After The End, by lyradaemon

Chapter 1 -

Disclaimer – It all belongs to Anne Bishop, not to me

Jaenelle sat on the edge of the bed, gazing down at the man lying there peacefully. She sighed happily. The few months since she had married Daemon had been the most wonderful, happy times she could remember. The days were filled with fun and laughter, whether they were 'experimenting' in her workroom or irritating a good-natured Saetan in his study with the rest of the family.

And the nights…the nights were filled with fire and passion. Just last night they had gone to bed soon after supper and hadn't fallen asleep until gone midnight when they were sated and exhausted. A blush rose in Jaenelle's cheeks as she remembered the feel of Daemon's hands on her, the way he kissed and touched and made love to her. It made her warm inside just to think of his lips…

She gently brushed away a stray piece of hair which had fallen into his face. "You are so beautiful Daemon," she whispered with a smile. "So, so beautiful."

"Mmm," was her only reply as Daemon snuggled further down under the covers. It still amazed her how innocent and childlike Daemon could be when he slept. Leaning down she planted a soft kiss on his lips, then quietly slipped out the room and made her way downstairs to her adoptive father.

Jaenelle knocked on the door then slipped into the room without waiting for an answer, knowing that Saetan wouldn't mind. She grinned when she saw him sitting behind his desk with a small frown on his handsome face. The source of the frown was sprawled in a chair opposite him, a familiar cocky and arrogant smile playing on his lips. Lucivar.

Saetan looked up as he heard the door close and smiled at Jaenelle with relief. "Is Lucivar being a pain Papa?" She asked.

"Not really," he said with a grin. "He's just being Lucivar first thing in the morning." Jaenelle bent down and kissed his cheek. "Do you think I could talk to you?" She asked. "In private?"

"Well, I can tell when I'm not wanted," Lucivar pouted then grinned. "It's ok; I need to see where that son of mine has escaped to. I can't turn my head without him running off somewhere, then falling asleep, then screaming the house down when he realizes he doesn't know where he is. And Marian will tear my balls off if he does that. See you later," he said, giving Jaenelle as passing kiss on the cheek, before he strode out the room in search of his wayward son.

"So, witch-child, what is it you wanted to tell me?" He queried, gesturing for Jaenelle to draw up one of the squishy armchairs opposite him.

"I had a Dream."

"What about?"

"I'm not quite sure…it wasn't very clear. But I do know that someone or something that I loved was dying. But I couldn't see what it was, or what they were dying from. It scared me," Jaenelle's sapphire eyes took on their familiar haunted look.

"What happened then? Did you weave one of your Webs?" Saetan's golden eyes bore into her intently.

"I woke up, and then began to weave. At first it was just a blur and I couldn't see anything. But then I saw this…this flash…"

"A flash of light?"

"No, that's the worrying thing. It was a flash of darkness. Of Black, I think. It was as if...as if someone had let loose a flash of power – so quick. And full of pain – so much pain, and remorse, and terror. I couldn't tell whose it was though. And then…" She paused and closed her eyes, trying to remember, yet knowing it was painful.

"Then what, Jaenelle?"

"Then death went. Whatever was dying stopped dying and everything…just stopped. I can't explain it," she whispered. "Papa, I have never not been able to understand a Web before – I mean, the meaning may have been unclear, but never like this. Something dying, a flash of darkness mixed with unbearable pain and grief, and then nothing…do you understand it Papa?" She raised her exotic face to that of the High Lord.

"I'm afraid I don't Jaenelle. But…maybe you could ask Daemon. He is a Black Widow after all, and while he hardly ever weaves, he is still one of the best interpreter's of Webs that I have ever met. He is also more in tune with your feelings, both on an emotional and a…physical level," (here Jaenelle blushed as a small smile crept to her lips,) "so might have more of an insight into why you dreamed what you did, and what it all could mean. Is he awake, by the way? I wanted to have a quick word with him about…matters," the last part he said with a twinkle in his eye.

"No, he's still sleeping like a baby. I'll go and wake him though, otherwise he'll miss breakfast. And then he'll be in a mood all day and I had other plans."

"Such as?"

"I need him to help me in my workroom. It's a little project we have going, but I'm not convinced that it's working so well. It'll need a bit of altering, and I want Daemon to do that bit," Jaenelle replied looking thoughtful.

"Can't you tell me?" Saetan pleaded.

"Not yet. You'll see in due course. For now it's still in the early stages, and needs a hell of a lot of work," she grinned at the look on Saetan's face. "I'd better go get Daemon up. Thank you for listening Papa. I'll let you know what Daemon says," she kissed him lightly on the cheek, and then bounded out the room to go find her Consort. Saetan smiled after the daughter of his soul. He'd never seen her as happy as she was when she was with his son. They were good for each other, and it gladdened his heart to see it. But after what Jaenelle has said about her dream, he wasn't too sure that things would stay as peaceful as they were. In fact, he knew things were going to take a turn for the worse.

"Be careful, witch-child," he whispered. "Be very careful."