2

A guard came and escorted her from the cleaning room to another cell closer to the upper floors of the Slave Pens. Ares couldn't sleep just yet. The cold bath had really woken her up. So she tried to contact Valcan again.

(Prince?) She asked tentatively. No answer. Why wasn't he responding? It had been hours since the episode on the Auction Block.

(Valcan?) she asked again, only putting more of an edge to her voice. Now that she knew what Jewel ranking to look for, she sought his Birthright- the Green. Ares had one level of power under Valcan's Birthright Jewel. So long as he could feel a sending on that one, she would be able to open the psychic link between the two.

She knew he was there, he just wasn't responding. (Hell's Fire, Valcan.)

"Don't you know if you get caught using your Craft, you'll get in serious shit?"

Ares snapped open her eyes when she heard that voice. She had never quite heard such a perfect harmonious, cultured voice. She looked up at the male, wide-eyed.

He was tall, slender, and dangerous. His skin was tanned, she could even tell that through the dim torch lights. His hair was a shining ebony, and he wore a black jacket with black trousers, and a white shirt, with the collar opened a little. He had very broad shoulders. When she gazed into his face, she couldn't believe what she saw.

He had the most beautiful face she had ever had the pleasure to behold. His gold eyes gleamed in the light, and a small smile formed on his face. He stood there with his hands in his trouser pockets, simply studying her.

She had never seen a man so... beautiful. She didn't really know how else to describe him.

She shook her head to clear it. "Hello." she said courteously. She stood, and came closer to the bars of the cell. "Why are you here?" she asked. It seemed so odd for someone who must be an aristo male to come and be among the slaves. He had a different feeling to him, however. Like what Valcan had. She puzzled on this a moment, and then looked into this stranger's eyes.

Warlord Prince.

Her mouth fell open a little at that realization. Only he was much, much darker than Valcan. She could definitely tell that much.

The stranger's smile deepened, as if he could tell what she had realized.

He answered her question. "I was wandering these corridors, and I heard you trying to contact someone on a psychic thread." Ares gasped. She really didn't think anyone else would be able to pick up on it.

Then she frowned at the man. "Why were you wandering these parts? Shouldn't you be in comfort at one of the hotels? Surely someone with your rank would be entitled to such."

He raised a finely shapedeyebrow. "What is your name?" he asked, rather suddenly, dismissing her question.

Ares tilted her head to the side, but decided it probably didn't matter if he knew it or not. "Arelane." She answered in a light tone. "May I know yours, Prince?"

The man rose his eyebrow again. "I'm known as Daemon, my dear Lady." Ares blushed. She wasn't used to such courtesy intertwined withsuch a smooth, seductive voice.

Ares decided this man was to help, and not to hurt, so she made her mind up. "Prince Daemon?" she asked tentatively. "Will you do me a favor?" Daemon's expression turned to a distant one. "Will you give this to a friend?" she asked after a moment. His expression lifted to one of intrigue as one of his finely-shaped eyebrows followed suit.

She called in a small box, using Craft, and pulled out a simple silver ring, with a fragment of her Sapphire jewel embedded into it. She held it out to the Prince and said, "I'm not sure where he is right now, but I would very much appreciate it if you could deliver this for me."

The man looked at the ring, and then raised his eyes to her. "You trust me that much?" he inquired.

Ares looked up at him pleadingly. "I am to be taken to my new master tomorrow, and I don't think I'll be able to see my friend again."

Daemon let out a breath. "Who is this friend?"

"He's a slave named Valcan. He has wavy blond hair and blue eyes. He wears the Grey jewel. If you were at the auction this morning, he was the man who came after me on the platform." She paused, as if thinking, and then added softly, "He saved my life, and I'd like to have a connection with him."

Daemon marveled at the trust this girl had. She was foolish to be so trusting. None the less, Daemon took the ring, and vanished it. "I'll be sure to give it to him." he said reassuringly in his seductive voice.

He almost smiled when he saw how greatful the girl was. "Thank you, Prince. May the Darkness embrace you."She said as she held out her cuffed hand. Daemon glanced at her hand, and then her face before he took his hand out of a pocket and placed it on top of hers, palm down.

"May the Darkness embrace you, my Lady." He said with a warm gleam in his eye. And then, with that, he took his hand away, and continued walking down the corridor.

Itold you there would be a surprise. Did I keep him in character?

I love Daemon, but Lucivar is my favortie. ThoughI don't think I'll be able to write him in. (sniff)

Yes so, I would really appreciate some reviews. 12 reviews for some odd chapters is kind of a poor response.

Thank you for your time, My Legions!