Patron Series

by LauraLynn

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

10. Patron10

Patron 10

Previously: Mozenrath's demon girlfriend Chroias has moved into the Citadel and she and Nefret have become best friends. Together they have had many adventures: Xerxes and Nefret were banished for treason though Nef was found innocent and brought back. Chroias bore Mozenrath's twin children, Tris and Zak. A failed assassination attempt on Mozenrath organized by Chroias's father Hades, in which Nefret's body was possessed and used by the demon mercenary Nemisis. Mozenrath's old master appears again, raised by the effret of the gauntlet to make his life hell. And Moze suffered the indigence of being turned into a woman and attracting the attentions of a king in order to retrieve Nefret after she was kidnapped by a sisterhood of warrior woman.

Chapter 177 (by Nefret) The waters rippled as the image blurred and over focused a few times till the image came into crystal clear view. Mirage leaned on the lip of the cauldron. She smirked slightly at the picture. Mozenrath sat happily on his throne with Chroias perched on his lap as the demon tossed a ball around with Nefret. Anubis whined and stared anxiously at the unattainable toy at is passed between the air of Chroias and his mistress.

It had been over a week since Mozenrath had been retuned to his male form and he finally "settled down" and gotten comfortable in his own skin again. Mozenrath chuckled as Anubis finally tackled Nefret taking her hard to the ground. Instinctively Chroias moved off her lover just a split second before the ball landed in Mozenrath's lap. Moze's eyes when wide as he realized what was about to happen, he only got a glance at the 65 pounds of dog that was barreling towards him before it landed in is lap.

Mirage shook her head as her son attempted to capture his fleeing and laughing minion as her daughter in law laughed and egged the mock fight on. "Well well, it seems you've got your life all straighten out now. Fought your own demons, found love, and even your someone generous enough to put up with you." Mirage frowned. "And not a word to your mother, all I have done for you and you avoid me like the plague." She dipped a claw into the water distorting the picture. "There is now progress in such a comfortable, self sustaining environment. No growth, no invention. So much potential wasted on contentment.. Something should be done." Mirage stilled the waters as walked away cackling.

Chapter 178 (by Kalynn) Mozenrath Watched as Nefret chased Anubis down the hall , he'd grabbed ahold of the ball and was happily leading her on a chase again. Just as the two disappeared out of sight Mozenrath grabbed Chroias and pressed her to the wall. His lips planted to hers as the wound their arms about each other. He'd been like this ever since changing back into a man a week ago. His attentions had become much more aggressive when it came to romance and (though quality hadn't changed) the quantity seemed in much higher demands. Chroias took a moment to breath as Mozenrath pulled away having left her lips a blushed red from the pressure.

"Moze!" she exclaimed. "Nefret's going to be back any minute!" she giggled gently.

"She's seen us kiss before." he persuaded and brought his lips to hers again.

"Yes but never so much before." Chroias pressed him gentle away. "Moze I KNOW your happy to be a man again, but why do you feel as though you're now having to prove it every night?" she kissed his cheek gently and gave him an impish growl. "It's not as though you've lost any technique."

Moze grinned and was about to kiss her again when the pain started up again. "Roi." he said suddenly and fell to the floor clutching the gauntlet.

"Oh shit!" Chroias knelt beside him and removed the glove. "God it's been so long I'd hoped it had stopped. NEFRET!" she called down the halls. "It's happening again! Get warm towels and the bourbon." She said as Nefret appeared around the corner.

Chapter 179 (by Nefret) The air of the room was dark and a stale feeling of melancholy hung on the edges of each breath the occupants drew. It was unbelievably hard for Chroias to watch her lover in pain. She wished she could rip all the attacking aches from his pain-wrecked body, but they weren't something tangible, nothing she could grab a hold of. God that was the hardest part. Nefret remained silent and slightly sour. Of course it hurt her to see her friend, the man who had become the equivalent of her big brother, in this state. But most of all she hated what the painkilling methods did to him.

Mozenrath had drunk himself into near oblivion. The pain was still as piercing as ever but the lazy warm sensation running in his veins overweighed the pain. He barley noticed as Nefret wrapped his bony fingers in a mixture of opium and lanoline. "You know what the best painkiller is?" Mozenrath rolled his head lazily to Chroias hovering at his side. "A nice, passionate.. Ahh." Mozenrath cut off as Nefret kept him from saying something that would embarrass him later by bending his hand a bit to hard. The sorcerer pulled away so fast it nearly knocked Nefret off balance. "Allah damn you!!" Mozenrath yelled slightly slurred, but even in his drunken state he immediately regretted it when he saw Chroias turn away and Nefret's nostrils flare (the only sign of emotion she would allow). This got him all the more irate, but at a new target. "DAMN MY HAND, DAMN THE GAUNTELT!!!! DAMN THIS CURE ON MY HEAD THAT WONT ALOW ME THE SLIGHTEST MOMENT OF PEACE!!! HOW MUCH LONGER WILL I HAVE TO PUT UP WITH THIS!!!!" Mozenrath's voice could be heard everywhere in the Citadel and no doubt all over the seven deserts. His fleshed fingers grasped lightly for the sharks tooth. "This pain could have been gone a long time ago. It could have all been over." He looked to Nefret still fingering the necklace. "I don't know if you've blessed me or cursed me." This was why Nefret hated this method of pain treatment, this cover of alcohol. It always shattered Mozenrath's cool exterior and brought long suppressed emotion exploding to the surface. It was at this time when Nefret saw Mozenrath wasn't the jaded incarnation of voracity she had always taken him as, he was in fact human. That realization always knocked her off balance. Mozenrath sighed. "You meant well my little minion, but" He grasp the shark tooth harder and pulled slightly. "Maybe I should return your gift."

Chroias realizing what he was talking about flew into action. Pulling is hand into her possession with demonic strength she dragged him into her arms in a death grip with her head on his shoulder. Shaking slightly she murmured "no" over and over again until Mozenrath seemed to come to his senses.

"Roi?" He breathed, struggling with what to say next.

Chroias took the burned off him. "It was a blessing, a true blessing. You may not see it now, but you will. Oh in time it will all be clear. You'll see, WE'LL see."

Nefret's' mind flashed in recognition of what she was talking about. That Moze would someday, hundreds of years from now, change his ways. His only hope of passage into heaven. Quietly she left the room.

*********

Chroias smiled slightly as she tucked a sleeping Mozenrath into bed. She picked up the lamp, darkening the room as she left. She hadn't seen Nefret since the drama a few hours ago, but it didn't take long to find her. Nef looked up from her plate of honey dipped apples as a sudden lamplight flooded the pantry. Chroias smiled as she joined Nef. "I hate it when he's like that.." Nefret said simply.

"He didn't mean anything he said, it was just the bourbon talking." Chroias placed a hand on Nefret's shoulder. "In your religion you believe in destiny don't you? A set plan?"

"Yes, the 7 Hathors always set a course for a child, but it can be changed, you can change it if you try hard." Nefret dipped her head to the side wondering where this was leading.

"Like the trade routes, different paths, forks in the road, turns you must chose to take or avoid, but it all leads to the same place. All those choices on the path you take mean something, provide something, change you." The demon mused.

"I wonder what the next twist in the road will mean, more importantly what it will be..." Nefret snapped out of her somber mood as she popped the last apple slice into her mouth. "Well one thing's for certain, Moze is going to have quite a hang over when he wakes up!"

Chapter 180 (by Kalynn) Mozenrath fiddled with the sharks tooth around his neck. "Nefret I'm sorry." he whispered silently knowing he would never have the guts to say it to her face. Just like he would never admit how that damn minion now meant as much to him as Chroias did, though not in the same fashion. Most men dreamed of having friends and lovers like Nefret and Chroias, and he had them. A dear friend who was patient, if harsh at needed times. And a lover who was willing to wait for time to heal his wounds. "But when will that time come?" he questioned himself. "How long will it be before I heal, not only my hand but my soul?"

Of course answers like this never came easy. Otherwise they wouldn't be worth answering. But the fact was, Mozenrath was for the first time admitting that he had a problem, not because of the glove, or because of his mother. None of that was really to blame. He supposed most, men would already be in hell for some of the crimes he committed, but really, when it came down to the last of it, all he was really guilty of was bad judgment and bad timing.

******

Mirage smiled as she watched her son sobering up slightly. "Well well." she hissed and drew up her magic. "It would appear that the time to release my little gift is here." a cruel laughter filled the halls as Mirage flung her magic down towards the citadel.

******

Chroias and Nefret were in their bedrooms and Mozenrath was in his Throne room brooding when everything began to change colors. First, bright neon flashed, then darker more surreal lights. Then blackness.

Chapter 181 (by Nefret) Mozenrath cry turned to a hiss as he felt a strong power rush through him. It felt as his body had been flung from its seat faster than humanly possibility, his innards shifting towards his spin. Things came to a dead stop as his world rebound with a bang. The sorcerer's head was reeling, but when he finally came to he found to his surprise that he wasn't on the floor at all, in fact he hadn't moved from his spot on his throne, or rather a throne. It just wasn't quite his, to cushion. He backed his hand down the armrest to reveal the crushed blue velvet. The whole room was different, new décor of the strangest characteristics and design he had ever seen, defiantly not from any where in his world

"Oh Allah, am I that drunk?" Mozenrath rubbed his temples and scrunched his eyes hoping when he opened them again every thing would be it's familiar dark self. It wasn't. "This isn't mine.. not mine." He stammered scanning over the room.

**** Chroias moaned as she regained her bearings after being so rudely pulled from sleep. "What the hell was that?" The demon asked as she felt the tingle of the rendments of a strong spell leaving her. She reached for the oil lamp by the bed hoping it was warm enough to spark again. Instead she brought back a strange piece of pottery, in the dark she let her slim fingers roll around it and felt an odd protrusion. Feeling it give slightly she punched it and growled as a bright light close to her face blazed to life. Falling back she tossed the wicked thing to an outcropping of pillows. Cursing she rubbed her eyes until her pupil's dilated to accustom the new light Chroias picked up the source of the glow and removed the top part, the flood of light dulled to a single bright spot shining on the immediate wall. She had never seen such magic, a globe of glass glowing a yellow light, she had seen illumination spells before, but not contained in such a form and not ones that breathed to life without a spell being cast. Not fearing the magic she grasped the globe and screamed as the searing pain roared though her nerve ending.

****

Nefret groaned as she rolled out of bed half sick. She couldn't remember much of what had had woken up, only the memory of laying in blissful half slumber, that is until her stomach jumped into her throat threatening to escape her body. She sat on hands and knees on the floor panting. She had never felt anything that strong, that utterly cutting before. She raised an arm to the closest solid table to pull herself up, instead she grabbed some sort of table runner. Everything crashed to the floor, including her. Nefret cursed as she again rose up and cleared the surrounding area with her hands. Her fingers brushed something unfamiliar, a box of sort with round fixtures and dials. Temporarily curious she flicked one with a fingernail. A scream ripped itself from her throat in sheer surprise as voices filled the room. Strange voices singing the most unearthly song she had every heard. The noise was slightly attractive, but Nef was to busy trying to find something to whack the demon box with.

****

Mozenrath heard Chroias and Nef scream within a few seconds of each other. Not even thinking of the strange things in his domain anymore he raced though the halls not knowing whom to go to first. The fist door he came to Mozenrath crashed through and grabbed it's occupant only to drag them along not even stopping long enough to let the girl get her feet on the ground. Nefret sputtered slightly as she was pulled away from the attacking voices under Mozenrath's arm. They burst through Chroias's door where Nefret was finally allowed to get up. The demoness was rubbing her hand and examine the room, it was full of glass boxes and tables supporting various objects. Her attention wasn't even waned when Mozenrath grabbed her hand to examine it. Nefret to had also taken a notice to the protected objects.

"Hey!!! That's mine!" she pointed to a few pieces of jewelry. In fact most of the things under the glass were the most prices possessions of at least one of them. Angry the someone had been messing with her stuff Nef lifted the glass from her something that had caught her eye, her fathers dagger. Lights came on a whooping sound rung in their ears.

"Who's there!!! I'll blow you sky high!!" Yelled a woman's voice from the hall.

"Hee hee, sky high." Chorused a strangely familiar voice.

"This is getting a bit to weird, we're outa here!" Moze growled out as he grasped for the girls and threw his cloak over them.

Chroias and her lover faced back to the Citadel as the desert wind whipped around them. "The Citadel looks ancient! Half of it has been rebuilt!" Chroias observed. "What the hell is.."

"Huh guys?" Nef caught the attention of the to as they turned to face what she was staring at. "Is it just me or has Agrabah been doing some major construction?" Everyone stared agape at the humongous city.

Chapter 182 (by Kalynn) The buildings in front of them reached taller then the pyramids. They glowed silver in the morning light and seemed to be made from the metal its self. "Must be a temple of some sort." Mozenrath commented and shaded the glare from his eyes. "But I don't see how they could have gotten something like this built without my noticing." He backed away.

Nefret gasped as she saw people walking out of the place. "By Hours look at their clothing." The cloth they wore appeared somehow aristocratic though not Arabic by any standard of the imagination. "What on Earth are they wearing?" The people had to thinking the same thing about her because the stares she and her friends were being given were amazing. In fact some of the men seemed to be making odd gestures at Nefretss hips and Chroias bust line.

Just as they began to think about this a man wearing a blue outfit with a silver star on it came forward. "Look I don't know what you people think your doing on this side of the tracks but ain't it just a damn bit early for your pimp to be trying to make a deal?"

Mozenrath started to come forward and say something but Nefret stopped him. "Excuse me sir, but were kinda new around here. Mind telling us whatss going on?"

The man looked at her suspiciously for a moment, but shrugged. "This is Agrabah, biggest city in the New World Order." He shrugged to the large silver building. "That there's our palace. Got the best damn security system can be built by magic or man." He again gestured to the people in the suits. "Thems the congressionals. They help to make the laws about the city, then they relay 'em by the Sultan Kafiks. Sultan Kafis is the own descendent of Aladdin ya know! Good man him, hard but good."

Mozenrath pushed forward. "What do you mean descendent?"

"Well lets see,. .it's been about 1000 years since Aladdin and his queen died, but the boys blood line can be traced back all that ways." The man suddenly seemed a great deal more cheerful. "So may I ask where ya'll are from?" a his gaze traveled up and down Chroias. "And how in the hell did she get those thing surgically implanted?"

Mozenrath stepped forward this time. "I happen to be from the land of the Black Sand."

He didn't get out another word as the man pulled something black and shiny from his hip. "Hold it, you freeze right there and we won't have no problems!" he yelled pointing the thing at the trio. He pulled a black box from his other hip and began speaking into it. "Hey McGavner, we got sandblackies in the region. Yeah you heard me sandblackies. Look I don't know how they got over here just bring over back up okay!" He continued to point the thing at them. "All right you all get up against the wall hands behind your heads!"

"What in the hell.." Chroias managed to get out before the thing went off over their heads. "Holy shit!!"

Nefret grabbed both their hands and they began to head for the nearest alleyways. The man was following them now, but his sizeable gut kept him from following at to close a pace. Soon Nefret, Chroias, and Mozenrath had disappeared down into the ally.

Mozenrath tossed back his head of hair. "Ok, now that I'm fully sobered up.. WHAT IN THE HELL WAS THAT ALL ABOUT!!!!!!!!!!!!"

"LiKE I KNOW?" Nefret yelled back as Chroias clamped a hand over their mouths.

"Shuuuuush! Who knows if he's still out there?" She began to warn as a voice joined in.

"Na I doubt it. You guys gave old Klagahorn a good run for his doughnut munching ass."

The three looked in surprise as a girl stepped flowered from the shadows. She was gangly, almost thin as Chroias and had dark blond hair, which hung in deadlocked heaps around her head. He clothing was almost as odd as what they had seen on the men coming from the building, but no where near as spiffy. She wore skintight, dark black pants and a blue tank top with Chinese gold markings about it. She wore gold beads in her hair and at least six earrings on each ear. Her eyes were an almost azure blue and stared out with good humor despite her appetence. "Hi, names Kal, Kal Osburn. The sorceress of the streets." A black cat hopped up on her shoulder. "This is Amshak, my familiar." The cat made a movement that was to close to a bow to be anything but a bow and then sat properly on her mistress's shoulder. "You guys have defiantly got to be new around here. Come on and I'll introduce you to the rest of the gang."

Mozenrath looked up at the girl, she was attractive in a wild, almost insane kind of way. "Gang?" he murmured.

The girl named Kal nodded. "Yeah, were the only bunch of sorcerers and sorceress's left in the "New World Order"" she sneered with degust at the name and motioned for them to follow her back in to the alleyways. "Wait till you guys met the rest of us. Mo, Brawnda, Laura, Neon, we got more, but Laura is kinda my right hand girl. We're the one's who helped to get the last one's together."

"Last one's? What are the last one's?" Mozenrath asked as she continued to turn them down ally corners It got increasingly dingier as the continued down into the depths. People along the streets looked up at them with half dead eyes. Mozenrath recognized the look all to well. It was the look of people who no longer cared about life.

"Where are you taking us?"

"Well you all obviously aren't safe out here. Kalghorn pegged you all as sandblackies, the cops wont stop looking for you till they think your dead. And we don't turn no magic away, sandblackies or not." Kal lead them to a shabby looking building and pulled aside the door. "Comeon in and make yourselves at home. Welcome to the Refuge of Sorcery."

Chapter 183 (by Nefret) Kal spotting her friend in the corner scribbling furiously on a scrap of paper and looking none to happy with the results. She was an average girl, no model, but she possesses a sweet kind of aura. Her light brown hair let off a rusty color under the light and was pulled straight back in a haphazard bun, tiny curls had worked free to frame her face and halo her bun. She had a pleasantly rounded face of pale skin flushed at cheeks, forehead, and chin. Her eyes, framed under perfectly shaped brows, were almost too big and green. Two silver rings hung on each earlobe and a black diamond nestled in the shell of her left ear. She wore faded jeans, tight except for the bottom flair to accommodate her heavy boots. A simple gray T-shirt was shaped to her body under a dark long pea coat left gapping at top and buttoned under the bust. Not one to be thin like Kal, she was a healthy girl boarding on thick. A heavy genie bottle shaped pendent hung nearly to her stomach. A dog of ebony, white, and brown color with a long nose and a thick mane-like ruff sat devotedly next to her.

"Hey Laura, we got newbie!" Kal announced happily. The girl looked up as her dog started to raise a fuss and circle excitedly.

"Hush Bonny." Laura smiled as she stood up with the help of a cane. She made her way over supporting her weight off her left leg.

"Guys, this is my girl Laura, a Celtic witch." Kal introduced her.

Laura gave a slight rueful laugh. "Yea earth magic. Doesn't do much good when the entire city is concrete!"

Mozenrath nodded as he looked a round. "So this is a sanctuary for sorcerers huh?"

Kal nodded. "Not only that, but all magic. We try to collect as much knowledge of the art as we can." She pointed to some bookshelves. "You might be interested to know we even smuggled some books out of the Land of The Black Sand. Mostly form an ancient sorcerer by the name of Mozenrath.

"Yeah, powerful guy but a little," Laura spun her fingers around her temple and crossed her eyes. "If you know what I mean."

Chroias caught Mozenrath before he could say anything. "We, being VERY new here, naturally have a few questions. Who is in power, why is the are "sandblackies" persecuted, and.."

Kal cut her off. "Alright, but first we need to change your clothes to something more. uh. normal. You guys come with me, Laura you handle the plum head."

***

"I don't see what wrong with my cloths. Their perfectly fine." Nefret looked rather paranoid in the mirror. Why was everyone so flabbergasted by their clothing?

"Oh yes, it's just fine. for a hooker." Laura added under her breath. "There must be something that catches your eye?" she motioned to the racks of clothes.

Nefret smiled and turned around in the mirror. The outfit wasn't exactly what she was used to but it would do. Her jeans were faded and worn nearly paper thin in the knees and front thighs. An overly long cross pendent had been weaved through the belt loops and hit against her thigh as she walked. Her burgundy ribbed sweater cut off just at the end of her ribs was cut in a low V. A black leather jacket toped off the ensemble. Her eye makeup had been toned down, but not by much. The pure black line that usually extended way past her lash line had been reduced to a smoky, thick smudge on both lids giving her a mysterious smoldering look. Her purple hair had been tied back oh so loosely to get it off her face. "It's strange, but. somehow I like it!" She turned around and looked at her generous hips stuffed into the pants and quickly pulled the jacket over her butt. "Well, maybe not that. I wonder what in the world the other two are going to come out wearing."

Chapter 184 (by Kalynn) Kal looked through out the wardrobe. "I think I got something that'll fit ya." She tossed out a black pair of baggy pants with holes in the jeans and black male tank top to Mozenrath. They were of simple material, not at all what the sorcerer was used to wearing. The she followed up with an odd kind of over shirt with a silver dragon on the side and multiple symbols decorating it. She handed him a necklace with a similar dragon glaring at everything with an emerald eye. "I think that should do you." She looked over Chroias. "Yer about my size." She rummaged into the back of the closet, "Think I got something." She removed something that looked just a bit to small. "Yeah I know what yer thinking, but it's good for the jobs we gotta do now." It was a green bodysuit she threw towards the demoness, followed by a split skirt of black and a vest of light goldish color that had a rip or two here and there.

Mozenrath looked about for a changing room. Just then a few questions repapered in his mind. "What about that term you used to describe us. Sandblackies?"

Kal's head went down slightly. "Look, let's just say that Agrabah, and the rest of the seven deserts ain't to happy with anything magical. And since the land of the Black Sand is the last place with magic in it anyone born with the gift is called a sandblackie." Kal pointed to a back room. "You can change in there, just don't touch anything. That happens to be Don's room and he's feisty with his things!" The black cat Amshak seemed to nod his head in agreement.

Chroias turned to Kal as Mozenrath disappeared into the room. "You said Laura was Celtic magic??"

"Yeah, and damn good at it to, once she gets going. Her disabilities keep her grounded mostly, but don't knock her. She can make the ground from under you eat you alive." Kal smiled and winked with those azure blue eyes. "I've seen her do it."

Chroias nodded slowly. "But from the looks of it you all have to be pretty fast on you feet. How does she work about?"

Kal nodded to the direction of the main rooms. "We managed to steal a wheel chair a couple of months back, fully automated puppy to, Don, he's our fire sorcerer, put a nice little spell on it that lifts it up so she can steer. Laura's trying to get back on her feet though. She doesn't use the damn thing unless she has to. Stubborn little brat."

Chroias smiled and nodded. "I know someone just like that." She thought happily of Nefret.

Mozenrath choose this moment to ! step forward from the room. He heard an approving whistle from both Chroias and the Kal girl. "All right all right." He growled but felt somehow pleased that he was still attractive even in these clothes.

Kal's cat Amshak meowed and slashed the air slightly. "Amshak says he approves. He also says that you're too pale."

Mozenrath kept his comments to himself only because these people were their only clue as to the goings on of this century. "So Laura is a Celtic Earth mage, this Don is a fire mage and you have others as well? What power do you posses?" Despite the circumstances, Mozenrath could not help himself and his curiosity.

Kal gave a grin that bordered on insane. "I'm a storm mage." She raised her hands and a wind picked up about the room, not a strong one, but enough to make Mozenrath and Chroias lose their balance. The wind ripped around her dreadlocked hair and made the beads in it tickle against one another. She smiled at the impressed looks on their faces. "Like it!" she laughed. "I wouldn't have done it except for the fact that I'm mildly addicted to power rushes." She suddenly became serious. "Don't try to use your magic outside of this building and a few others though, our dear 'Sultan' has magic trackers up all over the damn city. You use so much as a spark of power and you'll lose yer head so fast it'll make yer nose bleed. Not to mention your neck!" she made a slashing motion across her neck for emphasis. "By the by, what are your names?"

Chapter 185 (by Nefret) Just then Nef entered with Laura. "Strange weather we're having, eh Kal?" Laura smiled at Kal's smirk.

Nefret took notice of everyone's clothing. She had to bit her bottom lip to keep form laughing at her master. Not that he looked bad, just. different, and extremely ironic considering his years of taunting Aladdin's billowing pants. All the while Chroias contemplated her friend's new look. Nef smiled and whipped into a few Charles angles like poses.

"Alright danger girl." Kal shook her head amused "I'd a question in the air." She looked expectantly at the three.

Mozenrath cleared his throat, there was no use hiding it now, these were his sort of people, people who understood magic and feared none of what it could do, even send the ancient through the barrier of time. Slipping through the barrier of time, that's the only explanation he could find. Aladdin's generations had lived and died and produced in a heartbeat, the city and its government had changed from light to dark nearly over night. Over night to THEM, the others had obviously been in this spot for a long time.. "I am Mozenrath, this is my wife Chroias Diabloa, and my assistant Nefret Anuxanamoon." Mozenrath was prepared for the looks he got from the two girls, hell he half enjoyed them, at least his was a recognizable name even in this new system and time.

"Nonono, those are the names of..." Kal suddenly looked at the pile of clothing the newbies had left off in favor of their new wardrobe. The lack of knowledge of any of the most basic truths of their time. could it be? "Ya are aren't ya?" She breathed. The gang nodded.

"Than that's why you disappeared 1000 years ago?" Laura questioned. The gang looked at her wonderingly. Disappeared? Understanding Kal and Laura lead them to the library and pulled down a book labeled "lost ones record."

"1000 years ago, after last being see in Abydos in the king's court where they committed theft, the sorcerer Mozenrath, his wife, and Egyptian slave disappeared leaving no trace of their presence and were never seen again. Their disappearance freed up the Agrabanian royal family at the time to come to greater power. And left the Land of the Black Sand venerable to usurpers." Kal read.

"No." Mozenrath breathed suddenly realizing the full extent the spell had on everyone. It wasn't just him and the girls who had been put on the spot. This spell cast by evil that the fates had not taken into account had changed the path history had taken. Such a small absence affected one thing to another until the whole of the world had changed. "In this bend in history we vanished that night I had my hand troubles. It was only last night for us, but a 1000 years for them. Without us Aladdin was able to come to great powerful, Agraba prospered. And he passed his strength to his linage until."

"Until the New World Order. When the Sultan, descendent of Aladdin, could control everything, outlaw anything that threatened him. Even the very thing that helped and held back Aladdin for so long, magic." Laura sighed.

"And if this had never happened, if we had stayed and lived out our lives as fate intended?" Nefret posed.

"If we had lived that fate, Allah only knowing what that was supposed to be, everything you see now could be radically different, even better." Mozenrath confirmed.

"Dear gods, who know our existence was that important?" Chroias breathed.

"I for one wanted to live that fate, who might knows what could have happened to me, what I could have done. what I could have been." Nefret shook her head at the loss of her future, or her past, whatever it could be called now it was gone. It was so overwhelming, the sheer loss of her entire life, her place, her position, being thrown into the land and time where she didn't belong where she had no past, no future and no hope. It hit the young girl so hard even her wall of sarcasm, tough as nails attitude and her multiple defenses against external emotion couldn't save her from telltale glassiness in her eyes.

"No Nef, no we will live as we were intended, we WILL! I'm going to get us all back were we belong, where we're SUPPOSED to be!" he assured her before she could plunge deeper into despair. He feared seeing her emotion almost as much as she feared showing it.

Chroias knew if Nef was actually allowing emotion to show her feelings were so strong that even she, second only to Mozenrath at keeping her true feelings out of the public eye, couldn't hush them. She folded an arm around her friends newly leather clad shoulder and one around Mozenrath's waist. "Hell and bell right! And when we get back we're going to chew who did this a new one!"

A sudden question popped into Mozenrath's mind. "You said when we disappeared it left the Land of the Black Sand venerable to usurpers. Who sits at my throne now?"

Chapter 186 (by Kalynn) Kal laughed. "You won't believe me".. she hesitated until Laura gave her a slap upside the head.

"Quit the dramatics tension shit!" she said. "You were never very good at it anyhow."

Kaly grumbled momentarily but subsided. "Her name is Chinadas. She was born in Louisiana and somehow made her way here. Nobody knows quite where she got her powers from much less what exactly her powers are. Nobody's stupid enough to get close."

"But we do know she's a tyrant." Laura gave Mozenrath a slightly judgmental look. "Worse then you. Somehow or another there are people in the land of the Black Sands. Sorcerers like us but she's perverted them somehow. They no longer realize the hurt they can do to the world."

"And our dear Sultan, having no examples but them to see of magic, outlawed it all. Even Genies decedents have run from here. Those who might have been useful." Kal shook her head. "The damn fool hasn't the sense for a ruler. Even you know the cost of a bad decision and have the capacities to realize when something's gone to far!" Amshak and Bonny nodded and Bonny growled something in a disapproving tone.

"Damn right." Laura agreed. "We don't quite believe that they kid is a s stupid as he is currently acting. Simple mislead."

"If he were willing to listen we'd even agree to assist Chinadas downfall." Kal spoke up. "But we can't get him to listen. Thanks to him even the sanctuary is in danger. A decent magical being can't even walk the streets in daylight without fear of being found be the ristamk."

Mozenrath heard the oddly accented word. "What are the ristamak?"

Laura smiled. "I'm quite sure you'll find out soon enough. We'll being going to the Cabaret tonight after sunset and you can meet a few of the others like us in the area."

Nefret perked up at the French word. "Cabaret? Like a bar or club."

"It's a magical hang out. No others allowed. Any simple mortals who enter are killed." Kal looked pointedly at Nefret. "But don't worry about that part, I can give you lone of a few nifty little doodad's to hide the aura around you."

"Don't say it like that. You make it sound like a stink!" Nefret stuck her tongue out at Kal and way rewarded with a laugh.

"Ok NOW I like her!" Kal smiled and nodded at Nefret with respect.

Laura stopped at the closing of a door. "That must be Don. You'll like him, he's got grace under pressure. but try not to be to shocked at his appearance."

Kal stopped them before they could exit the room. "I might make a suggestion to the three of you." She looked at Chroias directly in the eyes. "Chianada is not a woman you want to mess with. She not only has all the old style trappings you set up but a thousand years worth of technology inside that Citadel. Technology you guys have no clue about. I won't try to stop you, but I will suggest that you take a few days to learn about our world and the things in it. Don and I are planning to make a weapons run later this week. One of you should come along to see exactly how we battle the ristamak when our magic cannot be used." She lifted a denim jacket off a coat rack and under it was a vest looking thing holding the same kind of odd instrument that the Kleghorn fellow had shaken at them. "First lesson in weaponry of a more modern variety. This is a Colt Anaconda. A simple gun, but easily hidden in it's holster and quick draws easily." She shoved the thing in its holster and nodded to Laura as her cat hopped up on her shoulder. "She prefers a Walter PPK. Seen to many James Bond flicks." She winked then realized these people had no clue as to what she was talking about. "Just cock it." She pulled casein out from her pocked. "Load it." She slapped the casein into the bottom of the gun. "And I'll teach you how to fire later."

Laura motioned to the door. "Come on its time you met the local fire mage."

Chapter 187 (by Nefret) Kal and Laura both smiled at Don he smiled back and craned his neck to see who was behind them. The news of new magic had spread fast, and they guessed their former strange appearance had raised as few eyebrows and whispers.

The gang had to suppress their surprised reaction to Don's appearance. They had been warned, but they had taken it a different way. His arm was covered in ridden and bunched scars forming weird patterns up his fingers and snaking up his exposed arm to disappear under his shirt, no doubt it covered his chest as well because a slight discoloration showed at the deepest part of his shirt neck. His face seemed untouched by the scars but his clothing hid the extent of his deformity. It was a telltale kind of mark, the kind left after fire ravened and eat away at skin. Had his own power turned on him?

"'ello comrade!" Don greeted Mozenrath with a pat on the back that nearly threw the sorcerer off balance. 'People here sure didn't have any concept of respect of their betters!' Moze thought silently but didn't open his mouth. "Ah, and good evening to you to ladies!" Don grinned in such a way that made Moze grab for Chroias's hand possessively. "I see the rumors are true."

"Yes, well we'll talk 'bout this on route." Kal complained.

*** Nefret and Chroias entered the club laughing and shaking from their transport, never had they had such a ride. Something like a horse, but much more sleek and fast. The rumbles of what Kal and Laura had called a "motorcycle" still hummed from in their veins. Moze rubbed his rather numb butt as he looked around, it was like any smoke house he was familiar with, music, dancing, a rather hefty lack of clothing. Nef was nervous at first, but no one seemed to notice she was only a lowly mortal. The girls smiled, she was definity in the element.

"Hey Nef just stay." Moze turned around to find her completely gone. He frowned, 'this is no good.'

"Don't worry we covered her up so much no one will notice her aura." Kal pulled the gang to the bar.

"This new world has so many wonders, things I couldn't even thing of, but it's still not right, it just feels bad here." Chroias shook her head. What had people done to the world, where magic was pushed to the very edge of society, were being blessed with the supernatural in your soul meant your death?

Mozenrath nodded desperately tying to act cool after his shoot of vodka, 'what the hell did they put in that stuff?' "Well we're not the kind to go along with the current, if we don't like something, we change it. No matter what it costs." Mozenrath hissed. He wasn't about to let Aladdin and his brooding children mess up his world.

"Especially since you'll find yourself in this time again." Laura mentioned. She pointed to the sharks took when Moze gave her an incredulous look. "It's the magical sand shark's tooth. That's why it was such a mystery when history found you missing. You were supposed to live 1000 years after natural life. No one could figure out why the tooth hadn't keep you in the public spot light for years and years to come." Kal nodded in agreement. "And the real mystery was why ya disappeared Chroias. You an immortal demon who was suppos to live till the end of time." She sighed. "When we get you back ta ya own time you'll live to see this year again. Hopefully the next time you set foot on it history will have taken a different path."

Mozenrath hadn't really thought about living that long, sure he knew he lived off the sharks tooth, but he hadn't thought about living to see such wonders as this world contained. He would be a part of this would someday, he and Roais, that make it all the more important to change things. The only person that wouldn't be seeing this year again was Nefret. That was another thing the hadn't thought about, outliving her, to have her die hundreds of years before his own candles was snuffed out. It was funny how time and mortality could be so manipulated and the results it had. He sighed as he spotted his little minion limping slightly to them, she was smiling despite the obvious discomfort that was radiating somewhere around her lower back.

"What have you done now?! Did you hurt yourself?" Mozenrath stood up to meet her as her turned her around. The back hip of her already low jeans were shifted down just an inch to make room form a patch of white bandages. "How the hell did you get a injury here." he stopped as he pulled the bandage off her hip. The skin was red around black marks showing just under her skin. The pattern of familiar hieroglyphics were impressed on her skin, a stomach with throat, a horned snake and a mouth. The beginning of her name, a word that translated into beautiful.

"Oh that's so cute!" all the girls screeched. Moze sat down and shook his head. Don nodded approvingly.

Nefret replaced the bandages and sat down carefully. "I hope it's cute, cause it hurt like hell! Do think it'll be there when we get back to our time?"

"Who knows, I didn't even think time could be bent like this. I don't know if anything from this time can exist in our own." Chroias handed Nef a drink

****

"...And that's what a telephone is!" Laura finished her expination.

"Wait just wait till we show you a computer!" Kal added.

"I want to know how to drive that motercyle thing!" Chroias grinned danageroulsy.

"I think the most practial thing would be to teach you how to fire a gun!" Don mumbled.

"What a good choice.. Unfortunately for you I don't need lessons." Came a gravelly voice. Everyone looked up to see a young punk pointing a gun at them. "Give me all you got or I'll SHOW you how this works!"

Chapter 188 (by Kalynn) Don's instincts were immediate and his hand snapped forward grabbing the attackers and snapping it roughly to the side. The man screamed in pain and dodged back. Kal whistled her approval as Laura clapped automatically. "Very nice very nice!"

Don bowed as the lady's applauded. "Many thanks seniorias." He winked at Chroias and bowed congenially to her.

Mozenrath growled. "I could have done that." He muttered and took Chroias's arm possessively.

Nefret immediately got between the two. "Look it was a nice gesture." She assured the man named Don and barely kept the two from coming to words.

Laura must have senses it as well. "All right you guys break it up, the last this we need is to get into a tangle at this point in time."

Kal nodded. "Besides, I know who that guy was, and he'll be back with pals and most likely."

"All right sandblackies!!" a loud and course voice shouted. "We don't like no sorcerer's on our turf." He noted Laura's leg. "And especially no lame ones at that."

Laura's hands gestured slightly and the ground under them trembled. "We aren't causing any harm." She professed as Kal fingered her gun and Don rubbed his hand down by his side. "Let us pass and we won't be inclined to hurt you." She made the ground split under her feet just to show she meant business.

"We don't think so." A voice shouted from behind them. Mozenrath turned a to see a redhead walking towards them. "This is street turf, we ain't got room to be letting no sorcerer ass's go." His gun was already out of its holster and pointed at Mozenrath.

Mozenrath took a long look at the weapon. From what he had seen this thing could do major damage, and after the warning from Kal he wasn't inclined to do any magic. He backed away slightly and looked over at Kal as she slid a weapon identical to her own in his hand without being noticed. A further look noted that Don was handing one over to Chroias and another being given to Nef.

"No magic unless you gotta." Kal warned in a soft voice. "But if you gotta aim to kill."

Mozenrath nodded and watched as Kal shot off once to get attention, (actually it was more done so Mozenrath and the others could at least see how the danm thing fired.) "Ok I've had a long as night and I ain't in da mood for no fight. Do us a favor street huggers and move on." She growled out in a tone that was almost equal to Mozenrath's when he was angry. Her slight rough accent also became gravely and harsh when she became mad.

The gang members now seemed to note that everyone had a gun, unfortunately there were also more of them then there was of the sorcerer's and it looked like the gang was aware of the advantage.

Don made his way silently over to Chroias. "Ever been in a street fight amigo?" he asked and Chroias shook his head. "Kill and worry about everything else later."

Nefret seemed the only one of the newcomers well prepared to do her necessities. From what Laura could surmise, the Egyptian girl was better adapted to this situation then the others were.

Chapter 189 (by Nefret) Don looked to Nefret as she slowly stretched her back and hips in ready. "What about you plum, you ever had it out in the streets?" he asked slightly aware she wasn't all that big compared to her other friends, her arms and stomach were soft and fleshy but her wild curls and small eyes did have their primal nature.

"I once beat a roman soldier in the middle of the street." She stated mater of factly.

"Yeah? What happened to 'em?" Don inquired as he cocked his gun and fixed a firm grip on the hilt.

"He became my lover." Nefret smiled without looking over. Don had little time to question it as there was a sudden movement ahead of them.

The redhead made a feral roar as he broke out into a run with a clear intent of butting Mozenrath. The sorcerer tried desperately to work the gun, the damn thing refused to do his bidding. A grunt rang out as both men hit the ground. Something hard smacked Mozenrath in the face vibrating his cheekbones in a painful smash. He groaned and placed his free hand on the attackers throat trying to either suffocate him or push him away. The other man grimaced and bared his teeth as his face reddened. With a growl he brought his gun up determined to place it on Mozenrath's temple. Moze pushed his palm up forcing man's chin skyward impairing his ability to see where his gun was aimed.

Mozenrath wasn't the only one having problems. Both Don and Kal had taken refuge behind a dumpster exchanging the occasional round with the occupants of the neighboring dumpster. "Damn it, we have to get out from here!!!"

Chroias growled fiercely as she flung her first attacker away just enough to plant a bullet in his chest. Another body fiercely hit her and from behind. An arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her into a muscular chest as something cold and round hit just above her ear with enough force to make a red crack in the pale skin there. Instinctively fearful of the cold object she flung her head back smashing her skull against a forehead. Now, not to say she was thick headed, but as a demon most of her physique was stronger than a humans, including her bones. The man wobbled a bit as his intended victim spun around. Now maybe he had a concussion, but for years to come he would swear she had red glowing eyes and canine teeth longer and sharper than any vampire that filled the pages of old horror books. With a wild growl she rammed the man taking him clear off his feet and slamming him into a nearby dumpster. Not able to withstand the force the demon exerted on the heavy mental container the dumpster rolled away on squeaky wheels leaving it's refugees visible and venerable.

Seizing the opportunity Don and Kal landed on their sides from opposite sides of their protective dumpster while the their assailants mystified over the sudden loss of their sanctuary. "Oh shi." one got out before the sound of gunfire rang from Kal's and Don's vicinity.

Nefret, needles to say, was having problems of her own. One man had grabbed her wrist trying to force the gun out of her hand. She grimaced as she heard, or more likely felt, a slight burst and her upper arm suddenly was flooded with warmth and ache. He had burst a vein. Already under his unyielding fingers a bruise was forming. The gun dropped to the ground as the man wrenched her hand behind her and placed his head on her shoulder. She couldn't see, but she somehow knew he was grinning as another man began to walk up to them. When he got in reach Nef made a rumbling noise and spit thickly in his face. That took the grin right off the approaching mans face as he angrily pulled his powerful fist back. The swing was flung a split second before Nef doubled over allowing her assailant to hit his comrade squarely on the jaw. The struck man behind her fell over her lowered back and Nef shifted her balance to let him tumble onto the man in front. She reached for the gun and aimed for each mans head, she hesitated a bit in thought and with a quick flick of the wrist shot both men in the gut. Hey she was a priestess after all, she had to be semi clean of sin.

With an angry cry Laura whizzed her cane towards the head of her attacker. With a fast movement and a chuckle her grabbed it and pulled it out of her hands. He than preceded to use it to smack the gun from her other hand. She stumbled, her hands searching desperately for a safe hold as she fell back to the alley wall slowly sliding down till her but hit the ground. The man chuckled as her flicked a gun up to aim at the forehead.

"Sorry guys, I know you said no magic, but." She lowered both palms to the ground and dug her nails into what little dirt she found there and began a low chant. "Great Mother, bless this creature of Earth to your service. May I always remember the blessed Earth, its many forms and beings. I call upon the power of earth!" The earth trembled and contorted under their feet. Laura clapped her hands together hard and the ground slammed against itself hard creating an uprising mound between her attackers legs bringing him tumbling down. She then flung her arms apart smacking her palms on both sides of the wall. The earth just in front of her threw itself open smacking in a great wave on the walls of the narrow ally. The armed man fell screaming until he could no longer be seen. Laura sighed almost regretfully as she lowed her hands limply. "Darkness ended, control is done. Light has come. My battle's won." She whispered in a tired voice as the earth lazily closed again.

The commotion and shaking had distracted Mozenrath assailant just long enough for Moze to wiggle his gun hand under the man's weight to nuzzle the gun barrel in his ribcage. That brought back the redheads attention as he renewed his struggle to aim the gun at Moze's head. Just as the barrel bumped the sorcerer's temple a shot rang out. Things were still for a moment as the rest of the gang, now free of their own assailants, looked up to stare for one breathless moment.

"Damn you." The redheads breathed before he collapsed lifeless on Mozenrath's chest. Chroias let out her breath and ran to Mozenrath's side, just as her lover pushed the dead man off. She flung her arms around his neck in relief, relief for all of them. Nefret joined her a moment later dropping wearily to her knees at her masters side and rested her head on his shoulder, they had never been in anything quite like that, never with weapons that dangerous, they had all come close.

Don pulled Laura up by the shoulder as Kal placed the cane back in her hands. "Sorry guys." Laura said solemnly indicated the crack in the cement. "I had noten left."

"It's alright, we know." Kal assured her. "I was impressive anyhow." She smiled. "And I must admit I'm quite impressed with those three." She indicated the gang as they still sat together, leaning on one another for support, both of the physical and mental kind.

Don nodded. "This was good practice. for what they will have to defeat."

Chapter 190 (by Kalynn) Kal held out her hand to assist Mozenrath in getting up. "Not bad for an insane sorcerer." She grinned at him in an odd fashion.

Mozenrath scoffed. "I was never insane." He professed even as Kal laughed at him.

Just as the group began to stand a blaring siren shot through the alleyways and a blinding light focused on them. "ALL RIGHT!!" came the booming voice above. "ALL SANDBLACKIES GET DOWN. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO MOVE OR WE WILL FIRE!!!"

Laura was the first to react. "RUN!"

Everyone took off down the streets. The light following them every turn. Mozenrath turned just long enough to fire a gauntleted shot at the helicopter, suddenly the group was plunged into darkness. "Everybody split up!" Kal grabbed Mozenrath by the shirt and nodded to an off allyway. "We'll go this direction, Laura and Don will take care of the other two and they know where to meet us."

Mozenrath could hear the angry roar of those things Kal and the others had called motorcycles catching up to them. "All right. I hope you know what you doing."

Kal gave him an insane grin. "I always know what I'm doing."

Just as they turned the next corner someone smacked Mozenrath clear to the ground. A blue glowing net was thrown over Kal as officer Kleghorn walked between the two.

"You always know what your doing?" Mozenrath said sarcastically as two men dressed in blue put anti-magic cuffs on them.

******

Laura grabbed Nefret and hauled her off in one direction as Don took Chroias down a nasty looking alleyway. "Come one Kal will met us later in the club." She promised.

"Yeah I know. I'm just worried about how those two are going to handle each other." Nef glanced back even as they kept running. "Is it just me or is there kind of a high level of .."

"Competition? Yeah, Kal treats all newcomers like that until she can judge them and their abilities." Laura paused at an intersection and nodded to the right. "She's kinda shaddy about people she doesn't know and keeps them from asking to many questions at first."

Nefret waited to ask her next question until they'd had an opportunity to stop. "Is Kal...insane?"

Laura laughed gently. "Yes. But just cause she's insane doesn't mean she's stupid. She'll take chances that the rest of us aren't able to and get away with it simply because she's willing to do it." Laura leaned againt a wall. "Man I've gotta remember to start bringing my damn wheelchair to stuff like this." She clutched her her leg and Nefret bent over to see what she could do to help.

****

Don had his hand around Chroias's until he was satisfied that they were far enough away. "You all right?" he questioned.

"Fine." she answered shortly. "Where are the others going to meet us?"

Don jerked his thumb in direction of the club. "Probibly there. We've gotten separated before and the meting is usually the same. Midnight at the Cabaret. Don't be late and make sure you weren't followed." He checked his watch. "It's about ten thirty now. We should take some side tracks and make sure they haven't sent any ristamak after us." He gestured as Chroias followed. It was a long while before he spoke. "So you and Moze are attached right?" he asked.

Chroias was quiet for a long moment. "Yes." She hesitated.

"Oh it's cool."

*******

Kal spat at the ristamak as he locked her in the chains. "You little bastered. Mind telling me what you hope to gain from this?" she said in an almost deadly calm voice.

The ristamak turned away from her and set the same anti-magic manacles on Mozenrath. "It matters not. You are to be used to extract information on the where abouts of other sandblackies." He said it with no emotion and Kal gave Mozenrath a guarded look.

"In other words we're to be tortured." She again looked at Mozenrath.

Mozenrath suddenly had the realization that she was trying to let him know what was coming. Trying to tell him that the next few hours of his life could end up being quite painful. He nodded to show that he got the message and glared silently at his captor.

"Most likely, yes. But it will not be my job." He turned and walked from the area.

Chapter 191 (by Nefret) Kal snorted as she was shoved into a metal room. She curled her lip up and shifted the weight of the yolk like restraint around her shoulders. Mozenrath remained deadly silent. The door slammed behind them, they'd only be left alone a precious little time so Kal decided to use every bit of it on Mozenrath.

She spun around with a half warning look in her eye, it seemed if her hands were not bound she'd take him by the shirt front just to emphasis her point. "I know you don't know us very well, any of us. We must mean little to nothing to you. But they are my friends if and you breath a word about them, even their names you'll be sorry. When you feel the surge of pain in you body and wonder why your going through this for people you care nothing for just remember the two people who DO mean something to you with them, and are just as sought after. Say NOTHING." Kal hissed.

Mozenrath regarded her coldly. "Don't you think I know Chroias and Nefret are protected by my silence to? You need not waste your breath with warnings." He said monotone just before the door opened.

"I am supervisor Nox." A huskily built man introduced himself as he entered the room. He motioned behind him to a grisly old man in a lab coat. "This is dr.. Well you don't need to now his name. I'll be asking the questions. HE'LL get you to answer them!" He smiled as the "dr." rolled in a tray of wicked looking devises. Nox clapped his hands and rubbed them together as Kal and Moze were forced into seats and locked down. "Shall we get started?" He took out a folder and opened it, thumbing the glossy papers inside. "The fire mage," He set out a picture of Don that seemed to have been taken by a surveillance camera outside a store. "The crippled Celtic witch." He plopped down a picture of Laura taken slightly from the back as she walked down an alleyway on her cane. "And the new ones we saw from the helicopter. The purpled haired Arab girl." Nox threw a helicam photo at Kal hitting her in the chest. "And the pale tall girl." He threw the last photo at Mozenrath and sat down. "Yes we know what they look like, what you ALL look like. But there are some gaps in our file on you all. You're going to be very nice and fill in those gaps for me." Nox demanded rather than implied. The Dr. was ready and willing to do his job as she took out a cattle prod and flipped it on. "I need name, age, power, background, weakness, and location on all of them." Nox took up a pencil and looked down at his paper fully expecting to have something to write.

****

Nefret helped Laura unto a low wall in a dark street. Nefret was anxious to know everyone was alright. But she would have to wait. The only thing to do now was sit with this girl she knew little about. Maybe it was time she changed that. There was one question gnawing at her.

"Laura?" Nef got the girls attention away from her ministrations on her leg. "What happened to you?"

Laura's face turned cold for a while as she turned back to her leg. God she had told the story so many times and each time it flashed painfully vivid in her mind. Finally after awhile the girls voice made a reappearance. "I was strong and healthy once. Fast and loose with my power too. Hell it was a regular date on Saturday night to call up all the elemental spirits and have a ball. Change my environment to whatever I had in mind. Made me quite unpopular with the local governments. I didn't care, I was on my own. Going from one place to another. It's different here, I found out, the police are fierce. They got me when everyone else failed. Ands what's a sandbackie who isn't even in with the underground mages? Nothing but another mouth to feed in jail. They caught me on a roof of a one story building, I had nothing to offer them, so they threw me off." Laura smiled ruefully as she recalled it. "They didn't even bother with a mortician, just left me. Don and Kal found me, in the street, shattered backbone, batted spinal cord but I was alive. They knew what I had in me, and took me in. It took a long time, years. but they got me here."

Nefret nodded. "They must mean a lot to you."

Laura nodded also. "Now it's my turn to question. I've read about you Nefret, out of the Citadel slave records. You were a priestess, not a high one mind you, but an intelligent respected woman forced into slavery and many degrading positions. yet. yet you seem close to you master?"

"It's something you can't understand until you're in my shoes. Moze treats me like crud on the bottom of his shoes most time, but that's only the surface. He can do no better, it's his actions that tell me his feelings. I know he cares for me even though he will never under and circumstances tell me such. I just know. The accommodations he makes for me, the way he protects me, just the simple act of keeping me around. It all tells me what he can't voice. And I care for him because... I've seen in him. if you look really really hard over a long period of time you see what's behind those cold black eyes. He has a soul, a rather good soul that he keeps locked up. One that he cant speak, but sometimes it escapes from his body in his actions." Nefret waved off her sudden mushy mood with a laugh. "Those to just better not break my heart and not be there at midnight!"

*****

Don cleared his throat and looked at Chroias. "Soo.. You lived in a golden age huh? Were magic was everywhere? Must have been paradise!."

"Yes. It was. You'd never imagine what I've seen because you've been here all your life. In this place where magic may only exist under the table and behind closed doors. But in my time, magic was everywhere, entire cities made out of magic, flowing in enchanted streams, Gods and goddesses walked the earth and people worshiped them freely, our local hero own a genie by Hades sake! It was everywhere. Those with power were IN power! Not crowded in dirty alleys and ramshackle hideouts. We RULED!!!"

"But did you rule wisely?" Don edged in knowing it would deflate the demons vision of magical paradise. "Historical texts show sorcerer kings and nobles were bitter, greedy, wrathful tyrants who ruined their domains and took their people to the dregs of society for. for. what? Even your Mozenrath."

"Don't need to tell me twice." Chroias sighed and sat down. "I said we had power, I said we held power, I never said we were gods, we were just as human as you. We had.. have faults, desires, sins. But we don't deserve to be hunted down and killed till our breed is no more!!!!! We were born this way most of us, we deserve a place in society."

"Exactly my sentiments senerita!" Don gave her a firm pat on the back. "You are the key that place, you and your friends are what we prayed for, someone to take down Chinadas and set mages, witches and the whole bunch of us where we belong, in the light, on the streets, in public, with the rest of humanity." Don leaned close during his dramatic speech.

Chroias grinned a bit and gingerly pushed him back. "Hey now, if you don't want to see how much of a tyrant Mozy is you'll keep at least 2 feet of distance between us." She laughed as Don quickly retreated and scratched his head nervously. "Quite a ladies man I see." Chroias studied him for a moment. "Ever thought of making a move on one of the other underground sorcerer's? That Kal girl is cute, or how about the Celtic?" This made Don all the more nervous, Chroias decided to relieve some nerves and tease him a bit. "Hey and you know Nef is always free! She's been isolated sooo long and you KNOW what they say about Egyptian girls!"

Don's face went blank. "No. what?" Chroias smiled and leaned close to his ear and whispered. Don's eyes went a bit funny as he suddenly jumped up and looked at his watch. "Well it's midnight, time to go!!"

Chapter 192 (by Kalynn) Kal growled as the "dr." inched the cattle prod toward her. Her blue eyes glowed brightly and a small wind began to pick up. Just as suddenly she screamed as the manacles shocked her back with a red flame and her head collided with the wall. Regardless of the hit she managed to keep consciousness. Nox smiled as a small drop of blood inched from her forehead. "Like I said who are these other two." He touched her once with the cattle prod to emphasize.

Mozenrath heard her yelp but still she bit back. He heard her make a chocking sound and saw her spit a lugi into the Nox man's face. Nox recoiled and brought his fist down hard on her cheek. Kal snapped back immediately and attempted to bite down only to be knocked back again.

The "dr." pressed the cattle prod to her for a longer period this time and she screamed into the grin. Mozenrath could see tears coming from the girl's eyes. How old was she? Fifteen, maybe sixteen at best. She was holding up remarkable well considering that there were far worse tortures they could put a girl like her through. He saw her catch his eye momentarily as though trying to signal him somehow. He nodded even though he wasn't completely sure as to what that look was supposed to mean.

Nox motioned to the "dr." and he backed away while Nox leaned in closer, he seemed to be whispering something to Kal and Mozenrath saw her eyes grow wide with fear. Just as suddenly he saw her knee launch upward and connect with Nox's more delicate masculine area. The man stumbled backwards and fell against the floor. The "dr." planted the prod against her skin again and even though her head recoiled in pain she snapped her jaw shut. Mozenrath had made the realization that this girl was twice as stubborn as he was, it was even possible that her ability to keep her mouth shut was due to having undergone something akin to this earlier in her life. It somehow gave him a felling of comfort to know there was someone else around so very like him.

Suddenly the "dr." turned to him with a sadistic smile. Mozenrath braced himself.

*****

Nefret gazed around the club and still couldn't see the two missing member of the gang. "We've been watching for nearly an hour now and they still haven't show up." She complained.

Laura nodded and looked over at Don. He was talking to a sorcerer named Carlsmith and the two seemed deep in conversation. "Now what's he up to." Chroias asked Laura

Laura shrugged. "Don's got connections everywhere, if there's anything you need whether it be sorcery or mortal, just come to him. Don can get you a good deal on about anything." She smiled suddenly. "I suppose it has something to do with those burns of his."

Chroias smiled, glad to have the first clue about Don's past. "Where exactly did he get those?" she asked.

Laura shook her head. "You'll have to ask him yourself. But I'll tell you this much, let's just say the ristamak about this area are particularly cruel." she growled and took a drink from the bartender, a gargoyle with large red eyes. "We had to rescue him from within their dungeon" almost seven months ago. He was a handsome devil, I'll tell you that. Almond skin, blondish brown hair and tawny eyes."

Chroias had other questions too, and she had never been one to give up easily. "What about the Kal girl? She's a particularly wild one isn't she?"

"You have no idea." Laura said but Chroias hadn't given up yet.

"Well according to you everyone's got a story? What's hers?" Nefret walked up with the demon and made it apparent that she was of no intent to leave.

Laura shook her head. "Don't ask me. She never talks about her past and gets touchy when anyone brings it up. She never told me much about herself nor Don. She's a wild card that one. Almost a diabolical sort of woman." Laura offered the two a drink and they accepted.

Nefret had a question of her own. "Is she evil?"

Laura smiled. "You'd better hope not."

Don suddenly appeared behind the two with a sad look on his face. "Got some bad news guys. Looks like our compares have been snatched up. The ristamak got a hold of them just after they left our sight." He picked up a glass of everclear and downed the whole shot in one sip. "My amigo over there said he heard about the two of them being picked up and put in the dungeons about a hour or two ago." He shook his head. "I don't know anything else." He said before anyone could ask. "But I'm sure we could find out." An almost sadistic grin came over his face that was mirrored by Chroias.

Nefret grabbed Don by the shoulder. "What will they do to them, "she asked as if she didn't have a clue. "What?" Nefret added with a serious look on her face.

Don touched his own cheek gently. "Nothing too serious if we find out where they are being held quick enough. But if we don't find them within the next three days we're better off just letting them die in peace."

Chapter 193 (by Nefret) Nefret looked away not letting his last few words register in meaning in her mind. She heard them alright, just refused to acknowledge them. She looked to the demoness who was shaking slightly. Not that she was letting it show but for the unconscious shaking of her fingertips.

"We'll do it Roias. We've gotten though worse. The gods wouldn't put us though all that we've been though just to send us to a strange place to die. Things just don't work that way." Nefret embraced her best friend not knowing if what she said was true or even made sense.

Laura bit her lip and looked to Don. They were both victims of the ristamak and wanted to see no more like them.

"We need to get back to the refuge, I have a few things being delivered there." He whispered to her. Laura nodded.

Several crates lay in the back alley behind the refuge. Unloading proved them to be weapons. Guns to be more precise, really REALLY wicked looking guns. Tones of ammo, knives, plastic explosives, a mini arsenal to rival any government warehouse. Don instructed Nefret and Chroias both on each weapon as he clipped them around their belts or slipped them around their legs, arms and shoes. By the time he was done each girl must have weighed an extra 50 pounds. A long coat hid the traveling arsenal. Don readied himself and packed a duffle bag with explosives.

"Hey G.I Joe, I don't suppose you got me something?" Laura sighed from the beaten up couch.

Don retrieved a pack from the crate and presented it to her. "I never fail to please."

Laura rolled her eyes and took the pack unwrapping it. She placed a headset over her head and threw a small round object at the girls and Don. Both Chroias and Nefret puzzled at it but followed Don's example and put it in their ear. Laura waved them over to her computer. "I'll be staying behind for.. Obvious reasons." She punched a few commands in the computer and the screen when black popping up with several pictures of the streets that changed every few seconds. "The ristamak has a network of cameras around the city. Mostly the main part, the ones around the refuge and the club have been rewired to show the feed from cameras a few blocks down so they're never able to see around here. Anyplace in the city however is pretty much covered. The idiots didn't feel much need to encrypt the feed database, it's easily hackable. I'll stay here and follow you through the city. If I see any ristamak you'll be the fist to know!"

*****

Nox had regained his composure and was leaning on the table glaring at Mozenrath. "Well well, seems I didn't look quite well enough. Your new two aren't you?" He leaned over Mozenrath's shoulder. "Yes, I haven't seen you before. You know these two woman?" He sat down on the table next to Mozenrath and picked up the pictures and shoved them under his nose. "Who-are-they." He emphasized each work with a jab of the cattle prod. Moze snarled back his pain, if the girl could handle it he wasn't about to scream. Supervisor Nox sighed and shoved the prod to Mozenrath thigh holding it there as he spoke. "Both as stubborn as mules!" He pulled back and Mozenrath gasped for breath, falling forward a bit and caught by his chains. "Just their names." Nox leaned in close to his ear. "That's all and I'll stop." Mozenrath only turned away. Nox shook his head disappointed. "To TO bad." He picked up the pictures fending empathy. "They're pretty. At least for now." He added

Mozenrath looked up and Kal kicked him under the table.

"It doesn't matter if you say anything or not, we'll get them. And since we don't know a thing about them, nothing will stop the ristamak from simply. ripping them limb from limb." He sighed and walked slowly to the door. "That is unless they find them as pretty as I do. Then they'll do something else first." He shut the door behind him leaving the two alone.

Moze heard Kal shake her chains in a futile display of anger and gulp back her pain as she settled back down. "They'll be back, this was only the fist session. They'll be back for as long as it takes, or until we die." She hissed at Mozenrath warning him of what was to come. But she could see he had something else on his mind. "He was lying Mozenrath... that last part." She assured him as his head dropped back to stare at the grimy ceiling.

****

Don, Chroias and Nefret walked down the street trying to hide the slight metallic clang each of their steps caused. "Hey Lore, you still with us?" Don whispered half worried about the silence in his ear.

Back at the refuge Laura was leaning back staring blankly at the changing screen shots. "No." She answered back with a slight chuckle. "Yes, I'm watching you, and I do believe your fly is open." She teased and laughed even harder when she saw him actually check.

"Very funny basura blanco." Don grumbled. "Just keep a look out for ristamaks."

"You know I resent that term!" came a loud voice in all their ears. It was silent for a moment. Then Laura's normally sweet came back on, this time a bit strained. "I resent it so much I just might not tell you about the patrol coming at ya!"

Chroias froze. "Laura?"

"Uh, guys.. run!" came the shriek. "No no, not that way. Left, now right, oh no good. Keep going, Rumkeys market is your safest bet." Laura directed as she watched them flee on the screen.

They reached the market and hide behind some crates panting. Thought the wire they heard faint noises. A knocking sound then words. "I'm looking for some criminals, open up." The sound of a door busting open. "Hey what the hell is this?" they heard Laura curse at the failure cocking sound of a ristamak's weapon. "Let me see your hands!!!" The feet under Don's and the girl's feet shook in after shocks of the Celtics panic. Shoots ran out over the wire than static was all that filtered out of the earpiece.

"LORE!!" Don cried into the tiny microphone set. Both girls slipped the earpiece from its place in shock. "Laura are you there? Are you." Don asked again before throwing the buzzing earpiece into the street with an angry cry.

****

Back at the refuge Laura leaned against the desk breathing hard and wide eyed as she stared at the fallen ristamak before her. Her gun hand fell limp in relief as she sat back down. A few other residents ran into the room and looked in horror at the enemy in their living room.

An older man came in the room, the younger sorcerer parting like the red sea to his presence. He placed a hand on Laura's shoulder. "Good job." He turned back to the scared faces of the others. "Don't worry, this ristamak found his way here by accident. If they had found us they'd have sent an army, not a single solider. Our refuge is safe from detection. You two, drive his body to the docks and dump him, quickly." He left and Laura turned back to the screen. She regretfully ran her fingers over the image of the gang.

"I'm alright guys. Sorry I had to leave you alone out there. I'll find away to help you again."

Chapter 194 (by Kalynn) Kal looked tiered, very tiered. Her head sagged slightly and her eyes were shut. Mozenrath whispered her name and frowned when he didn't get a response. "KAL!" he yelled and breathed a sigh of relief when her head rose. To his surprise he saw a small shiny dot on her face. A single solitary tear. She realized what he was looking at and jerked her head away from the single bulb's light.

For a moment Mozenrath wasn't sure what to say. So much of this girl reminded him of himself. He knew nothing of her past, nothing of her life, but he could simply sense that this girl had been through a lot. Unfortunately, she wasn't likely to tell anybody. If she was anything like him, Mozenrath knew she would guard her secrets well. Still it would be worth it trying to strike up a conversation. "You all right over there?" he commented and felt mild relief when she laughed. It was a dry sound, but still better then that silence she'd had hanging over her.

"I just got electro shock therapy by a raving mad ristamak and a nameless 'dr.' and he asks me if I'm okay!" she laughed again and suddenly gave him a comforting/thankful look. "Yeah I'm fine. How you holding up?"

Mozenrath nodded towards his hip. "No worse for the wear. Takes more then a stab to hurt me."

The two have each other almost identical grins. "What other little gadgets do they have around here?" He wanted to know what else to expect. Kal shrugged her shoulder and looked up at the bulb. "I'm about to take care of a problem for us." She muttered and Mozenrath felt the pressure around the room change as she stretched her magic. He heard a whimper as the anti_magic manacles bite her but suddenly the bulb burst into flames and the two were plunged into darkness. "It'll give us time. They'll have to replace the bulb before they can do any work."

Mozenrath noted her voice sounded worn out. "Look if you get any other ideas involving magic ask me and I'll take care of it. Ok?" he again heard the light laugh and then the room became silent.

*****

Chroias held one half of the body while Nefret held the other, the dumped it into a trashcan about three miles from the Rufugee and headed back. "Well can you believe this." Chroias took the opportunity to speak to her friend for the first time since their arrival. Nefret shook her head in a dismissive manner.

"Since I've started working with Mozenrath I haven't attempted to believe or disbelieve anything." She opened the door to the refuge and was greeted by a attemptfully cheerful Bonny. "This guy reminds me so much of my own dog." She bent to pet the creature. Chroias looked over her shoulder at Kal's familiar Amshak. The cat was staring out the window and pacing back and fourth almost mechanically. It seemed overly disturbed by it's mistress's lack of appearance. As though sensing her watching him, Amshak turned and meowed sorrowfully to Chroias. For a moment Chroias thought she heard the cat say something. Just the faintest mutter of "Want out." But she shook her head. The familiar was Kal's and no logical explication could define why she might hear the cat speek. Laura was watching the screen intensely and Don seemed to be engaging Nef in conversation. She could tell by the way he was smiling and flipping his hair from his face that he had taken her advice and wears flirting with the girl. She edged close to hear what the two were saying.

Chapter 195 (by Nefret) The voices were faint at first but a sharp bang on the old computer brought them into to focus. "So it's funny really, you guys were the stuff of legends. Some people disbelieved Mozenrath ever even existed, what with his unexplainable disappearance from history. And here you all are, in the flesh." Don breathed.

Nefret nodded slightly. "I hope history treated me well."

"It didn't near do you justice." Don smiled, but the comment didn't bring the reaction he hoped, not the girlish blush or giggle, she just turned away hiding her face. "Something I said?"

"No no." Nefret turned back around with a smile, strained as it may be. "Just the stress of Mozenrath being gone and all." She looked down again.

"I know, theirs no reason to worry, he's with Kal. And were all out here trying to help, that's pretty weighty odds on our side." He touched her shoulder briefly. She seemed to relax and the smile became less strained and more involuntary. Don saw a glimmer of hope. "Hey you want to get a nightcap at the cabaret? It'll take down the stress and we can get more weaponry. Plus they have karaoke tonight, that's always a laugh."

Nefret's eyebrows shifted. "Karaoke?"

Don laughed hearty. "You have a lot to learn girl." He easily wrapped his arm around her shoulder as he led her away. Nefret laughed and elbowed him with some comment that was too faint to hear.

****

"Hey whatcha looking at?" Chroias leaned over Laura's shoulder causing her to jump and try to cover the screen. "Ah, eavesdropping are we?" She prodded the girl. "What's going on? Don's making moves on Neffie? Well good for him! Might do Nef some good to get a guy for awhile to, She's a priestess of a love goddess after all!"

Laura smiled broadly in accordance. "I'm quite proud of Don. He's usually soooo self conscious of his burns. Keeps him from really seriously perusing someone." Laura suddenly an absolutely wicked gleam in her eye as she turned to the demoness. "What's say we do some surveillance? A little spy action to make sure Don gets along alright?" The Celtic suggested. She knew nothing more could be done right that second to help her friend and the new sorcerer, and she really had no fear that they were in immediate danger as of yet, not within the first few days. Besides at the Cabaret they could try and recruit some more soldiers and weapons. The more muscle they assaulted the ristamak's with tomorrow the better! Preparation and fun all in one trip! Chroias grined picking up on the girl's thoughts. Laura smiled broader as she grabbed her coat and chair. "I'm not leaving this behind this time. Just in case.." She added as they headed out the door to the club.

Bonny, who suddenly noticing she would be left behind, rushed though the door just as it banged shut and happily trotted behind her mistress. Neither of the girls noticed they had a tag along and noticed even less when the dog was suddenly grabbed from behind a dumpster.

"Boss, there they are!!!! That damn Celtic bitch and the new girl! We could just..." The ristamak aimed his riffle but the chief forced it down and turned to his subordinate holding the squirming dog.

"No, we can pop off those two and their knowledge off all the magic hangouts is lost with the bullet. No, we simply use man's best friend against them!" He petted the cringing dog and ran a hand under the heavy fur of her ruff retrieving her hidden collar and clipping a small beckon on it. "There you go girl. A pretty new tracking device tag, now mandatory for all pets of sandblackies." He laughed huskily and set the dog down. Bonny circled a bit and whined. A sharp kick sent her sprawling back into the streets. Bonny got up and sniffed the ground. Catching the familiar sent of the girl she'd known since she was a pup Bonny took off for in the direction of the club. The ristamak grinned as the dog's signal tracked on a small hand held screen. "That's a girl, show me where they all are."

****

Chroias and Laura had taken a seat in the corner of the club as they spied on the two. Don had ordered Nef a drink after a seemingly serious conversation with the bartender and resumed a light chat with his "date." He was perhaps trying a bit to hard but Chroias had to laugh at how Nefret was eating up the rare attention from the opposite sex. Poor girl had been away from civilization for so long she had perhaps forgotten it was like.

A sudden cold made Laura gasp a bit. She looked down to see Bonny nudge her heads under her hand. "How did you get out?" Bonny only cocked her head. "Never were the smartest dog." Laura affectingly rattled the dog's cranium gently and thought nothing of the soft jingle of metal.

****

Outside the cabaret a total of 5 ristamak's loaded their weapons and smiled slightly

Chapter 196 (by Kalynn) The soft click of metal brought Mozenrath and Chroias around. Both could feel the tension in the room as Nox entered with a cart being pushed in front of him. A large white cloth covered the contents from vision. "My but it got dark in here." He said playfully. The light from the door gave him enough vision to see KAL AND Mozenrath hanging side by side on the walls. "Did you really think that would stray us for long?" he laughed and Mozenrath flinched as the cattle prod touched both their sides in a quick cutting gesture.

Mozenrath spouted some foul sounding words in old script Farsi. Nox gave him an inquisitive look and grabbed the young sorcerer's collar. "What did you just say?"

Mozenrath came to realize that he might have an advantage. He spoke Farsi and the man obviously didn't. It wasn't much, but it gave him something.

Kal looked over at him with the same inquisitiveness. She couldn't understand a word of it either. Still, Mozenrath locked it tightly away in his memories. Nox still hovered over him and for the meantime he would have to distract the folls attentions. "Bloody bastered." He growled out in as harsh a voice as possible. "How long do you really think you've got before we find a way out of here?" he recoiled as Nox's fist slammed against his eye and the world spun for a moment. He saw Kal's foot lash out and nail the man's knee. He went down. "Gotta watch the low blows." Kal heckled him.

Chapter 197 (by Nefret) Nox crashed his fist into the floor to absolve the ache. Slowly his light sobs of pain turned to outright laughs. Nox pulled himself upright and sat on a nearby table. "You like playing ruff huh?" He grinned sickly. "Find a way out?" He turned to Mozenrath who smiled sardonically despite the already bruising cheekbone. "Doesn't look like your moving to far." He taunted "Or perhaps you've got someone on the outside?" He gestured in a wide sweep of his arms. "An army of militants ready to crash through the door in the burst of cliché grass roots glory!!! An uprising of the oppressed to save a few and sweep in a new era!" He shook his head and sat back down. "Romantic idea isn't it. It's what you'd find a good book, or movie. Not here." Nox smiled almost pitifully as Kal's eyes narrowed in wonder. What was he getting at?

"Nox, you sound just like one of those storybook tyrants. And you know what always happened to them in the end." Kal suggested the inevitable.

"Quite possibly if the rats are left to populate. WE, however, have stamped them out!" Nox laughed as Kal drew in a breath. "Yes, your friends, caught, every one. In just a matter of moments they will be delivered here.." He suddenly produced the pictures from the former grilling session and dumped them into the waste can. "Into MY hands." With a flick of the wrist Nox tossed a lighter into the can and left as the flames ravaged the photos. Mozenrath's nostrils faired in fear and anger as the picture on top, that of is own beloved Chroias, turned black and curled into a fiery ball. Kal looked away.

*****

The cabaret was utter chaos as the visitors fled the sweeping force of ristamak's. Those caught suffered the pain and indignity of being knocked out and drug away to be piled on top of each other in the back a truck like so many cattle. Chroias and Laura forgot their spy mission and clustered with Don and Nefret at the bar. They barley had time to make each other aware of their presence then they were surrounded by risamak's A fist flew at the demon's head but made no contact as a blaring green energy shocked it back. Laura was knocked off her already weary feet. Nef also ducked a flying nightstick and as a result fell into Don's chest. He grabbed her shoulders and pushed her into the ritamak for an easy capture. Nefret seemed stunned for a moment, she had gone from the strong support of Don's chest to the ruff pinch of handcuffs. Don gave a halfhearted swing before allowing himself to be held and cuffed. Chroias made a dash to Nefret as she was pulled aside from the fight but a sudden flash of light from the back of her eyes stopped everything. Laura watched as the demoness fell to the ground after the risamak's blow. She attempted to pull herself up awkwardly but Don "accidentally' kicked out her hand as he was being pulled to the bar. The Celtic was easily captured after that.

Soon the gang was lined up at the bar and patted down roughly. Nefret, after being searched was given a rough shove crashing her into Don again. She seized the moment. "What the HELL are you doing?! I though you.." She broke off he harsh whisper at Don's gentle smile.

"Hush girl, you want your master back? We wont make it far if we brake in, but if we're escorted in on a red carpet.." He explained his plan as Nefret's anger started to melt away. "I wouldn't hurt you intentionally. understand that.." he was unable to finish as a blow found his skull. Nefret and Laura saw theirs coming and made no attempt to escape as they were knocked out.

****

Chroias groaned and opened her eyes to find herself being unloaded from the truck. A thin looking man was holding something to her neck, she felt a sharp pain as a vile in the strange machine filled with blood. She heard a murky voice. "Keep an eye on this one, she has strong magic. Could be dangerous." She looked around to see Don, Laura and Nef also being unloaded and tested. "Fire." The thin man said and pointed to Don. "Earth witch." He labeled Laura. At Nefret he seemed confused. "Nothing, she's human. Take the antimagic cuffs off, they're a waste on her." He snorted and moved on.

****

The waste can fire had long since died out but Mozenrath was still staring at it when Nox returned. "Success!" He cried happily as the two looked over. "Why don't you come see the parade!" Nox grinned as armed guards came in to escort Kal and Moze.

The sorcerer and girl were lead to a large one-way window overlooking a hallway near the entry. A slow file of mages, witches, werebeasts, and creature of every magical kind drug their chained bodies down the walkway. Kal bit her lip as her gang entered bound and beaten. Fist Chroias than Nefret, than Laura supported in large part by Don's shoulder since her cane was useless in her chained state.

Nefret looked around wearily, she held back and leaned back to Don. "NOW what?"

"I didn't think past this part." He admitted. "But hey, you're the only one without antimagic cuffs you HUMAN." He let his eyes dart to her ring on the hand bound behind her back by normal cuffs, he had recognized it a long time ago as an energy. "I hope you're flexible."

Nefret bit her lip at that comment and flexed her hands, shoulders and legs. With a spring jump she pulled her knees to her chest and swung the loop of her bound hands under them and in front of her. The ring fired in a heartbeat to Chroias's cuffs. The bond was only designed to protect from the magic of the wearer, not from outside forces and the rings minimal shock overloaded the system freeing the demon to use her power. It didn't take the ristamak long to respond and the moment her duty was completed a sharp blow slammed Nef unconscious against the wall.

Everything below Moze and Kal had come to a dead stop as Nefret slid slowly to the floor and Chroias cracked her bonds. A pit in Mozenrath's stomach refused to reveal if this was a good or bad turn of events.

Chapter 198 (by Kalynn) Chroias immediately went over to Mozenrath kissing him franticly like she hadn't seen him in years. For once the sorcerer didn't complain, he returned her kisses as Kal went to setting the others lose.

"You all doing all right?" she questioned and helped Nefret and Don up off the floor.

"I'm fine, once they realized I was human they didn't see much of a use for me." Nefret walked over to Don who winced as she took off the cuffs. They'd bitten into his fragile skin and now clear red cuts were welling with blood.

Kal frowned and nodded to Laura. 'I can fix them up a little but we won't be able to sew 'em shut until we get back to the refuge."

"We won't be going back to the refuge." Laura announced firmly. "If they traced us to the Cabaret they'd have had to have started back when we left. By the time we get back there could be a thousand guards there."

Don , being helped to wrap up his wrists by Nefret, frowned angrily. "But our books, our items. Mot of what we own is in that Refuge. We leave it as is and we won't have anything but the cloths on our backs."

Mozenrath shook his head. "Not quite. I admitt that these ristamak have veritable forces against magic, but I think that if a few of us could find a suitable distraction then maybe we could sneak in and get what we need, then hustle out of there before they even know what's hit 'em."

A sudden meowing sound entered the room as a sleek black cat walked in as though it had nothing better to do then stroll through a maximum security prison and jumped up on Kal's shoulders. Kal looked over at her friend Amashak and listened as he meowed intently. "Amshak says he approves of your idea and thinks he could improve on it a mite." she shook her head. "But I'm not sure I like the idea of leavening the other sorcerers they brought in here."

The cat continued meowing repeatedly and Kal listened. "He say's they are holding the other magical entities on cell block 89 and there are too many devices for us to get past as of now. Not with depleted as our magic is." she nodded to the burned clothing she and Mozenrath wore as well as the blood on Don's wrists. "Not with as weak as we are."

Mozenrath nodded much to everyone's surprise. "But how are we going to get out of here and then heal up once we have?" Chroias interjected and looked curiously at the cat.

As though he could feel her questioning, Amshak let out a low deep puuurrrr. "He say's he knows a way out, that is if you all feel up to a transformation spell. And once were out of here I....know someone...who can give us the medical supplies and fix us up a mite."

Mozenrath didn't see anyone else catch it but there was a definite pause in Kal's voice when she spoke of someone who could help them. Perhaps someone she used to know?

******

Ten minuets later, six kittens black kittens, (one with a brown paw), slunk thought the night compound of the prison.

******

Kal lead them down the streets of the city. No one dared to use any magic as the attempted to keep their whereabouts a secret. Even Amshak stayed silent, moving his lambent yellow eyes back and fourth to see if anyone followed. Bonny managed to find them soon enough and the troop then turned down a street that confused everyone. "Don't worry about yourselves guys." Kal directed in a huffy, irritated voice. "There ain't a person in this neighborhood who would mess with us."

The houses were considerably better. Luxurious condos and old style Victorian mansions with immaculately done lawns and sweeping terraces. Iron gates with elaborate symbols on the front. This was a place for the rich. Mozenrath felt somewhat more comfortable here. He had become used to the finer things in life and (though he didn't hold their statues against them), found his new acquaintances to be somewhat below him. It wasn't their faults. Had they been born in his time they would have been in wonderful houses with fine foods and silk clothing. But this time was far different from that one. Mozenrath sighed ruefully as they walked up to a big silver gate with the words 'Impace Requiscat' on the front.

Kal sighed and lead them around the back. Laura suddenly heaved forward, no longer able to keep standing on her own feet. The walk had to have been at least six miles and she was hurting bad. Kal gave the girl what little support she could and Amshak helped by purring against her hand. Bonny helped his mistress and they finally reached the door. The back door.

Kal knocked three times and a few moments later a well dressed man came to the front. His eyes showed shock for only the briefest of seconds and he bowed slightly to Kal. "Madmae." his voice was full of questions.

Kal bent closely to him and whispered something in his ear. The man's shock was permanent this time as he rushed from the door.

"What was that all about?" Mozenrath asked as Kal hide her face temporarily from view.

A new man came to the door.His hair was dark black and slicked back with gel. His eyes were firey purple and shaped thin like a Chinese mans.He was handsome.Strong faced and solidly built. He was richly dressed in a black Armani suit with tie and shoes to match. "He smiled as he saw who stood at his door. "Well I'll be danmed." he whispered as Kal raised her head.

"Hello Manicie." Kal said.

Chapter 199 (by Nefret) The man named Manicie sat in the chair watching the doctor do his work. He was an old family physician of theirs and thought little of the strangers he now doctored, for a price. Don's wrists were sutured, Chroias's various wounds were treated, the goose egg that had formed on the back of Nefret's head was looked at and deemed superficial and Laura was given something for her pain. Mozenrath and Kal's numerous bruises, cuts and burns took the longest. As Mozenrath looked away from the doctors hands as he slowly stitched back the torn skin of his arm he caught Nefret and Don on a near by table talking, Don seemed regretful but a assuring peck on the cheek from Nef got a smile out of him.

Mozenrath shook his head. "That's new. Anything else happen while I was gone?" He turned to Chroias.

She followed Nef's example and pecked him on the cheek, "Nothing, we we're all to worried about you two." Chroias exclaimed and hugged him, threatening never to let go.

Nefret soon joined her master's side to overlook the treatment of his wounds. "You alright?" she breezed. Mozenrath only nodded tying not to think of the needle sowing up his skin. Nefret also nodded and bit her lip before taking on another easy attitude. "Good. You have the darnest way of worrying people." She laughed, it was the closest she could come to admitting she had been scared for him. Mozenrath nodded yet again, but this time he looked her in the eyes.

Kal sat at the window staring out into the dark blankly. She hadn't been talking much since they got there. Bonny bounded up on the seat beside her, a sure sign Laura was on her way. Kal didn't bother to look at her as the girl sat down with a groan. Things were silent between them.

"It sure is dark out there." Laura mumbled taking to staring out the window to. "Dark in here to." She mentioned, Kal knew she had two meanings to the statement. "Someone should turn on a light." Laura sighed and left.

****

Everyone was dead on their feet after being stitched and pasted back together. As if there was no question to the hospitality the gang headed upstairs to claim bedrooms. Laura, not being pick at a time like this, took the first on she came to, Kal took the second, and Chroias pulled Mozenrath into the third. Moze hesitated a bit as he watched Nef and Don continue down the chamber hall.

He huffed as Chroias shut the door. "I wonder what THEIR sleeping arrangements will be." The sorcerer grumbled. He hated the thought of someone getting close to, and perhaps using, his property, even if that property happed to be a living breathing human being.

"Shut up Mozenrath." Chroias ordered as she advanced on him.

*****

Laura was half asleep when she heard a scratching and whining at her door, she turned over to see Bonny at the door franticly watching the shadows from under the door. She narrowed her eyes at a familure purr. Slowly she got up and made her way out her door and in the direction of the retreating shadows. In an old bedroom she found Kal sitting on the bed, her face hidden.

"Kal?" Laura said barely above a whisper.

Chapter 200 (by Kalynn) "Yes." Kal said not taking her head out of the shadows. You couldn't tell anything from Kal's voice, Laura had learned a long time ago that her friend was excellent at hiding emotions.

"Nothin." She shrugged. "Just, well you never told anyone about this." She gestured about airily as though to say she was there to listen if Kal wanted to talk about it.

Amshak meowed something to Kal and the girl smiled. "I don't tell people a lot of things now do I Amshak." The cat made a disgruntled meow and gave Kal a rather disappointed glance. "You know Amshak sometimes you don't even need a telepathic voice to get you point across." She said sarcastically as Bonny walked over and barked something at Amshak. The cat again meowed in a be-silent kind of way and Laura went to sit beside her friend.

Laura didn't say anything about the dark shadows forming under her eyes, about the red streaks in them from crying, about how her cheeks looked sunken in. "So this Manicie guy used to work for your family." Laura treaded carefully knowing that force would bring no answer. She felt encouraged when Kal shook her head yes. "You never told me about you family."

"No I didn't did I." She said in a curt fashion that made Laura think immediately of Mozenrath. That gave her an idea. Perhaps if she couldn't pry information out of Kal... "All right all right no need to get all defensive about it." She promptly began to leave the room with Bonny following her.

She didn't get past the door before Kal caught up with her. "Would you say no to some vodka?" she said in an almost cheerful tone.

Knowing Kal as long as she had, Laura could tell this was the girls way of apologizing. "What the hell. Come on let's get plastered."

*****

Chroias's warm body was again snuggled up against Mozenrath as he kept his arms wrapped around her. Nether were asleep, but they were often like this. Nether talking, simply enjoying the pleasure of one another's company. "How do you think Nefret's making out with that Don character?" Chroias brought up suddenly.

"I'd rather not think about how their making out." Mozenrath said in a much more insulted fashion.

"Moze if I didn't know any better I'd think you were just mildly jealous." She winked and kissed him.

"Not jealous, possessive. Nefret is my property regardless as to weather or not she believes it." He returned Chroias kiss absently and she decided he was to distract for anything else at the moment.

"Why do you think Kal brought us here? And how do you think she knew this was a safe place to bring us?" Chroias commented as though the thought had just entered her mind.

"I have no idea. That girls got a lot of secrets, and a lot of pain."

Chroias looked directly in her lover's eyes. "You say that as if you know."

Mozenrath didn't reply, he simply bowed his head to Chroias's lips, making it plain what he intended. And they said no more.

Chapter 201 (by Nefret) Nefret lay on her side looked blankly at the dark bedroom wall. She noted the lighting tone of the paint as the sun rose. Yet she was staring through the wall in thought. 'Yet another morning in a new and strange bed, a new and strange time, with a new and strange feeling in the pit of my stomach, what next? What now? What is coming? When will we be where we belong? Where is that?' Nefret's thoughts were cut of just before her big revelation. The annoying sound of the alarm told her yet another day of chaos was begining

****

Chroias peeked out of her door just as Nef opened her door and dragged herself down the hallway. A few seconds later a very happy looking Don came strolling out of the same room.

"What are you laughing about?" Mozenrath demanded joining her at the door as the demoness came down with a case of the giggles. Roais slammed the door shut before Moze got to her.

"Nothing." Chroias said in a sing song voice.

***

Kal and Laura were already downstairs when the gang came meandering down the stairs. It must be said both girls seemed to be suffering the after affects of the their little nightcap. Chroias winked at Nefret and the young girl eyes narrowed in that famous 'say a word about it and die' look. Moze also gave Don a visual message 'wipe the smile off you face.' Don did so, and quite quickly to.

Amshak gave a half laughing meow as he looked at the rag tag band of refugees. Chroias looked to Kal for a translation. "Amshak says, 'we look worse than we did before we got here." Kal grumbled. It was a true statement, but still not appreciated.

"Well, we still have to think of the immediate future. We still need to strengthen our magic, defeat the ristmak, get our people out, build back the underground.." Laura was cut off curly by Mozenrath's fist on the table.

"The underground??? You people plan on hiding in the allies forever?!!! No better than rats." He hissed at the girl's surprised expression. "Is that the only way you plan to live, day to day, hiding spot to hiding spot, fleeing from the light and ristamak's? It makes me sick, the state of my brothers and sisters in magic."

Kal let out a breath of anger. "And you, all of you, have been hiding right along with us!!! So I am of course very interested in what you plan we do."

Moze took up her challenge. "Your problem seems to be the little witch sitting in my throne. She's the one who gives us all a bad name, she's the reason we're hunted down like dogs. I say we take her out, hard."

"Easy to say for someone who doesn't know her." Kal snorted as she began on her breakfast.

Laura sighed. "Kal is right, you have no idea how powerful she is, how dangerous. how completely psycho that woman is!" Laura shook her head as Moze sat back down. "Our entire underground network, every sorcerer, witch, magician, mage, beast, and spirit together would still fall short of her power."

Moze thought for a moment at the sheer immensity of the statement. Could someone become that powerful? "Than we add muscle to the mix." Everyone looked at her questionly. "We add a new alliance to our force, the ristmak." He pounded his fist firmly on the table.

Laura chocked and Kal laughed ruefully. "Your crazier then the history books claim!" Kal exclaimed. "The very people who hunt us down, who kill us, who drive us to the brinks of society.. and you want to make friends??" Kal shook her head.

"Sounds like the best idea you've got available kid." Came a rough voice from the door. Kal didn't turn around, she knew who it was. Manicie entered the room and took a seat. "I could arrange a personal meeting with a ristmak high up on the corporate ladder. A close personal friend of mine. Maybe you two could come to some kind of agreement."

Chapter 202 (by Kalynn) "I just want to go on record as saying that I am sooooooo not likening this." Kal muttered as Mozenrath sat beside her. It was decided that a large group going to meet the ristamak would be nothing short of a death wish, so they choose the two who were most likely to leave an impression weather or not the deal went well. Kal and Mozenrath.

"Well were quickly falling short of options." Mozenrath pulled her into an ally way as they continued along Manicie's directions. "I don't like being hunted Kal, and I'm sure you don't either."

"What do you know about it?" Kal scoffed in a voice dripping with disdain. "From what it sounds like your kind had it pretty good, what do you know about being hunted, what do you know about living your life in the shadows."

Mozenrath turned on her. "I know far more about it then you seem to think."

"Your only doing this cause you don't like the thought of someone else sitting on your throne!" Kal yelled suddenly.

"Your right I don't! But there are other reasons!" Mozenrath could feel the mana level between them rising.

"Like what? And don't say your doing all this out of the kindness of your heart. If you have one that is." She sneered and Mozenrath was immediately reminded of himself. Very quickly a theory began to form in his mind. Now was not the time to ay anything of it.

"No not entirely. But somewhat. Did the history books you read say anything about my children?" He could see by the confusion on Kal's face that they had not. "Zakuram and Tristram. They are the children of Chroias and myself. You think this is what I want them to grow up to?" he gestured about. "This world where magic isn't allowed to walk the streets in broad daylight. Where we are hunted like common animals and forced to find refugee in the worst places!!" Mozenrath calmed himself as he could tell his words were making an impact on Kal. "I don't want that for them." He said and began to turn his back.

Kal grabbed his shoulder. "So you do care about something." she said only mildly surprised.

Mozenrath nodded. "What about you?"

Immediately Mozenrath could sense her emotional barriers slam back up. "What about me?"

"Well if I care about something, you must.? Mozenrath knew it was a feeble excuse to get information out of her, but it was all he had.

"You've been talking to Laura haven't you." Kal said skeptically. Mozenrath shook his head no. "I don't see why you'd care."

"Let's just say I'm INTERESTED in my cohorts." Mozenrath didn't look like he was going anywhere nor was he planning to let her get out of his questioning.

Kal's look turned for the worse. "It='s none of your business. Why has everybody been on my case about that lately? Laura and even you! Back off okay!" The wind around her had begun to pick up and the clouds in the sky were turning a harsh gray. Thunder sounded in the distance and Mozenrath started to feel a light rain touch his shoulders.

"All right all right!!! Mozenrath called and shot a bolt of magic at her. Kal fell back slightly and glared at him. "You said yourself it wasn't a good idea to use magic about here. Try following your own rules for a change."

Kal hefted herself up from the ground and glared at him. "Do me a favor Moze." Mozenrath looked over at her. "Don't do me any favors."

***

Laura watched out the window of the mansion. The rain had begun to pour almost as soon as Mozenrath and Kal had left. "Well at least Kal's bound to be happy. She loves the rain."

Chapter 203 (by Nefret) Kal opened the door of the shabby hotel lobby not bothering to keep it open for Mozenrath. Moze huffed as he slammed the door back from slamming in his face.

"We should be meeting this ristmak in the hotel café. I'm not sure if meeting in a public place is a safe hold or a bad idea." She grumbled as they treaded over the dirty carpet to the coffee bar. At the last table sat a uniformed figure his face hidden by the brim of his military issued hat. The ristmak didn't look up as the two took a seat. Kal flexed her hand under the table trying to relive her nerves as the man slowly raised his head.

"Well, it's you two again. I was hoping to meet some new faces, but I must say I feel quite comfortable now!" The man chipped cheerily.

"Nox." The name was more like an animalistic growl on Kal's lips then anything to be produced by human vocal cords.

"No no, no more animosity. I'm off duty. That back there was all business. Not to say I don't enjoy my job." Nox chuckled at the enraged faces of the two.

"I think our meeting is done." Kal stood up and motioned Mozenrath for him to do the same. Nox jutted out his foot under the table keeping Mozenrath from pushing out his chair.

"Come now, we haven't even spoken yet. And I DO have so much to say." Nox offered them a cup of coffee as Kal sat reluctantly back down. "I must say it was quite a surprise to get a call from my old friend Manicie. We when to school together you know, both belonged to a fraternity. We had a code back then, always come to your brother's side. Old Manicie called in that code today. I'm here to strike a deal with you."

"We want.." Kal started her demands but Nox cut her off.

"Oh no. This isn't about what you want, it's what I want.." Nox leaned back. He could tell Kal and Moze were boiling mad. "It seems we have a common goal, the fall of Chinadis. Though we try, she continues to rule the Land of the Black Sand. It has come to our attention that muscle will never bring her down. So we fight fire with fire. You sorcerers will take down the witch."

"We wont do your dirty work for you. And even if we would do you think if we could really defeat her we would have by now?! She is the reason for the prejudice against us. Maybe that fact is to obvious for you thick ristamak's to see." Kal snorted as she pushed away the coffee.

Nox looked rather thoughtful. "I perhaps thought of it. But how can we see you as anything but the enemy when you don't lift a finger against chinadis? Then here's my deal, I supply you will an arsenal, every kind of weapon you could want. With firepower and your own. unique talent, it should be easy to take her out."

"And that solves your problems. I don't see anything in it for US." Moze growled.

"Than you aren't looking hard enough. May I remind you we have quite a few of your ranks locked in our dungeons? Take down Chinadis and they will be free. You will all be free, when you show your on the side of good I see no reason why you people cant come out of hiding, go to your homes, function in normal society." Nox smiled as he caught Kal's eyes widen slightly at the thought. "Do it for comrades and yourselves."

Moze looked to Kal. He leaned in close for her opinion. "Even with added high tech firearms it will be hard to face Chinadis." She admitted in a whisper to Mozenrath. "But, to have our people free, totally free... It could be worth it."

Moze nodded. "You will of course give us time to think about it." Moze said in more of a demand than a question.

Nox's face-hardened. "No waiting, you take it now or leave."

******

Laura bit her lip as she looked out the window. They had been gone for awhile. Chroias and Nefret sat together trying to sooth each other's nerves in a game of senate. But their game was often broken by long periods of gazing out the window from their seats. Chroias finally got up and joined Laura. "Come away from there, sitting here won't make anything better. Worry changes nothing." The demon contradicted herself as she to sat down and watched the rain come down.

Nefret joined the girls and smoothed her hand down Chroias green hair and hummed. Everything stopped as they caught sight of the two coming up the back walk. All the girls and Don rushed to the door to greet them.

Mozenrath and Kal were drenched, tired, and not happy. Chroias meet her lover with a bruising kiss as Nefret reached up to wrap his shoulders in a towel. Laura smiled gratefully at Kal's and handed her a towel. Don and the girls jumped to defense as a military cargo truck pulled into the drive and several men jumped out to unload weapons crates.

"Relax." Kal assured Laura as she noticed the ground quake a bit. "We made a little deal."

Chapter 204 (by Kalynn)

Kal smiled happily as she pulled out a hand held gun called the Noisy Cricket. Mozenrath looked at her as she chuckled darkly. "I have always wanted one of these." She replaced her Colt Anaconda with the thing.

Mozenrath scoffed. "I could break that thing with one hand!" he sneered.

Laura laughed and shook her head. "Only if you wanted to blow off your hand." She winced as he flexed his right hand. "No offence."

Mozenrath shrugged and picked up a machine gun. "How does this work?"

Don walked over beside him and held up the straps. ":Ok Lift your arms." He wrapped one of the straps around the sorcerer's back and attached it at his waist. "Now slip your hand in this." He indicated a holster meant to protect the hand as well as provide a trigger. "DO NOT press anything yet." Don said to save incidents.

Mozenrath felt carefully with his left hand and immediately the weapon responded. When he moved to one side it moved with him, coiling and flexing as he needed it with his body. A flash of insanity showed on his face. "I defiantly like this."

Chroias picked out a whip that looked much like her old one. Kal laughed at her surprised face. "Nice isn't it." She took the whip and pointed to one of the statues. A quick flick of her wrist and the whip wound about the neck, snapping it downward, and suddenly the head was on the floor. She pointed to the sides. "The whip has sharp blades akin to those in Japan. Won't break and will slice through armor."

Don took to helping Nefret with her weapon. "You should appreciate this." He handed her a set of Claws that shone brightly in the sun. Each one fit over her finger and curved like a scythe blade.

"Nice, but what good are simple blades against magic like this Chinadas's?" Nefret tapped the blades together.

Don shook his head sadly. "Neffie neffie neffie, when are you going to stop underestimating me?" he put a friendly arm about her shoulder and Nefret giggled as though she knew exactly what he meant. Mozenrath's groan was unnoticed as he indicated the small holes in the tips. "Say Dantaum."

Nefret shrugged. "Danteum!"

Immediately everybody ducked as a red flame came shooting out of the holes. "I thought since you weren't originally magic you might need a bit more fire power then the rest of us. " He grinned at Nefret's surprised face."

Manice walked in. "Fine way you go about repaying me Kal, I fix you up supply you with weapons, and give you good food and you damn near rip my house apart." He pointed angrily at the burn marks on the wall.

Kal shrugged. "Talk to Eagle-eye over here and her cohort, the Amazing Bimboni." She jerked a finger at the two aforementioned and smiled.

Laura slapped her friend on the back and chortled. "Like you always had perfect aim!"

"Oh actually she's always had rather good aim, even when she was a child she." Manicie broke off as he caught Kal's dark glare and the attention he'd gotten from everybody else. He stumbled over his words. "Ummm, I'll go see to it that the rest of the weaponry is stored."

Laura gave her friend a curious look. Kal shrugged as though it had meant nothing and went back to putting on three extra holsters filled with guns. Amshak seemed to be pointing out which ones he thought would bring her the most use.

Laura made her way over to Mozenrath. The sorcerer was standing beside Chroias. The two seemed to be discussing a rather nasty looking scimitar and a curved blade. The witch waited patiently till the demoness had left before she caught the sorcerer's attention.

"She's not going to want to talk about it." Mozenrath proclaimed after Laura explained the situation. "She reminds me so damn much of myself I could swear we were somwhow." he looked directly at Laura and the Earth sorceress nodded.

"I've suspected it for years, but she never talks about her past, she never lets on about anything, where her powers came from, where she got those pale features and that thin body." Laura petted her dog Bonny. "You two don't look that far apart, I guess passing generations gave her the reddish- gold hair and the blue eyes."

Mozenrath nodded. "But if you already know the truth then why do you want her to admit it?" he asked.

"Don't you get it." Laura said angrily. "She's ashamed!! She's probably gotten a bad rap her entire life ever since people found out she was part of your bloodline. I've searched ever record and every piece of paper I could find, but as of about 20 years ago you family line seems to have dropped off somewhere. The last born that could have been directly related to you was a Woman named Donna Lizardelth. She died while giving birth. No documents say whether the child was male of female. I don't know how she got along after that with no family, but" she indicated the door. "I have strong suspicions about the Mancie character."

Mozenrath felt slightly faint. Thank Allah he didn't have to reply. Nox walked in carrying a large roll of paper. Finding a suitable table, he laid it out and held it down with paper weights. "Ok ladies and" he hesitated as he looked at Mozenrath and Don. "Gentleman. I've got here everything we know about the citadel to date. Trap's structural design, down to the rat holes in the wall. Unfortunately, it only goes as far as the third floor. The two floors above it have yet to have been mapped. We lost twenty ristamak getting just this far."

Chapter 205 (by Nefret) Hours latter Mozenrath had done his best to describe the structure of the last two floors as he remembered them. It had been SOOO long ago and things had no doubt been rearranged, but basic passages and rooms might have stayed in tact. Plans were made, weapons loaded and it was decided the group would leave the comfort and relitive pertection of the city and caravan towards the citadel the next day. Outside the modern city the deserts were still harsh and untamed, it could take most of the day just to set foot into black sand again. The air of the mansion was thick, everyone was nervous, if they showed it or not. They knew the danger they were barreling towards at full speed. It was just like another Distane in their path, but this time the trouble wouldn't come for them, they would go to it. They might not come back and they knew it.

The gang had split themselves along the castle. Each taking the peaceful night for their own and possibly last. It was a good night for it two Laura noticed she looked up at the stars. She sighed and let the garden dirt run though her fingers and Kal peeked out into the garden.

"There you are, should have know." Kal sat down beside her and Bonny promptly placed her head in Kal's lap and whined. Both girls were silent for a long while. "You nervous?" Kal finally asked

"Hell yes." Laura stated bluntly.

"I'd be worried if you weren't" Kal laughed and sat back. "You scared?"

"Can't tell though the butterflies." Lore smiled her one sided smile. "You?"

"No."

"Of course not."

Mozenrath Nefret and Chroias sat in the living room. Mozenrath was mulling over the Citadel floor plans as his lover polished her weapons. Nefret, true to form, was using food as an excuse to take her mind off more pressing matters.

Mozenrath sighed as he set down the papers. "My palace has changed so much." He grumbled. Chroias set down her blade and smoothed Mozenath's shoulder.

"Something's never change." The demoness smiled gently taking ahold of his hand. "Never, change." She repeated and placed her head on his shoulders. Mozenrath's eyes darted to Nefret and grimaced.

Nefret sighed getting the point she was the third wheel in the room. "I'm going to get a bath before bed." The Egyptian excused herself.

Mozenrath's eyes followed her to the door. He could tell by the shrug in her shoulders his minion was feeling the effect of the stress. "Nef." He caught her before she opened the door. Nefret turned around expectantly. "Sleep well." Was all he could muster. Mozenrath wished he could tell her something else, that he was sure everything would be all right and to leave all fear behind. But he couldn't, because he wasn't sure, and at a time like this lying did no good.

"Goodnight my lord. Goodnight Roais." Nef smiled before leaving the room. Outside Don was already waiting for her by her door.

Chroias sighed and snuggled into Mozenrath's side. "Nefret had a good idea there. Lets catch a bath before bed." The demon looked up and grinned.

*****

The sun spread through the mansion the next morning. The fist shown in Kal's face, then into the next room, Laura's chambers. Slowly as both girls drew a deep breath and stretched the beams crept into the bedroom of Nefret waking her and Don and a moment later did the same for Chroias and Mozenrath. Everyone opened their eyes simaniously and immediately wished for the dark to settle back down and give them just a few more hours of peace. But none was to be had that day or the day until they accomplished their task or died trying.

Chapter 206 (by Kalynn) Mozenrath managed to find his way over to Kal as they were setting up other equipment. Nox had been so kind as to drop off Kal's black Suzuki motorcycle and the girl was patting it lovingly. "I've had this thing since I was fifteen." She said sensing Mozenrath walk up behind her. "She's my baby." Amshak hopped up on his Mistress's arm and purred for comfort. "He say's he's coming with us weather we want him to or not."

Mozenrath smiled at the cat and it gave him a knowing grin. "You tell him everything don't you?" he said suddenly.

"Of course. He know's all and tells nothing. Why do you think no one but me can hear him speak." Kal kissed Amshak and the cat purred gently.

"So is he the only cat you can speek to?" Mozenrath remembered his mother and his own ability to speak to anything feline. Perhaps Kal was his descendent, he looked at her and could see much of himself staring back. The drawn back eyes, the pale skin and long face. The same confidence that bordered on vanity which always masked his face shone brightly on hers. Her skinny almost malnutrition body and for the first time he took notice of how much thinner her right hand was then her left.

"Actually, I can speak to most cats." Kal said and tore Mozenrath from his thoughts. "I never thought about it much before though. They just kinda spoke to me and when I answered back it made sense."

Mozenrath nodded his head thoughtfully. He stayed a moment more, watching her check the gears and gauges, then slowly slinked back into the shadows.

Laura smiled at Nox as he brought out a hover disk. "You put your feet here see." He indicated the straps on the two disks. "They attach onto you and then you can direct the movements left ,right ,sideways , backwards, or forwards." He got on them to show her and the plates, (simple circular disks made of silver) hovered about a foot or two off the ground. "You friend over there explained your condition to me and I thought this would be just the thing."

Laura thanked him and made it obvious that she wanted to give the thing a try. Hopping as best she could up onto the circles, the straps clamped down on her and she found that Nox had spoke the truth, she could adjust herself as she pleased. "Not bad, certainly less bulky then that wheelchair."

Nefret was speaking with Don in a corner as he showed her his pride and joy, a car just big enough for two. "I love this beauty. And it's got plenty of backseat space for if we survive this thing." He hinted in her ear. Nefret giggled and then subdued herself. "We gotta survive first." She jerked her finger over to Mozenrath. "And after we do, who knows how quickly he's gonna wanna go back."

Don looked like he was about to say something. He took a big breath, he'd wanted to say this with her for a while now. She was the first person who'd ever been willing to accept the changes he'd gone through. The scars on his body hadn't bothered her when they were together at night. He wasn't sure if it was love on that level yet, but there was something there, something that Don was positive with time could grow very strong. "Nefret, when this is all over, I was hoping perhaps you'd like to stay."

"All right people." Kal called at everyone. "Let's head 'em up and move 'em out!"



Chapter 207 (by Nefret) The sand rose in a tan cloud under the kick of the wheels of the strange caravan that roared down the ancient, makeshift road trenched in the desert. The harsh purr of Kal motorcycle headed the gang. Laura followed on the disks having entirely too much fun playing a sort of sideways chicken with her friend. Nefret laughed at the girls as they followed in Don's car. Don seemed distant, Nef hadn't said anything after Kal interrupted his confession. She had just grabbed the claws and hopped in the car. Don finally looked over, Nefret smiled at him, a sort of god- help-us kind of smile. He grinned and wrapped his arm around the back of her seat. Moze growled from behind the wheel of the armory truck he drove at the rear of the little sports car. Chroias shook her head but was cut off from saying anything as Bonny bounded up from the back of the truck onto her lap. The gang as a whole seemed excited in a way, each, maybe for the exception of Nefret, was born for the heat of battle, and even the priestess had gotten a bit of the love of fight in her blood since her time with her master. The cloud of sable dancing behind the vehicles suddenly darkened as black sand was thrown up under the tires. It seemed an ominous sign, the dark cloud they trailed as they swept over desert boarder

Moze smiled almost insanely as his hands clamped over the steering wheel of the truck he had only learned to drive that morning. "Home sweet home."

****

Xerxes lounged in the Citadel library at a window seat overlooking the east end of the desert estate. The slimly little brat had grown considerably since he had last been seen, both in length and girth. It seemed he had been eating well these past few hundred years. He groaned, still lightly asleep. Slowly smells drifted to his brain. Magical smells. First the electrifyingly clean smell of storm magic, then the over-turned- garden kind of earthy sent that was Earth sorcererory. The eel opened his eyes and stuck his nose out the window. A new smell, spicy, hot, fire magic. The eel look a bit interested but none to concerned, magic ran like water around here. It was the next smell that struck fear in him, artificial magic. First of an unfamiliar kind, then the unmistakable smell of synthetic magic he had known a long time ago. The rich smoky smell of a ring Nefret had worn. A sent he always attributed with her the way a man might attribute his wife with her favorite perfume. As if he wasn't shook up enough two new terrifying smells hit him next. Demon magic, a very specific demon, shockingly cutting with a slight green tang. Most recognizable of all, the unique dark consuming aura of Mozenrath's power. All the scents, new and recognized swirled in his mind. 'They're coming back.' With a yelp the eel fled down the hall to the library.

"What it be?" called a heavily accented woman voice as the eel came crashing into her library.

Chapter 208 (by Kalynn) An unfamiliar woman sat at the top of the ill used throne that had once belonged to Mozenrath. Her features were so dark as to be considered ebony, her head was bald and glistened with the sweat that came after a just finished spell. Slowly her head rose as she saw the eel. Her eyes were a frightening gray-tan with pupils so small they were almost nonexistent. Her cheekbones were high and her face held a proud, almost noble glow to it that was well associated with noble rank. She was a discernibly handsome woman, until she bared her teeth that closely resembled a demon's. Her ears were pointed as her teeth, many people would confuse her for one of the damned hell minions. But Xerxes knew the truth. Chinadas was a half-breed. Father had been human from the Creole mix so common in Louisiana, and the mother had been a demon from Africa. Those gray-tan eyes burrowed into his mismatched ones. "I say what it be Xerxes?" She had a voice full of hatred and oblivion. For that was her power, the power of oblivion. Her abilities were similar to Chroias's in the fact that they varied. She could take her ability from Tarturus and Purgatory itself. And enjoyed the feeling that came with it. That was part of the reason Xerxes had been accompanying her. She'd gotten him out of where that bitch his master slept with sent him.

"Strangers approaching." Xerxes gestured out the window. "Magical, powerfull." His voice had grown better in the fact that it no longer grated one's ears out when he spoke but hissed softly like a snake in a child's crib, inviting one to play with his pretty scales.

Chinadas's face showed a glow of greed. "How powerful." Her thick accent drawled as she began to rise from the throne. Xerxes dodged his eyes. His new mistress's dress was as different as her speech. In fact her dress wasn't really a dress, but red, green, black, orange, and yellow rags artfully arranged as to cover only the most obvious parts. Xerxes sighed, in his day it would have been considered sluttish. Very sluttish, but as she had given him a good home and this was no longer his day, Xerxes did little complaining.

"Four sorcerers, one human".. He paused knowing Chinadas's aversion to her own kind. "And one demon, full blood."

The gray-tan eyes glowed angrily. "A full blood. De sorceras no gonna be a problem.." her accent arched and twisted in ruthless intelligence. "De human gonna be even less a one, but full blood demon, may be a trouble a commin." Chinadas walked over to the window. "Not even got da sense to do dis thin properly!" she snarled out at the desert. "I'sa gonna show dem hows ta take out an enemy." Her hands reached into the air as a green, yellow ,and orange fire streaked out from them. It gathered in a cloud and hovered as though awaiting command. "Nesnas" Chinadas commanded. "Nesnas, I call yeah to me!!" The smoke and fire screeching in unholy fury and plunged into the desert sands racing after the on coming challengers. Chinadas laughed viciously. "That aughta give em second thoughts."

Mozenrath stopped the car as everyone began to pull out, armed with weapons. "Are we ready to do this thing?" he questioned as Chroias began to close the car door.

"THUMP"

"Roi did you have to shut it so hard." He turned to she Chroias's hand still on the handle.

"THUMP"

Everyone readied their weapons. "Anybody care to tell us what that is?" Kal said looking pointedly at Mozenrath. "Like say anybody forget to warn us about undead servants."

Mozenrath shook his head. "The mumluks were specifically under my control, no one else has the ability to use them."

"THUMP"

"It's getting closer" Don whispered as he and Nefret were back to back.

"THUMP"

Laura turned and screamed as a man, or half a man, came lumbering after her from the ground.

"Nesnas!" Chroias screamed and backed away.

Nesnas were some sort of man. But a very odd sort. There bodies were hole, on a level. Half the body was clothed in skin and flesh, but the other seemed only half there, the skin was gone to revel muscle and sinew as well as veins. Even half a groin was visible on some. Their eyes glowed the same undead yellow as a mumluks and they trotted on like the undead minions do. There were twenty-five, at least circling around the small group and all of them wanted one thing. Blood!

Chapter 209 (by Nefret) The entire gang swallowed back their disgust and fear and locked and loaded their weapons. With an ungodly howl the Nesnas fell into positioned and barreled forward quickly closing the gap. Kal smashed one in the face with the butt of her gun. No soon was that one dispatched then another one fell on her, it growled and clawed with all the desperation of a starved dog. Kal's nose wrinkled in pain at the small marks forming on her body. She pulled out a deceivingly tiny gun from her belt, barley cradling it between her fingers she produced a blast so big that only dust remained of her attacker. "I love this thing." She smiled at the noisy cricket, taking her mind off the action for a moment in sheer admiration.

Don felt Nefret push against his back sending the barrel of his gun more deeply into the attacking Nesnas. He took the opportunity to kill it off and looked back to see how Nef was doing. He was disturbed to see the grotesque fingers of a Nesnas digging into her shoulders, small rivers of blood forming. The smell of blood only intensified the feral attack of the Nesnas.

Nef was desperately trying to block out the pain to recall the spell that would ignite the claws power. "Den. Dan.." her head was swimming with to many thoughts, the pain, the thought of death... Finally frustrated her hand jutted out blindly and sliced three neat slices in the Nesnas. Giving up on the spell she hooked the crocks of the claws in the chest of her attacker and used all her strength to fling him away. When the thing was on the ground and danger subsided her brain was able to work well enough to recall the spell. "Danteum!!!" She screamed just as the thing stood up and lunged at her. It exploded in flames just inches way from her face. Don kicked it way, not feeling the burning heat. He pulled Nefret to him as a ring of fire exploded around the two.

Laura wobbled as she blasted a Nesnas just inches way from her, the kickback unsteadying the disks. Another one was only seconds away, running at full tilt, mouth agape in a primal scream. Seeing a fine opportunity the Celtic dropped a small ball down the open mouth. Even the Nesnas seemed confused for a moment at the new weight in its stomach. It looked up to Laura as she smiled laughingly and waved goodbye. An explosion sent Nesnas parts for miles around. The kickback of his weapon was too strong and sent the girl right to the ground. The hover disks fired and sputtered, desperately trying to right themselves, but it was no use, like a turtle on it's back. Worse yet was the Nesnas who noticed the helpless girl, like a lion on a wounded gazelle. The green-eyed girl dug her fingers in the sand and screamed, "TACRE!!!" responding to her call the earth long buried under the black sand came flying to the surface for a moment only to fall back down leaving a gaping cavern. Blind in the search of their pray the Nesnas seemingly willingly plunged into the hole.

Mozenrath growled angrily as he used both his gun in the left hand and the gauntlet on the right to ward off the advancing army. He, for some reason or another seemed to be a popular target. Three bodies of Nesnes littered the ground around him. It's strange the thoughts that ran through his mind, on one end he was mentally cursing each and everyone of his attackers, on the other hand he kinda whished he had a fleet of these things himself. Hell they seemed ten times as effective as his own mumluks. If her had some of these things a few hundred years ago Agrabah would have been his on the fist attempt. Mumluks. that thought rung in this busy mind. Were they any left? Diverging his power from the gauntlet for a moment the send the signal. He half smiled, half cursed as only 10 or 11 mumluks rose from the sands. They were the remnants of his great army, the rest of the soldiers taken out a long time ago. Loyal as ever to their perspective masters the two undead armies clashed. It was no surprise to the sorcer to see his very last mumluks fall under the numbers of the Nesnes. With the fence of mumluks gone the Nesnes seemed to grin in triumph as they swarmed around Moze. The sorcerer gulped.

Nefret let out a gasp and Don gave an angry yell as three of the creatures jumped the ring of fire in a great leap, the flames coming so close that if they had not reached just an centimeter or so in height as they did they would have been scorched from the flames. Kal gave a half yell, half growl as a Nesnes attacked from the front and one from the rear. Even the noisy cricket couldn't do double duty and she soon found herself being pulled to her knees. Overhead the clouds gathered to bush against each other and rain came beating to the ground. Laura had just about righted herself when an arm caught the rim of a disk and set her off balance again. Looking down she could see a soul Nesnas clinging to the edge of the cavern threatening to pull her in with it. She cried and dung into the sand as she was slowly inched to the mouth the cavern she had created. Mozenrath to had found himself out numbered.

Chroias had been having a relatively easy time compared with the others. With her strength, power, and grace under pressure she had been able to keep with the numbers of her attackers. She was truly a wicked sight in battle, teeth extended, eyes lit, claws dangerously long, and cat like muscles stretching in sinewy movements as she fought. This seemed to almost dissuade some of the Nesnas. The cries, yells, and desperate growls of her comrades made the demon flash out of her sheer state of concentration. Everyone was at the end of their ropes, outnumbered, and out of luck. The demons eyes flashed blindly bright at the situation, all her loved ones so near death under the attack of these damnable creatures. A growl registered so deep in her gut it was almost unworldly as green threads shot from her in all directions. In her sheer state of blind concentration the threads formed patterns, netting together leaving only a tiny gap around each of her comrades. If any of them were to move just a hair they would be zapped. Luckily none of them moved and those outside of the tiny safe havens in the net of stinging threads, namely the Nesnas, were hit with a charge great enough to incinerate them.

Everyone was still for a moment as the threads retracted back to Chroias and the dust of Nesnas blew away. Finally everyone let out a sigh of relief.

Chinadas turned off the monitor that had a moment before broadcasted the battle. Xerxes gulped nervously and swam behind the chair awaiting the woman's reaction. Husky laughing met his ears. "Dat I ave to mit be impesive. Yea, that it be.." The woman nodded and stood. "Deth comed close it did to 'e magic holders, closer it come to de human. De full blood, she be me defeat. In dis battle.." Chinadas added. "Let dem come 'pon us den. Me thinks I like to see de face of you old master hen he sets eye 'pon thee, Xerxes." Chinadas glidded away from the room as Xerxes nearly fainted. at the thought.

Chapter 210 (by Kalynn) Chinadas walked about the citadel, pacing, looking much like Mozenrath in doing so. "Desa smart ones dem." She murmured as Xerxes flew/paced with her. "In take 'am out, but it'z gonna be 'ard. And I don' like de idea of a full blood in me house." She continually paced, as the sound of her visitors grew closer. "Bastards is already 'ere."

She growled and spread her magic about her in a protective circle. "I wait here for 'em to come 'round." She gave Xerxes glare. "You go an' be sure dey find da right way. Wouldn't want 'em getin' lost." A dry, cackling laugh rose up around the citadel, and Xerxes smiled.

'Just like old time.' Thought the eel.

Chroias sniffed the air, her red eye's glowing in the darkness. "Well at least she hasn't changed the decor." A half laugh came from Mozenrath as her kept close to her. He had a question preying on his mind, about Kal. Slowly he whispered the possible situation in her ear and the demoness stopped short. "You joking."

Mozenrath shrugged. "She does look a bit like us. Red hair and blue eyes aside." It's always a possibility Roi. If magic can teach one anything it's that." Mozenrath watched as Kal and Laura headed the team. Slowly Kal bent over to assess the damage to the disks. "They're fucked." She muttered under her breath and began immediately fiddling with the gadgetry. "I could fix 'em, but I don't have any of the right kind of equipment with me." She looked over at Mozenrath. "Can't you do anything?"

It was the same tone he used with Nefret constantly and for split moment, Mozenrath could feel himself in her. The temptation to speak up about the possible heritage between them was tempting, but this was not the proper time. He could see however that Chroias was about to and placed a quick hand to her hindquarters to silence her. Ignoring the surprised look she gave him, he nodded and gestured, then stopped. "I don't think it would be a wise idea to waist our power until absolutely necessary."

Kal looked like she was about to snap back at him when Laura moved forward. "He's right, we can't waste our power. Not when were so close to the goal." She pointed over to a candle holder against the wall. "Bring me that, it'll serve well enough until I can get something better."

Nefret retrieved the object and Don moved over to beside Mozenrath. "Wise decision amigo." He nudged the sorcerer who gave him a half smile. "I do not like this place one bit. Reminds me far to much of the ristamak interrogation rooms." He gave Mozenrath a meaningful look and the sorcerer found himself beginning to agree.

Nefret helped Laura up onto the thing while the two talked. "Hourus I hope Moze doesn't try to fry him." She whispered under her breath.

"He won't. It wouldn't be worth the magic until we get outta here." Laura saw Kal mouth the words 'If we get outta here' She gave her friend a glare. "When we get out of here." Kal scoffed and held out her hand. Laura took it and she found herself standing with the candleholder for support.

Nefret shook her purple head. "She reminds me so much of Mozenrath." Suddenly the plum headed girl noticed the way Laura turned when she said that. A slow realization began to creep up on her. She looked from Kal to Mozenrath , then back to Kal. "Nooo." She whispered.

"It's only a possibility. And she get's damn touch when it's brought up. I know I know." she said hastily as Nefret gave her a 'who does that remind you of' look. "But do not, I repeat do not bring it up in front of her now. We'll figure out the whole situation after we get out of here."

Xerxes hurried around the halls of the Citadel. He was hot on their trail and a sadistic grin spread over his face. Master was gonna get it, him that demon bitch and that little minion!!!! The other's meant nothing to him, but he wouldn't complain at seeing them roasted either.

Chapter 211 (by Nefret) As the gang made their way down the hall carefully Nefret found herself slowing down to join Mozenrath. With a slight hum she studied his features, ones she was well acquainted with by now, only this time she started to compare them with those of Kal. 'Damn. The plot thickens.' Nef thought as the similarities glared back at her. Funny, they were obvious yet you'd never see them if you weren't looking. Moze glanced over just in time to catch the look of enlightenment spread over his minion's countenance as she looked from him to the girl Kal.

"Damn you girl." He hissed over to her. "How the hell do you find out EVERYTHING I prefer to keep private?" He glared at her, despising the knowledge of his life she no doubt held in that mousetrap mind of hers.

Nefret smiled a knowing smile. "A little bird told me." She risked the snotty jib before rushing off to join Don just ahead of them.

Moze growled, a noise that left no doubt as to his thought. "Be nice." Chroias half clung to his arm, half held him back. "You don't want any dieing regrets now do you?"

"Oh and aren't we being optimistic?" He gave a snarling smile at his lover.

"You love to push it don't you?" Don inquired of Nefret as she joined his side.

"Only our way."

"Am I the only one who hears that?!" Kal finally yelled as if she was extremely annoyed no one had comment before on the hissing noise that had been in her ears for a few moments. Laura stopped and her face darkened as she nodded.

"You hear only me." Came a voice of snakelike innocence from above. Mozenrath, Chroias, and Nefret felt their throats clench as they looked up to a familure face on a ballooned body. A face that had haunted their waking hours and later their minds, the face a betarl, Xerxes. The eel smiled at the recongision on his old 'friends' faces. "hello master, bitch, tramp." A sick sort of satisfaction was brought by their insulted faces.

Don noticed Nefret's clenched fists and Mozenrath darker than usual face. "I take it you know the overgrown grub?" Xerxes didn't take to kindly the insult. With a his he dove at Don pulling up at the last minuet and scurried franticly over Moze, Rio and Nef as their hands clawed the air in an effort to lay a hand on him. Nefret's claws coming dangerously close to his soft underbelly. Maybe the little insult on her virtue was a mistake.

Xerxes smiled when he looked back to see the entire gang giving chase, even those faces unknown to him looked equally mad as those of Mozenrath and his two bitches! A twisted pride swelled in the eel chest, he was bringing his mistresses want to her. He would be rewarded, be appreciated, he needed that. Xerxes had known nothing but service, he had always equated completing his job with love. He depended on the acceptance of his master or mistress to bring him purpose and self worth. Without someone's acceptance he was nothing.

"Does it occur to anyone that were may be running wholeheartedly into a trap?!" Kal breathed out between the labor of her gait.

"Of course it's a trap." Moze counted with a snarl as if it was the stupidest question in the world. "Lets face it, the Citadel is HERS now." He had to look away for a moment, the admittance that he had lost his domain, his true hold on power, stung, badly. "We're never going to meet her on our own grounds, she will have the upper hand. We'll fight on her terms and ground of choice no matter what. We mise well accept it and meet her challenge."

Kal shook her head, she didn't agree with the risk, but it was to late now. They came skidding to a halt in the throne room. Laura hobbled in a moment latter, not being as fast as everyone. Everyone felt the pit of dread in their stomach fall to their feet. Chinadas stood before them in all her power. Before this mission seemed rather remote, they could easily distract themselves with other thoughts. Now the cold hard deadly truth stood only feet way. And in a very freighting form might I admit. Chroias picked up on the new demon blood right way, it set her own blood jagged and she instinctively fell on the defense. Nefret noticed the way her friends eyes flashed and her lips pushed away slightly at the emergence of fangs. It was an oddly comforting sight. At least is was for anyone on Chroias's side. Chinadas did like the look of the demon one bit. She was lithely with a dark elegance, obviously a demon of high order and breed.

Chinadas pushed aside her thoughts for a moment. "Who be you? Be you fool 'nough to be acoming 'afor me? Dis I find a grave insult 'pon me and my. Ai, but you be knowing dis, dat be why you come." She smiled. "Oh, you will 'ave to pay dearly for dis.. You be me zombie slaves and pay for you insolence for all time!!!" Her voice raised in pitch and with a sudden elaborate gesture of his hands a cloud of smoke emanated form her. It's narcotic tartness hitting the noses of the gang instantly. Mozenrath, having knowledge in all fields of magic knew the art of voodoo well enough to recognize the drug mixture voodoo shamans used to gain control of their victims and reduce them to mindless servants. Fear spread in him as in almost slow motioned the girls and Don watched as the cloud approached unaware their very breath would spell doom.

Chapter 212 (by Kalynn) Mozenrath instinctively held up his hands and an illuminated bubble fell upon the crowd as Chinadas's gas flew towards them. "Did she really think it would be that easy?" he glanced at Chroias who shook her head.

"No this is her way of toying with us. I used to pull the same thing on my torture victims. Let then think I didn't have the power to hurt them, lull them into self-confidence. See it especially work on.." the demoness suddenly realized that the rest of the people were looking at her with slightly green faces. "Sorry, kind of a demon thing." She heard a low, deadly laugh ring through the halls as Chinadas began to walk quietly down the steps of the throne.

"Wel wel." She grinned and touched the protective barrier with a single foreclaw."So you gots som good magi I see." She traced the barrier causing a chalkboard noise and causing a bright light to streak along with her claw. "but ya can stay der foaeva. Com out lita pure blood! Com out an I send ya bac to ell!" she taunted.

Mozenrath held Chroias back as she answered the taunts with a hawk like screech. "Bitch.. half breed. You even send out an eel to do your dirty work for you! What's the matter Chinadas? To afraid of a pure blood!"

Chinadas's eyes flashed brilliantly at Chroias and she bared her own fangs, growling lowly. Suddenly, a slow sadistic smile came up on her face. She began tracing the barrier between them, inch by inch. "Not alla you ae sorcerers." She eyed Nefret. "Fact I thin I know which one." With no warning her screech tearing a violent hole through the barrier, Don grabbed for Nefret and hung on to her leg as Chinadas pulled violently on the other end.

Chroias grabbed hold of her friend as Mozenrath began trying to widen the hole in the barrier."Let go of her you bloody bendeho." Don yelled at the demon.

Kal grabbed Mozenrath's shoulder. "Get the damn thing open before she pull her out."

Mozenrath shook his head furiously. "She's posed it somehow, that damn claw of hers disrupted my magical flow! Hold her off until I can take it over again!" he distinctly heard Kal growl something like "utterly useless" and watched as she turned and made the wind pick up about her. Immediately the atmosphere changed, rain began coming in torrents about the large windows of the Citadel and Kal's eyes rolled up into the back of her head, showing only the whites. Her teeth bore in a horrid parody of a wolf and the rain began to swirl about Chinadas. The demoness screamed as the power flung her against the wall. Unfortunately the brute strength of a storm is not for pinpoint accuracy, as Chinadas fell back Nefret did as well.

"Don't even think about it!" the plum haired girl yelled as she whirled with her claws and yell.. "Danteum!" the claws fired and Chinadas dodged lithely to one side.

"Fool!" she struck out with her own claws taking a slice out of Nefrets arm. Just as she reared back to strike again, a banner of fire blasted her to the side, the smell of singed flesh covered the area as Don ran to her side.

"Do NOT try that again!" he snapped at Chinadas and began to cover Nefrets wound with a strip of cloth.

Chinadas spun with a crazed look on her face and flung a her purplish fire at them again. "Ass's pigs heads!! I make you all into me damn swamp barons!!" the fire caught Laura in the stomach, sending her sprawling to the floor.

"You chose the wrong one to mess with!" she yelled and flung her power into the ground. The floors began to crack and black sand began to wave through, gathering together, but just as suddenly, it fell back to the floor. "What's going on!" Laura yelled and tried again to raise her powers.

It's part of being the Ruler of the Black Sands. You own the land and it's properties." He shot a short blast of power at Laura. "That will help you keep control, but I don't know for how long." The barrier he'd been supporting sank back into the ground and Mozenrath turned to assist his friends.

Chapter 213 (by Nefret) Moze gasped Kal's shoulder bringer her out of her trance. She blinked and her pupils returnd to their rightful position. They looked at each other, a plan apparent and understood in Mozenrath's eyes. A few quick words and they set off in their separate directions. Kal to Laura and Mozenrath slid over to his lover and his minion. Don was busy in a futile attempt at exchanging fiery blows at the half demon. Chinadas was easily dogging his angry attempts at noble revenge and laughing all the way. Since she had been given up as the most powerful sorcerer in the world it had been a long time since anyone was fool enough to challenge her. It was. interesting.

Moze caught Roais just before she spung into the heat of battle. "I know it's tempting to just go in there and.." He dug a fist into his gloved hand. "but I think I've got a plan. On three we all barrel in there and invade every single one of her senses."

"I thought the plan was NOT to jump in their and." Nefret hit her fist againt her palm with a sarcastic twich of her eyebrows.

"Ah, but this Nef, is planned chaos." Mozenrath smiled in a way that made the hairs on the girls neck stand up. "You over take her hearing sence. You good at that." Moze quipped pulling slightly at the wrapping of his minions arm to acess the damage. "Roi you pack the hardest punch, get in as many as you can. Don and I will block her view." He looked to the girls for confirmation they were ready, willing, and trusting. Chroias nodded whole-heartedly. Nef's head tilted and her lips pulled into a slight smile as if to say 'I guess there's nothing better to do.'

Kal scrunched down by Laura and told her the plan. She seemed skeptical for a moment but she nodded and ran her hands on the floors in wait. Mozenrath had organized his band for his part and they were hard at work closing in on Chinadas. If they had gone one by one none would have made it a foot within the half breed without being toasted but with all of them falling into sudden formation around her. Each blast Chinadas emulated one of them was followed by a return fire from one of the untargeted sorcerers. None reached her and no one got very close to her. But the point of this wasn't to successfully assault her physically, but to assault her senses with an onslaught of distraction. Moze, Don and Chroia's magic blasted, and reflected around her preventing any movement. The roaring sound of fire, whoosh and crackle of magic and Nefret's annoying angry cries as she ran up, claws drawn flooded the pointed ears of Chinadas. The view of sorcerers all around here, running forward, falling back, flying back in some cases only to claw their way back up and take another stab at it blocked her entire field of vision. They were causing no more harm than flies on a horse, but just as annoying and attention consuming as those pests. And just like flies under the swats of the horses tail they were having more and more coming back after being hit. Don was near put out of commission as a whoosh of power threw him back. Nef was tiring and her wound was bleeding out profusely weakening her.

The entire scope of Chinadas attention was aimed at the offending sorcerers can she had clean forgot there were still two that had been unheard from. Kals' eyes had rolled back again, her shoulders quivering a bit in sheer stain as she drove the rain in horizontally trough the windows. The ground fought Laura, resisted her insistent will as she tried to force it apart. Chinadas was so busy she didn't even consider to monitor her land. She couldn't have known to tell it to hold. Laura took advantage of this as she enforced her will which, at the moment, was much stronger then Chinadas's to force a crack in the floor. Small at first then denting at the window. The rain spilled in collecting in the newly made pool. Racking her fingernails a crack split itself from the pool slowly snaking to the direction of the fight. A little river creeping under Chindas feet. Oh the ground fought it!

"Now!" Laura cried as soon as the river splashed over Chinadas bare foot. The gang fell back as Kal threw her head back and a white-hot finger of lighting bolted in from the window sticking and electrifying the new body of water.

Buzzing sounds rang out, the charged water crackling and jumping. A bright light forced everyone's eyes shut. When they were opened the gang looked up to see a strange blue-white glow radiating from Chinadas. She grinned as the charge flooded her fingertips. "Thank you little ones. Now I 'ave a give for you!"

Chapter 214 (by Kalynn) Chinadas's head swiveled around and she glared at the pure blooded Chroias. "Wel wel wel!" her head tilted back and she laughed insanely. "Nev dought I'd see da dae dat a puur bloud got take'n down by a half bread."she gathered her power in one violent motion and launched the blot of energy at Chroias.

Mozenrath knew he heard a screem, but what he didn't realize was that it was his own. Everything flashed so brilliantly for a moment that everyone, including Chinada's went blind. Mozenrath scrambled madly, searching for Chroias's key life signatures. He locked on to a faint tacking of power that was demon and saw a hint of green through the haze. "Roi." he whispered faintly as her body came into view. Tearing across the marble floors he grabbed her hand and looked into the almost dead crimson eyes.

Nefret watched her master.no her friend touch the cheek of the demoness. She heard a whisper something so faint it was almost unintelligible. Then Mozenrath rounded on Chinadas. His eyes glowed almost as brightly as his lovers as his body started shaking. "What-did-you-do-to-her?" he questioned, his gauntleted fist clenching and unclenching.

Chinadas threw back her head and laughed. "Da same ting, I sa gonna do to all ya." her grin was inhuman as she flung the next bolt at Kal. The storm sorceress screamed as the power hit her full force and the sound of bone hitting wall echoed in the acoustics.

Kal landed hard, but flung her own power back at the half demon."take it you bitch." she snarled and smiled with an almost evil glee as Chinadas lost her breath.

Nefret pushed Mozenrath away from Chroias. "Go! You can't help her any more then you have. I'm doing no good with a bad arm and your powers are more needed."

Mozenrath turned and looked back at Nef and Chroias. "Nefret, don't you dare let anything happen to her." he growled at his minion.

Nefret would have taken offence to it, but the worry in his eyes was far more then she could stand. "I won't let so much as a flea touch her Moze." she comforted the demoness head in her arms and felt relived as a heart beat met her palm. She pressed a friendly kiss to the demoness's head."Come on Roi, we could really use you right now."

Laura hefted her weight onto one side of her body and used her stick to concentrate her power. The black sand gushed through the hole in the floor and surged in a wave after the half blood. Chinadas took the nasty end of it and sprawled on the floor. Her eyes glowing and her power re gathering immediately around her body. "Fool! All ya be folls! I gonna make you wish da nesnas had taken yea apart like fish!" her voice consumed the very air around them as she flung Laura through the air and launched her against the ceiling. "Now fo you!" she whirled on the sorcerer and flung her magic at him again.

Mozenrath caste his own power into the air and blocked Chinadas's shot, both struggling to regain control.

Chapter 215 (by Nefret) Nefret smoothed away Chroias's hair and examined her head, no blood. A cursory inspection of the rest of the demon proved no broken bones or open wounds. That however did not bode well. If it wasn't some external infliction that kept Roi's eyes closed then it had to be internal. A problem beyond the working of stitches and bandages. Nefret's mouth twitched as she suddenly leaned in closer. "Open up your eyes damn you!" She threatened as a certain demon had when she was on her own deathbed. It didn't have the same effect.

Mozenrath felt the rage infusing in his power strengthen it. Don was trying to reassemble his fallen comrades but they seemed so far way as he crawled across the freezing floor. Kal's magic, even in her state, flowed around the room in the form of swift winds. Laura lay on the floor in a drowsy state, she had suffered a concision and was trying to keep from falling asleep even as every cell in her body pulled her under. Each time she thrust herself back awake the ground shook in aftershocks. This knocked a vase off its table, the shattered pieces only being swept up in Kal's storm. Nefret saw the razor sharp bits in time to throw herself over the fallen demon. True to her word she was going to protect her friend even if it meant a few scratches and imbedded bits of glass.

Nef bit back the pain and did the only thing she could do now, pray. "Hathor hear me.."

Don reached the girls and quickly brought them back to the waking world with a hard slap. The after shocks worsened for a moment then died as Laura calmed down. Kal slowly took down the wind as she examined the blood tricking from her nose.

"My lord of healing Khensu Nefer-Hetep, I evoke thee." Nefret continued.

Mozenrath assaulted the half-breed with a swift wave of power. She grunted as her face snapped over her shoulder but relayed with a slap of her own. Don gave a war cry as a ring of fire circled the gang making sure no one fled the arena. "No one is leaving until this is done!" He promised in a harsh whisper that was unlike him.

Nefret remained bent over her friend. Unsure what internal injury she might have the girl could only cover all the bases. "Four sons of Horus I bid thee to me. Mesthi guardian of the liver."

Chinadas laughed at the heat against her back, it was nothing to someone with hell demon blood in her veins. A sudden bolt sent Mozenrath to the ground and the gauntlet skidded across the ground. Chinadas grinned as she calmly started for the leather glove.

"Hapi Guardian of the lungs." the Egyptian whispered breathlessly.

Mozenrath growled when he realized the half-breed meant to take possession of his prized gauntlet. Skidding to his hands and knees he darted for the glove. But Chinadas would get their first and Kal could see it. A strong gust of wind easily blew the glove out of both their grasp.

"Tuamutef guardian of the stomach."

Now with the race for the gauntlet useless the half breed and Mozenrath darted their eyes back to each other. Moze pulled up his lip in sheer hatred and Chinadas smiled. The earth trembled indicating the Celtic was at it again. With a quick look in their direction Chinadas sent Kal, Don and Laura up against a wall and a high tech lever slapped over them, something like a large vertical mousetrap.

"Qebsunf guardian of the intestines...."

Moze spared a look at them before turning back to the hafling. She stood tall and proud. The young sorcerers were trapped under antimagic metal, the demon was out cold, the human minion was no competition, and the sorcerer was without his gauntlet. She was in control, she would deal the hand of death. Mozenrath snarled as the dark woman's chest heaved in silent laughter. "May you be scattered 'pon de wind." She raised her hand for the deathblow.

Moze gulped. "May Allah help me in what I am about to do and may those I love forgive me for it."

"I call thee to me!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Nefret screamed with all her might.

Mozenrath let the damn break. Bolts spilled from him. Without the focus of the gauntlet his magic ran wild and free. Blue-black threads roared in the air uncontrollable and untamed. She closest to him suffered the brunt of the power, Chinadas. Moze raised his hands, his finger splayed taught, his eyes wild and his head fell back as a roar escaped his throat and bounced off the walls. He was beyond the pain of it now, the rush was incredible. All civilized manner and human instinct fell away for a moment. The half demon screamed in sharp chorus to his feral cry as she covered her face and fell back into the fire circling them. Kal Grunted holding in her scream better than Laura and Don as stray threads licked over them. Nefret cried out at the cutting pain and her muscles went taught.

With a grunt Moze fell to his knees and the wild magic died out in a flash. Those trapped beneath the antimagic bar let out a breath and let fell back against the wall taking in gulps of air. Nefret went limp over her friend for a moment before pulling herself into a heap just to the side. The sudden pressure was enough to make the demon stir and slide open her eyes a bit.

Chapter 216 (by Kalynn) Chroias smiled lightly at her friend. "Who let the magic out?" she whispered in a horse voice and shakily tried to get to her feet. "Nef I have to help him." She fell to the ground and Nefret held her there.

"Moze can do this without you all right! he just damn near knocked Chinadas out of commission so just reign yourself in." Nefret forced her friend to sit as she hugged her tight. "I'm glad your alive."

"I wouldn't have died, not really, but!" She groaned and held a hand to her palm. "It's gonna be a while before Moze and I can go back to our nightly activitys." She grinned ruefully. "Oh damn but this is going to hurt."and whispered in cryptic Greece words.

The floors began to shake as the demoness's eyes turned red, the gold, then a fiery combination of the both. Chinadas must have sensed something for she whirled on the pure blood her eyes glowing angrily. "You wouldn't DARE!!" she screamed with almost none of her original accent. "you too sweet to do it!"

"Is that all you were depending on?" Chroias growled just as angrily as she stood in one swift movement and faced Chinadas. "Oh really you little bitch!" she snarled as her wings came into focuses. "You have underestimated my Chinadas. I am kind because I choose to be! Because I choose a different life from most of my kind does not mean that I have forgotten what I am!" The glow in her eyes swelled as a rush of fire flew from them. It's green intensity swirled around her in a hellish fit.

Mozenrath as well as all the other magic creature recognized the signature of what was coming. "GET DOWN!!!!!!!!" Mozenrath yelled at the top of his lungs as everything else vanished away while Chroias Hell fire engulfed Chinadas, herself, and because she was too close, Nefret as well.

Nefret could only make out the barest of what was happening between the two demonesses ,but that wasn't what her eyes were really on. It was the faces surrounding her. People, people from all over the world with ravaged faces stared and seemed to congregate around Chroias. They were vengeful spirits, ready to destroy and kill as she commanded them to and Nefret could only watch in horror as they flew at Chinadas. The demoness screeched as the flew at her, tearing the cloths from her body in pure force and flinging her against the wall while the bombardment continued. Somewhere in the haze, Nefret could hear Chroias still muttering the strange words and sending the spirits after Chinadas. Blood seemed to ooze from everywhere. The walls of green fire dripped with the crimson fluid and she Nefret back away as it crawled towards her. The blood had a mind of it's own and seemed determined to engulf her until Chroias's head snapped to the side, she flung her hand and the blood retreated, engulfing Chinadas instead.

Chinadas screamed as she saw what was coming for her. "No! You can be doin dis!" her voice was desperate almost fearful. Her reptilian eyes begging in some wild way.

Chroias's face was cold and without mercy."Yes Chinadas Restamvel Dismontiquea. I can." The blood crawled over Chinadas and a final scream of terror soared in the halls of flame as the human shaped blood flung Chinadas to the ground and began to wrap her tight.

Slowly the walls of blood retreated and the Citadel came back into view. Chinadas still lay covered in the blood, screaming in evident agony. Chroias's eyes lost their evil light as she sank to the floor, being caught by Mozenrath as he smoothed her hair back. "Why did you do that Roi." He whispered and kissed her sun burned skin gently.

"WHAT did you DO!?!?!?" Nef nodded to the screeching Chinadas on the floor, her eyes had become as big a saucers and her pupils had shrunk.

Chroias leaned her head slowly over to her friend. "It's called the Spirit's Vengeance. A concentration of all the tormented souls in Hell. The Hell most mortals believe exists. It takes them and uses their fury for a demons purpose. Only two demons anywhere can cast it. Myself, and one other." She looked keyingly at Chinadas.

"Then why didn't she cast it first?" Don asked , coming closer from where he was.

"Because of what it causes, the pain." Chroias arched suddenly and closed her eyes. "It hurts so much and she was, so weak already!"

Chroias gripped Mozenrath suddenly and he held on to her, the look in his eyes desperate worry. "It's alright." He smoothed her hair and held her body close to his. "It's over now." A small tear fell from his eyes as Chroias whined in pain. "I'm taking you home." He suddenly remembered their situation and realized he couldn't make that promise and keep it. Now was not the time however. Chroias was in pain, extreme pain. The bloody tears of a demon were streaming from her eyes and her body seemed ragged and limp. Her green hair was singed at the ends and the shivered racking her body told him she had to be freezing after that heat from the green flames.

Kal came up from behind, touching her ancestors shoulder. "My friend can help her." she whispered gently. "He can do magical healing as well as the normal human ones."

Mozenrath looked up at Kal. Seeing for one moment a kind of soft pity and quiet intelligence in her eyes that reminded him so much of Chroias. "All right." He whispered. "And when she comes around you and I have something to speak about." He whispered to himself in a worried tone.

Chapter 217 (by Nefret) The demon was breathing steadily under a sedated sleep. Her wounds had been charmed into healing and the rendments of her last spell had been whipped away taking most of the pain with it. Under a pile of blankets she still seemed a bit singed but she was much better than she had been. While the pain dissolved the doctor saw fit to put her under. Chroias, the trooper she was, protested it all the way but with a nod from Mozenrath the good doc injected his unwilling patient with a good dose of sleeping medication. That had been more than 3 hours ago and Moze still sat embracing his lover's hand. The room was quite, everyone having been shooed away to be repaired and debriefed by Nox. Mozenrath placed his head down on the demons abdomen. He had refused medical care even after what he had put his body through. Stubborn mule.

Nefret appeared at the door wondering if she should disturb him. She had just been released from the sick ward and with her arm bandaged, glass shards removed from her back and the shock of Mozenrath's bout of wild magic checked over. she felt. well maybe not 100% but she'd live. She bit her lip and entered. "How is she?"

"Asleep." Moze looked up unsurprised by the sudden voice in the room. He had known Nefret had been in the doorway for some time. "But comfortable and... better off than she could have been." He raised his head to look at his minion. His face was ravaged by worry and exhaustion.

"Told you I wouldn't let a flea touch her." Nefret gave him a mock haulty look. As she pulled the covers under the demons chin.

Moze chuckled wearily. "So you did. I train my servants to be loyal." He jabbed then looked away. "What about you? You look like hell." The sorcerer grumbled slumping further in his chair now that Nefret was coddling his lover. "Thanks!" Nefret snorted and gave him a dirty look. She softened and looked away. "I look like hell because I've just seen it." They were silent for a while. "Go on then. I'll stay with her, you need to do... other things." Nefret made a shooing motion to the door.

"No. I'm watching over her." He stood up and pushed Nefret aside to take her place at the demons side.

"You trusted me to take care of her then. What's changed?" Nefret demanded. Mozenrath looked at her for a moment then down with a nod.

"Ok, call if anything happens." He sighed and wearily started for the door.

"My lord?" Nefret called just before he was out of sight. Mozenrath stopped but didn't bother to turn around. "All we have been though in the past year.. I'm tired and weary from it. I was never meant for this life.. I'm having a hard time..."

"I know." Mozenrath interrupted. "We're all in the same boat Nef." He added before leaving to hunt down Kal.

Nefret's face showed a bit disappointed as she turned back to her friend. She smoothed her singed hair. Two arms suddenly wrapped around her waist. She would have panicked if she hadn't seen the scars covering one of them.

"Well looky here, we survived after all." Don whispered from behind here. "No if I recall we were going to do something if we lived.. What was that again?"

"No, no. You're distracting me now. I have a job to do." Nefret scorned but didn't protest, as his grip got tighter. She pretended to fix the demons covers again even though they were in perfect order. Don could see she was trying to fool him and with a growl he started a relentless tickle campaign. "Oh no..Leave me alone!" Nefret growled out between unstoppable laughter. She was serious though and Don could tell.

The fire mage pulled back slightly hurt by Nefret's rejection. "What the hell is wrong with you?!"

Nefret didn't turn to face him. "Mozenrath is dying to get back home. He doesn't know how, but he'll find his way soon." Nefret mumbled regretfully. Don could see her shoulders visibly slump with the burned their relationship put on her. A conflict of interests and loyalties. "Nefret. I never meant to put you in this situation. I only meant to give you a choice. If you want to stay here I will fight any claim your master might have on you. I will physically fight if it comes down to it. And if you want to go... I wont say anything. It's your choice, I can't make it for you. You have a big decision to make."

"And if I don't want to make it?" Nefret went a bit limp as Don wrapped his arms around her and tensed again as another voice rang out.

"You have no choice but to decide." Chroias said in a voice still a bit weak.

Nefret's head snapped up to the demon's face. Her eyes went wide when she encountered open crimson eyes filled with concern. "How long have you been awake?"

Chapter 218 (by Kalynn) Chroias smiled and sat up a little. "Since the start of the conversation." She winced and rubbed her arm where the doctor had inserted the needle. "Damn. I hate needles." She looked again at her friend. "Nef, you know I'd love for you to stay with us, in fact I'd insist upon it. But it's your decision. Not mine. And you know if I play up to Moze he'll let you go."

Nefret laughed. "Right now your not in a condition to do anything with Moze." She held up a glass of water and forced Chroias to sip.

The demoness scrunched up her nose at the taste. "Ugh! What's in that stuff."

Nefret smiled innocently. "Oh just something to help you get back to sleep." She caught the mock anger in Chroias's eyes. "Don't you give me that look! You know damn good and well you need all the rest you can get."

Chroias laughed and held her stomach in pain. "Don't make me laugh Nef, really don't make me laugh." Her eyes dropped slightly and she moaned in sleep. Chroias lay back on the pillows as the drugs took effect.

Nefret sighed and put her head in her hands. "What's with me?" she questioned herself. "Gods know I want to stay with Don. Chroias could certainly talk Moze into it! Well maybe." she reconsidered as she looked at Chroias's singed skin. Sighing she picked up a towel and washed it in a sink, bathing off the burns from Chroias's flesh. She could see where the effects of demon blood were already working on healing it up again, slow, but it was happening. "I mean I do have affection for Don, or maybe it isn't just that. Maybe it's just because I haven't been with a man since I became Mozenrath's prisoner. And no company of that sort can make a girl uncomfortable. But leave me home?" she rubbed off a black mark on Chroias's face. "Leave my time and never see it again? I have so much I still wanted to do. And Moze, poor Moze, how will he ever manage that Citadel without me?" she giggled lightly and looked at her friend. "Roi. We've become close then I'd ever have thought. True she will live forever. But can I wait that long to see her again?"



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

Kal flopped down in a chair beside's Mozenrath. "How's your girl holdin up?" she asked and pushed her mass of dreadlocks back from her head.

"Fine just fine." He answered and looked up at her. "Damn but she does look an awful lot like me. Same bone structure, same eye shape and lips. But she's got Chroias's pale skin. And a bit of her body frame to. Lith ,but not to strong. Tall and agile." He smiled as Kal looked away. "I wonder if she get's her power from me?"

Laura brought over some glass's of brandy and Kal drunk her's in one gulp. "Slow it down girl. You'll get shit faced." She warned and Kal smiled. Mozenrath almost fell off his chair as he noticed the pointed canines that marked another point in her favor.

"I can afford it. I'm happy. For once our people have a chance to thrive." She poured herself another cup. "I've strove for this my entire life. No more digging off the streets and scrounging in the bins for just something to wear! No more having to guard our magic use to keep from being exposed. Laura, we have our freedom!" the smile on her face was beautiful and she tossed her head back. "I have a damn right ot be proud. So do you." she shoved Mozenrath slightly and gave him the first warm and welcoming smile he'd ever seen on her face.

Mozenrath returned the smile and sank back to his drink. 'Are you going to bring it up or not?' half of himself demanded.

'I dont see why I should. Besides I'm not totally convinced shed my descendent.'

'Of what a load of camel dung! You know good and well she is! Look at her fool'

Mozenrath inspected her once again. True enough, the resemblances were stunning. 'Still, so many generations away, will it make any difference if I told her. And still I have my suspicions'

'Like?'

'For one I think she already knows were decedents. Otherwise why would she have gone through all the trouble of erasing her past? Even from the people she trusts with her life?'

'Because she is exactly like you!' Mozenrath grimaced. That made far to much sense.

Chapter 219 (by Nefret) New as of 2-4-02

Mozenrath looked to Laura and the Celtic immediately knew she was unwelcome. With some excuse about Bonny needing a walk she exited leaving them to their business.

"Need a refill?" Moze offered Kal as she gulped down the dregs of her last glass. Kal smiled as her glass was filled again almost to overflowing. Moze smiled to, three drinks might just loosen her lips and bring down those barriers of hers. "I must admit, you did quite well back there, a fine display of control over your power.. It's to be expected though, with the stock you come from." He whipped innocently as the blush of brandy colored the girls cheeks.

Kal visibly stiffed and even though the alcohol Moze could almost feel the gust of cold wind as the walls flew back up and locked. "Funny thing to say. You know nothing of my background. You don't know a thing about me!" She miffed and scooted away from him. "Alls you know you learned I the past few days, and I tell you there is nothing more you will learn either."

"Well you couldn't of just sprang from the dust.. Must of come from some mother, some father, some grandparents and great grandparents and great great."

"Yeah, I get the picture." Kal cut him off but made it very clear the conversation was over. Or at least that's the way she wanted it, Moze had other plans.

"Oh I see." Moze nodded knowingly and looked way as if he was now done with the conversation.

"Oh I see what?" Kal inquired sharply. She had given nothing that would make him so sure he had any idea about her or her past.

"Oh I was just saying I understand why you're so secret about your past. Even to your little friend there. I see, I see." He raised his hand to silence Kal when she stated to sit up a bit to assure him whatever he was thinking was terribly wrong. "No, no. You don't have to say a word. I understand."

"What the hell are you thinking sorcerer?!" Kal stood up to tower over him.

"Your heritage, it must be very shameful." Moze shook his head almost sympathetically.

"You think my family was a dirty bunch? You think I have the blood of whores and thieves in my vain. Do ya!!!?? Ha!" Kal spat before turning on her heals to he door.

"No." Mozenrath's voice seemed to ring off the walls. Kal stopped her breath baited. "I think you have the blood of sorcerers and demons in your veins." Mozenrath's voice was daring and on the border of foolish. Kal whirled around with fists clenched in fist of rage. "I think you have my blood in those damn veins of yours."

Kal could take no more. In a flurry of wind she struck out at the sorcerer. "Don't say such filth again!" To her surprise Mozenrath caught her hand easily and held her with little to no trouble.

"Just under the surface here! There I am, there Chroias is, there's Zak or Tristram. All there all mixed together right in you." He growled out over the racked Kal was making as she struggled for control of her wrist. "I'm part of your blood, your skin, your mind, and yes, your liniage." Kal stopped struggling for a moment. Breathing heavily she met his eyes with ones full of distaste. "I'm part of you." Moze added in a quiet though forceful tone.

"Never will I let YOU be a part of ME!" Kal's anger gave her strength to break away at the last word. Backing off while pointing viciously at him she continued. "Never, ever will I be a part of this bloody family!"

"Bloody family?" Moze shook his head.

"A family filled with evil and darkness and demonic stock, soaked in the blood of everyone you crushed to get were you are. I will not have MY name soaked in that same debauchery. I will not be like you!" Kal ended an a calm note. "I am different. Better."

"That's all you see than, in this family? Don't you know every family has skeleton in the closet?" Moze cut off at the sharp look of Kal. "True this one may have more than others, but you must look at the big picture. What do the history books say of me? That I'm some ruthless satanic tyrant that would as soon cut your thought as to look at you? There is always truth in rumors." Moze sat down calmly. "I may not be a good man, but not whole heartedly evil either. Those book will never mention the good I have done, doesn't make an interesting story."

"Good!!!" Kal dropped back her head in a laugh. "What good could you have in ya?"

"Would a wicked man gain the love of a good woman for 7 years, would he love her? Could he possibly father children that turned out as pure hearted and kind as my own? Chroias, Zakurum and Tristram are all representations of my good side, my better side. Look at them can they be the product of evil? I am good somewhere, deep down, they are the proof. They are the only proof I need to know despite my best effort I am good yet." Moze gave a joking grin. Kal's eyes dropped in thought. "And Nefret." Moze went on.

"That girl is a fine example of your debauchery! I've read of her, her life before you, all that you have done to her, the death and dismemberment she faced on a daily basis, the fear of your brute way your whipped into her! Yet another life you've ruined and more blood stained on 'our' family name!" Kal spat out felling her anger renewed.

"I think Nef is an example of my generosity!" Moze yelled back than settled his temper again. "My SELECTIVE generosity. She has more with me than she could have ever had in Egypt. She is happy." Moze looked straight into Kal's eyes. "Nefret is a good person with a righteous soul, and she is happy to be part of his family." The prospect of his words cut right though Kal she looked up. "Being member of this family of ours doesn't' make us evil or shameful, It's only ourselves that can do that."

"Well Mozey, you always did have a flair for words. A flair for making the truth cutting to." Kal smiled and sat back down at his side to think.

Moze smiled as Kal looked to his face with a small excepting smile. "So girl, what's your name? Your FULL name?" He elbowed her a bit.

"Oh no, we're not tacking on anything to my name just yet. You go home. Go home and go on with your life. If I like what the new history books say about you I'll THINK about adopting the family name."

****

Nefret paced nervously tuning the ring around her pinky. She bit her lip and looked at the clock.

"Sorry I'm late." Don whispered out. Nefret rushed into his arms. "Hey now, don't you think we should wait till AFTER dinner at least?" Don teased.

"When did you get so picky about time?" Nefret teased back but her smile faded with Don's grin. "No, I was just kidding. We actually have to talk."

"Talk, why talk when we.." Don broke off as Nefret turned away to sit on the couch. "I don't like the sounds of this." He breathed as he joined her.

"It's nothing bad, not really. I just need to know something." Nefret took a breath. "Don, do you. love me?"

Don blanched. Coming from any other girl it would have sounded demanding and forward, but he knew why she was asking. "Nefret, we've only been together...it takes time to know." Don looked away unsure if the words would hurt her. "Do you?"

"I feel for you but I. don't know."

Don nodded sadly. "Than that's your decision."

"No!" Nefret burst out. "I haven't made one yet. But I need to weigh both sides to see if. if." She laughed nervously. "If anyone cares for me."

"You know Chroias.." Don offered but was cut off.

"I don't mean her. I know her feelings, but with either life I choose I will see her again. If she goes home today I'd she'd still be in this time, her aged self. There would be no break form her, she might have to wait a few hundred years to get to this year again but that's probably a drop on the bucket of her. I'm basically choosing who I want to leave forever, you and Moze. I need to know how you two feel about me. you could love me, and I could love you. That will be a large part of my decision, now I need to know the other half. I need to know if, as his words towards me suggest, if Mozenrath really doesn't give a damn about me. I need to tell him. and ask him if he cares."

Chapter 220 (by Kalynn) Kal searched through the extensive library. Much as she hated to admit it, Mozenrath's words had gotten to her. She had never had an easy life. Her father had abandoned the family when he discovered his wife had been a member of the Mozenrath family line. The when she was born, her mother had promptly died, leaveing a lost and alone child. The hospital doctors had dumped her in an orphanage, one of the worse one's at that. All through her life, strange things happened around the young red headed girl. When she was sad, it rained, when she was mad, it stormed. Children mad fun of her on the playgrounds because she was pale and odd looking. Not like any of the others. But these odd things never seemed to be under her own control. She never knew how to manage them. Often, people including herself, got hurt.

Poprieter had been a stocky old man who had other means of making money. When the girls in his possession came of about 10,he sold them to whoever paid the best price. It never mattered to him what they did with the girls so long as he got his share. Kal had been almost nine when he tried to sell her off to a Public Harem. "A child of misfortune, Kal had always learned to push for what she wanted. "Never let 'em see you break" Had always been her philosophy. So when the old fool had tried to sell her to the Harem maneger, Kal finally lost control.

"I can still smell his charred flesh in my nose." Kal thought as Amshak hopped up on her shoulder. A lightning bolt was all it had taken to kill the man.Kal had been so terrified of what she'd done she'd run off into the streets and no one had ever seen her there again.

Amshak had been the first true friend she'd found. Actually, he'd found her. Cold and alone, when Amshak had found her good luck started to turn in her direction. Amshak found her decent clothing and a place to stay. And no one ever bothered the odd little teen who spoke to her quaint pet cat. Amshak helped her find pieces of her life again. Peaces of what she knew. If it hadn't been for Amshak, Kal might have never know she was a sorceresss. He brought her books of magic and anything else he though to be use full and Kal absorbed the information like a spunge. She threw nothing away, memorizing it all.

Soon after her thirteenth birthday, she'd met Laura, then with her came Don. They had helped her to finish out her coaching and Amshak had stayed on as her friend and councilor. Even with the ristamak all over the place Kal found a goal in life. She had dedicated herself to the freedom of magic and it's people. She knew as well as any of them the hardships that went with their kind and was determined to somehow find a paradise for her friends. And then Mozenrath had dropped out of the bloody sky.

"Why in the Hell did he have to turn up?" Kal questioned and heard Amshak's telepathic chuckle.

"You know damn well why. Because you've never accepted who you are."

"I don't want to accent it. I may be his descendent, but I do not wish to follow his foot steps."

"Is that what your so bloody afraid of? Kal Janell."

"Don't you dare say it" Kal warned him through her thoughts. Amshak could read her thoughts just as much as she his.

"Kal look at what you've done! You've helped so many. You've dedicated your life to something worthwhile and wonderful! How can you think that admitting your past is an evil thing to do?"

"Because it's not my past. It's his." A mental image of Mozenrath radiated between the two and Amshak sighed.

"I cannot force you to accept him as you family member." Amshak said in bitter defeat. "But perhaps, they will not be here much longer Kal. There is much you could learn for him. It is not as though he has not suffered in his life. Every one, even now, knows the rumors of Distane's perversions. Every one know's about Mozenrath's hand and his mother's abuse towards him." Amshak rubbed his cheek against hers. "Who's to say he might have turned out differently if it had not had been for those things? Talk to him Kal. Let him know you're on the level. Open up to him just a bit and you'll be surprised what you may find out."

"Why? Have you mind read him?" Kal asked and got a mental image of Amshak smiling.

Chapter 221 (by Nefret)

Kal sighed as she closed the library door. She passed by the parlor door and backtracked, sticking her head back though the door she found Laura flopped in a chair slowly tinkering with Bonny's fur. The girl seemed to be far way even though she was just a few feet way. The reason soon became apparent. The TV was on.

"It really is amazing, a population that the government has actively and publicly condemned is now filing out into the street with no police resistance!" The blonde haired news anchor reported. The wail of victory cries and the blare of cries filtered through the TV. "Even now, if you can see behind me, the PNDC.. the uh, paranormal detainment center.. The gates are just being flung open and I can see all sorts of people and. strange beasts just parading out. The Ristamk official had this to say about their policy reform."

Kal edged behind Laura to watch the TV as to her surprise Nox appeared on screen. "We have lived though a dark and scary time. Because of one great threat mass precautions had to be taken. Many detained to protect the public of just a few. I am now happy to tell you the threat is over, Chinadas is gone and there is now more danger from the..er. more extraordinary sect of our population. Many years ago we felt a great terror to this nation and took extensive and thoroughly necessary precautions! And I am proud to announce the system has worked! We protected this public. We here feel very proud and."

Laura flipped off the TV. "For just a moment I expected an apology." She scoffed.

Kal let out a heavy breath as she flopped down beside here friend. "You should know better than to think the government would admit to wrong doing!" Kal shook her head amused then saw the look still crimping the Celtics features.

"This isn't the end. The government has poisoned the minds of the public for so long with slander about us. Just 'cause the politicians have done an about face we're still going to face a lot of prejudice." Laura pulled herself up to walk to the door, Kal followed.

"It's better than we've been doing! If I go into a restaurant I don't really give a damn now if they give me a dirty look, all's I'll care about is being in a restaurant!" Kal laughed then grew a bit more serious. "It will dissolve in time. And you and I and Don and ALL of us will show those bigots we're just as good as they are."

"Don't you mean better?" Laura jabbed.

"Precisely!"

*****

Nefret sighed as Chroias nodded slightly, still not convinced. "You know Moze, he's so tight-lipped and secretive with his feelings. He has just as many walls up as a labyrinth and he hides deep in the center afraid if he lets them down he'll find a slap in the face waiting behind them. And many times, years ago, that's the way it would have been." Chroias smoothed the girl's curls. "Tell him carefully, and don't throw it in his face. For once in your life be humble and speak delicately. This sort of thing is going to go straight through him, and if you say it wrong he may have a conniption, throw you across the room and take Don's head off!" Chroias's bit of humor didn't sit well with Nefret at the moment. She visibly stiffed and something deep in the stomach crashed to her feet.

"Roias, I'd appreciate it if you stayed just outside the room. When Moze gets in one of his fits you're the only one who can bring him to his senses!" Nefret laughed as hollow laugh. There had only been several occasions when she felt Mozenrath posed a serious danger to her, only rarely did she ever feel him capable of really hurting her. She had gotten away with a lot, perhaps she had become to overconfident. Nefret had seen what happened when someone challenged her master. With a tender kiss from Don she followed Roias to the mansion study where Mozenrath had shut himself in.

"I'll be right here listening." The demoness smoothed as Nefret took a deep breath and entered the study alone.

Mozenrath was pouring over some books that he immediately slammed shut at the sight of his minion. "Damn it girl! I was working, what is so important that it couldn't wait?"

Nefret hesitative but firmly sat herself down in the arm chair facing the desk Mozenrath was planted behind. "I have something to tell you Mozenrath." Mozenrath's eyebrows arched. "I suppose your looking for a way back home?" She didn't wait for an answer. "Don and I have become involved. It hurts me to think of leaving him."

"Well that's you own fault. You knew were weren't' staying here, you should have left him alone." Moze went back to reading.

"That's just it. I'm not sure if I'm going home with you." Nefret said lowly. Mozenrath head shot up. "Don's given me the option to stay."

Chapter 222 (by Kalynn) Mozenrath snapped his mouth shut firmly. Nefret hear the wheels turning in his head as he weighed the statement. "You should not have permitted yourself to become involved." he stated in a half dead sort of voice and began to turn back to his book.

Nefret felt a warm blush rise on her cheeks. "Well it's not as though it was completely my fault ya know. I've been locked up in that Citadel for nearly five years with the only male company being you and the occasional perverted King!" she grabbed the edge of Mozenrath chair and hauled him around. "Can you blame me for when the opportunity comes along wanting to find someone to share it with?"

"Yes I can!!" Mozenrath pulled up the leg of her pants. The gold gleaming of the anklet shone forth in the evening light. "You think this will last when we go back to our own time. Not only does the anklet bond you to the borders of the Land of the Black sand ,but bonds you to me as well. That is why you are able to pass through with me by your side and feel no pain."

"But you can just take it off!" Nefret protested but could see the grimace on her masters face.

"You made your bed Nefret and laid in it to." Mozenrath dripped with sarcasm and what happened next could only be expected. Nefret hauled back her fist and punched him full in the face. Mozenrath's head snapped to one side and the sorcerer stood slowly, towering over her. He gripped her arm painfully and twisted it to the side ,he brought his hand half way to her face before he stopped and only pulled back a handful of her hair.

"Listen to me very carefully Nefret. We made a deal a very long time ago.You do recall that deal clearly in your mind don't you?" he waited till Nefret shook her head in earnest. "That deal is not yet up. But I will in earnest make you another one. When you have served your twent years to me.If you still wish to be with this Don person, I will reopen the portal to this world and let you go."

Nefret scoffed. "And what good is that going to do me when I'm old and gray?"

Mozenrath sighed and fingered the sharks tooth around his neck. "Where there is one there is another. I will find a way to restore youth to you before hand and then let you go. It would not be that difficult a task Nefret. I have already begun to study the propertys of the sharks tooth and am trying to find out if it can be used in other manners."

A flicker of hope flashed across Nefret's face. It wasn't the straight forward yes or no answer she'd wanted, and there were so many chances that something could go wrong.But a chance was a chance,and it was more then she had hoped to get from Mozenrath. "All right Moze. I want it in written contract. Chroias and Don can be witnesses and Don can keep the papers."

Mozenrath sighed, to tiered to do any more arguing. "Very well. Leave me now minion. I am not in a good mood and you are luck to have gotten this much leeway from me."

Nefret knew to take her chance while she had it, but could not resist looking at the book Mozenrath had closed on the desk. Expecting to find a spell book, she saw a book of hospital records. From the same hospital Laura had mentioned Kal being born at. Mozenrath was watching her movements, so she had no time for inspection. Pulling herself off the floor with as much dignity as possible, she walked out the door and was met by Chroias's hugging arms

"So much for speaking softly and with dignity." Nefret said as the demon smiled.

"It turned out far better then I expected. You can have the best of both worlds Nefret."Chroias beamed and began walking down the corridor with her.

"How do you mean?"

"Silly mortal! Don"t you get it?"Seeing that the pint was lost on her she elaborated. "Even if Mozenrath shares the power of the sharks tooth with you, that is an extra two thousand years including the usual thousand years most sorcerers live. Nefret, you won't die before we do!"

Kal walked into the chambers Mozenrath was using and sat down across from him. "Wusp." she said in a tone meaning that she intended to stay for a moment or two.

Mozenrath lifted his head from his paper work and looked at her seriously. "Ok, are you here to bitch at me again or what?"

Kal grimaced but pulled a bottle of wine from thin air. "I came to talk. Look you wanna know the straight up truth. I admire you. I think how you managed power compared to the obstacle around you is amazing. I admire anyone who can be through all you have been and still manage to come out on top. But so help me Allah it galls me how you have the audacity to pretend to be a good person despite everything you've done. You and I both know that what you did wasn't so much to help us as it was done out of jealousy."

Mozenrath nodded and poured the wine. "I couldn't help it." he though for a moment. "When we met, you said your last name was Osburn. I assume that was a fake name."

Kal nodded. "Yes. I grabbed it off an Ozzy Osborn poster and changed a letter or two. Couldn't be heled. If anyone knew my real name, people are no less fond of you now then they were then." she sipped at the glass he'd given her and grinned. "I'm not too fond of you either."

"Yes I think you've made that blatantly obvious." Mozenrath returned the smile and a connection was made between the two. "Kal," he paused for a moment, unsure of whether or not to continue, but barreled onward. "Kal tell me everything. I assure you it can't be any worse then anything I've know?"

Kal scoffed and petted Amshak. "What makes you think there's anything to tell?"

"Are you kidding. You are so much like me it's frightening. And I know enough about myself to realize there is a story behind every face." Still Kal seemed reluctant to share anything and Mozenrath decided to risk it. Slowly, he pulled of the Gauntlet on his hand to show the bone beneath.

Chapter 223 (by Nefret)

Nefret crashed on the couch next to Don. He looked with concern to the finger marks appearing on her arm and the red spot creeping down her forehead from her scalp. He looked angry for a second, and even more miffed when Chroias came in and sat back in the chair across from him.

Chroias caught aura of protective rage radiation from Don. "Well it's not like it was unprovoked! Nef here gave Mozy quite a punch." Chroias laughed for a second she did find it rather funny. "Oh not that I condone it! Very bad Nefret, very bad girl!" Chroias scolded half mockingly.

Don was on the edge of his seat and the bemused looks on both girls were driving him crazy. "Well did we win or not!?"

"Win?" Nefret threw her arms around his shoulders and nuzzled into his neck. "My dear Don, there is no winning against Mozenrath. Only deals, contacts and compromises." Don accepted this with a sigh and wrapped an arm around Nefret as she pulled back. Chroias had a silly little grin on her face. Don caught it and self-consciously untangled himself from Nefret and pulled the arm of his shirt down to cover his scars.

"God you to are just so cute!" she teased. "You know who you two remind me of.."

The demon was cut off at the sound of a tapping, fast and furious, almost fumbling. The sound had become a familure one in this palace of marble floors. Laura rushed into the room canning her steps as fast as the girl could. Her face was redder than normal and her already messy hair was mussed. "I found the way back to your time. Or more like it. It's found us!"

Chroias examined the girl with a skeptical face. "Ridicules! How could a portal FIND us? It's nothing more than a little rip in."

"Portals don't create themselves!!!" Laura half yelled, rebuffed.

"Mozenrath has enemies, but none so powerful as to do this.." Chroias scoffed, but the little gears in her head were turning. "Such as spell would even take ME time and a lot of."

"Well it didn't seem to give her a problem, the dang portal opened in the garden and there SHE was grinning like a cheaser cat!" the Celtic grumbled.

"She?" Nef and Chroias's voices rose in unison.

"Well I'm guessing that's what you'd call it. When I said she looked like a cat I mean it! Little button nose, bit slit pupil eyes, ears. the whole nine yards. And she had the most awful laugh. I can still remember what she said to.. 'mommy's home' Creepy little thing." Laura warped her free arm around herself as if cold. Nef and Roias only looked at each other wide eyed.

*****

Kal grinned one sidedly and tipped her head, never even bothering to look at Mozenrath now exposed hand. "You like waving that thing around when you want to break people huh? It was one of the most interesting tidbit in the history book, your little skin problem." She scoffed.

"You... knew? History books?" The sorcerer stuffed his hand back in the gauntlet.

"It's all there in black and white." She opined to a leather bound book sitting on a stand in the corner like some gilded treasure. "You entire biography. You'll be happy to know it takes up a whole chapter in the magical history textbooks."

"All of it?" Mozenrath looked at the book as if were his flaming doom.

Kal suddenly felt bad for even bringing it up. He didn't need to know his dirty laundry was now displayed for everyone to see. To her knowledge there had only been handful of people he had permitted to know the truth. And even for a while he had kept those he loved dearly in the dark about the whole thing. Just like.. Just like her. "Yes. All of it. And yes we all know, we have known, we will always remember. We look at you with the full knowledge of you life, our eyes are educated to you. I know who you are and what made you. I have that advantage over you." Kal's words seemed almost coolly cruel, but there was something in her eyes. just something unreadable yet. "You must feel so vulnerable now. You felt vuluerable when Chroias found out, threatned when your minion was told, ashamed when your children figured out something wasn't right. You feared the pity, the name you'd be pinned with."

"I am not pitied! I will not be pitied!" Mozenrath bursed to his feet.

"Exactly, they didn't let it matter, because they're your family. That's were we differ, I have had no family to confide in. No one who would understand."

"No?" Mozenrath questioned as she lowered down into the chair and crossed his arms on the desk as if he was getting ready for a long sitting.

Chapter 224 (by Kalynn) Kal sighed. "No I never have and never really will. I have regrets, blood on my hands, secrets and dirty dealings same as any one. I killed for the first time when I was only ten. Ran instead of becoming a public harem girl and selling my body to men." she laughed. "Ironically it would have been a much better life style then the one I'm leading now. But that's not why I didn't take it."

Mozenrath, glad to be finally getting some answers out of her took the opportunity. "Why then?"

Kal laughed outright this time. "Partly, that pride I get from your side! Partly because of the nature of my power." She turned and looked at Mozenrath. "My power is directly connected with that of the storm. I can't stand being cooped up or caged it. It's effectively the same as killing me." she shrugged and opened a window to let the dawn air paint her pale face like a spilled artists box. "Didn't you ever notice how nervous I constantly was when we were in the ristamas interrogation room. I busted the light because if I'm in the dark I can picture a spaceless void. Something I taught myself to get over the claustiphobia."

"It was a good way to deal with a potentially dangerous problem." Mozenrath agreed. "Do you know what I thought the first time we met?"

"That I was completely insane?"

"Yes. But also that you were a fighter. You and I are so much alike it's scary. Terrifying even. But what is more terrifying is what we have both been through to get to where we are." Mozenrath took a big leap with his next statement. "I respect you Kal. Not as much as some people do. But you have spent your entire life fighting for something you obviously believe in. You are well trained and well demarcated in your craft. Who taught you by the by?" Mozenrath smiled when she pointed to Amshak. "I should have guesses. Familiars always have a tendency to be wells of information." He winced in memories of Xerxes. "I guess I got the odd one..wait! What happened to Xerxes?"

Kal looked at Amshak and the cat let out a loud belch. "I'd say he's taken care of. Amshak has massive transportation spells that can carry him long distances. It's how he usually gets about to his many many harems among the city." Amshak hissed and made a playful swipe at his mistress's dreadlocks. "And you thought I didn't know about that!" Amshak made a series of hisses and meows and Kal listened intently. "He also says before you guys go he has a gift for Chroias."

Mozenrath nodded, not really listening. "Tell me more about yourself Kal. You have the unfair advantage over me." he pointed to the book.

Kal told him her whole story. From the first minuets she could remember, to killing the orphanage man ,to where Amshak had found her ,to the runs she had made to get some sorcerers(which remained nameless),out of Agrabah. "It was a way to make money. Even though most of the world was and still is disagreeing of sorcerers, there are safer places for us then here. I was given the option to go, but my life had more purpose here." She patted the wall. "Home sweet home."

"Yeah a place like this does grow on you. I still miss my old home though." Mozenrath wasn't being entirely truthful, but he figured it best not to risk working her emotions.

"Speaking of which. I heard the conversation between you and Nefret. If you hadn't done what you did I probably would have come in here and chewed your head off like I was intending to."

Chapter 225 (by Nefret)

Claws clicked on the floor and the door swung open. Slowly a strangly magestic image filled the doorway. Chroias crossed her arms and huffed, the air around her seemed to warm. Nefret took a step back and pressed her fingernails into her own palm.

A smile spread across the newcomers face as her eyes rolled over the gang. Making her way inside she feel upon the room with a broad sweap of her arms and a flashy smile. "welcome to my gift of love!"

"Look what the cat dragged in." Chroias scoffed as Mirage laughed and shifted her hips into a pose of utter narcissism.

"Dear daughter in law. Shall I embass you?" Mirage flicked open her hands, it just happened that her claws flahed in the sunlight. "And dear little fog horn." She hissed out the pet name in a sickinly sweet tone.

"Enough false salaams Mirage." Chroais brezzed, the demoness sat down wath the clear intent that everyone else should follow suit. "You bring a gift... of love you say?"

"BROUGHT dear child, brought and received. I do hope the ride wasn't a rough one for you portals can give those of weak stomachs a real case of sea sickness. Oh but look you got here in one piece and all in the right combinations! Good I was worried about that."

Nefret muttered a word that was almost unbearable, and a good thing that was to. The cat woman peered at the girl questionly, Nefret wasn't going to let it pass. "Gift of love? You're love could freeze beer, Mirage."

"That's what I love about mortals!!!!" Mirage raised her arms up as if Nefret had just don't the most brilliant thing in the world. "Higher levels of thought fry their brains! I so do enjoy dumbing things down for you little humans."

Chroias stopped Nefret before she could stand. "You think you've done some great thing here?" the demon was amazed in her inquiry as her arms made a sweeping motion.

"No, no, I don't the 'great things' gig. Lets call this personal improvement. Oh not that you all weren't perfect before! My son the floor mats for two willful wenches. My demoness daughter in law mellow mother and wife. And the little slave raised up to the level of second lady of the house. No, you all were just really the model for family life."

"And what are we now? How did the pain you inflicted on us change any of that?" Nefret sneered.

Mirage leaned over with a smile, the kind of smile you'd give a child. "Well little mortal, Chroias has realized again her full demon power, Mozenrath was made to fight to win back his own kingdom and sharpen his power and mind, and you.. I even gave you a little something." Mirage's cat eyes flicked to Don. "Now I believe I'll go see my son." Chapter 226 (by Kalynn) Amshak curled up in Mozenrath's old turban. He was frankly surprised that things were going this well between Kal and Mozenrath so far. They were at least talking to one another in a semi-civilized tone now. Actually it sounded more like a peace treaty talk between the Middle East and America. But it was coming along. He smiled to himself. So much had been going on between them and Amshak knew he'd done his best. In fact he'd come to care for Kal like a father might a daughter. And since she'd never really had a father before, the cat found himself contented to be the substitute.

Suddenly Amshak felt his cat sense tingling. There was another cat in the place, unidentifiable and unfamiliar to him. "Kal."

Kal visible stiffened in her chair. "Sup."

"I can smell another cat in the area ,magical, and with a defiant air of evil about her. You might want to out your guard on."

Kal didn't even get the opportunity to stand before Mirage burst into the room. "Well well well. So you two did meet up as planed."

"What the, oh your Annoying Incarnate ain't yeah?" Kal stated and Mozenrath had to cover his mouth in order to stop the laugh. "Your in all the history books."

Mirage seethed in anger for a moment, then presented the young woman with a sadistic smile. "Well now I DO hate to tear a family meeting apart, but it's time Mozey came with me." Mirage screeched as a black and white fur ball, almost too small to be anything but a mouse, launched itself at her, hissing and spitting loudly. Mirage screeched, bringing the others to attention.

For a moment no one could figure out what to do. Kal and Amshak were rolling on the floor laughing, Mozenrath seemed torn between laughing and helping the furball, Chroias and Nefret seemed none to concerned about the entangled cat but were more curious as to what had attacked her and how to thank it. Don was holidn Nefret back as though trying to protect her and Laura was simple frowning.

"I though you promised he wouldn't attack anyone again?" Laura turned to the laughing Amshak and the cat gave a human like shrug.

"He says," Kal managed to stand. "He says he can't help it, too much energy."

"What has to much energy?"

Kal turned as Amshak 'spoke' to her. "He say's this little thing is supposed to be his gift to you." She looked at the still screeching Mirage and pulled a black and white lump from her head. It tried to hang on with it's claws, but failed.

Chroias looked at it and seemed shocked. "It's a kitten!"

And indeed it was. A small, almost runtish kitten with sleek black fur just like his fathers and both front paws covered in white like he was wearing knee high boots. His green eyes looked up at the demon and he even seemed to grin at her.

"Amshak said he asked him to behave, but Mephistopheles isn't very good at settling down. Nobody wanted him because he's stuck at the runt stage." Mephistopheles meowed pathetically in contrast to his earlier attitude and looked up at Chroias."He doesn't have mind capability's yet, but that'll grow in time." Kal dropped the kitten in Chroias's arms and she tried to cuddle it, only to have the kitten yank at her large earrings and meow in a laughing fashion. "Adorable." She said sarcastically.

"Very cute." Mirage said lifting herself from the ground. She turned to Mozenrath in a huff and grabbed his arm. "We are going home now."

Mozenrath issued a strange noise from his mouth, something between a purr and a wild cat shriek. It surprised everyone in the room. But after all he was half cat and was bound to have certain cat characteristics. "We will go in a moment. I want the opportunity to say a few things."

Mirage smiled. "Awww. Saying by by between relatives."

Mozenrath spun but said nothing. "Kal." he held out his hand and she took it. "It has been a pleasure meeting you. I wish I could have found my decedents a bit better off then this," he gestured around, "But my family is nothing if not survivors."

Kal grinned at him. "I'll be damned. Hey Don! Hell just froze over!" she saw the man bust out laughing and Nefret turned to him.

"What are you giggling about?" she hugged him close.

"Oh just a little bet her and I made ages ago." He grinned at Nefret and whispered in her ear, she suddenly turned and smacked him lightly on the cheek.

Laura smiled and walked over to Nefret. "Give the guy a break gal. You'll be with him again soon enough, wouldn't want to think you left on a sour note."

Chapter 227 (by Nefret) Kal actually gave a sincere smile as the portal opened. Slowly the black and blue flames grew to frame a window to an old failure world. Thought the gateway the Citadel lay just as it had been left, dark, massive, and strangely homelike. The strange light washed over Laura's face as she watched Mozenrath and Chroias step through the time rift arm in arm following a still huffing Mirage. Nefret bit her lip slightly as she stared at the burring portal. Mozenrath, now in the other side and home, turned to look expectantly at his minion. Nef spun around and threw herself at Don.

"See ya real soon sweets." She whispered out after a bruising kiss. That done Nefret turned back to the not so happy looking Mozenrath. With shimmering eyes she jumped through the rift just as Mirage slammed it shut almost in her face.

Mozenrath let out a breath so deep it rivaled the winds of Libya. He was in his old stomping grounds again. His feet against his floor, breathing his air, he could almost feel the vibe radiating from the walls seeping in his skin. He was home, in a land where he ruled supreme, where he had total power and would forever. A sudden purr took that dominate feeling right out of him.

Mirage stood with her arms crossed and a very self-pleasing grin on her face. "King of the castle again are we?" Mirage tapped a claw to her cheek in thought. "Well, if that's what you need to feel secure, who am I to point out how POSITIVELY wickedly well that half blood ran this joint. She was tremendously evil." She clapped her furry little hands together. "Truly the best show of the worst attitude I've seen yet."

"I suppose now your going to get on your high horse and explain your latest brilliant escapade for us?" Mozenrath dripped with resentment as he breezed coolly with a wave of his hand.

"Explain? You already know all you need to know. ALL of you leaned a valuable lesson through my little 'escapade' and came away better for it. You desperately needed what you learned if you want to make it through your fated lives." Mirage's fangs glistened as she grinned.

"Oh that's not vague in the least." Chroias scoffed.

"Being mystifying is just in my nature my dear." The image of Mirage melted away till only shinning eyes remained. "Mother is watching." Came the finally cackling retort before the eyes blinked out.

Mephistopheles' lips pulled back in a hiss that that disputed his puniness. Both Nefret and Chroias gave that oh-look-how-cute look. Moze only rolled his eyes. Another sound came from the tiny kitten, but this time it was more of a surprised meow as a noise comparable to a cattle stampede rolled into the room. Anubis tackled Nefret as if she'd been gone for years. For the dog it couldn't have been more than a few hours, if Mirage had brought them back close to the same hour she had ripped them out of time. But still Anubis always did have a sixth sense when it came to his mistress. Mephistopheles seemed to grimace as he watched the dog lavish affection on the young Egyptian. He had been hoping to be the only and supreme animal ruler of the house and having a disgusting, uncouth, mangy dog slobbering all over his domain wasn't his idea of a good time.

After greeting everyone else Anubis took quite a shine to the new addition and, without the respect a cat deserves, pounced his new "playmate" with a happy yip. Of course, this lack of reverence was not taken well and the war was waged. Serious swipes were taken by Anubis as an invitation to play and soon enough kitten energy took over and the throne room became the scene of a grand game of "take this" between the two animals.