*****************************Chapter Ten*********************************


Tori reached for her coat tiredly and left the room without another word, anxious to get back to her room and rest for a little while. Not long, but enough so that she wasn't shaking. Kaelin walked beside her silently, letting her use him occasionally as a support when her legs would become particularly wobbly.

*I'm glad you told them,* Kaelin said at length as they entered her room. *They wanted you to trust them enough to let them beneath your shield.*

Tori sank into her bed, a slight tint coloring her cheeks. "Yes, well…They have a way of pulling stuff out of a person."

*You know that you'll never be rid of us now, right?* Kaelin asked, his tail swishing from side to side as he leapt onto the bed. *We're the beginnings of your court.*

Tori sighed heavily. "I don't want a court, Kaelin. But…obviously there isn't much I can do about it, is there?"

Kaelin looked at her, the air around him buzzing with excitement. *You mean you'll accept us?*

She laid back against the headboard with a slight nod. She paused for a moment in getting situated, and glanced warily at Kaelin. "Who, exactly, is 'us', Kaelin?"

The giant cat seemed to think over this for a moment. *Lucifer, Arahn, Lucia, and Daemonar of course, Narla, Prothivar, Kalush, The Twins, and Lavariar. And then the rest of the family is coming in later on, and they will want to serve.* There was a certain smug and completely male assurance in that statement that almost made Tori worry. *Talia and her first two members of her First Circle might serve, just to show their loyalty and adjust to the Protocol required. To say nothing of the Kindred, when you meet them.*

"Mother Night," Tori murmured. "What have I gotten myself into?"

Before Kaelin could answer, there was a light, hesitant knock on the door. Tori glanced over at the rectangular piece of wood and waited. When no one came barging in, she let out a soft breath of relief. If they were waiting patiently, it wasn't one of the boyos. Which meant, maybe, she would escape being fussed at.

A swift probe was all it took to wipe away the relief and bring Tori's mask sliding back up. Kaelin, sensing the shift in his Queen, jumped down from the bed to crouch beside her.

"Come in," Tori called, what strength she had being directed to making the room as subtly uncomfortable as possible.

Lyra opened the door and stepped inside with a sort of firm resignation. She shivered at the cold, but firmly took another step closer to the bed. After a tense moment, Kaelin straightened from his defensive position and leapt back up to lay beside Tori, his head resting in her lap as he stared at the woman expressionlessly.

"I believe it is time we got everything out in the open," Lyra said, waiting for Tori to allow her to take a seat, subtly acknowledging Tori as the more powerful Queen.

Tori scowled, but nodded to the chair. "I have told you everything already, Lady Lyra."

"But…" Lyra seemed at a loss for words for a moment. "I need to know what made you hate me so. I know I made a mistake in sending you to live with Eric, but I honestly didn't know that he would be capable of such things."

Tori shifted minutely. "I don't hate you," she muttered. "But I also don't believe you fully understand what Talia and I went through."

"And I don't believe you want to understand what I went through when I gave you both up," Lyra responded, leaning forward in her chair. "You are my daughter, Toriana. I was lost without having you to take care of."

Tori tensed. "Lost where?" She asked carefully.

"In the Twisted Kingdom," she whispered. "That's how Jaenelle found me, and brought me back."

Tori leaned back more fully against the headboard. "And how you fell for the High Lord." She smirked when Lyra turned a vivid pink.

"In a way," she allowed.

"Oh?" Tori asked, mildly surprised to find herself interested in hearing the tale. "And what way did it happen?"

Lyra looked shocked. "You really want to hear about it?"

Tori shrugged, glancing away. "It would pass the time better than us bickering, wouldn't you say?"

"Yes," Lyra agreed, smiling brightly. She situated herself more comfortably in the chair, staring into the distance for a moment as she thought. "Well, I would have to say that it all started when I woke up from the healing sleep Jaenelle had put me in when I came back from my…madness."

"There are worse places to be," Tori told her mildly.

Lyra blinked at her daughter, recognizing the awkward attempt at offering sympathy, and smiled softly. "I suppose there is."

She shook her head slightly and continued with the story. "Anyway, Saetan was there when I woke up, fussing as all males here tend to do. He insisted on my staying in bed, drinking the herbal potions Jaenelle had concocted to help me get better more quickly, and doing nothing else." Lyra smiled at the far wall fondly. "Back then, I was as snappish as they came."

Tori smiled ruefully before she could stop herself. "That I remember," she said. "I always knew that I was never really in trouble until you found out."

Lyra blushed. "Yes, well. Suffice to say, I gave Saetan the sharp side of my tongue." She paused, considering something. "I remember he seemed so surprised by my outburst, though I don't know why. After all, he lived with countless witches, and should be used to such a manner."

Tori made an agreeing sound, although she could probably guess at a few reasons the High Lord would find her lack of fear intriguing. Especially if she had remained unafraid after she had seen his Black Jewels.

"To make a long story short," Lyra finished, "He danced around asking me out for a few months, then finally found the balls-er courage-to come up. And the rest just…fell into place."

Tori examined the doe-eyed woman before her. "Do you ever regret it?"

"What? Oh, no. Saetan…he's…well, everything I could possibly hope to find and more." She gave her daughter a curious look. "Why would you ask that?"

Tori shrugged slightly, not wanting to disturb Kaelin, who had seemed to of fallen asleep. "He's a Guardian. One of the living dead. You wont be able to have kids with him. Or grow old together. He'll watch you grow old. And he will watch you die. But the entire time, he will stay as young and fit as you see him now."

Lyra's face puckered in a frown. "But that's a long time from now, Tori. And I already have two daughters."

"Two daughters that you missed grow up," Tori countered.

"Yes, I did miss everything," Lyra said sadly, looking down. "I missed Talia's first steps. Her first words. Her first…everything! And I missed teaching you Craft and teaching you about the checks and balances of the Blood society. And helping you through your first moontime…"

Tori glanced down at Kaelin, brushing her fingertips through his fur lightly. Knowing it was probably a very bad idea, Tori took a deep breath and turned slightly back to her mother, glancing at the elder woman out of the corner of her eye.

"I could use some lessons in Blood society," Tori said, "since I'm going to have to set up a Court. And Craft lessons would help with the upcoming battle."

Lyra sat there for a full minute, gaping at her daughter. "Do…you want me…to teach you?" She asked breathlessly.

"If you don't have anything else to do," Tori agreed, wondering about the strange feeling of excitement that flooded her when her mother called in a few thick books and laid them on the bed eagerly.

"We'll start with the simple things first," Lyra said, picking up a Basic Craft book and flipping through the pages. "Lets see… Do you know about passing things through solid objects?"

Tori leaned forward and stuck her hand through the book. "Like this?"

Lyra jumped, sending Tori a reproving glare. "Yes. Exactly like that. Now, how about we start with…"

Tori listened, letting her eyes fall closed as she considered the information her mother was reading aloud. As she took it all in, she felt herself relaxing, and just listening to the smooth, light sound of her mother's voice. Reality around her faded, and she slipped further and further into the abyss and another vision.

She stood before her father, exhausted and completely drained, her Ebony Jewels flickering dully on the ground. Tori, breathing hard, turned to look around her, and had to suppress a cry. Bodies littered the ground. The bodies of the boyos from SaDiablo Hall. The males of her First Circle. Lucifer, Prothivar, Kaelin, and…Daemonar. That one hurt the most. Seeing her proud Eryien warrior lying in a pool of his own blood and gore made her cringe, and for some inexplicable reason, drew tears to her eyes.

Then her eyes looked further back, past her males, to see the females, some dead, some tragically wounded. Maybe fatally. Talia stood unharmed, surrounded and guarded by a blood web, weeping as she gazed at the slaughter. Their mother stood not far behind Tori, kneeling beside the fallen form of the High Lord of Hell.

Tori's father shift closer to her, and she snapped her head back to look at him, black hatred filling her heart. Everyone she had known…cared for…even loved, was dead, and he stood there grinning triumphantly at her, knowing she was beaten. She looked at him, watching as he lifted a hand to deliver the final Jewel-powered blow that would shatter her chalice and destroy her mind. Power spiraled out of his hand, searing the land as it sped towards her. Tori couldn't help but stare at it, mesmerized by all the colors it contained, and the complete lack of it at the same time.

"Tori!!"

Then something was blocking the deadly blast, and Tori blinked, snapping out of her daze in time to watch her mother's lifeless body crumple to the ground in front of her. Crying out in shock and pain, Tori sank down next to her, cradling the dead body as her father stepped up again. And again he raised his hand out towards her, power spinning out from the white Jewel he wore.

This time, there was no one there to save her from the burning cold blast. Tears fell unheeded down her cheeks as she pulled her mother's body closer and looked to Daemonar, an ache deep in her heart.

I never told you, Tori thought to him sadly. Never told you that I-

It was then the Jeweled blast hit her in wave after wave of pure agony. Her back arched painfully, and Tori threw her head back and screamed her pain, her grief, and her anger.

Then there was nothing…

Tori jerked awake with a sob, waking Kaelin in the process. She looked at the chair her mother had occupied, and saw it empty. Reaching up, she touched her cheeks, coming away with a salty wetness. Her breathing was halted, and unsteady as she tried to push away the nightmare.

*What happened?* Kaelin demanded, seeing the tears that stained her face. *Why are you crying?*

Tori shook her head, getting up and running a hand through her hair absently, getting it out of her face. "Nothing. Just a nightmare."

*You've never cried in your nightmares before,* Kaelin accused, standing up. *What was it about?*

"I don't want to talk about it," Tori said, heading to the balcony doors for some fresh air.

*The others have arrived.* Kaelin offered a change in subject. *The other part of the family?* He nudged a reminder.

Tori nodded curtly, bracing her hands on the railing. "I'll go down to see them shortly, Kaelin. For now, I need to be alone."

Reluctantly, Kaelin left the balcony to go hunting. Tori waited only a moment after he had left before she jumped onto the railing and from their onto the roof, using Craft to balance herself and hover above it, so no one could hear her.

For a moment, she hesitated, when the wind blew and her hair, unbound, was taken with it. Then she shook away the tempting thought of going back for a tie or something. It didn't matter. What did matter was figuring out if that dream was an actual vision of the future, or just a possible future.

Gliding over to the edge of the roof, Tori looked out and saw the landing web. She stared into the twisting mass of Winds and Shadows, loosing herself in thought.

So many questions…so little time to find the answers. Already it was dark, and the attacks were to start soon. Maybe, she would be lucky, and they wouldn't start until morning. Maybe…

Later, Tori wasn't sure if it was hours or minutes, she sensed a Black Jeweled Warlord Prince land behind her. She heard the soft snap of his wings as he closed them. Still, she didn't need to turn around to be able to sense who it was, and the dream she had before she had come to Kaeleer leapt to mind.

So, she mused, still staring into the Web. It is Daemonar whose company I was grateful for.

Considering it at length, Tori found herself agreeing with the dream vision. It was…comforting, to feel the Eyrien so close.

"You're going to catch cold if you insist on standing there like that," Daemonar growled finally.

Tori blinked away her thoughts and glanced down at the large shirt and long, baggy pants. "There's nothing wrong with what I have on," she told him, still facing away.

A sudden strong gust of wind blew from the right, making Tori shiver, belying her earlier words. Behind her, Daemonar let out a huff, and moved towards her cautiously, spreading his dark wings to shield her from the breeze.

Unexpectedly, Tori felt a blush rising, feeling his warmth as the wind fell away, making her realize how cold she had really been. She angled her head so her hair fell over her face, hiding the red tint in her cheeks.

"What are you doing up here?" Daemonar asked, biting his tongue to keep from demanding that she return inside and into bed.

"I couldn't sleep," Tori said, returning her attention to the landing web. "I…had a dream."

Tori couldn't help the shudder that went through her body as she once again pictured Daemonar's bloodied body. She crossed her arms and swallowed down the bile firmly.

Daemonar shifted minutely closer, and Tori suddenly wanted nothing more than to know that he was alive and well. Turning around, she narrowed her eyes at him critically, noting the circles under his eyes.

"When was the last time you slept?" Tori demanded.

Daemonar looked at her in shock for a moment, then he glared suspiciously at her. "Why?"

Tori put her hands on her hips, giving him her best glare. "Because you look exhausted, that's why! It's late, you should be asleep!"

Daemonar took a step back, completely lost. Where had this new Tori come from? "I was looking for you. Dinner is in a few minutes."

"I've been here long enough that I can find the dinning room on my own," Tori snapped. "After dinner," she continued, "you will go to bed. And you will sleep until noon, or else."

"Why are you suddenly so worried about my sleeping patterns?" Daemonar demanded, crossing his arms.

"Because I don't want to see you dead!" Tori yelled in frustration, then bit her tongue, wishing she could take that back.

Daemonar stared at her silently. "You had a dream about me dying?" He asked expressionlessly.

"You. Lucifer. Prothivar. Mother. Everyone." Tori shuddered, again. "It…wasn't pretty, Daemonar."

"What about you?" He asked, coming towards her again and guiding her back to her balcony.

"I died too."

Daemonar's hold on her arm tightened briefly. "It was a dream."

Tori waited until they had reached the small platform outside her room before responding. Best not to give him any shocks while he was using Craft.

"It was a dream in the Abyss," she told him and then went inside, closing the glass doors firmly on him.

Hurrying, Tori washed, slipped on a clean set of clothes, and was in the motion of picking up her jacket when a thought struck her. Carefully, she set the coat back down and called in her uncut Gray.

She sat down on the corner of her bed, looking into the Jewel, feeling around for what she knew was there. When she found it, Tori stared at it, mentally tracing the spell that held her secret. That didn't allow for others to see that she was broken.

There was a group of very powerful, second-generation witches and Warlords downstairs, Tori could sense that from where she was. And she was certain every single one of them would make a good addition to her Court. If not her First Circle.

No more hiding, she told herself grimly.

With that decided, she reached out with her mind and touched the delicately Crafted spell. It shattered with only a light command from her, and Tori could feel the air around her change.

Almost immediately, her door was once again knocked down, and Tori was staring in shock at twice as many intruders than last time. Shock quickly evaporated into anger as she stood up, glaring at Daemonar, who was once again at the forefront.

"What is it that you seem to have against knocking?" Tori yelled furiously, her Gray Jewel she clutched in her had flashing in response.

Daemonar was turning a worrying shade of purple, and seemed to be too angry to speak properly. It was a pale and shaky Lucifer that finally responded, looking angrier than she had ever seen him.

"You…told us…that the only way…that shield would drop…was for your Jewel to shatter." Lucifer spaced out the words carefully, as though if he spoke any more quickly, he would start screaming. "The shield dropped. We thought…"

Tori's anger abruptly vanished. "Oh."

Daemonar made a choking sound. "Oh?" He growled out. "You nearly give all of us a heart attack, AND ALL YOU SAY IS Oh!?!"

Tori arched an eyebrow at him. "Sorry?" She suggested mildly.

Daemonar gripped his hair tightly, roaring about impudent females, and stalked out of the room. Tori ducked her head so the others wouldn't see her grinning. She couldn't help it. Even though she knew it was a serious matter, baiting Daemonar was simply too much fun.

"Mother Night, Tori," Sathe wheezed, regaining his color. "Don't ever do that again!"

Tori sighed. "I am sorry. But really, you need to pay closer attention. Do you really think my Jewel would shatter without some sort of backlash?" When they still looked upset, Tori realized that she would have to be much more careful about what she did in the future. "Alright. How about this? One day next week, you can fuss all you want-within reason-, and I wont say a thing."

Lucifer's eyes lit up at this. "Agreed!"

They all left the room, and somehow Tori ended up in the center of a small, casual circle. Lucia and Lucifer were on her right and left, Sathe and Rine in front of her, and Prothivar and Arahn at her back. Walking in, Tori was greeted with a roomful of angry stares. Except the newcomers, who weren't tuned in with her psychic scent and wouldn't have understood the significance of the abrupt change. And Daemonar, who was currently leaning against the table by his father, drinking deeply of a glass filled with what looked like brandy. Looking at his haggard, gaunt features, Tori felt a stab of remorse and took her seat uneasy under the glares.

As they took their seats, Lucifer detached himself from the circle and went over to the table where Daemonar was obviously trying to get himself very drunk. He whispered something to the Eyrien excitedly, and Daemonar put down his glass, an evil glint in his eyes. As Lucifer and Daemonar came over, the glares turned to sympathetically approving glances.

Daemonar took his usual seat on her right, with Lucifer on her left, and smiled cheerfully at Tori. Tori scowled back, not trusting this abrupt shift in moods, and turned to Lucifer.

"What did you tell him?" Tori asked mildly.

Lucifer munched on a roll, avoiding her eyes. Tori scowled more deeply at him the longer he avoided her question.

"He told me of the deal you had made," Daemonar chuckled. "I can't wait."

Tori hissed at him, snatching up a roll. It figured Daemonar would be excited about this, she grumbled to herself. Never mind that he just got finished fussing over her. With a huff, she turned her immediate attention to the meal, glancing around at the new witches and Warlords as she ate.

There were a lot of Dea al Mon, and satyrs among Jaenelle's 'family'. There was a witch with black stripes across her skin, and green feline eyes. Beside her hovered a Warlord prince with similar markings, but orange eyes.

The family made polite conversation with each other, occasionally coming over for an introduction. Tori sat tensely, watching them all. She knew, from the way the new males were perched nervously on the edge of their seats, that they sensed that she had been through her Virgin Night, and it wasn't a pretty one. She knew, and she hated the weakness.

By the end of dinner, she had acquired eight new friends she felt she could trust. Lexine, who wore the Red, and Maeve, a Gray Jeweled Prince, sister and brother that couldn't be more different, were the offsprings of Wilhelmina, Jaenelle's sister, and Mei, a Red Jeweled Prince. Lexine, called Lexi, was quick tempered, sharp-tongued, and prone to drastic mood swings just to keep the males off-balance. Maeve, however, was as soft-spoken, even-tempered, and shy as they came, just like his mother, Tori noticed. Unusual traits for a male, she thoughts absently. Tori, a little surprised, found their company pleasurable.

Then there was Prince Liam, son of Zylona and Jaren, satyrs from Pandar. He was short, only five-two. But what he lost in height, he made up for in rock-hard muscles. Liam was easily the most muscular male there. To Tori's surprise, though, he was an amazingly sensitive person. She had to watch her sharp tongue very closely around him, or she could really do some damage to his Self. Lucifer quietly explained to her that he had been kidnapped as a kid and they had, however inadvertently, shattered his Web for a few days, and even now it was still fragile. Regardless, or maybe because, of this, he wore the Ebon-Gray.

Warlord Prince Kontar made his presence, and intent, known quite clearly to everyone at Tori's ever-expanding table.

"I am Kontar," he said, coming over and staring down at Tori with a frown. "You are the new Queen?"

"Yes," Tori said cautiously, watching him closely. "Why?"

Kontar didn't reply immediately, as he looked her over silently. If it hadn't been the complete lack of sexual interest in his gaze, Tori would have had some less than polite words with him.

"You need a better guard," he said, turning his attention on the now miffed males that sat directly beside her.

Tori narrowed her eyes at him, but it was Lucifer, sounding both annoyed and amused, who spoke first.

"If you want to try it, then by all means," he said with his father's trademark arrogant grin, "be our guest. Tori has a habit of hiding things too well."

"I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself," Tori growled.

One long glare from the males was enough to convince Tori to give up that particular argument. Still, she knew what Kontar was talking about and considered him very closely. Master of the Guard would be very close to her. Closer than others of her First Circle. But there was something she sensed in him, just below the surface, that pushed at her to accept and trust this man with her life.

Tori nodded slowly. "Very well, Kontar." She smiled a little. "If you think I'm so poorly protected."

Kontar smiled, putting a fist to his chest and bowing. "Your will, Lady," he murmured.

He left soon after to talk with Lucivar, but Tori knew he was keeping close watch over her. And, strangely, she felt protected, knowing he was there to shield her from harm.

A new race that was made apparent to her were the ones from Pantreland. With skin as dark as a starless night and eyes the colors of all the Jewels. It was one such male that came over to her table and introduced himself as Cabel. Cabel's skin was darker than most, and his eyes were a deep, dark black as well. It didn't surprise her a bit that he wore the Black, but there was a contained rage that burned as he spoke with her. Rage that there were still men around who could do such a thing to Queens. Tori, though she would be dragged through all the forests of Kaeleer by her heels before she admitted to it, was touched by the concern that came from a virtual stranger.

The last three were Dea al Mon. Keane and Merrick were Warlord Princes. Both wore the Black. Both were almost as overprotective as Lucifer and the other boys. And both instantly made themselves comfortable under Tori's unofficial rule. Keane with his soft, innocently deceiving looks, and deadly arts of all Dea al Mon. Merrick was tall, sinewy, and always carried his bow across his back. He tended to get a little over-serious from time to time, but Lucia, who was oddly attentive to his moods, was always there to give him a good shove back to an easy-going temperament.

The third Dea al Mon was an elderly man. Not old, not yet, but not as young as others in the room. He introduced himself as Eldon. Titan's brother. Tori knew, from the moment she looked at him, that he would take the place of Steward in her court. He was old enough not to set off her rapidly lessoning trepidation of males, but still young enough to serve her for a good many years. It helped a lot that he seemed to have as many sharp and sweet moods as the witches did and gave the appearance of being endlessly patient.


*~*~*~*~*~*


"There was a lot of new people there tonight," Talia said as she and Tori walked slowly through the halls to their rooms.

"We'll need each and every one of them," Tori replied grimly.

Talia nodded and started to consider something. She seemed to hesitate before she spoke. "I don't like that Anzeka woman, Ri," she said softly. "She…feels bad."

Tori scowled blackly at the floor, anger flickering to life as she remembered one of the very few women she had hated on sight. Anzeka was the second niece to Jaenelle's birth family who had managed to worm her way into the Keep through a childhood friendship with Wilhelmina. Instantly she had latched onto Daemonar and made subtle and not-so-subtle advances towards him.

Tori had been a bit surprised that her first reaction was a territorial one. Daemonar was her male. And the little Opal-Jeweled witch hadn't even acknowledged her dominance! She had to work to keep her fury under tight control and the males from suspecting anything.

"Nor do I," Tori growled. "I'm keeping an eye on her, Li, don't worry."

Talia looked up at her sister. "You don't like her getting so close to Daemonar, do you?"

Tori gritted her teeth. "He didn't seem to mind her…company. What he does with his personal life is none of my concern."

Talia tilted her head considering the statement. "You care," she stated. "Daemonar didn't like her either, you know."

Good, Tori thought fiercely, refraining from saying it out loud.

It had taken her almost the entire evening, but she had finally been able to admit it to herself. She was jealous of her. Jealous that Anzeka could flirt freely with Daemonar when she couldn't.

Which, of course, led to Tori having to think about why it would matter that she couldn't flirt with him. And the deeply unsettling discovery that she had, subconsciously, discovered the male to fill the place of Consort by her side.

Oh, boy, she thought, making her way to her room after saying good night to Talia. Telling him her decision was not going to be the easiest thing to get out. And he could still refuse her…

Tori firmly pushed all thoughts of Consorts firmly out of her mind. She had more important things to consider. She glanced over at her bed longingly. But not tonight, she amended. She would think tomorrow.


*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*


By the time dawn broke across the horizon, Tori had been lying awake in her bed for hours, thinking. They would attack today, she was sure of it. She could feel them coming in her bones. So she would need to make the Offering today as well. But there were the new people to consider. She needed to be spending time with them, getting to know and trust them.

Still, that was the least of her concerns. She could set up her Court after Kaeleer was safe from her father. Besides, some might die in this battle, so it would be easier if she didn't form any more attachments to anyone else.

Getting up, Tori dressed quickly and headed downstairs to help with breakfast, as usual. What she found there was enough to shove the gloomy thoughts out of her mind completely and place her firmly in a good mood. Talia and her duo of friends were sprinkled in flour and other various food products. But what was most funny was Surreal, in the midst of it all, covered in the powdery white substance, grinning and joking with the other three. The Brat, it seemed, was dead.

Tori spotted Mrs. Beale coming back into the room and regarding the mess with harried amusement.

"Dare I ask if there's anything cooked?" Tori asked at length.

Talia grinned, rubbing at the spot of flour at the tip of her nose. "There's bread and fruit on the counter over there."

Tori followed her sister's powdered hand to the only table in the room not dusted white. There was a light shield over the food that kept it from being soiled in the baking fiasco Talia had initiated. Tori reached through the shield and plucked a few rolls before returning to the kids.

"What happened here?" Tori asked curiously.

Talia frowned at her sister, as if it should be obvious. "We're cooking," she said, her expression daring Tori to dispute that.

"Ah," Tori said, glancing at Mrs. Beale briefly. "I see."

"It wouldn't have been this messy," Melivian explained, "but Talia accidentally tipped the thing of flour on Surreal."

"I told them it was too heavy," Talia said plaintively.

"Then Surreal threw a handful of flour at Tal to get her back," Melivian continued, grinning widely, "but she hit Dejan when Tal ducked out of the way. And… then it kind of escalated into an all-out flour war for a little while."

Tori looked at Mrs. Beale in mild surprise. "And you allowed this?"

"Children will be children," Mrs. Beale clucked, busily wiping up the mess. "Now, away with you. Everyone. I need to start breakfast."

They left, splitting into small groups as they headed into the dinning room. Talia and Tori walked off to a smaller table to talk quietly while Surreal, Melivian, and Dejan chose seats at another table.

"Surreal seems to have unbent a lot," Tori began casually, watching the three of them talking and laughing.

Talia smiled. "It seems you both have," she countered. "Surreal is associating with half-breeds and finding it much to her liking, and you, dear sister, are associating with males, of whom you had sworn you would always hate and mistrust, and even going so far as to form a Court with them and your fellow Sisters. To say nothing about your progress with Mother."

"Yes, yes," Tori said irritably. "We're all growing and becoming better, softer, people."

Talia grinned, glancing up towards the doorway, then back at her sister. "Oh, I think you'll always stay sharp, Ri."

Tori glanced behind her and felt her relaxed, good mood slip away. It was getting late in the early morning and everyone was coming downstairs. Including Anzeka, who was latched onto Daemonar's arm quite tightly. The Eyrien's expression was one of such controlled anger that Tori almost felt sympathetic towards the intrusive woman.

Daemonar headed for the table, the irritating woman smiling at everyone already seated. Again, Anzeka sat beside Daemonar, refusing to acknowledge Tori. Tori gnashed her teeth together, torn between leaving it be and unleashing her jewels on the bitch. She could feel the angry and hostile waves beginning to rise from the other occupants of the table, and made up her mind.

Tori stood, took a step around Daemonar, and jerked the woman from her seat. Anzeka let out a frightened squeak, barely able to stay on her feet. The room became silent as everyone noticed Tori about to make a ruling on the Opal-Jeweled witch.

"There is no place for you at my table," Tori told her clearly, capturing her eyes. "If you attempt to sit here or cause any of my males distress again, I will do things to you that you never knew existed." She looked deeper into Anzeka's eyes, letting the woman see the empty place where her conscience was supposed to be. She was pleased when the foolish bitch paled a bit.

"Y-You can't do anything to me!" Anzeka said, glancing around. "T-This is Jaenelle's Court! And besides," she smiled secretively at Daemonar, "the company was willing enough."

Daemonar was on his feet and reaching for the fool before anyone could think to react. Tori waited a moment, smiling slightly as his hands closed in a bruising grip around her arms. Reluctantly, she reached out and grabbed his arm lightly.

"Daemonar," Tori warned him.

The Eyrien bared his teeth at Anzeka, but dropped her arm. He turned to Tori, his eyes flashing angrily. "Lady."

Tori returned his gaze impassively, as emotionless as her Jewels. Daemonar looked away first, stalking out of the room. Lucifer looked from the empty doorway to Tori, who nodded. That was all the permission he needed to go after his Brother.

That settled, Tori turned to the root of the trouble. "Know this, Anzeka," she said in a smooth, casual tone. "I am going to go to Jaenelle and petition for your execution. If you harm any of my males, in any way, before I receive her decision, I will make you beg for Hell."

Anzeka was now pale and shaking with fear. She looked around the silent dinning room and found no sympathetic eyes. Now, now that it was too late, she recognized how grave her error was in brushing Tori aside. This was not merely a powerful witch. Not merely a Queen that would wear the Ebony. This woman was second only to Witch.

She was going to die.

"No!" She cried, reaching out for her. "Please, I beg of you-"

She was interrupted when Lucivar burst through the doors, followed by a grim Damonar and Lucifer. Tori stiffened at the urgent and stifled fear in their psychic scents and waited for them to come to her.

"It has begun," Lucivar said softly. "Jaenelle wishes to speak with you in her room."

Tori nodded sharply before turning to Talia. "Stay here, Tal, and finish your breakfast."

Talia stood, her jaw clenched tightly. "I want to come with you."

Tori snarled at her. "You will remain here, Talia." She turned on Lucia. "You will see to that, Lucia."

"Yes, Lady," the young witch said respectfully.

Tori turned on her heel and followed the three boys out of the room. They were silent for the trip there, and she could feel how tense the air grew the further they headed towards Witch's room.

It was time, she thought, the tension finding a happy home deep in her chest. Time to face her fears. And her father.


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AN: There! Okay, this was the hardest part. Assigning the roles of the Court and developing new characters. -.- Not really much of an excuse, but…there you have it. The next chapter…I can at least promise it will be up much sooner than this one. Hehehe. The final battle is upon us! See you there!

A/A/N: I just realized, two minutes before posting, that I never thanked you readers for reviewing! Mother Night! What could I have been thinking?! Anywho. You guys are all that's keeping me going on this story now, okay? You are the real live muses that must keep me inspired to continue writing!! You must review! And if that sparks no immediate action, E-MAIL ME! Bother me. Poke at me. THREATEN me!! In short: Bully me into doing my job. ^.^

ATTENTION reviewers:

THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU!!!!!!! *ahem* I think that about covers it. Ja ne!


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