Tom T. Thomson: Well, please don't say it sucks! I'm glad you're enjoying it then! :)

bahamut: I'll try to, lol. I just had a fresh wave of inspiration and almost half of the next chapter is written. You do good stories too.

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As I stared up at the bejeweled skies, I speculated. Damn Raziel. Damn Kain. Why couldn't he tell me what he wanted to say? Did he even…no I couldn't even think that word. Oh, I was at my wit's end. As for Raziel, that was another problem in itself. A problem with no solution. These men, immortal as they were, were going to be the death of me.

I gave up, and decided to retire to my chambers. My inner turmoil prevented me from me from further appreciating the clear, sweet light of the stars. I wasn't tired. Quite the contrary. I was anxious and restless, but there was nothing to be done about that. Unless, I told the truth. If that were the case, I wouldn't even have the luxury of beholding the stars. I should've been weary from the war and the dusty road, but I was not. Ah, I ought to rest anyway. 

I marched through the shining, twisting corridors; passing by several guards who didn't bother to give more than a glance. That was fine with me. I was in no mood for conversation. Finally, I approached the door of my bedchamber and was just about to enter, when that voice stopped me.

"Hello, Marina," Kain said slowly.

I spun around, not surprised in the least anymore. Kain was lounging behind me against the wall, a smile on his features. "Forgive my rudeness before, Marina," Kain continued. "It's just that you have a rather odd effect on me."

"I know what you mean," I whispered. I flattened my back against my door, unconsciously leaning on it for support.

Kain came over to me slowly. All traces of apprehension were gone. In, fact, he appeared to be in a playful mood. However, I myself was in no mood for games. Kain got the message and let himself relax. Slightly.

"Marina, surely you don't want to be alone tonight," Kain wandered.

I could only look at him, as I had looked upon the stars. In response, Kain sighed. "I'm sorry for the way I treated you earlier. I just wished to know if you intended to rest alone."

I wanted nothing of the sort. I wanted to be with Kain. Tonight. Now. And I could see he wished for the same. What remaining anger and frustration sloughed off me, and the familiar longing returned. I could not resist my temptation. His heart called out to mine and the only thing I could bear to do was to answer.

I cautiously stepped over to him and he caught me in his embrace and we literally dissolved into each other's arms. Kain kicked open a door somewhere and we fell together on a soft place. Gradually, I recognized this room as Kain. It was just as I remembered. Velvety dark woods. Gleaming decorations. Lush crimson all around me. Red. Red everywhere. It was a warlike color, the shade of blood. Yet, it stood for passion and romance.

And so we curled together in that scarlet room, and let the night take us where it would.

* * *

I woke up on Kain. The day had passed. Everything was still and quiet. Peaceful. The only sound to be heard was the slight rustling as Kain shifted in his dreams. Kain had been so gentle and loving last night. The complete opposite of what Kain became when he settled into his throne. But I knew it was a just a front. Deep down, Kain was good. Or at least he tried to be. It was so hard to be gracious in a land such as this. In any case, Kain remained wise, no matter what attitude he displayed or which personality suited him. I trusted him. However, beneath it all, I had the conception that he was just as bewildered as I.

But, little did I know, nothing would prepare us for tonight. Those heavenly points of light were aligned. The Fates were commanding those stars now. And deep below the earth, in the bowels of the Chronoplast, an old Time-Streamer laughed…

* * *

I was staring at Kain's still features. Suddenly, he opened his flame-colored eyes. They focused on me in recognition as…something more. Had I truly expanded his sights?

Kain didn't speak a word. He cupped my face in his talons as if he were handling something precious and fragile. Not knowing what to expect, he took me by surprise by kissing me full on the lips. I returned his gesture rapturously. Kain sighed slightly as he brought me closer to him. He sounded as if he were carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.

"There is to be an important conference tonight, Marina. With all my best. I would like for you to be there as well." Kain watched me tentatively out of the corner of his eye. In answer, I couldn't contain my smile. Things were finally turning out all right. At last.

"Now go get dressed," Kain purred. "I will call on you later when it is time."

* * *

I found myself in my bedroom an hour later. I had clothed in my best. My old worn and cracked armor had been thrown away, and was replaced with a much more fitted and sturdier suit. My blue silk signature cape showed up on the brown glossy leather beneath just like a turquoise stone resting on freshly plowed dirt or the sea swirling around a rock the color of earth.

My hair was not tied back or bound. I let it fall in loose waves that were as dark as the waves of the ocean by night without a speck of moon. I had been thinking of the sea for some time. I was reminded of my long lost father Anarcrothe and his Element of water. The very Element I was named for. But alas, I could no longer touch it, much less swim in it.

I wanted to appear feminine, but respectable at the same time. I aimed to be taken seriously. Like a general. Or a lieutenant, a small voice reminded me.

I wondered how Zephon would respond to my musings. He probably expected I would show up in a low-cut periwinkle satin dress and raised heels! I smirked at that thought. I was going to prove how honorable a vampire I could be. Regardless of gender.

I was ready. Now, all I could do was wait, which I didn't do for very long before a tapping came at the door. I supplicated to the stars that it was not that certain someone who was Kain's first lieutenant and eased it open.

To my relief, it was not the lieutenant in question, but Turel, Kain's second-in-command. I silently thanked the gods that Turel's bright green cape wasn't red.

Turel looked me up and down with a soft smile. "Marina, you've come a long way. You look wonderful. You wear your cape well."

"Thank you, Turel. I wanted to look my best."

Turel frowned. "For who? For Zephon? You don't have anything to prove to him. You have power, talent, and influence he can't even begin to imagine. That's why he dislikes you so much. You're competition."

"This has nothing to do with Zephon," I quickly lied. "It's just that this is such a formal coronation, I wanted to come across appropriate."

Turel nodded understandably. "Well, it certainly is an important delegation. We have one every year at the fifth full moon. We are to discuss what to do about the invading human armies and how best to divide up their lost territories."

"But, why would I be invited to such a gathering?" I blurted out. "I've only been here a couple of weeks, and I'm hardly a lieutenant."

"Because you're our best general and Kain demands it," Turel explained. "Both reasons are fully justifiable."

"How shall I enter this meeting?" I ventured.

"You shall be the last to enter the assembly room, as the guest of honor. Melchiah will go in first, then Zephon, third Rahab, then Dumah. Finally, it will be my entrance. And last but not least, will be Raziel. He'll be before you, of course. You will take a position at the back of the Throne room. Most likely, Rahab and Dumah would be on either side of you."

"I see," I replied soberly. Oh, how was I going to pull this off? With him standing right there? This was to be an ordeal. I could feel it.

Almost as if Turel could scan my thoughts, he went onto the subject I most feared. "By the way, have you seen Raziel? I wished to speak with him, but he wouldn't answer his door."

For no apparent explanation, I felt my insides knot up and a cold needle of anxiety slice its way into my chest. I clutched the doorframe for support.

"Marina? Are you all right?" asked Turel, alarm rising in his voice.

"I must need to feed," I murmured abstractedly.

"Looks to me that you need to rest. Haven't you been sleeping well?"

I nearly laughed at the absurdity of the question. Instead, I forced myself to regain composure and tried to appear relaxed.

"It's nothing," I assured Turel. "I just need to freshen up a bit more, obviously." My weak attempt at a joke didn't seem to touch Turel. At first, he didn't look too

convinced, but in the end, the only gesture he made was a shrug. "Of course, Marina. Someone will be by later for you."

            With that, Turel turned around and stalked smoothly down the corridor. I silently shut the door at his back and promptly leaned on it. I thought about faking an illness, but no one in their right mind would ignore Kain's command. You couldn't do it, could you, you simpering coward? You condemned Raziel. You know perfectly well why he isn't around. It's because he doesn't want to be seen.  You couldn't even tell Turel, your closest friend. You condemned his brother to die…

            Shut up! I shouted at the interfering negative voice. It's fated to happen. What can one being alone do?

You just don't want to lose Kain, the nagging guilt taunted. If you go against him, you'll be all alone. A pariah. You'll cease to exist. You're acting no better than Lucius.

Now, that hurt. Before I could argue with myself over the morality of my actions, someone yet again knocked at the door. I was growing to despise that sound. Resigned, I opened it again and found Dumah standing there. I instantly grew uneasy. We hadn't seen each other since that fateful night where Kain and I…I swallowed hard. I feared Dumah and I had parted on poor terms because of my rejection of his advances.

Dumah, however, was nonchalant. "Marina. It's time."

No other conversation needed to be exchanged. To the lieutenants, this was serious business, and I supposed it was. Wordlessly, I followed Dumah through the many lavish halls of the Sanctuary of the Clans that converged at one point; the great stone entrance that led to the Emperor himself. It seemed that the coronation was about to begin. Everyone was present except for one.

"Where's Raziel?" hissed Rahab. "He's never late."

"He didn't answer the door when I knocked," Turel stated matter-of-factly.

"I didn't have any luck either," Dumah pointed out.

"Wherever he is, he better arrive soon, or else Kain will cast him in!" Turel laughed.

I swayed on my feet, but managed to keep my balance. I didn't need to draw attention to myself. Great. I'm already thinking like a criminal. Or am I? If I hadn't gone into the Chronoplast and gazed at that portal…

"Don't make jokes!" Rahab snapped. "It's my presentation now to give the official greetings." Rahab then quickly whisked away, down the long walk where each of us would bow to our overlord and take our place in the congregation.

I nervously shifted in the cool, marble passage outside while Dumah and Turel left to get their father's blessing. Suddenly, I felt someone come up behind me. I knew who it was. There was to be no doubt anymore.

"Marina," an urgent voice whispered. "Look at me. I've evolved."

I turned around. I had to see them. And there they were. Two great expansive wings. They were so beautiful. Angelic, yet demonic. The duality of the two forces were composed of peach flesh and delicate bone. Curved and majestic. Demanding respect. Like a bat. Raziel had the wings of a bat. I took this in rather calmly. But who was I kidding? I had frozen inside.

"They're gorgeous," I said truthfully. "They become you."

Raziel simply grinned and walked off into the distance. Towards his father. Towards his executioner. Oh, what had I done? But, before I could stop Raziel from going any further, I did something I will never forgive myself for. I fainted.