Patron Series

by LauraLynn

*CHAPTER 14 UP* The continuation of Patron!!!!!!!! BOY is it gettin big!!! R/R

8. Patron8

Patron 8

Previously: Mozenrath's demon girlfriend, Chroias, has come to live at the Citadel and she and Nefret become the best of friends! They have had many adventures: a fight with Aladdin, Nefret and Xerxes were banished (but Nefret was brought back) Another fight with Aladdin where Nefret was knocked into a coma for a while, Mozenrath had twins with Chroias (Tristram and Zakurum), Zakurum found his first crush, Domdi, which ended in a fight between the gang and Domdi's mother Eden. Moze and Co. come out victorious and Zak and Tris stays with Domdi (for now at least) And finally a failed assassination attempt on Mozenrath corticated by Chroias's father Hades, in which Nefret's body was possessed and used by the demon mercenary Nemisis. (yes I realize Nef is constantly cheating death. It's not my fault! Chroias puts me in these situation. I don't mind though, it adds drama and she haven't killed me off....... yet....) Now that Nemisis is gone the gang try's to relax, try being the operative word....This story will make a lot more sense to you if you have read Admittance By Kalynn Osburn (aka Chroais). It can be found in the library, but read the warnings on it first please!

Disclaimer: Mozenrath, Xerxes, Aladdin, Jasmine, Genie, Abu and Carpet are property of Disney. Chroias belongs to Kalynnn Osburn. Nefret and Anubis are mine. Rated Pg for suggestive content.



Chapter 108 (by Kalynn) Mozenrath shook in his bed and shivered. The sheets felt like they were constricting around his body. It was so cold. So very cold.

'Oh god not again.' The dream screamed at him as he struggled against the hold about himself. He knew he was only dreaming and that it was only a dream. But it never stopped. It never stopped. Mozenrath shot up from his bed and immediately looked beside him for Chroias comforting frame. She was lying there. Looking comfortable and peacefully at rest.

'And why shouldn't she be. She never had to live through something like that.' He almost woke her up, but found himself content to simply hold her warm female body close to his own and try to fall back asleep.

Nefret was up and running before the others were. Mozenrath and Chroias seemed to be taking a rather long time today and it was bothering her. She felt comforted however when the two walked down the stairs arm in arm as usual. Mozenrath however looked somewhat tired.

Black circles hung under his eyes and he seemed to be leaning on Chroias more then walking. Nefret noticed how Chroias had to help him sit gently and she gave her friend a nodding look and mouthed come to the kitchen.

Chroias hurried in with her friend. Nefret grabbed her arm. "What's with him?" she asked in a fearful voice.

Chroias shrugged. "I think he had another nightmare, but he won't say anything about it at all." She nodded to the doorway.

"Nightmare. What do you mean.." Nefret slapped her hand over her mouth. "You mean about Distane." She hesitated as she always did on the word.

Chroias nodded. He was in a cold sweat when I woke up the morning and whimpered when I touched him."

Nefret bite her bottom lip. "I'll go see what he wants for breakfast." She hurried in and gently tapped Mozenrath's shoulder.

Mozenrath jumped and gave a small, terrified sound. Nefret froze as he glared at her. "Don't you ever pop up behind me like that!" he yelled in her face. "EVER!"

Chapter 109 (by me) Nefret turned several shades of red and raised an open hand, but stopped herself remembering what Chroias had just told her. Nefret used her raised hand to smooth her hair, trying to give the impression that that was her original intention. "Have a nice breakfast. I won't be joining you, I have a bit of work to do." Nefret spoke in a normal but strangely hurtful voice.

Chroias entered to room just as Nefret left. She started to say something but Moze only shook his head and placed it in his hands. "Just that little touch shook me out of my skin." He explained. "God, what's wrong with me?" Chroias sat beside him and gave him a gentle hug.

"55?" Nefret called out to the line of mumluks. One stepped forward. The mumluks had no real names, but each had a number to assure some kind of order. "55, 88 and 12. You are to patrol the west wing because I will be using 99, and 105 to help me transport these scrolls." Nefret explained as 99 stepped forward. "Where is 105? Hum. let me see." Nefret took looked at the scroll that listed all the servants.

Just than Chroias walked in. "Hey girl. Is it safe to come in or are you po'ed." The demon chuckled as Nefret dismissed the mumluks.

"Not really, Moze doesn't have Xerxes to beat up on, so I guess I'm the new target of frustration. Dammit, I'm missing a Mumluk! Number 105.." Nefret unrolled the scroll a bit more, but Chroias took it.

"Are you sure there is a 105?"

"There's a 106. Moze doesn't seem like one to skip a number just for kicks." Nefret read over her friend's shoulder, which was considerably hard considering Chroias's height.

"There it is.." Chroias trailed off as she read the side note. "Oh gods of Olympus. You aren't going to believe who #105 is."

Nefret caught the look in Chroias's eye. "No! It is not! Come on stop kidding me." Nefret grabbed the scroll playfully thinking Roias was playing some kind of joke. "It's not funny.." Nefret also trailed off as she read the side note.

Chapter 110 (by Kalynn) Mozenrath was in his laboratory as the day progressed. It was getting later now and he wanted to relax, preferably in a nice hot bathtub with Chroias. The whole day had shaken him. It wasn't like him to blow up for no reason. Nefret really hadn't done anything wrong and he was half regretful about blowing up at her.

'How's she supposed to know about HIM.' Mozenrath forced himself to reason. 'It wasn't her fault.' Mozenrath sighed and decided to go find the two girls. He wasn't going to apologize, but he was going to try and make Nefret understand that he didn't mean it.

Mozenrath walked outside of his lab and began the decent down to Nefret's private room. He reached for the handle and immediately jerked his hand back. It was freezing cold. Like someone had touched it with ice.

He jumped back as the mana in the room increased at a dramatic rate. The room was so thick with the smell of old age and half death Mozenrath felt himself chock on it. He lifted up his cape and tried to bang through Chroias's doors.

They swung open after a few good hits and he plowed inside. "CHROIAS, NEFRET!!!!!!" He called.

"No little kitten." Came a familiar voice. "I am afraid they are not to be found in this vicinity."

Mozenrath turned just in time to see a huge bolt of magic broad side him and to be flung unconscious to the marble floors.

Chapter 111 (by me) Chroias headed down the hall to her room quietly humming to herself. As she approached she could see Mozenrath leaning against Nefret's door with his back to her. He seemed kinda lax but she just took that as casual aloofness.

"Mozey." She cued as she approached him. He didn't move. Chroias was starting to get suspicious. "Mozenrath, say something!" she hit him slightly on the arm. It was just enough to break the careful balance and the sorcerer fell to the ground. "Moze." Chroias dropped beside him. From the looks of it he had been out a while. "Don't tell me you've been hitting the bottle again." it seemed only logical that with his bad day he might have sought escape in alcohol. The demoness picked up Mozenrath, set him down in bed and then called for Nefret to bring some cool clothes.

Nefret sighed as she carried the basin of water to Chroias's room. 'It's hard being the minion of such an eccentric.' She slowed as she walked into a cold spot. She felt a slight breath in her ear and a touch on her backside. "I've been working here to long." Nef mumbled fearing for her sanity. The basin suddenly seemed to weigh 50 pounds and it crashed to the floor. "Dammit!!" Nefret screamed as the cold water pooled around her feet. Chroias appeared out of her room to see what the cursing was about, but Nefret has already headed back to he kitchen for more water. With a slight 'hum' she turned back to her door.

In his unconscious state Mozenrath was having the same reoccurring nightmare, but this time there seemed to be an extra voice whispering in his ear. 'I had so much fun saying hello to your minion little kitten. Now it's time to meet and greet your other female friend. We can all play nice together.' The voice laughed before fading away. Mozenrath jumped up with a start and looked around the room in a panic. "Chroias...Nefret?"

"What?" Came a voice. Moze looked to the side to see Nefret staring at him.

"Nef?..Chroias, where is she?" Moze swung his legs out of bed.

"Hey hey! Don't sit up so fast! Roias left a few minuets ago to get some smelling salts. Why?" she asked as Mozenrath started to stand up. He swayed slightly and Nefret tried to get him to sit back down. "It was just a bad dream!"

"Maybe. But I have to check." He grumbled as he walked unsteadily to the door.

Chapter 112 (by Kalynn) Mozenrath left Nefret sitting alone in the room as he went to look for Roias. He found her getting more water in the kitchen. "Hey." she called out and saw the appearance he was in. "Oh gods are you okay."

Mozenrath nodded and suddenly grabbed her up in his arms. Chroias stopped him mid way through the hug and didn't get out a word before he kissed her. "I had to do that." he muttered.

"Hey I'm not complaining." Chroias admitted. "Mozenrath why are you doing this?"

Mozenrath played dumb. "Doing what?"

"The dreams! It's been almost a year now since any of those dreams have surfaced and now suddenly they're popping back up! Mozenrath what's going on?" Chroias clutched him as he tried to move away.

He just gave her an I-don't-know-look. "Maybe it's nothing. Just a freak accident." he said and gave a hopeful sigh. He suddenly rubbed his gauntleted arm as though he was cold. "I don't want that part of my life back Chroias." he gave her a meaningful and half afraid look. "I never want that part of my life back."

Chroias let him pull her close and she returned his hugs. "Mozenrath." she said in a soft whisper. "What are we going to do with you?"

He gave a small laugh and put his chin on her head. "We better go up and see Nefret. She wasn't to happy about letting me out of bed."

Chapter 113 (by me) Chroias clung to Mozenrath's arm as they walked back upstairs. A strange noise drifted down the hallway. It was high pitched and brisk. Laughter, albeit strange laughter. "I thought you said Nef was unhappy." Chroias looked to Mozenrath.

"That's the impression I got. Guess I was wrong. God, she sounds like a hyena!!!!" Moze placed his fingers to his temples and scrunched his brow. The shrill noise only got louder as they approached Chroias's room, but stopped the moment the door pull was touched. Nef sat on the bed playing a game of fetch with Anubis. The dog bounded to Chroias and dropped the soggy ball in her hand. The demon made a face, but obliged the hound by throwing the toy. "What's so funny?" Moze inquired still rubbing his temples. "Why were you laughing?"

"I wasn't" Nef cocked her brow as if Moze has lost his mind.

"We heard it." Chroias confirmed Mozenrath's story

"I didn't hear a thing." Nef shrugged.

"Funny Nef, but I'm not in the mood for games." Mozenrath sighed. Nefret only gave an annoyed hum as she followed everyone down to dinner.

"You find out what's up with him yet?" Nefret whispered to Chroias.

"Yes and No. He's just going though a bad time. Try to be good to him, for me?" Chroias pleaded

"When have I ever been anything but?" Nefret said in an offended tone. Chroias gave her a look. "Ok, I'll be nice. If he does the same!" She sighed.

"Good girl." Roias gave her a little pat on the head. Nefret laughed and gave her a slightly harder one, this turned into an all out play fight. Moze only rolled his eyes and smiled slightly.

Mozenrath and Chroias tossed in turned in their bed sharing the same dream. Lost, alone, cold, wet, in total darkness, calling for someone, anyone. But no one was there. No one but the wild dogs gathering, waiting for their death. They charged, leapt...... Then the scene shattered into a million pieces and they fell to their deaths on the broken glass below. Lying there, half dead, bleeding, they could see a stirring in the darkness. A form moving closer. A face?

Mozenrath and Chroias sat up in bed at the same moment, both looked to each other as if to say 'you to?' Then they both noticed the large red marks on their arms. In the welts were small white marks, as if fingernails had grazed the skin a bit to hard. But Mozenrath and Chroias were too pale to make them out. "We had the same dream?" a thought came to Chroias. "What about Nefret?"

Moze and Chroias quickly but quietly entered the girl's bedroom. Nefret seemed to be in a content sleep, and no sign of night terrors marked her face. Her arm, however, was another matter. Mozenrath and Chroias gasped as they realized what was on their own arms. On Nefret's tanned skin the initials LK were clearly visible in tiny white scratches.

"Little kitten." Moze whispered.

Chapter 114 (by Kalynn) A cold desolate wind blew over the dark sands around the Citadel. Lightning flashed as a storm began to force it's was into the lands. Three figures were unafraid of the storm however, as they had bigger problems on their minds.

Nefret stood and looked at the marks on her arm. She knew what they meant, what they meant for Mozenrath, but more importantly...how was she supposed to react to this. "So ummmm.." Nefret managed to catch Chroias's eye. The demoness gave her a no go look and Nefret feigned stupidity. "What does this LK mean?" she asked looking at Mozenrath.

The sorcerer gave her a glare and mumbled something incoherent. A bolt of lightning lit up the sky as he paced back and fourth. The pounding sound of the rain echoed in the marble halls. Mozenrath shivered, but not out of coldness.

Chroias walked closer to him. "Mozenrath, maybe we should leave. Get out of the Citadel for a few days and...."

Mozenrath's hand landed across her face. Nefret stood in shock, it was the very first time she had ever seen Mozenrath hit Chroias. The look of shock was clear on Chroias's face as well. Mozenrath even had a look of surprise that he had done that.

"Roi....." Mozenrath fumbled for an explanation. "Roi.." Chroias simply nodded her head and touched his hand. Mozenrath shook his head. "Allah what's the matter with me?_ He began to walk away from the group.

"Chroias," Nefret tapped Chroias on the shoulder. "He called you Roi." She asked.

"It's something he used to call me." Chroias confirmed. "Whenever the nightmares would get really bad and he couldn't concentrate, he would start calling me Roi." She hugged her friend close. "Nefret I think he's terrified. I think he can't even see straight."

Nefret looked at Mozenrath sitting on the throne. "Do you think I let out to much. About the...." she pointed to her arm where the LK stood out in bold printed letters.

Chroias shook her head. "No it's on his arm to." She lifted her sleeve. "And mine."

Nefret shook her head. "It can't be can it. You know..... HE can't be back can he?"

Chroias only shrugged and put her hand on her friend. "I don't know Nef...I just don't know."

A high cruel laugh rang in the upper halls of the Citadel. Soulless black eyes stared out of the darkness at the three below him. "Soon little kitten. Soon you will be mine again." A bolt of lightning flashed and illuminated a face only to briefly and then it was gone.

Chapter 115 (by me) Mozenrath sat slumped recklessly in his throne. He was deep in thought, and to look at him one might think he was on another planet. His eyes stared endlessly into the darkness without the benefit of blinking, even when the room flashed in unholy white lightning. He had been that way for some time, and hadn't even noticed when Nefret and Chroias left.

"I'm telling you Nef this stuff isn't going to cut it." Chroias said to Nefret as they looked around the armory. "Knives, bows, swords, maces, battle axes, these are for flesh and blood. We should be prepared, just in case, but we don't even know what we could be dealing with!"

Eyes watched the girls as they sorted though the armory. He frowned. A demon and a girl with a quick temper and a fondness for sharp, pointy things like crossbows and daggers wasn't what exactly what he wanted in his way. 'It will be sufficiently hard to dominate Mozenrath now that he is a powerful sorcerer, but with a untied force of him, the demon, and the shrew.. !!!! Well maybe they won't be so united.' He smiled evilly and disappeared again.

"I don't know, maybe you should just use the ring Moze gave ya." Chroias pointed to the shiny black onyx ring encircling her pinky.

"No, I hardly every use the ring. Makes me feel weak after I draw on it." Nefret explained picking up and inspecting an old crossbow. Suddenly it fired and the arrow grazed Chroias's thigh. "OH HATHOR! I'm so sorry!!!" Nef hurried to her friend. "It's not bad, just a little cut. I don't understand, it wasn't even set to fire!" Nef muttered as she examined the cut.

Without warning Chroias felt something pull her arm back, and before she could think she punched Nefret hard in the stomach. 'Did I just do that?' Chroias looking at her fist. Nef pulled herself from the ground completely stunned, then anger showed in her eyes and she stomped out of the room clutching her stomach.

"But I didn't mean to! I really, really didn't." The demon ran after Nefret as she headed to her private chambers. "Nef." She began, but the door slammed in her face with a deafening bang. "Fine!" Chroias huffed away.

Nefret jumped as the door slammed shut on it's own after she entered the room. She could hear Chroias yell and storm off. "But I didn't shut it." Nef started to wonder, but the pain radiating from her abdomen stopped any logical thought process.

The shadowy figure laughed slightly to himself watching the fight. "So easy to manipulate! Your forces are disbanding, dear little kitten." He taunted the now asleep Mozenrath.

Chapter 116 (by Kalynn) Mozenrath jerked in his sleep and shot awake. Something had touched his cheek and left a spider thin trail of blood along the side. He looked about the room, suddenly very aware of being alone. "Roi...Nef!" he called out in a half horse voice. Chroias looked down at the slash on her thigh. It was deep, but not so much that her demon abilities weren't starting to heal it already. The dark blood dripped to the floor and she continued walking. A figure closed in behind her and scooped up some of the blood in a vile. A flash of lightning caused the vile to glint and Chroias spun around to see what it was. Chroias let her demon senses kick in. Her eyes shone like two red beacons in the dark halls. But she couldn't see anything. Chroias suddenly found herself very much wanting Nefret's company.

Nefret put a cloth to her stomach and winced. That demon had a deadly right hook. 'Why did she punch me' Nefret wondered. 'It wasn't like I was trying to hit her....was I?' Nefret felt a small wet nose on her hand and gently patted Anubis's head. "Oh Anubis what's going on?" she hugged the pharaoh hound and let a few tears fall. The hound whined sympathetically and suddenly his ears stood on end and he barked sharply at the door.

Chroias walked in followed by Mozenrath only a few seconds later. He held a cloth to the still bleeding wound and it was turning the white cloth red. "It still hasn't stopped bleeding." he said and looked slightly worried. Chroias sat him down on a chair and the looked at Nefret.

"Nef I'm sorry...I just......oh Gods and Hells this whole thing has got me so messed up...." Nefret nodded and hugged her friend as Mozenrath seemed to be looking out the window. "It's Moze.....I know how he feels about this thing....Gods Nefret you don't know what it was like for him. You don't know how much he dreams about IT happening all over again." Chroias looked at her friend with her red eyes. "I used a calming spell on him once. It's an art of healing. But when I did that I 'found' ...no not just found...'felt' what had happened to him." Chroias shook in her friend's arms. "Oh Gods Nefret you have no idea what it's like."

"Your right." Mozenrath said. "She doesn't" He walked over to the two and sat down. "And she shouldn't." he gave Chroias a cold look. Nefret and Chroias blanched for a moment. Neither had realized that Mozenrath had been listening.

Chapter 117 (by me) "Moze.." Nefret started trying to judge just how angry he was.

"How long have you known?" He suddenly cut her off and hushed Chroias as she began to say something in both their defense.

"Awhile now. A little bit after Chroias and I became friends." Nefret spoke in an almost guilty tone.

"And what? You feel sorry for me? Pity the haunted man and his past???!!!!" Mozenrath growled out and stood up, towering above Nefret.

Nefret, to her benefit, stayed relatively calm. Anubis growled lowly. Even though Mozenrath was his provider, he had little qualm about attaching the hand that feed him to protect his mistress. "Never in my life, Mozenrath, have I felt a drop of real pity for you. And never in my life am I planning to. I only pity your lack of trust! What, I'm good enough to take into your home, to serve you, to be your friend, to be the godmother of your children, but not to trust with your pain????"

"It has nothing to do with trust! I never told you because there was absolutely no reason you should know. What could you have done if I had told you? Only pity me. Servants should stay out of the affairs of their master! And above all else that's what you are Nefret, a servant. That isn't all you are, but at heart that is your position. You forget that sometimes." Moze relaxed back into his chair. Nefret, for once couldn't think of a comeback. She only lowered her eyes and exhaled. Mozenrath looked back to her, she looked so worn out, they all did. "It's getting late." Moze took Chroias's hand as he stood. "I'll see you in the morning Nef."

Nefret's peaceful sleeping face scrunched a bit as a figure entered her room, but she didn't wake. It loomed over her bed and with his smile glinting in the darkness the figure placed a hand on her throat. "I need to borrow your voice for a while little plum."

Chroias laid listening to the sound of thunder and the beat of the rain on the roof above. She stared at the ceiling as a wicked flash of lighting burst in her room. Out of the darkness she heard a voice, feminine and pretty. "Roias, Roias, I need you."

"Nefret?" Chroias questioned slipping out of bed and to the door. He hallway looked empty. "Nef?::"

"Follow me." The voice urged. "Come on Roias!!" It laughed playfully and the demon heard the owner's feet running down the hall. She obediently followed it "I'm in here!" Nefret's voice urged. Chroias entered the room and the door promptly slammed behind her. The voice changed from feminine to masculine. "And you'll never leave."

Chapter 118 (by Kalynn) Mozenrath felt the empty spot beside him on the bed. Chroias had chewed into him soon after Nefret had gone to her room. He'd never seen her eyes so red or her teeth so large. 'It's your own fault you twit' the nagging voice in him said. "Nef hadn't said a word up ill now...she'd respected your peace and you had to be a numbskull and get angry for no damn reason'

Mozenrath snorted at himself. 'As though it was any of her business as to what he did to me.' Mozenrath felt a sharp tugging in his mind. A wrenching twisting feeling in his stomach. It couldn't be...guilt. 'No no Just nerves' he forced himself to think. 'Of all the damn times for Chroias to be mad at me.' he said and gently touched the cold spot beside him.

********

Chroias hissed and swung at the tall man in front of her. He laughed and her tail passed through him as it would a shadow. "DISTANE!" Chroias screeched at the top of her lungs. "You slimy psychotic old bastard!!! Get back and fight."

The hyena like laughter ran through her veins and only fueled her anger further. She heard a soft moan in the corner. Nefret rose her head and looked at Chroias. A large cut seemed to be right over her left eye. Chroias gasped and saw to it. "It'll heal but not without a small scar."

Nefret nodded and gave a short growl. "Oh I swear I'm gonna beat that son of a bitch bloody!" she stood up and turned up her plum head for a sign of Distane. He was nowhere in sight. A small light clink clink clink of meatle reached the girls ears. Both screamed as a cascade of iron chains flung after them like snakes.

Chroias battered at the door and snarled when it wouldn't open. "Nef it's closed and anti-magiced." she turned in time to see her friend being dragged off by the hissing chains. With a deadly snarl Chroias flung herself at her friend only to have an impossibly cold arm pull her around and smell of old yellow toothed breath puff in her face.

"Nono!" Distane said and held her chin in an appraising manner. "I have a little something for you to do child." He let out another high laugh. "My little kitten isn't so little anymore. And I need bait."

Chapter 119 (by me) Nefret struggled as the chains pulled her out of the room and down the hallways. She gave an "ouf" as she was lifted and thrown against a door. The snake like chains lingered for a moment then began to retreat. "ow." Nefret moaned as the door was pulled open. From the doorway Mozenrath saw the fleeting image of the chains disappearing in the shadows. He looked down to see Nefret sitting up and rubbing her sore head.

Chroias snarled and snapped at Distane's hand. He laughed and pulled it away. "What have you done with Nef?!" She hissed.

"Why? What do you think I should do with her?" He gave a sick grin. Chroias launched herself at him but she only grasped at air. "Oh relax child. Nefret is fine. Can't have bait without a messenger you know." He suddenly grabbed her. "Time to go."

"Go where!?" Chroias managed to get out.

"Someplace of significance." Came the answer, whispered closely to her ear.

Mozenrath helped Nefret to her feet and pulled her head around to look at him. Blood had dried around her left eye, but there wasn't a cut, only a tiny pink scar running along her eyebrow. "Chroias" he whispered.

"She...chains.. the old guy." Nef hit her head odiously frustrated with her inability to make sense. Mozenrath pulled her into the room and sat her on the bed, giving her time to take a breath. "He's got her. He lured her to him with my voice, now he has her." Nefret explained.

"He?" Mozenrath hoped against hope Nefret wasn't talking about whom he thought she was talking about.

"Distane." Nefret put a hand to the scare then suddenly felt something itchy on her ankle. She reached down and pulled out a scrap of paper stuck in her anklet. Mozenrath took it from her. "What does it say?" she asked as his face when white.

Chapter 120 (by Kalynn) Mozenrath looked at the note and shivered. "It's the old lab." he murmured. He shook visibly. His face was a pale white color and his pupils seemed to have shrunk.

Nefret stared quizzically up at her lord's face. "What do you mean the old lab......why there?"

Mozenrath wasn't even thinking as he answered. "It's.....it's the first....palace he......." Mozenrath closed his eyes and shivered suddenly aware of who he was talking to. "How is it any of your business." But he didn't have the heart to yell it at her.

Nefret lowered her eyes a moment. "Moze....I can't

..know how you feel." she touched his arm gingerly. "But.....I wish I did."

"No you don't....." Mozenrath began but Nefret interrupted.

"I do...If only so that you would trust me more. Chroias trusted me with this information only because she knew I would never let it matter." Nefret touched a bone that was under his gantlet. "Have I ever let this matter?"

Mozenrath nodded and managed a small no. "I'm......." he tried to push the word sorry from his mouth but didn't manage it, only gave Nefret a pleading look.

She nodded and jerked a finger to the doorways. "Now what do you say we hunt that bastared down with a crossbow?"

Mozenrath gave one of his maniacal grins. "If I know Chroias she's already trying to strip his hide."

********

Unfortunately Chroias wasn't in a position to do much of anything. She dangled from the ceiling held by anti-magic chains and covered only by an old haggard robe. Distane hadn't touched her...he only wanted it to look as though he had. "Enrage the little kitten more." he smiled and held Chroias's chin in a controlling fashion. .

Chroias made a snorting sound a hacked up a lugie in Distane's face.

The old sorcerer looked shocked for only a second and then struck her across the face with a full fist blow. Chroias's head went limp and she hung from the rafters as though dead.

Chapter 121 (by me) Moze watched as Nefret loaded an iron tipped arrow into her bow. "These will work better." He handed her a handful of wooden arrows. Nefret looked at him skeptically. "Regular arrows will only go through him, these wont. They won't kill him, but. they could distract him." Mozenrath sighed. "Nef, this will be the most difficult situation we will ever face. It might not... go our way. Are you sure.." He began but Nefret gave an exasperate sigh and put her hands on her hips. "Right, lets go!" Mozenrath grinned.

Distane circled around Chroias like a vulture, arranging her to give the maxim impact on Mozenrath. His ears perked visibly as he heard a noise. "Looks like the kitten is ready to play." He whispered to the still unconscious Chroias and disappeared into the shadows.

The door opened painstakingly slow as Mozenrath peeked in. He entered and noticed Chroias handing from the rafters. With a growl that rang impossibly deep in this throat Mozenrath attempted to zap the chains. The bolt was absorbed and by the metal and retuned to him. He grimiest at the shock.

"My little kitten has gotten foolish over the years. You should have expected anti-magic defenses. I thought I taught you better!" the form of Distane slipped from the shadows. "No matter, we will have plenty of time to reteach you." Moze could only stare frozen in fear and memories as Distane got closer. The clanking sound of Chroias shifting in her bonds brought him back to reality. "NOW!!!" Mozenrath chocked out. A false wall in the far corner suddenly burst open and an arrow was shot from the darkness. It hit Distane's arm. He looked at it, then to Nefret standing in the newly reviled doorway.

"Ow, that wasn't nice." He smiled and plucked off the arrow like a splinter. "Really little kitten, you should teach your minion manners!"

"Again!" Mozenrath yelled as Nef loaded another arrow. She aimed for his heart and shot. With a flick of his wrist the speeding arrow stopped in midair just inches from his chest.

Distane looked to Mozenrath. "Never mind. Let me do it for you." The arrow turned around and speed back to Nefret. Luckily she jumped out of the way. Seeing that the arrow has safely passed both Moze and Nef looked back to where Distane had been, but he was gone. Moze narrowed his eyes, but turned his attention back to Chroias. He motioned for Nefret to keep watch as he rose into the rafters with a saw they had found on the table.

Mozenrath had just about cut through a link in the chain when her heard Nefret gasp. "Stupid dog, didn't you lean the first time?" Destane's voice taunted. Mozenrath looked down to see Nefret in a chock hold. Distane throw her across the room. She hit a tall set of draws tipping it over. The top of it hit the rafters shaking Mozenrath from his perch just as the broke the chain link. Chroias dropped a bit, but the severed link still held the two pieces of chain together. Mozenrath looked around from the floor. Distane was gone again.

"Damn cowered!" He hissed as he got to his feet and sat by Nefret. "Nef, I want you to get out of here." He said as he removed her anklet.

"Hell no, I'm not leaving you and Roias!" Nefret protested.

Mozenrath hushed her and whispered in her ear. "You know were I want you to go. But don't let HIM know that you're coming back at all, especially with company." He gave her a meaningful look. Nefret nodded in understanding but frowned. "I'll be ok, just hurry. I hate to involve them, but.." He looked back to Chroias. Nefret touched is gauntleted hand. "Go on Nef." Mozenrath set the anklet aside rather sadly. Nef squeezed his hand before running out the door.

A scream stuck in the Egyptian woman's throat as she pulled open the stable door. All the horses, camels, even the donkeys had been slaughtered. Hesitating a bit as she looked back to the Citadel Nefret and Anubis took off running through the black desert in the pouring rain.

Chapter 122 (by Kalynn) Mozenrath turned just in time to see Distane grab him about the neck. "Hello little kitten." Distane said with a breath rotten grin. "My how you've grown....I'm so proud of you."

Mozenrath reached up with his gauntleted hand and drove a magical bolt through him, Distane only laughed. "I really didn't do much of a job teaching you little kitten." he grabbed Mozenrath's hand and twisted it making the sorcerer call out in pain. "Maybe we should review a few lessons." he whispered into Mozenrath's ear.

********

Chroias's eyes fluttered open and she saw Distane with his arm around an unconscious Mozenrath. The sorcerer was slumped against a pillar where Distane placed a metal bond about his arms and one to keep his leg together. As Distane back away, Chroias could see her lover was posed in an odd rendition of the Death of Christ pose. Distane had his lips dangerously close to Mozenrath.

"You bloody bastared!!!" Chroias screeched from her position on the ceiling. "Get YOU HALF ASSED HANDS OFF MY BOYFRIEND!!!!!!!"

Distane raised his head to the heysterical demon. "Have no fear hell hound. I'm only letting Mozenrath recall some bittersweet memories from way back when." Distane's mouth twisted into a cruel smile and he lowered Chroias to the ground. "How sad...." he traced the line of her chin. "So close and yet so far." Distane left the demon hanging just beyond her reach. He walked out the door...his high hyena laughter ringing in her ears as Mozenrath winced while the dream took hold.

Chroias tried to rouse him. "Mozenrath! WAKE UP IT'S JUST A DREAM!!"

Somewhere in the black nothingness of his subconscious, Mozenrath heard her voice. But he was without ability to answer. The cold...unbearably cold hand gripped him from all sides. And he could feel the pain pushing through his body......

Chapter 123 (by me) Mozenrath flinched, shock, and writhed as the dream unlocked painful memories and played them all over again in the theater of his mind. Chroias, besides calling out to him, was helpless to stop the pain. And that was hurting her more than any physical pain. Distane was clearly trying to manipulate both of them at the same time.

Distane entered and casually walked around the room. "When I get free I swear I will do things to you that are so ungodly not even a sick bastered like you would be capable of thinking them up!!!" Chroias snarled in an almost animalistic fashion. Her eyes flashed then she noticed the absence in the room. "Where is Nefret?" she let her surprise and concern show, and Distane knew exactly how to manipulate the demon next.

"Who?" He smiled as she shrieked in anger and frustration. "Oh, Neffie. I remember her. Fond, fond memories." He looked away.

Chroias lowered her head as her eyes flashed. "What do you mean by that?"

"Well, that all that she is, a memory." He looked back to her as if was the most obvious thing in the world.

"What exactly are you talking about?" Chroias growled hoping this was another one of his head games. "No, you wouldn't kill her." The demon said with confidence she didn't honestly feel.

"Oh, wouldn't I?" Distane asked as he wiped his hands on his robe in an ominous manner. He smiled slightly as he examined the unconscious Mozenrath, enraging Chroias all the more. "No I didn't kill her." He whispered. Chroias strained her ears to hear. Distane walked uncomfortably close to her, talking all the way. "Last I saw the girl she was running off into the desert. Abandoning you all to save her skin. Little kitten should have stuck with undead servants. Mumlucks are so much more loyal." Distane was centimeters for Chroias's face now, his old breath forced into the nose. "I should know, I was one for years!" He stood back as Chroias yelled and writhed.

"I don't believe you! She didn't leave!!!" The demon used the chain suspension to swing back and forth, finally causing the broken chain link to give way. Chroias growled evilly as she found herself free to move again.

Anubis whined as he followed behind Nefret. Even his lean, strong legs where beyond exhaustion. Nefret stopped and allowed for her hound to lie down. With a grunt she picked him up and continued on her way through the gates if Agrabah. Her goal shimmered in the distance, the palace.

Chapter 124 (by Kalynn) Nefret collapsed at the palace gates. She felt and looked filthy, her cloths were in tatters and her skin felt wet and grit covered. "Just a little further." she mumbled and tried to stand only to have Anubis's weight push her down again.

*******

Mozenrath felt a hand touch him on the cheek. It was warm...so much warmer then the dreams hands. "Oh god it hurt hurts oh damn it stop." He screamed out in his head as the pain only increased. He was screaming verbally now...he could hear himself. And a voice. Someone was talking to him. Soft comforting words. Warm, tear filled words.

"Moze...Mozenrath it's a dream." Chroias whispered in his ear. Distane was just out side and she didn't know how much time she had before he came back in and caught her being lose. "Mozenrath please wake up snap out of it." she shook his body but the chains held tight. "Moze...." her voice failed her as he screamed again.

"Roi......" he gurgled and then his head fell limp again.

"Mozenrath..." Chroias searched her memories.. If these memories were what were keeping him in pain, maybe a different memory could quell it. "Moze...remember the first night you and I spent together.... you were so careful and attentive." she pressed her lips to his cheek. "We made love all night. I spent the night wrapped in your arms and you purred. You remember that don't you Mozenrath... I looked up at you just after we made love and told you that you were purrrrring." she put a hand to him and felt tears being squeezed out of her eyes, soft red drops fell to the floor. "Please Mozenrath....wake up please."

Mozenrath felt the fog of his dream lifting over him. The pain became a simple dull throbbing in his stomach. "Roi....Roi." he murmured and opened an eye slowly. "Oh gods Roi." he said in a voice so week he felt like throwing up just from talking.

"Shhhhhhhhh." Chroias said and began to work with the chains. "It'll be fine.....just fine."

"No I'm afraid it won't be." Distane fired a bolt at Chroias and the demoness screeched in pain. "Clever clever girl."

"Distane..." Mozenrath tried to yell but could only whisper in response. "Distane...keep away from her." Whisper or not the anger in his voice was evident.

"Why little kitten...afraid my tastes may have changed over the last few years._ Distane held Chroias's chin and rubbed his lips close to hers. "I must admit even I find her very very sweet."

Mozenrath did manage a violent yell this time. "YOU BASTERED....I SWEAR TO HIGH HELL IF YOU DON'T KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF OF HER!!!!!!!!!!!_

"You'll what!?" Distane yelled throwing a fainted Chroias to the ground. "You'll what little kitten...." he grabbed Mozenrath by the throat and began to squeeze. "Well, you want to back talk me you little bastared. Do I have to remind you of the whip I used on you oh so long ago?" Distane gripped the neck harder. "You want another taste of my hatred boy...."

Mozenrath spat in Distane's face and bite his lip when Distane's crashing fist came down on him. "Apparently you need to be taught another lesson brat.... A lesson I obviously didn't teach well enough on the first go round."

Mozenrath looked desperately at Chroias who still lay limp on the floor. Distane laughed and wound her again to the ceiling. "Oh nonono little kitten..." he clutched Mozenrath's chin and let his breath reek on Mozenrath's face. "This is between you and me."

Chapter 125 (by me) Sound burst through the room. Snap, crack, and the unmistakable sound of leather whispering through the air. Mozenrath tried his best to hold his tongue and keep from crying out.

Domdi burst into laugher at something Zak had said, Tris however just scowled. Zak chuckled then caught the sight of some palace servants huddled in the corner whispering to each other. Curious Zak perked his ears to eavesdrop, luckily his hearing was enhanced by his mothers side if the family.

"Oh yeah! Just a filthy filthy vagabond. Soaked to the bone and collapsed. Had some kind of animal with her, equally filthy." One maid reported.

"Yes, but Aladdin seemed to know her. Took her in at least." The other shrugged.

"Yeah, ordered her bathed. Dunked her in the tub and she wake up screaming like a banshee! I don't know what was harder to get off, the dirt or the 10 pounds of kohl around her eyes!" The first maid joked.

Zak's eyes widened and he looked to his sister. She had been listening to, and had gotten the exact same idea. "Auntie!" They both said in unison.

"I don't want to eat!" Nefret cried frustrated as Aladdin and Jasmine refused to let her sit up. Aladdin pleaded with her, sighting she had collapsed of exhaustion, and needed to recharge. Nefret defiantly picked up the plate and set it in front of a hungry Anubis. "I appreciate it, but I don't have time for pleasantries. For the millionth time, I need the twins!"

"I've never been one to leave my Aunt in need." Zak said brightly as he entered the room with Tris. Nefret smiled and ran to them, pulling them both into a hug. "Is something wrong, I heard you were looking less than lovely a while ago." Zak inquired as Nefret released them.

"Did you have a fight with father?" Tris asked concerned. Nefret shook her head, but gave a bemused grin at the thought.

"Than what in all of Hades and Olympus is the matter?" Zak sat Nefret down, seeing she was still quite tired. Nefret looked at him for a moment, than at Tris, right into they're eyes. Suddenly she didn't know what to say. Did they know about their fathers past? No, if Mozenrath hadn't trusted her with it, there was little chance he'd put such a heavy burden on his children. Well did they at least then know how Mozenrath had come to throne? That long before he sat on the throne, he had stood by it serving Distane? "Aunt Nef?"

Chapter 126 (by kalynn) Mozenrath hit the cold marble and felt a smooth touch of silk against him. "Oh Allah...Roias please let that be you." he mumbled out barely coherent. Distane had taken his gauntlet and already he was beginning to feel the affects of being separated from it.

"It's ok Moze...it's ok...it's me." Chroias held him close and ripped off part of her top to start wiping the blood off her lovers back. She heard a slight whimper and realized Mozenrath was barely holding in a scream. "It's ok...It's okay." Chroias did her best to be gentle.

Mozenrath stopped her and brought his arms around the demoness. "Chroias I'm sorry." he pulled her down to him. "Allah I'm sorry, I should have taken your advice. We could have gotten out of here...we could be a million miles away by now....."

Chroias stopped him and placed a finger over his split lips. "No....you fought hard to keep this palace yours."

"And now it's his again." Mozenrath felt a pain welling inside him. The back of his eyes stung and he held back tears. "Rois...I'm.....I swear to Allah Roi....." he brought his lips close to Chroias's ear. "I love you Chroias." he whispered and fainted.

*********

Tris suddenly screamed in the halls. Zak fell to the floor gripping his head. Just as suddenly the two seemed to snap out of it and regain their senses. Zak walked over to Domdi. "Domi....I have to go somewhere. Me and sis."

Tris grabbed her brother and pulled him away. "Don't bother with last goodbyes bro, we'll be back soon enough." she growled and Nefret could swear she saw a small glow in the children's eye.

Zak walked over to Nefret and quickly explained that he and Tris could feel their father and mother in pain or extreme emotional anguish. "I swear when I find the son of a bitch causing this...." Zak made a long growl that sounded exactly like his mothers.

Tris snatched Neff's hand. "You will come and help us right??" she asked uncertainly.

Nefret saw a dagger on the table. "How could I do any less."

Chapter 127 (by me) Chroias sat with Mozenrath on her lap. Bending over she gave him a gentle kiss on the forehead, he smiled but kept his eyes shut. Chroias continued to give him a series of soft kisses just above his left brow. Suddenly she shot upright. Moze looked up at her questioningly.

"I thought I felt. the twins. Here." Chroias breathed having the strangest maternal instinct.

"It's about time Nef got back with 'em!" Moze sighed gladly.

****

Tris looked around, the Citadel had never been a place of sunshine and cheer, but she had never seen it so dark, or felt it so cold. Tris suddenly shivered and grabbed onto both Zak and Nef stopping them. "Something's not right. Cold, dead." Tris made a face as the feeling increased, as did Zak.

"Welcome." A cold wind whispered passed all of the. "Come back for more Sour Plum? Did you like it that much?" Distane slipped out of the shadows and grinned viscously. "Oh and brought friends have we? I like the demon boy. Quite fetching, reminds me of his father." Distane ran his tongue over a canine tooth in a less then subtle manner. Zak growled, but stopped when he saw what was in the old mans belt, his father's gauntlet.

Zak rolled his eyes to the girls, and they both gave him a bit of a wink. Zak suddenly spun around and rushed Distane. It took the evil psychopath a bit by surprise, but he recovered quickly slapping Zak away. The demon hit the floor with a growl and a hiss. Tris than gave it a try but found herself in the same position as her brother. The fact that the strong half demon children had failed didn't give a girl like Nefret much of a chance, but that sure didn't stop her. She landed on top of Tris a moment later. Suddenly seeing the glow in the girl's eyes it occurred to her that Tris was no ordinary child. With a sudden grin Nef handed Tris the dagger and whispered to her. Tris smiled.

Zak had come to blows with Distane, though not of the physical kind. Still he wasn't enough of a distraction. Nefret picked up a pot and hurled it at Distane, than a vase, followed by each of her sandals. Distane growled and redirecting the projectiles back at the girl, where she would pick them up and throw them yet again.

Preoccupied by both Zak's blows, and Nefret's constant bombing Distane had completely forgotten about Tris. Tris narrowed her eyes in concentration as she guided the dagger through the air using her telekinesis. It approached just under Distane range of vision, and with a little jerk of Tris's head, it cut the belt and the gauntlet fell to the ground. It as promptly snatched up Anubis. With a shriek Distane realized what had happened, but Anubis has already deposited the glove in Tris's hand.

"Run. Get to them!!" Zak yelled, and his sister quickly obliged, taking off down the hall. Distane growled allowing his concentration to laps and one of Nefret's pots hit him upside the head. With and unearthly howl he descended on both boy and godmother.

Chapter 128 (by Kalynn) Nefret dodged but Zak wasn't quick enough. "AUNTI NEF RUN I'LL CATCH UP." he yelled and Nefret didn't have time top turn and Zak before a metal door slammed down trapping both Nef and Tris to one side of the Citadel halls.

Zak felt Distane grab his arm and twist it behind him. "So...you must be one of Mozenrath's little brats...and that other one your sister." Distane brought his lips close to Zak's ear. "What extraordinary fun. More to toy with Mozenrath's mind."

********

Mozenrath and Chroias heard the hyena laughter ring through the dungeon halls. Chroias buried her head in Mozenrath's chest and slowly began to sob. Mozenrath was awestruck. Once.....only once before had he seen Chroias in such a state of weakness. She was demon born, a proud strong woman who had a pride to rival his. She was commanding, intelligent and completely in control no matter what the situation.

And she was sobbing.

The tiny blood tears ran down his chest and clung to him. Mozenrath put his arms around her and held her close. There wasn't much else he could do for her now. "Roi it's ok.....it's ok. Nefret and the kids are here now."

"You don't understand....." Chroias gasped out and lifted her face enough for Mozenrath to see the blood twinkle in a sudden burst of lightning. "Distane has Zak."

Mozenrath felt slow, boiling anger rise in him. "He what?" he said in a low voice.

"I have you little boy." Distane said from the doors. "Don't believe me...." he held up Zak just enough for Chroias and Mozenrath to see his eyes. Mozenrath didn't even see Chroias leap from his arms and use her claws to begin shredding the doors, completely ignoring the anti-magic barriers that were sparking through her body.

"YOU BASTERED YOU DANMDEBLE BASTERED!!!!!! IF YOU HARM ONE HAIR ON HIS HEAD I SWEAR BY THE DEMONS IN HELL I'LL........" Chroias screamed insults to him as Mozenrath pulled her back. "We won't help Zak by pissing Distane off any more."

"A wise decision little kitten." Distane brought his face very close to Zak's hair and smelled it as one would a rose. "He's so very handsome...reminds me of you Mozenrath."

Mozenrath forced Chroias to sit on a dingy bed. "What will it take Distane?" He said in a shaky voice.

Distane looked at his former apprentice. "Why whatever do you mean?"

"You know what I mean....you wouldn't come down here if there wasn't a bargain you had in mind. You brought him to manipulate me." Mozenrath nodded at Zak who was currently gagged. "What will it take for you to..."

"To what, let him go......" Distane began.

Mozenrath shook his head. "You wouldn't keep that promise. Just to have him in here and under his mother's protection. What will it take for you to leave him here with her?"

Distane's smile could have frozen fire. "What do you think I want from you little kitten." he held Mozenrath's chin in his hands and threw Zak into the cell with Chroias. "What do you think I want?"

The door to the cell slammed shut and Mozenrath for the first time began to pray.

Chapter 129 (by me) Zak held his mother as she kicked, screamed, and cried at the fact that her one true love was going through his own personal hell and she was useless to do anything. But Chroias was a smart woman, she knew that her fit would benefit neither of them. Soon she settled down, at least to the point that she could think again.

"Zak, do you think you can get in touch with your sister?" Roais asked her son.

He nodded and closed his eyes, fighting to think clearly enough to get an impression from his sister. "She's in the secondary armory. Nefret is with her, they're both safe. They have the gauntlet. I'll tell her I'm here."

Nefret suddenly noticed Tris had stopped looking for more of those wooden arrows like she had asked.

"It's Zak, he's with mom, locked up." Tris told her.

"And Mozenrath?" Nefret asked warily.

"He went with Distane in trade for Zak. He wanted something." Tris added naively.

Nef's heart sunk. "Oh hell." Nef suddenly went for the door but Tris grabbed her.

"No auntie, we can't go against that guy, not the two of us!! It would be a suicide mission! We need Mamma and Zak." She held her rash aunt still.

Chroias jumped as she heard something outside the door, her heart held it's beat as she waited for the next horror to open the door. But instead she heard whispering. Soft female whispers of 'hold this,' 'hey don't jerk that around so much!' 'Give me the cord.' And many renditions of, 'Ahhh, gods don't do that! This stuff is volatile!'

"Tris, Nef is that you?" Chroias approached the closed door and smiled when they replied in the affirmative. "Careful, the door is anti- magic." She warned as she heard the sound of something placed on the other side of the door.

"Who said we were using magic?" Nefret gave a smirk as she secured the homemade TNT to the wood. "Hang on Roais we're coming for you. Dear, dear friend.." Nefret softened as she realized what Chroias must have been feeling, but she hardened again with renewed determination. "Torch!" she requested of Tris. "Uh, Roais, I'd move as far way as you can if I were you." Nefret advised as she lit the fuse and she and Tris flung themselves down the hall just as the explosion erupted into the hall. Both girls looked at the newly formed hole, make that a humongous hole. They winced realizing they may have over done it a bit on the firepower.

Tris coughed on the dust as she entered the previously locked room. "Mom, Zak?" She called into the cloud.

Chapter 130 (by Kalynn) Mozenrath waited in the room. Distane hadn't shown up yet. He'd murmured something about having to go and get a "security measure". Mozenrath jerked against the chains currently held him. Distane had held him down and wrapped the chains around the bottom bedposts. Of course Mozenrath hadn't offered much resistance. He hadn't wanted to take the chance of making Distane harm one of the children or Chroias.

The door behind him creaked slowly open. Mozenrath was turned in a position to where he couldn't see. He winced as a cold wet object touched his back. Suddenly a soft whimper interrupted his dread. A thin head placed itself on his shoulder and whined, softly licking his cheek.

"Damn mutt." Mozenrath said but smiled at Anubis. The dog sniffed at the chains and growled. "Yeah I don't like em much either." he jerked against them and tried to see if any one was coming. "Anubis....can you find Nefret and Chroias...let them know where I am?"

The hound gave a sharp bark and something almost humanly like a nod.

"Well what are you waiting for? Find them and get them here quickly." Mozenrath silently promised himself to find that dog the biggest bone ever when this whole thing was over.

***********

Chroias began to shake off some of the rubble. She placed a hand to Zak and pulled him out to see Nef and Tris standing over them. "Took you long enough." Chroias growled at Nefret. Only this time there was no pleasant smile to back it up with friendship. Chroias pushed past the others and began to search the weapons Nefret and Tristram had bung.

Zak pulled Nef away from going over to Chroias. "She's been like that the entire time." he complained. "What's going on. Who is that heinous guy and what does he want with dad?" Zak asked Nefret.

Tris accompanied her brother. "Come pun Aunti Nef. I know you know." she gave Nefret a certain look.

Nefret only shook her head. "It's not really my place to tell you." she motioned to Chroias who was examining a nasty looking dagger. "And now is defiantly not the best time to ask her."

"Damn right it isn't." Chroias placed the dagger in her hip boot. She selected a scimitar and a long whip. "Look." she turned to Nefret. "If you guys want to get out now I'll understand. Distane isn't going to be happy when I show up and he'll be a lot less pleased when I kill him. A dieing sorcerer can still perform spells." Chroias ran a finger across the blade. "Everything on me is tempered against magic. But you Nef...you don't have any magical resistance and I can't give you any. And I'm not sure how strong the children are. If you're going to leave do it now. I won't blame any of you."

*********

Mozenrath heard the door swing open. And this time the shadow across the floor left no doubt as to who was coming inside.

"Hello little kitten."

Chapter 131 (by me) "Well what is it going to be?" Chroias asked the assembled group.

"You know we'd never leave you and daddy." Tris held her brothers hand. Chroias nodded and turned to Nefret who had her arms crossed under her chest.

"I don't what your thinking of me right now but..." Nefret Absentmindedly patted Anubis's head as ran in and barked at her feet. "My loyalty lies in this family, the only family I have left." Nefret's eyes burned with something that looked like steel. Anubis continued to raise a ruckus as he pleaded to be given everyone's undivided attention.

"Damn it Nef, shut that demented dog up!!!!!!!" Chroias made a threatening gesture to the dog.

Nefret was about to say something when Anubis placed his front feet on her ribs nearly toppling her over. Nefret dug her fingers under his collar to lift him off, but stopped as she saw something. In the dogs mahogany eyes she could have sworn she saw a reflection of her master. "Anu." She breathed. The dog gave a happy yap and rat out the door. Nefret followed instinctively.

"What are you doing? This is no time to take the dog for walkies!" Chroias caught her arm.

Nefret raised her eyebrow at the demon. "It seems obvious to me that the dog knows more than we do." She simply replied and pulled her arm away. "Coming?" She asked as and walked out the door.

Chroias gave an exasperated look but saw the look on the twins. It was apparent they were curious about the intentions of Anubis to. Picking up the last weapon, Nefret's crossbow, Chroias followed dog and precession

***

Mozenrath's head lay to the side, his cheek pressed firmly to the sheets. His eyes were dead, unblinking and unseeing. He had zoned out completely, consumed in his own mind, consciousness pulled as far away from his body as he could manage. He wanted to remember as little of this as possible.

"I have the strangest feeling of dejavo Little Kitten. Don't you?" Distane ran a hand over Mozenrath leg. Mozenrath felt the acid in his stomach force itself into his throat, but his eyes remained dead. "It seems were back to the good ol' days. That's something one is granted only so often. Allah has smiled upon me." He tangled his fingers in Mozenrath's hair. Mozenrath scrunched his eyes shut in seer disgust. When he opened them again he saw a set of brown eyes level with his. "Ah, the dog seems to like you Little Kitten. Does he want to eat you up, like me?" Distane laughed. Mozenrath ignored the comment as he looked at the dog. The look in the dog's eyes sparked a flame of hope in his heart.

'Good boy. Good boy.' Mozenrath silently praised the hound of his servant.

***

The group stood silently a few doors down, mentally and physically preparing themselves. Anubis barked and heeding his call Nefret took a steep forward. Chroias caught her.

"I'll go in first." She whispered lowly.

Nefret nodded. "By all means La Bella Dame Sans Merci."

Chapter 132 (by Kalynn) Chroias readied her whip and dagger. "When I get my hands on that bastered I swear I'll fillet him and serve him to hell myself" she promised faithfully. Nefret and the twins were close on her heels as they walked to the room.

*********

Mozenrath felt the touch of Distane's lips on his. He chocked back the want to bite and forced himself to think on other things. "Little kitten.....oh how I've missed you."

A sudden light of bright neon green emitted itself behind them. "What the devil?" Distane rose from the man he held captive. Mozenrath begged silently for it to be Chroias.

Distane opened the door and was immediately blown back. Green fire burst out across the floors and crawled up the ceilings. It melted everything in it's path. However when the fire came to Mozenrath, it moved away and began to work the maniacs. Anubis gave a loud howl and Chroias, Nefret, Zakurum, and Tristram walked in. Each prepared to do battle.

Chroias's eyes grew dark red and began to emit a thick red smoke. He wings grew rapidly and the horns on her head became immense. Her whole mouth seemed like fangs as she hissed in a deadly fashion.

Even Zak and Tris had changed over coming them. Zak had become slightly larger and his horns had grown. Tris's teeth were following Chroias's example.

Nefret was not quite as impressive as the demon breeds, but with a crossbow and a nastily curved dagger she was not without a certain ferocity about her.

Chroias wasn't as tall as Distane, but she was tall enough. Her whip uncoiled by her side and she snapped it experimentally in the air. "'Get the hell away from my lover."

Chapter 133 (by me) Distane's psychopathic domineer lapsed for a moment and sheer anger and disappointment showed through. "Bitch, Delilah, harlot!!!!!" He roared as thunder cracked. Nefret narrowed her eyes and looked out the window, clouds rolled and thunder burst the sky apart. The sky had been peaceful not 10 minuets ago. "Nasty." he took a step forward as he insulted the demon, but the sting of Chroias's whip put him in his place.

"I'll show you how much of a bitch I can be!!!" Chroias's roared.

Mozenrath desperately pulled on the wreaking chains. Anubis leapt to the bed and caught Mozenrath's bonds, pulling with all his might. Nefret, seeing that she was the weakest fighter in the battle decided it was best to make herself useful in other ways. She climbed on the bed and began assaulting the manacles.

Distane roared as Chroias's whip slashed him over and over again. The demon was in near frenzy pulling the whip back and slashing it again before Distane could even recover from the last blow. The twins were carefully approaching the cornered sorcerer. Seeing them out of the corner of his eyes Distane finally got the will to act and caught the whip midair on the next strike. He stood to his full height thoroughly pissed. His eyes burned his body seemed to heave to an unbelievable size.

"I own you all!!! This place is mine! It is mine, and I am it!!!!!!" He roared as the floor shook. Everyone stopped what they were doing as the walls contoured and writhed and she ceiling broke it's bonds of beams and twisted. Stone gargoyles in the corners roared to life.

"What the..." Tris managed to say before the bed shot upright to a standing position. Nefret Yelled as she fell off to the floor. Mozenrath nearly slid off, but the chains caught him and he remained strapped to the upright mattress.

"Oh hathor." whispered Nef as the room took on a life of it's own.

Chapter 134 (by Kalyyn) Chroias dodged as a gargoyle snapped its beak at her. She landed besides Mozenrath and immediately snagged one of the chains on him. "Moze you ok." she hollered above the din.

"I'll be better when I'm out of the cuffs." he growled and continued trying to help Nefret.

"No I mean did he....." Chroias held off on saying the final word.

Mozenrath shook his head. "You made it just in time." a snap resounded through the air as one of the cuffs came undone.

Chroias smiled....a dark vulpine grin that would have made a wolf cringe and turn tail. "You don't mind if I kill him anyways do you lover?"

Mozenrath smiled; glad to know Chroias was still her old self. "Be right with you darling." he began to work with the next cuff.

Tris dodged one of the broken timbers and shoved Zak away from another one. "Ready oh darling brother 'o mine." she called as Zak's maniacal grin spread. "Only to ready dearest sister." they turned to their parents. "HANG ON!!!"

A bright goldish green light swarmed around the twins as Distane fell to the ground chocking. The light twisted and contorted around him encasing him in an odd looking spiderish cocoon.

Zak waited till the silky strands had hardened before going to help his mother with the cuff. Nefret was having a hard enough time with only her hands to help.

Just as they heard the second cuff snap loose.....a giant scream resounded around the citadel.

"IT'S TOO MUCH POWER!!!!" Mozenrath called. "This wing is going to collapse!!!"

Nefret grabbed onto Chroias. "HANG ON!!!"

Chapter 135 (by me) "Ohhh.." Tris didn't manage the last part of the curse, the floor shifted and dropped several inches before catching. Everyone looked to each other not even daring to breath as the wing groaned and whined, threatening to go. Things were still for a moment as the group looked to each other exchanging silent messages with their eyes, knowing this might have been their last few breathing moment together.

"Guys.." Chroias started, but it was to late. The floor spit in half as the walls gave way, the entire wing crumbled. Both girls drew in a sharp breath and tried to grab onto anything and anyone close by. But it was to little affect as the disengaging room pried them apart. Most everyone blacked out a few seconds after feeling the ground removed from under them.

Chroias chocked back the dust as she pushed her torso out of the ruble followed by her legs. She turned back around to pull a moaning Mozenrath from the gap. Tris and Zak were also emerging from under the splintered wood and plaster. Surprisingly Anubis was already trotting around with only a few wounds and a slight limp.

"Zak Tris? You ok?" Chroias called as the twins picked over the wreckage to their parents.

"Nothings broken at least." Zak muttered, rubbing his sore neck as he joined his mother. "What happened to Distane?" Zak looked around concerned. A few feet way they saw the remnants of the magic cocoon. It has broken in fine pieces no bigger then ones thumbnail.

Mozenrath's eyes narrowed as he looked around. "Is that the end of him?.." He whispered. "I swear I can still feel his essence. somewhere."

A sudden bark caught all their attentions. Anubis was circling around a beam scratching at the wood frantically. "Nef!" Moze called out with the sudden realization her presence was absent. Everyone ran to the spot Anubis was circling. The demons lifted to beam to reveal a hand emerging from the ruble. Chroias reached for it, but just as she touched the hand it slipped further into the ruble. With a growl Chroias started to dig deeper, everyone got down on hands and knees to help. But every time they found her hand again it would slip from view deeper into the broken wood, plaster, and various shattered vases. After a few minuets of frantic digging they reached the fractured stone of the basement floor, but still no sign of Nefret. Using all their demon born strength Roias, Zak and Tris cleared the heavy stone to reveal the black sand below. The last chunk was pulled away just in time to see Nefret's fingers retreat below the ebony sands. Both Chroias and Mozenrath reached out, but were only able to touch her fingertips before they disappeared completely.

"Wha." Tris breathed utterly confused.

"Portals to the realm of the black sands!" Mozenrath suddenly realized. "Get out!!!" He yelled as he pushed Chroias to the side of the hole. Everyone scrambled to climb out of the crater they had dug. Zak gasped as his footing slipped and the side he was climbing slipped.

"ZAK!!" Chroias cried, but it was to late. Zak had fell back into the cavern following the path Nefret had taken.

Chapter 136 (by Kalyyn) Nefret felt the smothering feeling of sand all about her body. It chocked her breath and made her feel alone and cold. A hand grabbed her out of the blackness and held on. She felt the familiar sensation of a protection spell taking hold over her body.

*******

Chroias began digging around where Nef and Zak had disappeared. "Oh shit oh shit oh shit." she continually muttered under her breath as Mozenrath helped her.

"Their fine." Mozenrath whispered trying to calm her down.

Tris began to mentally scan the area. "Mom dad I think I found something." She bent over and began to dig.

Mozenrath stuck his hand inside the hole she had dug. A breeze of air brushed against it. "There's a cave under here. Keep digging." *******

Nefret felt the hard gravel under her. Her rear still hurt from the drop she had suffered. Zak reared his head beside hers. "Aunti Nef you ok?"

Nefret nodded. "Yeah I'm fine. Where are we?"

"You are in my sanctuary" The powerful voice filled the room and boomed in the companion's ears. It surrounded them like a fence would a dog and shook them to the ground.

"Who are you?" Nefret called out as a form shifted in the blackness.

"I am she that haunts man and captivates his soul. I am destruction and death eternal. I am haltered and suffocation. Dawn and dusk. I am the very center of the creature who haunts Mozenrath's soul and brings him pain." The form began to move into the light. It was roughly female figures save for the fact that it had no legs. It pressed to the shadows. "I am the effret of the Gauntlet and the darkness that looms inside it."

Finally the figure moved into the light. Nefret held back a breath of fear. It was like seeing an oil slick move. Black eye's as soulless as Distane's glared calmly at her. It looked passively at Zak and continued speaking. "I am the raiser of Distane and his own privet hell. I am your deaths."

Chapter 137 (by me) "But why. Why Moze." Nefret fell silent as the thing seemed to grin, hideous and chilling to the bone.

"Man is but greed. Wanting always more, more... A man with want in his heart has no sense of corollary. Mozenrath's heart is but greed. He wants and I shall give. The sin of Gluttony must be punished. I am the provider of that punishment."

"Let us go!" Zak commanded in a tone truly worthy of the son of Mozenrath. "What's the point of killing us?"

"To bring a tidal wave of misery upon the shoulders of the sorcerer. I am everything you fear. I am your terror, the thing that lurks in your mind and scares you to all ends." The thing approached the two as Zak tried to strengthen the protection spell. "I see your soul and know what hides there, what would destroy you." The effret looked directly at Nefret, right into her. "Yes I see, and I am." She whispered as a hissing growl rose from behind her.

Nefret felt her stomach drop as she recognized the unmistakable sound of a Nile crocodile. It slinked from behind the effret like a snake on legs and whipped it's tail as if readying for a death roll, it's teeth bloody and eyes gouged out by its last frantic victim. An image burned into Nef's memory with searing pain at a very young age. This thing, this demon animal had taken her father, and now it was here for her, at least that was Nefret's Mentality at the moment. "May your worst fear be realized!" the effret hissed as if it were a toast of good will. Nefret swallowed hard as she backed against the cave wall. She gagged at the feeling of weight pressing down on her and she couldn't breath. She was drowning, drowning in a river that wasn't there, and the demonic beast was approaching.

"Auntie Nef!" Zak cried, but he was caught in the effret's soulless stare.

"What of you? What is your fear? Show me.

Chapter 138 (by Kalynn) Zak tried to pull away from the creatures grip, but it caressed him as a mother would. "Come now little boy, tell me your fears." she pressed her lips delicately to his cheek. A wave of coldness swept over him.

Zak felt her tugging at his brain, he tried to increase his power, but it refused it respond. "Let ME go!" he screamed against her.

The creature only laughed.

***********************

Mozenrath feel through the tunnel first. It was dank and dark. Twisting this way and that before him. "It's all right!" he yelled up to Chroias and Tris. "I think It's...."

A scream followed down the caves. A distinctly female scream.

"Nef!!" Chroias screamed and jumped down beside her lover.

"Auntie...!" Tris started to jump down as her father stopped her.

"We can handle it. And we don't know if Distane is actually down here or not. I want you to stay up top and keep an eye out for him." Mozenrath gave his daughter a stern look, he wasn't going to be swayed.

Tris nodded. "All right, but get them out of there."

***********************

Zak cringed as he heard Nefret scream. She was on the floor and holding her head. "Aunt It's an illusion!" he screamed out to her just before the creature's blackness took him completely.

"What are you afraid of?" It swam in his mind and called up few memories. "Ah. So this Tris is your sister? You fear for her life." A smile encased his mind as she called her powers. Zak tried to call out to his twin, but fell down into the darkness before he could.

Chapter 139 (by me) Zak's view of the cave slipped and was replaced by the distorted vision of something above the cavern. Something shifting along the sand behind his unsuspecting sister. "Watch her death. See it though the eyes of the killer!" a voice laughed.

Chroias closed her eyes and seemed to search the air. Her previous mind connection made it all the easier to connect with her friend. 'Where ARE you?' she was getting anxious when she felt the girls presence radiating from the right. "This way!!" she called running to the source. As she did the waves became stronger, until she could see a veiled translucent image of what Nef saw overlapping her own vision. Nef's feet and wrists were tangled firmly in seaweed. The crocodile slid though the water snaking its head seductively. "Nef?" Chroias whispered in her mind.

"Roais?" came the response. "You have to get out of here, it's coming. Please I couldn't stand it if it hurt you!"

"There's nothing there Nef, it's all a delusion." Chroias tried to hide the urgency in her voice. It was as real to Nefret, and if this went on her own fear and unquestionable conviction of death would stop her heart. "Nef, what did they do with the crocodile that killed your father?" No response. "ANSWER ME!!!!"

"They killed it.. . I saw. the body. No he's dead, this isn't real!!!" Nefret screamed out loud, so loud Chroias and Mozenrath finally found them. The effret snarled as they entered her liar. Mozenrath choked when he saw it. Never had he seen something like her.

"There's the one I vex. Something the matter sorcerer, don't you recognize your own fate? Don't you recognize the one who has shaped you past, present." The thing let Zak drop to the ground still absorbed in the play running in his mind. "And future?"

Mozenrath stood with a blank face trying to decipher the enigma. Chroias spared a glance to Nefret who was still coming out of her stupor. The girl stared endlessly at the demon and all that needed to be said seemed to flash between them in a moment. Chroias understood now, this effret was living off Mozenrath's need for power, his greed, and making her lovers life hell in the process. A new breed of succubus?

"I have given much to you. It's time I collect again." She hissed and possessively pulled Zak and Nefret closer to her. "Mine." She simply said with a domineering grin.

Chroias clung to her lover as he took a step forward. "This thing has lived off of you, your pain, your greed. To defeat it. You must do something unselfish." She whispered.

Chapter 140 (by kalynn) Mozenrath stared blankly at Chroias for a moment. "Unselfish." he said completely clueless.

"Yes unselfish." Chroias nodded. She looked up at the demon and screamed as she realized it now held Tris as well as Zak and Nefret in it's clutches.

Mozenrath thought desperately. "Something unselfish" He looked down at his gauntlet.

Chroias caught what he was looking at. "Mozenrath..."

"Like you said. Unselfish." Mozenrath took off his glove and threw it at the effret yelling. "This is how you intend to control me? Well then you can take it back."

Chapter 141 (by me) The gauntlet landed smack dab at the effret's feet. She looked at it rather puzzled for a moment then picked it up. Staring at the old leather then at her captives she grinned. "A noble gustier." She swept her hand over the region that in a human would encase her heart. The black ectoplasm like skin twisted and pulled away to form a little whirlpool where she placed the gauntlet. "You don't want it? Some other poor fool will. But I'll leave you with one parting thought." She whispered as she picked up Tris and placed a claw like finger to her throat.

Chroias gasped and took a step forward but Mozenrath's arm shot out to stop her. "Wait." he ordered. They both stared blankly as the effret smiled at them, daring them to try and stop her, but they didn't move. Feeling slightly shaken the effret dug a claw into Tris's neck, still no response from the girl's parents. Even when blood started to trickle from the puncture wound Mozenrath and Chroias didn't even flinch.

"Why don't you stop me sorcerer?" The demon asked nonchalantly as she tipped her head to the side.

"I already have." He smiled with his eyes firmly at her chest. With a confused look the effret followed his gaze to her chest. There under the skin was a stirring, and a slight light. The effret gasped as she realized what was happening. Dropping Tris she clung to her chest as it bulged and shifted like something was trying to escape.

"no,no,no NO NO." She screamed. Every limb seemed to go limp as she fell her knees and slumped on her side. Mozenrath and Chroias took a step forward to stare at the shivering thing. The effret gave a small smile, and with her dying breath she whispered, "So it is in you to be selfless. Remember I'm an product of mankind, I'm eternal." But her words fell flat as the figures seemed to melt away along with her deeds.

"Dad." Came Tris's whispering voice. "Mom?"

Chroias gathered Tris, Zak, and Nefret in her arms for a hug. "It over now, it's all over." She assured them in a truly mothering voice. Mozenrath ginned manically as he plucked the gauntlet off the ground and shook the oil like substance off it. He slipped it over his bone hand and joined Chroias's side.

Chapter 142 (by Kalynn) Chroias waved goodbye to Zak and Tris as they disappeared over the horizon. She was slightly sad to see the kids go, but they had lives to return to..as did she.

Nefret gave Mozenrath a pouty look. "But you could have set me free!" she said knowing that he really could have. "It would have been a noble and kind gesture!" she complained.

"Not to mankind." Mozenrath muttered out of the corner of his mouth. He then ducked the pillow sent billowing his way. Nefret gave her lord a nasty but unproven look. Mozenrath merely managed a weak smile as Chroias walked in.

"Nice to know things are getting back to normal." she put an arm around Mozenrath and kissed him gently on the cheek.

"Or at least as normal as they get around here." Nefret commented wirily from the side.

Mozenrath brought Chroias in for a deep kiss and made a quick but sure hand gesture from Nefret to the door. Nefret only leaned against the side of the throne and grinned. "Not a chance Moze." She put her hand on his arm as Chroias came up for air. "I think I'll just hang around and...."

"Poke your nose where it doesn't really need to be." Chroias finished and gave Nefret a pleading look. The plum haired girl tussled her locks and gave them both an indignant look. "Well FINE. Just go on and see if I ever help you defeat and ancient evil again!" she walked off swearing in her own language.

Mozenrath brought Chroias down for another kiss. "Now where were we?" he grinned gently and started to cover her lips with his.