Disclaimer: So yeah nah I wish I owned it, but I just gotta make do with my own.

Chapter 24- The Beast Within…

Regin glumly stared at the table in the hall, many others were eating, Declan had left to bolster the spirits of his men. She was angry, but miserable at the same time; Senna had lied to her, and everyone. Hayley wasn't the last Jhones, it had been Ro; and Senna had contributed to her death. Regin didn't understand if she was angry at the lie, or that Senna hadn't told her.

"Got something oh yer mind Valkyrie? " Munro nudged her as he sat down beside her. He grinned and patted her on the back. "I heard what happened tae Senna, Is she alright? "

Regin glowered at him, "dunno, haven't seen her ", she said haughtedly, she glared at the large painting on the wall.

Munro looked a little uneasy, he cleared his throat, "She didn't tell you bout Ro? I'm guessing she just didn't want anyone to know ", he said sympathetically.

Regin glanced at him suspiciously, "Do you think if one of the Lykae's royalty died, and it was my fault; that I'd be making it public lass? "He raised an eyebrow skeptically.

Regin scowled glumly, she faltered and shook her head, "I just don't get it ". She sighed and got up from her chair, "I suppose your right Munro ", she shook her head resignedly.

At that moment, Senna edged into the dining hall gingerly, she was holding her ribs and grimacing with every step. It had begun to rain outside.

Regin stormed over and promptly slapped her across the face, Senna staggered back disorientated; wordlessly Regin hauled her over her shoulder and marched out with the gasping Senna.

Laughs echoed at the back of the hall, "Looks like Senna's got her hands full with Reege. How long do you think she can last Luce? "A Valkyrie scoffed.

Lucia smirked.

"Regin ", Senna gasped as she was thrown back into the medical bed, she groaned and held her ribs, "not cool ", she winced and tried to breath as lightly as possible to avoid pain in her chest.

Regin's eyes were silver, she looked furious and the lightning thrashing outside didn't make Senna feel oh so warm and fuzzy. She stalked over and pointed in the bewildered Senna's face. "Don't you dare get up ", Regin hissed ominously. "You got nerve. How dare you lie to us all! About Ro, your kind. "She growled inhumanly.

Senna hesitated before opening her mouth, "Uh I guess a sorry won't do? "She asked delicately.

Regin glared at her, "Damn it Senna. Why'd you lie? Is that a weird Australia thing? Or do you just get off at being like you are? "Regin threw a chair out the window with a single violent movement. She glared at Senna, "No wonder you own kind shunned you. "She spat, and walked out.

Senna gaped, pain in her chest increasing at that low shot. Tears threatened to overflow. She squeezed her eyes shut, then gritted her teeth. "Bloody Valkyrie ", she managed to say. The sounds of displeasure from Regin echoed down the halls; smashing, banging and the often sounds of people cursing filled her ears.

"I should have known better, these Americans don't understand. " Her thoughts raged as she ignored the hunger that dug at her. Suddenly her thoughts ground to a stop, and she came to a horrific realisation. "Why isn't Lord Thomson here yet? " She whispered to herself.

Senna clambered off the bed painfully and staggered out of the medical bay. She hurried down the hall until she arrived back at the dining hall, she scanned the crowd until she found who she had been looking for. She lurched forward, her body cold.

"Lachlain, has Lord Thomson arrived? " She gasped when she reached him. Senna leant heavily on the table for support.

Lachlain jumped to his feet, he was surprised to see her up. "Lass, you don't look well, you should go back tae bed ", he looked slightly concerned, but Senna brushed it aside.

"Just please, tell me. The Lord should have arrived days ago. "

Lachlain shook his head slowly, "No, no one has come ", he said tersely. He clutched her elbow and peered carefully at her. "You're pale. And feverish ", he frowned as he touched her forehead. "Are you feeling okay? "

Senna shook her head slowly, "I feel fine ", she mumbled, before collapsing at his feet. Lachlain grabbed her before she hit the ground and hauled her up.

"Senna? Lass wake up ", he looked strained, "Get the medic, or a witch "he commanded to a Lykae nearest to him. He turned back to her and laid her carefully on the floor. He was surprised at how pale and clammy she was, yet so burning hot.

She was gasping and muttering inaudibly; sweat dripped off her brow. Her body tensed and spasmed, Senna groaned.

Mariketa frowned, "It's difficult to say ", she admitted.

Regin opened her mouth to object, but Lucia pinched her… Hard. Instead she closed her mouth and shot daggers at Lucia. Regin rubbed her arm uncomfortably.

Mari rubbed her neck wearily, "Her body isn't made for this. Her body is weakening, and as far as I can tell, she's… "Mari trailed off dejectedly. She sighed and shrugged, "Senna's kind are powerful and nigh undefeatable. But this mortality is a major weakness. I've gathered that Senna has contracted an infection and her body cannot defend against it; not in this weakened state anyway ".

Regin swallowed nervously, "Can't you heal her? "

Mari nodded cryptically, "I could… But it would leave the castle defenceless, since I'm masking the landscape ", she admitted. She hesitated, then continued, "I believe her own people would be able to help, but Lord Thomson has yet to show his face ".

Regin opened her mouth, but was cut off by an ecstatic Nix, bounding into the room gleefully. "Looks like Senna's out for the count. It's a pity; I had so looked forward to seeing her true form. Hmm Oh damn ", she buzzed by and stroked Senna's brow with light fingers. "Even I can't see that ". Nix grinned blankly.

Mari sighed, "Nix, can you tell us where to contact Senna's people? " She wrestled with her impatience as Nix continued to stroke Senna's brow. She glanced at the pensive Lucia and the upset Regin.

Nix laughed, "Why ever would you want to do that my favourite Wiccan type person? I would have thought Senna was enough. I believe you would want to contact Senna's organisation, and not her exact clan? Well I would have no idea. Lord Thomson cannot be found, I have tried. But alas I am thinking that Lord Thomson is a tad err tied up at the moment. "Nix winked, she plumped her black hair dramatically as lightning struck outside. "It gives another meaning to an unstable relationship ", Nix tittered behind fingertips. Her eyes turned dreamy and it was apparent that she wasn't entirely with them. "Woah, I wish I had such… Violent bed play such as that one. What a beast ", she growled and blinked.

Lucia sent Regin a shrewd look.

Nix laughed suddenly, "I gotta get me some of that ".

Lord Thomson sat at a large polished desk. The Lord was still, face still hidden behind the black helmet. Noises downstairs were rising as they neared the large study. They burst in breathlessly. Two warriors stormed in, "Lord, there's been word from Lord Micah! " One gasped for air.

Lord Thomson stood slowly.

The one which had spoken first swallowed nervously, "A messenger, from Lord Micah, was found barely alive on the grounds. " He glanced at the recovering warrior beside him, "Roth? Tell the Lord ".

The Warrior, Roth glanced nervously at Lord Thomson, "A messenger, Poyon, is being treated for severe wounds, he is barely alive. But he managed to tell me that Lord Micah has requested backup. She had stayed to support the Vertas. That was at least a week ago Lord Thomson. "He shuddered.

Lord Thomson paused and cocked their head to the side.

"Assemble the men, prepare for battle immediately ".

The two warriors saluted and left in a rush.

Lord Thomson= kickass. No one messes with Senna and gets away with it!

LR