Kyle return.”

“Such as?” Dustin asked. He was the only one of the Council who was ready to get back to everyday activities.

“Such as… we need to prepare for Alexis being the next target for the Valle and the Encala.”

“If there’s any Encala left,” the Chief of Defense said.

Quinn nodded, “She’s still a target. I realize that there are only around two hundred Encala left alive… maybe less, but the factions still want a Winchester and Alexis is all that’s left.”

“All that will ever be left,” Zohn said. “She cannot have children.”

“Dain also,” Quinn added. “There is speculation about what would happen if Dain were to father a child. We fear that the Valle may want to try this.”

“And Allen?” the Chief of Finance asked.

“He can protect himself and we leave that up to Island Coven. Right now we focus on the two younger children.”

“Have we heard from… him?” the Chief of Defense asked.

Zohn looked down at his hands, “No, neither he nor Kyle have been heard from since the funeral.”

“Encala reports?” Dustin asked.

“The only thing we’ve heard is that those that are left are hiding for fear of being brutally tortured and then murdered.”

“Frederick?”

“No sign of him. Though Thukil and our Cavalry are out there looking.”

“If they find him?”

“He’s to be kept for Chevalier,” Zohn said.

“Easy enough,” Dustin said, and sat back in his chair. “We double the guards on Alexis, four Cavalry at all times.”

“The Cavalry is busy… and still feeling the effects of losing a Commander and their charge.”

“That wasn’t their fault.”

“It was no one’s fault but Fredericks,” Quinn snapped. “However, they have taken it personally.”

Zohn sighed, “We naturally will put the Cavalry on Alexis when they are done helping Chevalier… but until then, she’s sitting alone in her bedroom with only her younger brother to help her.”

“She’ll get over it,” Dustin said.

Quinn glared at him, “Get out of my sight.”

Dustin nodded and blurred from the room.

“She’s not eating, sleeping, or letting anyone in her room,” the Chief of Defense reported.

Quinn smiled slightly, “That sounds familiar.”

“Emily and Alexis were unique,” Zohn whispered. “That child is now alone.”

“What of Dain, then?” the Faction Liaison Officer asked.

“We hope he’s strong enough to protect himself, but he’s young and inexperienced,” the Chief of Staff said.

“What do you think about Dain’s ability to father a Winchester?” the Court Reporter asked Zohn.

Zohn shrugged, “I guess it’s possible, but we may never find out. Other speculations are about if Alexis were to turn a mortal… would her powers move on to them? Similar to the original ancient who started Powan by passing on his abilities.”

“Other ancients didn’t pass on their abilities though,” Quinn said.

“True”

Whispers suddenly erupted from all around the palace. Chevalier and Kyle had just returned to the palace with Frederick, and those who saw them spoke of the immense rage the Elder and Chief Enforcer had.

Quinn looked at Zohn, “Clear out the palace again.”

Zohn nodded and turned to the Council, “Go to your home covens, we will call when things are clear.”

“We should evacuate the Elders also,” the Chief of Defense said.

“No,” Zohn told him. “We’re safe.”

The Council quickly disbanded and headed for their covens while the entire palace emptied out. Most heku in the city did the same and soon, an eerie silence passed through the large city. When screams started from the dungeon, Zohn looked at Quinn.

“I keep reminding myself that it is deserved,” Quinn whispered.

Zohn simply nodded and turned to the trial room door when it opened. Dain stepped in and shut the door behind him.

“Yes, Child?” Quinn asked.

“Dad is back?”

“Yes”

“Who does he have?”

Zohn sighed, “Frederick was found.”

Dain grinned evilly and disappeared from the room. Prison guards asked the Elders if he was to be allowed into the prison and he was granted the right to help avenge his mother’s death.

Quinn turned suddenly when the back doors opened, “The palace is to be cleared… oh…”

Alexis stepped in, still red eyed and timid as she shut the door behind her.

Zohn smiled softly, “Are you ok, Alexis?”

Alexis nodded, but seemed unsure.

“Is there a problem?”

She shook her head.

Quinn put his hand out, “Come… sit with us for a bit.”

Alexis thought for a moment before taking his hand and he helped her to sit down in the chair next to him. She jumped and looked over when new screams filled the palace.

Zohn looked toward the door, and then back to Alexis, “Is it the screams that’s bothering you?”

She shrugged.

“Are you afraid?”

When Alexis started to nod, her eyes filled with tears.

“His rage won’t extend to you, Child.”

“It’s…” she whispered, and then looked down at her hands.

“Tell us, maybe we can help.”

“No one can help me.”

Quinn took her hand gently, “You aren’t alone.”

Just the thought brought a new round of tears as the hole in Alexis’ heart grew bigger and there was nothing she could find to stop the pain.

Zohn watched her for a few moments before speaking, “He didn’t mean to lie to you.”

Alexis didn’t look up from her hands, “He promised me she was going to heal.”

“He thought she would… we all did.”

“I can’t do this,” she said through sobs.

“Do what?”

“I can’t live without my Mom.”

“I know it’s going to be hard, but we’re all here for you.”

“She was so strong, and I’m not like that.”

Zohn glanced at Quinn briefly before speaking, “You are stronger than you can imagine. Having the blood of both Chevalier and Emily, you are probably stronger than both of them.”

“No,” she whispered. “I’m not. I’m afraid of being alone, of being tortured and kidnapped like Mom was. I can’t do what she did and I can’t fill her shoes.”

“No one is asking you to.”

Alexis nodded and looked up at them, “I know what’s going to happen. I’m the last Winchester now, but I’m not my Mom and I can’t live with the pain and suffering.”

Quinn nodded slightly, “I see what you’re concern is and I’m not sure you should be worrying about that. Do you know what your Mom told the Council?”

“No”

“She told us that we gave her a wonderful life and that she couldn’t ask for anything more.”

“So?”

“That tells me that even though she dealt with pain and hardships… it was nothing compared to the happy life she had with the heku.”

Zohn nodded and then smiled softly, “She… she always amazed me how well she bounced back from something. It was like she wasn’t going to let anything break her spirit and get her down.”

Quinn looked around the trial room, “Just when I thought she might finally have had enough, she’d do something… something that only Emily would do.”

“Like the time she put a sick horse in Dustin’s office… there was… vomit… all over his desk.”

Quinn grinned, “Or when she secretly replaced the Council’s robes with pink ones.”

Alexis started to laugh through her tears, “You should see what she had planned that never got carried out.”

“Oh, like what?” Zohn asked.

“Let’s just say that there’s still an order out there for 46 cases of light bulbs that should arrive within the next few weeks.”

“My God, for what?” Quinn asked.

Alexis fell deep into thought before speaking, “She never would say.”

“Your mother paved the way for you to have a lot better of a life than she had… and from the way she talked, hers was pretty good.”

“I know,” Alexis said, and looked toward the door when a new round of screams started.

“Would you like us to take you away from the noise?”

“No… I just… I’m not a full-heku I guess.”

“What makes you say that?” Zohn asked.

Alexis smiled at him, “I don’t mind the noise… I’m just glad I’m not helping.”

Quinn nodded and then smiled at Alexis, “Tell us what your mother thought the ancient’s room was for.”

Alexis started to laugh, “She wouldn’t even tell me.”

“Damn”

The screams suddenly stopped and the young girl looked at the doors, “Maybe he’s done.”

“I’m afraid not,” Zohn said. “He’s waiting for Frederick to regain consciousness.”

“I wish I could hear like the heku.”

“Sometimes I wish I didn’t. It’s never quiet.”

“True,” Alexis said, and then stood up. “I’m going to have more guards now, aren’t I?”

“Yes”

She thought for a moment and then headed up the stairs.

“She may not be full heku, but I am, and I’d like to see what they’re doing to Frederick,” Zohn said, and headed for the door. The prison guards bowed to him when he walked through and he noticed that not a single sound could be heard from the prisoners.

The amount of blood covering every surface in the interrogation room shocked Zohn. He moved into the room quietly and stood back along the wall with Dain and Mark as Chevalier and Kyle methodically began to skin Frederick as his screams again filled the palace. Small shreds of his skin fell to the floor of the interrogation room, and Dain took a step back to avoid being close to it.

Mark watched for the enemy Elder to go unconscious, and would tell Chevalier and Kyle. They would stop and wait for him to come fully around before continuing. Zohn hadn’t seen this done before and was stunned at the sheer brutality of it. He fought against his instincts to join in and cause even more pain, but understood that it was his responsibility to stay calm for the faction, in case a decision was needed.

After a few hours, when the novelty of it wore off, Frederick was hung in the shackles to heal.

“It’s quiet,” Chevalier said as he watched Frederick.

“We’ve cleared out the palace,” Zohn explained.

“Where’s Alex?” Dain asked.

“She’s fine… she went back up the stairs.”

“Did you tell her she can’t come down here?”

“No, I did not. She didn’t wish to join in.”

Dain shrugged and turned back to his Dad, “Now what?”

“Now we start an eternity of suffering,” he said, still watching Frederick.

Zohn frowned, “What do you have in mind?”

Chevalier let Frederick down from the shackles and the Encala looked over at him with wide eyes.

“Kyle… put out the dagger,” Chevalier whispered, and grasped Frederick’s shoulder.

Without a word, Kyle pulled the Chief Enforcer’s dagger from his pocket and held it out.

“Touch it,” Chevalier growled.

Zohn gasped and Frederick jerked away from it, “No.”

“Chevalier…” Zohn whispered.

“Do it,” Chevalier ordered.

“Chevalier… it’s not right.”

“I said touch it!”

Frederick looked down at the dagger and shook his head, “No, I won’t do it.”

Quinn appeared in the room and stood to the side of Frederick, “Chevalier, we must hold with tradition.”

“Touch it,” he said again through clenched teeth.

Kyle took a step forward and Frederick pressed hard against the rock wall behind him, “The Elder said to touch it.”

Zohn put his hands out, “Please, Elder… we can’t force him to touch the Equites dagger.”

Dain frowned slightly, “Why?”

“It causes an eternity of pain, hunger, and torment,” Zohn explained. “It’s never been forced on anyone because once it’s done, it cannot be undone.”

With speed known only to an ‘old one,’ Chevalier took the dagger from Kyle and plunged it into Frederick’s chest, sinking it deep within his heart. When he stepped back, it was the first the heku had even seen him move.

Kyle tore his dagger from Frederick’s chest as the Encala screamed inhumanly and fell to his knees. The strong burning scent filled the interrogation room and Zohn and Quinn moved back against the wall. Four minutes later, Frederick’s screams stopped as he fell to a pile of ash at the feet of Chevalier.

“That’s…” Quinn started, but couldn’t speak of it.

“No one must know,” Zohn whispered.

Dain snarled, “So he’ll never be out of the pain?”

“Never,” Kyle said, wiping the dagger off on Frederick’s shirt.

Chevalier looked down at him, “It’s still only a fraction of the pain he caused.”

“We have to bury him immediately,” Zohn said, and started forward.

“No,” Chevalier growled. “He deserves the punishment Emily preferred…”

“You’re going to scatter him?”

Chevalier nodded and reached down to grab a handful of ashes.

“He’s already in eternal pain,” Quinn said. “What more can you do?”

“We’ll just have to see,” Chevalier told him, and headed up the stairs. He stepped out into the silent night and threw the Encala’s ashes into the strong breeze. When he turned around, Kyle handed him a small leather bag with the rest of Frederick’s ashes.

Chevalier took the bag and tucked it into his pocket. When they went back into the palace, Alexis was at the foot of the long staircase and looked up at them. She avoided looking at her Dad, but turned suddenly and went back up the stairs.

He watched her go and felt the familiar ache.

“She’ll be ok,” Zohn said softly. “It’s just going to take some time.”

“Would you like me to go and talk to her?” Quinn asked.

“No,” Chevalier told him, and started up the stairs. “I’m ready to give a full report to the Council.”

Dain blurred up the stairs after Alexis as the heku went into the Council Chambers. The room was dark and empty, but the Elders took their places, and waited as the Cavalry joined them down in the trial area.

Zohn sighed before speaking, “Very well… are there any Encala left?”

Chevalier smiled slightly, “By last count there are less than 40, and that includes those in our prison.”

“Did we lose any?”

“No”

***

“You can’t be down here,” the prison guard said to Alexis when she walked down the stairs.

“You let Mom down here.”

“You’re not Emily.”

“Fine… if you want to face my Dad, go tattle-tale,” she said, and walked past the guards and down to the last row of cells. The guards quickly spoke and decided they weren’t ready to address Chevalier with anything.

When Alexis found the cell with William in it, she sat down across from him and leaned back against the wall.

William looked up at her and his eyes were full of pain.

“Mom wouldn’t want you in here,” Alexis said.

“I know.”

“They killed Frederick.”

“I heard.”

“Did you know what he was doing?”

William sighed and shook his head, “No, or we would have stopped it.”

“She considered you a friend.”

He sunk his head into his hands, “She was mine also.”

Alexis watched the Encala Elder for a few moments, studying how the anguish in his face expressed the pain he felt at the loss of Emily.

“If you leave here, what will you do?”

“They’ll never let me out,” William whispered.

“Still… if they do…”

“I would try to rebuild the Encala.”

“From what I’ve heard, there’s nothing left of your faction.”

“It would be my duty to rebuild.”

“Are you afraid of what will happen to the heku with only two factions?” Alexis asked him.

“Yes, I am.”

“What can I do to help you?”

William looked up at her, “Nothing, Child. You need to forget me down here.”

“Why? Mom wouldn’t.”

“Your Mom was…”

“Stronger, I know.”

“No… she knew the heku better, knew how to work the Council to get what she wanted.”

“I feel like I need to stand up for what my Mom would have wanted and let you free.”

“When Chevalier is done with the other Encala Council… I fully expect to die.”

“But you didn’t kill Mom.”

“He doesn’t care. He will kill anyone who might be involved, no matter how remotely.”

“I could go to the Valle and ask for help,” Alexis suggested.

William smiled, “You’re more like Emily than you admit to.”

“No I’m not, or I would already be on my way to the Valle.”

“Alexis?” Chevalier said from down the hallway. She stood up and turned suddenly toward him as William stood and watched Chevalier.

“You’re not going to hurt him,” Alexis yelled.

“This is none of your concern… get back upstairs,” Chevalier growled, then tightened his hands into fists.

“No!” Alexis said. “Mom wouldn’t want William dead and I’m the only one that can stand up for what she wanted.”

“You don’t know anything!” Chevalier yelled. “It’s his faction that killed her and they will all pay for that.”

“He didn’t do it.”

“Alexis… I’m not going to tell you again, get upstairs.”

“I hate you,” Alexis whispered harshly.

“I know.”

“Hurt William, and I’m joining the Valle.”

“Alexis, don’t do this,” William whispered. “Don’t put yourself in danger for me.”

“Don’t speak to her!” Chevalier roared.

Alexis moved a step closer to the Encala Elder’s cell, “Come near him and you’ll have me to deal with.”

Silas appeared in the hallway and moved up to Alexis, “Come on, Lexi… let’s go.”

“Back off, Silas,” Alexis said to him, and pushed him away from her.

Silas thought for only a second before grabbing Alexis and blurring her up the stairs. He was glad she had to catch the eye of a heku to turn them to ash, had she been Emily, he would already be.

“Put me down!” Alexis screamed. Silas gently set her down in her bedroom and blocked the door.

“You need to let your Dad handle this.”

“You mean I need to let my dad turn into a tyrant and slaughter innocent heku all because he couldn’t protect my Mom?”

Silas growled slightly, “Don’t say that.”

“It’s true! If he had done as he promised, and protected her, she’d be here right now to defend William herself.”

“He did all he could.”

“Get out of my room,” she snapped at him, and turned to look out the window. Silas nodded and left, but stood outside of her door with three other members of the Cavalry.

“Mom…” Alexis whispered, and leaned her head against the cold window. “I can’t do this alone… You can’t leave me here.”

She finally cried herself to sleep late into the night. After a lot of talking from Quinn, Chevalier decided to hold off killing William for the time being, but instead finished killing the rest of the Encala Council and any prisoner associated with the Encala faction.

By the following morning, the palace was once again full and the Equites Council was gathered in the council chambers. Chevalier and Kyle were the only ones absent, but the screams coming from the prison let the Council know to leave them be. As an ‘old one,’ Chevalier could easily win a fight against any of them and no one wanted to risk getting on his bad side.

Quinn and Zohn filled the Council in on the talk they’d had with Alexis, and some of their thoughts on keeping her and Dain safe. The Encala weren’t brought up as a threat any longer. The few left were so deeply in hiding they suspected they would either never be found, or would eventually give in and join the Valle.

Derrick stepped into the trial area and addressed the two Elders, “There’s a Valle representative here to speak to the Council.”

“Very well…” Zohn started, but turned quickly when the back door opened. Chevalier came into the room covered in blood with anger in his eyes.

“Let them in,” Chevalier ordered, and sat down in his chair.

“You sure you want to be here for this?” Quinn asked.

“Yes, I do.”

The room fell silent as they waited for the Valle to appear. Derrick brought in four Imperial Guards and the Valle’s Faction Liaison Officer. The enemies stood before the Council and avoided looking directly at Chevalier.

“Why have you come?” Zohn asked them.

“We came to ask that the rest of the Encala be released and allowed to rebuild,” the Valle said.

“No,” Chevalier told him, and then looked at Derrick. “Show them out.”

“Wait!” he shouted. “You have to hear us out.”

“No I don’t.”

“Please… you’ve hurt them enough it will take centuries for them to reestablish. We need to let them be so we can resume our everyday lives.”

“No”

“There can’t be two factions.”

“There is right now,” Chevalier reminded him.

“You’ve avenged Emily,” he whispered.

Chevalier’s eyes narrowed, “No I haven’t… after an eternity of vengeance, I’ll only have scratched the surface of making them pay.”

“She was our friend too, and she wouldn’t have wanted this.”

He glared at them.

“We realize that you were affected also,” Zohn said. “However, we’ve never before denied vengeance to one of our own.”

“Elder Sotomar was close to her too. She came to us and asked that your Elder and your Chief Enforcer be held captive until their tempers calmed… She didn’t want this.”

“Yes, well she’s not here to change her mind, is she?”

“She wouldn’t have.”

“I don’t have to justify my actions to the Valle,” Chevalier said with a steady voice. The Council looked at him, shocked that the rage was somewhat under control.

“We’re just asking that you step back for a moment and make sure that what you’re doing won’t impact all of the heku in the future,” the Valle said.

“There’s one Encala left in our prison,” Chevalier told him. “What good would it do to let him go?”

“He can rebuild.”

“From what? Nothing?”

“He can at least try.”

The trial room doors flew open and Kyle stepped in. It was obvious to the heku that he hadn’t calmed since Emily’s death, “We found more.”

Chevalier stood up, “How many?”

“36, hidden away in a cave.”

“Let’s go,” he replied, and started down the stairs.

“We beg you,” the Valle’s Liaison Officer said. “Let them go.”

“Dad…” Alexis said from behind Kyle. Kyle spun to face her, his body still crouched to fight.

Chevalier ignored her and passed through the doors.

“No! You will listen to me,” she screamed, and Chevalier turned to face her. “I’m not going to let you do this.”

“Who’s going to stop me?” he asked, taking a step towards her, careful not to look directly into her eyes.

Alexis squared her shoulders, “I am.”

“You’re too young to understand,” Chevalier said, and turned to leave.

“No I’m not… You’re too mad to see that Mom wouldn’t want this.”

He sighed, still facing away from her, “We don’t know what she would want.”

“Yes we do. The Encala were her friends.”

“They killed her,” he hissed.

“No, Frederick killed her.”

Chevalier hesitated and then swept out of the palace, followed by Kyle and the Cavalry. Just as he left, he heard Alexis scream that she hated him and the hole in his heart deepened.

Once in the helicopter, Kyle gave a report to the others, “We found a cave in central Illinois and an informant told us there are 36 Encala inside… What we believe to be the last of them.”

“Who is the informant?” Kralen asked, his eyes narrowing.

“Was… he’s dead,” Kyle told him. “He gave us information in exchange for his life. From what we can gather, this is the hideout Frederick was using. The Encala stepped out to try to check on more members when we found him.”

“Same as before,” Chevalier said. “Kill everyone. I don’t want anyone left alive.”

The Cavalry nodded and sat back for the long ride to Illinois. The Blackhawk helicopter landed just after midnight and the heku quickly ran the last 10 miles to the entrance to the hideout. They watched for a few hours, but saw no one come or go.

“Go,” Chevalier whispered, then watched as Kralen and his team of 10 heku approached the concealed door and lifted it silently. Kralen listened for a moment and then nodded at Chevalier. He could smell Encala.

Kyle motioned for the rest of the Cavalry to surround the door and Chevalier stood and moved to it. The door was nothing but rotted planks hidden beneath dense brush. He looked down the hole and saw stairs descending into the depths of the earth. There was the strong scent of Encala.

Chevalier’s hands tightened into fists as he started down the archaic stairway. He heard the others enter behind him and he made his way deeper into the earth. The sounds of movement and voices started just as the dark tunnel began to lighten. Anticipation grew within the Cavalry as they neared what was to be the last of the Encala faction.

They stepped down onto a metal walkway that skirted around a massive cave room. Nothing could be heard as the Equites breached the safe haven for the Encala. The terrified faces of the Encala looked up at the enemy and only the sound of water dripping from the cave walls broke the sound of their boots.

The Equites were surprised there was no screaming, no pleading or begging. It was obvious that the Encala had given up. They resigned themselves to dying for the actions of their Elder.

“You’re protecting the heku again.”

“Ever consider it’s my job on this planet to protect you?”

Chevalier froze as Emily’s words rang out loud and clear from the dark recesses of the cave. He looked at Kyle, but he gave no indication that he’d heard it also.

“I want a promise from the Council that neither Chevalier, nor Kyle, will be allowed to go on an enraged rampage if I die.”

“Elder?” Mark asked from behind him.

Chevalier again looked out over the Encala gathered. They were huddled together, shaking from terror and their eyes locked on his.

“I hate you.”

He sighed when Alexis’ words came into his mind. He hadn’t before realized how much like Emily she was in trying to save what was left of the dying Encala.

“Elder, what do you want us to do?” Mark said a little louder.

Chevalier met the eyes of a dark haired heku woman who was clinging tightly to a man beside her. He watched as she buried her face in his shoulder, crying tearlessly as she said her good-byes.

Kyle turned to Chevalier, “Elder?”

“What would Emily say?” Chevalier whispered as he watched the Encala.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean… is this what she would want?”

“We can’t exactly ask her, now can we?” Kyle snapped.

“No, we can’t… but we know.”

“We have to kill them, they killed her.”

“No, they didn’t.”

Kyle glared at Chevalier, “It’s our job to avenge her.”

“Which I’ve already done.”

“That’s it then? We get this close to complete annihilation of the Encala and we quit!?”

Chevalier looked over at his old friend, “Yes, we do.”

“No, that’s not good enough for Emily.”

His voice became soft and full of pain, “If she were here right now, she would be standing in front of us, trying to block us from harming them.”

“He’s right,” Mark said, relaxing his posture.

“We let them go with the knowledge that we spared them out of compassion for Emily’s feelings,” Chevalier told them.

“No!” Kyle yelled. “We kill them slowly with the knowledge that they caused it.”

“Get back to the helicopter,” Chevalier ordered.

Kyle crouched slightly, “I’m staying to finish the job.”

“Bring him.”

It took Kralen, Silas, and four members of the Cavalry to force Kyle out of the Encala cave. He fought against them, trying in vain to avenge the death of his friend. Once in the helicopter, he glared at the Elder and felt his temper rising.

Chevalier sat back and watched out the window as they were taken back to the palace. He was overtly aware that Kyle was furious with him, but knew that when Kyle calmed down, he would see that they did the right thing.

Just before landing, Chevalier finally spoke, “It’s time you go back to normal duty. Four are to be on Alexis at all times, the rest will resume your regular jobs.”

Mark nodded, “Yes, Elder.”

Quinn and Zohn met the helicopter on the roof. The palace again seemed quiet as the helicopter’s engines died out and the heku got solemnly out of it.

“So, are they gone?” Quinn asked.

“No,” Chevalier said, and he looked at the other two Elders with a still calmness they hadn’t seen since before Emily left for a year. “We let them go.”

Zohn stepped aside as Kyle stormed past them and a crash was heard inside of the palace.

“You let them go?” Quinn asked, shocked.

“I got my revenge on Frederick. It’s time to leave them alone,” he said, and walked into the palace.

“Do we let William go?”

“No”

Alexis met them on the stairs. She was glaring at the heku, “Did you kill them?”

“No, I didn’t,” Chevalier said as he walked past her without another word.

Four members of the Cavalry fell in to stand behind Alexis and she glanced at them before turning to Zohn, “What happened?”

“He let them go,” Zohn explained.

Chapter 22 - Balance

“Devia!” Alexis yelled, and then waited for the Border collie to return to the horses. When he appeared, he was dragging a large stick along the ground.

“Let’s go, Lexi,” Silas said, and turned his horse toward the Council City.

“Just a little longer?” she asked, and watched her four guards head out.

“Nope, come on.”

Alexis sighed and kicked her mare to catch up with the others, “I don’t see why we have to do this.”

“It’s your Birthday, how can you not want to go?” Kralen asked her.

“Because I just don’t care.”

“He’s trying to make-up with you. Let him have this.”

“He can try all he wants. I don’t like him.”

“He’s your Dad and he cares about you,” Silas told her.

“Yeah, well Mom’s been dead a year and I still don’t want anything to do with him. He can throw any party he wants. It’s not going to change anything.”

“Just do it and act like you like it, ok?”

“No,” Alexis said, and climbed down off of her horse. She led the mare into a stall and slipped off the saddle. When she finished putting the mare away for the night, she turned and saw her four guards waiting in the stable for her.

“Well like it or not, you’re going,” Kralen said, and then grinned when she stormed past them.

“I didn’t see him making Mom do this crap,” Alexis grumbled.

Silas chuckled, “He did.”

“Miss Alexis,” her tailor said, running up to them when they entered the palace. “It’s finished, purple, just as you asked.”

“No, it’s just as Dad asked… I said I’m not going.”

One of the Cavalry took the dressing bag from the tailor and then followed Alexis up the stairs. She turned at her door and snatched it out of his hands, then disappeared inside after slamming the door.

Allen, Miri, and Dain came down the stairs a few minutes later, dressed and ready for the party.

“Is she ready yet?” Allen asked, adjusting his tie.

Silas grinned, “No, she’s still in there griping about going.”

Dain sighed and knocked on the door, “Come on, Alex.”

“Do you need help, Alex?” Miri asked, moving to the door.

“No, I’m pretty sure I can get dressed by myself,” Alexis yelled at her.

Miri smiled and stepped back by Allen.

“What’s the hold up?” Kyle asked when he appeared by the door.

“She’s having… issues,” Kralen said, and grinned slightly.

Kyle knocked on the door, “Ten minutes, Alex, and I haul you out of there, ready or not.”

“Go away!”

Kyle grinned, “Fine… seven minutes then.”

They all heard Alexis scream and then start to get dressed.

Kyle chuckled as he headed down the stairs.

Several minutes later, Alexis stepped out and by the look on her face, they could tell she still wasn’t happy.

“Come on,” Dain said, and put out his arm. Alexis took his arm and then pulled at the dress.

“This is stupid… When’s the last time any of you had a birthday party?”

“Last time I had a birthday, Allen almost killed Mom,” Dain said matter-of-factly.

“Shut up, Dain,” Alexis hissed, and lifted the hem on her dress so she could walk down the stairs.

“You know as well as any of us that this party has nothing to do with your birthday,” Allen reminded her.

“Again… not going to work.”

Alexis, Allen, and Dain entered the party together and the loud talking of the heku fell silent. They were still revered in the heku community and those that hadn’t met them were desperate to catch a glimpse of the heku children and a Winchester. Alexis sighed and hesitated in the door, finally walking in when Dain took her arm and pulled her inside.

Alexis gasped when Lady Thukil threw her arms around her and tearlessly sobbed. Alexis glanced at Allen and he shrugged just as Lady Thukil rose up and dabbed at her tearless eyes with a dainty handkerchief.

“It’s… good to see you again,” Alexis said, sounding unsure.

“You look so much like… like…” Lady Thukil broke down in tears again and Lord Thukil escorted her away.

Chevalier walked up and smiled, “You look beautiful, Alexis.”

“Yeah, whatever,” she said, and passed by him to get to some of the dignitaries she knew.

“She’ll come around,” Allen said to him.

“Elder,” Miri whispered, and bowed slightly.

Chevalier straightened Dain’s tie and turned back to stand with the Council.

Dain smiled slightly, “Dad’s in a good mood.”

“Alexis is being stubborn,” Allen said, and then smiled and waved at Lord Banks from the nearby Banks Coven.

“She’s mourning her mother,” Miri said sternly.

“No she’s not. She’s being stubborn-headed and blaming Dad because she’s miserable.”

Miri glared at him and put her hands on her hips, “Maybe she’s not the only one being stubborn-headed.”

“Miri…” Allen sighed when she walked off to talk to a friend from the city.

Dain grinned, “That’s why I’ll stay single.”

“You’re 9, that’ll change,” Allen told him.

“I doubt it. Where’s Alex?” he asked, and looked around the room.

Allen turned and glanced quickly at the dignitaries, “Who knows.”

“Have you seen Alexis?” Chevalier asked, walking up to them.

“No, we just noticed she’s gone.”

“Off pouting, no doubt.”

“That’s my guess,” Allen said.

***

“I’m here, now what?” Alexis asked the heku with her.

The heku glanced nervously around the dark hallway and then looked back at Alexis, “I have an invaluable offer for you.”

“Ok,” she said, crossing her arms.

He looked around again and lowered his voice, “I’m from the Valle.”

Alexis smiled, “Oh yeah?”

“Yes… and we seek your help in a small matter, one in which we will pay dearly for your services.”

“Keep talking.”

“Have you heard the rumors about what might happen if you… the last Winchester… were to turn a mortal?” he asked, watching her carefully.

“No, what rumors might that be?”

“That your ability would be passed on to them.”

Alexis sighed, “It’s my understanding that I’m too human to do that.”

“Have the Equites tried?”

“Well… no.”

“Then they are just guessing. You drink blood, do you not?”

“Yes… but…”

“Do you sleep?”

“I do, but only an hour or so a night.”

“Then it’s worth a try and the Valle are offering you anything to let us try it.”

Alexis thought for a moment, absentmindedly tapping her hand against her leg, “It would tick off my Dad.”

“More than likely,” he said, again looking around for any sign of Equites guards.

“All the more reason to try it.”

“So you will?” the Valle asked, shocked.

“Sure, why not?”

“We have a mortal chosen for you. Someone from the Valle will be in touch with you…” the heku stopped talking when his words were cut off by a strong hand around his throat.

“Dad, stop it!” Alexis yelled, and began to pull at his arms.

“Get her out of here,” Chevalier growled.

Kralen appeared and pulled Alexis away from her Dad. Once they were back in the front foyer of the palace, she turned and angrily pulled her arm away from him. Silas appeared and blocked her from getting back to Chevalier.

“He was out of line asking that…” Kralen told her.

“I’m going to do it, whether Dad wants me to or not.”

“Lexi, he’s a Valle. You can’t trust him,” Silas said.

“I can trust him more than Dad,” Alexis yelled, and then started up the stairs.

Kralen called for four members of the Cavalry to follow Alexis and then he and Silas started back for their Elder. When they arrived in the dark hallway, the Valle was sitting down against the wall with only one arm and Chevalier was glaring down at him.

Silas kicked the Valle and looked up at Chevalier, “What do you want to do with him?”

“Not sure yet,” Chevalier said, watching the frightened enemy. “Takes some nerve offering Alexis the opportunity to turn a mortal.”

“He did what!?” Dain yelled from the end of the hallway. Kralen watched him walk closer and moved out of the young heku’s way when he kneed the Valle in the head, crashing in his skull.

“It won’t matter what I do… to Alexis it won’t be right.”

“So name it,” Silas said, glaring down at the Valle as he healed.

“Kill him,” Chevalier said, and then disappeared from the hallway. He walked up the stairs, not quite sure what to say to Alexis but he knew he had to talk to her about the Valle’s offer.

“Elder,” the closest Cavalry member said, and bowed slightly.

Chevalier ignored him and knocked on the door. He waited a few seconds and knocked again, “Alex, can I talk to you for a moment?”

One of the guards shrugged when the Elder looked at him, “She’s been quiet.”

Chevalier sighed before breaking the lock and walking into the empty room.

***

“You can’t keep coming down here,” William said as he took the glass of blood from Alexis.

“I can do what I want,” she said, and sat down on the floor across from his cell.

“I’m sure they’ll notice. I’m on starvation punishment,” he explained before drinking the entire glass.

“I know that.”

William sat down by the bars in his cell, “Did you do what I suggested?”

“No”

“You have to forgive him. He didn’t kill your Mom and he didn’t overreact to her death.”

“He did too! It was embarrassing how he swept through the nation killing helpless heku.”

William smiled and leaned back, “I wouldn’t call it embarrassing… impressive maybe.”

Alexis frowned, “It was your faction.”

“I didn’t say I was happy about it, but the numbers alone were extraordinary.”

“Well, I disagree.”

William smiled, “Happy birthday, by the way.”

“You too?”

“It’s a big deal to turn 17.”

Alexis rolled her eyes, “Whatever.”

“You really should be up there, it’s your party.”

“It’s a guilt party.”

“He cares about you.”

“No, he cared about Mom… I’m a burden.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Us kids always knew that Mom was way more important to Dad than we were.”

“I wouldn’t say that.”

“It’s true.”

“It’s different though. The relationship between a husband and wife and between parent and child is completely different.”

“And you know this how?” she asked, raising her eyebrows.

“Annia”

“What?”

“My daughter’s name was Annia.”

Alexis sat up straighter, “You had kids?”

“Just Annia, but she died very young.”

“How?”

“Doesn’t matter,” he said, looking over at her. “What matters is that it’s time for you to forgive your Dad.”

“Says the Encala.”

“I don’t have to forgive him,” William told her. He cocked his head slightly to the side, “They’re looking for you.”

“Figures”

“Have you talked to Allen yet?”

“No, he sides with Dad.”

“I bet he does.”

“Heku stick together… that’s what Mom always said.”

“She had us pegged.”

Both grew quiet as they were lost in thoughts about precious moments with Emily.

Alexis looked over when Allen sighed, “Dad’s not going to like this.”

She shrugged, “He’ll live.”

“Talk to him,” William whispered to her.

Alexis stood up and brushed her dress down, “Thought you might like to know that the remaining Encala have built a coven in Ontario.”

“Alex!” Allen gasped. “Get upstairs this instant.”

William shook his head as Allen followed Alexis out of the prison.

“You can’t keep going down there,” Allen said, irritated.

“I can do what I want.”

“No you can’t. Going down there is dangerous.”

“I just go to talk to William,” Alexis explained.

“Why is that exactly?”

“Where were you?” Chevalier asked when Allen and Alexis walked up the stairs.

“In the prison,” she said, walking past him.

Allen winced, “Alex…”

“Doing what?” Chevalier asked her.

She shrugged, “Talking to William.”

“Why?”

Alexis turned to her Dad on the stairs, “Remember… touch one hair on his head and I become a Valle.”

“Alex, now may not be the time,” Allen sighed.

“Fac ut vivas,” Alexis said before going into her room and slamming the door.

Allen opened the door, “Why in the world would you tell Dad to get a life?”

“Because then he’ll get out of mine,” she said, then disappeared into the bathroom.

Allen walked out into the hallway and noticed only the Cavalry were left, “Where’d Dad go?”

“Back to say good-bye to the dignitaries,” her guard told him.

Allen headed down the stairs, “She’s using the drainpipes outside of her window like Mom used to.”

There was a fast shuffling as servants blurred outside to remove the metal pipes.

***

Alexis looked up from her book when her phone rang. She grabbed it just after checking the clock, “This better be damned good at 4am.”

“Are you alone?” a voice said in a whisper.

“Yeah”

“Child… it’s the Valle Council,” Sotomar said, sounding pleased to have reached her.

Alexis glanced at the door, “Ok.”

“Last week we sent a heku to you with an offer.”

“Right, and then my Dad killed him.”

Sotomar sighed, “Did you get the offer?”

“Yes”

“And what was your answer?”

“I said yes… but now that I’ve talked to William, I’m not so sure.”

“The Encala Elder?” Valle Elder Ryan asked.

“Yeah”

“What did he say to change your mind?”

“Why do you care?”

“We would like to remedy the situation and get you to come to us to try it out,” Sotomar said.

She sighed, “I didn’t realize I had to bite someone… and get bitten.”

“Minor things actually.”

“No, big things.”

“The balance of power in the heku is dangerously eschewed,” Sotomar said. “Now that the Encala are all but gone, the Equites are beginning to exterminate the Valle.”

Alexis’ eyes grew wide, “Dad is taking out the Valle?”

“Yes, Child,” a strange heku said. “Giving us Winchester powers would lessen our losses and hopefully, someday return the delicate balance.”

“He… no one’s told me he’s after the Valle too.”

“Of course he is. He’s a tyrant… and we’re afraid for our lives.”

“So, you just want me to turn some mortal and you think that’d help?” Alexis asked, frowning.

“Yes, we do.”

“That’s stupid and I won’t do it. I don’t want to get bitten and biting doesn’t seem all that appealing either.”

“Your Mom would do it to save us,” Elder Ryan said softly.

Alexis frowned and looked down at the phone, “No she wouldn’t… good-bye.”

“Wait…”

“What?”

Sotomar hesitated before speaking, “You cannot tell your Dad what I’m about to tell you.”

“Ok”

“We have an ancient that can bring Emily back.”

Alexis gasped, “You can?”

“Yes, she’s buried here with the Valle, and we can revive her to return your Mom.”

“Do it,” Alexis whispered as her heart pounded in her chest.

“It’s going to take a lot to get to her, revive her, and then get her to return a mortal to us… We’ll need something in return,” Elder Ryan said.

“If I turn your mortal, you’ll bring Mom back?”

“Yes”

Alexis looked toward her door, “I can’t get away from the guards.”

“How did your Mom used to get out?”

“She’d usually wipe their memories long enough to get away. I can’t do that.”

There were fast whispers from the Valle Council before Sotomar spoke, “Your Mom could wipe the memory of a heku?”

Alexis sighed, “Yes, she got it from her Dad I guess.”

“We didn’t know that.”

“The Equites kept it from everyone, but it’s true.”

“But you cannot?”

“No, I haven’t been able to do that.”

“Can you get into the City alone?” Elder Ryan asked her.

“No, you don’t get it… since Mom’s death, I’m watched like a hawk,” Alexis explained.

“Yes, I would imagine you were.”

“If I tell Dad about your ancient though… he’ll…”

“No!” Sotomar said quickly, and then calmed his voice. “No, he cannot know.”

Alexis thought for a moment, “Well… I can try at least. If all else fails, I can try to get to Mom’s Aero.”

“Good, good… keep my number,” Sotomar told her. “If you get free of Council City, we can have someone meet you almost immediately.”

“Then they’ll take me to your city?”

“No, we have a closer coven.”

“I’ll try,” Alexis said, and then smiled after she hung up. She was ready to have Emily back so tensions between her and Chevalier would calm down.

***

“Why in the world would I want to go play football with a bunch of heku?” Alexis asked her younger brother.

“Because it’s fun.”

“And dirty, and rough, and not my thing.”

“Stop being such a girl,” Dain said, rolling his eyes.

Alexis adjusted one of her many bracelets and walked past him, ignoring how he flicked one of her diamond earrings as she passed. It wasn’t until she was almost back in her room that she noticed her four guards weren’t from the Cavalry. She smiled to herself, knowing how much easier Emily could escape from the city guards.

“Where are my regular guards?” she asked the closest one.

“They got Council permission to play football.”

“My guards are playing a game?”

“Yeah, something about team building.”

Alexis nodded and immediately headed down into the prison. After much coaxing, she finally was able to talk to William alone. She moved up close to his cell and motioned him over.

“What are you up to?” William whispered, looking around the hallway.

Alexis smiled, “I’m going to get Mom back.”

William sighed, “How?”

“The Valle have an ancient that can bring her back.”

“There’s no ancient that can bring back a mortal.”

“Yes there is, and the Valle have her.”

“Alex, listen to me,” William said, and took her hand. “There were only three female ancients, and none of them could bring back a mortal.”

She pulled her hand away from him, “Just because you haven’t heard of that ability, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.”

“The only three female ancients, Hera, Nyx, and Rhea…”

Alexis frowned and interrupted, “The Greek Goddesses?”

William shrugged, “That’s an entirely different story… anyway… those three ancients had no real special powers. It was pretty rare that any ancient did anything other than the ordinary. You’ve not met those ancients because there’s no reason… no benefit… to bring them back.”

“Well you’re wrong. One of them can bring Mom back and I’m going to the Valle to get her.”

“Please, talk to Chevalier first. He can confirm what I’ve told you.”

“Here and I thought you’d be excited… Mom can get you free and can stop Dad from destroying the Valle.”

“What makes you think your Dad is after the Valle?”

“He is… he’s slowly killing them off, just like he did the Encala.”

William thought for a moment, “I haven’t heard anything about that.”

“Again, just because you don’t know…”

“Listen to me Alex. The Valle aren’t going to…” He stopped talking and then sighed when Alexis stormed off.

William sat down on the small cot in his cell to think. He was deep in meditation when he heard a commotion in the palace that Alexis was missing.

“Guards!” William yelled. When one of the Equites prison guards came to his cell he moved to the bars, “I need to speak to Chevalier, immediately.”

“He’s busy,” the guard said, and started back for the door.

“It’s an emergency, about Alex.”

“Sit back down and shut up,” the guard growled, and stood back at his post.

“Chevalier!” William yelled.

Several floors above the prison, Chevalier sighed, “What does he want now?”

“There’s no telling, Elder,” Kralen said. “Not sure how she did it, but she managed to get to Exavior’s old house and took off in Emily’s Aero.”

“Who were her guards?”

“City Guards, we were training,” Mark explained.

“Get everyone out there looking… it’s easy to spot that ugly purple car,” Chevalier said, and headed for his car. He stopped walking when he heard William yell for him again. Sighing, he angrily walked down the stairs to the prison.

“Chevalier!” William called again.

“Will you shut up?!” Chevalier yelled at him as he rounded the corner to the enemy Elder’s cell. “I’m busy.”

“I know where Alex is,” William told him.

Chevalier’s eyes narrowed, “How?”

“She told me where she was going… though I didn’t know it was this soon and I tried to get her to go talk to you first.”

“Fine then. Where is she?” It was obvious that Chevalier didn’t believe him.

“The Valle told her they have an ancient that can bring Emily back.”

“That’s stupid,” Chevalier growled, and turned to leave.

“Stupid or not… she believed them and she’s gone to the Valle thinking they will bring her Mom back.”

***

The Valle’s Chief of Defense smiled and walked out to the purple Aero, “Welcome, Child.”

Alexis stepped out and looked around at the inside of the Valle compound, “What is this place?”

“It’s Ferrin Coven,” he explained, and then looked around.

“Where’s Sotomar?”

“He’s not here at the moment… Come inside where it’s warmer.”

Alexis nodded and followed the enemy into a large mansion located in the center of the high cement walls.

“I forget how much you look like your mother,” the Valle’s Chief of Staff said. He walked forward and met up with Alexis and the Chief of Defense.

“Taller though, I got lucky,” Alexis said, and then smiled. “When do we bring Mom back?”

“After the ceremony.”

“Let’s get on with it then.”

“In the morning, Child. We have some preparations still,” the Chief of Defense explained.

Alexis frowned slightly, “I say bring her back first, and then you’ll have your turning.”

“First, we turn the mortal.”

A thought suddenly dawned on Alexis, “Wait… No. Bring her back first.”

“The deal stands… you turn our mortal, we awaken Emily, in that order,” he said, and motioned for her to walk up the stairs.

“At least let me meet this Ancient,” Alexis said, following them up the long staircase.

“That’s not possible right now.”

“Why?”

“Your scent,” he explained, and opened a door to a bedroom. “She will need to be acclimated some after hundreds of years of starvation.”

“Oh,” Alexis mumbled, and walked into the room. She had a panic starting and she suddenly doubted what she was being told.

“Do you require anything?” the Chief of Defense asked.

“Yes, actually. I want to see my mother.”

“She’s dead, Child.”

“If you’re going to bring her back… you’re going to need her body, and I want to see it.”

“It’s not something you should see.”

Alexis crossed her arms, “I need proof you’re going to do what you say.”

“No,” he said bluntly, and then shut and locked the door behind him.

Alexis looked around the room and finally sat down on the bed, still wondering if what the Valle told her was true. Her heart leapt at the thought that she’d get to see Emily again, but there was a dark cloud shadowing the bliss.

After several hours of not seeing nor hearing anyone, Alexis decided it was time to ask her Dad about the Ancient. She reached into her pocket and pulled out the small silver cell phone. She flipped it open and then sighed when she saw there was no signal.

Alexis moved to the window and tried again, but still got no signal to her cell phone. She looked out and noticed bars across her window, then suddenly began to feel trapped and alone.

“Hey!” Alexis yelled, and knocked on the locked door. She stepped back when she heard a key in the lock.

“Do you require something?” a strange heku asked.

“Yes, I want to talk to Sotomar.”

“The Elder won’t be attending.”

“Then who’s in charge?”

“The Chief of Defense.”

“Then him, I need to speak to him.”

“He’s busy,” the heku told her. “If you require something, then I can assist you.”

“I need a phone.”

“Per the Elder’s orders, until your mother returns, there will be no cell phone usage.”

Alexis’ eyes narrowed, “I’m not turning your mortal. I changed my mind.”

“You will do as you are told,” the Valle’s Chief of Defense said as he walked up.

“No, I’m not going to do it.”

He sighed and stepped into her room. The door shut and locked behind him and Alexis watched him walk over and sit in a chair by the one small fireplace.

“Sit, Child,” he said, and motioned for the other chair.

Alexis sat down, “Either you let me make a phone call, or I walk.”

“Why have you changed your mind? I thought you wanted your mother back.”

“The more I think about that, the more I think you are all full of it.”

He smiled, “We are not. Emily will be returned as soon as our mortal is turned.”

“You won’t let me see your ancient, you won’t let me see my Mom, you won’t let me make a phone call… I get the feeling that the Valle did something stupid and actually kidnapped me.”

“You came to us,” he reminded her.

“Under false pretenses!”

“Calling us liars is a bit unwarranted.”

“Then I am changing the rules… bring back my Mom, and then I’ll turn your mortal.”

“It’s not within your powers to change how this will be done,” he said, standing angrily. “You will do as you’re told and turn the mortal.”

“No”

“Is it being bitten that concerns you?” he asked, calming some.

“Some”

“Have you ever been?”

“No”

He smiled, “Then you may like it, Child.”

“Mom hated it.”

“Your mother was an unfortunate case. Had she not been victimized by heku attacks, she might also have enjoyed the calm and relaxing feeling of being fed from.”

Alexis’ eyes began to fill with tears, “Just let me see my Mom.”

“After,” he said, and blurred from the room. Alexis heard the door locked again from the outside and looked into the dark fireplace.

She sat, contemplating what to do, through the night and when the light of dawn first broke through the thick curtains, someone knocked on the door.

“What?” she asked, turning.

The Chief of Defense came in with a tray, “Breakfast, then we will begin.”

“I’m not hungry.”

“So much like your mother… Then here is your robe and I will be back in a few minutes to take you to the ceremonial room,” he said before dropping a black robe onto the bed and leaving.

Alexis sighed, still not sure what to do, and pulled on the hot, itchy black robe. It fit her perfectly and she was just looking down at it when the Chief of Defense returned.

He seemed overly anxious this morning, “Shall we head down?”

“No… I’m not doing this,” she said, and began to pull off the robe.

The Valle took her hands and held them tightly, “You are going to turn our mortal, whether you like to or not.”

Alexis tried to pull her hands away from him, “No.”

“No more of this,” he said, and started to drag her from the rom.

Alexis noticed no one was in the building as she fought against the Valle. He managed to easily pull her down the stairs and shoved her into a ceremonial room. She landed hard on her knees and then looked up at the twelve heku in blue that were standing around the edges.

One of the heku met her eyes and within a second was ash on the floor.

“Stop it!” the Chief of Defense yelled, and furiously hauled Alexis to her feet.

“I said I’m not going to do this!”

“Yes, you are,” he said, and took his place back among the others. Within seconds, another heku in blue appeared and stood above the one she’d turned to ash, “Do not meet her eyes.”

Alexis began to panic when a mortal woman was brought in. She seemed happy to be there and smiled at the heku in blue. Her simple white dress was billowy and Alexis thought briefly how quickly it would become saturated with blood.

“Mortal, do you know where you are?” one of the heku in blue asked.

“I do,” she said, smiling up at Alexis.

Alexis looked back toward the heavy stone door. It was not only shut tightly, but there was a large lock that she was certain she couldn’t get past.

“Do you know what is about to happen?”

“I do,” the mortal said.

“Stop!” Alexis yelled, and the mortal woman looked up at her. “This isn’t going to happen… I’m not doing this!”

“Do you do so willingly and without coercion?” the heku asked, ignoring Alexis.

“I do,” the mortal woman said again, looking over at the heku along the wall.

“No!” Alexis screamed. “I told you I won’t do this!”

“Proceed,” the Valle said to Alexis.

Alexis stepped back, shaking her head, “No.”

The mortal dropped to her knees and looked up at Alexis, “Please… this is what I want.”

She tried frantically to catch the eyes of one of the heku in blue, but none would look at her as they moved closer to the mortal. The woman laid down and shut her eyes, waiting for the pain of the bites to begin her journey into immortality.

Alexis spun suddenly when strong arms wrapped around her and forced her to her knees, “Don’t make me hurt you.”

“Stop,” Alexis whispered, and pulled against him.

“No, now I’ll open the wound, but you must feed,” he told her.

Alexis gasped and struggled against the heku as he bit the woman’s neck. She could smell the fresh blood and her mouth began to salivate as a steady stream began to drip out of the mortal’s neck and pool on the dirt floor.

“No,” Alexis whispered again, inhaling slightly.

“Let yourself go, Child,” the heku whispered into her ear. “Smell it… feel how it calls you… find the heku within you…”

Alexis’ mouth opened slowly and she inhaled, no longer fighting the restraining arms.

“Drink,” he whispered softly to her, and then gently bent her toward the mortal.

Alexis could no longer fight it. Instincts from her father swelled through her and her lips wrapped around the wound and she felt the warm blood flow down her throat. She forgot about the arms holding her tightly as she honed in on the taste of fresh blood and the way it made her yearn for more.

“Enough,” a soft voice whispered, and the strong arms pulled Alexis away from the mortal, who was now on the brink of death.

The teenage heku’s eyes fell to the woman’s neck as the heku in blue began to sway and chant softly.

“She must drink from you now,” the heku whispered, and as he brought his teeth to her wrist, she suddenly felt the panic return and began to fight against him.

“No!” she screamed.

“Stop fighting me,” he hissed, and she had just enough strength that he had a hard time both restraining her, and getting to her wrist.

A crash sounded from the hallway behind her and she struggled harder against the heku. She heard him call for help just as Alexis managed to connect her knee to his groin and he dropped to the floor.

Alexis hadn’t reached the door before cold hands pulled her back and she screamed again, hoping someone could hear her.

“Stop fighting this!” the Chief of Defense growled. “You agreed to this and you are going to do it.”

“I’m not!” Alexis screamed. “Someone help me!”

“You’re going to let her feed from your wrist,” he whispered into her ear.

“No,” she said, shaking her head and fighting against his arms.

“Enough!” he yelled, and slung Alexis back toward the mortal. She fell to her knees before the woman, who looked up at her with pleading eyes.

Alexis turned suddenly when the heavy door flew off of the hinges amidst the sound of growls and hissing from the Valle in the room. The heku in blue backed toward the wall as the Equites Cavalry came into the room furiously, being led by Chevalier.

“Dad!” Alexis screamed, and ran into his arms. He wrapped his arms around her, but never took his eyes off of the Valle.

Kyle appeared at his side and looked Alexis over briefly before turning to the Chief of Defense, “What do you have to say for yourself?”

“She agreed to this!” he growled.

He took a menacing step toward the enemy, “Only after you promised her the impossible.”

“Don’t kill him,” Alexis said, looking up at Chevalier. “He can bring Mom back.”

Chevalier’s heart sank and he swallowed hard before looking down at her, “No they can’t, Alex. They lied.”

Alexis buried her face into her Dad’s chest and started to cry. All of the hopes of again seeing Emily were fiercely ripped from her and the hole returned to her heart.

“Kill them,” Chevalier growled, still holding his daughter.

Kyle nodded and advanced on them.

Mark crouched slightly, “And the member of their Council?”

The Chief of Defense smiled, “You can’t kill me.”

“Make it an accident,” Chevalier said, and blurred Alexis from the room as the Cavalry fell in to follow his orders. He gently sat her down on a couch in the lobby of the Valle’s castle and looked her over.

“I’m ok,” she whispered, looking down at the ground. “I’m so sorry. They said…”

“I know what they told you,” Chevalier said, taking her hands. “If there was an Ancient that could bring back your Mom, I would have already done it.”

“I can’t live without her,” Alexis said, again starting to cry.

“I’m here for you… I’m not Emily, but I will always be here for you,” he said, pulling her against his chest.

“I’m so afraid.”

“Of what?” he whispered.

“Everything… everything Mom went through… everything she did and accomplished. I can’t do that.”

“No one expects you to be your Mom.”

She began to shake in his arms, “I’m the last Winchester.”

He nodded, “I know.”

Alexis looked over when she heard footsteps and saw the Cavalry appear from the stairs, covered in blood.

“It’s done,” Kyle said, picking something off of his shirt and flicking it onto the wall.

***

The entire prison fell silent when Chevalier entered. The guards saluted him as he walked past them and then fell back into position. No one stepped out of line when the Elder was around, and the prisoners became quiet so as not to catch his attention.

He quietly rounded the corner and stood before William’s cell. The enemy Elder looked up at him and nodded slightly. He knew it was his time to go. It was his time to pay for what Frederick had done.

Chevalier pulled keys from his pocket and opened the door, “Get out.”

William had decided it was his responsibility to show the strength of his dying faction, and simply nodded and stepped out of the cell without a word or complaint. He would face death with honor and show the Equites how an Encala should act.

Chevalier took his arm roughly and began to drag him from the cells. William was shocked when they passed the interrogation room and headed up the stairs to the main floor of the Equites palace.

“What’s going on?” he asked when he saw Alexis standing in the foyer of the palace.

“You’re free,” Chevalier said, letting go of his arm and moving to stand by Alexis.

William’s eyes grew wide, “You’re letting me go?”

“Just south of Sachigo Lake in Ontario, is a coven that holds what’s left of the Encala,” Chevalier explained. “Go.”

Alexis smiled when he met her eyes.

William nodded and blurred from the Equites palace. Once outside of the gates, he looked back at Council City, and then turned and disappeared into the night.

The End

Books in The Heku Series

Book 1: Heku

Book 2: Valle

Book 3: Encala

Book 4: Equites

Book 5: Proditor

Book 6: Ferus

Book 7: Eternity of Vengeance

Thanks for following me on this adventure through the world of the heku. I hope you've enjoyed it. ~ T.M.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 - Frederick

Chapter 2 - House Arrest

Chapter 3 - Robert

Chapter 4 - Woods

Chapter 5 - Teenager

Chapter 6 - Missing

Chapter 7 - Lord Dexter

Chapter 8 - D oppelgangers

Chapter 9 - Invasion

Chapter 10 - Back To Normal

Chapter 11 - Search

Chapter 12 - Dain

Chapter 13 - Visit

Chapter 14 - Memory

Chapter 15 - Illness

Chapter 16 - Gabe

Chapter 17 - Health

Chapter 18 - Encala

Chapter 19 - Confusion

Chapter 20 - Mortem Obire

Chapter 21 - Inheritance

Chapter 22 - Balance

Book 2: Valle

Book 3: Encala