Patron Series

by LauraLynn

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

12. Patron12

Patron 12

Previously: (on general hospital) Crazy crazy adventures have happed! But after a little exertion into the romance drama of last part Mozenrath (our favorite evil sorcerer), Chroias (his demon girl friend with heart of gold.. kinda), and Nefret (Mozenrath's obstinate minion) are back in the saddle of magic and sorcery!! Always after new and more powerful magic Mozenrath is on a treasure hunt again. Yet this one could give him everything he wants and take everybody he loves. Hold on!!!

Chapter 257 (by Nefret)

Nefret sighed as she plopped down on her bed. Above her the ceiling stretched out like a night canvas. It was now 5 hours into her sentence and counting. Her room was the cell and her warden was an unusually even more repulsive mumluk standing on the other side the door. Nef rolled over with a huff. God Mozenrath was even mad enough to spare a guard to keep her in check. She didn't see the big deal, he'd made a mistake and she'd taken the time to fix it herself! So she destroyed half of the lab and could have killed herself, so what? At least she had a cellmate.

Anubis looked up at her licked his nose. "Don't start." Nefret groaned and took to fiddling with the fringe of a pillow. "I'm already on the point of deadly boredom! God 2 days. I'll go stir crazy before than." Nefret looked around for something to do. A sistrum sat placentaly on her dresser. With a smile she picked it up and into an impromptu dance. It seemed the signs of cabin sickness was already setting as she tripped over her bed and landed in a laughing fit. A sudden knock at the door made her go silent. If Mozenrath had found another chore for her she'd do more than slam the door in his face.

Carefully, as if afraid of what lay behind it, Nefret opened the door. Besides the mumluk sat a stack of books on the ground. Nefret's mouth pulled into a smile as she reached out to gather them. She let out a sharp gasp as the sword of the mumluk quickly fell just inches away from her finger. Apparently none of her was to leave the confides of her room. "Little to literal there corpus." Nefret growled and retreated back fully into her door.

Anbuis, given free reign trotted out and nudged the books into Nefret's allowed reach. The girl paced her room as she looked over the books. They were of the magical sort, but not the methodical, step by step, Arabic books Moze drooled over. These were adventure stories full of magicians, sorcerers, mystic beasts, and spells galore. And all written in the form of writing she was most comfortable with, hieratic.

A sudden clank of bridles and the plod of horse's feet brought the girls attention away from the stories. Padding to her window Nefret laid witness to a dark caravan coming over the dunes. It seemed eerie and she would have sworn she could have seen right through them to the dark sands behind. But Nefret attributed it the mirage effect of high winds and desert heat. Whatever they were they were headed for the Citadel with heavy feet.

Mozenrath sat on his throne admiring his face in the new sheen of the polished armrest. He pulled his lip back to Wisk away a speak from his white canine and grinned into his reflection. "Not all that bad."

Chroias who had just entered the room was unsure if he was talking about the shine job on the throne or his own reflection. "No not bad at all." She gave a suggestive smile, which was of course returned. Their little moment was brought to a halt was a dull knock rang out.

"Nefret!!!" Mozenrath yelled out of sheer instinct. "Door!!"

"Sorry dear. You've got her locked up tighter than Fort Knox." Chroias reminded.

"Oh yeah." Came the sorcerers grumbling answer. "I'll get it than." He pushed himself from the chair and stomped to the door. "What?!" He yelled as he pulled open the heavy door. His face fell as he was faced with the eternal silence of the black desert. Pulling his head out the door her scanned from left to right. "Nothing there." he whispered and scratched his head. "Was the wind. Nothing more."

Chapter 258 (by Chroias)

Mozenrath was not a trusting man by nature. Chroias and his children were exceptions to the rule. Even Nefret had his confidence though he wouldn't dare make mention of it. So after that odd knocking a few nights ago he'd made use of about ten captives in the dungeons bellow and added extra guards to the watch. Not a single building was without some surveillance.

A soft purring behind his averted his attentions while his undersenses told him it was only Mepho being carried in by Chroias. He took his sights off the dead city bellow and turned to look at his lover. 'Damn but she does have a habit of looking ravishing.' Mozenrath couldn't help but think. Chroias was wearing a simple bikini of dark emerald green along with a gossamer poncho made from illuminating indigo that shimmered when the candle light changed. Even with her hair now cropped and short the silver head band she wore looked beautiful on her..

"How now my love?" she said and slid her arms around his neck, kissing his cheek and fluttering her eyelashes across his skin.

Mozenrath twitched at it's tickle and jerked away. He clutched her arm and twirled her around in front of him, grabbing her around the waist and holding her tight. "Don't do that now." he trailed a finger up her spine and sides. "I have to supervise." he patted Mepho as the cat clawed at his turban.

"Supervise what? They're dead guys! What are they gonna do, mold on you?" She spun out of his reach and flashed her leg daringly. "I'm bored." she said in childish tones and grabbed his hands. "Come on."

"Come on what?" He grinned, knowing what she wanted full well. He was as ready as she was, but he also wanted to get back at her just a bit for shying from his bed. "I"m a very busy sorcerer I'll have you know! I can't just go running around and fornicating every time your animalistic side heats up."

What he said was true enough. Chroias, as a demon, had specific animal characteristics. Seeing in the dark, hunting, stealth, claws, fangs, and of course the 'urges' that came every now and then. Oh she could go through the motions of fornication as often as she wished, but there was that specific time of year in which she was especially, well the most polite terminologies would be healthy. In fact the last time she'd been so 'healthy' had been just a short while before she'd become pregnant with Tris and Zak.

Not that that was too much of a problem. He had certain spells that could remove that danger. But they tended to be less effective on demon's then human ladies. He should know, he'd had the privilege of testing it. But that wasn't the point. Chroias was obviously in the mood. But he had to get something's done first. Bedside's, if he forced her to hold off that would make delayed gratification worth while.

"Not now. I have things to do first." Mozenrath took great pleasure in seeing her frown and hearing her sigh of frustration. The times when she was in this cycle was also when she was most obedient. Perhaps that wasn't the best word for it. More willing to put up with him was more accurate. "Get me that book of Staff Enchantments. I've had my eye on something for a while and need to look it up. If were lucky, we'll be going on a little vacation soon."

Chroias scoffed but went for the book. "More likely on another one of your magic hunting trips. Mozei!" she made large eyes at him which she was very capable of doing when she wanted to. Her lips pouched out slightly and she leaned on his shoulder. "Moze..."her voice deepened suggestively and she posed for him, showing some of the more exciting parts of her anatomy as she did so.

Mozenrath had to garb the book from her and put it between them. She was FAR to tempting when she did that. He had promised himself to finish this before the next day, and her being persuasive wasn't helping. "daddy's busy." he said firmly and pointed to a chair. "Now sit and be patient."

Roias growled and plopped down. Mozenrath smiled, he loved her like this.

Chapter 259 (by Nefret)

Mozenrath's lips pulled to the side as he squinted over the book. Something wasn't quite right about it. The information on the staff he was after. lacked somehow. The most necessary basics was there, uses, powers, appearance, origins.. But... it just wasn't right. No owners were listed. In all the other pages a sub column appeared, "in the houses of:" But this one was different.

'People must have owned it.' Moze muttered in his head. 'But no one wasn't to claim they did.' His fingers lifted slightly and scrapped up the page to the staff's name. "Orichalcon" The word made the hair on his neck stand at attention. He shivered shut the book.

Chroias raised an eyebrow as her lover looked onto the book cover with glazed eyes and smoothed back the troubled hair on his neck. A smile cracked over her lips. "Such a pretty name." The demon commented. Mozenrath's eyes snapped up to her. Chroias crossed her legs, giving him the treat of a flash of a milky thigh.

The sorcerer grinned, almost embarrassed of his momentary loss of face. "Not as pretty as some things." His teeth glinted in the darkening room as his lips pulled over his sharp canines in a feral grin. A mirror of the animalistic smile flashed back from Chroias.

Nefret clutched her hands together and threw her head out the window. With a growl she snapped it back in and began her nervous pace again. The moon still wasn't at its highest point. Midnight was still not upon her. Around and around the room she went. Two days in one room can build up your energy. Nefret felt like she could run for miles but only had a few feet before her until a stonewall meet her.

"Cant he be kind and let me out just a few minuets early?" Nef wondered as she forced herself to sit. "Of course not, this is Mozenrath we're talking about." She answered herself. Her eyes shifted to the widow. The moon was rising. Standing up and pulling the crimson sheet over her shoulder the young Egyptian padded to the open window and with a sigh closed the gate-like shutters. They were of splendid design, a deep mahogany arc carved out in flowers and scrolls, splintering the view of the night sky, and shafting he moonlight pouring onto her face so that her cheeks were painted in floral patters of light and dark.

Out there, riding the wind, flew a sparrow. Such a sight was it as it climbed into the night sky with the moon now at midnight that Nefret pulled herself closer to the closed shutters to watch. She watched for many minutes despite the fact that her detention had come to an end. Such beauty was not often seen in the skies of the black desert. The bird, giving it none to much credit, seemed to know it was being watched. Sparrow leveled off in it's circling climb and rode the invisible wind straight to Nefret's window. The lined eyes of the Egyptian widened and her pupils retracted, yet she did not make a move, somehow she thought the bird would pull up just in time. No luck, a sickening crack rang out as the fragile body of the bird smashed against the unyielding wood off the shutters. In a nanosecond of time Nefret found herself staring into the pitiless eyes of the sparrow before it's head rolled back and it fell from the shutters to plummeted to the desert sands several floors below.

Nef drew in a sharp gasp, the spell broken, and took several falling steps backwards. Tying to regain her learned facade of cool composure her mind began the automatic search or an explanation. Birds weren't smart, they didn't know the difference between an open window and one shuttered by a perforated screen... he saw the light from inside and thought the window was open that was all. yes that was all.

"That's all." Nefret began to chuckle "Stupid bird." She spat as she ran a hand through her hair. Yet she couldn't help the memory of the old wives tale about suicidal birds. "A bird dying upon your window bring news of the coming death of the house. He rides before death and hail it's coming." Nefret felt her skin go cold and she turned to the door. It was midnight and time for her release.

Banging loudly on the door Nefret voiced her displeasure. "Mozenrath, you let me out now!!!! My time is up!!!! I know perfectly well what your doing and I don't give a flying fig! Mozenrath open this door now!! Mozenrath don't make me break it down! I'll tie the bed sheets together and climb out the window if I have to! Are you listening to me?! Mozenrath.." Her voice rang though out the night, carried on high by the winds into the midnight air around the black desert to whatever omens might be listening.

Chapter 260 (by Chroias)

Nefret paced back and forth directly behind the door of her room. The dead bird had long since landed on the desolate grounds of the black sand and been trodden upon by mamlucks careless feet. She could almost feel the feathers crunch on her arms like they were wings and shuddered breathlessly. she couldn't stand being cooped up in this room one more second, she felt claustraphobic! Rushing over to the door, she grabbed it with both hands and flung it open!

She had expected an aunterage of mamlucks to stop her, but felt a bit anti- climatic when she found none. Carefully, she placed a foot outside the door. When it wasn't severed, she felt safe enough to exit. Once she'd walked for a few minuets, her breath returned and she walked down to the throne room. The well-polished throne gleamed up at her as she grimaced. 'I swear as soon as his back is turned I'm gonna smear hydrogen peroxide all over that thing!' she promised and walked the corridors.

~~~~~~~

Chroias was getting impatient. Very impatient. Mozenrath had discovered long ago the signs that meant he was keeping her waiting too long. Her eyes were closed, almost like she was in pain. Her chest was rising and falling in a slow, methodical beat like a drum. her tail twitched from side to side like a cats and the rumbling purrr of a thunderstorm curled around the room. Even her ears twitched slightly as she listened for any cues that he was ready to put down his work and get down to serious business.

Mozenrath smiled, he so rarely had the ability to keep Roi under his order. He didn't want her to be submissive all the time. That would have destroyed half the reason that he loved her. All the more reason to treasure when he had her willing participation. He slowly lifted the book and again read thought the page on the scepter. Apparently the only location was somewhere in Africa Directly in the heart of the country. Now that was reason to worry. The jungles there were unpredictable and filled with natives who didn't well appreciate people in their often holy grounds. People had a tendency of becoming offerings to pagan gods when entering. Something he wasn't keen on becoming.

Roi let out a sharp growl behind him and Mozenrath slapped the book shut. that was the sign that he'd kept her waiting too long.

~~~~~~~~

Nefret walked by the Master bedroom and heard the small noises of the goings on inside. She hurried past with a determination of someone who'd become a bit lonely. Now that the romance had gotten back into a few peoples lives she had begun to long for hers. She thought of Don back in the future and her stomach seized up. She missed him dearly. But for the moment there was nothing she could do about it. She'd made a deal. And she was getting a good end of it. Twnety years of service in return for having a place with immortality. But that didn't stop the tight feeling in her gut or the painful stab in her heart. Twenty years was a long time.

'Yeah a long time to be abstinent. 'Her mind chortled at her sarcastically. Nefret smirked. It was going to be a while before she could feel 'that' kind of touch again.

Chapter 261 (by Nefret)

Mozenrath walked tall and proud as he entered the dinning room with Chroias hanging regally off his arm. Dusky morning light full of dust and the air of the black desert gleamed off the high black polish of the long table. It was on days like this, after a night with his queen, his throne polished to the max with his servant pushed back firmly under his thumb that he felt truly like a king. "Good morning Nef." He greeted with unusually fervor and sincerity.

"umphf." Was what he got in return. Moze looked to his minion in surprise. She looked like the walking dead, and believe me he knew what that looked like. Her color was dusky and lacking of that bronze glow she usually carried, her eyes were dark and, in an unprecedented move, completely clean of makeup.

"Glad to see you made an effort." Moze grumbled and sat heavily down in his chair.

Nefret's head rolled up with all the menace of an irritated lion disturbed from its nap. "Pray forgive me. But I didn't get much sleep last night."

Chroias immediately stuck a gleaming smile "Neither did we!" The look in her eyes was positively animalist and it forced Nef to look away and place her head in her hands.

Moze elbowed Chroias. He never liked to share too much info with the help in that area of his life. Moze contemplated Nefret as breakfast was set before them. "Did something happen last night? I could have sworn for a moment I heard you yelling for me. I was occupied at that moment..."

Nefret raised a hand, she didn't want any more info. She thought back and with a sudden blush felt rather foolish at her anxiety over a little harmless bird. She wasn't the kind to get so jump of such little things, she couldn't imagine what could have made her react so. Must have just been the effect of being grounded to one small room for so long. She smiled in honest amusement of herself and laughed. This worried Mozenrath all the more. "No nothing happened. I just got tired of staying in my room so I let myself out. That's all." She laughed again and picked up her fork.



Chroias snaked her hands over Mozenrath's shoulder as he planned out his route into the unforgiving forests of deep Africa. The sorcerer smiled but kept on with is work. "Lover." Chroias breathed into his ear. Moze shrugged his shoulder forcing her away.

"Not so fast. You promised you'd let me get some work done today!" He reminded her.

Chroias's face went helpless. "But I was under direst when I said that!" she protested weakly. A look from Moze made her pout and give up. "Well at least this trip will be a nice romantic getaway. Hot seamy jungles, waterfalls, orchids." She looked off dreamily.

Moze picked up where she left off. "Mosquitoes, hungry forest animal, natives." He reminded her. "And of course a certain minion in tow." He smirked and looked back to his map.

Chroias came off her romantic high abruptly. "You mean you actually want to take her without me asking?" Chroias flopped down in a chair. "That's never happened before." She grumbled. Now the demon loved Nef like a sister and wanted nothing more than to have that girl at their sides for all eternity it was just. well. she had hoped for this to be a romantic little camping trip with just her and her Mozy. Not a magic hunt with Nefret set up in the next tent over.

Moze knew exactly what she was thinking, and on many levels agreed with her. "Dear you may have noticed we are incurably pasty. If the natives find us we will be labeled as outsiders in a land we don't have any business being in. Nefret's darker completion my gain us a bit of leeway. Besides when Nef was in Egypt she mingled with a few slaves taken out of the heart of Africa. She knows a few Swahili words." Moze grimaced. "Well at least she can cry for mercy in Swahili. Maybe tell them we taste bitter." He jabbed.

Chroias smiled slightly. "Speak for yourself!! I'm sweet as candy." She leaned over his desk and grinned.

Moze threw up the map as a screen between them and hiding her from his view. "Go get packed and tell Nef to get her things together!" He ordered.

Chapter 262 (by Chroias)

Nefret shoved things into a carrying case as quickly as possible. When Moze said they were leavening now, he meant it. Thankfully, Chroias's magic made things a bit easier. she wouldn't have to be stuck lugging her master's stuff around for one thing. Roias had a nifty little spell which warped space into thinking of itself as being large then in reality. The demon had attempted an explanation once, but like how Santa Clause got all those toys in to one bag, it was a mystery. The bags could carry themselves by being supported in mid-air and never leavening the side of it's owners. Nefret sighed, that demon had a way of making her whole life easier.

A female giggle erupted from down the hall. Followed by unintelligible words from a deeper voice.

'Okay not always easy.' Nefret grimaced grumpily. 'Gods what kind of spell is on her lately? Did Moze slip something into her drink?' She wouldn't put it past him to do that, she really wouldn't. He was such a damn annoyance sometimes. Anubis whimpered at the entrance to her door along with Mepho. The dog was polite enough to wait for Nefret to open it for him, but Mepho came strolling on in and flopped right down on the cloths she was packing.

"Oh you naughty thing!" Nefret cried and spanked the kitten on it's behind. Mepho let out a meow and tugged playfully at the ends her bedspread. 'All these things going on around her.' the kitten mused in his mind. 'No wonder she feels so left alone!' he stopped toying with her and curled his tail about her wrist while Anubis placed his head on her lap.

Nefret laughed loudly. "No matter how bad I feel the two of you always seem to be there." Another giggle followed by a sound that Nefret was sure she didn't want to figure out. "Oh for the love of...unlike some people I know.!" Nefret charged over to the wall and banged on it loudly. "For SOMEONE who wants to get going early tomorrow you sure ain't getting much sleep!!"

A few seconds later the noises died down and Nefret grinned, it was so much fun to do that!

~~~~~~~~~

Mozenrath curled and arm around Chroias's body and felt down her neckline. She laughed in that pleased way she had, the warm sultry laugh that made his skin get goose pimples. Her glowing eyes were soft in the dark as his lips touched hers again. He would have loved to go again, but they DID need to get some sleep for tomorrow. with regret all the way down to his toes, Mozenrath turned over on his side.

Chroias growled playfully. "Nono honey. Not tonight your not." Her arms slid around his waist and pulled him back around.

Mozenrath ginger grin was visible even in the dark. "Oh? Not tonight huh?" he grabbed the sheets and flung them over she head. As Chroias yelped, he tugged the covers from under her and laughed as the flop of her body hit the floor on the other side. Before she could get up, he scrambled over to the side of the bed and tackled the covers. "Now. What to do with this old sack?" he questioned himself as though no one were around to here. It was hard trying to keep Chroias contained under him. "Maybe I should just sling it over my shoulder and..."he lifted the covers over his shoulder as Chroias squealed from the inside. His hand landed across her backside once, twice until he heard he yelping from the inside. Suddenly her claws dug into his back and she twisted to bring him down.

Mozenrath smiled, this was one time he didn't mind being helpless.

Chapter 263 (by Nefret)

"Congo?" came a voice out of the thick lush entanglement of the rainforest. "They call this the Congo?" A cutting sound was heard. "Why didn't they just get it over with and call it steamy hell hole of death!!!" The foliage was slashed away and the source of the voice came bashing into the scene in a none so subtle way.

Chroias appeared next with a laugh. "Cause that would hurt the tourist quota!" She teased and ruffled her curls.

"I don't' know, they call hell "the Abyss" and it always does good business." Moze jibed his lover and ruffled Nefret's hair in turn, half a mock to Nef half a mock to Chroias. Nef rolled her eyes at his sad attempt at a joke. He'd been all too cheery lately. From the best guess it was the combination of the magic hunt and Chroias. "mood."

Nefret, even though she was holding a very big machete, endured his good mood. It was a rare day when Mozenrath took a hand to her that wasn't dominating or angry.

"I for one like this place!!" Chroias burst out of the foliage and did a little turn. "Hot, death around very corner, roars and yells from fanged beasts. Hell it' damn right homey!!"

Moze signaled for everyone to stop as he got out the map. "I think we're almost to the river!" He grumbled and looked around as if he could actually tell something from the tall trees and loosely hung vines. I wish I this place were better charted so I could zap us there with pinpoint accuracy. "We're either 5 or 50 miles away from it." He looked up with a gleaming smile. While being a spoiled princling who enjoyed lounging on comfy pillows enjoying the female company of his entourage, the old boy had a bit of adventure in him yet. Especially if the gold at the end of the rainbow happened to be of the magical kind.

Nefret had gone considerably pale. "River?" she droned.

Chroias grabbed the map and began to wind it up, the thing was near useless. "Yes the Congo river. We'll raft it for a few days at least until we get to something called Kindu. Supposed to be some ruined palace." She picked up the machete Nef had carelessly left stuck in a tree trunk and began their slow advance again.

Nef watched Mozenrath go passed before falling into line herself. "I hate river travel." She grumbled tying to keep anyone from hearing her. "All those crocodiles.." She gave and involuntary shudder

"How much do you know about this palace anyway sweetie?" Chroias called back to Mozenrath.

The sorcerer grimaced at the name and gave Nef an I-dare-you-to- open-your-mouth look. "Not much really. Actually nothing. Just that it's supposed to be there."

"Why was it abandoned? Who owned it and the staff and what happened to them?" Nefret caught up to walk beside the two. "I mean if you have a palace and a powerful magic staff you just don't leave town with everything behind." She snorted.

"I'm sure they didn't leave town."

"You mean they're still there?" Nef seemed confused.

"No I mean something happened to them." Moze looked at her out of the corner of his eye. He could see her breath catch in her throat while a stern look came over her face.

"What?" She asked lowly as if saying it louder would bring the forest canopy down on their heads.

"We'll find out." He whispered just as low and pulled a vine out of their way.

Chapter 264 (by Chroias)

The two tigers stared down at the small group. There eyes filled with gold and their bodies painted in a red substance. Mozenrath smiled at the stone figures. This place was so full of power that the air tingled around him. Chroias sniffed casually here and there, she could feel it just as easily as he could. Even Nefret seemed to be looking around at everything. Her nerves were on end here.

Mozenrath couldn't blame her. This place unnerved him to. Not that he would admit it. Chroias clutched his arm and he could tell by the deep rumble from her that she was turning towards her good mood again. Unfortunately, now was not the time. "Off." he said casually and a frown crossed her features. She let go, but stayed close, still sniffing slightly at things as they walked past. Odd writings caught his attention. Symbols and glyphs he'd never seen before. They looked somewhat Egyptian, but with markings and lines where they shouldn't be. "Nefret." he called her up. "Can you read any of this stuff?"

Nefret moved forward and looked closely at the lines. "I don't know. They do seem familiar, but...something's wrong with them." She moved in closer and touched the lines. As usual, the symbols had been carved into the walls, but something with these were wrong. The extra lines were more like tiny gouges, like little creatures had stripped this place of it's words intentionally. Each gouge had a dab of blue fluid in it. As Nefret touched it, it rubbed off into her finger. She held it up for Mozenrath to see.

He held her hand and brought it to Chroias's attention. "Any details you can give?"

She sniffed delicately. "No. It is magical though. I wouldn't trust it." she handed Nefret a rag and she wiped her hand off. "Nefret, I know your not going to like this but I want you to stick close to me and Moze."

"Wow! Considering your current mood that could be dangerous."

Chroias ducked her head and a deep blush ran over her cheeks. "I can't help it. It's in the breeding!" she smiled and Mozenrath was torn between a smile and a scolding.

"Quiet down the both of you. The magic in the air here positively reeks!" he walked through the entryway and gazed at the pillars. All of them had those strange symbols, slashed in places and covered with the blue powder. He was not by nature a twitchy man, but this whole place set his skin a tingle. His gauntlet on his arm burned into the bones beneath it and he cringed momentarily.

Chroias was by his side in a flash. Nefret walked closer and grabbed a bottle of opium and a rag from her pack and went to remove the glove.

"NO!" Mozenrath ordered and shoved them away. "It's just responding to the mana in the air! I'll be fine." he said as his brow began to sweat.

Chapter 265 (by Nefret)

Moze bit his lip and pulled his arms closer to himself. He felt involuntary shivers creep up his spin like tiny fingers seeking entrance into his nerves. He heard a breath somewhere. A deep breathe full of a desperate relief and a cruel intention. It wasn't something to his left or his right, not a sound from either of the girls; it seemed to come from the very deaths of his mind. Like some beast in the night of his psyche that had just been prodded awake. Mozenrath shook his head and tried to get within reason again. It was just the jungle heat, the day was heating up and the mosquito's buzz set nerves on end and made your brain swim.

The sorcerer turned to the girls. He could see Nef was nervous as she talked lowly to Chroias, who also seemed disturbed by her words. Like the mosquitoes the conversation drifted to his over sensed ears. "Some of the symbols seem close to Egyptian signs of protection. Those are the ones that were most attacked. They loose all their protection when desecrated like this. I don't like it.."

Mozenrath's hand went to his temple. He suddenly felt very sick of everyone and everything. His eyes rolled to the girls, their conversation now mixing loudly with the hum of the bugs. In his mind, where the breath had been heard a voice came, not his own, "bitch," "whore." It spat out as the noise of his female companions got louder and louder. Moze could feel an anger rising in him, a twitching in his muscles that wanted to lash out at every little annoyance. "Will you shut your mouth!!!!!!!!!!"

Nef, who had been talking, let her mouth hang in the air as she glanced to Mozenrath. She snapped her mouth shut and gave him the "look of death". The sorcerer, deep inside only no indication was on his face, was quite surprised at himself. He hadn't planned to yell, it just came out. But now that it had the rage was gone, the pressure relived as soon as he opened his mouth to scream. He stopped his cold sweat, the noises had quieted down, and he felt quite himself again. Looking at the hurt and angry faces of the girls he could feel a jab of guilt and regret in his heart but once he had done something he had to stick with it, no retraction was possible without losing face. Mozenrath stood tall and straighten his shirt. "Now if you don't mind were getting close to the ruined palace." He indicated and turned on his heels to head up the path. He winced as he heard the now angry stomps of the girls following him.

The winding path subsided into the once manicured grounds of a great estate. The building was huge and seemed very foreign in the juggles of the Congo. What stone that peeped out of the vines was deep red, like no stone seen before. Above door sat a pair of laughing sculls, placed with loving hands across the bones of the arms and hands. They, with a merry mood, pointed to an inscription, left in it's entirety. Yet more Egyptian. With a quick motion of is arm to his minion Mozenrath pointed to the inscription. "Read."

"Can't." Nef mocked his brilliant use of communication. "Its not Egyptian." She explained.

"But those are hieroglyphs!" Chroias pointed out.

"Yes, but the symbols don't spell out anything. It's just a bunch of sounds stuck together."

"Just read it for Allah's sake!" Moze rubbed his temples. There was nothing he'd like more than to get inside out of this heat and Nef was holding it up. Moreover the place seemed to tug at his mind.

Nef's lips pulled down a bit in annoyance "ba outce mou keyme lanan omi." She stumbled over the sounds.

Mozenrath's eyes widened in reconization. "It's an ancient form of language, completely dead now. It was used to pass along spells from sorcerer to sorcerer without mortals being able to understand.

Chroias bit her lip and hugged close Mozenrath side. She brushed her hand over his back but he gave no reaction. "What does it mean lover?"

"What you want is here. It wants you in return." He voiced dully. The girls exchanged glances and Chroias pulled Nef closer to them. Moze came out if his little fantasy world and put an arm around the both girls shoulder. "Well we didn't come all this way to admire the stone work! Lets go!" He chipped cheerily as he pulled them to the door.

Chapter 266 (by Chroias)

Chroias glared at Mozenrath's back as he headed them deeper into the ruined palace. The tingle in her spine was no longer due to her current mood but rather due to something she found distasteful in the air. She brought saliva into her mouth and spat onto the ground. Indignant as she felt, Mozenrath wouldn't be warned off even if she was to comment. This whole place had her on edge.

Nefret came closer to her friend. "Don't like the feel of it either do you?" she commented.

"No! I don't! But tell him that." she growled in a way that was a sure sign of her losing her temper.

Nefret gulped and smiled in her cheer filled fashion. "Hey come on girl! You wouldn't want to spoil that nice little mood you've been in lately! She tasseled her purple hair and tied it back into a bun. The heat here was horrible. So bad that the girls had taken to wearing a short, easily moved in skirt and tops much like the ones Nefret had worn back in Egypt. Even Mozenrath had his shirt off and wrapped a handkerchief around his head.

Chroias blushed warmly at the comment. "It's not something I can help. NO really!" she protested as Nefret scoffed and gave a yeah right. "It's a part of me. The animal part." she nodded and twitched her tail to and fro in the air and brought her claws forward. "Sometimes I think you forget I'm a demon."

"You make it hard to forget!" Mozenrath yelled back to them and smiled at Chroias yelp of shame. She really couldn't help it,but that didn't mean he wasn't haveing fun with this. "Come on. Were close. I can feel it." He turned the corner and stopped short, as a spear head pressed to the flesh of his belly.

"Moze!" Nefret called having seen him stop suddenly. "Hey Mozie, I though you were all desperate to get to this treas..."she stopped as she saw them "ure." her voice ended in a squeak.

Chroias paused as she took note of the natives. All of them blacker then the night and armed to the teeth. Wild paint on their faces and bodies and hot glares in their eyes. They could have easily skewered Mozenrath then and there, but hadn't yet. She saw Mozenrath's gauntlet begin to glow and snagged him. "No. They haven't killed us yet!" she warned.

Mozenrath looked put out, but stopped the power. "Nefret. Talk to them. Now!"

Chapter 267 (by Nefret)

Nefret bit her lip and leaned closer to Mozenrath. "Talk to them? How????" She asked slightly surprised that he'd ask such a thing of her.

"You're the linguist here! You mingled with the Africans in Egypt. Do SOMETHING!"

"I don't know enough of the language to.." Nef cut off sharply as an annoyed and confused native pointed a sharp shard spear into the pit of her stomach. "Alright! I'll tell them we come in peace and bring them gifts.. That always goes over well." Nef leaned forward and grinned presently at the spear-wielding native. "Tou cameys la be di. (Translation: we come to take your goats and cheese) fou toam mepacaka. (Translation: we bring you camel dung for you dog faced mothers.)" Nef smiled again and was taken quite off guard when the spear was shoved deeper into her flesh, making a bit of an indent.

Moze, fearing her skin would break, grabbed the shaft of the weapon and held it steadily. "What the hell did you just say???" He growled angrily. Nef shrugged helplessly. "Don't try to piece sentences together! Just say what you know wont offend them!"

Nef's eyes pulled up and two the side in thought. There had once been a pigmy who the pharaoh hailed as the wisest man alive. He was taken out of the deep jungle when rumor of his religious knowledge came to Egypt. He knew all the houses of Horus and their layout. With much fan fair the pigmy was trotted from temple to temple to preach. He of course only spoke Swahili, which was translated for the sake of the crowd, but Nef, being the budding scribe she was, had picked up a few of his phrases. They might work here.

The African native chooses then to speak in his tongue and Nef recognized the gist of his meaning. "This place is evil. No good man has a purpose here."

Nef nodded. These were much the same words the pigmy has used to describe the pits of hell. Searching her memory for scraps of the pigmy's speech Nefret responded. "We are here to cleanse." The native seemed unconvinced and eyed her companions. Nef took up immediately. "I am a good priestess." She patted Mozenrath's chest. "Man of power." She hesitated at Chroias; the demon's look was a problem. she couldn't pass her off as mortal. or normal. With a humble look to the demon and bowing her head Nefret spoke. "A great goddess." She risked a look at the natives; they seemed convinced and dropped their spears.

Moze seemed relived and exasperated at the same time. He really really really wanted to get to that treasure now, it was calling him, and not in a metaphorical way. Nef understood. "Take us to the place of greatest evil." She stumbled over the words but they seemed to understand and lead them down the hall.

At a large vault all the natives cowered and pointed at the door. "There. We go no further. We leave you now to do what you must." The leader whispered and vanished into the darkness.

Mozenrath looked to Nefret for a translation. She only shrugged and pointed to the door. "Your treasure my lord."

Chapter 268 (by Chroias)

Chroias stared up at the halls towering above her. The patterns and paint made designs that boggle the eyes and elude the mind. each pattern seemed to consist of a smaller pattern, and even after that, a smaller one. These were the kind of patterns that could trap you inside. the kind that made you doubt your sanity if for to long you contemplated them. Her belly tightening, Chroias looked away and made her path towards Mozenrath.

Mozenrath jerked for a second till her realized it was her. That worried him. Normally, his udnersenses could distinguish one flow of magical influence from another, but this place was absolutely swarming with mana flows. Either that or the demonic power Chroias held and the power of the staff they were after were very similar in base. It was a possibility. he checked back for a moment, making sure that Nefret was keeping along okay, and saw her wandering off the beaten path for a moment. Her eyes glazed over.

"Damn." he whispered and ran back to help her. "Nefret!" he yelled once and got no response. "Nefret!" he called again as her figure disappeared behind one of the walls.

"Moze what's happened to her? "Chroias questioned as she saw her friend dissapear. A fear was running it's course through her blood. This place was evil. Pure and unadulterated. The empty spot inside of her where her soul should have resided throbbed with the core of this place. She could understand the depth of insanity prevailing, and hated it.

Instinctively, Mozenrath reached out for Chroias's hand and took it. "Come on were going to get her." he ran as fast as his legs would carry him. he saw a flash of purple as he rounded the corner and saw Nefret disappear behind another pillar.

Chroias sniffed the air inquisitivly. "Something's pulling her." she realized. "It's pulling us too."

Mozenrath sprinted after his minion while Chroias kept the pace. It was like traveling through a maze, one wrong turn and you were permanently lost. Apparently, this was not what the thing wanted. It would lead them one way and they'd lose sight of Nefret for a moment, and just as suddenly she' appear from nowhere and they'd continue following. A glow was encasing her now. She seemed to be under a hypnotic state.

Rounding the next corner, Chroias stopped and screamed. Nefret was slumped against the floor, a small trickle of blood from her lips making a pit pit sound as it hit the ground.

Chapter 269 (by Nefret)

Moze felt a pit grow in his stomach threatening to push up into the back of his throat. Nefret was a chilling sight, her eyes half lidded flashed white as the lids flickered in a spasm, white scratches on her wrists and ankles were slowly growing red, not to mention the methodical drip of the vital fluid over her lips. He reflexively shuttered and closed his eyes. He could feel Chroias going limp, even the demon with a blood soaked past felt the scene to heart wrenching to take. She'd seen much of this, but not with Nefret as the central figure. Moze flashed his eyes open and drew the demon in his arms.

Then, and only then, when the shock had worn off did they both notice something extraordinary. Nefret's blood meet the ground in a small pool that formed into a river that flowed over the floor. This wouldn't have been so extraordinary, many floors are less than level, but for the fact that the when the blood meet the barrier of a stone alter it writhed it's way up the sides of the stone in spider webs. Flowing together again as it came to the tabletop the blood raced towards the ornate staff resting there.

"That's not right." Mozenrath stated the obvious. In quick motion he stepped forwarded, dropping Chroias at Nefret's side and grabbed the staff off the alter only nanoseconds before the blood hit the smooth orb of the globe cradled in the staffs top.

The mana of the room changed considerably. It now seemed angry, desperate. Heaving and twisting as it suffered the loss. As Mozenrath held it he got the distinct feeling that the staff wanted nothing else than to wallow in the crimson fluid and coat itself in the life of his young minion.

"Moze!' Chroias called out loudly, breaking the spell of the orb. The sorcerer stuffed the staff in his belt and dropped to his knees.

"We have to get her out of here! Her mortal statues makes it all to easy for the mana to manipulate her." He called, the room was nearly silent but the echoing of the mana made the air seem defining. Moze swept the limp form in his arms and stood.

"We have to find a sanctuary in this place!" Chroias yelled and took the intuitive to lead her lover out of the convoluted maze.

The search of a room less infested with mana took them into the back. The two now stood outside a large door carved like a cross. The walls on either side of it were completely defaced of their original hieroglyphic décor. Chroias flung open the door to a Christian church set up in the depth of a pagan manner. "Coptic." Chroias almost nonchalantly commented.

Moze entered first and motioned for Chroias to take down some of the tapestries and make a bed on the alter. Carefully he set Nefret down on the makeshift bed. He leaned his arms against the large table and breathed heavily, half from hauling around his less than waify minion and half from the exhilaration of the moment. He rubbed his gloved hand and watched Chroias inspect her friend. The damn appendage burned, the leather like a fire on his bones. The gauntlet was royally pissed over something.

Wincing, but feeling relatively safe in this room, Mozenrath slipped off the leather covering to reveal the bone beneath. "Mozenrath." Chroias whispered. Mozenrath turned to her. "She's not moving." The demons voice was waving.

Moze bit his lip hard and approached the still figure. Half afraid of what he'd feel the sorcerer placed a bony finger across Nef's upper lip and held it still there. The surprisingly sensitive appendage picked up the slow and rhythmical breath sweeping in and out of her nose. "She's fine." He assured his love.

Not as second after he said it did Nef's eyes dart open and immediately focused on the bone finger in her face. She thrashed and looked to the owner of the hand. Her eyes grew wide with a fear Mozenrath had never seen Nefret point at him. It was a mortal fear that almost hurt him. The girl shrunk back, almost trying to imbed herself into the table, anything to get away from him. When she found herself stuck her mouth opened and her eyes screwed shut as a scream escaped the depths of her soul. Mozenrath grasped her arms tying to bring her to her senses. This only scared her more. Her eyes grew wild and she arched her back in a frantic attempt to get away. "Death! You are my death!!!!" Those words escaped her lips before she fell still in a faint.

Chapter 270 (by Chroias)

Chroias leaned back against the wall weakly. "Moze.." she started but slumped. The whole world around her phased in and out. The Holy symbols that still remained stared at her. Her skin felt the presence of something more powerful. Someone who didn't care for her type of person. Chroias turned her red eyes to one of the cross's strewn about the place. It's golden beauty symbolized more then just the wealth of the church. That was man's meaning. Chroias knew what was behind that gold. And she knew that a cross made of simply wood, would have felt the same to her in this place.

Mozenrath was bent of Nefret. He held the glowing staff in his hands and brought it close to her neck where her amulet of Hathor hung. Suddenly the staff sputtered and seemed to convulse for a moment. Mozenrath felt a small shock waver through him and jerked it away, the staffs glow returned, but not as strong.

"It doesn't like this place." Chroias whispered and Mozenrath turned to look at her. "And this place doesn't like us." she said and looked again at the cravings of the Catholic Son.

Mozenrath looked at the staff. "Are you saying that this thing is of demonic origin?" he asked and Chroias weakly nodded her head.

"Yes. Holy implements don't like people like me..." she glared at the staff. "Or things like that." she looked over at Nefret. Still flat on the couch. "You'll have to take care of her Moze, this place is only warning me now, but if I stay..."she looked at the figure of the cross with the son on it over the pulpit. She knew no one else but she could se it's face shift so as not to look at her. No one else could see those eyes close and the very cross itself cringe at her presence here. Anyone with a soul was welcome here, and that excluded her. She headed for the door. "Throw the staff out to me Moze. This church doesn't like it being here either."

Mozenrath shook his head. "NO! I went through to much trouble just to throw the staff away." he clenched it fiercely. "I won't just toss it out!"

"Mozenrath please!" Chroias begged as the doors swung open, urgeing her to leave. "Please I don't even know what that thing will do to you!" A sudden shrill blast of wind tossed and twisted through the church. Chroias felt it wind around her. He'd had enough. HE wanted her out. Chroias was forced out the door, landing on a bed of ferns.

~~~~~~~

"What does she know?" Mozenrath growled to himself...and maybe to the staff. "What does she know about this?"

Nefret moaned and turned on the couch, the amulet of Hathor becoming pressed between her cleavage. Mozenrath watched of a moment, the shin of the chain that held it, the way to curved around her neck. He could chock her with that chain. And it wouldn't take him more then a few seconds. Rip the holy implement out, twist it behind her, grab her arms and not let them move. Watch as that pretty mahogany face went from brown, to blue, to green, and then became loose and weak, as she suffocated.

Mozenrath shook himself suddenly and looked at the staff. It glowed cheerfully in his grip. Even his gauntlet didn't seem to be bothering him for now. If he didn't know better...

Mozenrath dismissed the feeling.

~~~~~~~

Nefret could feel the press of the amulet against her skin. Even in her fit filled sleep she knew that there was comfort in that piece. A mist began to swirl around in her mind. The whole air was filled with a magic she'd never experienced before. Something that she could only half understand. The shape turned familiar to her. A shape she had danced before and prayed to. A shape that she had worshiped and even confided in. A shape that meant as much to her as the shape of a cross meant to a Catholic.

And it glowed.

The mist dispelled and swirled around the image of the amulet in her mind. Like it was possessing it, pushing itself inside. Nefret felt her heart swell with warmth, and fell back into her sleep, the dream al but forgotten.

Chapter 271 (by Nefret)

Mozenrath smiled smugly as he sat near the dozing form of Nefret. His fingers toyed with the glint of the gold cord of the necklace. He pulled slightly, watching with a sick glee as the metal pressed itself into the uppermost curve of her neck. Something inside him, something only comparable the few and far between presence of his conscious, whispered to him exactly how demented this exercise was. Yet, something more powerful raged in his mind. It was just a guilty pleasure, this play with death on his minion. Harmless, but fun to see how easy it would be.

Nef twitched slightly at the tender tightness across her neck and stirred. Coming to with an echo in her mind "Seth touches you my daughter." Nefret only caught that much of the whisper as she came to her senses after her long rest. She paid it now mind, just rendments of a strange dream. Slowly black/brown eyes slid open to catch Mozenrath's face all to close her hers. She made a half confused half annoyed face.

The sorcerers face seemed to fall at this expression. "No scream for me this time?" he asked with a pout. Nefret's face twisted in confusion, she obviously didn't recall what she had done the last time she had woken. Moze smiled and stood up, a new spring in his step.

"Where's Chroias?" Nef sat up with a start, realizing the absence in the room.

"Gone." Moze breezed. "She didn't like the.. Décor" He grinned and waved to the catholic crosses.

Nef looked over her to see the Christ hanging painfully on a cross directly above her. She wondered at it for a moment with a strange fascination.

"Eh little pagan?" Moze elbowed her suddenly from seemingly nowhere.

Nef pushed him away in annoyance and dropped her feet over the edge of her bed. "Your all to cheery, you scare me this way." She smiled jokingly and turned away from him to stand.

"Do I?" Mozenrath's eyes glinted in tune with the sudden brightness of the staff. His voice lowered. "Do I scare you now little girl?" He approached her silently. Nef shook her head and rolled her eyes not bothering to turn to him. "I'm honored." He hissed,

"Very funny" Nef hissed and turned on her heels. "I've never been in a catholic church before. funny place it is. Not much color or cheer." she breezed and headed into the shadows that hung in the back of the church and ascended the staircases there to the bell tower.

"It's your choice, but the big bad wolf is up there." Moze laughed horsy. Somewhere in his mind a tiny voice rang out 'that was mean' Moze heard it loud and clear and a pang of guilt touched the coolness of his heart. It was shatter as a deep throaty voice, comparable to his own, echoed in his ears. 'Shut and enjoy the ride, were going to have so much fun with our little female friend.' Moze smiled wickedly as he followed Nefret. Depraved in it's malice, a red light shown in his eyes and every muscle in his body went sinewy and strong.

******

Chroias grumbled as she sifted though the ruble of the abandon house. This place felt like the very depth of hell. It had the same kind of spirit, of a place that had been soaked in blood, with the echoes of tormented soul in every nook and cranny. In the bricks, in the mortar, in the wood and the metal, everything had absorbed the events of this house.

Families, happy once, dead on the floor at the hands of the one they trusted most. Husband killing wife, uncle taking the life of nieces, Mothers sending their children into the valley of the shadow. All the killers the most loved in the family, all of them remorseful in their deed after the fact. All of them taking their own life in grief of what they had done. All of them with one thing in common, one thing they held in their hands....

Chroias shook her head suddenly, trying to get the strange pictures out of her head. Where had such images come from? Were they rubbed off on her from the furniture? From the brick and mortar, the wood and metal? She shivered and hopped, just hopped Mozenrath was keeping Nefret safe. Hopped, just hopped that they were ok.

*****

Nef hummed in interest as she entered the bell tower. It was dusty, rat infested, and a none to pretty place. Still a large bronze hell hung from weakened rafters, a dull shine in the gloom and doom of the dilapidated church. With a laugh, full of the childish innocence she sometimes lapsed into, Nefret grabbed her lord's hand and pulled him into the dome of the bell.

"Hello!!!!" She cried out as she spun. Her voice echoed back a thousand times louder. Surprised at the volume she laughed and slipped out from the bell, leaving Moze cringing as the glow of his eyes increased. "Sorry." She breezed half heartedly from outside the echoing dome.

Mozenrath's growl was caught up by the bell as the slipped out of the bronze dome to find half of Nefret's torso hanging out the tall window. "You should see this my lord." Nef's voice came slightly in awe. Mozenrath's lips pulled into a wicked smile that nearly curled at the edges. ".. So pretty." Nef whispered as she gazed on the scene outside. A hand was felt on her back, one she took as friendly.

The sorcerer bit his lip in sheer glee as he laid a hand between her shoulder blades. She was so unbalanced leaning out the window like that, so so trusting. The muscles in his arm began to strain like a mousetrap waiting to spring. Chapter 272 (by Chroias)

"NO!!" Mozenrath jerked away from Nefret's figure. He felt his head swell with pain and moaned. "Ouch!" he leaned against the bell and heard a reverberating 'bong' as the staff hit it. The sound soared into the walls and through the windows, piercing the veil of evil around this place.

~~

Down below, Chroias heard the bell chime and fell to her knees. Something inside her yelped as the ground under her seemed to shake. "I have to get Moze." she whispered to herself. To much longer around this place and she was going to lose herself.

~~

Nefret covered her ears and swung back inside. "OH Hathor." she yelled and covered her ears. A sudden burning covered her right between her breasts. "Ouwch!" Nefret hollered and jerked the amulet of her god out from it's nestled place. For just the briefest second, she could swear she saw it glow. But then again the sun was setting, it was probably just catching the glare.

Mozenrath covered his ears and saw the staff sputter and begin to fad out. "NO!" he yelled and put his hands against the bell. "Stop that RACKET!" He fired a bolt of energy at the bell and it stilled almost immediately. Mozenrath gritted his teeth, his eyes narrowed almost shut and his head pulsing with a headache. His temples throbbed. Moaning again, he put his fingers to his head and began to rub. "Oh Allah my head hurts." he groaned and leaned against the bell. He picked up he staff and warmed it's orb with his hands until it picked up it's glow again. Mozenrath sighed in relief. "Well now that that's back to order..." he laughed when he saw Nefret covering her ears still. Turning around, he saw his reflection in the bell, and nearly yelled..

Poking out from the temples of his head were horns. Not to big, but bigger then Chroias's. And in a much more noticeable place. The weren't straight either, but curved, in the way an impalas would be and seemed razor sharp.

Mozenrath went slack jawed and noticed another change, His teeth! They'd become wolfish and razor edged. Not all of them, only his canines and incisors.

Nefret groaned and turned toward Mozenrath "Moze I swear if you hit that bell one more time I'm gonna knock you out!"

Mozenrath pulled his turban over his horns and only opened his mouth a little to speak. "If you don't like it then you can stay outside with Chroias." He growled out at her and pointed to the door.

Nefret looked shocked for a moment, but turned her face hard set so as not to show it. "Well just fine then MY LORD!" she made a swift bow and pushed past him, purposefully knocking the staff a little.

Mozenrath couldn't explain where the impulse came from, but his hand reacted without his approve. He shot forward, smacking Nefret directly on her left buttocks cheek.

Chapter 273 (by Nefret)

Chroias's lips turned down as an indigent yell broke out over the house. It was female, that much was clear, and very pissed. It was followed by the sound of a slamming door and the vague echoes of a triage of gods and goddess incantations. "Nefret." Chroias rolled her eyes. "I can't leave those two alone for one moment." She grumbled and followed the sound of the traveling ruckus.

It was easy to find Nefret the way she was carrying on.

The demon caught her by the shoulders. "Okay girl, I think even the gods can hear you now!" Chroias chuckled slightly as she grasped her friend by the shoulders.

Out of Nef's mouth came a string in her native language, Coptic. It meant little to nothing to Chroias but whatever it was it sounded nasty.

"Come on now. You can tell me about it later. I've found a nice little hide out." She lead Nef out the door and out around to the back of the house. "I think it used to be the slaves quarters. Not all that frilly, you're a lucky slave ya know, but it seems to be quite calm in the manna department. It's got a few cot and a little." their voices faded out as the foliage of the jungle and the untamed lawn swallowed them up.

*****

Mozenrath watched the to go from the bell tower window. He groaned as he pulled himself back inside. His reflection was caught again in the dull bronze. Slowly he approached it, as if it might jump out and grab him. He pulled at his lips, examining the fangs now rooted in his mouth.

"What is this? What has happed to me?" He whispered so low he himself almost didn't hear it. He was surprised when an answer came.

"The best thing to happen to you to." The rough and unpolished voice rung in his ears, but not from the outside.. From the inside!!!!

"Who ARE you?" Moze shrunk back from his image. He fingered the horns on his forehead, let his fingers slip down to feel the hardness of his teeth behind his lips.

"I am you, you are me, and we are us. Together, separate, one mind with two purposes? Or one purpose with two minds. confusing isn't it?"

Moze only shook his head and fell against the wall. With a groan he slid to his bum and sat there, hunched like a gargoyle against the gothic window of the bell tower. "Your not a part of me."

"Are you sure?" The thing whispered. "We all have a little demon in us. You, mayhap, more than others." The voice moved from his heads to the staff.

"NO!!!" Moze shook his head as if to get the demon out. "I'm more. more. civilized than that!"

"Mayhap sorcerer. Mayhap you are the height of urbane and I'm just the devil, pushed itself into your head making you do bad things." The thing cracked in a laugh.

Moze laid his head on the arms he'd rested no his up-pulled knees. He remembered clearly the want to kill Nefret. To choke her, to push her out the window. He'd taken them as just a strange impulse, now he knew. "But I resisted."

"Yes for now. But I'm becoming you sorcerer. I'm in you mind now, you blood, edging into your muscles, stealing away in you bones. Soon we will be one completely and I'll have my way. OUR way."

A mental picture given to him by the beast in the shadows of his. The girls, slaughtered. Him standing above them, horns twice as long, muscles bulging, fangs extended as he panted and his hands soaked in blood. Mozenrath felt his gut clench and he growled angrily. "You bastered! Why?" "I want blood. I've done this for centuries feed on mortal blood with a fervor! The oceans could have gone red and the glaciers froze bloody with all the blood I spilled. But God on high didn't like me shredding through his children like so many sheep. He sent a holy army after me, put me in this globe of glass. And I still to this day hunger."

"And you cant' kill your own prey you inanimate object." Moze huffed and snarled.

"Ahh there's the rub!! You don't see a staff jump up and kill many people to you? So I have to find some poor dolt to do it for me. Oh many families have come to live here, with children and babied and some over zealous sorcerer wanting to live in the grandeur and promise this place has held no mater what bloody things had happened to the last family. I've drawn them here. Called to them. Told them with silent whispers to bring their families. My fingers have stretched far and wide to whisper innocently to greedy sorcerers like you. Did you not wonder why you so readily wanted to bring Nefret with you were normally you would have fought tooth and nail to keep her locked up at home? And that's all I could do from so far away. Call and beckon. But now you're here and I'm in! I'll have the blood I want, that I need."

"No you will not." Moze looked up with a detrained look. "I'd take my live before those of the ones I love."

"Than do so now. I'm hungry and your blood with do as good an any other." The thing crackled a bit. "Oh come now it isn't so bad to kill your family. The way they trust you to get real close, the way they ask 'why why?' I think you'll like it."

The demon laughed and slowly Moze felt the edges of his lips pull up. It was an unfightable impulse and the demons laugh became his own.

Chapter 274 (by Chroias)

Chroias and Nefret heard the laughter penetrating deep into the darkness of the jungle. "What was that?" the demon turned around and sniffed the air.

Nefret growled. "Probibly Mozenrath laughing about what he did!" she snarled almost worse then the demon. "I swear I could knock his block off! How could he do that to me!"

Chroias shrugged. Nefret had told her about Mozenrath's wandering hand. She was NOT happy about that, but then again Mozenrath was in the bell tower of the church. There was no way she would make it up there before HE got angry at her presence. Everything was spinning in her mind. She could feel the animosity of the presence in this area., it anger at her and the staff being here. It wasn't so bad in the woods, the sharp ringing in Chroias's mind that came whenever there was a Holy place near by. Even Nefret's medallion had a small effect on her.

Nefret looked over at Chroias. Her red eyes were glowing softly, her ears twitched gently. Nefret smiled and wrapped a helpful arm around her. "Snap out of it girl!! Even Moze didn't brood this much!" She walk over to a stream and cupped some of the water in her hands to wash her face with. "Ugh this whole place is so humid!" Nefret stripped down to her undergarments and splashed water at Chroias. "Come on in girl! You can't be any more comfortably then I am in this weather!"

"Nef get out of the water!!!!" Chroias yelled and grabbed the minion's arm, hauling her out with incredibly strength.

"What the..."Nefret saw the bubbles surround the area where she had just been. "What the!!!"

Chroias took a stick and dipped it in among the bubbles. there was some thrashing and snapping sounds ,and Chroias drew out only half a stick.

"Piranas!"

"No. They're native to South America. These are magical. There're called pirdackas. Nasty little basterds." She tossed the stick in and handed Nefret her cloths. "I'll see if I can find a pool where it's safe."

"Never mind." Nefret gasped and pulled her clothing on. "I think I'd better go check on Moze. "she stopped for a moment and look back at her friend. "Roi why did you leave the church?"

Chroias halted for a moment. "I...you remember when I told you about not having a soul?" Nefret nodded her head. "Well this has to do what with that. See, in most countries, such as one's with multiple deities, my fathers deity status solves any problems as to my entering a temple ,it still doesn't feel quite right ,it still feels like eyes are watching me with a malevolence I can't quite place." she shuddered. "But it isn't like this. The Catholic's, the Christian's, Greece and Rome may not believe in their god, but they do, and it is that belief that makes their god strong. HE doesn't like me. In fact you could say it comes about as close to hatred as HE can get! I didn't want to leave Moze there, but I had no choice. HE doesn't like whatever is in that staff either"

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mozenrath screamed as he walked down the stairs. The cross's were glowing at him, moving in patterns. The eyes of the slumped figure over the pulpit closed and turned it's head away.

'Fallen from grace,further then you ever have before.'



These were not the kind of words that the manifesting demon had spoken. This was more powerful, more demanding, and the most beautiful voice he'd ever been blessed enough to hear in his life. It sang with complex harmony's and notes that couldn't have existed, and yet spoke with a power and a thunder that could not be ignored. the demon in him screamed and thrashed terribly, hateing this new power, scratching to tear at it.

'It will hurt.but it will pass.Survive,love and survive.'



Mozenrath tried to speak, but couldn't speak for a snarl came from his lips. The demon was manifesting further.

`'I can not stand this place !get me out!' It screamed and rushed for the doors. It grabbed the cross styled handles and screamed again, the patterns burning into it's flesh. Mozenrath felt the pain too and screamed along with it. Still they tore open the door and ran into the jungle.

Mozenrath felt the bushes rip at his clothing 'Chroias !Where is Chroias!' he called out desperately

'Mortal fool. She can't help you? that pampered demon wanna be is weak compared to me .She is of Greecean linage! destroyed by being evil without being evil. I am of the Beelzebub himself. Evil by all that is unholy!" The demon laughed and whipped something inside Mozenrath. Something that went down to the very core of his life and pain. Something that he thought he'd lost long ago. he fell to the ground, still feeling the stinging and hearing the name over and over again.

Natasha

Shatana

Ah Satan

~~~~~~~~~~~`

Thats how Nefret and Chroias found him, lieing on the dirt ground and looking faint. "What's the matter with him?" Chroias questioned.

Nefret felt his forhead. "Fever. He's overheated and clamy!" She began to take off his top shirt and hat, and remove some of that heavy jewelry around his neck. "Let's get him back to the Citadel. You undress him and I'll find some cold water and ice somewhere."

Chapter 275 (by Nefret)

Chroias tail swished as she stood beside the bed looking with troubled eyes down at her lover. Something about him just didn't feel right. She could feel powers floating around her, everywhere around them. They weren't good either. Her own, Mozenrath's, the aura of the Citadel, the hundreds of magical items stored in every nook and cranny of this god- forsaken house.. She had gotten used to it all. But now there was something underlying, like smelling something burning in a perfume shop. She closed her eyes and tried to block out the other mana, tried to pinpoint the one lying under it all. If she could just nail it to the floor.

"Chroias!" A voice finally got into the demons ears. Chroias looked up rather surprised to see Nef staring at her expectantly. "Heard me that time eh space cadet?" Nef ginned crookedly. No matter how many times she tried to sponge Mozenrath off he broke out in bead of sweat a moment after her attention left that area. He thrashed slightly every now and than and let out a plaintive moan. Nef didn't like the look of it at all. With a growl she tossed the rag into the cool water and crossed her arms in a shrug.

Chroias sighed and sat down on the bed. "He's come through worse than fevers Nef. You forget he isn't entirely moral. Fevers for him aren't as deadly as they would be for say you." She rubbed her temples and moaned. "What's worrying me is this burring smell under the perfumes." She groaned.

"Huh?" Nef's face twisted as she sat down beside the demon.

"Nothing little mortal." She nudged Nef jokingly. "Nothing for you to be concerned about." That was a blatant lie. "Just overload of the senses. Err! And aftermath of the jungle!" Chroias pulled slightly at her cloths, stiff and slightly grungy from the humidity. "I'm going to take a bath. Take care of him k?" She glanced at Nefret as she nodded. A rather pleading look. "Promise."

Nef rolled her eyes. "Yes yes." She shuttled off the demon and tuned back to the prostrate Mozenrath. "More trouble than you're worth." She chuckled, taking the opportunity to throw back on of his own insults. Softening a bit she watched his face twist slightly as if in a bad dream. With the love a sister she placed her palm to his cheek and frowned, while not as warm as before he still had a fever. Sighing her eyes fell onto his right arm. Now that he was shirtless she could see the skin bordering the gauntlet was red and raw, a sure sign it was inflamed yet again. Shaking her head she grasped the glove and started to pull it off.

Mozenrath's eyes slid open a bit to watch Nefret touch her hands to the glove. He sprang into action, grasping her by the arm and twisting her closer. "What are you doing?" His voice was gruff as if he was about to lose it.

Nef faltered a moment before regaining her tongue. "Just taking off your gauntlet! It looks like it's hurting you!!" She growled.

Moze took in a deep breath, suppressing his sudden outburst. Slowly he let go of and lay back down. "Forgive me. I'm just a bit... Thirsty." He tried to sound reasonable.

Nefret gave him an incredulous look and stood back up to slip off her gauntlet with a hard yank. "I'll go get you something." She shook her head but smiled a bit.

Moze watched her leave, gauntlet in hand. Something crimson running over his finger caught his eye. He raised his hand to watch a drop of blood hang on his fingertips. He must have accidentally jabbed Nef with his now slightly long fingernails. With a troubled face he went to whip it off. Before he could however the drop absorbed into his skin, leaving no trace of it's existence. Inside himself he felt the dark beast in his mind give a satisfied 'ummm'. Satisfied but not full yet.

Now, after the little prank Xerxes had pulled it was a custom in the Citadel that if the Gauntlet wasn't on Mozenrath's hand it was locked up in a chest hiding in the library. It was just about the safest place for it. That being said the most dangerous place for it to be was on Mozenrath's hand, but there was nothing to do about that. That's where Nef headed first, to secure the precious gauntlet, than onto the kitchen.

Chroias groaned and flicked at a floating bubble. Her swimming head had settled down a bit but she still felt worn out. No answer yet as to the strange new mana. Slipping beneath the surface the demon let herself relax. Her head was pounding, she could hear it. Boom boom boom. Wait. that wasn't her head..

Sitting straight up and bursting out of the foam of the bath Chroias looked around for the source of the sound. It was the door someone was pounding on it furiously. "Chroias!" Rang out a failure voice.

"Come in!" The demon yelled back. In straggled at frazzled looking Egyptian. "What the hell happened? You're supposed to be looking after Mozenrath!"

Nef took in several breaths. "I would if I could! I went to get him a drink. when I came back he was gone!!" She pulled herself together and grabbed the demons robe for her. "The gauntlet has disappeared to." She informed her as she handed her the covering. "The staff as well. I looked all over." She paused to frown. "I can't find him anywhere."

Chapter 276 (by Chroias)

Mozenrath's body wandered the corridors of the Citadel. It had almost no sign of life to it. Almost as though the very breath in it's lungs were frozen. At this stage of it's possession, his body could have been closely related to a mamlucks. The demon chattered away to him. Not really to him so much as at him. If Mozenrath's consciousness could have been considered to have a physical body, it would have been hog tied.

'I doubt you'll survive you know.' It chortled as Mozenrath's being struggled. 'It is very rare that I leave my victims alive afterwards. Possession is such an unpredictable deal .Sort of like HMO.' It laughed at it's own privet joke

'You can't DO this to me!' Mozenrath screamed and struggled. 'I will not be a party to this ludicricy! How dare you! If it wasn't for me you'd still be stranded in that backwater run down palace of yours!!'

he being of the demon manifested inside of Mozenrath. 'Oh really?' The demon stretched out its hands and twined them around Mozenrath's neck. 'Simplilton! If you hadn't responded I simply would have found another! You think you are the only power hungry sorcerer in the seven deserts!'

It's grip got tighter and Mozenrath felt himself choke. Those claws dug into his mind, feeding off his memories. He felt himself being violated past all things he'd ever experienced before. 'Stop! Stop!' he yelled and the demon lessened his grip.

'This Chroias...she means much to you doesn't she? 'He got his answer when Mozenrath's being growled and lowered his eyes. 'It will be easy enough to manipulate her. She loves you you know. It's a rare thing for a demon to experience. But this Nefret thing, I am confused about her purpose here.' The demon twined around Mozenrath, squeezing him like a python would it's food. She is...a slave? No,that is what you'd have the world think. she is...more then that somehow.' Mozenrath felt the penetration run deep, he bit back his whimper. 'She is...a close companion...a harem girl?'

It took Mozenrath a moment to realize it but the last part had been a question. A ray of hope suddenly shone through. Immediatly, Mozenrath began bringing up images in his own mind. Allah save him if Nefret ever discovered what he though of just then. But for now, he could use the misconception of the purpose of a female in his home against the demon.

Surprisingly the demon took the ease with which the image came to be his control settleing in. 'Ah a harem girl. 'he chuckled easily, satisfied with the image, and put it away like a file to a storage container. 'What ever happened to the good old days when sorcerers were stodgy old men with no other ambition then world domination and hoplessness? You kids today, only one thing on your mind!' The demon considered. This could, however, be used to my advantage. Both the harem girl and the demon.'

Mozenrath felt the demon begin to push him further down. He could still 'see' through his own eyes, but not interfere. They were on the way to the bedrooms quarter of the Citadel, to Nefret's room.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Nefret dunked her head under the water of her bath. Chroias was making a sweep over the Citadel for Moze. She wasn't overly worried. Her master had a propensity for doing these things. He's get sick and then want to make up for it by working in the lab diligently for the next couple of days. 'Crazy ass' She though and poured some shampoo into her hands and began to lather her hair up. Sighing as the smell of sandalwood began to flow through her senses, she settled down into the water all the way up to her neck. She would kill right now for a way to go all he way under water and just sit at the bottom. So relaxing, so peaceful.

Anubis wandered in, Mepho close on his heels. Despite reservations and animosities between cats and dogs the kitten and the pharaoh hound seemed to get along splendidly. Anubis leaned his head over the side of the tub and whined to be petted.

Nefret laughed. "Silly mutt." she scratched his head affectionetly. The hounds dark eyes seemed happy now, contented with his mistress. "Who is a good puppy? Who?" She scratched his ears and Anubis barked joyfully while Mepho tried to find a way up the slick sides of the tub.

Finally, the kitten meowed in aggravating and began scaling Abubis's legs. He climbed up until he was parched comfortably on top of the hounds head. He meowed once, like saying remember I'm here too. And swiped playfully at Nefret's hand as she went to pet him. He chewed on one of her fingers while Nefret giggled. Despite the kittens namesake, he was a sweet little thing.

Nefret heard soft footsteps coming through her room and dunked her head underwater to get the soapsuds out. It was probably Chroias, come to ask if she'd had any luck with finding Moze. she came back up and stood in the tub, searching for a cloth to dry her eyes with. Her hands felt around the sides of the tub, and along the floor till a hand met her's, holding out a dry towel. "Thanks." she mumbled and covered her head with it. "So did you have any luck with finding Mozenrath?" Nefret jerked the towel off turning around to talk to Chroias. She froze in place.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chroias walked along the buildings in the dead city bellow. The mamlucks ignored her, only an occasional one or two bowing. Despite her unmarried status, she could be considered the 'Queen' of the Citadel. Mozenrath had ordered a few of them to bow when she walked past, another one of his odd ways of showing love.

She had searched nearly this whole place from top to bottom ,and still no sign of him. Chroias sat down and stood back up again. She twitched slightly around her lips. There was more then one reason she needed to find that sorcerer! She was still in her 'mood' right now, and was likely to be for another two weeks or so. It was always so damn flighty around this time of year.

"It's times like this I honestly wish I was a human! They don't suffer from this sort of thing!" she yelled to the winds.

Chapter 278 (by Nefret)

Water white capped with suds spilled over the edges of the tub in a flood as Nef fell back into the water and gathered the foam around herself in a futile attempt to cover her body. Mozenrath's eyes watched her laughingly, the demon was enjoying this, Moze himself was wincing. Ohh Nefret was going to be pissed. He knew she would think little of lashing out at him, and under normal circumstances no harm would come to her of that action, but this time it wasn't him in control of his body. It was something much more dangerous. The demon parted Mozenrath's mouth and a dry laugh fell from it.

Nef looked up from her exercise in modesty to glare at him, eyes sharp as daggers. "What the hell were you.." Her fingers were already grasping a heavy glass oil bottle. Mozenrath's conciseness braced for the blow and the undeniable lash out it would bring, however nothing came. Nefret had stopped dead, gazing at him, mouth slightly parted and eyes wide in atonishment. "Moze.."

The sorcerer's conssisnouss boggled at his minion, unable to explain that look in her eyes. The demonic being however seemed to now know exactly what he was thinking the moment he thought it. Sencing it didn't know what she was staing at the demon turned their shared body to a wall mirror. A small gasp escaped Moznerath, his mind anyways. The bones of his face stuck out, creating a sharp and jutted appearnce, he was a sort of gray color and thinner than normal. He looked like a man on his death bed. And as he turned back to Nefret he realized that's what she must think. In a quick motion, and retaining as much diginatly as she could Nef stood up and whipped a towel around herself. Stepping out of the bath she never took her wide yes off his face.

"Moze what's wrong with you?" Her voice was full of concern, no longer was she mad about the intrusion on her privacy, she could understand if coming from a man who looked as sick as he did at that moment. Her wet hand came up to test the tempture of his skin. Mozenrath's heart ached, The one time Nef was kind to him and he, or rather the demon, was going to chaff her. "Are you ok?"

The demon twisted up his mouth and caught Nefret's hand. "I'm fine my dear." He growled. The indignant face Nefret made at the pet name didn't phase him much. "Would you come with me please?" He asked, forcing her hand away from his face and pulling her hard to the door.

Nef held onto her towel but had no other choice to follow him. In her mind she feared he'd gone deleriouse with his fever and this was just the request of a mad man. Still it was best not to leave him alone. So he followed him, giving at the back of his head in a mix of conceren and fear.

****

Chroais scrapped her nails across the walls of the hall as she wondered down to the chamber hall in search of Nef. No news on the front. As she sung the door open to Nefret's comfortable room the sent of sandalwood blasted in her face. A sure sign Nef was in the bath. "Nef." The demons face fell as noises sounded in the bathroom, funny whinny scatchy noises. Frantic and pleading in a way. "Are you ok?" She asked and pushed open the door a bit.

Bursting from the steamy bath came Anubis, only slightly tripped up by Mempho. The dog was in action within seconds, sniffing the air and circling. Not one to take the behavior of animals loosely the demon rushed into the bath to find it empty. Returning to the room a few seconds later Chroias caught the dog by his heavy collar and got him face to face. "What happened? Where's Nef? Have you seen Moze?"

Of course the hound couldn't talk, but the did a good job with body language. A deep plaintive growl escaped his throat. The demon nodded at that and stood up. That was all the confirmation she needed. Zapping a leather lead from thin air she snapped it onto the collar and pointed to the door. "Take me to them."

And off they went, the dogs nose planted firmly to the ground and pulling the lead taunt. A dread Chroias refused to acknowledge was settling over here. They were heading straight towards the dungeons.

Chapter 279 (by Chroias)

Nefret followed her master diligently. Her heart raced with unspeakable dread, the air around her feeling stiff and cold. He hadn't even given her the damn time to change into some clothing. She had managed to wrap the towel around her in an almost toga like fashion and was pleased for now. It showed no more then she usually did. "Moze, where are we going?" she yelled to the shadowy figure in front of her.

"You'll see dearest." he whispered, his voice low and delirious. He almost sounded like he was choking. He stumbled suddenly and Nefret lurched forward to help him steady himself. Mozenrath chuckled and swung her around in front of him "Thank you. Nice to know someone cares."

His voice was hypnotic, swaying in her mind. Nefret felt her thoughts become fuzzy and her mind get clouded. Her vision swayed back and fourth. "Moze...Mozenrath what's happening?" she slumped to he ground and felt finger tracing the lines of her quickly made toga.

"Nothing little minion nothing. Just sleep...sleep...sleep." Mozenrath smiled as Nefret fell under. "Now, to enjoy myself." the demon began to move his hands to her strap.

'NO!' Mozenrath lurched forward while the demon thing was distracted. he side slammed into it's mind and the actual body was flung down the step as though it had been impacted from the side. Mozenrath could feel the bruises that were sure to develop.

The devil thing cursed loudly when they landed with a thump on the floor bellow. 'You idiot! 'it screamed and kick Mozenrath's mind. The body lurched and Mozenrath felt the pain. The demon took it's hands and shoved them completely into Mozenrath's brain, violating his deepest corners. 'That was the last time you interfere with my pleasures sorcerer!'

The body of Mozenrath stood, and in the pools of water of the dungeon floor, he could see himself begin to change. The small horns which had been easily hideable now jutted from his temples, curving around backwards and sharpening up. His body that had looked so sickly before began to buff up, his arms growing muscular all save for the bone appendage. His skin went from pale and gray to nearly a crimson red color in only a few second. His teeth began growing, aching in his jaws and becoming so sharp he bit his lip. The nails on his fleshed hand grew to a claw like length and curve at the end. His feet turned gargoylish, his hair became a mane, and his eyes became that of a snakes.

The demon looked at its new appearance in a mirror. 'Not bad. Not bad at all. 'It seemed genuinely pleased with it's work and turned around, admiring itself in the water. A low moan echoed on the stair and he turned, seeing and remembering Nefret. A predatory growl rumbled from his belly. Mozenrath struggled inside, but was of no force. The demon moved towards Nefret's form.

'I won't let you do this to her!' Mozenrath screamed and tried to attack the demons manifested form. 'So help me I'll kill you for this! Don't you TOUCH her!'

The demon slapped him back. 'I swear I've never seen a man so worked up over a bed girl! Can she really mean that much to you? 'It searched his mind in an sweep. 'Oh yes, yes she does! Very well sorcerer. I'll leave her be for now. besides, I much prefer blood over ravish.' The demon scooped up Nefret's body in his massive arms. She rolled and opened her eyes, shutting them almost immediately. 'Oh don't worry pretty thing ,I'll wake you when I want to hear you scream' With Mozenrath protesting inside, the demon took Nefret to one of the cells and chained her to the wall. He traced her chin with a claw. 'I'll be back.' he whispered in promise.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chroias followed Anubis down the molds, crumbleing steps of the dungeon. He whined several times, his echo bouncing off the walls. He was worried about his mistress. Now it could be said that Anubis was not the smartest among dogs, but he didn't like the way that thing in the room had smelled. Anubis had decided that whatever it had been, it most certainly was not his mistress's master.

Anubis poked his head around a corner and his whined turned frantic. He jerked at the chain and yipped as he saw what was inside on of the cells.

Chroias followed the hound's gaze and gasped. Nefret was sitting there, chained to the wall, her head lolling, her mouth slightly open and her towel falling off on one corner. Terrified, Chroias let go of Anubis and began working on the door. "Open! Open damn you!" she screeched and finally tore the lock from it's steel trapping.

Nefret moaned and opened her eyes as Chroias laid a hand on her cheek. "Roi...? What...what are you doing here?" she gave a pain filled moan again and slumped.

"It's okay little sister, I'll get you out of here." Chroias sliced the chains off her with one swing. Nefret's figure was limp, almost lifeless, and Chroias could recognize the after effects of a mind warp on her. It was a favorite trick of male demons who didn't like resistance. She tested Nefret's body gently, having difficulty thanks to Anubis's frantic whimpers and jumping up to see if she was alright. Chroias sighed when she found that the demon had not been successful. Nefret was still whole as a person. Slowly, she moved her finger up to the neck to test for a pulse.

And jerked her hand away with a horrible scream.

The amulet of Hathor sat there, nestled comfortable on Nefret's chest, glowing in the darkness.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mozenrath kicked and screamed as his body twirled the staff comfortably in it's grip. The Beezlebub thing was calm now, delighted in it's own corruptive chaos. 'Damn you how can you do this? Mozenrath snarled. 'How?'

The demon laughed. 'Your one to talk !how could you have taken a woman away from her homeland? /how could you have murdered the man who taught you? how could you have attacked Agrabah so many time? Did you know the sum of deaths you alone have caused there total to..."He named a sum that seemed impossible. 'You know where your headed when you die Mozenrath. The whole world knows it, and in that there is a small irony.'

Mozenrath lifted his metaphysical head. 'What do you mean?'

The demon considered, and told him .'For all those who claim you are evil ,you really aren't are you? It's all here in your head. You could have lead a better life, but rather by serendipity then by choice your path was steered down another road. It has a point, a method, but your damned none the less. And don't think I don't know about the sharks tooth!' it twirled the object in Mozenrath's hands. 'This only delays your progress to my realm. It will not stop it sorcerer.'

Chapter 280 (by Nefret)

Chroias lifted Nefret's arm over her own shoulder and hauled the girl to her feet, not that she could stand or support herself. The demon's mind whirled and her senses were on high alert, every mouse scamper and creak and crack of the old house fell into her ears like a jackhammer. Something was here, one of the worst of her own kind, something that even made HER dread death.

The demoness stopped slightly and turned around in a circle, letting her senses test the air. It was near impossible to know where he was now, this thing. It was not that she was rearing to go and confront him, no that wasn't it, confronting it was something she had to do or else they weren't safe. Not until she knew where exactly he lay could she take Nef to the opposite end of the Citadel. The girl was already showing that she was not physically or rather mentally strong enough to face it. No mortal would be, and if there ever were one then that would consecrate a god on earth. But the question was, was this demon more powerful than her? She winced at the thought, at the thought of Mozenrath out there somewhere in danger with this thing on the loose, winced at the feel of Nef, now so weak and helpless in her arms, winced at the responsibility now breaking her shoulders.

***

The former body of Mozenrath sat on a little chair in some remote corner of the Citadel, a little pool of liquid on the ground, crimson and thick. A bit of blood that had been in storage in the lab, the giver unknown. Reflected in it was the image of the two girls as one dragged the other down the hall. "Congratulations on getting your wife and harem girl to get along so splendidly!" The demon jabbed the metaphysical form of the sorcerer. "And what better way for sisters to die than together?" It laughed and racked a claw across the circle of blood.

Mozenrath watched with borrowed eyes the image like a man watching two lambs to the slaughter. He felt a mix of hatred and helplessness. He had almost completely lost control of his body and this thing was hell bent on blood. Worse yet he'd watch the slayer, have the blood soak his own hand. It was just like his strange daydreams.. He quickly jerked his thoughts away but was unable to take his eye away from the vision in the blood, it was the demon controlling those orbs now and he chose what they looked at and what they didn't. 'I will kill this body and both of us with it before you I let you hurt ONE hair on their heads!!" He raged inside himself.

The thing laughed. 'you will join them in death soon enough. But even then I'll separate you. You are all destined for different places, can you not feel it? I'll scatter you to the winds never to united again." Lips pulled into a smile as the demon felt the utter anguish the thought brought to the man he possessed.

*** Chroias set Nefret down on the throne in the throne room. It was with a morbid interest that she had always thought of this place as the best room to wage war. Large and roomy with sparse furnishings but enough columns and indents in the wall to secure bystanders and the wounded. It was like a stage for battle or a ballroom for the dance of death.

Kneeling down by Nefret the demon woke her with a few light slaps to the cheeks. The plum head rolled up with a moan, she was becoming clearer every moment but still she was under the spell. "Nef. Come on Nef." Chroias encouraged. "Nef, you're going to have to do me a favor. I need this male demon brought out to light, out in the open." Chroias stood and popped a bundle of cotton in each of the ears. "You'll have to annoy him a bit I'm afraid, to get him out here. Be a thorn in his side. I need you to pray Nef, say your verses." She patted her shoulder, careful to avoid touching the amulet of Hathor. That's what had given her the idea, that thing had hurt her! And if Nefret's belief in her good goddess could hurt her best friend that it might annoy that bastered!

Nefret was still slightly out of it, beyond the point of asking questions. So obedient to the order she dredged her prays from the back of her mind. "Come in peace, progress in joy, Your heart is sweetened by hearing prayers, Hathor the Great, Mistress of Iunet, The Eye of Ra, Mistress of Heaven, Sovereign of All the Gods." Nefret droned.

To Chroias they were a just a bit of mosquito buzzing through the cotton balls, annoying but not life threatening. To the possessed Mozenrath however the reverberations of the words thought the Citadel was sheer aggravation. It growled and shifted uncomfortably as it watched Nef pray in reflection cast by the pool. Her amulet seemed to shine bright even in the dark room. The body of Mozenrath twitched, trying to ignore the effect. Finally with an angry growl it sat up and stormed down the hall.

"Adoration to You, the Golden One, Mistress of Iunet, The August and Powerful One in the Sanctuary-of-the-August-One, The One who shines like gold in the Temple of-the-Sistrum, The Atenet in the Land of Atum." Nef was saying.

Chapter 281 (by Chroias)

Mozenrath watched through his own eyes and heard the deep growl pushing through the demons resonating chamber. "What-is-that-noise?" It snarled and stood from the throne. It's massive head swerves up to the ceiling, around the walls and at the doors. He cocked his head, listening. "Praying!" It sounded almost insulted "Someone is praying."

Mozenrath watched as they moved through the Citadel with a demons speed. Everything around him jerked and pivoted around as they turned corners and moved past pillars. "What's going on?" His head pivoted to one side and the moving stopped. Mozenrath suddenly felt like he was on all fours.

The demon swerved its head from one side to the next, watching, listening, waiting. Mozenrath could no longer hear the prayer from his prison. Concentrating, he silenced himself and listened.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Come on Nefret!" Chroias helped her friend lift her head and sat her up. "Come on girl finish it." she sniffed the air. It was getting closer.

Nefret opened her lips and talked slowly. "Hathor above..."she whispered and struggled to keep going. Her mind felt so clouded. Her body so cold. All she could feel was something warm pressing to her chest. She reached for it without thinking and felt the warm metal of her amulet heating her body slowly. Nefret continued to pray.

Chroias listened and twitched her ears again and again. The faint scratch scratch of demon claws hinted at the walls.

Chapter 182 (by Nefret)

Nefret's face twisted ever so slightly, what were those next few lines? Funny that she would forget seeing as how they had been drilled into her brain over a period of 10 years. The warmth from the amulet seemed to creep in her mind and unlock memoirs. "I adore Your Majesty with Your heart's desire. I invoke Your Image with the sacred texts, I exalt Your Ka to the height of heaven, I worship Your Image to the limits of the rays of the Aten."

Chroias stiffened and her shoulders seemed to bristle in an almost animal like fashion, it was so close she could nearly taste it! Just outside the door, she could feel its rage growing as the verses picked up again.

~~~~~~~

"Ah, yes, there is again!" the demon growled and bared it's fangs. "How dare they use such devices here!" It roared and beat a fist against the door as a warning.

Mozenrath strained his metaphysical ears to catch, closing his eyes to capture every word.

The voice was low and monotone but by the words he guessed it as Nefret's "The Great Uraeus, the Mistress of the Great Sanctuary, Your beautiful face is satisfied with your beloved son, The King of Upper and Lower Egypt."

The demon let out a holler that rattled the very rafters and the door seemed to burst forth on it's own accord. The massive head wheeled around to take in the scene with the snake yellow eyes. Both the demon and Mozenrath peered into the dim and dusty room. It was eerily peaceful, the shafts of light murky and the room lying still.

The thing's eyes took one last quick scan and darted back to the figure in the chair, Nefret, slumped with very little noticeable life in her body. She droned on and on. "The King of upper and lower Egypt, Lord of the two Lands.."

"Cursed wench! Cease that senseless racket NOW!" The bulky body took a few broad steps on thick legs to come to a rest in front of the chair with speed so quick Nefret didn't know what hit her. She was dangling in mid air without even realizing anything was yet in the room. The demon smiled sadistically when it had come to a stop, Nefret swinging mid air by the grip he had on her shoulder. "I told you I'd be back dear." It breathed out, it's breath like the mists of the most sweltering rainforest.

Nefret's eyes showed only slight fear under the cloud of the massive aura the demon radiated. One word remained of her verses, "Eternally."

The demon jeered as something burned his arm, a slight gold whips radiating from the amulet around her neck. With a rage filled roar the demon dug his nails into her shoulder as a grip and swung her lulling head to the hard marble of the wall.

Inside his prison Mozenrath flinched and tried to look away from the impediment scene of Nefret's head smashing. 'No.' was all he could manage before the demon's scene of confusion washed over him. Just before Nefret's head made contact with the wall she had vanished in a plume of green smoke. The demon's clawed hand now lay empty.

It swerved with lighting quick relaxes to look around, its neck muscles bulging as the room rolled over his gaze. But she was gone, and now there was another presence in the room, a tall slim demoness with emerald hair and blazing red eyes.

Chroias huffed and flexed her fists, it had taken a quick spell to zap Nefret away like that, the magic was just now unweaving its spell from her form. Chroias's lips pulled into a feral grin at the demons look of rage and disappointment. "Not today will you spill blood here." Chroias's smile fell. "Now you will explain who you are or I will rip you to ribbons.

Chapter 283 (by Chroias)

The demon leaped into the air and disappeared into the shadow. "Find me find me little horns." he mocked and Chroias snarled. This game was fast making her lose her temper.

Chroias watched all around her. Looking for any signs of the other demon. It was coming, she knew that. The click click of claws was growing steadier and steadier. She could hear the harsh, gratted breathing of a thing in pain. It didn't like the prayer. Which meant Nefret was in more danger then she was turning around and making sure Nefret was safe. Chroias touched her with her own green magic, giveing Nefret her protection.

"Keep praying if you can." she whispered and Nefret, still half unconscious, nodded as best she could.

Nefret mumbled the prayers as best she could manage.Her mind swirled as the Hathor amulet glowed brighter around her. She could hear a soft, comforting voice through the mists, a familiar voice. "Be strong priestess. I am here. Your faith is not without value" Nefret couldn't place the voice, but she knew it, she was positive she did.

Mozenrath lurched inside the demons mind. 'I can not let you hurt them. They mean everything to me!' He struggled in his chains and launched himself against the metaphysical presence of the demon. He caught him off guard, nailing him to the ground. Mozenrath felt his body falling and realized he was going to be in severe pain when all this was over.

Chroias saw the body hit the floor and pounced on it.

The demon turned around and snarled at Mozenrath 'Stay out of my WAY!' he crashed his massive fist into Mozenrath's mind, probing deeper into the sorcerers memories. 'I will destroy you utterly for this fool. I am the spawn of the Christian evil! i will not be defected by a demon wanna-be and a harem slut!' he dug deep into Mozenrath's mind as the sorcerer jerked and convulsed on the floor. 'Scream! Scream you fool!' Mozenrath tried to keep his mouth shut as the demon tore open memories. Dreams he'd had. The dream with Distane and is violation, dreams of the fields and crops where he'd had peace for only a few second. And a dream he hadn't had in a long time. A dream...a dream where there was a woman he knew.

Chroias put her hands around the neck and pointed her claw to the jugular vein. She dug in just to the point of cutting. "Who are you? What are you doing in my home?" she ordered and kneed the body in the stomach. "Whoa re you? I will not ask again!"

The face looked up at her, speaking with a familiar voice. "Dearest, don't you recognize me?" The face shifted and turned, becoming lean and pale. It's lips becoming lush and familiar to her again. "My love."

Chroias opened her mouth wide. "M...Mozenrath?"

Chapter 284 (by Nefret)

The face softened more and Mozenrath peered out at Chroias like a face in the mist of clouds. The demon became a bit weak, her grip loosing and time froze around their forms. Reality was setting for the demon, she could neither kill nor let Mozenrath go.. Despite knowing him she had seen what he had done while on the loose. Or had that really been him? What had happened?

Though this stilled moment in time came a murmur, slight and female. It was growing warmer now, more forceful than forced. On endlessly into the dusky air went the hymns, the lamitations, and the prayers. Only broken by the human need to breath.

Mozenrath's face seemed to melt away in agony as the raging beast forced it's way back to the surface. The lips twisted and opened in one forced sentence spoken in Mozenrath's own voice. "Run from me."

Chroias was still a bit dazed as she was bucked off and skitted to the floor. The world seemed to spin as the demon whooshed about and into the shadows once more. The smell of brimstone was over taking the place. She had lost her will to fight, now knowing who her opponent really was. Slowly she edged backwards to Nefret, still reciting. Across the girl's chest, radiation from the amulet was a powder of gold dust, sparkling upon her breast. It wasn't from her...no it was some metaphysical sort of plasma.

Now it must be said Chroias wasn't exactly an obedient lover, following her mans every word and whim, far from it. But for some reason Mozenrath's one request sounded so heartfelt she knew the reason behind it must be of grave consequence. Chroias griped Nefret in her arms and picked her up, slinging her over her shoulder in a less than dignified way. Jolted now Nefret stopped praying and the dust feel from her breast and into the folds of her top.

"Demon! You want to play hide and seek?" She called into the darkness. A heavy breath came from the columns to the left. Chroias smile grew wicked. "Than find us." She whispered before fading out. Both girls popped

From the darkness burst the form to swipe at them with heavy claws. Both girls phased out just before becoming ribbons. The body of Mozenrath rose up on its feet like a beast and let out a howl. Inside Mozenrath felt the light feeling of relief followed by the heavy feeling of dread. Now the hunt was on. The scent was in the air and the dye was cast.

Chapter 285 (by Chroias)

Chroias tugged Nefret along with her. Now let it be known that she wouldn't have traded the minions friendship for anything in the world. But if they made it out of this alive, she was going to force that Egyptian into a diet!

She ran past the rooms, her goal much more precious then anything held in there. This was something she couldn't handle on her own. She was no hero. This required someone with a purity neither she nor Nefret had. This required Aladdin.

She couldn't use her magic without alerting the other demon to her whereabouts, but she could make it out to the stables and get her friends aboard a horse. She wasn't even sure if the hero would help. The treaty was signed true, but if Mozenrath could be eliminated...Chroias sighed, it was a chance she'd have to risk. She looked out the second story window. It wasn't that far a leap to the ground, but she'd have to get a good grip on her passenger.

She woke Nefret enough to have the girl secure her arms tightly around her neck. Out of nowhere, Mepho leaped up into her face, meowing persuasively and bringing Anubis up behind him. "Ohh get off!" Chroias growled and jumped, followed by the two pets. Quickly she made her way to the stables, found a brown horse and flung Nefret across the back on the animal. She jumped on behind her and helped her kitten up around the animals neck. She looked down at the pharaoh hound licking his mistress's cheek and whining. "Can you keep up?"

Anubis nodded and jumped around. He was ready now. The smell of this place disturbed him. Chroias couldn't help but smile. "You are a loyal mutt aren't you?" she kneed the horse and took off in a gallop, her destination set for Agrabah.

* * *

Mozenrath listened to his demon's howl. It was frustrated, angry at not being able to properly follow their trail. He laughed. 'Some all powerful demon! You can't even manage to find a harem girl and a lover!' he let the hatred ring out in his laughter, stinging the pride of his tormenter.

"Shut up"

Mozenrath felt himself backhanded and bit his mind back. It was fun to have found a soft center in this creature. He probed deeper into the flesh now that he had made the wound. 'Who are you anyways. Your not just another demon.'

The demon nodded and sniffed the air. 'it matters not, but if you search for a name you can call me Satan.'

'The evil of the Catholics and Christians?' Mozenrath considered. He's delta with multiple evils before, even his own which had not yet conquered fully. 'What were you doing inside and orb?'

'Oh I don't STAY there! I simply inhabit the orb when it serves my purpose.'

'Why bother? Why not just seek out your victims as you please?' he shouldn't have asked that question, but he couldn't help himself. It was the evil side of him wondering.

'Clever .Trying to milk me for information. You'll get none sorcerer. Satan smiled grimly. He sniffed the air and turned around to a window. "Apparently your two young ladies are more loyal to each other then they are to you. Are they perhaps involved with one another?' Satan laughed heartily at his joke and breathed in deeply of their scent. "They seek to help you. Foolish foolish ones.' Satan leapt up on the window sill and watched in the direction they were headed. 'They walk towards a purer nature.'

Mozenrath looked up through his eyes and frowned when he saw the direction they were headed in.

Agrabah.

Chapter 286 (by Nefret)

The horse stormed over the sands in much a clank and clatter. Taking Nefret over the border of the kingdom was not much of a production as originally thought. Simply holding her tight as the horse ran though it was enough to break the electric tethers that shot out like a net to catch her. The only thing that could be said was that it was a good thing Nefret was still out of it and beyond the pain.

Now flying over the tan sands Chroias's eyes were set dead on Agrabah. But despite her keen animal instincts to focus on one thing and one thing alone the demon could simply not completely forget the uncomfortable feeling in the pit of her stomach. It clutched and churned and it's source was evident. She growled lowly at the amulet of Hathor around Nefret's neck. The Egyptian was of course ignorant as to the effect it had on her, and Nefret's faith had never weakened Chroias enough to inform her of it, but now. now every bit of strength was needed.

The further they road the more coherent Nefret was getting. She was stirring slightly as her eyes open to find herself bent over a fast gaiting horse as she sands flew by, everyone in a while Anbuis made an appearance in her peripheral vision beside the dizzying whirl of wind and sand. Fidgeting she cursed and pulled herself into a sitting position, nearly kicking Chroias as she sung her leg over.

Half glad Nef was making some sense now and annoyed at the near miss she punched her shoulder half heartedly and pointed to their destination.

Nefret looked up sleepily and nodded, now becoming serious. "Yes. We need help. By Hathor we are in to deep."

Chroias flinched. "We need help against our own." She sighed and kicked up the horse.

****

"Really how nice of you to play hide and seek with my girls." Mozenrath was dripping with sarcasm as the demon stalked the sands picking up the scent. He had found it quiet a pleasing task to annoy his tormenter to all ends. It was perhaps parallel to Nefret's love of taunting him. "Next we can play jacks and jump rope. You seem to like childish games."

A roar echoed in his ears. "You just don't know when to quite do your sorcere!?" Satan raged and dug his claws into the sands. "Your only making me twice as mad. And that is so bad for your company." He grinned at Mozenrath's invisible flinch. His smile curled, wicked and knowing. "Found them." He whispered out, both in his head and into the air.

Mozenrath groaned as they burst out into the night following the smell of horse, demon, and mortal.

****

The horse stopped outside the palace gates as Chroias dismounted to lead Nefret though the portal. While Nefret had been getting stronger she was now lapsing slowly again. A sign that the things was getting close again. It was if there was an invisible string between them, unraveling when stretched and tightening as the gap closed, pulling at Nefret mind.

Aladdin was opening the front door, alerted no doubt by now that a demon was making her way through the city. In agrabah things traveled fast. His face was dark and he barley opened the door wide enough for his own head to go through. "What trouble are you in NOW?!" He sighed knowingly. They never came for a peaceful visit.

"We have al little infestation problem at the citadel." Chroias whisked almost nonchalantly as she leaned again the door, swinging the reigns.

Aladdin eyed her suspicialy and turned his gaze to the vacant look in Nefret's eyes. "And her?"

Nefret rubbed her head and leaned against the houses neck. "You still owe me a favor remember hero?"

Aladdin scoffed. "You used that up when you stole the sharks tooth!" Nef's face went blank, "Oh did I now?" She rolled her yes. "Because as I recall."

She was unable to finish as a sudden racked was raised behind her. Anubis had gone from his playful self to a vicious beast. His lips were pulled back, drool dripping from his sharp points of his teeth, his nose wrinkled, and his hunched brow shaded his eyes. Every hair was on end along his bristled back and he stood hunched. It was a sight to strike fear in your heart. Growling and barking rampantly he stared into the black night behind them.

Chapter 287 (by Chroias)

Nefret turned to look at her mutt. Anubis looked back at his mistress and growled angrily. He knew what was out there. And he knew what it could do. mepho sniffed the air and let out a wet cat meow before settling in Chroias arms. "Where are my children?" Chroias turned to the hero and asked.

"Tris and Apepe are in Egypt at the moment. And Zak went off to an island with Domdi the moment Eden got back.." Aladdin shrugged and watched the horizon in the direction of the Land of the Black Sand. "What's wrong?"

"More then you can know hero. Nefret needs medical attention and food. It staves off the weakness. You need to fortified your palace. Not just with guards either. If your Genies are around you might want to have them set up a magic barrier. Plus..." Chroias thought for a moment and winced."...you'll need items of your god. Your Quar'an...that sort of thing."

Aladdin looked about and considered. "Chroias...Agrabah and the Land of the Black Sand have a treaty. Under that treaty I can offer you any assistance necessary. But that does not mean you can walk in and take over my palace." he set a straight face when he said it too. He wasn't trying to insult her. She was Mozenrath's wife...lover...whatever. But the fact remained. It had taken him long enough to learn what the battle of politics was not easily won.

Chroias turned and looked back at him, trying not to lose her temper. "Hero...listen to me carefully...." She searched for an excuse, any excuse to get him to listen. And she got it. Jasmine turned the corner, coming to see what all the commotion was about, and held a baby no more then three months old in her arms. "Do you see you child hero? Right now she..."

"He..."

"He is in very real danger. As well as anyone in Agrabah. Protect your city hero." She grinned slightly. "That is what you do isn't it? Or have you become too good at playing Sultan?" she designed the comment to sting. And it worked.

* * *

Nefret sat in bed, looking out at the blue glowing barrier. They hadn't told Aladdin a few things. Like exactly who it was they were fighting, or why. But Chroias had explained that it was of demonic origin. And she had told them what they'd need to both respell it, and contain it.

She looked around at all the holy items. Thankfully, any item would do. Gifts had been given to the royal treasury for years, some of them included artifacts with some significant higher meaning. All of those gods watching you should have made Chroias feel better, but it didn't.

Nefret stirred from her bed. She knew the nurse would give birth to a cow but right now she needed to find her friend. She limped slightly over to the balcony and looked out into the garden. A dull blue light cast it's shadow over the foliage, giving it a majestic and beautiful appetence. No one was out there, not so much as a tree leave stirred. It was so peaceful.

Something moved.

Nefret ducked down, wincing at the pain in her leg as she did so. She peered through the curtains and watched the shadow move. It was like an animal! Stalking through the bushes. Waiting silently for prey. Her first thought was Mozenrath. Chroias HAD been kind enough to explain to her what was going on.

She checked again. No. This shape was leaner, more female. A small amount of relief settled in Nefret's stomach. It was probably Chroias. Much as she loved that demon, she had to admit that there was a distinctive amount of creepiness to her. Sighing and standing up. Nefret watched as Chroias climbed up one of the walls to talk to a guard, and went back inside.

Anubis sniffed the air and growled again. Placing his head on his mistress's chest and breathing his dog breath on her. Nef giggled and shoved her canine companion away as the door to her room opened. Surprisingly enough, it was Aladdin.

He smiled warmly at her. "Hey. How are you doing?"

A blush appeared on her cheeks for some reason. She slapped it away in her mind. "Oh just fine for someone who's been out cold for most of this adventure." she rubbed her head. "Congratulations on your baby."

Aladdin's chest puffed with fatherly pride. "Yes. He's a strong, handsome child. I'm so proud of Jasmine. She's a good mother. She'll teach him as much as I can." he looked at Nefret and without a word being spoken, the moment between them became awkward.

Nefret felt a warm chill rush up her back and tried to cancel it. NO! Married man, Don, not the right time. All these thought drifted into her mind in succession. She loved Don. At least she hoped it was love. But well...twenty years was a long, long time. Somehow, ever excuse she found NOT to ...there was a better excuse to. This WAS Arabia. And polygamy was a common practice. The only excuse that held up was the fact that this was NOT the right time.

Who knew what was going through Aladdin's mind. Thankfully, the moment didn't last forever. Chroias walked in the doors. Rearranging her clothing lightly in a few places. Her eyes wandered over the room from the shadows of the doorway. As they landed on Nefret and Aladdin a small, satisfactory smile crossed her lips, and she stepped out into the light. "Glad to see your awake." she called out.

"Yeah. Glad to BE awake." Nefret turned around and gasped.

Aladdin looked around." What's the...?"another gasp.

Chroias knew almost immediately what was wrong. She lifted her claw to her chin, and brushed off the trail of blood leaking from her open lips. Her red eyes glowed softly. "I'm sorry. But all the holy items around here didn't help the matter any. Plus..." her head swerved downward to her stomach for a moment, but jerked back up just a quickly. "...I'll need the extra strength for battle."

Chapter 288 (by Nefret)

Nefret pulled the covers over her head with the long drawn out groan of "ewwww." Temporality out of the spotlight, Aladdin slipped out the door to inspect the damage. From under the covers came Nefret's jarring words, "My friend the leach."

Chroias frowned for a moment then masked it with a grin. "I see your feeling better. Good enough to be eyeing Aladdin like a piece of meat."

An indignant cry sounded as the covers were tossed away to reveal a very perturbed woman. Chroias jumped away with a laugh. "My my you are feeling better." She smacked Nef's rump as the girl turned over. "Up and Adam than. We need all the hands we can get, even yours puny mortal." She jibbed.

Nefret grumbled but did as asked.

****

Aladdin was in the war room when the girls surfaced again. His eyes were dark as he meet them. Politely he let them sit down before beginning. "What exactly have you brought to my home?" He growled trying to remain diplomatic.

Chroias chuckled. "Just a little pet that followed up home." She sounded off like a child.

Aladdin was less than amused. He turned a commanding eye to Nefret. "What is it?" He spoke as one might to a servant then.

Nefret looked away annoyed. "Something important enough not to kill, and something so dangerous it could destroy us all."

Aladdin clenched his fists. "Riddles and games!!! That's all I can expect from you people."

Both girls wondered at him. Aladdin had never been so... authoritarian before. Perhaps it was his sense of duty, his maturing, or maybe and most likely his fatherly instincts.

"It is, Aladdin, an enemy in an ally." Nefret whispered. Aladdin's face visibly twisted in though, but before the grand revelation came the door burst open.

In straggled a mussed looking guard, as if he'd been running for miles. "New on the front!" He panted hard. Aladdin signaled for him to go on. "We found something... Something. It's huge, a beast! Out on the edge of the barrier. Children, he as captured children. He calls over an over for his, 'lover and harem girl.'" The man finally took a breath.

Aladdin's eyes narrowed. "There are no such people.." He stopped as both girls scooted back their chairs and stood. The hero's mouth stood agape and confused.

"Well, let us not keep him waiting." Chroias breezed to Nefret.

"No, by the seven Hathors, we have an appointment to keep." Nef confirmed.



Chapter 289 (by Chroias)

Aladdin felt a cringe in his stomach as the two girls headed out. It wasn't something he could explain. He just felt it. Not as much for Chroias, but rather for...He shook the thought quickly out of his head. No. He was a father now. Aladdin looked behind him at Jasmine. His wife, his lady. By Allah she was beautiful. His child pressed to her breast and feeding. Her eyes half lidded and her mouth croooing softly at her young one. He loved that woman and that baby. He'd do anything to protect them.

Jasmine looked up at her husbands face. She smiled at him. She was a bit plumper now. Motherhood does that to you. But she still had her loveliness. The weight would come off. Jasmine had never been a foolish woman. She knew her husband in every shape and form, his moods ,his love, his sweetness and his anger. And she knew when his eyes wandered.

There was nothing wrong with it. Jasmine had insisted that he waited. She wanted to make sure she'd given birth to a healthy child first. 'This is Arabia. And Aladdin is the sultan.' She reasoned with herself. And Nefret...Jasmines topped the though. No time to worry about it now.

Aladdin walked over and patted his son's head. He smiled at his wife. "You know I love you both Jasmine." He said kissed her.

Jasmine nodded and returned the kiss. "I know." If he meant her and the baby or her and Nefret, she couldn't tell.

* * *

Nefret walked along with Chroias. A small whimper erupted outside the barrier. Both women turned to look. There sat the demon. A child no older the ten held in one arm .His claw playing at the throat. His clawed foot tapped impatiently. "So here you are. "What took you so long?" he smiled with Mozenrath's face. "I missed you."

Chroias snarled. "We got busy." she waited and walked closer to the barrier. "What do you want from us." she hissed and her eyes glowed red.

The other demon walked a little closer, lifting the child by his scalp and keeping his claw close to the neck vein. His nose sniffed at the air. "You've just fed." he sniffed harder. "Still a little hungry demon?" he nicked the child and licked the blood off his finger. "I know I am."

Chroias felt her blood boil. "Let my Mozenrath go..."her voice was just above the deadly whisper level. Her back was begging to arch again. her shoulder blade lengthening and the sharp tips of wings sprouting.

The male demon laughed. "Ohh. I've gotten you angry have I." he dug his claw deeper into the Childs neck and the boy screamed. Almost immediately Chroias calmed down. Her wing tips disappeared again. "Better. Now. Remove the barrier."

Before Chroias could make a move to do so, Nefret held her hand down. "No. We won't give you access to this city." she said defensively.

The demon looked at her and pressed his claw a little deeper. "Slut! Gutter whore! Your in no position to bargain." he bared his fangs and looked at her in a vile way. "Just shut you mouth and keep it that way till I request you to speak."

Nefret's cheeks burned bright red. "You listen to me you refuge from the flames...!"

Chroias slapped a hand over Nef's mouth. She couldn't help but feel a twinge of pride, but now wasn't the time.

"What is it you want demon?" She asked and tried to keep Nef from launching another verbal triad at him.

His head cocked from side to side. His ears twitching and the face of Mozenrath fluttering across his features. His long finger pointed to them. "Just you two."

Chroias looked at the terrified chid. he was nearly dead already. And she knew what would happen if he wasn't. By touch this child was damned. This demon had given the boy a cursed life. She could do nothing for him. "You'll have us. On one condition."

The demon gave a mocking bow. "Anything you ask."

She looked pityingly at the child. "Do not suffer him to damnation." she looked at the weeping face and tried her hardest not to take back her words.

The male didn't even flinch. One slice, and the body fell. "Done." he kicked the corps aside. "Now. Open the barrier!"

Chroias shook her head. "I will open it. But only by a certain amount. You will have one building in which to fight us in." her red eyes looked around. "That one." she pointed to a sturdy looking building. "Tomorrow. Be here when the sun sets."

The demon looked and smiled. "I hope you can wait that long. Your Mozie isn't feeling very well." His features fluttered again and the anguished face of Mozenrath screamed by for an instant. Disappearing once again and letting return the mocking features of Satan.

* * *

"What was that all about?" Nefret yelled at Chroias as the green head bowed in thought.

"We don't have long. Find as many holy men as you can. Fill the building with items. Anything that has a god attached to it. Only the good gods, not the evils. Holy water. We'll need that." she paced back and fourth. She traced her mind for more info." And well need someone of the Catholic faith. They know the ritual better then anyone."

Nefret shook her head "Wait. Hold it Roi." She took her friend by the hand. "What are we going to do?"

Chroias looked up, the candle light playing along her face, makeing her look older. "Nefret. Do you know what an exorcisms is?"

Chapter 290 (by Nefret) Red eyes watched the sun peek over the time beaten hovels of Agrabah to cast it's rays over the now dead quiet mud brick building chosen as the battlegrounds.

A heavy door banged open to revile a girl standing in the doorway, a serious look on her mocha face. "Ready." She voiced.

Chroias nodded and turned away from the horizon to march passed the doors. Nefret felt the hairs on her neck bristle as the demon breezed passed her in a swift cold draft. She brushed it off and swung the doors shut.

****

The male demon rose off from his crouched position on the dune, silhouetted in the morning sky he winded the air and grinned. "It's time." He smoothed out the sand under his massive feet and dug in. "Time to destroy your life with your own two hands. Such fate you have, to always kill what you love. They sealed their fate just by knowing you." The muscles tensed. "Ready?"

There was no time for Mozenrath to respond before everything sprung into action and the desert landscape passed and swerved in a blur, sand clouding up in back of them, and the sun finally raising itself fully into the wheeling sky. Dizziness overcame him and he lowed his head in reservation. "Allah forgive me."

****

"Ready for this little priestess?" Chroias inquired as she put an arm around the quaking shoulder of her friend. She herself felt an odd thrill run through her, bloody battle suited her instincts just fine.

"No." Nefret answered honestly allowing her defensive to drop in the presence of her most trusted friend.

"Good." She rallied Nefret with a little shake and popped cotton in her ears. "Can't stand the noise you know." She screamed a bit to loud not knowing her own voice through the cotton.

****

The thing formally known as Mozenrath appeared at the pockmarked doors of the run down building and sniffed them as one might smell a fine rose. "They're here. I'm only slightly surprised at their stupidity.. I mean devotion." He grinned and ran a loving hand over the door as he took in the smell.

The ancient wood didn't put up much of a fight under the strong arm of Satan, Splitters flew and dust exploded within the compound. Overhead the demon noted the large vaulted ceiling of the long hallway. High windows jutted dusty beams of light over the pale walls as the compound echoed with the plud of his feet under the stone floor.

It was with odd awe that Mozenrath took in the placid beauty of their battleground.

"Come to me my little ones." Satan whispered into the dusky hallway. "I'm here for you my lambs." It was Mozenrath's voice that now echoed dully off the walls, issued from his own mouth but not his own mind.

"So good of you to come." Chroias commented quietly as the sound of her feet clinked off the staircases at the end of the hallway, only a stone throw away. "We were so worried you miss the party."

"Never." It whispered hideously

"No, never. It is such an honor to meet a hell born of such high status." She gave a mock bow that only enticed rage. "We spent a late night preparing a little.. Parade for you." Chroias stepped away, making sure her earplugs were securely in place as the sound of feet heading down the stairs burst into the hallway.

From the upper level descended a man in fine robes swaying back and forth in rhythmic verse as he cried out the Quoran. Not a step away followed a man bearing a long beard and curls cascading from his temples and over his ears. In his hand he held a scroll and a pointer, which he scrapped across the page as his voice rang out rough and jagged in the jilting Hebrew verses.

Satan wheeled around to the door with was now blocked with a row of tall crosses. The male demon turned clumsily, in pain, desperate for a way out of the noise. Mozenrath felt his stomach clench and heave in a sick feeling.

Flashing brilliant appeared the gold embroidered robes of a catholic priest, swinging smoky trails of incense into the air and mumbling Latin. In an endless procession came an African shaman, a bald Buddhist priest, a Shinto priest shaking a paper banner, an Indian woman dressed as Genish. The demon lulled his head and clutched his arms as he looked around. The holy men and women were gathering in rows along the walls, each coming down the stairs and marching down alternating sides of the corridor. With a deep pant that steamed the air Satan thrust his head to the steps to make out what was coming next through his blurry eyes.

From the upper level came a peaceful looking woman in a brown robe whispering in gallic, a painted man calling in a high pitched wail, and making up the cows tail came a woman in a sheer linen slip dress, a black plaited wig on her head, multi colored beads hanging from her neck and in her hand a oval raddled. Shaking it with a pleasing tinkling sound she chanted and moved with her palms raised in a sign of reverence. Nefret.

Satan swerved and lunged from left to right, covering his burning ears as his eyes rolled back. It hurt, oh god it hurt. Both sides of the hallway were now full of holy men and women, their voices raised, oddly complimenting each other in a great chorus round of prayers. Catholic, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, Shinto, Druid, Shaman, Hindu, Egyptian, The religions of the world represented in such a small space. The sheer volume of faith in that single room rivaled the whole of the earth.

Satan howled and Mozenrath, as well, cried from inside his shell as the voices cut into him. The demons back arched with a roar as a slash of water left a mark in his back, as bloody as if a whip had hit. "The power of Christ compels you." Came a strong male voice from behind him. From the direction of the Buddishts and Hindus came a cascade of offering flowers. They were tramples under the demons feet as he wheeled about nearly delirious, their scent putting an ache in his head. Satan screamed and clawed the ground before lunging blindly into the crowd. No one backed down; instead their voices rose higher forcing the demon to fall back with a roar just inches from their faces.

The male demon fell to the center of the room and covered his ears trying to block them out. From out of the buzz he weeded out a failure voice, or maybe it was Mozenrath instinctively finding her voice and his thoughts transferred onto Satan. Whoever it was, they locked on and lifted a head held by heaving shoulder to its source. Satan eyes narrowed on Nefret, her eyes firmly planted on his form as she somberly motioned her outcast palms. In a natural place to be, Chroias was at her side fighting off her own sickness.

Satan heaved and looked down with a gulp. Mozenrath felt the muscles summoning energy again as the head came up to stare at the girls through increasing tunnel vision. Through the blurring the sorcerer commented their image to memory. Chroias looking quite regal as she lifted her head high, ready to do a good battle. A true demon and aristocrat then. Nefret looked quite proper back in her old element, lavished in her original grace and clothing as a Priestess. They both were strangely beautiful that way, in their true form, as they were meant to be before he had made their acquaintance. "It is quiet appropriate..." He whispered in his own head before the world took to dizzying motion once again.

Satan leapt through the crowd, pushing the pulsing sickness away and barreled into the girls. With weakening muscles, still strong as tens of men, Satan caught them and slammed them back into the solidness of the wall. The world seemed to go silent for a moment as they rebounded from the collision before the noise of the prayers continued to drain into their ears undaunted. A firm grip was around Chroias throat, pushing the nails in just under and behind her ears. Nefret felt her ribs ache as they bent under the pressure of the massive hand pushing her into the wall by her sternum. Both girls' bodies were threatening to break. The skin of Chroias neck wanting to split, and the bones of Nef's chest about to crack and send a sharp shard into the heart or lung.

Satan panted heavily as she gazed at them. "All's I ever wanted was YOU!" he hissed. "You're all I ever wanted." Came the voice again, different now. It took in a deep. breath and let it out in a burst of steam. "You could not go quietly into the night. No never. But you will, then, join me in hell." The pressure increased on both girls as Nefret screamed in pain and Chroias let out a hiss

Chapter 291 (Chroias) Chroias snarled against the male demons grip. His claw bit into their flesh and she could already see Nefret begging to turn blue. Her mind raced. Even with all the holy items he was still to strong. There had to be a way to stop it. Chroias lashed out with her clawed feet a few times, cutting into Satan's body. He yelped and let Mozenrath's face appear, an image of pain against her lovers features.

Satan laughed. "You are a fool." he growled and smacked Chroias to the side. He lifted Nefret higher into the air. "Hummmm. But you..." he tickled under her chin. "You are just the kind of girl I could take home as a prize." His massive tongue slid out from between his lips and licked around the edges of her chin.

The holy chants continued around them, sharp, soft whispers. Satan flinched for a moment. After all that's what they'd been instructed to do. No matter what happened, keep on chanting. He turned just a moment to snarl at them all, but these priests were made of sterner stuff, they bowed their heads to their faith and continued.

Chroias whimpered as their faith became stronger. Her own skin hurt from this. It was fast becoming too much for her to handle. Still, Nefret was in that things clutches. She could have run, she had a clear shot at the door...but that wasn't something she would do. Standing up and spinning on one foot, she landed a solid kick to the back of Satan's knee. "Get your hands off my friend!" she snarled.

Satan turned with the intention to fight and Chroias took a risk, seeing the closest priest, she grabbed the cross of his religion from his hands and pressed it to the demon's head. Both demons screamed and the smell of burnt flesh filled the room. Nefret fell to the ground and promptly dug her amulet into Satan's back. Steam rose from the flesh and the symbol began to sink in. The priests began to follow the girls example and pressed their items into the skin, the room filling with smoke and invading their noses.

Finally. Chroias dropped the item she'd held and backed away, the closeness of the others making her severally uncomfortable. The priest picked up his item and pressed it to the monsters flesh. Satan screamed again and bowed, his huge body heaving and his nostrils expanding and contracting. He was weakening, but their job was far from over yet.

Chroias forced herself to stand and hide her hand behind her back. "Alright." She took hold of one of the arms not covered by holy implements and pulled Satan over to a table. Their job was almost done. She helped Nefret up from the ground, rubbing her small wounds lightly and helping to steady her. Nefret smiled. "Well that was fun, what shall we do next?"

Chroias smiled. "Next we finish this." she began to instruct the priests on where to stand. "Nefret is in charge now." she indicated Nefret and ignored the look of what-the-Hell-am-I-suppose-to-do look. "You will follow her instruction." she walked past her friend. "I'm sorry, but you can't imagine the pain I'm in right now." she clutched her stomach and her cheeks blew up for a moment like she was about to hurl pea green soup. She calmed herself and held up the holy mark on her hand. "I have to remove this somehow, it's like an infection."

Nefret hugged her friend. "How am I supposed to do this?" she asked and Chroias smiled.

"I'll be right outside the door. Just go with your instincts. "Chroias pulled away as the Hathor amulet touched her. "I am here, and so is she." The demon pointed to the glowing amulet and walked out of the room, leaving a rather confused Egyptian priestess behind.

* * *

As soon as she was out of sight, Chroias sat down and pulled out her own items. These were things no human was meant to see. The evil in them so beyond corrupt that it terrified most to insanity. Chroias pulled out a long rod with a red dragon wound about it, the ruby eye glowing angrily. Next she took out a small, unimpressive looking brown box with Greek marking on in and different little things flying around the sides. Then came a thins sheet of paper, the same color as human flesh and painted with red words in a long dead language. And finally, she pulled out a long, cydrical object with several spikes, all of which were tipped green.

She lifted her hand with the holy mark on it an flinched at the marked flesh. Not even waiting, she drove the spiked object through her palm. Dark blood fell to the floor as she pulled it back out and laid it on top of the human skin parchment. The words soaked up the blood, literally! The glowed with fever as Chroias began to recite the demonic literature. She opened the box slightly, enough to let out a sprite and grab it before it flew away. The thing was a dark green color, with gold eyes and the word Greed tattooed across it's head in Greek. Chroias bit off it's head and let it's blood mix with hers as she continued the ritual. The sprites blood poured over her own, slowly sinking into the flesh and melding it together. Chroias watched as it sank in and muttered phrases once again in the forgotten language of old. She spoke these words until the sprites blood glowed a bright and vibrant blue. Then, she picked up the dragon rod and waved it over her wounds, healing then by banishing the holy symbol with unholy ones.

* * *

Nefret looked on as Satan struggled on the table, his flesh bubbled and his face switch from Mozenrath's and back again and again. She saw those almond eye look up at her. The eyes that had imprisoned her, those eyes that had made her from priestess to servant, the eyes that had gone from harsh and cruel at his enemies, to soft and caring for his lover and children, to those warm and loving eyes for his friends. Nefret saw them change again to the angry, seeing hatred eyes of Satan. This Satan was not of her religion. She had no real knowledge of him, how was she supposed to know how to defeat him? "What has that damn demoness gotten me into?" she tried to think hard. What would be the best way to go with this.

Slowly an idea came to her. She began to position the priests at the four corners of the table, one at each corner and taking the rest and placing them at what seemed to be the best corners and spots for them. Now she tried to remember what she'd read and glimpsed from different magical texts her master had sent her after. For a proper exorcism, she needed an outlet, something for the evil to travel into after being extracted from the host body. Carefully she looked around. Nothing was present, save for herself and the priests. Nef fingered her amulet, letting it's warmth bring her comfort. A small furry body rubbed against her leg and she smiled down at Mepho. "Shouldn't you be with your mistress?" she asked and the kitten only meowed. How long he'd been standing there she had no idea, but now one came to her. "Mepho, can you help me?"

The kitten looked up at the Satan on the table and gave a small grolwish meow. He could help.

Nefret took off her amulet and placed it onto Mepho's neck. The tiny kitten meowed and pawed it for a second. Nefret felt extraordinarily proud of herself. The kitten made a perfect outlet, the amulet would protect the evil from inhabiting his body and taking control, but would keep it contained inside like a drink of water in a bottle.. She looked at Mepho, the kitten seemed to know exactly what she was up to and even meowed as Nefret set up for the next section of the exorcism.

Chapter 292 (by Nefret) Nefret took in a deep breath and placed the kitten at the end of the hallway, in a space void of all holy implements and anything a demon might find repulsive. She of course felt a bit guilty for using such an animal, in Egypt she would be put to death is she brought harm to the sacred animal. Yet, it must be said, Mepho was an extraordinary cat, and sometimes seemed a bit more than a dumb animal. Still if she hurt him she'd feel worthy of the chopping block, and if Mozenrath was killed due to her hesitation she wouldn't even feel worthy of that quick death. This was the lesser evil it seemed. And sometimes the choice of evils was the only option.

Nefret took a firm stance at the head of the table, placing her palms on the beast's temples. It looked up at her in pain and malice. "Take your hands from me Priestess!" it hissed horridly in her face. "Take your..." the thing than preceded to call out horrid names and implying curses that would make a street walker blush. Things that under normal circumstances would set Nef off the deep end. Yet this time she took it with a grain of salt and pressed her hands firmly to his head, instructing the others to place their own hands on any square inch of flesh available to them.

"Laudations to my Mistress" She began, her tone set and serious as the other voices joined hers around the table.

"Our father who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name.."

"Allah is good Allah is great, there is no other god than God."

"A-shi-ra la-do-nai ki ga-oh ga-ah"

"I called to her, she heard my plea."

"They Kingdom come, they will be done on earth as in heaven.."

"Inshas Allah, Insha Allah.."

"Mi-cha-mo-cha ba-elim adonai"

"She came by herself to see me."

"Give us this day our daily bread and forgive our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us."

"I made devotions to my Goddess."

"Lead us not into temptation and deliver us from evil."

"That she gave me my Brother as gift."

"For thine is the Kingdome and the power and the glory forever amen."

The Beast roared and twisted in sheer agony. The flesh beneath the pious palms was turning hot and liquidly. A discussing sight, but none would give up the ghost. Not now, not as long as breathe was held in their lungs.

Satan's eyes rolled and from his mouth issued strange and ungodly noises. From between his lips came a thousand different voices, male and female, old and young, some of a native and some of a foreign tongue. Those to be understood screeched hideous insults at the priests, their mothers, their fathers, their virtue. Things that had no right to be said, words that could shake even the most hardened heart. The voice of Nefret's father, her mother, Lucas.. But none were real, none of them could be. It was all a ruse. Oh The Beast was a crafty one. The holy ones shut their ears to it and voiced their voices louder.

"I'm here!" Broke a yell over the clamor of disjointed voices, it was so commanding the other seemed to ebb in comparison. Nef looked down into the beast's eyes, now almond shaped, dark and soft. "Nef." The lids closed and opened again less soft. "Do as you must. I wont allow myself to hurt Chroias and you. Do as you must." The lids closed again and did not open.

A chant was starting around the room, by everyone present, christen or no. Nefret accepted her orders and closed her eyes, nearly screaming along. "The power of Christ compels you, the power of Christ compels you.." The verse rang over and over again as they become more furious and full of meaning. Everyone's eyes cracked open as the bulky form beneath them rose to press against their palms.

Slowly they slid their hands away as the beast rose off the table and into the air, back arched and limbs bent and spread as if pulled straight into the air by it's back bone. The whites of its eyes showed hideously and it's mouth opened in a growl, something between the croaking of crocodile and the long moan of a man in pain. The priests joined hands and screamed at the top of their lungs. "The power of Christ compels you!"

Flames over came the hovering form, white hot and reeking of sulfur. The inferno darted then, around the room, narrowly missing the priests, repelling away from anything slightly religious as the chant continued. A loud meow rose out of the fires as it hit the corner of the room and pushed into the flesh of Mepho. The cat's head arched up as if taking a deep breath before coming back down in a look of complete calm and control.

Nef had little time to celebrate the health of the cat as from overhead a slim, pale, and badly battered body fell onto the table. She was at its side instantly.

Mozenrath seemed bruised and burned, thin and gauntly, weak and worn out. He lay there, sprawled over the tabletop, as venerable as a newborn. His full lips were a dangerous shade of blue and his flesh clammy and cold, the pallor of the grave. Nef grabbed a robe from a priest and wrapped him in it, running a quick hand over his arms in an attempt to get the circulation going.

"Come on back Moze, come on. Wake up." She encouraged and slapped his cheeks. "Don't play games with me damn it!" She was lapsing into anger now. Everyone got down on one knee and the muttering began again. "Please.." Her voice bounced whisperingly off the crumbling walls. "Wake up. Come back.."

**

Chroias lay panting slightly in the street behind the building, the instruments stroon out in front of her. She was feeling slightly better now, but still sick as a dog. Proud as anything came the kitten through the back door and prancing high. Almost as soon as it got within arms reach Chroias could tell what it held within it. She smiled faintly, and took the cat into her arms, careful to avoid the amulet. "So it is done now." She whispered, pushing the sickness away. "How much has been done?" She whispered, not wanting an answer as she pulled her strength up again.

Chapter 293 (by Chroias)

Nefret sat Moze up as best she could. His lips sagged to the point a child's would when they were about to cry. She watched as small tears came from Moze's closed eyes and he moaned. he was alive. Badly hurt, unconscious, bedraggled, and in pain, but alive.

Nef hugged his body close to hers. "Oh thank you Hathor." she whispered

'Your welcome'

Nefret shook her head for a moment. The warm feeling against her breasts brought her head down as the glowing in her amulet slowly faded away. She looked at the amulet, stunned for a moment, and then grinned slightly. If only her friends back at the temple could see this.

Mepho meowed slightly. He stumbled over to Nefret and rubbed against her leg, puuuring gently. Nefret scooped up the kitten. "OHHH You sweet, fantastic, magical little thing you!" she kissed Meohp's nose and the kitten slashed at her half heartedly. Mepho already knew he was perfect, he didn't need her to tell him that!

Mozenrath stirred on the table. His eyes fluttered open and he looked hazily up. "Roi?" he whispered

Nef shook her head. "No. Not yet. Relax. Lie back down." she pushed him back down into the table. "I'll go get her."

Moze started to argue for a moment, but felt the swelling of his head and didn't. Only grumbled and obeyed.

Nefret took a few minuets to push all of the Priests and Priestesses out of the building. She thanked them for their help, payed them the fee promised, and waited till she saw them exit down the streets of Agrabah. She walked back over to Moze, putting an ice pack on his still burning forehead and kissed his cheek once, rushing down to find Roi.

Her friend groaned, leaning against the wall of the building. Her mark was gone, but she didn't look like she felt all that good. "Is it finished?" she looked up and Nefret nodded. "I want to see him." she started to rise, but her legs sank out from underneath her.

Nefret leaned forward and started to help her friend up. Chroias looked up at her and frowned. "You don't look so good yourself." And it was true. Considering the specific company she had just relived them of, Nef looked like HELL warmed over. her hair was tangled and smudged with a thick slime that had come from who-knows-where, her eyes had huge bags under them from lack of sleep. She hadn't eaten in about two or three days and her body was covered in dirt. Even her priestess robes had a few moth eaten holes in them.

Nef looked down at herself and grinned. "I guess I don't look too good do I?"

Chroias laughed as they walked up the stair. If the demoness had been weak before, she certainly wasn't now. The moment she saw her lover lying on the table, brused and beaten, her legs found strength and she rushed over to him. Her claws touched him with feather light grace as she roamed his body, assessing the damnage. "He's alive. Just barely." she kissed him." We always do manage to come out of these things just barely don't we lover." a small smile crossed her face.

Nefret helped her lift mozenrath up. "I'm taking him back to the Citadel." she heaved Moze into her arms.

Nef laughed. "Hey come on. What are ya telling me for?"

Chroias looked back at her friend. "Because your staying here for a few days."

Nef looked at her, shocked. "but...umm. you'll need help with Moze and...."

Chroias looked back at her friend and smiled. "No.I'll make it just fine. He needs to be bathed and fed. And have a little good old fashioned TLC." Nef pretended to gag. "We both just need some rest and relaxation. Go to the palace Nef. You can stay until Moze is well enough to come and get you. I dare say he won't be to happy when he wakes up."

* * *

Aladdin for one looked surprised when Nefret showed up at the palace again just as the sun was setting. She still looked like Hell, but didn't have the heart to turn her away. "Sorry." she grinned. "Just got finished raising a little Hell."

Chapter 294 (by Nefret)

Mozenrath had been bathed, dressed in a galybeeya, and a few bowls of broth and grit like substances poured down his throat. He was most uncooperative for most if it. Lying lax and uncaring, in his own world. But it had gotten done and now there was nothing to do but wait for him to come out of it.

That moment came later that night, just as the sun was setting in the western sky, casting dingy orange shafts of light through the bedroom window. Slowly his gloved hand came up to rub his forehead as he propped himself on an elbow, swaying lightly. Every muscle twinged in complain of the movement and his skin ached with a thousand tiny cuts; but, hell, he was lucky if you consisted what he'd been through. hell.

Chroias dropped her book and sat gingerly on the bed as not to set off any jolts. Moze looked to her, and softened. "There's my girl." He whispered.

Chroias's grin broadened and her eyes crinkled in an adoring gaze. "Here I am. And we're all in once piece." Oh so carefully she brushed the scraps across his face.

Mozenrath's face twisted slightly, the images he'd seen through demon eyes coming back to him. The pain he'd put her though, that he'd inflicted with his own hand even he fought all the way to keep those hands off her. "Are you. okay?"

Chroias stood up and rotated around. She too had gotten a bath and tended to what wounds she had. In comparison to Moze she looked in perfect health. "Not a scratch." She exaggerated.

Moze smiled with a snort and lay his head back down in thought. Chroias lovingly stroked back his hair, the silence between them, comfortable and meaningful. The sorcerer hummed, a few long moments later, and turned his head to the side, to the door. It had taken him a while but he had finally noticed the distinct absence of his minion. He didn't really remember much after the exorcism had picked up pace, But he could remember doing some pretty horrid things to her. Was she angry with him.. Scared of him.hiding... hurt.. worse?

Moze bit his lip and looked back to Chroias. "Where is Nefret?"

Chroias smiled at the fear in his eyes. "Safe and sound. a few miles away" She got up to fiddle with some cool water to bath his brow. "I decided to leave her at the palace for a while." She came back to sponge off his face. "To give us a break. And cause I know you hate to be weak around her, to let her see your still human. I know you wouldn't want her here while you recuperated."

Moze smiled and caught her hand. "Good idea." **** Speak of the devil, Nefret was also freshly bathed and fed, taking both the bath and a meal at the same time. It was really quiet a luxury to feast and soak at the same time. Now she sat at her dressing table.. Staring at the Amulet she had laid down by the perfume bottles. Whatever it had been before, it was nothing now. Just a cool peace of bronze.

A knock came at the door and Aladdin stepped in. "You weren't at dinner." He explained.

Nefret laughed and stood. "I combined bath and meal at once." She giggled as Al gave her an incredulous look.

"I seeeee." He smiled to and sat on a near by lounger. "SO.. Is er. your other two friends ok? Where did they run off to?"

"Chroias and Mozenrath are fine, or should be. Hathor knows we've gotten through all the fates have thrown at us. They've gone home."

"And you've not gone.. 'home?'"

"No, quite sorry for the incontinence." Nef huffed as Al gave her the I-didn't-mean-it-that-way look. "Chroias thought it would be easier for Mozey boy to get some rest without the crazy minion running around." Nefret scowled, but Aladdin's laugh absorbed her anger. They laughed and then grew silent, not entirely uncomfortably. "Funny." Nef finally broke in. Al looked up. "We keep fighting outer demons when what we really need to face is our inner ones." She smiled philosophically.

"Intelligent for an evil little minion." Al jabbed.

Nef's eyes grew wide and an indignant cry sounded. For Mozenrath to called her "little minion" was one thing, that was a sort of epithet. For Al to use it was a sheer insult of her station.

"I'll show you street rat!!" She cried and the laugher rang as the pillows flew.

Chapter 295 (by Chroias. It's her fault. Damn her!)

Aladdin laughed as the pillow whapped him over the head. He lost his balance and toppled over a chair, looking desperately about for anything to defend himself with. Nefret advanced on the hero. "Allright! One point for the evil minion!" she raised the pillow to whap him with it again.

Aladdin grabbed one of the pillows from the bed and blacked the shot. "Ohho! so you like to beat up on defenseless Sultans' humm?" He reached around and jerked the rug Nefret was standing on, causing her to slip and fall between the soft sheets of the bed.

Nefret screeched and sat up, flinging the pillow down onto of Aladdin's head. "Ha HA HA!" she punctuated each laugh with a smack. Aladdin fought back, throwing the pillow against her sides and grabbing covers to slip her up. Nefret yelled as he tugged the covers out from underneath her and switched her hands, grabbing the ones Al was standing on thanks to all the fumbling and yanking, hoping he would fall back.

Unfortunately, this had a somewhat opposite effect. Aladdin fell forward, crashing into Nefret and onto the bed. Both of them cracked up laughing at the same moment. Half way due to actual elation, the other half to the awkwardness of the situation. Nefret suddenly became very aware of the fact that she was still slightly damp from bathing...and still wearing her robe that only came mid-way down her thighs.

Aladdin saw her blush rise on her cheeks and felt his own face truing bright pink. "I've never seen you blush before..."he murmured softly.

It was hard to determine what happened next. If you were to go back and think about it you couldn't have told who started it. All Nefret knew was that his lips were touching hers, and hers were touching his. And the satin sheets felt so nice against her skin...

She could feel her mind screaming out again. A million excuses not to. She could stop this so easily. All she had to do was hold up a hand, cough, make some motion to disturbed what was happening. So why wasn't she...

Aladdin's mind followed the same path. He was sure he had kissed her, or had he? Maybe she had leaned up a little towards his, maybe not...What was he doing? What was she doing? All he had to do was sit up to stop it, but then what? How was he going to explain this sudden kiss to her? His eyes suddenly seemed to realize that the top of her robe wasn't tied tight enough.

Nefret felt his arms wrap around hers. His arms were stronger then she was used too. Even Don's arm's were well build..."Don..." her mind attempted, but something else in her shut it out.

* * *

Moze tugged gently at Chroias's skirt. "Come on..."

Chroias shook her head firmly. "No Moze."

"But I feel all better now. I PROMISE!" He inhaled strongly and choked. "See *gag* Much better..."

Chroias giggled, but shook her head firmly. "No! You are still recuperating. You need food, baths, and REST!"

Mozenrath scoweled. "But how can I rest if your not here beside me?" he pouted, much like a child. In truth, yes he wanted Chroias beside him right now, but he was also enjoying the grand service she was giving him. Breakfast in bed, sleeping as long as he wanted, and her bathing him of course... But the only way to keep that going was to act sick and frail. And that went against his pride. "Roi...baby." he grabbed her arm and swung her into bed with him. "Come on... just a little something to keep my muscles working..."

The temptation was grand, but Chroias shook her head and slipped from his grip. "No. Not until I"VE decided your ready."

Moze grumbled. "And when will that be?"

Chroias looked him over. He still didn't look very good. His body was bruised in several places and he looked slightly green around his neck. His eyes still had dark circles under them and a scar or two marked his body. "When your healed." she settled in beside him and let a little of her magic flow into her fingertips. "Now relax, and let me work." she placed her fingers to his temples and began to sooth his mind.

Mozenrath resisted at first, feeling like a child being rocked to sleep by his mother. He could tell when Chroias was using her sleep spell on him. But it was a powerful one. The pillows suddenly seemed so soft and inviting, the sheets were cool and crisp against his battered flesh. Even the mattress under him felt unbelievable wonderful.

Chroias waited till his eyes shut and his chest began to rise and fall steadily before taking her fingers away. "Sleep well love." she kissed his lips and slipped into the bed beside him, twisting her tail around his back and her arms around his shoulders. It was going to take all night, and a lot of her healing energy, but she intended to cure as much of him as possible.

As her body melded little by little with his, she wondered how Nefret was doing in Agrabah. She smiled, happy that she had found the perfect excuse to leave here there for a few days. Even she could feel the loneliness welling up inside her friends heart. And yes, it might only be for a few nights, a week at the most, but still, every body needs some body sometimes.

Chapter 296 (by Nefret)

The sun rose orangey pink in the sky. It was ungodly early but Nefret had already been up and about for an hour now. Easily she had sunk into habits she hadn't indulged in for over 2 years, rituality bathing in the palace pool. Wrapped in a simples linen slip dress she dunked herself several times before stepping out to get dressed and anoint herself with oil. Stepping out on the balcony she knelt on one knee and raised her palms outward. And so the prayers began. Prays for Mozenrath, thanks to the goddess for his safety, asking for his health, praying for Chroias, thanking for such a good friend, asking for help with what Nefret felt in her gut was coming, and maybe just maybe a bit a guidance for herself.

Nefret walked strangely now, no longer did she plot along with her mind on sarcastic comments and what nasty things she say to Mozenrath next. No longer could you see the walls she put up around herself, or the mischief in her eyes. She was clam now, cool and graceful as she moved though the halls, hands clasped behind her and, in her down cast head, eyes cool and clear as she thought. No longer was she a spirit a fire, no, for right now she was the perfection of grace. A priestess.

Most of the day she spent outside the place, hovering around in the marketplace, sipping drinks in the open-air café, milling around with the other women, mindless banter with venders and traders. Anything to stop from thinking. What happened last night would never be known, not by anyone muhahahahahahaha.

Nefret coughed and watched as a group of old men played hounds and jackals on a near by table in the coffee shop. Chuckling a bit she stood and moved to the table, tossing in her bet. After a few winning "guesses" they invited her to play. Quite an honor, the fools.

With a hefty bag of winnings pulling at her side Nefret walked the market place, looking for just the right item to purchase. Mozenrath's birthday was coming up soon, and this could quite possibly be the only time between there and then that she'd be alone, in a market place, and with money. Mise well get it over with now. Despite his recent episode, and how badly he had caused her to be beat up, she wasn't going to allow him to put her on a guilt trip for not getting him a birthday present. Oh no, not this little minion.

*** Mozenrath waited till Chroias was out of the room before flinging off the cover and slowly placing his feet on the cold floor and, with a deep breath, pushed himself to a standing position. He stayed still for a moment before teetering forward, grabbing onto a chair back to steady himself and getting the coordination to walk out of the room, guiding himself with the wall.

For Allah's sake he felt like a rag doll! His muscles had relied so long on the demonic energy provided to him that now, no their own, they felt frail. But by god he was determined to prove himself. ready.

Chroias of course knew what he was doing, but she wouldn't intervene. He was bound and determined to do it on his own and that's what she wanted.

Chapter 297 (by Chroias)

Mozenrath massaged his temples as he entered the palace throne room. "Maybe I should have listened to Chroias and waited a few days." he groaned and walked forward as the servants scattered. Even WITH the peace treat his presence commanded a certain amount of...respect. He couldn't help but grin as he watched them flurry away and gossip with the other servants. It felt good to know that he was still a feared man. he straightened up despite his aching joints and migraine and strutted up to the throne where Aladdin sat. Jasmine was there beside him, looking on calmly as he approached.

"Moze..."Aladdin started. He felt a little nervous actually. After all, with everything that had happened last night between him and Nefret...Mozenrath wouldn't have come to seek vengeance would he? Not for a servant. He once again considered the possibility that maybe Nefret's relationship was something closer to him. But no. She would have told him if that were true...wouldn't she?

Mozenrath stood up straight and grimaced that special grimace he saved always for the street rat. "Al...buddy. I've come for my little minion." he noticed Aladdin stiffen in his seat. He wasn't the only one, it appeared Jasmine had caught the movement too.

Aladdin was torn. On one hand, Nefret was legitimately Mozenrath's property. He had perfectly legal claim to her. And as Sultan there was an amount of respect he had to give that. On the other hand, last night... It complicated the situation. He controlled himself as best he could. "She's out somewhere in the market place. Probably shopping." he tried a grin. "You know women."

Moze's disposition became worse. "Yes I do..." he strode away, never once bothering with a proper bow or salaam towards the 'Sultan'. This whole situation tasted sour in his mouth. First off, leavening Nef over in Agrabah was a bad idea. True he had been in terrible condition, but that was exactly why he had wanted Nefret there. Someone to vent on! Next there was the hesitation Aladdin had shown. Something was going on. Was Nefret planning to betray him? Had he done something THAT horrible to her while trapped by the demon presence?

* * *

Aladdin watched Mozenrath leave. The servants scurried about once again, like the lifting of the sorcerers presence had allowed their legs to begin movement again. The sorcerer disappeared in his usual manner, silent and creepy, which made him even more nervous.

Jasmine's hand suddenly covered his own. "Aladdin..."her soft brown eyes looked up at him persuasively. "Aladdin my love is there something you want to tell me?"

* * *

Nefret munched on the pastry in her hands and wandered about. She still haven't chosen a bobble for Moze's birthday, but she had a few ideas. The decorative creations that hug from the stalls caught her attention like a shiny earring does a parrot, but nothing she'd really wanted to purchase. She poked her nose into a raggedy looking shop with several curiosities hanging around. Grinning, Nef walked inside.

* * *

Mozenrath turned the corner just as the end of Nefret's skirt disappeared into the shop. He missed it though while looking at a pair of earrings. Each on was prismatical. A large prism with several smaller ones confined inside of it. Moze felt temptation creep up on him and bought the pair. Even if Chroias was going to be mad at him for leavening before she considered him healthy enough, these would help to smooth things over.

As his mind wandered he recalled what exactly he had done to Nefret as a demon. It had been horrid. As the feeling of guilt crept up on him he recalled the look on Nefret's face when he popped up behind her in the bathroom. Immediately he burst out laughing. Her eyes had been so big they nearly popped out of her head! It took a lot of control for him to wipe the smile from his face, but Mozenrath picked up a pair of small gold earrings with the symbol of Hathor unscripted on them. If nothing else, Nefret would appreciate these. And he could just leave them on her dresser, with no word as to who had given them to her.

* * *

Nefret poked her nose around some of the more curious objects. Boxes with DO NOT TOUCH written in Farsi, old manuscripts with spells copied down. Nef snickered. Mozenrath had stuff a thousand times better then this. Evil, yes. Cheap, never! She considered. A few animals were stuffed into cages which were way to small for them and looked out at her with pleading eyes. Nef felt her big ol heart swell up at the sight of them.

An idea came to her. Moze needed a new familiar anyhow! She had Anubis, Chroias had Mepho, who did Moze have? She trailed her fingers along the cages, looking from one to the next. She was pretty sure Moze had no interest in something as common as a kitty or puppy. And she spied the monkey and parrot the evil temptation popped up in her mind to buy him one, but no. He'd want something much more specific.

A sudden gibbering caught her attention. Nefret turned around and tried to figure out where it was coming from. A movement caught her eyes and she directed her attention to a small red and blue box with strange designs on it. She lifted out a finger to touch it and the box jerked about, wild, ferel noises erupting from the inside.

"Very expensive!"

Nefret looked around as an old woman emerged from behind a door. "Very very expensive." she grinned and the huge gape between her teeth was made obvious. Nefret knew she was being judged. This woman had a keen eye for customers who did and didn't have money. Depending on which she took them for meant what kind of merchandise she would show them. "Maybe more expensive then you can afford..."

Nefret held up some of her winnings and a gleam of greed lit up in the old woman's eye. "But perhaps we can do business!" she swiped the earnings from Nefret and inspected the quality of her coin. "Umhum." she picked up the box. "A rare and exotic creature from lands unknown." she promised and opened the box enough for two huge black eyes to stare out at Nefret. A long blue arm pushed out and the woman slammed the box shut, causing the thing to screech." 700 denari"

Nefret chewed her bottom lip. True, she hadn't seen anything like it before, but then again she hadn't seen much of it."560 denari"

The old hag thought for a moment."690"

Nefret chuckled. "You probably grabbed some mangy alley cat off the street and illusion it up!" she insulted. "600 denari"

The old woman stammered but regained herself. "675! And that's my final offer!"

Nefret considered. " 640 and a bottle of perfume from Egypt!" she held put her bottle of perfume and sprayed a little bit of it.

The old woman nodded. Anything from Egypt tended to attract a lot of attention and sell for a high price. "Sold." she took her money and the perfume and handed Nefret the animal.

Nefret scoffed. Truly she had gotten the better end of the bargin. After all, she had ten bottles of that same stuff at home! "Well, an absolute pleasure doing business with you." she picked up the box and walked out the door.

"The pleasure was all mine." the old woman promised and turned away with a chuckle.

Chapter 298 (by Nefret)

Nefret walked the street, the box firmly positioned under her arm. Now it must be said Nef was no fool in the gaming business, many a late night did she spend sitting up playing with the priests. So even after her purchase she held a good sum of money still in her change purse. After a few pasties and some luxury bath items she found herself with just enough to buy a cold drink to wash down the sweets.

With a heavy sigh she plunked down at the town well and pulled up her feet to sit for a spell. The box set beside her, oddly still, that is until she poked it and it fell back into ferial cries and jumbling movements. "Well this aught to be fun." She popped the lid open to peek ink inside. From the darkness popped a clawed finger that nearly jabbed out her eye. Nefret cursed and slammed the lid closed. "By Hathor it's a deformed cawala bear!" She huffed. From the box issued an 'ohhh' sound.

"There you are!" Came a voice, sending Nefret in a scurry to shove the box in her bag. Mozenrath was striding fast up the street, stepping full but careful. Nefret smiled, ah so the half dead walked. "I've been looking damn near everywhere for you." He came to a stop and sat down with a heavy sigh and closed his eyes for a moment, letting the aches subside. Well he hadn't' found her mingling with other evil sorceress he was repugnant to, arming herself to the teeth or bargaining to hire a hit man.. That was a good sign she wasn't playing the betrayal game.

"Good to see you to." Nef huffed but a grin spread over one side of her face. "Ya still feel like hell?"

Moze huffed and looked ahead of him. "That obvious huh?"

"Ahh, well you LOOK like hell." Nef considered for a moment. "But then what else is new?" Her giggle was stifled as an arm shot out, knocking her off balance and sending her tipping over into the well. At the last second her hand was caught.

Nefret looked up wide-eyed, still startled from the near plummet she had almost taken. Moze grinned back at her from the edge of the well. "It's tempting." But with a grunt her pulled her back into a sitting position. Before Nef could recover to retaliate Moze was on his feet and looking oddly at her bag, which had begun to shake and produce noise.

Following his gaze Nef snatched up her bag. She shook the bag hard and smiled at him.

Mozenrath's eyes narrowed. "Is something going on here little minion?" Nefret gave him the ol' what-do-you-mean look. "The street rat is acting daft, you're all to happy considering what just happened, and your hiding things from me. I can tell." He approached, serious. "So is there anything strange going on?" He was going to have no mutiny on his ship and if that meant interrogation so be it.

Nefret smiled and poked her finger to his temple. "Demons left you a few blocks short of a pyramid. No Mozenrath nothing 'strange' is going on if you consider the 'normal' we hold around here." Well that wasn't really a lie, it counted more as just skirting around the subject.

Moze dug deep into her eyes, but could see no hint of hatred behind them, nothing that would suggest she was up to insubordination. He smiled and let his shoulder slump to a more informal stance. "Well talk about this later. Right now lets get home before Chroias thinks me passed out in an alley somewhere."

Nefret sighed as she watched him pull the edge of the cape over both their heads and the marketplace landscape was enveloped in velvety black before the shade was dropped and the throne room of the Citadel met her eyes. Mozenrath headed to the sanctuary of his throne leaving Nefret standing in the middle of the room slightly bemused. That was until her bag began to shake at her side.

With a quick salaam Nefret beat a hasty retreat out of the room, clutching the bag tightly and leaving Mozenrath's mouth open in a protest that was all to late, she was already gone. On her way she ran past Chroias with only a quick wave.

The demon stood still, feeling the breeze as the girl passed. "Well.. it seems our little minion is home." Chroias sighed and smacked her head. "That means he disobeyed me. again" She huffed and marched to the throne room.

*** Aladdin stepped out of the room Nefret had occupied, he had found it empty. Best guess was that she was home now. Well at least Mozenrath hadn't come back to pound in his face. that was a good sign, right? It was probably best for Nef not to be here right now. he guessed. He swore that family got him into more trouble than a herd of rampaging elephants! You just can't choose neighbors he sighed with a smile.

Chapter 299 (by Chroias)

Chroias walked into Mozenrath room and tapped her claws on the floor as she waited for him. She was gonna give that sorcerer a piece of her mind! Didn't he realize that when she said stay put it meant STAY PUT! She was worried about him damn it! Couldn't he understand that? She growled and paced back and fourth, her hands itching to tear into him.

Two hands suddenly appeared over her shoulder, each one holding a prism earring.

Chroias was almost tempted to reach out and take them, full of elation. But halted. She crossed her arms and frowned. "No." she huffed and walked away from him.

"No...?"Mozenrath questioned and followed her.

"No as in I am not happy with you. No as in you had me half scared no as in ...hey!" Chroias screeched as Mozenrath tucked his arm around her waist and began pressing the earrings inside her ears. The decorative rainbow colors danced against her skin as she looked in the mirror.

Mozenrath slipped his finger through her locks of hair and moved it behind her ear so that the prisms could be seen better. "Well..."

Chroias tried her hardest not to smile. "No! I'm still angry with you." she felt a shiver rush through her spine as he trailed his skeletal hand along her back.

"But...?"

"But...not as much as before."

"Now don't trip on that overwhelming gratitude." Mozenrath popped her hip gently.

Chroias turned around and wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his nose. "Tonight?" she asked gently. "If you think your strong enough?"

Mozenrath chuckled. "Oh I think I can muster up the energy somehow."

* * *

Nefret unpacked her belongings and settled down on the bed. It was a mixed feeling that swam through her right then. The happiness of being what she had know as home for almost five years now, and then...that little twinge of something in her chest.

She shoved it away. Yes it had happened. Yes she had loved it. But it was past the point of regret. Her mind wandered for a moment, letting the sweet images flicker past a little at a time. Nefret smiled and looked at herself in the mirror. She felt, different somehow.

Anubis walked in and licked at her hand, whining. Nefret absentmindedly patted him. "Aww.Did my widdle puppy miss his mistress?"

Anubis growled at the baby talk and nipped at her fingers gently as she laughed. "Silly puppy." she scratched behind his ears. She felt damn good. Good enough to splurge on herself just a bit more.

* * *

Mozenrath tapped his foot against the table leg and looked up the stairs. "Damn it now where is she?" he grumbled.

Chroias giggled and toyed her fingers over his. "Ohh shush up." she grinned.

Mozenrath was about to make a withering come back as a slight cough echoed. He set his face in a your-late sort of look and turned around to chastise Nefret...and his jaw dropped.

"Neffie...I mean...wow!" Chroias half smiled half chocked as the Egyptian walked down the stairs. She was wearing white robes with gold trim speaking out the prayers of Hathor that came down to her knees. She had tied it with a purple sash which matched her hair perfectly and small gold slippers, bangle around her arms and neck. Even her face a little extra make up on it. Her eyes with a tasteful blue and her lips with a lovely crimson tone. Her hair had even been done up in an appropriate style. Brushed over to one side and let flowed down and cascade over her shoulder.

Mozenrath didn't even think about it. It was just the natural reaction of a man seeing a pretty woman. He hadn't even realized he'd whistled till Chroias kicked his shin under the table. He grimaced and immediately hiding it as Nefret laughed. "So I take it you like the dress?"