Chapter 2:
dark and delicate
The Source flowed past her like a river. Casssar sat silently. She looked over at the body of the man. Smoke was still oozing off him, but he did not scream.
Cass shook her head. "Fool," she scoffed. She stood up and stretched. Blinking her olive green eyes, she looked down the Source's path, then followed.
The stream went for a long long way. The cavern grew narrower, but Casssar was not worried. She kept going, even when she had to squeeze to get through spots.
She stopped to rest after an hour. Above her, she could hear strange sounds; rumbling and whirring. The rock walls around her vibrated from it.
"I wonder what that is," she questioned aloud. The air did not answer.
She continued following the stream's run. The tunnel narrowed, no longer was there dry land. She waded through the Source, enjoying the coolness on her legs. The tunnel ended rather abruptly. By this time, Cass was waist-deep in the Source. The liquid felt like silk on her body.
She purred, twirling in a circle. She halted, noticing a hole in the ceiling, only a few inches above her head. It was a small hole, about wide enough for her to reach two hands through. A shaft of light shone down.
She moved below it, titling her head back, but could see nothing but a gray sky.
"Hmmm. Wonder where I am." She noticed the loud rumblings and churning noises were louder here.
She put her hands up through the hole and pulled, trying to enlarge it. The earth crumbled into her eyes, making her curse loudly. She fell backwards into the pool, immersing herself completely. She gasped and sat up quickly. She rubbed her eyes, surprised to find the dirt gone. *The Source has taken it away*, she mused. *How strange.*
She rose up again, prying at the hole. The ground was stubborn, refusing to move. She pulled hard. A chunk came loose suddenly, sending her tumbling back under the liquid. She stood up, sputtering.
"HEY!" Somebody screamed outside. She heard the pounding of feet on the ground above her.
"Who's in there?" a voice demanded. "Answer or we'll shoot!"
Her ears perked up. That voice! That irritating, yet lovingly familiar voice.
"Castdecass!" she cried.
She heard a slight gasp, then a pair of eyes peered down at her. They widened and the face drew away. She grinned. It was truly the face of her old friend.
"Casssar!" he cried. "SWATbots! Enlarge this hole!"
She stood away as the robots ripped away the earth. They reached down and grabbed her, not exactly being gentle, but she didn't mind. Too much.
They dragged her out, then released her at Castdecass's command.
"Leave now," he demanded of them, and they obeyed.
Casssar looked around. Yes, it was the same. The city. The smog was thick, the mood was dark and threatening. She loved it.
Her eyes rested on Castdecass. That was her name for him. It meant 'of the blue eyes', which, at the moment, looked tired. But he smiled, glad to see her.
He stepped closer tentatively, and embraced her rather awkwardly. She leaned her head down, not realizing he'd turned his head up to her. Almost shocked, they touched lips, then drew back. He blushed.
"Oh Casssar," he sighed. "I never thought I'd see you again."
"I am happy to see you," she said, voice filled with rare warmness.
He nodded, then raised an eyebrow. "I see you kept yourself white."
She looked down at her fur, sighing loudly. "No. I was black-furred, but the Source has taken it away." She growled a little. "I hate being white."
Eyebrow stayed quirked, and he smiled wryly. "Aw, Cass, you look fine either way."
She shook her head. "No... not agreed. I will remedy this soon." A swish of her magic could turn her black again, as she'd recently discovered. Although she preferred using the dye... it was just an old habit, she supposed. But this would work as well. And so, hand was swiped, magic glimmered, and white fur darkened.
His eyes widened, and he stared at her.
"Well! That was quite a trick."
*******
Sally ducked behind a pile of scrap as a group of SWATs walked by.
"So, are we close yet?"
---Yes. A few more paces to the west.---
Sally adjusted her backpack so it hung more comfortably. She crept westward, then hid.
"It's Snively," she hissed. "Is the hole near here?"
---Yes.---
The small man had his back to them, so Sally risked peeping out. She gasped. A tall black ermine was seated on a pile of scrap near Snively, and they seemed to be having a conversation.
"That's Casssar! I thought you said she wasn't here!"
---She was not before.---
"Great," mumbled Sally. "Just great. She gives me the creeps."
She scuttled low, creeping closer to the two. Their words traveled clearly to her.
"You found that Source, obviously," said Snively. "Did you taint it yet? That's what you do, right?"
"Yes, I did recently discover this Source river," nodded Cass. "I followed it to here. But I did not contaminate it yet."
"Well, that's a good thing," Sally said aloud.
Casssar's ear twitched, and Sally ducked, afraid the ermine had heard her. She started to turn their way, but was stopped by a soft voice.
"I...I really missed you," Snively said. He turned away from Cass, head bowed.
Sally, crouching behind a large crate, discovered a crack to peer through. She could see her enemy's face clearly; and was surprised to see the sparkle in his eyes. Tears.
She frowned.
---He is very hurt inside. He has affection for the woman. She soothes him.---
*Puh. He's a little bastard.* Sally's frown turned to an angry scowl.
Snively tried to discreetly wipe his eyes, hoping Cass wouldn't see.
Sally scowled harder, feeling the skin between her eyebrows bunch together. Anger rolled through her. How dare he cry? She felt such hatred at seeing him act hurt. How dare that little punk feel that way? He was the one who caused the Mobians to hurt, him and his vile uncle. He had no right to be sad.
*But...then, shouldn't I feel glad he's in pain?* NO. Because it wasn't good enough. If the little bastard was going to feel pain, she wanted it to be physical, and she wanted it to be eternal.
Casssar ran her eyes over her small friend. He was standing rather stiffly. She turned him around gently, then crouched to look in his face. His eyelashes were damp. She slid her hands over his chest. She loved how slender he was.
He winced as she pressed her fingers into his ribs. She liked the feel of the bones. She pressed harder. He cried out loudly, stepping away from her.
Cass tilted her head, looking shrewdly at him. "You are still employed to your master?"
"Uh...yes." He rubbed his side, whimpering.
"He hurt you again, didn't he? What did he do?"
Snively frowned. Casssar was disturbing in that way...she liked to know the gory details. She almost seemed excited when she saw somebody being hurt, or even hearing about it. But he didn't like it. She was supposed to be his friend...and here she was, wanting to know all about how Robotnik kicked the shit out of him.
"Someday, I'll bring that fat slob down, and he'll be the one getting hurt." His voice was razor-edged.
"I'll help you," Cass purred. "I would love to slit his throat." She fondled the knife in her belt; the only thing she wore. His eyes widened as she cut her finger, but she didn't seem to mind. Her tongue flicked out, cleaning the blood away.
"Maybe," he said, voice trembling slightly, "But I wouldn't want you to get hurt...or roboticized."
"Why?" growled Sally, "does he care so much about that skank?"
---Their pasts connect them.---
"Oh, so they knew each other?"
---No. But they are familiar with the similar emotions in each other's pasts. The small one has had a painful past, and I suspect she has also.---
"Who gives a crap?" the squirrel hissed furiously. "*I've* had a painful past. So has Sonic, and all my friends. And it's because of him and that damn Robotnik."
Sally shook her head, fuming. "I don't see how you can feel sorry for them, Cu, honestly I don't. She's the one who goes around messing up your Source pools, and he's done all sorts of rotten things."
---I only state what I know. It is not my place to judge.---
"Well, it is mine." Sally was firm. "They're evil. And evil things don't deserve to live."
"So..." Snively looked up at Casssar. "What are you doing in the city?"
"Well, the Source river I followed led here."
"Yes, I saw it down in that hole... where did the river start?"
"Just a cave out in the forest." Casssar blinked and pressed her hand to Cast's cheek. He was so warm. He cradled her hand in his, averting his eyes almost shyly. It made her smile.
"There was a tributary off the main river," she said. "I was going to go back and follow it once I found the end of the river."
"So?" He rubbed her hand against his cheek. The fur was silken, and smelled lovely.
"Will you follow it with me?"
Snively peered around the city. The wreckage was amazing. The SWATS were working, (*for once*, he thought), and had made decent progress so far. The streets in West Robotropolis were almost dry now.
He debated. They'd be fine without him, wouldn't they? He looked over at Cass. She had a little red smeared on her lips. He flashed back to the image of her licking the blood off her fingers. He shivered. *It's not sexy. It's blood. But the way she did it*.... He tried to shake away the thoughts.
He couldn't leave. Robotnik would be furious. He rubbed his aching side. This was nothing. Robotnik would hurt him ten times worse if he took off with Casssar.
But he couldn't help stealing another glance at the slinky woman, who at this moment, was rolling her tongue along her lips, removing the last traces of blood.
"All right," he said. "I'll go." He paused. "Wait here a second."
He trotted down the streets until he came to a group of SWATs. "Keep working," he demanded of them. "I will be away for a short time."
"Yes, sir."
Sally waited until Snively had returned. He and Casssar went over to one of the craters that Sal and her group had caused early with their explosives.
---There is the opening.---
*Really?* Sally watched as Casssar leapt down into it. *Why's she going down there? Is she going to contaminate it?*
---I was worried she would, but I do not sense that intent within her.---
*Yeah. Yet.*
She saw Cass's black arms reach up to help the little human down into the hole.
Sally waited for a few minutes, then strode to the hole. Cu assured her the two were out of earshot. She grabbed whatever dirt and rocks she could and filled in the hole.
She stamped her foot down upon it a couple minutes later, satisfied. It just looked like a crater hollow full of debris. Robotnik wouldn't look twice at it.
"Are Snively and Casssar trapped in there?" she asked.
---No. The Source river they are following opens in two places.---
"So, Snively will be able to get out, come back here, and blab about the Source to Robotnik?"
---Yes.---
"Great. So what do we do about him?"
---We must capture him. I can wipe the memory from his mind.---
"Why not just wipe him from the planet?" Sally snickered.
******
Sonic and Tails arrived on the outskirts of Robotropolis.
"Sonic, this is so cool! My first real mission!" The fox was silent for a moment. "But didn't you guys just finish a mission here?"
"Yeah, but hittin' ole Buttnik when's he's down is the best thing we can do. As long as you don't tell your Aunt Sally." Sonic winked.
Tails froze. "Ummm... Sonic. There she is..."
"What?" Sonic looked in the direction of Tails' pointing finger. "Oh man. You're right."
They watched as Sally came striding out from the city, looking neither right nor left. Her attention was focused on the ground. Sonic followed her path with his eyes, but saw nothing. But she walked like she was following a trail.
He sped over to her. Tails followed, protesting that they should just hide and wait till she left.
"What's up, Sal?"
She screeched and snapped into a fighting position, fists clenched.
"Oh, geez, Sonic." She relaxed. "You scared me."
"What's up?" he repeated.
Tails cringed, expecting her to start scolding.
"Sssssh, Sonic hedgehog. I'm busy. Go do whatever you were gonna do."
"What?" Sonic was stunned. "Whaddya mean, go away? Aren't ya even gonna yell at me?"
"Do you want me to yell at you?"
"Well, no..."
"Good, then go away."
Sonic frowned, and fell back a little. Sally didn't seem to acknowledge him still following her. She bent her head down, muttering to herself as they entered the forest.
The city was out of sight when she stopped suddenly, and exclaimed, "We're heading back to Knothole! Crap!"
Sonic looked at her curiously. "Well, duh, Sal. I thought that's where you were going?"
She stood still, frowning. *The tributary they're following must connect to our Source pool. If Sniv and Casssar discover the cave...*
Snively and Casssar had been in their cave before, about a year ago. But Snively had no idea that the cave was so close to Knothole. He'd never seen the secret door that led out through the rock cliff by the power ring pool. But with enough time, he could possibly find it. And then he'd find Knothole...
"Damn," she swore, and took off in a trot. She howled as she was pulled back roughly by the arm.
"Sonic!"
"What's your problem, Sal? You're acting like a big weirdo!"
"There's nothing wrong," she sighed.
"Whatever. Why are you acting so strange, huh, Sal? What's your rush to get to Knothole?"
"Nothing, Sonic hedgehog. I just have work to do."
"Well, how come you want me to go away?" he pouted.
"Cause maybe I wanna be alone."
He looked at her shrewdly. "How do I know I can trust you?"
"What do you mean?"
"What if you're another robot clone?"
Tails gasped and took a step back.
"Oh puh-leese, Sonic, you really think I'm a robot? That's retarded!"
They heard a buzzing noise. Something brushed over Tails' head. "A bee!" he shrieked. "A huge bee!"
The bee turned and headed towards them. Tails continued to shriek, until the 'bee' landed on Sally's hand and revealed itself to be Uncle Chuck's messenger, a little flying lizard-bird.
"Calm down, T2," chuckled Sonic.
"I hate bees!"
Sally slid a tightly-rolled note out of the messenger's carrying tube. "Great," she said flatly. "Antoine's captured."
"WHAT?" Now it was Sonic who was shrieking. "I told that big dork to stay put in Knothole!"
Sally put her hands on her hips.
"I did! I told him not to follow us, and he didn't listen...he never listens."
"Well, Sonic, I guess you oughta go and save him."
"Ahhh, man! We should just let him get roboticized. He ain't any use anyway."
"SONIC!"
"Ok...ok!" He waved his hands around. "Geez, I was just kiddin' around..." His blue face wrinkled into a worried frown. "But what...what if you're a robot?"
"If I was a robot, would I know how to do this?" She leaned forward, rubbing her nose against Sonic's. Then she kissed him on each cheek, and finally, on the lips. They kissed for only a few moments, but it seemed like forever to Tails. He turned away and pretended to puke.
He drew away, grinning in delight. "Ok, ok! You're not a robot! And if you are, you're good."
"Look, I'll explain everything later. Now, you guys get going and rescue Antoine."
Sonic prepared to rev off.
"...and you be careful with Tails! Make sure he doesn't get hurt."
Sally grabbed hold of a tree while Sonic took off. She smoothed down her hair, watching him disappear.
"Ok, now, let's get to Knothole!"
---Yes. And hurry.---
She broke into a run towards the village.
******
Casssar was leaning back against the tunnel wall, legs folded. The tunnel would've been somewhat dark, but the Source lit up the walls a bit. Castdecass also had brought a miner's hat along, complete with the flashlight built into the front.
They sat silently, listening to the Source river as it gurgled past them. Cass closed her eyes contentedly. She led a leisurely life, free from people and work and a home. But it was also, at times, a lonely life, and sometimes, a painful life. Her past was sometimes her only company, and it was company that she did not invite.
The silence was soothing to Snively at first. But eventually, he felt his old anxiety clawing its way up from his stomach. He hugged himself. What if Robotnik discovered he was missing? Oh, the pain, the pain. He looked over at Cass, then drew in a breath.
The soft white light filtered over her body. Her black fur caught it, and gleamed. The lines of her body were etched bright in some places, others the light barely touched. Her breasts rose full and soft.
He tried to calm his breathing. *It's just this tunnel air. Too damp and rich. Too different from the stale city air.* His lungs were weak, besides. That's all it was.
But he knew that wasn't it.
She opened one eye, smiling. "You are staring at me, little one."
"No, I...I..." He finally managed a weak smile.
"Awww, don't be shy, now, Cast. We are good friends."
She pulled him over to her, wrapping him in her muscular arms and cradling him to her chest. He found his head resting on the pillow of her breast. It was quite comforting and he sighed, letting one of his hands wander onto her thigh. She purred, gently raising his head up to hers. They kissed for a long moment.
"Cass," he drew away, voice a whisper. "You...you don't honestly like me...do you?"
She put her hands to his cheeks, lifting his downturned face to hers. She probed his blue eyes, seeing the uncertainty, and deeper below, the fear.
"Listen to me, little one....I am a loner. I don't have any friends. But I picked you, Cast, I like you very much."
"But, look at me!" he protested. "You can't honestly...be attracted to me..." He bit his lip. "I mean...you're so beautiful..."
"You're so insecure," she laughed. "You have a cute face. Pretty eyes, as well."
"Oh please," he whispered. "You're just being nice."
She chuckled, then pinched his cheek like an old grandma would, but hard. "I'm never nice!"
"OWWW!" He pulled away from her with a shriek. "That hurt! Why'd you do that?!" He rubbed at the red mark her fingers had made.
"You have a very nice scream," she said, her eyes narrowing. She ran her hands down his chest, then pressed hard on his ribs. He let out one of his nice screams, kicking to get away from her.
"STOP IT!" he shrieked, "Stop it, Cass! That hurts!" His eyes shone with tears.
She hung her head, suddenly quiet. "I'm sorry," she mumbled.
He whimpered, then touched her arm. It was a rare sight to see her subdued like this. "Why are you so weird?" he hissed. "Why do you like to hurt people?"
She looked up, eyes still narrowed. "Why do you?"
"I don't..."
"Your city does no harm?"
"Well...uh..." he looked away. "I don't...get off on hurting people."
"I know you do... "
"Alright!" he snapped. "Maybe...sometimes. But you're just mean."
"Oh-ho-ho," she laughed, "my little black flower...you cannot tell me your heart and soul are clean. You are dark inside."
"Like a bruise," he muttered. He took off the miner's hat and twirled it on the floor. The light spun off the walls crazily. He turned to look at Casssar again. She smiled, the light glinting in her eyes and off her teeth.
He suddenly felt wild...his lips and thighs tingling. He leaned forward, kissing hungrily at her mouth. They were wild for a moment, panting, kissing, his hands squeezing her breasts, and hers groping the front of his pants...then they fell back from each other.
"Oh my," he said.
*******
Robotropolis was grim and dirty as usual, and Tails scowled because his shiny shoes were now smudged with grime.
"Where's Uncle Chuck's hideout?" he asked.
"You'll see."
"Is it really cool?"
"It's kinda neato inside, but don't touch any of his stuff."
"What do ya think I am, a little kid?"
Sonic snickered. "No way, big guy. That's Sally's job."
They both laughed.
They reached the junk pile that housed Sir Charles's spying headquarters. After looking carefully around, Sonic picked up a brick and pinged it against a pipe protruding from the heap. A second later, the hidden door opened and they entered.
"Hey Unc...where's dufus...I mean Antoine?" greeted Sonic.
His uncle sighed. Whether it was Sonic's teasing of Twan', or the fact that Antoine seemed to get captured more than **all** of the Freedom Fighters combined, Sonic couldn't tell.
*We should just tie him to a chair and stuff him in a closet, somewhere. He'd do about as good in there as he does out here, hell, he'd do more good not being able to get his butt into trouble.* He rolled his eyes, but knew Chuck probably wasn't thinking along the lines of himself. Chuck always said there was some good to be found in everyone. Well, with the exception of Robotnik.
"Antoine's in the holding cells right now. But hurry, they may be transferring him to the interrogation room at any time."
"Great." Sonic could just imagine how great **that** would be... Antoine was such a weirdo. Going all nuts about snails and pancakes and crap. How stupid.
"Well, Tails, shall we rescue Mr. Retard?"
"Yeah." Tails made a face.
Uncle Chuck sighed again.
********
Snively marveled at how cool the cave surface felt on the skin of his left hand. And then, the fiery contrast, where his right hand lay nestled in Cass's furry tail. A tingle spread through him, from lips, still locked with hers, all the way down to the tips of his toes. And the tingle was mighty strong between those two areas. Oh yes...the tingle was the most intense in the area Cass's hand was squeezing and fondling.
"Black flower," she whispered in his ear.
"Is that your new nickname for me?" he whispered back. "Instead of Castdecass?"
"I don't know yet..." she said. "I like it. It fits you... dark and delicate..."
He tried to laugh, but it came out as a groan instead. "Cass, I...I can't think when you're doing that..."
"Oh, but don't you like it?" She rubbed her hand a little harder.
"Ummmmm...of c-c-course I like it...but..."
"Then, quiet, little man, and let the woman do her job."
"You're quite naughty," he grinned.
"Oh-ho-ho, you're not so innocent yourself, despite those baby-eyes. I know better."
He wiggled away from her. "Come on, let's keep following this river."
"What, no more fun?" She licked her lips.
"No, sorry." *Like it would really be fun for you,* he thought dryly. *I'm just such a prize. Yes, suuure.*
They had followed the stream for three minutes, when the tunnel widened. Snively was a bit relieved. He didn't particularly like cramped spaces. At least it wasn't dark.
"So, what are you going to do? How come you haven't tainted it yet?"
Casssar looked at him sharply. "Maybe I don't wish to taint it?"
He looked back at her, gaze equally razor-edged. "But I thought that was your 'thing', Casssar." He smirked, but it held no glee. "Don't tell me that Cu Chulainne has convinced you not to..."
"No, that's not it," said the ermine, looking troubled. "But what it said had a point. My father was not contaminated by the Source itself, but by whatever had tainted it. So...a person could be responsible for my father...what my father became..."
"Oh, so now you're letting ole Cu off the hook, eh?"
"Not necessarily," she trilled, stabbing a pointed claw at him. "By tainting all the Source I find and having them in my power, I can learn very much about this planet. Including information about every single person who's ever touched the Source...including the one who may have corrupted my father!"
"A nice plan, I suppose." Snively kicked his foot at the passing liquid. "But what if the person responsible is dead?"
"If they are alive, then they will pay. If not," she shrugged. "At least I know."
He cast her a reproachful look. "You're a hypocrite."
"Why?" Her eyes flared.
"Because, you're angry because somebody tainted a Source pool. Then your father bathed in it, becoming evil. Right? Well, you're doing the same thing. What if someone bathes in one of **your** corrupted pools? Hmmm? Then they'll turn evil and terrorize their families."
"I am not irresponsible like that! I will ensure the Source follows my command only! The person who tainted the pool my father found didn't care." She frowned. "He might not have known how to control the Source once it was under his influence. But I do!"
He thought of Cu Chulainne. How he wanted to get that ball of light back. For what it'd done to him. It was a liar. It'd given him hair, his old beloved hair. But then, as soon as he'd completed its task, it'd just taken it away again.
He loathed even the mention of the entity's name... *it was a malicious spiteful thing*, he thought, *pretending to be all nice and pure. Why did it have to do that to me?*
*It wasn't fair, but then, nothing in my shoddy life is fair.* He felt a stinging in his eyes and turned away from Casssar. Her hands were on his shoulders in an instant, spinning him around. Her eyes searched his almost greedily, then seemed evilly thrilled to see the wetness there.
"Why are you crying? Does your side hurt again? What did your master do to you?"
"Shut up."
"Did he kick you? Punch you? Throw you against the wall?" She shook her head viciously, sending her thick chunks of hair flying all over her face. She looked feral in that instant, and he drew back fearfully.
"Did you cry?" she hissed.
The tear freed itself from his eye, dripping slowly down his cheek. He raised his hand to wipe it. "Quit asking things like that, Cass, I mean it."
"It's a simple question."
"I DON'T WANT TO ANSWER IT!!!" He screamed, suddenly furious. "YOU FUCKING BITCH!!" He shoved her as hard as he could. She screeched, toppling into the river.
He raced around, wildly looking for something to pick up. He wanted to bash her face in. He wanted to knock that sick tongue out of her head. He found nothing, and satisfied himself with kicking and screaming at the wall instead.
She stood up, dripping. Coated with the Source, she looked like a statue of precious metal. She shook, dislodging the thick liquid. Her fingers shot out. His fury turned towards her again. He charged at her. The fingers flicked.
He let out a short cry as he slammed backwards into the cave wall as if punched by an incredible force. He dropped to his knees, dazed, then collapsed. Pain hit him everywhere at once, like every bone had shattered, every vein had ruptured. He screamed.
"NOOONOOOONOOOO!" He thrashed, then lay still, panting. The pain was gone. Cass stood over him, leering down.
"One thing, Cast, don't attack me. My magic can do things you would not believe, and probably do not wish to see."
He burst into tears.
Her leer widened into an ugly grin.
He moaned, putting his hands to his face. "Cass, why are you doing this to me?" he sobbed.
Her eyes widened. She turned away. 'No. No. Please no.' A memory hit her hard...
**"Daddy, why...why are you doing this to me?!" The little girl Cass screamed and cried, trying to kick her way free. But daddy was big and strong. She used to like that, when he was good. Before he'd turned evil. He used to throw her in the air, and catch her, and twirl her around.
But now he didn't use the strength to play. He used it to hurt.
"Daddy, please!" He had her by the ankle and pulled her back towards him.
"Little whore," he belched in her face. She turned her head away. His breath stunk like the booze he consumed daily.
He lit a cigarette, while holding her down by straddling on top of her. He puffed away, switching his grip.
Cass could hardly breathe from the smoke blasting in her face. Daddy didn't care. He puffed the cigarette with one hand, using the other to force her legs apart.
Cass cried.***
"Oh Cast!" She moaned, gathering him in her arms. "I am sorry." She wasn't used to using healing magic. She liked destructive spells, killing spells. But she could do it. She pressed her fingers to his wrists, feeling the pulse.
His life. Yes. She fed her healing powers into the throbbing vein of his life. It seeped through him, soothing the pain, healing the injury. He sighed, eyes drooping. It made him sleepy.
She released his arms, and cradled him against her. His little hands clasped around her, hugging, resting his head upon her breast.
"I am sorry, Cast," she whispered. "I am sorry."
He didn't know why, but he didn't feel angry. Or resentful. Or anything but comfort in her arms. "It's alright," he mummered, and strangely, he meant it.
dark and delicate
The Source flowed past her like a river. Casssar sat silently. She looked over at the body of the man. Smoke was still oozing off him, but he did not scream.
Cass shook her head. "Fool," she scoffed. She stood up and stretched. Blinking her olive green eyes, she looked down the Source's path, then followed.
The stream went for a long long way. The cavern grew narrower, but Casssar was not worried. She kept going, even when she had to squeeze to get through spots.
She stopped to rest after an hour. Above her, she could hear strange sounds; rumbling and whirring. The rock walls around her vibrated from it.
"I wonder what that is," she questioned aloud. The air did not answer.
She continued following the stream's run. The tunnel narrowed, no longer was there dry land. She waded through the Source, enjoying the coolness on her legs. The tunnel ended rather abruptly. By this time, Cass was waist-deep in the Source. The liquid felt like silk on her body.
She purred, twirling in a circle. She halted, noticing a hole in the ceiling, only a few inches above her head. It was a small hole, about wide enough for her to reach two hands through. A shaft of light shone down.
She moved below it, titling her head back, but could see nothing but a gray sky.
"Hmmm. Wonder where I am." She noticed the loud rumblings and churning noises were louder here.
She put her hands up through the hole and pulled, trying to enlarge it. The earth crumbled into her eyes, making her curse loudly. She fell backwards into the pool, immersing herself completely. She gasped and sat up quickly. She rubbed her eyes, surprised to find the dirt gone. *The Source has taken it away*, she mused. *How strange.*
She rose up again, prying at the hole. The ground was stubborn, refusing to move. She pulled hard. A chunk came loose suddenly, sending her tumbling back under the liquid. She stood up, sputtering.
"HEY!" Somebody screamed outside. She heard the pounding of feet on the ground above her.
"Who's in there?" a voice demanded. "Answer or we'll shoot!"
Her ears perked up. That voice! That irritating, yet lovingly familiar voice.
"Castdecass!" she cried.
She heard a slight gasp, then a pair of eyes peered down at her. They widened and the face drew away. She grinned. It was truly the face of her old friend.
"Casssar!" he cried. "SWATbots! Enlarge this hole!"
She stood away as the robots ripped away the earth. They reached down and grabbed her, not exactly being gentle, but she didn't mind. Too much.
They dragged her out, then released her at Castdecass's command.
"Leave now," he demanded of them, and they obeyed.
Casssar looked around. Yes, it was the same. The city. The smog was thick, the mood was dark and threatening. She loved it.
Her eyes rested on Castdecass. That was her name for him. It meant 'of the blue eyes', which, at the moment, looked tired. But he smiled, glad to see her.
He stepped closer tentatively, and embraced her rather awkwardly. She leaned her head down, not realizing he'd turned his head up to her. Almost shocked, they touched lips, then drew back. He blushed.
"Oh Casssar," he sighed. "I never thought I'd see you again."
"I am happy to see you," she said, voice filled with rare warmness.
He nodded, then raised an eyebrow. "I see you kept yourself white."
She looked down at her fur, sighing loudly. "No. I was black-furred, but the Source has taken it away." She growled a little. "I hate being white."
Eyebrow stayed quirked, and he smiled wryly. "Aw, Cass, you look fine either way."
She shook her head. "No... not agreed. I will remedy this soon." A swish of her magic could turn her black again, as she'd recently discovered. Although she preferred using the dye... it was just an old habit, she supposed. But this would work as well. And so, hand was swiped, magic glimmered, and white fur darkened.
His eyes widened, and he stared at her.
"Well! That was quite a trick."
*******
Sally ducked behind a pile of scrap as a group of SWATs walked by.
"So, are we close yet?"
---Yes. A few more paces to the west.---
Sally adjusted her backpack so it hung more comfortably. She crept westward, then hid.
"It's Snively," she hissed. "Is the hole near here?"
---Yes.---
The small man had his back to them, so Sally risked peeping out. She gasped. A tall black ermine was seated on a pile of scrap near Snively, and they seemed to be having a conversation.
"That's Casssar! I thought you said she wasn't here!"
---She was not before.---
"Great," mumbled Sally. "Just great. She gives me the creeps."
She scuttled low, creeping closer to the two. Their words traveled clearly to her.
"You found that Source, obviously," said Snively. "Did you taint it yet? That's what you do, right?"
"Yes, I did recently discover this Source river," nodded Cass. "I followed it to here. But I did not contaminate it yet."
"Well, that's a good thing," Sally said aloud.
Casssar's ear twitched, and Sally ducked, afraid the ermine had heard her. She started to turn their way, but was stopped by a soft voice.
"I...I really missed you," Snively said. He turned away from Cass, head bowed.
Sally, crouching behind a large crate, discovered a crack to peer through. She could see her enemy's face clearly; and was surprised to see the sparkle in his eyes. Tears.
She frowned.
---He is very hurt inside. He has affection for the woman. She soothes him.---
*Puh. He's a little bastard.* Sally's frown turned to an angry scowl.
Snively tried to discreetly wipe his eyes, hoping Cass wouldn't see.
Sally scowled harder, feeling the skin between her eyebrows bunch together. Anger rolled through her. How dare he cry? She felt such hatred at seeing him act hurt. How dare that little punk feel that way? He was the one who caused the Mobians to hurt, him and his vile uncle. He had no right to be sad.
*But...then, shouldn't I feel glad he's in pain?* NO. Because it wasn't good enough. If the little bastard was going to feel pain, she wanted it to be physical, and she wanted it to be eternal.
Casssar ran her eyes over her small friend. He was standing rather stiffly. She turned him around gently, then crouched to look in his face. His eyelashes were damp. She slid her hands over his chest. She loved how slender he was.
He winced as she pressed her fingers into his ribs. She liked the feel of the bones. She pressed harder. He cried out loudly, stepping away from her.
Cass tilted her head, looking shrewdly at him. "You are still employed to your master?"
"Uh...yes." He rubbed his side, whimpering.
"He hurt you again, didn't he? What did he do?"
Snively frowned. Casssar was disturbing in that way...she liked to know the gory details. She almost seemed excited when she saw somebody being hurt, or even hearing about it. But he didn't like it. She was supposed to be his friend...and here she was, wanting to know all about how Robotnik kicked the shit out of him.
"Someday, I'll bring that fat slob down, and he'll be the one getting hurt." His voice was razor-edged.
"I'll help you," Cass purred. "I would love to slit his throat." She fondled the knife in her belt; the only thing she wore. His eyes widened as she cut her finger, but she didn't seem to mind. Her tongue flicked out, cleaning the blood away.
"Maybe," he said, voice trembling slightly, "But I wouldn't want you to get hurt...or roboticized."
"Why?" growled Sally, "does he care so much about that skank?"
---Their pasts connect them.---
"Oh, so they knew each other?"
---No. But they are familiar with the similar emotions in each other's pasts. The small one has had a painful past, and I suspect she has also.---
"Who gives a crap?" the squirrel hissed furiously. "*I've* had a painful past. So has Sonic, and all my friends. And it's because of him and that damn Robotnik."
Sally shook her head, fuming. "I don't see how you can feel sorry for them, Cu, honestly I don't. She's the one who goes around messing up your Source pools, and he's done all sorts of rotten things."
---I only state what I know. It is not my place to judge.---
"Well, it is mine." Sally was firm. "They're evil. And evil things don't deserve to live."
"So..." Snively looked up at Casssar. "What are you doing in the city?"
"Well, the Source river I followed led here."
"Yes, I saw it down in that hole... where did the river start?"
"Just a cave out in the forest." Casssar blinked and pressed her hand to Cast's cheek. He was so warm. He cradled her hand in his, averting his eyes almost shyly. It made her smile.
"There was a tributary off the main river," she said. "I was going to go back and follow it once I found the end of the river."
"So?" He rubbed her hand against his cheek. The fur was silken, and smelled lovely.
"Will you follow it with me?"
Snively peered around the city. The wreckage was amazing. The SWATS were working, (*for once*, he thought), and had made decent progress so far. The streets in West Robotropolis were almost dry now.
He debated. They'd be fine without him, wouldn't they? He looked over at Cass. She had a little red smeared on her lips. He flashed back to the image of her licking the blood off her fingers. He shivered. *It's not sexy. It's blood. But the way she did it*.... He tried to shake away the thoughts.
He couldn't leave. Robotnik would be furious. He rubbed his aching side. This was nothing. Robotnik would hurt him ten times worse if he took off with Casssar.
But he couldn't help stealing another glance at the slinky woman, who at this moment, was rolling her tongue along her lips, removing the last traces of blood.
"All right," he said. "I'll go." He paused. "Wait here a second."
He trotted down the streets until he came to a group of SWATs. "Keep working," he demanded of them. "I will be away for a short time."
"Yes, sir."
Sally waited until Snively had returned. He and Casssar went over to one of the craters that Sal and her group had caused early with their explosives.
---There is the opening.---
*Really?* Sally watched as Casssar leapt down into it. *Why's she going down there? Is she going to contaminate it?*
---I was worried she would, but I do not sense that intent within her.---
*Yeah. Yet.*
She saw Cass's black arms reach up to help the little human down into the hole.
Sally waited for a few minutes, then strode to the hole. Cu assured her the two were out of earshot. She grabbed whatever dirt and rocks she could and filled in the hole.
She stamped her foot down upon it a couple minutes later, satisfied. It just looked like a crater hollow full of debris. Robotnik wouldn't look twice at it.
"Are Snively and Casssar trapped in there?" she asked.
---No. The Source river they are following opens in two places.---
"So, Snively will be able to get out, come back here, and blab about the Source to Robotnik?"
---Yes.---
"Great. So what do we do about him?"
---We must capture him. I can wipe the memory from his mind.---
"Why not just wipe him from the planet?" Sally snickered.
******
Sonic and Tails arrived on the outskirts of Robotropolis.
"Sonic, this is so cool! My first real mission!" The fox was silent for a moment. "But didn't you guys just finish a mission here?"
"Yeah, but hittin' ole Buttnik when's he's down is the best thing we can do. As long as you don't tell your Aunt Sally." Sonic winked.
Tails froze. "Ummm... Sonic. There she is..."
"What?" Sonic looked in the direction of Tails' pointing finger. "Oh man. You're right."
They watched as Sally came striding out from the city, looking neither right nor left. Her attention was focused on the ground. Sonic followed her path with his eyes, but saw nothing. But she walked like she was following a trail.
He sped over to her. Tails followed, protesting that they should just hide and wait till she left.
"What's up, Sal?"
She screeched and snapped into a fighting position, fists clenched.
"Oh, geez, Sonic." She relaxed. "You scared me."
"What's up?" he repeated.
Tails cringed, expecting her to start scolding.
"Sssssh, Sonic hedgehog. I'm busy. Go do whatever you were gonna do."
"What?" Sonic was stunned. "Whaddya mean, go away? Aren't ya even gonna yell at me?"
"Do you want me to yell at you?"
"Well, no..."
"Good, then go away."
Sonic frowned, and fell back a little. Sally didn't seem to acknowledge him still following her. She bent her head down, muttering to herself as they entered the forest.
The city was out of sight when she stopped suddenly, and exclaimed, "We're heading back to Knothole! Crap!"
Sonic looked at her curiously. "Well, duh, Sal. I thought that's where you were going?"
She stood still, frowning. *The tributary they're following must connect to our Source pool. If Sniv and Casssar discover the cave...*
Snively and Casssar had been in their cave before, about a year ago. But Snively had no idea that the cave was so close to Knothole. He'd never seen the secret door that led out through the rock cliff by the power ring pool. But with enough time, he could possibly find it. And then he'd find Knothole...
"Damn," she swore, and took off in a trot. She howled as she was pulled back roughly by the arm.
"Sonic!"
"What's your problem, Sal? You're acting like a big weirdo!"
"There's nothing wrong," she sighed.
"Whatever. Why are you acting so strange, huh, Sal? What's your rush to get to Knothole?"
"Nothing, Sonic hedgehog. I just have work to do."
"Well, how come you want me to go away?" he pouted.
"Cause maybe I wanna be alone."
He looked at her shrewdly. "How do I know I can trust you?"
"What do you mean?"
"What if you're another robot clone?"
Tails gasped and took a step back.
"Oh puh-leese, Sonic, you really think I'm a robot? That's retarded!"
They heard a buzzing noise. Something brushed over Tails' head. "A bee!" he shrieked. "A huge bee!"
The bee turned and headed towards them. Tails continued to shriek, until the 'bee' landed on Sally's hand and revealed itself to be Uncle Chuck's messenger, a little flying lizard-bird.
"Calm down, T2," chuckled Sonic.
"I hate bees!"
Sally slid a tightly-rolled note out of the messenger's carrying tube. "Great," she said flatly. "Antoine's captured."
"WHAT?" Now it was Sonic who was shrieking. "I told that big dork to stay put in Knothole!"
Sally put her hands on her hips.
"I did! I told him not to follow us, and he didn't listen...he never listens."
"Well, Sonic, I guess you oughta go and save him."
"Ahhh, man! We should just let him get roboticized. He ain't any use anyway."
"SONIC!"
"Ok...ok!" He waved his hands around. "Geez, I was just kiddin' around..." His blue face wrinkled into a worried frown. "But what...what if you're a robot?"
"If I was a robot, would I know how to do this?" She leaned forward, rubbing her nose against Sonic's. Then she kissed him on each cheek, and finally, on the lips. They kissed for only a few moments, but it seemed like forever to Tails. He turned away and pretended to puke.
He drew away, grinning in delight. "Ok, ok! You're not a robot! And if you are, you're good."
"Look, I'll explain everything later. Now, you guys get going and rescue Antoine."
Sonic prepared to rev off.
"...and you be careful with Tails! Make sure he doesn't get hurt."
Sally grabbed hold of a tree while Sonic took off. She smoothed down her hair, watching him disappear.
"Ok, now, let's get to Knothole!"
---Yes. And hurry.---
She broke into a run towards the village.
******
Casssar was leaning back against the tunnel wall, legs folded. The tunnel would've been somewhat dark, but the Source lit up the walls a bit. Castdecass also had brought a miner's hat along, complete with the flashlight built into the front.
They sat silently, listening to the Source river as it gurgled past them. Cass closed her eyes contentedly. She led a leisurely life, free from people and work and a home. But it was also, at times, a lonely life, and sometimes, a painful life. Her past was sometimes her only company, and it was company that she did not invite.
The silence was soothing to Snively at first. But eventually, he felt his old anxiety clawing its way up from his stomach. He hugged himself. What if Robotnik discovered he was missing? Oh, the pain, the pain. He looked over at Cass, then drew in a breath.
The soft white light filtered over her body. Her black fur caught it, and gleamed. The lines of her body were etched bright in some places, others the light barely touched. Her breasts rose full and soft.
He tried to calm his breathing. *It's just this tunnel air. Too damp and rich. Too different from the stale city air.* His lungs were weak, besides. That's all it was.
But he knew that wasn't it.
She opened one eye, smiling. "You are staring at me, little one."
"No, I...I..." He finally managed a weak smile.
"Awww, don't be shy, now, Cast. We are good friends."
She pulled him over to her, wrapping him in her muscular arms and cradling him to her chest. He found his head resting on the pillow of her breast. It was quite comforting and he sighed, letting one of his hands wander onto her thigh. She purred, gently raising his head up to hers. They kissed for a long moment.
"Cass," he drew away, voice a whisper. "You...you don't honestly like me...do you?"
She put her hands to his cheeks, lifting his downturned face to hers. She probed his blue eyes, seeing the uncertainty, and deeper below, the fear.
"Listen to me, little one....I am a loner. I don't have any friends. But I picked you, Cast, I like you very much."
"But, look at me!" he protested. "You can't honestly...be attracted to me..." He bit his lip. "I mean...you're so beautiful..."
"You're so insecure," she laughed. "You have a cute face. Pretty eyes, as well."
"Oh please," he whispered. "You're just being nice."
She chuckled, then pinched his cheek like an old grandma would, but hard. "I'm never nice!"
"OWWW!" He pulled away from her with a shriek. "That hurt! Why'd you do that?!" He rubbed at the red mark her fingers had made.
"You have a very nice scream," she said, her eyes narrowing. She ran her hands down his chest, then pressed hard on his ribs. He let out one of his nice screams, kicking to get away from her.
"STOP IT!" he shrieked, "Stop it, Cass! That hurts!" His eyes shone with tears.
She hung her head, suddenly quiet. "I'm sorry," she mumbled.
He whimpered, then touched her arm. It was a rare sight to see her subdued like this. "Why are you so weird?" he hissed. "Why do you like to hurt people?"
She looked up, eyes still narrowed. "Why do you?"
"I don't..."
"Your city does no harm?"
"Well...uh..." he looked away. "I don't...get off on hurting people."
"I know you do... "
"Alright!" he snapped. "Maybe...sometimes. But you're just mean."
"Oh-ho-ho," she laughed, "my little black flower...you cannot tell me your heart and soul are clean. You are dark inside."
"Like a bruise," he muttered. He took off the miner's hat and twirled it on the floor. The light spun off the walls crazily. He turned to look at Casssar again. She smiled, the light glinting in her eyes and off her teeth.
He suddenly felt wild...his lips and thighs tingling. He leaned forward, kissing hungrily at her mouth. They were wild for a moment, panting, kissing, his hands squeezing her breasts, and hers groping the front of his pants...then they fell back from each other.
"Oh my," he said.
*******
Robotropolis was grim and dirty as usual, and Tails scowled because his shiny shoes were now smudged with grime.
"Where's Uncle Chuck's hideout?" he asked.
"You'll see."
"Is it really cool?"
"It's kinda neato inside, but don't touch any of his stuff."
"What do ya think I am, a little kid?"
Sonic snickered. "No way, big guy. That's Sally's job."
They both laughed.
They reached the junk pile that housed Sir Charles's spying headquarters. After looking carefully around, Sonic picked up a brick and pinged it against a pipe protruding from the heap. A second later, the hidden door opened and they entered.
"Hey Unc...where's dufus...I mean Antoine?" greeted Sonic.
His uncle sighed. Whether it was Sonic's teasing of Twan', or the fact that Antoine seemed to get captured more than **all** of the Freedom Fighters combined, Sonic couldn't tell.
*We should just tie him to a chair and stuff him in a closet, somewhere. He'd do about as good in there as he does out here, hell, he'd do more good not being able to get his butt into trouble.* He rolled his eyes, but knew Chuck probably wasn't thinking along the lines of himself. Chuck always said there was some good to be found in everyone. Well, with the exception of Robotnik.
"Antoine's in the holding cells right now. But hurry, they may be transferring him to the interrogation room at any time."
"Great." Sonic could just imagine how great **that** would be... Antoine was such a weirdo. Going all nuts about snails and pancakes and crap. How stupid.
"Well, Tails, shall we rescue Mr. Retard?"
"Yeah." Tails made a face.
Uncle Chuck sighed again.
********
Snively marveled at how cool the cave surface felt on the skin of his left hand. And then, the fiery contrast, where his right hand lay nestled in Cass's furry tail. A tingle spread through him, from lips, still locked with hers, all the way down to the tips of his toes. And the tingle was mighty strong between those two areas. Oh yes...the tingle was the most intense in the area Cass's hand was squeezing and fondling.
"Black flower," she whispered in his ear.
"Is that your new nickname for me?" he whispered back. "Instead of Castdecass?"
"I don't know yet..." she said. "I like it. It fits you... dark and delicate..."
He tried to laugh, but it came out as a groan instead. "Cass, I...I can't think when you're doing that..."
"Oh, but don't you like it?" She rubbed her hand a little harder.
"Ummmmm...of c-c-course I like it...but..."
"Then, quiet, little man, and let the woman do her job."
"You're quite naughty," he grinned.
"Oh-ho-ho, you're not so innocent yourself, despite those baby-eyes. I know better."
He wiggled away from her. "Come on, let's keep following this river."
"What, no more fun?" She licked her lips.
"No, sorry." *Like it would really be fun for you,* he thought dryly. *I'm just such a prize. Yes, suuure.*
They had followed the stream for three minutes, when the tunnel widened. Snively was a bit relieved. He didn't particularly like cramped spaces. At least it wasn't dark.
"So, what are you going to do? How come you haven't tainted it yet?"
Casssar looked at him sharply. "Maybe I don't wish to taint it?"
He looked back at her, gaze equally razor-edged. "But I thought that was your 'thing', Casssar." He smirked, but it held no glee. "Don't tell me that Cu Chulainne has convinced you not to..."
"No, that's not it," said the ermine, looking troubled. "But what it said had a point. My father was not contaminated by the Source itself, but by whatever had tainted it. So...a person could be responsible for my father...what my father became..."
"Oh, so now you're letting ole Cu off the hook, eh?"
"Not necessarily," she trilled, stabbing a pointed claw at him. "By tainting all the Source I find and having them in my power, I can learn very much about this planet. Including information about every single person who's ever touched the Source...including the one who may have corrupted my father!"
"A nice plan, I suppose." Snively kicked his foot at the passing liquid. "But what if the person responsible is dead?"
"If they are alive, then they will pay. If not," she shrugged. "At least I know."
He cast her a reproachful look. "You're a hypocrite."
"Why?" Her eyes flared.
"Because, you're angry because somebody tainted a Source pool. Then your father bathed in it, becoming evil. Right? Well, you're doing the same thing. What if someone bathes in one of **your** corrupted pools? Hmmm? Then they'll turn evil and terrorize their families."
"I am not irresponsible like that! I will ensure the Source follows my command only! The person who tainted the pool my father found didn't care." She frowned. "He might not have known how to control the Source once it was under his influence. But I do!"
He thought of Cu Chulainne. How he wanted to get that ball of light back. For what it'd done to him. It was a liar. It'd given him hair, his old beloved hair. But then, as soon as he'd completed its task, it'd just taken it away again.
He loathed even the mention of the entity's name... *it was a malicious spiteful thing*, he thought, *pretending to be all nice and pure. Why did it have to do that to me?*
*It wasn't fair, but then, nothing in my shoddy life is fair.* He felt a stinging in his eyes and turned away from Casssar. Her hands were on his shoulders in an instant, spinning him around. Her eyes searched his almost greedily, then seemed evilly thrilled to see the wetness there.
"Why are you crying? Does your side hurt again? What did your master do to you?"
"Shut up."
"Did he kick you? Punch you? Throw you against the wall?" She shook her head viciously, sending her thick chunks of hair flying all over her face. She looked feral in that instant, and he drew back fearfully.
"Did you cry?" she hissed.
The tear freed itself from his eye, dripping slowly down his cheek. He raised his hand to wipe it. "Quit asking things like that, Cass, I mean it."
"It's a simple question."
"I DON'T WANT TO ANSWER IT!!!" He screamed, suddenly furious. "YOU FUCKING BITCH!!" He shoved her as hard as he could. She screeched, toppling into the river.
He raced around, wildly looking for something to pick up. He wanted to bash her face in. He wanted to knock that sick tongue out of her head. He found nothing, and satisfied himself with kicking and screaming at the wall instead.
She stood up, dripping. Coated with the Source, she looked like a statue of precious metal. She shook, dislodging the thick liquid. Her fingers shot out. His fury turned towards her again. He charged at her. The fingers flicked.
He let out a short cry as he slammed backwards into the cave wall as if punched by an incredible force. He dropped to his knees, dazed, then collapsed. Pain hit him everywhere at once, like every bone had shattered, every vein had ruptured. He screamed.
"NOOONOOOONOOOO!" He thrashed, then lay still, panting. The pain was gone. Cass stood over him, leering down.
"One thing, Cast, don't attack me. My magic can do things you would not believe, and probably do not wish to see."
He burst into tears.
Her leer widened into an ugly grin.
He moaned, putting his hands to his face. "Cass, why are you doing this to me?" he sobbed.
Her eyes widened. She turned away. 'No. No. Please no.' A memory hit her hard...
**"Daddy, why...why are you doing this to me?!" The little girl Cass screamed and cried, trying to kick her way free. But daddy was big and strong. She used to like that, when he was good. Before he'd turned evil. He used to throw her in the air, and catch her, and twirl her around.
But now he didn't use the strength to play. He used it to hurt.
"Daddy, please!" He had her by the ankle and pulled her back towards him.
"Little whore," he belched in her face. She turned her head away. His breath stunk like the booze he consumed daily.
He lit a cigarette, while holding her down by straddling on top of her. He puffed away, switching his grip.
Cass could hardly breathe from the smoke blasting in her face. Daddy didn't care. He puffed the cigarette with one hand, using the other to force her legs apart.
Cass cried.***
"Oh Cast!" She moaned, gathering him in her arms. "I am sorry." She wasn't used to using healing magic. She liked destructive spells, killing spells. But she could do it. She pressed her fingers to his wrists, feeling the pulse.
His life. Yes. She fed her healing powers into the throbbing vein of his life. It seeped through him, soothing the pain, healing the injury. He sighed, eyes drooping. It made him sleepy.
She released his arms, and cradled him against her. His little hands clasped around her, hugging, resting his head upon her breast.
"I am sorry, Cast," she whispered. "I am sorry."
He didn't know why, but he didn't feel angry. Or resentful. Or anything but comfort in her arms. "It's alright," he mummered, and strangely, he meant it.