Review Responses:

Selphiefan 89: Yup, Dumah is acting nutsy. He'll get his though, as we all we know. Thanks for your reviews!

sharky: Thanks! Glad you're enjoying it!

phoenix: Dumah's just a bit insane at the moment. The open involvements between Kain and Marina will continue. Some things just can't be kept a secret. ;)

bahamut: The story does sound good. Lana is cool. Although, I can't think of the slightest new storyline in my head. Ideas?

( )

I shook the last of the water out of my waving hair. My new attire consisted of a burgundy velvet robe with gold trim that was pleasantly toasty. I peeked at my reflection in the alabaster and silver looking glass. Even to myself, I looked like I was harboring a secret. There was no way I could hide the events that had transpired. I would have to tell Kain. As if this night wasn't painful enough already.

Dumah's betrayal had sent a stab of grief through my heart. Though we had not parted on the best of terms, I had considered him a faithful friend. He had trained and joked with me. We had fought together on several occasions, both of us wholeheartedly supporting the other. He had been a mentor and made me feel welcome here, as in the spirit of an older brother. Now, he had turned traitor: no better than Zephon. How many towns had he conquered now? How many renovations has he made to his own city? That's all Dumah really cared for. His conquests.

No longer wanting to add to the agony, I left the interior of my bedchambers and sought out Kain. The time was early morning and the sun would soon be upon us, but what did it matter? I knew for a fact that this would be another sleepless day. On my way through the cavernous halls of marble, where I had not spotted one guard, a certain thing Dumah said unsettled me. Most likely, it was nothing serious, but still it persisted. My two idiot brothers. Two. Zephon was definitely among them, and Raziel physically could not. In all probability, one of the referred was Melchiah and the other Rahab, leaving only…Turel. No one had seen him in a while. What was he doing on his territory of ash, slate, and volcanic rock? The Turelim had seized the lighthouse that was formerly in Sarafan hands, so they too were migrating. What did Turel wish? He had grown decidedly more distant. I would have to remember to ask Kain later. Should I ever find him; that is.

My footsteps sounded strangely hollow on the polished floors. The torches were burning low and all was eerily silent. Where was everyone? I made it to the Throne room only to find it empty. Had the Dumahim slain everyone herein? Almost despairing, I followed the familiar path to the dining hall and found the very person I was searching for.

( )

Kain sat morosely at the crafted, expensive table; moodily drinking the sweet crimson substance from his goblet. The sweet blood had been mixed with wine, another red substance, yet sourer than the first. And he needed it. He hovered over a map of Nosgoth that had been drawn and reconstructed by a Rahabim named Gregor. The Rahabim were about the only ones that cared for such scholarly matters.

Suddenly, there came a footstep. Kain tensed, automatically on alert for a Dumahim sword. He looked up and saw a female figure come towards him, swathed in a becoming ruby-red robe, that complimented the pale tone of her skin and night dark hair. The candlelight caught the golden trim; making the hem of her velvet clothing gleam. Marina. Just the person he wanted to see.

A sigh escaped his lips. "Yes, Marina? Something you wanted?"

Haltingly, she spoke. "Is…Dumah still…here, by any chance?

"No. He left peaceably enough an hour ago. Why?" Kain knew he should feel more concerned, but this was becoming burdensome. Everything was.

"He did not deal very peaceably with me. Look."

Marina swept over to him and held out a length of her ebony hair. "Don't touch it. It's still wet."

Kain inwardly bristled at her direct, accusing manner of speaking. "Yes, I can see that. What of it?"

"Dumah. He pushed me into one of those pools in the interior entrance chambers. He sought to end my existence, but was unaware of my immunity."

"It doesn't surprise me. He seeks to end the existence of us all."

A trace of annoyance flashed across Marina's face that he could not fathom. "If he had killed me, what then?"

He didn't need this. All he wanted was to get back to work, so he could prevent harm to future vampires. "The important thing is he didn't. Dumah's gone, and he will never be allowed to return."

The vampiress appeared to fold into herself disappointedly. Though defeated, she went on. "Have you heard from Turel? Is he well?"

Kain allowed himself to smirk. "More than well. He entered the state of change nearly three weeks ago."

"Really?" she inquired excitedly. "How long have you known?"

"Dumah deigned to tell me tonight, however I cannot understand why the Turelim clan did not inform me."

A queer glimmer shone in Marina's eyes while her features shadowed over with guilt; almost as if she knew a terrible truth and should be evident to him as well. As a matter of fact, he did know the reason, but he could not allow himself to dwell on it. "Are you worried about him?" Kain boldly asked.

"Yes," Marina admitted. "It's been many weeks…" Kain had to laugh. A dry chuckle. "No. It won't kill him. Some vampires take longer to evolve, and some continue to change their form over the years after the first onset. Do not worry, Marina, he will remain alive." It would remain unsaid that another being had simply changed form overnight and he had not survived the process.

Marina pulled up a cushioned chair and sat beside him. Strangely he did not object her forwardness. "How will he appear? Will he be in the form of you or me?" She was as interested as a fledgling inquiring about the value of blood or the burns left by the cruel sunlight.

Kain set down his pen. "Well, most likely no, Marina. As you know, those that were reared last will receive lesser and lesser portions of the gifts I have bestowed upon them. The power will become more diluted by the time Zephon and Melchiah evolve. Turel's transformation will involve his natural abilities, and what will be of most use to him and his future tasks. There's no telling what he'll instinctively decide to look like. His form could expand to such a size that he could become unable to leave his Clan territory."

"Will I too evolve?" Marina asked slowly as if dreading to hear the answer.

"I honestly do not know, Marina. You will change form in some appearance as vampires who age ultimately do, but not in a manner as my sons will."

She nodded; a drop of water shaking from the tendrils of her hair in the process; landing on the glossy tabletop, only a mere two inches away from his pallid flesh. Her innocent inquisitive nature and feminine allure were misleading. She could be quite dangerous and formidable, as an ally or enemy. He could not underestimate her. But it was not as if he did not trust her. Her swirling, passionate nature could flow from one thought, position, or purpose to another. She was not a grounded force. Also, she bested him with invulnerably to water, a medium even he would not be able achieve.

"I'm sorry," she gasped. "It was an accident. I shouldn't be here now. I am hazardous to…"

"Me? Yes, but not in the way you assume." Kain, on a vague impulse, found his claws gently threading their way through her hair. Immediately, the wetness burned his skin, stinging like acid, but he paid it no heed. Marina gazed back at him; shock and confusion etched on her features. At last, Kain withdrew his limb, ignoring the burning irritation that would disappear soon enough. The same went for Marina herself. It appeared as if she suddenly wanted to disappear too.

"Kain?" she breathed. "What--"

"The hair will dry, Marina. But, really, such a petty concern need not be discussed further. When it does, it will cease discomfort me." He fixed her with a smoldering, unwavering gaze. He hoped she did not mistake his meaning; should she take the invitation that is.

Marina visibly blinked in uncertainty, but she possessed a clever mind. She knew what he meant. He watched her calculate and sort out her emotions, as if pouring them to one vessel to another. Of whatever excuses she could conjure, she chose honesty. "Yes. Perhaps in a few hours, it shall."

Slowly, he watched the vampiress retreat into the shadows and quietly close the doors behind her. Kain had made his offer. It was up to her free will now. He only wished she hadn't taken so long to consider.

( )

I was back in the relative safety of my rooms. Strange how I sought them out now, when only a day ago, I would have braved the Abyss itself just to escape. The world had literally turned over on its side due to Dumah's invasive visit. The only good thing that would come out of this would be the high probability that my transgression would be forgotten now. I was old news. The Sanctuary of the Clans was currently abuzz with the rumors of a Dumahim attack.

I could still remember the fire in Dumah's eyes and the malicious smile that spread over his features as he pushed me into the water below, gleefully plotting to kill me if he could. Why had Dumah turned so hateful towards me? I feared that question would go unanswered.

The other unknown factor was Kain. Sometimes he was the affectionate lover, sometimes a ruthless authority. He was waiting for me. Did he want some sort of commitment? Could anyone commit to him? Could one attempt this with such a changeable force? Maybe this was all sport to him. Then again, he never behaved this way with any other. There were the occasional fawners and so-called devotees, flirting with their overlord in an effort to gain his favor and to become a bed partner, mistress, or even "Empress"; a word used mainly in the vocabulary of the deluded fledglings that still held true to the concept that the human tenants of desire and lust would advance their own positions. Kain turned them all down in quick succession. A few of those overambitious females later flirted with death. Kain did not enjoy being played.

I had found no solutions to my problems in the last ten or so solitary days. In fact, I think I had compounded them more. As the black darkness outside lightened into cerulean, I silently watched the stars disappear. Those points of light had guided many beings, but I no longer could ask help from them. Dawn was approaching rapidly. The horizon line became more pronounced as that ball of fire crept ever upwards. The sleeping hour was at hand for all immortals. I had until then.

How serious was Kain? Did he desire something more? I had thought of myself as a clandestine lover, not a mistress or a whore to be shared among many, but as someone to equally share a passionate union with whenever the mood struck. Oh, that sounded so empty now. I hadn't allowed myself to grow too close to Kain, out of fear he would turn into a monster akin to what my sire was, but over the past three centuries, hadn't I seen evidence to the contrary? Or perhaps I simply did not want to feel the sting of betrayal again. But on the other hand, Kain had already felt that same pain—many times.

I did not waste another second. Too many times I had mooned and deliberated matters that I should have instead of acted upon. If my intuition was correct, a door was closing in my face. Soon, it would shut completely. I did not think Kain prying or demanding. He just wanted to know. And so did I. Speculation served no one after two hundred fifty seven years.

Without a backward glance, I stepped into the hall and closed my door, not even bothering to lock it. What would any intruders find there? An outdated journal that had already been read? I would need a new one soon anyway. Also, the rather somber colored book was in need of repair. The velvet had been nearly worn away as well from my fingertips brushing against it so frequently, more often than not thinking about the giver of the gift.

As I approached my destination, a slight cough distracted me. I turned to find Darien there, watching me with questioning eyes. I had almost wished it were Marcel or some other Dumahim warrior. Through the Turelim guard, the secret was definitely out. Darien liked to talk, and obviously, he saw a lot as well. If Darien knew, all the guards knew. But was I to feel shame?

"Darien, you scared me," I lightly scolded.

"My lady Marina frightened me in turn." His ready grin was a bit too wide, a signal that he was nervous.

"I frighten you?"

Darien shook his head, his tense grin wavering. Frankly, he looked spooked. What was he afraid of? Had it been made too plain for him? Darien had made it a point to flirt with me on nearly every occasion. Perhaps he now feared the potential wrath of Kain, though I doubted that would happen. People had heard rumors about "the girl" and the master, but they were never proven. Until now. Well, Darien had the truth right in front of him.

"Are you going inside, my lady?" Darien was vainly trying to compose himself. I couldn't understand why this was such an astonishment. Had I not been visiting this room ever since I arrived at Sanctuary? It was the first place I had been brought to after I had been rescued from certain death in the mountains.

"Yes," I said in a clear voice. "Kain has invited me."

"Oh," the guard wandered. "I hope you have a good sleep then, my lady." I watched Darien quietly make his way down the corridor and turn around the corner. I suppose the thrill of our meetings had dissipated. He had not referred to me as "my lady" in many years. Darien would just have to court another comely Rahabim vampiress, instead of me.

I grasped the crystal doorknob and turned it. The door swung open easily. Tenatively closing it, I scanned the crimson and sable room. The fireplace had been allowed to grown cold with only a pile of ash left in its wake. Finding no one here, and suddenly so unbearably tired, I reclined on the crushed velvet bedspread that was the exact shade of blood. My head upon the satin-covered pillow, I closed my eyes. This could be considered treasonous, but Kain had made his intent perfectly lucid.

After settling into a light sleep, a slight creak disturbed me. The bed shifted. It appeared the inhabitant of these chambers had returned. Curiously, I lifted my head and stared into those molten gold eyes. He was here.

"Marina. I'm rather surprised to find you here." He was jesting of course. Or was he actually sincere?

"So am I," I whispered.

Sighing, Kain leaned back with me. His arms wrapped around me, pulling me into his embrace. My head upon his chest, I smiled. While not sensual in nature, this was sweet. A pure kinship between two supernatural beings that had chanced to take on a romantic turn. Blissfully, we slumbered together.

( )

600 years later…

"It rains again," Rahab croaked. "How lovely."

I knew Rahab wasn't being sarcastic. He loved the rain. They all did. They rejoiced under the steel gray clouds and shrank away from the invasive golden light that sought to break through the deepest depths.

Rahab, floating on his back, let his razor-edged fins move along with the waves. His intense orange eyes closed as he sighed; his slimy silver scaled body undulating beneath the water. I watched him from my perch above his pool. Rahab's lands had flooded over the years, much to his delight. Relentlessly, the rains pelted this abbey, overflowing the former main waterway that connected to the open sea, leaking into the streets of the once holy cluster of buildings. The water was nearly up to the first-story windows, and there were still three more levels to go. Down below, there were tunnels where the Rahabim slept. There was a division that served as a nursery for fledglings, far to weak to even risk surfacing for fear of a stray beam of sunlight.

In the distance, an immense wooden ship was coming in, solely controlled by Rahabim. No one else could brave the ocean. Except me. This was noted by Rahab.

"Do you swim anymore, Marina?" he rasped, opening his fish-like eyes and swinging them towards me. Rahab's voice, always so deep, had roughened considerably. He now sounded like he was growling instead of using actual speech.

"No. I do not," I admitted, brushing back my curling black locks, aware of rivulets of water running down them.

"Why? Does the temperature not please you?"

"I prefer dryness in my older age."

"The dry land can become so boring, but it's your choice. I have not seen fire for centuries. Can you imagine that?"

"Too well." I shifted on the wet stone. It was becoming uncomfortable and a cold, gusty wind was picking up. I had other business to attend to, but you simply did not pick up and run out on Rahab. It just wasn't done.

The Rahabim themselves had changed a decade or so after their master. It was a preview of what they would have to face. For one who dreaded the change, Rahab seemed to enjoy it the most. He reveled in his new form, always surrounded by his kin, and ultimately in his element. He had not seen any of his brothers. They physically could not visit him. I suspected that Rahab was secretly happy about that.

"I wonder what you shall evolve into, my dear," Rahab continued. "Will you too reside in the lakes and rivers?"

Please spare me from such a fate. "I honestly have not thought about it much."

Rahab chuckled darkly. "Perhaps you should. You're nearly eight hundred. Once you hit your millennium, you start thinking pretty quickly."

He was right. As usual. Self-righteously lying in his mossy lagoon, he couldn't wait until I had the opportunity to experience the rapturous "joy" of it. Each of the brothers had transformed, breaking their last tie to humanity. In appearance, and sometimes in manner as well. Of course, some had lost that earlier yet.

I gazed up at the boiling sky. Thunderclaps sounded. Desperately, I wanted to get away from this place. It felt like I was being drowned. Rahab was a frosty acquaintance and I was never sure if he was friend or foe. We were never as close after I had snuck into the Human Sanctuary that night. With lightening forking across the clouds, I decided it was the perfect moment to use my excuse.

"Rahab, I have much treasured my trip, but the storm is growing worse. I promised Kain I would be home soon."

"All right. But please, do return, Marina. My abbey is always open to you."

Ignoring his mocking, superior smile, I stood. As I did so, the Rahabim from the boat looked my way, observing me with hooded eyes. Though I swum like a Rahabim, I was not one of their blood. They were more than a little suspicious of me, especially the younger ones. Maybe they felt hostile to this being on their turf, with human features, long mane, and soft skin. I supposed it was true that I was beautiful compared to the Rahabim creatures whose appearance were suited to their personal skills and ability to survive, not for vanity. Gender wasn't much of an issue anymore. From this vantage point, I could see their slick aquatic bodies resembled that of a shark's.

Turning away, I made for the arched doorway. Out of sight of Rahab, I allowed myself to change. My skin stretched taut as my face lengthened. My legs and arms automatically hit the ground. I watched intently as they changed into snowy white paws. My newly grown tail lashed out behind me. This wolf form was faster than my vampiric body, and my furry legs literally flew over the landscape. In the past two centuries, it seemed that I inherited another ability from "father's" Guardian heritage. The Pillar of States was the transformation pillar, hence this animalistic alteration. Either that, or it was a sleeping talent present in all vampires, but only waking up in some. Kain, for example, could turn into a smoky mist at will. It was rather extraordinary to behold.

Distant rumbles could be heard as my paws kicked up dust and small stone fragments as I charted the familiar route home.

##TBC. The chapters are a bit longer than before, huh? I don't know how long the story will be, but I intend on bringing Raziel back within the next four or five chapters. Happy reading!