It was mid day so when he stepped through the gate he so did not expect his uncle to meet him. "Uncle?"

"Draca is waiting with Lorn. I would love to hear why you gave the order you did before coming here."

Not his uncle. Master of the guard telling the first escort to explain himself. "I will… But I need to speak to Draca. Come with me." He paused for just a step. "I need Marian and the children both mine and Daemon's brought here."

Andulvar narrowed his eyes, "Puppy what exactly did you think would happen when you sent that message? A message that was translated to 'Lucivar said trouble head for the Keep remove your rings.' Did I miss something? Or is there a reason Kaelas knew before I did?"

That wasn't what he had said but close enough. Then again he had contacted Chaosti not the cat… So… Oh yes he was in trouble. Taking the easy way out he said. "I need to speak to Draca."


Rushing down the stone stairs into the room where Lorn's head was held Lucivar didn't pause until he was in the room. Paused only to lock eyes with Draca, "I need your help."

That blend of panic should not be in an eyrien's eyes. It should not be in Lucivar's voice. Draca nodded then took a step toward him. "I Know. I do not know if it can be done."

"Please, can you try… Something? The whole realm is at stake. No all three realms."

Lorn blew out a puff of hot air. "You have the ability."

Draca turned. For a long moment she didn't speak Or at least didn't speak to anyone that was in that room. Then she turned facing Lucivar once again. "Return to the Hall. The windss will be unsstable. Do not usse the gate. "

"Thank you," Lucivar turned to his uncle, "Please have a healing room made ready. Anything the little darlings can do…"

Not sure what he was asking Andulvar asked, "Can you handle this?"

No. If he was too late… A deep breath and Lucivar nodded, "I have to."


Don't take the gate she said. The winds would be unstable she said. Dame it to hell flying at all was reckless to the point of stupid. And that was with the assumption that this storm that was now breaking was being caused by Draca.

He only hoped as he used every bit of ebon gray strength that he had …that he made it back to the Hall in time. Made it back before his queen killed his brother. Made it back before his strength gave out completely.


As the storm outside broke Daemon slowly descended deep within himself. The pain was too much to bare but was the way Jaenelle was taking joy with his pain… Joy in his tormented screams that he had decided to let the flesh go. He had promised Lucivar he would stay.

He couldn't. Not like this. Not when his queen… his wife was causing him the most pain and enjoying it. Not knowing what would happen when his brother returned.

If he did stay, their queen would force his brother to extract a blood debt that she said that he owed. A debt that would tear his brother apart.

Allowing a single thought to bubble up right where Lucivar could find it… His head rolled to the side. Just before he slid to the inner part of his SELF… a single tear rolled down his face and he thought he heard a blood curdling scream. One of rage and pain.


Lucivar landed at the Hall just as the windows… all of the windows exploded into the structure. Struggling against the wind he forced himself inside, he didn't bother trying to close the door. Beal was heavily shielded in the red and pressed against the wall leading behind the stair case. "Beal!" He shouted over the storm.

A storm that was now pulling something inside of it.

"DOWN STAIRS!"

Fighting against the wind both physical and psychic he forced the hidden panel open. This used to be his father's work room…his private room… Now… The smell of blood filled the air as did Daemon's pain.

The wind pushed him down the stairs just as Jaenelle had looked up. Just as her body collapsed to the ground.

He was helpless until the storm stopped… helpless until the wind that was now tunneling into this small space let him go.

A long moment later the wind rescinded and he was able to scrabble over to where both his brother and queen laid. Jaenelle was breathing the musk of sex clinging to her. He should move her… he should try to do something to help her…

He couldn't.

Not when there was blood soaking the floor.

Carefully he checked Daemon's heart and lungs. A faint pulse. Beyond that he couldn't tell… Couldn't… He took a deep breath trying to steady himself. *Chaosti….*

*We're almost there.* He sounded much closer then he should have been.

He broke the link just as his father stumbled down the steps. "Father?"

"I'm fine." He would scold him later about the amount of fresh blood he had put into the wine… Then again it gave him what he needed. And seeing both of his children… the daughter of his soul and his heir… he would need every bit of that strength. "Daemon?"

"Karla is on her way." He glanced over at their Queen… "Can you …"

"I'll take her to the Hall in Hell. It's the best place I can think of for the moment. Have the demons of the family meet me there." Quickly Saetan called in a blanket and wrapped his daughter in it. Just as he lifted her he hissed. His eyes shifted just enough to look for the cause … "I don't know how… But the web is mostly burned out. Once she wakes I'll do what I can."

"You're sure…"

"I know this kind of web prince. However I don't yet know how our queen was exposed to it." Saetan took a deep breath before his temper slipped… Before he destroyed his son. "Take care of your brother." Saetan paused and made a choice. "I want him tucked into my room."

"I'll see to it. But he'll be at the Keep." His father didn't say anything else just started up the steps. Before Saetan was half way up Lucivar called to him, "Kindly inform the lady she is not getting near my brother till she can prove that web is gone."

His father didn't respond. Then again he hadn't expected him to.