Disclaimer: Anne Bishop owns the Black Jewels Trilogy.

No one reviewed the first chapter... I'm kinda disappointed especially since this is my very first fic... But I'm not giving up yet. I hope this chapter is better. I'm still setting the story up so it's not that good yet. I hope it'll be better in the future.

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The Dark Arena

Cloud

0o0o0

Teresa and Ralani were in the gardens, in search of a trinket hidden by Tarrick. Ralani had already cursed her brother in every language she knew - which wasn't a lot, but it made her feel better.

"Where do you think we'll find it?" Teresa asked as she looked at the base of some rose bushes.

"I don't know!" Ralani exclaimed in irritation. "If I don't find it, I'm going to stab someone with an Eyrien stick - namely my brother!"

"Hmm... Maybe we'll have better luck if you ask for Ramon's help," Teresa suggested.

Ramon was the dog Kindred, and also a Summer-sky Jewelled Warlord, who usually attached himself to Ralani. But for some reason, they haven't seen him today.

Ralani frowned. "Well, I haven't seen him today so he must be with his mother."

Even Terar, the Sapphire Jewelled Warlord Prince, who usually attached himself to Teresa was nowhere to be seen. But Teresa knew where he was. He was with his sire and learning more hunting skills.

Ralani made a strangling motion in the air as she fumed. Luckily, before she could strangle anything else besides the air, a voice broke through the tense surroundings.

"Are you looking for this?"

Instead of looking at the outstretched hand of the person who spoke, Ralani and Teresa were staring at the male who owned the hand.

"Claude!"

The violet-eyed male smiled as the two girls rushed towards him. It was Teresa who first squealed.

"You're taller!" Claude face-faulted. He was touchy about any mention of his height. Well, what did he expect? At least he did get taller.

"Yes I am," he replied as he wrapped both arms around the bundle in his arms. This bundle was a ball of fur. Well at least it was a ball of fur until a head popped from it. A furry head with fluffy ears and big puppy-dog eyes.

"Dusk!"

Claude face-faulted again as he realized that the two sounded more excited to see the dog than him. Teresa was already holding her arms out and the Warlord Prince obliged, handing the ball of fluff over. The two girls cooed at the adorable dog Kindred.

The Kindred, however, was more than pleased at being fawned over. Claude shook his head with a wry smile. The small Warlord Prince loved attention too much - especially from females. Females, though, loved showering him with affection and Claude sometimes thought that it was getting straight into Dusk's adorable little head that he was irresistible.

Cloud has been training hard in the mountains. Right Cloud?

Claude gave him a small frown. "Dusk, how many times do I have to tell you? 'Claude', not 'Cloud'. K-lod.'"

"But it's adorable!" Teresa argued.

"Yeah," Ralani agreed. She then smirked. "Cloud."

Dusk gave Claude the infamous puppy-dog look. Claude stared at him for a moment before mumbling under his breath, "Annoying face..."

Dusk yipped happily, knowing he was forgiven. Annoying but cute! Queen Jaenelle and her Coven said so.

"Is your family here with you?" Teresa asked, even though she already guessed the answer.

Claude's family meant his mother, his grandfather on his mother's side and his uncle on his mother's side. It wasn't common knowledge, however, that Claude doesn't know his father. Claude's mother was raped but she decided to keep him.

What wasn't common knowledge was also the fact that Claude's family consists of skilled thieves that stole for fun - not money. However, they left that behind already and the family thieving ended with Claude.

That didn't mean that his training stopped.

"Yes, they're here," Claude answered to Teresa's question. "They went off to talk to the adults. And I say adults since they still think I'm a child. Of course, they refer to me as an adult from time to time - but only if it will benefit them."

"Well, let's go meet them," Ralani said. Claude gave her the trinket she was looking for and she smiled in gratitude. They then headed inside.

0o0o0

Lectures. Lucifer hated lectures.

He thought that he had already escaped a scolding. He was obviously wrong. However, he wasn't taking it as hard as he should - not with him spotting the twinkle in his mother's eyes.

And he knew why his mother's eyes were laughing. Lucifer did get the inspiration from her.

He fed Uncle Lucivar the fruit Jaenelle had fed Lucivar years ago.

Before Lucivar could continue with the scolding, Karla went in the study they were currently in.

"Look who I picked up on my way here," she said with a smile as she opened the door wider.

A woman her age entered, a huge smile on her face.

"Erika!" Jaenelle stood up as she greeted the newcomer. They hugged each other.

Lucifer's eyes twinkled, mischief clearly showing through their depths.

If Aunt Erika was here... That only meant one thing.

Claude.

Lucifer stood up, facing Lucivar.

"I deeply regret my actions and I'm sorry. I won't feed you that particular species of fruit again. May I please go now?"

Lucivar was stunned for a moment before narrowing his eyes dangerously. He obviously didn't trust his namesake. "Very well. But if this happens again, it's the practice courts."

"Of course," Lucifer said with a bow. He then rushed out of the room.

Claude was back. Kind, gentle, generous, caring, innocent-like Claude was back. Lucifer's eyes glinted predatorily.

This is going to be so much fun.

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That was short I know... I think I might do the next chapter on the first generation. I just introduced a new character. In the next chapter, you will see what the summary is talking about and what kind of horrors hide in the mysterious Territory.

'Till next time!

Saizer