Second Circle, by lyradaemon

Chapter 2: New And Familiar Faces

UPDATE A/N: Just realized I made a small mistake; Luc mentions he hasn't seen his grandmother Duana in a long time. He grandmother is actually called Teele (it's Morghann who became Queen of Scelt after Duana stepped down.) Sorry!

"Would you stop that?" Eliene yelled at her twin brother, eyes flashing angrily.

"I'm not doing anything!" Charon protested, his fists clenched.

"You always do that!" Eliene snapped. "You always sneak up on me and use Craft. It's not fair!"

"It's perfectly fair," her brother retorted stubbornly.

"Papa said you shouldn't do it," she pouted.

"Don't care," Charon said nonchalantly, shrugging.

"You will when he shouts at you."

Charon's eyes grew huge. "You wouldn't tell him!"

"I would."

"Eli! But-"

"What's going on here?" A voice said mildly from behind the two bickering siblings.

"Mother!" Charon practically squeaked, his golden eyes filling with surprise.

"What have you done now, Charon?" Jaenelle asked resignedly.

"N-nothing…"

"He snuck up on me and used Craft, like Papa told him not to," Eliene explained, giving her brother another glare for good measure.

"Well, Charon?" His mother demanded.

Charon hung his head. "I'm sorry mother, I won't do it again," he whispered.

"No you won't, otherwise I'll have to tell your father. And you wouldn't want that, now would you?" Jaenelle asked seriously, hands on hips, but with a grin on her face. Charon didn't notice.

"Please don't tell him Mother!" Charon pleaded.

Jaenelle laughed. "Of course I won't sweetheart. But just remember, no sneaking up on people, especially on your sister. It's not nice, and you know that."

"Sorry Eli," he said, giving his sister a slight grin. "I won't do it again."

"I doubt that," she replied tartly – something she'd inherited from her mother, as Daemon had observed. Then she smiled too.

"Now, have either of you seen your father? I can't find him anywhere," Jaenelle asked, regarding her children fondly.

"I heard him laughing with Uncle Lucivar whenI walked past Grandpapa's study," Eliene supplied helpfully.

"Oh wonderful," Jaenelle said sourly. "Talking to those three is like talking to a brick wall," she shook her head as she walked off, muttering under her breath.

"So, what do you want to do now?" Charon asked, slipping an arm through his sister's.

"Well, we could go and find Luc," Eliene suggested. Luc was the son of Chaosti and Gabrielle, and had been her best friend since she could remember.

"Or Arianna," Charon said hopefully; he'd been in love with Aaron and Kalush's stunning daughter for as long as he could remember.

"We'll see Luc first," Eliene said firmly. Surprisingly enough, Eliene was the more dominant one – Charon was always willing to do what his beloved sister wanted – even though she was shyer around other people. Except Luc.

Luc was just over a year older than the twins, but he'd been besotted with Eliene since he'd seen her as a baby. They'd played together constantly as children, and now that they were 15 – 16, in Luc's case – they were absolutely inseparable.

Eli, as Luc had called her all those years ago, was usually very reserved around people. She was close to Surreal's fiery daughter, Titian, and Morghann and Khardeen's daughter Selene, but apart from that she found it difficult to relate to people her age. All of the original First Circle had had children now – even Grezande and Elan, the Queen and Warlord Prince of Tigrelan had a small daughter, Giselle, a future Queen herself. But Eli found that, despite any effort she made, she still felt distant to them all.

Luc was her best friend in the world. He was a Warlord Prince, but she had never seen him lose his temper, except once when she had hurt herself, and it had been his fault. Then, he had scared her; his large blue had shone with rage and self-disgust, and his Sapphire Jewel had flashed with power. He had been terrifying, yet oddly beautiful. Eliene still shivered when she remembered it.

Apart from that, Luc was as calm and unshakable as anyone she had ever met. He wouldn't flare up like Charon would; he could never be provoked to do anything. Luc was her rock, and she loved him for it.

"Eli," a warm, deep voice said from behind her. Charon had just left, eager to see Arianna.

Eliene whirled around. "Luc!" She said with a smile and threw her arms around her best friend's neck. "I think you've grown again."

"I think maybe you've shrunk," Luc said with a chuckle which warmed her. "What are you doing?"

"Nothing. I just wanted to come and see you. I'm progressing in my Black Widow lessons," she announced proudly. "I can spin a simple Tangled Web now."

"Has my mother been pushing you again?" Luc asked, concern in his eyes. Gabrielle was Eliene's official teacher, along with Jaenelle. Karla added her two cents worth whenever she dropped by, as did Saetan. Daemon refused to teach her though. That had hurt, the first time, but she had become used to his reluctance. She had learned from Saetan that Daemon had never been happy being a natural Black Widow, and still tried to deny it sometimes. He hardly ever spun Tangled Webs, although when he did, the other Black Widows would comment that they were the best they'd ever seen.

Gabrielle was a hard taskmaster; she knew the discipline required to be a good Black Widow, and she would work Eliene as hard as she thought necessary. It exhausted her frequently, and she would often go to Luc for comfort, but she wouldn't give up the training for the world. Being a good Black Widow meant a lot to her.

"She couldn't be there today," Eli explained. "It was just Karla and my mother today."

"So it went alright, then," Luc said, gently stroking her back. It was soothing.

"Mmm," was all Eli said.

They stood like that for a while, content to be with each other. Finally Luc moved back to look at her. "What do you want to do today?" He asked.

"Can we go and visit Tersa?" She asked. "I need to ask her something, and I was hoping you would come with me."

"Of course I will. Just let me tell mother first; I think she wanted me to do something today…can't remember what," he said with a grin.

Eli linked her arm in his and went to go and find Gabrielle.

Jaenelle opened Saetan's study door to find a sight to startle anyone's eyes. Daemon was arguing. It wasn't that which completely startled her. He was arguing with Titian, Surreal's daughter. And he was losing.

"You can shout at me all you want, Sadi, but you know I'm right," Titian was saying. Surreal sat in a chair next to Saetan's, and was grinning like a Cheshire cat. "Just admit it."

Daemon stared at the young woman with her long, white blonde hair – which she had evidently inherited from her grandmother – and turquoise eyes. "But-"

"No buts, Prince. I win," Titian declared, hands triumphantly on her hips.

Daemon simply shook his head in disbelief.

"Well, well, well. Looks like someone has finally tamed the Sadist. Who would have thought," Surreal chuckled, looking admiringly at her daughter.

Jaenelle went the rest of the way into the room and closed the door. Daemon looked up with blatant relief. "Now you turn up," he muttered darkly. "You could have come sooner you know."

Jaenelle laughed and went over to wrap herself in Daemon's arms. "I'm sorry, you should have called."

Daemon stared at her. Jaenelle kissed him.

"I suppose I can forgive you," he admitted between kisses.

"Oh please," Titian said, rolling her eyes. "I'm off, before I'm sick or something." She hurried out the room.

Surreal shot Daemon and Jaenelle a similar look. "I think I'd better get going. Besides, I promised I'd help Selene with some…delicate matters," she grinned. "I'll see you all later."

Selene, Morghann and Khardeen's daughter, had inherited her father's legendary temper. Unfortunately – or fortunately, depending on the way you looked at it – she had also inherited her mother's fiery, red-haired, green-eyed beauty. Despite being just 18, she had already received some unwelcome attention. Surreal was teaching her to avert it. Her way.

"Is there a particular reason you're here?" Saetan asked mildly. "Or will I need to leave too?"

"Oh, sorry Papa," Jaenelle giggled, trying to extricate herself from Daemon's arms but failing miserably. "No, I just came to find Daemon. And you of course."

Saetan looked at his adopted daughter with a cocked eyebrow.

"There's no need to look at me like that you know," she said tartly. "Aren't I allowed to find my husband when I want to?"

Saetan sighed dramatically and threw his hands in the air. "You never tell me anything!" He said mock despairingly.

"I tell you things only when I think it's necessary," Jaenelle retorted. "And right now, I have nothing of any interest to say." The conversation was closed.

A while later, as Daemon and Jaenelle were leaving, Daemon wrapped an arm around Jaenelle's waist and pulled her close. "Are you going to tell me later?" He asked softly.

Jaenelle looked at him startled. Nothing ever got by him. "Of course," she replied, as they bid Saetan farewell, and headed off to their rooms.

Later that evening

The door opened as Luc and Eliene approached. "Good evening, Prince, Lady," the butler said with a fond smile.

"Evening Lord Moriel," Luc said, standing back to let Eli in first. "Where are my parents?"

"In the sitting room. I think they wanted you to go there first, Prince."

Luc took Eli's hand and led her into the sitting room. "Hello Mother," he said, kissing her cheek as she stood up. "Father," he said, nodding to Chaosti.

"Eli, welcome," Chaosti said fondly, sweeping her into a hug. "I haven't seen you in ages."

Eli smiled warmly. She liked Luc's father a lot; despite his intimidating looks and volatile nature – being a Warlord Prince – she always found him approachable. "I've been really busy with my Black Widow lessons," she explained.

"You certainly have," Gabrielle replied, kissing Eli in greeting. "You're making excellent progress though. I've very impressed and so's Karla. Although with Daemon and Jaenelle as your parents, it's hardly surprising," she added with a grin.

The four of them talked comfortably for a while, then Lord Moriel entered and announced that dinner was ready and ushered them into the dinning room.

Gabrielle and Chaosti had a house here in Amdarh, as well as one in Maghre. Charon had always commented that although all the First Circle were married and had families, they still spent most of the time either at the Hall or in Amdarh. This house here was similar to Eli's own; large and spacious, with high ceilings and south facing windows.

The cooks had prepared a delicious meal. As neither Luc nor Eli had eaten lunch (Tersa wasn't one for providing refreshments), they both gulped it down.

"You'd think you hadn't eaten in weeks," Chaosti remarked with a raised eyebrow.

Luc just looked at his father. "I'm hungry."

"I noticed."

Finally Gabrielle leaned back in her seat. "So. Are you doing anything interesting that I should know about?"

Luc and Eli glanced at each other. Was Gabrielle trying to get at something? "No," Luc said warily.

"Oh."

"Why?" He asked his mother suspiciously.

"No reason."

Luc turned to Chaosti. "What's she talking about?"

"Your mother wants to know whether you've got anything planned for the next few weeks."

"Dare I ask?"

"I think she wants you to go visit your Grandmother in Maghre," Chaosti replied slowly, looking at his wife.

"Oh, do I have to?" Luc asked with a groan.

"Yes you do," Gabrielle said firmly. "She was saying the last time I spoke to her that she hasn't seen you in ages."

"Are you coming too?" Luc asked his father.

"No," he replied, a slight smirk on his lips and a gleam in his eyes.

"Your father is convinced that he's needed here. Though what for I can't imagine." Gabrielle glared at her husband.

"I said I would help Khary with something," Chaosti said mildly.

"Of course you did."

"When do I have to go?" Luc asked, interrupting his parents. He didn't look particularly thrilled.

"Whenever you're free to go. Though sooner rather than later, preferably."

Luc sighed dramatically. "Oh, alright."

"Don't worry Luc. I'm sure you'll enjoy it," Chaosti said helpfully.

"I was thinking," Luc said as he and Eliene were walking hand in hand across the lawn which lead up to the Hall.

"You were thinking…" Eli prompted when he didn't continue.

"I was thinking, that maybe we could go on a trip sometime," he said finally.

"What, just you and me?"

"Well, Charon and Arianna can come too if they want. And any of the others, for that matter."

"Where are you planning on going?"

"I don't know. I was thinking Maghre.

"What a surprise."

"Well, Mother is right. I haven't see Grandmammy Teele in ages. Besides, you've never been, and I thought it would be nice if we could go together.

"I think it's a lovely idea," she replied with a smile.

"Do you want to ask your brother if he wants to come? I know Selene has to go Scelt in a few days time. One of Morghann's sisters is getting married or something. Titian might like to come though. And I'd probably better ask Jason. He'd kill me if I invited Titian and not him; he won't let her out of his sight these days."

Eliene giggled. Jason was Selene's younger brother; at just 16 he had looks that most women would gladly die for, thanks to his father. While Selene had a temper which would blow at the slightest provocation. Jason was comparatively even-tempered. He still got a bit carried away though; especially when it concerned Titian, the object of his affections.

"I'll speak to my brother then, and you do the rest." They walked the last few paces to the Hall in silence.

"So, here we are. Do you want me to come in with you or something?"

"I think I can make it in myself," Eli laughed.

Luc blushed. "I know – I'm sorry…"

"Don't be," she said warmly, then lent forwards and lightly touched her lips to his. "Thank you for tonight. It was lovely," she said softly.

Luc just gaped at her in shock.

"Close your mouth Luc, you look ridiculous," Eli said sternly, then briefly put her hand to his cheek. "Goodnight."

"Night…" he said softly as she disappeared through the door.

Much later that evening…

"Are you going to tell me then?"

Daemon and Jaenelle lay curled up in bed together, arms wrapped around each other. Jaenelle glanced at him, slightly surprised.

"Oh. I'd almost forgotten."

"Really," Daemon murmured, letting his hand trail down her back.

"I was spinning a Web today," she began, relaxing under Daemon's soothing touch.

"And?"

"And, I saw something rather interesting," she replied, a smile creeping to her lips.

Daemon paused in his ministrations.

"I saw Eli and Charon. I don't know where they were, but something was happening."

"Do you know what it was?"

"No. But I could tell it wasn't good. Luc seemed scared and Charon was too; which isn't like him." She was silent a moment. "Some of the other Second Circle were there too; Titian was standing with Jason, and Arianna was somewhere nearby. Yet I couldn't see Eli."

"But she's always with Luc; they're inseparable," Daemon said, frowning slightly.

"I know. I think she was in trouble, and Luc and the others were caught up in it."

"Have you told Gabrielle or Chaosti?"

"Not yet. I didn't think I needed to worry them. After all, it might not happen."

"That's what you said about your Dream," he reminded her gently.

Jaenelle stiffened and pulled out of his embrace. In the faint moonlight, Daemon thought she looked angry.

"I know I did. I didn't want it to come true; and look what happened."

"You can't keep on pretending that these things won't come true," he returned, knowing how close he was to making her really angry.

"I'm not trying to pretend anything!" Jaenelle snapped, sitting up. "I just don't want all these bad things to keep on happening. And I especially don't want it to happen when it concerns our children," she finished quietly.

Daemon sighed, then sat up as well. "I know, sweetheart. I'm sorry."

Jaenelle shook her head. "No, Daemon. You were right, what you said. I can't pretend that things won't happen. Not anymore." He could feel her tremble slightly.

Reaching out a hand, Daemon gently pulled her back down next to him. "No matter what happens, we'll always be there to help them. I love Eli and Charon so much; I won't let anything bad happen to them, I promise," he said softly but firmly.

"Thank you Daemon," Jaenelle whispered before giving him a tender kiss. She snuggled down against him, glad of his warmth. "Goodnight," she said with a soft sigh.

"Goodnight, sweetheart," Daemon replied. But while Daemon drifted quickly to sleep, she found herself wide awake, staring at the canopy of their bed. The thought of her children in danger kept whirring around inside her head.

I won't let them come to any harm, she vowed firmly.

Somehow, she didn't think she'd be able to keep it.

A/N: Hmm. Quite a long chapter. I really wanted to write more about Gabrielle and Chaosti, (as well as others, like Khary and Morghann etc) but I'm not sure how to. I was thinking about writing a separate chapter about all of them – the First Circle, I mean – next; what do you think?

Anyway. Eli and Luc are coming along alright. They're still rather two-dimensional though, but I guess more depth will come later.

As always, reviews greatly appreciated, as are criticisms, as long as they're constructive!