(Raziel)
What is this fire in my blood? A searing pain flows through my veins and I find that, for the first time in decades, I am once again reduced to a frightened child. Kain must not find out that I am hurting like this. He might worry, and he is occupied with his campaign. My fingers stretch and tear beneath the gloves I now constantly wear. Between my forefinger and middle there is a stretch of skin like that of a duck's webbed foot. What is happening to me?
"You are becoming more god-like, Raziel." In my suffering, the voice takes me by surprise. I did not hear Kain come in. I stand, trying to appear calm, while the pain reveals itself in my eyes.
"It is all right, Raziel. You need not hide it from me. I have already undergone the same transformation. You are evolving, my child. Each change is indeed painful, but quick, and you will be left the more powerful for it." I feel surprising tears leak down my face, but do not succumb to them.
"I am afraid," I admit softly. Kain comes and gently surrounds me with his arms, running one hand down the back of my head. I notice his hands have changed. Where once his fingers were five, there now stand three powerful claws
.
"You, also, will have these, Raziel, my beautiful." He pulls me down onto the bed, resting me against his chest. I feel like a child, foolish and yet loved. His hands soothe my pain. Even so, the fire in my blood makes it so that I do not feel the sting when his teeth enter. Immediately he takes the fire into himself, and I am left tired, but cool, myself once more. His hands caress the gloves over my own and pull them from me
.
"You do not need these, my child. You are more beautiful without them." I can see my elongated fingernails grown sharp in the candlelight. Kain kisses my hand softly, then moves up my arm and down over my chest. His other hand pulls at the laces of my pants. I kick off my boots and allow him to push my pants past my feet. His hands brush against my calves and suddenly, surprising me, he locks his mouth around me, and my blood is filled with a new kind of fire. One of his deft clawed hands reaches up to rub across my chest, igniting the twin circles of pleasure lying there. He comes back up, kissing me hungrily. I have never been so hard!
These feelings surprised me so the first time. Though we have kissed in the night many times since then, I find I am still amazed by the height of arousal he creates in me.
My pain was gone, and with it the fear caused in me by the transformation dispelled. Kain placed his new taloned hand against my shoulder and turned me over so that I lay upon my belly, my head rested against my arms.
"This will only hurt a little," he said, his hand still firm against my shoulder. It was then he entered me for the first time. A shock of pain ran through my body, and yet it was not the pain that had haunted me before. This was a new kind of pain, mixed with a new sense of pleasure I had never felt before. It was a beautiful, sweet pain, the pain of being loved. I pulled my legs under me and felt his penetration deepen. He touched parts of me that had never before been touched. His hands wrapped around and stroked my skin, my chest, my back. A startling moan escaped my lips, as his hands closed between my legs.
(Kain)
My boy, my beautiful boy. Raziel's breaths came short and forced. His newly forming claws gripped the sheets. I felt his muscles tighten against me as his pleasure increased, forcing me towards our inevitable conclusion. He was so beautiful, my child. Torn between pain and pleasure, the two sensations fighting for control of his face. I could smell the blood caused by my force, and the hunger welling up in me increased my own pleasure. And then, all too soon, Raziel threw his head back and came, shivering, against my hands, drawing me into the same climactic event. And it was over. My child, my love, rolled over and looked at me, and I could see the love in his eyes. I kissed him and lay with him until he fell asleep against me. His breathing slowed and finally became regular.
(Raziel)
I awoke as the sun slipped beyond the edge of Nosgoth, and searched with one hand for my lover, but did not find him. I opened my eyes and pushed myself to sitting. A sudden lightning burst of pain shot up my spine and I sat still, waiting for it to dissipate from whence it had come. Kain had gone, and I was left feeling spent and torn. I lay back down and the pain beneath me slowed. I could feel that, even though it hurt, it was already beginning to heal. The reaction would have been quicker with blood. Unfortunately, that would also have required a large amount of movement. I lay for quite a long time, observing the movement of things around me and waiting, but Kain did not return. Finally, my own confusion drove me to stand and stiffly don my clothing.
My steps were short and awkward. The pain had not left me yet. But when I entered from my chamber into the cool night air it did some to refresh my estranged soul. I could only hope my brothers would not notice the stiffness of my movement.
Even as I thought this, I saw Zephon approaching from the other side of the compound. He was smiling, and a sudden rage leapt into my heart as I thought for one irrational moment that perhaps Kain had been with him as well. But Zephon's smiles meant an entirely other sort of suffering. He stopped when he came to me and brushed one hand against my throat, admiring a dark spot there.
"What have you been up to, Raziel?" he said sarcastically.
"Nothing," I said, trying to push past him. At times his antics were almost too much to bear.
"Do you know where Master is, then, Raziel? I've been looking for him."
"So have I," I replied coldly.
"Well, you knew where he was last night. That much is certain." I turned around slowly, trying not to give away the sting of his words.
"I don't know what you're talking about, Zephon," I said. Zephon sauntered over, smiling mischievously.
"Raziel, allow me to give you some advice. If you want to keep it secret, smother your face in a pillow or something, because you are one loud lover." I blushed despite myself, and wanted to retort, but nothing came for me to say. "Soooooo...," he said greasily. "We always knew you were Master's favorite. Now we know why."
"Don't talk of things you are incapable of understanding," I said harshly.
Zephon threw up his hands and backed away slowly.
"Oh, brother, I understand perfectly," he said. "One would do anything for power, wouldn't you?" My first reaction was to pounce on him, regardless of either propriety or pain. I knocked him to the ground and pressed his head against the stone.
"Do not press me, brother. You are younger by far and you know I am stronger." Zephon did not resist, preferring instead simply to grin tauntingly.
"If it was not the truth, brother, why are you getting so angry?" I released him and backed away, unable to win against his twisted logic.
"Go away," I said, and turned to resume my search.
Luckily, some of my other brothers were not so astute. Melchiah obviously had no knowledge at all of what was going on between Kain and I, and now Zephon. He told me Kain was in the sanctuary, discussing battle plans with Turel. I made my way there immediately.
The moment Kain saw me, he gestured with one arm and Turel left, casting a meaningful glance in my direction. The door closed behind him and the air was suddenly filled with silence.
"Why did you leave?" I finally asked. He turned to his maps and plans.
"I had work to do," he responded. "Do you think it best for us to come from this direction, or through the pass over here?" I stepped up behind him, ignoring the map.
"I was scared and hurting, Kain, and you left me." Kain nodded.
"Our relationship behind closed doors is not exactly professional, Raziel. I would prefer it stay behind closed doors." I raised my eyebrows in surprise.
"Behind closed doors, Kain? But it seems all my brothers except Melchiah already know."
"That's not entirely true," Zephon's high-pitched voice rang behind us. I hadn't heard him come in. "Dumah doesn't know, but that's just because he's an idiot." Kain shook his head.
"Zephon, be nice," Kain instructed, and turned back towards me. "You are all my children and you all serve a purpose. I will not stand for jealousy within my ranks. We have a job to do. Nosgoth is ready for vampires to rule once again. We must take it now or lose." Zephon nodded in agreement, and I could only do the same. As usual, in the battle between the brothers, Kain, the father, had won.