A/N: Sorry it took so long to post this chapter! This is going to be short, but I'll post the next chapter sooner, since school's out! Enjoy!


**************************Chapter Five*****************************

Upstairs, Tori prowled through the halls, working off some of the energy from dinner. She lost track of direction and let her finely honed instincts guide her into a large garden, complete with a large fountain in the middle. Staring up at the statue mounted in the center of the fountain, Tori frowned a little.

It was beautifully sculpted and in great detail. The first part that captured her gaze was the woman lying on the little platform, a bit of her skirt trailing off the side to just brush the water. Her eyes were closed and she looked unconscious. It took Tori a moment to recognize this woman as Jaenelle, younger, perhaps, but not much so.

Looking up from the woman, Tori let her gaze travel slowly from the top of the giant beast to his feet and up again. It was a blend of a man and cat, and was very obviously male. A giant feline's head was mounted on massive, broad shoulders, his mouth open slightly and teeth bared in a vicious snarl. He crouched over the woman, with one powerful paw/hand raised; the long claws unsheathed right over her head. The other paw/hand was resting on the ground beside her head.

Looking at them, her first thought was to stop him. Get the woman away to safety and away from the beast that seemed to be threatening her. But instinct made her look more closely, noticing details she might otherwise have overlooked. She noticed the small, trusting smile on the woman's lips. And the way her arm seemed to reach out to touch the furred paw/hand She noticed, with a stab of longing, how the male body sheltered her. Protected her. How his green-jeweled eyes seemed to stare at anyone who approached, and that his snarl didn't come from anger or rage, but from desire, the burning need to protect her.

*Blood* A mind reached out, touching hers.

Tori jumped, spinning around to search the garden, silently cursing that she had gotten so lost in her thoughts. Slowly, to show no ill will, a very large white tiger came out of the shadows, a Gray Jewel hanging from its neck by a golden chain.

*Who are you?* Tori demanded.

The tiger's ears perked, as though pleased by her demand. *You haven't had any training and already you can speak with Kindred!* Came the masculine voice. *This is very good indeed.* As an afterthought, he added, *My name is Kaelin, Kaelas's cub. And I'm not a tiger, I'm an Arcerian Warlord Prince.*

Tori grunted, relaxing from her fighting stance. *What was that about blood?* *Not blood. Blood. Them.* He nodded her head at the statue. *The male represents all Blood males. Protectors. Defenders.*

Tori turned back to stare up at the male, and deep inside her walls, sighed. *No.*

Kaelin seemed confused. *No what? You think I'm lying?*

*No. I meant that you were mistaken. There's no such thing as a male protector. They never want to protect.* Tori said bitterly, scowling at the statue.

Kaelin came to stand beside her, leaning ever so slightly against her leg. *You are wrong, Tori. You'll see.*

"I should get back inside before Talia comes looking for me," Tori murmured.

*Talia? That's no problem. Lavairar's looking after her. He's Ladvarian's cub, so he'll take good care of her.*

"Marian warned me about this," Tori muttered, shaking her head as she went inside, followed by her new four-legged shadow.

Kaelin trotted at her side, his eyes sweeping from side to side as they walked, always vigilant. After a few minutes, Tori resigned herself to her new partner, knowing she couldn't get away from him without somehow offending him. And offending nine hundred pounds of pure muscle and teeth didn't seem like the wisest course of action. Better to keep him as an ally.

*How did you get so good at talking to Kindred without training?* Kaelin asked as they headed to the room Jaenelle had told her about on their way to the dinning room, after the vision.

Tori frowned. *What do you mean? I talk to Talia like this all the time.*

*Yes. But she's Human. It's easier for Humans to talk to Humans, isn't it?*

Tori considered this for a moment. *Huh. I haven't noticed until now, but it's a lot easier to touch minds here, instead of…back where I grew up. I suppose, if you really look at it, it's not harder to touch Kindred minds. It just takes a different type of approach.*

Kaelin looked up at her, approval shinning in his eyes. *You'll make a very good Queen,* he said happily. *Kaeleer needs strong Queens.*

Finally reaching her room, Tori went in and looked around, calling in globes of witchlight to light up the corners. After a few minutes, both she and Kaelin were satisfied that it was secure, and Tori threw up an Ebon-Gray shield, but not before turning to face Kaelin.

"I don't think it would be a good idea that you stayed here tonight," Tori said, calling in a trunk that held her clothes.

*Why? You don't want me here?* He asked, sounding hurt.

*Its not that,* Tori sent mentally, so he could taste the truth of her words. "It's just…" She glanced over at the large bed and shuddered, finishing lamely, "I have nightmares."

Kaelin rotated his right shoulder in a feline shrug. *I don't mind if you kick me in your sleep.* Still, Tori hesitated, and Kaelin began to see that this was more serious than a mere nightmare. *No one can harm you here,* he sent comfortingly.

Tori took a deep breath. "I want your word, Kaelin. Swear to me that whatever you see, hear, or sense this night and every night you choose to stay with me, stays between only us."

Kaelin looked away. *I cannot keep secrets from my Queen, Tori.*

"You can tell her," Tori allowed. "She already knows. But no one else. Okay?"

Kaelin looked up at her steadily. *I swear I will say nothing, Tori.*

Tori nodded, satisfied. "Good. I'm going to change, I'll be right back."

Kaelin jumped onto the bed and began making himself comfortable. *I'll wait here.*

When Tori came back out in her T-shirt and shorts, she found Kaelin already snoozing. Brushing her hair out of her eyes irritably, she moved to the bed. Suddenly Kaelin was on his feet on the bed, snarling at her. Surprised, Tori called in her Gray, prepared to fight. What he said next shocked her, as well as the deep anger that was almost hatred.

*Who did this?* He growled, hackles rising and Jewel flashing dangerously.

Tori blinked, thrown off guard. "Did what?"

Suddenly Kaelin was in front of her, his cold nose nudging one of the long, jagged scars. This one ran across her stomach. *I>This,* he rumbled, his harsh breath hot against her skin. *Who did this?!*

Tori took a step back, realizing that he was furious for her. He was furious that someone had hurt her. She looked away, refusing to answer. Not wanting to see the damning disgust flash in his bright eyes.

*Tori,* Kaelin sent, a little bit more in control of his emotions now. *I need to know.*

"Why?" Tori demanded, suddenly angry. "He's dead! It doesn't matter anymore!"

*A male did this?* Kaelin asked quietly, a coldness creeping into the room.

"M-My father," Tori whispered, crossing her arms as she stared stubbornly at the ground.

The cold sharpened and Kaelin threw his head back and roared pure hatred. Outside her room, she could hear the sounds of running footsteps, and Tori quickly shielded the door, called in her coat, and slipped it on, covering the scars easily. There was a moment of hesitation when Tori didn't answer the pounding on the door, then a wave of black shattered her shield and her room suddenly became very crowded.

The first three there, Tori noticed, were Daemonar, Lucifer, and one she had never seen before. Behind them were two other strange males, and a woman. Her defenses snapped up as she glared at them, crossing her arms over her chest.

"What do you think you are doing?" She demanded. "That was my door you just broke down." She turned to the strangers. "And who are you? I don't even know you people, and yet you come barging in here for no reason!"

"No reason?" Daemonar growled, vanishing his war blade. "Kaelin was roaring loud enough to wake the dead! We thought you were in trouble!"

"I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself," Tori snarled. "And if I had been in trouble, you would have felt me use my Jewels! Think before you come-"

"Thinking wasn't our concern," Daemonar snarled back, his wings closing with a snap. "We protect. We guard. Kaelin yelled a battle cry. We responded!"

Tori clenched her fist. "I didn't ask for your help! I've never lived here, Daemonar! I've learned to look after myself! I don't need protectors!"

For one instant it looked at though Daemonar was going to either attack her or strain something in his neck. Abruptly he turned to leave, the others making a path for him. At the doorway, he turned to growl at Kaelin.

"Now I know why you roared," he said. "Being stuck in a room with her would make any sane male do that!"

Tori glared at him, emitting something suspiciously like a growl herself. Lucifer, smartly, decided that this was not the time to say anything, and followed Daemonar out quickly.

"Congratulations," the woman said, looking impressed, despite the grin. "It usually take people at least three days to get Daemonar that mad. And you've managed to do it in minutes."

Tori growled deep in her throat.

The woman laughed and stuck out her hand informally. "I'm Lucia, Lucifer's twin."

Swallowing another growl, Tori took the chance to really look at her and was surprised to see how alike they were. Tori grasped the outstretch hand firmly. "Hi. I'm Tori."

Lucia nodded to the other Eyrien. Younger, lighter skin tone, but baring a strong resemblance to Daemonar. "This is Prothivar. We just got back from seeing Uncle Lorn."

Prothivar grinned and, his eyes twinkling with mischief, stepped forward to grasp her hand. "It's nice to meet anyone who can get under my brother's skin that quickly."

The other man rolled his blue eyes. "I'm Arahn."

Tori politely shook his hand. Tall, handsome, with dark red-brown hair cut into short spikes, with the exception of a tiny, tight braid on his right side that fell down to his chest.

"Nice to meet you all," Tori said. "But I was getting ready to go to bed."

Lucia laughed. "Sorry, Tori. What was Kaelin so upset about, anyway?"

Tori slid her cold mask firmly into place. "Good night, Lucia. Prothivar. Arahn."

Without waiting for their responses, she shut the door in their face and Gray-shielded it. After a few minutes, she felt them leave and turned back to Kaelin frowning.

"Nice one, Kaelin," Tori grumbled, padding back over to the bed.

*I was not prepared for that,* Kaelin apologized. He followed Tori and leapt back on the bed. *Are there many?*

"Yes." Tori said, slipping out of the leather coat. Again she felt his flash of anger on seeing the white lines across her body. "If this is how you react to seeing the front, I think I'll sleep facing you."

Kaelin's yellow-orange eyes narrowed. *It is worse on your back?*

"Yes."

*I want to see them,* he stated. When she hesitated, he added, *I'm ready this time. I won't do anything.*

With a sigh, Tori turned her back to him and lifted her shirt, saying, "I don't know why this is so important to you, Kaelin. They are old. And Father is very dead."

There was a cold silence as Kaelin sat behind her, staring at the twenty-something whiplashes that had scarred. He could see faint lines slashing though the scars where the other lashings had healed over.

Tori jumped slightly when she felt Kaelin's warm tongue pulling gently across her back. He paused, and when she didn't push him away, he continued until he had touched every scarred part of her back. It tingled slightly, and she could have sworn she smelled a faint herb in the air.

*What was that for?* Tori sent tiredly, lying down next to him.

*It will help heal the scars, and keep bad dreams at bay.* Kaelin promised, curling protectively around her back, his tail curling around her ankles. *Good night, Tori.*

Tori sighed slipping quickly into a deep sleep. *'Night, Kaelin.*

As it turned out, Kaelin was right. Tori awoke before the sun rose the next morning, fully rested and energized from the dreamless sleep. As she took her shower and got dressed, she glanced at Kaelin's still slumbering form, mildly amused that she trusted him so soon. It was, she determined with a wry twist of her lips, the roar that sent the cavalry running. She felt the depth of this hatred towards this unknown man that had hurt her. Not because she was a woman, or weak. But because she was a witch and Queen, and he protected Queens.

Dawn was just creeping over the horizon when she left her room and went down to the kitchen to see what she could dig up for a light breakfast. What she hadn't counted on was Mrs. Beale. ************* A/N: R and R! *************

Reviews:

sara--Thank you so much! I'm glad you like it! Hope you liked this one, too!

Starlight--Don't worry, my tale may look random and confused, but it all sorts itself out in…uh, like chapter ten or so. ^,^` Until then, I'll try to clear more things up!

Chelsi Avalon--I've fallen behind a little in my updates, but I'll post up two more to make up for it soon! Thanks for the review!

Lady Grimms--I'm getting that a lot, not knowing where I'm taking this, that is. But no worries! There is a larger picture here! Stay tuned to find out! ^.~

DejaVu--As always, dark sister, your reviews are cherished! Expect more soon!