Chapter 26

With the Blood Breed sealed, HPLD began clean-up. Lt. Law barked out orders to the poli-suits. Ambulances came with their medic teams to look over the injured. Team Libra was scattered about. K.K. was already on the move, heading to her motorcycle. Steven waved her off, while she gave a half-hearted wave over her shoulder without looking. Zapp and Zed were arguing. Zapp making a fuss and Zed calmly making his argument. Gilbert had a small case open and ready to receive the sealed Blood Breed. Klaus delicately placed the cross upon the small cushion specially shaped to hug the cross. Gilbert snapped the case shut, bowed to Klaus, and went to get the car. Klaus looked up and noticed that Leona was gone.

"… Leo?"

Leona had been long gone, just as Klaus moved to seal the Blood Breed. It was at Dr. Gamimotz insistence that he wanted her back at the hotel. As they walked, Gamimotz was taking in the sights. He remarked how magnificent Hellsalem's Lot was. How so many creatures from the Beyond walked alongside humans! As he went on with his views and speculations, Leona ignored him, consumed with her own thoughts. She had to figure out a way to save her brother and his lover. Leona was starting to panic. What can she do? She had expected this to happen someday, and now that it was happening, it was overwhelming and frightening. As she was thinking about her brother, she remembered taking him to the lake to view the mountain. Michel was unable to visit the lake on his own. You had to go through a trail through the forest and it was difficult for one in a wheelchair to get there alone. Michel loved visiting that spot. As beautiful as it was, Leona had gotten bored of it. She had seen that mountain-view all her life. She confessed that she had grown tired of the view. Michel thanked her for indulging him. Even though she had grown tired of the same view, she still came with him, every time he asked.

She couldn't do this on her own. She couldn't free her brother alone! She had asked all she knew in Libra what she could do in a near-impossible situation:

Zapp told her to just go all out with her Blood Breed powers! That was out of the question to Leona. She didn't like that she could potentially kill someone… but, Zapp had reminded her of the dangers of the city and how easy you can be killed. "It's either kill or be killed… but there's nothing wrong in hacking somebody's leg off!"

Patrick's answer was her to weaponized, as he tried to push some high-powered weapon onto her. She was surprised that she could remember it… some anti-tank cannon… Harkonnen or something?

"You should do what's most effective." Were Zed's words, "Set that as your objective. Do what you can to survive. Stay alive as long as possible... you may be a Blood Breed with an eternal lifespan, but you can die if wounded enough…"

Over drinks, Chain suggested, "Why not just disappear? If your opponent is an idiot, it's a waste of time. That's what I do, anyway."

Lattes with K.K., K.K.'s motherly advice was, "Remember, you have to tell me!" The mother-sniper ruffled her hair, "If any guy hurts you, I'll tear them a new one before he has the chance to take a single sip of his cappuccino grande!"

K.K. had been referring to a guy that tried to hit on her… the stink eye she gave him looked painful…

"No matter what, always keep your GPS on." Steven had insisted. "It may seem like an invasion of privacy, but it's for your own safety."

Gilbert's wise words were, "The most crucial thing is to observe your opponent's movements. No matter who your enemies are, no one is perfect. Please do not take offense, but by your appearance alone, your opponent is likely to become arrogant. However, that would, in turn, become a good opportunity for you." He smiled slyly, like a grandfather about to tell a secret to a child, "And with you being a Blood Breed, it would be a grand surprise!"

"Contact us through any means possible," Klaus' words were firm. "Then, we will consider the potential threats together. That is an order, as your boss," a kiss to her forehead, "And a desperate request, as your lover, my darling."

As she thought of Klaus' words last, she is startled by her phone. She pulled it from the pocket of her hoodie. Her heart hammered. "Cheek to Cheek". Klaus.

"Pick it up… and be careful with your response." Through the tiny camera, Dr. Gamimotz' voice was dark and dangerous.

She pressed the green button on the screen, "Hello…. yes… Mr. Klaus…. Sorry….yes… you looked busy, so….yes… I'm sorry, it's fine…yes… yes… yes…. Bye then."

Leona trembled. So badly. She wanted so badly to tell him she wasn't okay!

"Klaus von Reinherz. He is the leader of Libra, yes. The sealer of Blood Breeds, yes? And, your lover?... how close are you two? How long have you been together? He wouldn't be a concern if you're gone for a few hours? You assured him that everything is well?"

"Yeah… I did," Leona snapped. "I'm sure he has to go back to the office…"

"Good. Now, be quick about it."

They had stopped on a bridge when Leona took the call. She gripped her phone and looked over the edge. Down below was the deep fog of the Infinite Beyond. Her phone was held out and she released it. She was truly alone. There was no way she could be tracked… she was helpless… how was she going to…

A soft velvety paw rested against her cheek. In her peripheral vision, she recognized her Sonic.

Then he was gone. She stood there for a second.

"Hm? What is wrong?"

Leona slowly turned to him. Didn't he? He didn't see Sonic?! He couldn't track Sonic! Continuing their trek back to the hotel, Leona's mind was formulating a plan. Thanks to her awesome Sonic, he had revealed that Dr. Gamimotz's Eye wasn't as powerful as the original article within her own eye sockets. Plus, she had one Eye more than him. To be cautious, she decided to test him…

Her eyes opened.

A light mist formed around her. Dr. Gamimotz flying camera moved in close. He was about a foot away from the back of her head. He had to fly that closely to keep an eye on her. Walking along the street, she recognized the area. It was a rough area known for Beyondian thuggery. Three thug-like Beyondians were hanging about. She stared at them for a while, until they made eye contact with her. A beat and she moved into a back alley.

"Hey, why are you going in there…?"

"It's fine. I know these streets. It's a short-cut."

"Hold it, Huma-girl!"

The three Beyondians had followed her. It was pretty how Beyondians were so quick to adapt to huma-culture as huma welcomed their ways in the city. They were dressed in hoodies, letterman jacket, and a cushioned jacket with a furry fringed hood. Two of them had large chained "bling".

The tallest one, tall for his elongated head, leaned over her and seemed to be appraising.

"Was going to ask ya' for ya' money, but, you got a nice face and some nice legs… can't decide whether to sell your body for parts or to a whore house."

A gun is pointed at her face, "Okay, don't scream…"

Leona imagined that Gamimotz was freaking out. Leona's eyes flashed open and she uses Vision Shuffle. The eyes spin and they collapsed into a heap. Using that diversion, Leona bolted. The Beyondians were quick to their feet. Leona only gave them a light dose. She needed a reason to run! They sprint after her down the alley. On Leona's heels, the leader reached out for a grab. The fog rolled in and completely and she was lost for the briefest moment. When the fog cleared… they were in the middle of the street! Leona was much father and safely across. The Beyondians, however, ran into the path of a delivery van! Tires screeched and metal hit three bodies!

Dr. Gamimotz' camera flittered. It's tiny camera darted about, searching for Leona. In the air, he spotted her and went after her.

Leona cursed under her breath.

"Found me, huh?"

"How dare you… I've warned you! No more attempts! Hurry and call a taxi!"

In his car in the backseat, Klaus was staring down at his phone. Beside him, Steven was working from his mini-laptop working on their case file towards the office.

"Hey, what's wrong," Steven asked.

"…..Hm…do you think Leona… seemed unusual today?"

Steven continued typing, "No. She seemed as normal as ever…." He paused. "But…"

Klaus glanced at him, "Steven?"

"Well, she's certainly not the type to just leave without saying a word."

"…Yes, you're right… also… when I was talking to her… she called me 'Mr. Klaus'."

Steven frowned at that, "Over the phone?"

Klaus nodded. Inspiration hits him, and he unlocked his phone and quickly scrolled through his last message he received from Leona. His burning aura exploded, and it consumed the inside of the car. Gilbert was startled, he stirred the car to the side of the road!

"STEVEN!"

Steven had pressed himself to the side door! His eyes were large with alarm, "Wh…wh-wh-wh-wh-wh-wh-wh-…what is it!?" Steven stuttered.

"This is an emergency! Put all units on standby!" Klaus snarled.

Klaus was furious with himself. Why didn't he notice it sooner! Why didn't he realize that Leona was in danger! He tried to call her, she didn't answer. Steven checked the phone's GPS. The signal was lost. Klaus revealed that in Leona's last message when she had sent him the name of the Blood Breed there was a great amount of space right under the name. Right at the bottom of the message, was Libra's code for emergencies, 10-33!

Standing before the hotel. Leona tightened her fists, then stepped into the hotel. Her brother and his fiancée were in there. She had to protect them. Klaus should know what's going on by now. She could only hope and pray. In the elevator, Leona tried to calm her rapid heartbeat. Calm, she must remain calm and wait for the doctor to strike first. The elevator opened to the floor of her brother's hotel room. Leona swallowed thickly as she opened the door that was unlocked. When the door was open she gasped as she stepped into an illusion. It was the lake with the view of the mountain in their hometown. The menacing body of Dr. Gamimotz had Michel beside. His head was bowed, bangs overhanging over his face. He was moving but was still breathing.

"Welcome back," he greeted. "How do you feel? Did you miss this place?"

"Wh…why here…?"

"It's from this young lady's memories. The sweet scene of their date."

A glimpse of Michel sitting before the lake. He was wearing his winter clothes. He wasn't alone. There was someone with him. His past memory didn't show Leona, it should him and his fiancée, Tabitha! They stood together looking at the mountain. Tabitha leaned over Michel. Her arms wrapped around his shoulders. Leaning forward further, she kissed his cheek. Michel smiled turned his head and they kissed.

Tabitha was his happiness. Michel needed to survive to be happy!

Leona makes her decision then. She had to save Michel and Tabitha.

Dr. Gamimotz was barely, just barely, able to parry Leona's attack. An audible gasp escaped him, his stolen God's Eye of 150 years old, came alight. One of his bladed-spider legs stopped an attack directly to his front. He prevented being attacked by a long red chain with a ball the size of a fist. It was a chain made from her blood, wrapped around his leg.

"What?! How are you… how do you have that ability… And earlier, that speed...!"

The doctor noted her eyes. They were red. The red eyes of…

"Impossible! You're a damned Blood Breed… but how did I miss that!? Unless… you used your eyes to hide your aura."

"…. No point hiding it now."

Sure enough, Leona's eye patterns twisted and turned. From the doctor's eye, the aura that made her "human" turned red and her wings were flapped open behind her. Her wings strangely weren't like the monstrous cape of bat wings. The wings were softer in color and flared at the edges like rounded feathers.

"….No matter! You may be a Blood Breed… but you're rather weak…."

Leona snarled viciously and pulled on the chain. She yanked him away from her brother. The bladed-spider legs clicked and scratched along the floor as Dr. Gamimotz stumbled to keep from falling over. Leona kept along with the momentum and built up more of her strength. The other-worldly doctor's legs left the ground, they waved in the air trying to latch onto solid ground. He is smacked against the wall. Leona was careful not to cause harm to Tabitha. She was within the inner clutches of the doctor.

"You foolish…"

His cracked God's Eye flickered. He zoomed in and spotted the leader of Libra and his second being driven by the leader's butler. They were blazing through the city traffic. He pinpointed the other members of Libra who was also approaching the hotel.

'No…! Why are they returning!? Did she give them a sign somehow!? No, too many to communicate with…" he started to mentally calculate. 'The fastest operation I can perform requires 30 minutes… but, once I take over her body, they won't ever catch me… it would have to be quick… dammit, if I had known she was a Blood Breed… her regeneration would make this difficult… she would have to completely incapacitated!'

The cables that connected Tabitha to the doctor released their hold. Before the body hit the ground, Dr. Gamimotz disappeared! Her eyes tracked the doctor, going for a sneak attack from behind. She dodged the blades torrented upon her. Dr. Gamimotz made a disgruntled noise.

"Damn you, you monster!"

Leona hissed in reply and yanked on the chain. The doctor is pulled toward her. The blades rose at the ready to strike her down once in range. At the last second, he pulled his head, barely avoiding the claws that tried to snatch his God's Eye. Dr. Gamimotz was not a fighter. He is panting with exhaustion, pain, and irritation. He couldn't land a blow on her. Leona was too strong. She had been swinging him around like a yo-yo on a string! He couldn't aim correctly to strike her vitals. Her eyes had been open all this time, her Eyes were overheating, but she didn't show that she was in pain. She was constantly regenerating to deal with what damage the eyes would have inflicted on her… yet…

There! Just as he suspected. She was a Blood Breed! But, she was a weak one. Her strength was gradually fading. Blood Breeds feed on the life essence of humans through their blood. That was what gave them their strength and power. The life essence flowing through Leona was diluted, at low levels. As if she hadn't eaten in days… this was a battle of time! He had to weaken Leona further. To have her use up her essence! He just needed time! His Eye flickered and flashed.

It was high traffic during that evening. It was moving, but still thick. It became chaotic as cars and trucks veered into each other. The air is filled with screaming tires, shattering of glass, and the crushing and screeching twisting of metal and steel! The road to the hotel is blocked by a mountain pile of vehicles. Amongst the metal carnage, was Zapp as he dangled over a pent pipe at the waist. Gilbert expertly avoided the danger and had pulled to the side. Klaus and Steven jumped out of the car.

"Zapp! Are you alright!?" Klaus asked.

"….Chief, I've had my eyes controlled by Leo before… without a doubt, that was exactly the same feeling. But, it ain't her! There's another 'Holder of the Eye of the Gods'!"

Dr. Gamimotz hoped that it was enough… He was then yanked back to the current situation. Leona lifted him off the ground. The chain is whipped up and brought down, slamming the doctor against the floor. The actioned must have dazed him, for at the moment of impact, Michel's head snapped up and his unseeing eyes were wide open.

"Unh? How long was… I out… Tabitha? Tabitha!? Where are you?"

"Michel!"

"L-Leona? When did you get back… where's Tabitha?"

"That's not important! You have to get out now!"

"L-Leo!?... Is that… blood I smell?"

With a growl, the doctor tried to lunge to Michel. Like a dog on a leash, he was jolted to a stop as Leona held the chain tightly and stopped him in his path.

"DAMN YOU!" the doctor yelled in frustration.

Inraged, the doctor struck out at Leona. She saw the blade coming, but she stumbled. The blade nicked her hand and three of her fingers were slashed cleanly away from her. When the fingers hit the ground the pain came in and Leona cried out. Distracted by the pain momentarily, Leona lifted her eyes and they became filled with horror. A bladed-leg was millimeters away from Michel's face!

"This is your fault. If you would only comply with my wishes, he wouldn't have to be involved. This is my final warning. Accept the procedure obediently. Or, would you rather watch your brother be sliced to pieces?"

In a move that surprised the doctor and Leona, Michel pushed himself out of his chair and tackled the doctor. He has knocked off his legs easily, for he was rather light for such a figure.

"Sis! Run….!"

Leona did run. She was instantly before the doctor. Her strength was waning. The full moon was close. It would have signaled her to feed. She had been careless and had barely fed. She now regretted not taking Klaus' offering of his blood.

Leona grabbed the doctor's coat and brought his face close to hers. With a roar that was part human and the shriek of an animal, she headbutted the doctor, over, and over, and over, and over.

Until finally, his single Eye, cracked and was damaged to the point of no use.

"You… you… YOU WRETCHES!"

The blades stabbed and slashed Leona's body. Leona screamed. Her body was thrown away a distance. Blood smeared across the floor. Leona groaned in agonizing pain. She lost a hand and received over a dozen stab wounds through her body.

"Your actions cannot be undone! The extent of how important this Eye is… you ought to know that firsthand, and yet… the progress of mankind has been set back 100-years by your horrid children! The cost of this offense…is absolute death…"

Leona had lost a lot of precious blood. So much blood. She was severely weakened. Her ears picked up on Michel. He was dragging himself to her.

"Sis… Leo…"

Michel was picked up and placed beside his lover. Before Michel could recognize the change in location, Leona moved away and with her remaining hand, she bit into. Hard. Blood poured out the hasty wound she inflicted on herself. A stream of blood is sent to them forming a circumference of a thread of blood. When the circle was completely formed, and they cover over the couple as a red dome.

"A barrier… made of blood?"

Leona recalled Master Raju's spell. She had been analyzing it for months. Scrutinizing every detail down to the molecular level.

"Don't be relieved! We will see how long it will hold… when I destroy your body. But, I won't kill you… before I pluck your eyes from your paste of flesh… you will watch your beloved brother and his lover be slaughtered! Now, behold…!"

The lids of the coffins unsnapped and fell away to the ground with several ominous thuds. Out of each coffin, were several limbs! Limbs that had glowing runes of intricate designs carved or drawn onto them. There was a spinal cord with the entire skeletal jaw, a single leg, a torso with an arm, and others.

"The Divine Creations from the Gods themselves…! Prepare yourself, Blood Breed!"

Leona's heart went out to whoever once owned those limbs. Was it painful when this mad doctor stole these things from them? What were the consequences on them for losing something so important? Did… someone they care for suffered?

And there was pain. Pain greater than her sire, Girika, had inflicted on her for six months. It was 1,000 times greater.

For once, she was glad that Michel was blind.

Libra rushed into the hotel. They were momentarily impeded by staff and security, but when a guest screamed after their companion was found with his head cut off… it was alarming, to tell that he had been dead for hours. Klaus led the way to the room he purchased. He broke through the door and his blood became cold. There was so much blood splattered about the room. Leo laid on the ground. Or, at least, that was the red mass. Her body was red with her own blood. There were holes in her body. Limbs of fingers, arms, legs were cut away. The part of the body that remained intact was her upper torso with her head. So wounded, so damaged that her short hair reverted from her "vampire-cosmetics" to her long hair. It was dyed in blood and the only sign of life as she shuddered and her glowing Eyes. Those Eyes turned toward the Libra members… she smiled and began to cry.

A cloaked being with blades for legs stained with dripping blood and several anatomic limbs, hovered over the blood barrier, shielding Michel and Tabitha. He was so busy trying to scratch and stab through, he hadn't heard door the burst. The barrier quivered under every strike. There were cracks in the dome, but it held. Leona was using her last bit of strength to hold the barrier.

"Esmeralda Blood Freeze…"

"954 Blood Bullet Arts…"

"Big Dipper-Style Blood Technique…"

Before Steven, K.K., Zapp and Zed could finish their incantations… the doctor turned and huffed out a laugh.

"Imbeciles, I know your tricks… you pathetic humans can't…"

Klaus charged and threw his fist into the face of the doctor. He didn't use his Brain Grid technique. Didn't start his incantation. Just used brute strength fueled by pure fury. He was like a rhinoceros, as he bulldozed through the partially damaged, stolen god-parts, shattered the doctor's legs, and obliterated his face. The stunned members of Libra watch with all four mouths hung open. Klaus' charge didn't stop at impact. His arm was still outstretched, his favored left-arm-of-power stay pressed into the doctor's face. The doctor is pushed through a thick concrete wall and thrown at the wide ceiling to floor windows. Failing outside like a dark, plastic bag the doctor soared through the sky…

A great crimson cross exploded and consumed the doctor. The beaming cross-shaped light could be seen from several points throughout the city. Leona watched the doctor dissolved into nothing and with a sigh collapsed fully on the floor. The barrier protecting her brother softly fell like rose petals and fade away when they touch the ground.

"LEO!" Michel dragged himself towards his sister, "LEONA!"

Cries of her name by him and the others brought Klaus swiftly to the center of the room. K.K.'s lip quivered. Leona was a mess. It was horrible to look at! Yet, she was alive! She couldn't imagine the pain the poor girl was in.

"Damn," Zapp whispered. "She… hey, Leo…"

"Leona, young lady! Klaus… we have to get her to the hospital…somehow!" Steven pulled out his cellphone to contact Dr. Estevez.

Klaus fell to his knees close to Leona's head. Michel joined him, his body shook with panic.

"Leo…Leo, talk to me!" Michel cried. "Oh, oh God…the smell…the blood is so strong… Klaus! Mr. Klaus, is she okay!?"

"….Leona?" Klaus' voice was soft as he croaked.

He slowly reached out and touched her cheek. Her blue Eyes opened and they looked about her. She opened her mouth and coughed up blood.

"Kl…aus…." She murmured hoarsely. "Mi…c….chel…"

Michel sobbed.

"Leona…I'm so…" Klaus chocked up.

"Sorry?...You…came…" she wheezed. "You…. You all came…for me… Michel….Mi….Michel…is….safe…th-th-aaaank…you."

Leona made a shuddering sigh, her body trembled violently.

"I need…to….sleeeep… need…to…rest….sooo…tired."

"Leo!?" Michel cried.

"Leona?" Klaus shouted.

Her eyes closed, and her body turned to blood. The blood spiraled and formed into an oval-like shape. The blood turned blue and the form solidified into an egg. A Blood Breed's womb egg. Everyone stared at the egg in shock. It was very unlike the womb egg they encountered at Master Raju's arrival. It had an unnerving texture with bulging eyes that darted around at odd angles, looking out for potential danger. Leona's egg looked like a mystical sapphire gem. It was speckled with glimmering stars like from a clear night sky in the untouched wilds far from polluted civilization. It had four eyes. Four Gods' Eyes! They faced to the north, south, east and west. Perfectly aligned around the egg. The Eyes were wide open and still for a minute before the eyelids slowly closed.

Leona's egg was kept in the main office of Libra. It was placed securely on a pillow on the coffee table for all to keep an eye on it. It took a bit to explain to Michel what was happening with Leona. Leona was so terribly injured that her body turned into an egg to heal itself properly. This technique was used by an Elder Breed. It took the Elder about eight-hours for lower body to heal and reconnect to his torso. Leona being a young Blood Breed that didn't fully absorbed the life essence of her human prey couldn't regenerate.

Jack and Lacey could visit Leona. In Jack's first visit, they were surprised to see the Chinese Elder Breed on crutches with a broken leg!

"I was doing some investigating after Leona received the call from her brother. As we all were aware, there is an increase in Blood Breed activity and the more time you confronted them, the quicker they are to attack Leona. They know that she has the Eyes and is using them to help you seal Blood Breeds of higher levels of power, especially the Elders. It was no accident that God-parts collector was able to find Leona. He was lead to her by the Blood Breeds. I went down to the depths of the Beyond to see what I can learn. How quick they were to realize that I was different… that I was weaker. We Blood Breeds are horrible monsters. The moment they sense weakness from a being that was once great… they pounce. I fought my way back…" Jack grinned, "It was a glorious fight for survival. Leona was aware that I had gone to the Beyond and sent Sonic to watch over me. If it wasn't for her little friend, I don't think I would have made it out. Which was why Sonic was unable to protect her as he should. Leona should have kept him to herself… but, she cared about me. All I could tell her was to disguise her aura. Leona's is a survival. She'll be fine. But, this form she took is amazing. So beautiful."

Klaus expected Lacey to be furious with him for allowing Leona to be so injured. Klaus felt like a failure. When Lacey pulled him aside, Klaus was prepared to apologize… but, before he could even open his mouth, Lacey socked Klaus in the face. Knocking his glasses off them.

"That's for not realizing Leona was in danger sooner!"

Klaus attempted to apologize again, but Lacey stood before him with a sad expression and made a strange request.

"Punch me."

"….Pardon?"

"Punch me too! I… I was too weak to protect her. I couldn't do anything for her. Punch me!"

Klaus stared at him, "You didn't know. Leona and Mr. Jack didn't tell you because they knew that you would do anything to protect Leona. But, you have a daughter. It was for her sake. I'm not going to punch you. But, thank you, for punching me. I deserved that."

"….. Well, you did return to her eventually. Are you sure that thing that hurt it is gone, indefinitely?"

"Absolutely."

"Then that's good enough for me."

Lacey reached out and the two men shook hands.

Tabitha recovered at the hospital from the Beyond. Dr. Estevez saw to her recovering personally. At the hospital, Michel explained about his sister's situation. Tabitha was stunned to learn that her soon-to-be sister-in-law was a vampire! She couldn't wait to speak to Leona herself when she would eventually recover. She agreed to stay in Hellsalem's lot with Michel who insisted on staying until Leona awakened.

During his stay, he and Klaus got to know each other more. Michel prevented Klaus from apologizing for not taking care of his sister.

"What are you talking about, Klaus? She's alive. I'm alive as well as Taby. If you had never come, we could be dead, and Leo would have had her eyes taken. She would have woken up to a world where she had lost everything, and death would have been preferable than that outcome. You came in the nick of time and Leona before she took her egg-nap was relieved and thanked you. Now, tell me more about you being a vampire hunter. Do you use crossbows, holy water and all that?"

Klaus indulged Michel with his life. Even revealed that he had been the victim of a Blood Breed himself.

"Your sister is an amazing woman, Michel."

"She is."

"All victims, including myself, eventually fall in bloodlust after the fifth or the sixth bite. What makes Leona so amazing, so brave, was that even after she became a full Blood Breed, she clutched to her humanity so tightly and didn't give in to the lust. She said, during those six months of horror, all she thought of was you. It was you that was her anchor."

Michel huffed a laugh. Then he sniffed and wiped his sleeve across his face. "…Do you know why I call Leona Princess Tortoise-Knight? Did you know the way the tortoise is structured, it prevents them from moving backward? I learned that little fact when I was a kid and I immediately thought of my sister. Even if her legs freeze up, and she can't move, or she's at a loss for what to do, she never runs away." More tears welled, "She'll curl up and endure, until the moment when she can take a step forward. My Princess Tortoise-Knight."

Michel took a deep breath and cleaned his face, "Mr. Klaus, please, take care of my sister. Love her a lot. Keep encouraging and be her rock. There are times she would be hard on herself and overthink things that would make her depressed. Please, do all you can to make her feel worthy, for she is worthy to receive good things in this world."

"Yes, Michel. I would use all power to make her happy. You can count on me." He bowed.

"Heh, I can't see you bowing… but, by the way, you set your feet and the crinkling of your clothes, I can tell you're bowing. Such a gentleman!"

Klaus and Michel chuckled and laughed. Then after a moment, Klaus to the opportunity to ask a question.

"Michel? How did you know that Miss Tabitha was the woman you wished to spend your life with? From what we know, you only knew her for a short amount of time and you two decided to bind your life together in matrimony. Why her?"

"I love her. She's my happiness. She loves me for who I am. She doesn't see a man in a wheelchair and didn't pity him. She saw me as another human being and decided to get to know me better and found that I was something worth holding onto. Even after what we just experience, she still wants to stay with me and be a part of our family."

Leona was the same way, Klaus believed. There was something about him, that she saw what others hadn't seen, and saw himself worthy of her affections. Even though it took quite some time to realize her attention and affection, when he realized was she was offering, Klaus took it and never wanted to be without.

"Now, a bit of advice. As I mentioned, Leona is hard on herself and sometimes doesn't think she deserves a lot of things. I know she's punishing herself over my eyes. I chose to give up my sight. It was my choice and I stand by it. Leona is more suited to be a witness than I am. Be patient with her. It's going to take some time for her to feel deserving to be your forever-forever. She's going to overthink things and I'm sure you can brave through her tides of despair."

"I shall. I will wait for her for as long as she wants."

"Thank you, Klaus. Now, I got a question for you." Michel smiled slyly. "The room you gave me and Taby. It's very nice. The bed is great!"

"I am pleased that you and Miss Tabitha are enjoying yourselves."

"Did you two do any naughty?"

"….." Klaus swallowed, rubbed the back of his neck and sighed. "….I was in the mood… and wanted to as you say, make-out… but, Leona absolutely refused to do any funny business in a bed that would be rested upon by her brother…."

Michel threw back his head and laughed.