Disclaimer - I do not own Legacy Of Kain. I do not make money from this. The only characters I own are Lucius and Infernum.

Authors Note – Thanks to all reviewers for their suggestions and constructive criticisms. If you must flame please use constructive criticism. I've never played Soul Reaver or Soul Reaver 2 so I didn't know what the throne room looks like. So I'm just making one up.

Elly McGregory – Thanks

PhoenixFlame 6 – Thanks for the criticism. It always helps to know what you are doing wrong. As long as it's constructive it isn't considered a flame.

Rose Akaichou - Yeah you're right. I didn't want it to sound like she was teaching them. They thought it was required on their part. The wings will be explained in this chapter.

Meeting the Brethren

Umah dreaded the thought of another ceremony. It had been bad enough having to train Kain's soldiers. It had been worse being shown off to her subjects even though it had been inevitable. She was furious about being shown off yet again, but she had to be careful. She couldn't anger Kain he would kill her. He could have killed her for evolving faster than he had. Evolution was not controlled by the vampire though. He could have killed her for flying, that was her fault. She knew she was playing with fire. It was only a matter of time before his patience ran out. She dragged herself to the doorway and forced herself to walk down the corridor. She had to go no matter how much she didn't want to.

She waited for Kain by the door to the throne room. The great mahogany door was carved with Kain's crest. The light gleamed off the door and illuminated the other carvings in the door. Umah squinted to make out the words 'Vae Victus' carved under the great crest. The words sent a chill down her spine. The translation was 'Woe to the Conquered' and in a way she was conquered. Kain had kidnapped her when she had gone into her evolutionary sleep. No that wasn't true he had saved her from a public execution, one that she wouldn't have even been awake for. She couldn't have fought off the Sarafan in her sleep. Kain didn't need to save her. He could have left her and gone his own way deserting the Cabal but he hadn't.

She heard footsteps down the marble hallway and turned to look. It was Kain approaching her. He exuded an aura of power and dominance. As usual he looked ever the emperor, with his tabard, claws, and soul reaver. He looked her over and seemed satisfied. He didn't move to embrace her or touch her. He dealt with her more formally this time.

"Umah it is time." He announced and walked into the throne room.

The beauty of the throne room took Umah's breath away. It had mahogany beams running across the ceiling and beauteous white marble floors. Stained glass windows showed scenes from Nosgoth's past. Mainly Kain winning battles. There were also depictions of the ancient winged vampires of Nosgoth. Tapestries hung about the room with the crests of Kain and his lieutenants. Then there was Kain's throne built at the base of the balance pillar. Somehow his pillar looked the most magnificent. All the other pillars were in further decay than the scions. A gargoyle peered at her from the doorway but it looked more like a sentry than a killer.

She felt Kain's presence and turned to face her lord. He looked at her with no emotion in his eyes. But the façade quickly fell away and he was once more the Kain that only a select few knew about. The Kain that smiled and chuckled on rare occasions. The Kain that allowed his emotions to show. Her Kain. Her Kain drank her in and gently the top curve of each wing. This time Kain didn't have to lean down to kiss her. This time Umah leaned up to Kain and kissed him gently. Then the door burst open and the lieutenants strode in.

Kain quickly turned to face his sons. The stern expression and annoyance was back. His sons were shocked to see Kain in such a horrible mood. He was normally in a bad mood. But this was a really bad mood. He outright glared at them as he snarled a greeting.

"I was under the assumption that at least one of you could tell time." He snarled.

"We are extremely sorry Sire. It shall never happen again." Melchiah replied with obvious fear in his voice.

"It had better not or I will find suitable punishments for all of you." Kain threatened.

The brethren were shocked at the ferocity of his anger until they noticed her. The amethyst colored vampire with the raven black wings. So that was why Kain was in a bad mood. They must have interrupted a private moment between the two. It could have been worse though. Kain could have punished them then and there but he wasn't even punishing them to start with.

The vampires were curious as to who this beauty was. They had never seen her or heard their lord talk about any females in quite a while. They hadn't been at the Sanctuary when Kain had made his announcement. They had all been traveling from their territories to attend the meeting.

"Are we going to start the council or stand around gawking?" Kain asked them rhetorically.

Chagrined they walked down the center of the room towards Umah and Kain. Kain introduced them as they came.

"The lieutenants are ranked by their birth. The firstborn is the first lieutenant and so on. This warrior is my third born Dumah. He is a strong and proud warrior with ambition." Kain said.

"This is my fourth lieutenant Rahab. A scholar and historian without equal. If you ever seek answers go to him. Turel is the second born a fine warrior as well but very strategic. He likes to plan the battles rather than fight them. My fifth is Zephon a clever and innovative vampire. My sixth is Melchiah who is the weakest but by no means the least lieutenant. He is wise and adored by his people. He is a diplomat of good repute."

Then Umah saw the last lieutenant and felt de ja vu. This was the one she had seen in that strange dream at the end of her evolutionary sleep. She gasped and tensed when she thought of what he would become. He was handsome now but in the future he would bear malice towards her. Was she the one who would damn him to the hell she had seen? Her blood ran cold at the thought.

"I though you would be shocked by Melchiah's features, not Raziel's." Kain said and chuckled. "What is it you fear from Raziel? He is loyal and quite the gentleman."

"Nothing Kain. I just feel like I have met him before." Umah replied still not at ease.

Raziel smiled gently at Umah. He was beautiful, dark gods he was beautiful. But that didn't change a thing between Umah and Kain. Raziel took his seat at Kain's left side. He had respect for Umah's authority.

"This is my queen Umah. She will be treated as I would." Kain stated looking directly at Zephon. "Is that clear."

"Yes my Lord." Replied the lieutenants

They were seated and engaged in business within a moment's time. There were the usual rebellious humans to deal with. The taxes to keep the territories maintained. The bringing of new slaves to feed the expanding population. Nothing suggested that this family would soon be ripped apart. Absolutely nothing suggested that Raziel and Umah's lives would soon be entwined.