(Lengthy chapter, reads more into Hilde's personal feelings towards Zeches and Noin, also introduces upcoming setbacks coming up real soon! Thanks so much for sticking with me! God Bless you all! Oh, by the way… I STILL don't own anything; except for this story…blah, blah, blah…)

Preventer Fire

Chapter 11

Lightening flashed as thunder rolled among the midnight sky, shaking the earth looming beneath it with no deduction. Many found shelter in their homes this night, safely tucked away until morning's glory greeted them another time. But, as always, mischief wondered the lands towards his destination when it was least recognizable; and this time, it traveled to a stop unknown to the sophisticated class of New Orleans. And there, whispers of an assassination were brought forth to the interest of one rancorous premonition…

A rotten billboard reading Morgan Bayou Tavern, swung with the heavy air current as profound drunken voices and the chatter of women whores within the tavern successfully overpowered its high-pitched whistle. The atmosphere captured within the foul place was stifling; the air stale with the scents of strong brewed liquor, sex, and unwashed bodies. Many people came to gatherings such as this, and left with nothing in their pockets. All lost to a deceitful round of cards… Leaving the winner with ample amounts of cash, property papers, material goods, and whatever value that held the bidder before his or her arrival…

These events and the people attaining to their sour matters continued unbothered… Even as preparation for foul play was merely moments away…

Towards the dimmed and furthest corner, atop the second level, sat a man about a wooden, rounded table; waiting in a rather lied back manner, as he tapped a riding crop against the shin of his leather boot which lied strewn across the table's surface, his spirits in a state of annoyance, and uttermost impatience. He had received notification of a special and very enigmatic proposition, and as instructed sat at the exact tavern, table, even chair as he waited for the arrogant sender, who took his sweet time in joining him. His patience had run thin, however, and stood up to leave…

"Patience can be a virtue, Mr. Montero… And I do believe I'm on time…" The middle-aged man looked up from gathering his cloak and hat to confront a man hidden beneath a dark, yet expensive looking cloak. His sharp, green orbs the only visible feature. He softly placed his things back down, nodding as he motioned towards the seat just across the table's short diameter. He sat down, his darkened veil still in place, "I have summoned you here in private authorization because there's a small matter of which I must put into play, but sadly I cannot reach my goal at my own discretion… This is where you come in." Montero leaned forward with a slight smirk, and darkly encouraged. "What is it that you've conjured?"

Green eyes flared with an inner smile, a smile that burned like the depicted fires of hell. The sin and Satanic like terror…

"Sudden Death…"

Montero sat back, looking a little disappointed as he stretched once again across the thick table. The man frowned and unknowingly raised an eyebrow, "Is there a dilemma already, or are you always this ecstatic?" Brown eyes shifted, "Please, inform me that this is not some revengeful catalog…" Satan smirked then, his chuckle ringing nonchalantly from ear to ear, "Correct, but the simplicity of this task is so utterly obscene, that there's no point in discussing your insignificant perspective…" Montero looked away defeated, before the secretive man continued.

"He wishes to flee Louisiana with two women and perhaps a butler, whether legally or not, towards his homeland of the Carolinas. Once there he will build a new life for them, for the slave girl, and a woman that once belonged to me…" The younger of the two shifted, "He had left me to die in the fiery flames of the Casanova Misfortune… and I strongly believe it's about time my respects are due back to haunt him…"

He laughed, "Excuse me… To kill him."

Thunder was meant to be frightening, and yet he found it a blessing as it highlighted her naked body beside him when it clashed across the angry sky. His temples pounded in a cry of pain, but he made no move to subside the aggression. When consciousness cloaked him, he gave no sign of his awaking presence, choosing just to lie next to this beautiful woman, which would die a thousand deaths just to love him.

This period of scheduled slumber gave him time to think about how much he loved her, and cared for her even though he felt as if he were only a death penalty. Staying along side her was but a bold move by him, especially after the news of her husband's demise in the Casanova Misfortune. 'Casanova Misfortune, HA… They'd call a suicide the end of the world, the people here, and interrogation of civilians just to make them seem as if they were on their toes behind some criminal. Hm, even if the criminals are the very crime stoppers that promise the safety of an unborn child…When even they savagely beat their own wives; unborn babies tucked within their mother's womb…'

Zeches' thoughts were morbid, his hand gently caressing his own lover's stomach as the subject of new born babies lingered. He caught her placid expression twitch, his Ice Blue eyes watching her as dark lashes came to a flutter before revealing a pair of sparkling amethyst ovals. Silence followed, until he took an obvious swallow and expressed a brief blasé smile, his voice a slight whisper…

"Have some faith in me, yes? I… would never dream of leaving you…"

Noin felt her face melt with a trouble countenance, her tears spilling over her face with sadness and joy, as the feel of his arms came around her tenderly, the hot temperature of her skin so inviting. "For the love of God Zeches don't scare me like that!" She lightly wept, feeling her heart skip as he kissed the salty tears of her face before her cheek grazed his own, her lips placing gentle kisses at his temple as she brought her hands to trace his baby-soft skin… He smirked and rolled over; trapping her underneath his nakedness as his mouth gently came to suckle at the junction where her neck met shoulder. Noin gasped, then giggled and ran her fingers softly along his spine, parting her legs teasingly although the sheet beneath the coverlet still remained in the way. "You taunt me to no end; you must have missed me, hm?" The dark-haired woman laughed and pushed his bangs away from his face, revealing the smooth plain of his forehead for only a moment before the canopy of angelic pale hair fell back into place.

"Zeches…?" She asked, her face holding that unequivocal expression that only lovers could distinguish. He took a moment to place his weight atop his elbows, nuzzling her nose with his own, "Yes Lucretzia?-Ow!" His yelp followed the unsuspected nip to his bottom lip, her eyes sparkling with devilish, playful intentions as she gently overlapped his mouth with her own, breaking through his rows of pearly dentures to initiate a moist and erotic battle with his tongue. The blonde was quite amazed at this sudden initiative, and very sleek recovery; pale brows forming arches over his eyes as he formed a weak expression of absolute delight, "Mmmm…" Noin parted, her mouth wet and slightly reddened due to his determined dominance…

"…I yearned for that sexual touch he so strongly bathed her in. Made me feel just how incredibly alone I truly was, as I secretly stood by the partly open door, watching them… I was still so incredibly young at that time, even if it didn't seem that way, and my body felt weak, as did my heart, mainly because it seemed I'd never be embraced with the love I so greatly craved, I so immensely wished to cherish and grow old with. Share and act as sensually ambitious as they did behind close doors… I admit that that was the only time I strongly hated my Best Friend, and only friend, Lucretzia Noin. To me, she had everything a young girl like me could ever want. That could have had, if not for the rocky turnabouts of my past history… I hated her with a selfish spark; however, I never wished for it to end just because I had none, that would have blurred the strong blessings I had whispered in my prayers for them every night…And although it was different, for very understandable reasons, I too had her love… Their love. Love that warmed the other empty voids within my lonely heart, and even then I found no need to complain…"

During this time of Hilde's contemplation, Noin had spotted her slender form hovering quietly by their bedroom door. Hilde had not spotted that she had been caught snooping, and made no move to run. This only made the elder woman smile, and grasp Zeches' attention, with the intention of relaying her discovery. "Love, I do believe we have an unexpected pleasure in our mist…" The man looked towards her questionably, a gesture and nod towards the panel entry plenty an answer as he smiled silently in reconciliation. He brought himself to comfortably lean against the head board of the bed, and pull the coverlet higher above his waist before turning towards her, "Let her come in, the storm must have pierced her tender soul… It would do us no harm to permit her to stay, hm?" Lucretzia smiled warmly, his affectionate, fatherly words so incredibly comforting in a peculiar sort of way, as she agreed and looked back towards the doors; securing the sheet underneath the coverlet firmly around herself as well.

"Hilde, is that you, sweetheart?" The warm question refrained fright, although Hilde appeared deeper into the room with an aura of embarrassment. "My apologies Noin, I didn't mean to suspend your doings, I just…" Zeches held up a hand and shook his head, patting the space both him and Lucretzia made between them. "Silly girl, come! Spare us the unnecessary apologies, you're most welcome…" The elderly couple laughed, and created a warm, protective shield around the maturing lass as impatient thunder hurried her towards them. A comical look of slight fright about her maturing facial features… Hilde snuggled closer to Noin's breast; Zeches chasing her fears away as he caringly kissed her goodnight…

Soon, Hilde fell fast asleep, knowing she'd remain there until the night grew clear and the stars shone brightly above them only to disperse for the arrival of the warm sun... Noin smiled down sleepily at her peaceful friend, and averted her eyes to Zeches who winked lovingly in return before mouthing three precious words and allowing his eyes to finally close.

Noin smiled and lay awake, watching them before the sandman too carried her into a dreamless slumber, comfortably beside the people she loved.

Her family.

Unknown that death to one of them was a mere breath away…