Okay peoples... a lotta news before the update.

1) I started a job so I'll try to write when I can find the time.

2) I recently attended a funeral for my cousin so I was pushed back in working and in writing--hence the late updates. My cousin was hit by a drunk driver who was going about 80-100mph. He had a fireman's light switcher, somehow, which changes the street lights to keep his green. The switcher didn't work for the light my cousin was sitting at and he was struck. My cousin died on impact and his girlfriend (one whom we learnt at the funeral he loved a lot), died later when the paramedics got there. 500 people showed up to his funeral, they shut down the 610 Loop circling Houston downtown area (and this is an extremely used freeway/highway, keep in mind), and they only shut down roads like that when the president is on them. Also, the fratnerity brothers would not let anybody bury him; they put the dirt in his grave, themselves. This is another reason I hate alcohol--it makes people even stupider than the human mind already makes them.

3) Also, I've been writing a lot of new stories to my adult fanfiction account. Go to the adultfanfiction website and search for "MistressAlleycat KittyFelone". Some of my new stories may seem a bit touchy for those who are against this war but I'm against my own species and it's written to remind everyone that humanity's as stupid as a vegetable on the hospital bed. (Translation: "Hot Blood" is only for those who are able to withstand the truth shoved into their face about how everyone speaks highly of their strength but really will cower in fear when required. Aso, they are just asw stupid as a vegetable on a hospital bed means that they are just as stupid as a brain-dead human being tied up to IVs and computers to keep vegetated and alive."

- Chapter Thirty-Six -

Uno's heartbeat quickened the second she sensed she wasn't in her room. With her eyes still shut she contemplated on her current locations. The air was cool and damp; it made her body feel moistened with sweat. The fumes were of mildew and candle flames.

Her ears twitched when she heard the faint noise of piano music, muttered oaths and curses, and the scribbling of a quil.

Erik…

The name came as a reminder of what she had done with him last. No, not her, she berated. Turok.

Uno groaned and lolled her head to the side.

How was she going to face him after Turok had forced her into having sex with him? Uno remembered everything, unfortunately, from it. Apparently, Turoked had wanted her to never forget the 'love-making' she held with him.

She tried to contact Turok but he wouldn't respond. She pushed him into the front of her mind and attempted to threaten him but he didn't retort back or tease her. He was actually gone from her head completely.

Uno opened her eyes and gazed up at the black lace covered stone ceiling. It wasn't a view she had expected to see yet should have expected it sometime in her life. She turned to glance at the side of the bed and sighed softly. Somehow, she'd have to tell Erik that it wasn't her who had sex with him but rather Turok.

Oh yeah, that'll be a great thing to say. Uno groaned and closed her eyes again. Oiy—Erik, it wasn't me who fucked you. It was Turok, some male creature who possessed my body when I was a little girl.

The thought brought a smirk to her face.

Please, if I told him that he'd either take me mad or get sick to his stomach.

Uno sat up and yawned. She stretched her arms then reached over to the side for the cord. In less than seconds the lace lifted away and brought her to an amazing view. The side of the lake in Erik's lair was beautiful. Light from the candles reflected off the small waves of the water. Midst from the tops faded out into the air, giving that mysterious feel.

She slid off the bed and took a step closer to the edge but stopped when she felt a chill. She glanced down and frowned.

Her clothes were missing.

And she was in some sort of white gown.

That fucking bastard, she fumed silently, raising her head to glare at the beautiful view. Just because he fucked my body he thinks he has the right to undress me?

She stormed out of the room and down the stone staircase but slowed when she neared him. His back was turned and he was sitting in front of his organ-piano. Uno wasn't sure whether it was a massive pipe organ or a beautiful piano, since it looked very much like an organ but it played with piano sounds.

Erik was scribbling something down on paper and paused to hit a key. A low sound erupted from the instrument. After a muttered curse he hit another note, nodded, and then scrawled that down.

Uno smiled at the sight. She never assumed somebody, besides her, would struggle to make the perfect song and kill themselves in the process of it.

Slowly, she neared him. She was just about to extend both of her hands and set them on his shoulders when he cursed aloud and slammed both fists down onto the keys.

"Damn it!" He growled low in his throat. Uno peered over his shoulder stealthly and read the notes then immediately reached out and touched a high note.

Erik shut his eyes and marveled in the sweet sound of the music she started to play. Uno continued the song from whatever notes sprang to mind and brought her other arm around his side. Erik leaned his head back and listened to the music she played for him. He sighed contently and smiled. As she neared the ending point of the song, Erik's hand was grazing the tender skin of her arm. Uno shut her eyes and inhaled his strong masculine scent. He leaned in and kissed her under arm before grazing his lips, softly and slowly, down towards her inner elbow. The notes died off softly and Uno sighed softly.

"Erik," she muttered. He trailed the tip of his tongue back up to where he started and she gasped at the response his intimate touch caused.

"Uno," he grumbled.

She opened her eyes and glanced down at him. Erik was staring up at her with desire laced in his eyes. She bit her lower lip, unsure of what to do or what to say. Turok had forced her to cross the line of friendship to relationship and the last time she had become a lover her mate had been killed. Erik was too valuable to her and everyone else to lose.

His brows furrowed at the solemn expression on her face. "What is it?" He asked. Uno stifled a smile and shook her head but Erik wasn't convinced. He stood up and turned to stare at her. Uno's hands were actually shaking and she had to lock them behind her back to keep him from noticing.

"Uno?"

"I'm sorry, Erik."

He frowned. "Sorry for what?"

Uno hung her head and her braid tumbled over her shoulder. Erik neared her and placed his hands on her shoulders. She felt weak suddenly and swallowed her nerves.

"Just… everything."

"Turok," he muttered. At that name Uno's gaze snapped up to meet his piercing glare. Her own eyes were wide with horror.

"What?" She breathed out, her voice disappeared.

"You're apologizing for what Turok did, aren't you?"

Her whole world began to spin out of control. How did Erik know about Turok? Was he an old experiment, sent back in time with her? To keep her confused? To torture and haunt her?

She knew she should have remained alert.

Damn it, Turok! You knew!

But Uno still needed to know. "H-how do you know?"

Erik took a deep, steadying breath and Uno realized his rage was slowly taking over him. "Your brother and I had words, last night."

Her brows furrowed in confusion. "Brother?"

"Apparently he finds dead bodies humorous and human organs mixed with meals delicious."

"What?"

"I suggest you warn him—I'll be turning his name into the authorities."

Uno closed her eyes and shook her head. "Wait—Turok said he was my brother?" She gazed up at him. Erik merely stared her down. "Describe him to me."

Perhaps he only heard me mutter the name.

"He has long ears," Erik said.

Nope… he's seen Turok, alright.

"Oh God." Uno felt like she was going to faint. "What did he do to me?" She held onto Erik for support. "He didn't want me to know what he was going to do. That bastard." She spat out the name like venom on her tongue.

Erik stared at her. "Would you mind explaining to me why you kept him a secret?"

Uno sulked. "Must I?" She dared to glimpse up at him and felt his cold stare piercing her. "I don't know how he got here and what he did."

"He made a mess of this theater and if my reputation were not well known I would have been the prime suspect for it all."

"I'm sorry."

"I suppose you should apologize to my managers, aside from only me."

Uno nodded. "Are you still going to report him to the authorities?"

Erik's eyes narrowed. "You have a better idea?"

"I won't let him come near anyone ever again," she promised. "I swear, Erik." Uno stared up at him with desperation in her eyes. "Turok's gone and won't come back."

"How are you so certain of that?"

"I'll make sure not to let him return," she said strongly. "I'll die if I have to—I won't let him come back here."

Erik heaved a sigh and shook his head. "Ah Mademoiselle Maxwell," he wrapped his arms around her. "If you were to die my heart would stop beating."

Her eyes widened in shock as he held her. "Y-you're joking, right?"

Erik closed his eyes and chuckled softly. "Far from it, my love."

She gasped softly. Fear crawled up her spine at the words he said.

Love… oh God no.

"Erik I need to tell you something."

He shushed her with soft sounds. "Not now," he whispered. "Right now, I wish for you to dress in the gown I have sewn for you so that I might paint that magnificent portrait of you."

-

Uno was brushing her hair when Charline stepped into her room. It was hours after Erik had released her from his paintings and she was finally able to return. Charline sat down on the settee and sighed. Uno noticed the bright smile on her face.

"Why are you so happy?"

"Your brother is very charming," Charline said dreamily. The brush fell out of Uno's hand.

"What?"

Charline frowned at her best friend. She stood up and picked up the brush then finished brushing Uno's hair. She smiled at her friend in the mirror.

"Turok," Charline said. "He took me to the rooftop to show me things that I have never seen before."

"You talked with him?"

"Oh Uno, we did more than talk." Charline's smile widened. "He took me out to dinner—he kissed me."

Uno stared at her with fear. "He did?" Charline nodded, unaware of what that did to her. "What kind of kiss?"

She blushed. "Well… it wasn't proper, I can tell you that."

Uno felt the air around her get warm. "Oh…"

Shit.

Charline placed the brush on the dresser. "Well I came to tell you that your brother merely gave me the best night of my life. I have to return now—Meg wished to take me shopping with Christine this afternoon."

Uno nodded. "H-have fun."

Charline wrapped her arms around Uno and squeezed gently. "Tell Turok that I liked last night very much."

Uno swallowed. "Sure." She watched through the mirrow, Charline disappear. "Oh God."

"Well I'm glad I have her a fantastic night." Uno spun around to see Turok leaning against the wall, arms crossed over his chest and a content smile on his face. "She's a beautiful creature, herself."

Uno shot to her feet. "I thought you left me!"

Turok chuckled. "Nah—I only wanted you to relax. I stole so much energy that I was surprised you didn't become dormant. If so, I'd been in your place for more than a few hours."

Uno shook her head. "You made me have sex with Erik!"

Turok nodded and grinned at her. "You'e a wild girl, Uno."

"Damn you Turok! I was trying to stay away from him for a reason!"

Turok growled. He pushed off the wall and stormed up to her. "If you would open your selfish eyes and take a look around you'd see that you're still running from a life not even created yet! Epyon, Tallgeese, and I all teamed up and decided that you should be given a second chance!"

Uno gaped at him. "What?"

"Damn it, Uno." He turned away from her. "Don't you see you weren't given a choice to live as a fighter." He turned back to her. "Morris didn't give you a chance to live normal, Uno. He didn't give you a chance to be human so we thought it best to give you that chance."

"Y-you did?"

"That's why I kept telling you to accept what happens. To accept your fate of singing opera—to accept Erik!"

Uno stared at the floor. "But what about Richard?"

Turok sighed aloud. "You were right about him—he wouldn't have wanted you because you couldn't have kids and he'd look at the scars on your body and get scared." Uno nodded in agreement. "That's why I told you that. But Erik… Erik is deformed so he won't find your body repulsive."

"Gee—thanks," she snorted.

"You can't have children—which is fine because you know he doesn't want any." Uno glanced at him. "And with his age, he wouldn't be able to produce off spring without birth defects and we don't have the techinology you and I grew up with to stop birth defects before the child is even born."

"But why did you keep reminding me that he loved a demon?" Uno countered. "You wouldn't let me kiss him at the Masquerade Ball, remember?"

"The same reason I had you stop stealing his horse to bathe beneath the waterfall—even though your body can handle ice and snow like boiling hot water," Turok explained. "To remind you of the life you lived and make you question whether or not you're willing to go through with it. Normal people would stop to decide if they want to lead this life or that—you just up and run with it, not caring about what will happen to you in return because you expect the worst."

Uno frowned. "What do you mean?"

"You know you can't die," he told her. "So you don't make the choices of what to do with your life. I'm trying to develop that computerized brain of yours into a human organ. Something that doesn't have a chance for mistakes and will have a conscious to follow."

Uno frowned. "Why didn't you tell me this, before?"

Turok sighed. "Because you don't listen to reason."

There was a knock on the door. Both Uno and Turok stared at it.

"Uno?" It was Charline.

"Go see what she wants and we'll continue on with this afterwards," Turok told her. Uno nodded and went to open the door, aware that Turok had faded away. When she opened it, Charline was staring at her with a frown.

"Charline?"

"I just heard Turok."

Uno frowned. "What?"

Charline pushed her way inside and glanced around. "I just heard your brother—I heard Turok's voice." She turned to Uno. "I did, I swear it."

Uno slowly shook her head. "No."

Charline nodded. "Yes."

"What did he say?"

"He told you to see what I wanted and then you two would continue your discussion afterwards."

Uno felt a cold chill run down her spin.

"You… heard him?" Charline nodded. "You actually heard his voice."

"That's not possible." Charline spun around and gasped. She saw Turok standing behind her with a frown much like Uno's.

"Turok!" He stared at her in silence. "I had heard that you left."

Turok, still quiet, stepped to the side. Charline's gaze followed. He stepped to the other side. Her gaze continued to watch. She frowned suddenly.

"What are you doing?"

"Holy shit—you can actually see me?"

Charline nodded. "Am I not supposed to?"

"He's not my brother," Uno muttered. Charline turned around and Turok glanced down at his hands. "He's a figment of my imagination."

Charline's brows furrowed. "What?"

Turok reached out to touch Charline's hair but his hanf merely went through it like a ghost's. He pulled back to stare at his palms then reached out to touch her shoulder. Charline glanced down at her shoulder where his hand sat and smiled.

"You can feel this?" He asked, shakily. Charline turned to him and nodded. "You can feel," he pinched her skin, "this?"

"Yes."

He grazed his fingertips down her arm. "And this?"

"Yes," she whispered.

"Turok what did you do?" Uno spat. Turok pulled his hand back and took a retreating step away from both girls. "You did something—what did you do?"

Charline glanced at Uno then back to Turok. Turok only shook his head, his mouth still open. He wasn't sure what was going on as much as Uno and Charline was just as confused as before.

"I have no idea what happened," he muttered.

"You kissed her last night," Uno reminded him. A blush came to Charline's cheeks. Turok gazed at Uno.

"You think that had anything to do with it?"

"I don't know," she spat back. "You possessed me through my eyes—I wouldn't be surprised if you did the same to her through her mouth and tongue."

Charline's blush deepened.

"Alright—Charline you can see me, hear me, feel me," Turok began, "what else?"

Charline giggled. "I haven't a clue."

Turok swallowed. "Fantastic," he bit out sarcastically. "Now there's two girls who can see me—both of which are mad."

Charline frowned, feeling hurt. Uno rolled her eyes.

Great," Uno mumbled. "Just what the world needs more of—two of me."

Charline gazed at her in weary.

Uno froze suddenly and shot a terrified gaze at Turok. "Erik," she spat. "You forced me to kiss and sleep with Erik."

Charline gaped at Uno then to Turok, clearly at a loss.

Turok shook his head. "I doubt you have to worry about him."

Her brows raised. "No?"

"No."

"You don't think he can see you too? Because he plans to tell the authorties about my brother."

"Turok isn't," Charline glanced back at Uno, "he isn't your brother?"

"No, Charline. He's… something else."

"Who then?" She turned to Turok. "Who are you, then?"

Turok bit his lower lip and stared at Uno. "She'll tell you," he said. "Won't you, Uno. Charline deserves the truth from the one who's kept it from her long enough."

Uno's eyes narrowed. "I'll tell her when she's ready to hear it."

"I think she's ready now," Turok returned. "She is, after all, part of the puzzle now."

"I will tell her when I am ready to tell her," Uno bit out sharply.

"What is going on!" Charline shouted. Both Turok and Uno jumped at the tone of her voice and took a step away from her. Charline shook her head and heaved a sigh. She brought both hands up into the air.

"Never mind," she muttered. "I'll find out later. Right now I'm probably needed by Meg and Christine." She turned to Uno with a glare. "You are to tell me everything when I return tonight and you," she turned to Turok, "are not going to run from me now that I have confronted you."

"What's to be confronted on?" He retorted. Charline charged at him. Turok's head snapped to the side when her palm collided with his cheek. His eyes widened in shock, amazed that she touched him.

"I will see you both later," she growled before storming out. Uno's gaze lingered on the door as Turok rubbed his abused cheek.

"That's the first time anyone's ever laid a hand on me," he muttered. Uno turned to gaze at him, stunned at the outburst, herself. "And being a figment of her imagination, as well."

"Something happened when you kissed her," Uno explained. "I don't know what, but something happened." Turok glanced down at the floor. "And now we have to make sure she doesn't go around, telling everybody about you."

"She's upset right now," he muttered. "She won't mention my name to anyone until she settles down."

Uno nodded. "Yeah. But now what are we going to do about her?"

He frowned. "What do you mean?"

"She wasn't tainted with our blood from Synodd—or in our shared case, Blassimeer."

"Well…" Turok glanced at the door. "She is now. My saliva was shared with hers—she's swallowed some of my technological genes." He turned back to his neice. "Which means she's developed about a percentage of our experimentation." Turok paused at Uno's confused gaze. After taking a deep breath, he translated what he meant.

"She's only ninety-nine percent human, now."