After The End, by lyradaemon

Chapter 8 – A One-Sided Battle

Disclaimer – It all belongs to Anne Bishop

Lucivar felt a hand lightly shake his shoulder and a voice spoke quietly in his ear; "Wake up Lucivar." Saetan.

He shook his head, trying to clear the sleep away. "What-"

"Shh, Jaenelle is still asleep," Saetan said softly, pointing at the small figure curled up under a blanket on the bed. "I don't want to wake her. She's exhausted and upset and desperately needs to recharge her body."

Lucivar – barefooted – and his father left the room and made their way to Saetan's study. The fire had been left burning merrily in the hearth so that the room was deliciously warm. Lucivar immediately threw himself into an old, worn-out armchair right by the fire, glad for the warmth; his was cold because he was so tired, and he hadn't slept very well either. He hadn't been able to stop thinking about Daemon.

It seemed Saetan was having similar thoughts. "I'm almost at my wits end as to what to do about Daemon. We've tried just about everything those three (meaning Karla, Jaenelle and Morghann) could think of, and he hasn't improved at all. In fact, I thinking he's going backwards; Karla says he developed a virus overnight which has been slowly attacking his nervous system, and his fever has only got worse. Between those two and the fact that his mind seems disconnected from the rest of him, his whole body is one huge battleground. I don't know how much more he can take." The last words were spoken with a slight hitch in Saetan's voice; it seemed that not even the High Lord was immune to the despair and grief they were all feeling right now.

"Are you sure you've tried everything? Is there nothing left, not even one of Karla's insane ideas?" Lucivar asked doggedly. He still felt half asleep and he now had a pounding headache to add to everything. Wonderful.

Saetan nodded sombrely. "If there was anything left, it wouldn't be worth trying."

"So what do we do? Sit around and wait for him to just…die? I refuse to give up on my brother like that."

Saetan flinched at that. "He's not going to die Lucivar," he said quietly, but even he didn't fully believe it. Things weren't looking good for Daemon right now.

"How's Jaenelle doing? Is she coping?" Lucivar asked, looking concerned about his younger sister.

Saetan sighed. "I don't know, to be honest. She busied herself yesterday working with Karla and Morghann and clearing up after people. But she was absolutely shattered; she was too tired to eat, and anyway, she didn't have to time to do so. I've never seen her so drained before, mentally or physically. I think this is taking its toll worst on her. If she's not careful, she'll just crack under it all and we'll have another person to deal with. Daemon's plenty at the moment."

Lucivar thought about his brother lying in that bed so peacefully. Despite being so gravely ill, he'd still managed to look beautiful and composed, even in his extreme state of unconsciousness. Daemon always did things like that, Lucivar thought; always so perfect. Oh Daemon, please come back to us. Jaenelle needs you so much; hell, I need you. Please don't die.

"Do you want something to eat? Mrs Beale has made some breakfast for everyone, should they want it. There's also plenty of coffee; you look as if you could do with some." Saetan eyed him as any father would a son who was looking rather the worse for wear. "Would you like me to send for some?"

"No, it's alright. I'll go along now – maybe I'll find Surreal, see how she's doing," Lucivar replied.

They stood up together and looked at each other; then Saetan strode over and pulled his son into an embrace. "I love you Lucivar. No matter what happens, I'll always love you. I hope you know that," he whispered in his ear, stroking his hair like he did when Lucivar was just a small boy.

"I know. I love you too Father. I just want Daemon back so much," he murmured in reply.

"So do we all Lucivar," Saetan sighed as he let go of his son.

Later on that day Saetan and Lucivar were taking a much needed break in Saetan's study. All morning they'd been caught up in the battle to save Daemon, and now they were both close to breaking point. Tempers had been constantly on edge and everyone cracked with tension. It also hadn't helped that Jaenelle had forgotten to shield herself, because her anguish and fear could be felt everywhere, along with a huge, unquenchable anger. Saetan was just glad the anger wasn't aimed at him.

Suddenly the door burst open and Surreal literally threw herself into the room.

"Surreal, what in Hell's name is wrong with you?" Saetan said sharply; Surreal was shaking and pale.

"It's Daemon…he's getting worse," she gasped.

"Worse? What do you mean?" Lucivar demanded.

"His body – it's more or less just shut down! He's got no defence against the virus, and his fever is almost out of control. Karla is shitting herself in there – there's nothing they can do anymore."

"Mother Night," Saetan muttered, putting a hand to his eyes. "Are they sure they can't do anything?"

"Of course they're bloody sure! Do you really think they can help him now that his mind is blocked off and his body has stopped working?" Surreal snapped.

"Don't start getting snappy at me," snarled Saetan.

"Then don't start accusing Karla and Morghann of not knowing what they're doing!"
"I wasn't accusing anyone of anything!"

"And I don't see you helping! Hiding away in here-"

"HOW DARE YOU! That is my son who is dying in there! How dare you say I'm hiding away!" Saetan roared, golden eyes flashing dangerously.

Despite his rage, Surreal held her ground defiantly. "If you want to help Daemon, then go and get Jaenelle. She's his last hope," she said quietly. "She's the only one who could do anything to help him now. Otherwise he's lost."

Saetan sighed, closing his eyes. He didn't want to get Jaenelle involved with any of this – she was in such a fragile state she might not cope with the emotional burden of seeing Daemon in his present condition.

Lucivar saw the look on his father's face. "You know you have to get her. Daemon doesn't have much time left."

Saetan nodded wordlessly then left the room quietly.

"Why is he so scared of Jaenelle?" Surreal asked.

"He doesn't want to hurt her any more than he possibly can. Firstly, she's emotionally unstable, and secondly she's carrying a child. Any Craft she has to do will hurt her enormously; it hurt her just to go into the abyss to see where Daemon was. To actually use any strength will be excruciating, and it could harm the baby. Saetan doesn't want to risk that; for her sake, and for his."

"What do you mean, for his sake?"

Lucivar looked her straight in the eyes. "He doesn't think Daemon is going to make it. He wants the baby to survive as a reminder of him."

Surreal couldn't bear the look in Lucivar's eyes so she looked away. "But how will Jaenelle cope?"

"Saetan doesn't think she will."

"Then lets pray she can help Daemon," Surreal whispered.

Outside the snow fell.