Hi there! Well, my classes start tomorrow so I'll be going back to my Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday updates, but I am in the process of getting my phone service changed so I may lose access to the internet a day or two, but I will be back so don't worry!

Chapter 22--Close Call and a Reprieve

Cal paced about his chamber, seething over the way Nightsong had treated him. He was the one that kept everything organized. He deserved some sort of reward. He stopped suddenly. His sister was in the chapel after beating the Elf slave for some reason. She would be there for hours praying and preparing for the sacrifice. He would be able to get a taste of the girl after all. He left the room.

Lana looked up with mingled dread and hope when someone entered the room. She hoped it was Randari, but a strange man entered the room. "Who are you?" she asked.

"That doesn't matter. I'm here to help you," Cal said.

Lana's heart leaped with hope. "You're here to free me?" she asked.

"You might say that," Cal said. He walked over to the cage and whispered the word that opened the door. He entered the cage and it locked again at another word.

Lana backed off. "What are you doing?" she asked.

"I 'm going to keep you company," Cal said. Lunging forward, he grabbed her and yanked her to him.

Lana tried to scream, but his mouth covered hers and his hands moved over her. She clawed at him, but he was too strong.

All ready naked and cornered; Lana could do little to stop him. She sobbed into his mouth as his hands moved intimately over her, touching and pinching. She felt him start to force her to the floor.

"How dare you!" Nightsong shouted from behind them.

Cal jerked away, releasing Lana so suddenly that she fell.

"You failed to heed my warning? Did you think I wouldn't carry out my threat? It's lucky I finished early, so I could oversee the girl's final preparations," Nightsong said. She met Cal 's eyes and felt her mind control taking over. "Come to me, Cal," she said, voice softening to a sultry purr.

Eyes blank, Cal left the cell, locking it and went to his sister's side. "Feel fortunate, girl. You have gained a reprieve. He will take your place tonight, but don't worry. Your turn will come," Nightsong said. She left and Cal followed meekly.

Hours passed. Finally someone entered the room. "Randari! I'm so glad to see you!" Lana said.

The Elf didn't lift his eyes from the tray he was carrying. He just slipped it into the cage.

Worried, Lana caught the Elf's left hand. She sucked in a dismayed breath when she saw how raw and bloody his wrist was. The marks had to be from shackles. "I'm so sorry, she hurt you because of me. I didn't mean it," she said.

Randari looked up for the first time, revealing the bruises from a bad beating. His left eye was swollen shut and his lip was split and swollen. He tore his hand from her grip and fled from the room.

Lana lowered her head and wept for the Elf's pain. She hoped he wouldn't get hurt further.

Randari fled for the small cubby that he slept in and collapsed on the straw mattress. A noise caught his attention and he looked up to see a lesser priest.

"The Lady orders your presence in the chapel," he said and walked off.

Randari didn't even think of disobeying. He knew the price. He got up and went. He entered the chapel and knelt at his Lady's feet.

"Very good," Nightsong said, stroking his hair like she would pet a dog. "I trust the lesson will be remembered?"

"Yes, mistress," Randari said.

"Stand up and come with me," Nightsong ordered and walked off.

Randari rose and followed then he realized they were headed for the altar. His eyes widened in fear as Nightsong turned to him and drew a dagger.

Randari cried out in mingled pain and relief as she slashed his palm and collected the blood into a small bowl.

"I fear Cal is…indisposed…after his, how shall I say it? Alteration. I need blood to draw the last symbols and he had lost quite a bit before I healed him. Kneel there and wait," she ordered as she went to the other side of the alter. She put the blood down then looked at him. "You are forbidden to leave this chapel or that spot. You will witness the sacrifice once again to remind you of your place, perhaps I can find a use for you during it," she continued.

Randari shivered as a cold chill went up his spine…..

Cliffhanger! Heh, heh, heh…thanks to Dragon for her support….R/R please!