Being Chapter the Twenty-First.

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Etrigan followed silently as Caleb was careful not to be seen at Spenser. By now the police will have a missing person's file on him and the others, and he really didn't need the attention right now. Once down the halls of Spenser and near Sarah's dorm, Caleb turned and halted Etrigan.

"James," Caleb said pleadingly. "Can you just… wait here--?"

"--For how long?!" Etrigan demanded.

"Not long! I promise. Just sit tight."

Etrigan snorted in dismay, but said:

"Fine, go on. And don't call me James. Only FIN can call me James."

Caleb shrugged, then turned to face the door. He took a deep breath, and knocked hard, twice. Sarah opened it, and Caleb quickly entered.

"Caleb!" Sarah shouted in surprise. She embraced him tightly for a moment, sighing deeply in relief. Kate seemed to be out.

"Where have you been?" Sarah demanded with concern. "You and the others haven't been in classes, you mother says you haven't been at home… the police have started a search party… it's like you've all dropped off the face of the earth!"

"We kinda have," Caleb said seriously. Sarah now looked at him with a different kind of concern, knowing there was something very wrong. Her face asked many questions by only her expression. Caleb was looking back at her like it was the last time he would ever see her, and he was trying to find the words to tell her this. He wished he could tell her more, but knew better than to drag her into these dangerous times and events. It was best he left it alone, leaving her behind until his responsibilities in this war were done with.

"It's a Covenant thing… you know?" Caleb said solemnly. "We're dealing with some stuff. I'm going to have to go back in a few minutes, but I wanted to see you. Maybe… maybe for the last time."

"Why can't I go with you?"

"It's not a place you can follow. Do you understand?"

Sarah nodded considerately, even though she didn't understand, and probably never would. She cocked her head, curious but wondering if she really wanted to ask.

"Will you be ever able to tell me what's going on?"

"If I come back after this is all over, I promise I will."

Sarah nodded again, and just held him. He seemed like he needed it. After a few moments, he took his leave, of the room, and of her.

-

"Hello, Ro," Tyler said, folding his hands together before himself, and taking a stand beside Roarden. "I almost forgot you were here. Dominic tells me you're knocked up and it's Reid's fault. Congrats."

"Tyler…" Ro whispered, still trying to form her mind around the perception of Tyler standing before her in a Hood uniform, complete with sharp swords and armor, and proudly standing beside her worst enemy. "You are confused… misinformed…"

"No, I think I'm finally thinking clearly," Tyler retorted. "I made a choice, Ro. This is nothing personal, just politics. Try not to look so…"

"Betrayed?" Ro finished for him.

Tyler lifted his gloved hands to show her.

"Roarden here… he lifted my curse. Like he promised. Imagine that: going through with what you say you're going to do. What a concept."

"I've been trying to get Tyler here to let me in on the Guild's location," Roarden said. "But it seemsss… the best he can do is tell me of a portal I already know about… but can't use because of the security hindrances a certain blind seeress put on the door… Now. If only I had a Guardian to open the portal… Oh wait. I DO."

Roarden stepped down the stairs to the floor level and walked up to Ro bound in chains.

"I'm not gonna tell ya anythin'…" Ro declared. "And you can't make me… because I can't be tortured. Ya can't risk harmin' the kid inside me."

Roarden grabbed the chain between her cuffs and practically dragged her with him.

"Oh, I think you will…" he hissed, pulling her over to the Window Stone and forcing her face up to it. Ro couldn't bear to look. It would only be a matter of time before Reid was in Roarden's custody. Before he was tortured, perhaps even killed.

No. He wouldn't be killed. Because there was no way she was strong enough to hold out that long. Eventually, she would give in… because she loved him.

"Oh, I'm impatient," Roarden hissed. "Let's start the party up now. Tyler, see if Dominic has our charming little traitor waiting outside yet."

Ro's heart pounded as Tyler walked up to the large double door, and pulled it open. She gasped as Dominic, Scarlett, and Duke brought in none other than Rems himself. His hands were bound too, and Duke proceeded to quite literally drag Rems over to a stone table.

"Ro!" Rems said in surprise. Ro's chest nearly caved in, her heart hurt so much at the sight of her old lover. Dominic took off Rems shirt as to get to his bare skin easier. Tyler looks uneasy, shifting in his stance.

"I picked this one up after one of my spies saw you two… conversing together on the Earthen side," Roarden explained. "He's suffered all kinds of torture, but refuses to say a word. Strong wills are so infuriating. Nevertheless, I thought I might find a… good use for him."

Duke began to strap Rems on the stone table. Tyler visibly gulped.

"Roarden, sir…" Tyler started shakily. "You're not really going to…?"

"Master," Scarlett stepped forward, her pale gray eyes glistening with cruel excitement. "I'd really like the honors of hurting my treacherous husband myself. I have a score to settle here."

"By all means," Roarden nodded in permission. Scarlett pulled her platinum hair out of her face and went to choose her torture device of choice.

"Sir," Tyler tried again. Roarden went to Tyler, and slipped an arm around his shoulder, herding him to the door.

"We are trying to play with the Syren's head, Simms, and your questions are breaking the façade. Of course we aren't really going to… do anything, but she doesn't know that… So just run along. I'll call you back when we're all… done."

Tyler nodded understandingly and willingly left, heading for his new set chambers. Roarden shut the door behind him and sighed deeply in frustration, clearly upset for having to cater to the young boy. Roarden turned around to see all eyes on him, waiting for what he would say next.

"Proceed," he waved them onward, making Ro gasp as his raw brutality.

"With pleasure…" Scarlett whispered. She lowered a knife to Rems's chest. Rems sucked in his stomach in an effort to pull away from the blade.

"No!" Ro protested. "Scarlett, don't!"

"Shut up, harlot."

"But you love him!"

"I used to love him," Scarlett corrected. "Before he started sleeping with every woman he could get his hands on, including my oldest friend… YOU."

"You've loved him ever since anyone can remember, Scarlett. Do you really want to hurt him?"

Scarlett didn't move. Roarden didn't look pleased, but waited to see what she would do next.

"Yes…" Scarlett hissed, touching the knife to his skin.

Tears sprang to Ro's eyes as she listened to Rems's yells…

Elsewhere in the castle, Tyler laid awake on his large bed, his brow furrowed in concentration. He could swear he heard shouts… shouts of pain…

-

"Spectres!" Lysander shouted. Reid froze, on alert, but was confused as to what they were talking about. All he could see was harsh black and gray winds, like a fog. Sometimes he could see shapes, hear voices… the temperature would go from freezing cold to blazing hot in moments. Reid had never seen a Spectre for himself before, only learned about them in his classes with Sybilla. He couldn't see through the haze, and feared to blast through lest he hit one of the others. Lysander seemed to be able to see quite clearly through the rough winds and haze, and found Reid quickly.

"Lysander!" Dahlia's voice was heard. "I cannot fight dark with dark… you have to…"

Her voice faded and Lysander feared the worst.

"Dahlia!"

"They haaaave a feeeyy!" the wind hissed. "Geeet him firrrrst…"

But Lysander already had his hands to his temples, his eyes scrunched closed in deep concentration. Immediately he began to glow, a luminosity emanating from him in a sphere that only got bigger. Soon he was shining so bright Reid could barely look at him, casting an arm up to shield his eyes from the light. Lysander then knelt to the floor to hold his ground, erupting in a blast of white. The Spectres hissed and screeched in pain, dissipating into thin air.

When the air cleared, Lysander slowly stood. Even Reid had to admit, he was more than a bit impressed.

"Dahlia!" Lysander hissed in concern, rushing over to the woman on the ground. Reid followed quickly.

"Is she okay?" Reid asked worriedly.

Lysander seemed quite distressed, gently picking up the barely conscious woman.

"I do not know," he breathed. Suddenly, Dahlia grabbed his shirt and pulled him close.

"Blood," Dahlia gasped and choked. "I need… a drink."

"Yes, of course," Lysander replied, ripping his sleeve open and holding out his wrist.

"No," Dahlia said, pushing his hand away. "Neck."

Lysander grew wide-eyed, but slowly obeyed, lifting her head up to his shoulder. Her fangs grew out long, and she bit into him as gently as she could manage. Lysander held her close, not seeming too affected by the pain. He didn't even wince. Rather, he was enjoying her closeness as a tender moment. Reid just stood back and waited for it to be over, making his eyes go elsewhere as he was feeling a little grossed out.

Immediately, Dahlia's wounds in her chest and arms began to heal, the burns almost completely gone. The gray tinge in her skin began to have a little more color.

When she was quite done, she let him go, but still held him near. Their eyes were locked on one another.

"You going to live, Dahlia?" Reid asked loudly, interrupting their connection.

"I will be fine," Dahlia said sincerely, taking a deep, relieved breath.

"Even still," Lysander said, picking her up in his arms like a baby. He stared in her eyes with strict concern. "I think it best I carry you until we find the nearest village."

"If you insist," Dahlia smiled, holding around his neck for added support. The two of them wouldn't break their gaze for anything. It sickened Reid with disgust, and a little bit of envy.

God, he missed Ro.

-

Please review.
Signed,
--RedRogue