Sapphire, by lyradaemon

Chapter 10: Draega

A/N: I would apologise, but I don't think any of you would really believe me somehow… Thanks to dancingwithinbrokendreams for reminding me that I had a story to write!

Surreal woke to find sunlight lancing across her pillow. Opening her eyes groggily she stretched then hauled herself out of the warm comfort of her bed. Stumbling to the bathroom she turned on the shower, all the while rubbing her eyes, desperately trying to wake herself up. She hadn't had a proper nights sleep in days. Grumbling about the lack of hot water she quickly scrubbed herself clean, rinsing her hair of the grime it had accumulated the previous day. Having decided that a lukewarm shower was just too much this early she clambered out and wrapped herself in one of the thick fluffy white towels.

After towelling herself dry she called in some miscellaneous clothes; sneaking through Draega would require anonymity. That meant that her usually beautifully tailored clothes would have to be exchanged for something more drab. Although, she thought wryly, she was never going to not stand out, what with her distinctive features and delicately pointed ears. Satisfied as she could be with her reflection, Surreal made her way downstairs, hoping to find something for breakfast.

In the common room she found Daemon clutching a mug of coffee as if it was the last one on earth and casting aggrieved glances at the sunlight filtering in through the open windows. Amaya and Noelle were talking animatedly with Stephan and Orianne in between bites of omelette. Surreal plunked herself down in an empty chair, lazily calling over a rack of toast and a pot of jam, as well as a much needed jug of hot coffee.

She was so engrossed in her breakfast she didn't notice Daemon slide into the chair next to her.

"So," he said conversationally.

Surreal almost dropped the jam in her surprise. "Mother Night Daemon, don't do that!"

"Terribly sorry."

She glared at him. "What do you want?" She snapped irritably.

"Nothing. I was bored."

"Whatever Daemon," she sighed, tucking back into her toast. "Say something meaningful or leave me alone. I'm hungry."

"When are we going?"

"Whenever we're all ready. Sooner rather than later though."

"And what are we going to do when we get there? Wander the streets? Find people to talk to?" His tone was slightly sharp.

Surreal shook her head, swallowing. "No. We go to your place – that's the safest thing. From there? I have no idea."

Daemon's gaze turned icy. "You have no idea? Surreal, I am not going all the way to Draega without an idea. If we don't know what we're doing, we'll end up either dead or with Dorothea. And," he added, eyes glinting dangerously, "I don't want either of them to happen."

"Daemon, I am not taking responsibility-" she began hotly, all thoughts of breakfast forgotten.

"Nor am I! It's bad enough you persuaded me to come along too-"

"I did not persuade you!"

"No, you didn't," he conceded ungraciously, "but this was all your idea in the first place. So either think of something, Surreal, or just forget this whole thing. I'm not taking any risks – no matter who they're for." And with that he stalked away.

Surreal sat there fuming. Why was he always so snippy about everything? And why was it up to her to come up with something? This wasn't her problem; she shouldn't be responsible for anything. This was Noelle's problem; Noelle's and Amaya's. Let them come up with some brilliant idea. She wasn't going to have anything to do with it.

With that thought lodged firmly in her head, she sipped the rest of her now warm coffee.

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An hour later found the four of them at the Landing Web. Daemon had used Craft to change all their appearances; Surreal had her brown curls again, while Daemon wore his blonde hair and glared at the three women from his velvety brown eyes. Noelle had flaming waves while Amaya stuck to flowing blonde locks and fierce green eyes. All in all they looked a very odd bunch.

"Are we going then?" Surreal demanded impatiently.

"I suppose so," Daemon replied absently, eyes searching the street. Suddenly he drew in a sharp breath and nodded down the road. "Look."

Surreal turned, immediately noticing a figure in a dark hooded cloak heading up the street towards them. Quickly she looked to Daemon, sensing fear in his dark eyes. "What do we do?"

"Go."

With that, he grabbed Noelle's arm – who was closest – and dragged her to the Landing. Surreal in turn took Amaya and together they launched themselves into the Winds, followed closely by Daemon and Noelle.

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Some time later they arrived in Draega.

Their disguises had held, but even so Daemon gave the area a cursory check. Nodding brusquely, he indicated the narrow road on their right. "That way."

He stalked off, leaving the others running to catch up to him. "Where are we going?" Amaya demanded.

"My place."

They didn't talk again until Daemon stopped outside a rundown shack of a house in one of the poorer parts of the city: although, as Surreal noted, everywhere looked poor and rundown.

Noelle eyed it doubtfully. "Here? This is 'your place'?"

Daemon raised an amused eyebrow at her. "Don't judge it too quickly." He climbed the few steps to the door. "Come on; we need to get inside before someone notices."

The other three followed him, Noelle and Amaya with a look of apprehension on their faces, Surreal with a knowing smile.

Once inside, they gasped.

A vast hall, with oak flooring and a grand staircase and numerous rooms branching off. A beautiful crystal chandelier hung majestically from the ceiling, which was decorated richly.

"What?" Amaya said faintly, eyes widening at the sight.

Daemon chuckled softly. "I'll show you around."

They trailed after him, gazing in awe at room after room filled with expensive furniture and thick rugs; the kitchen was huge, granite countertops glistening under the light of numerous candles set in sconces. The dining and sitting rooms were awash with bright sunlight; upstairs, the bedrooms were well-equipped, each with a canopied bed and en-suite bathroom and balcony.

It was beautiful.

"I'm not going to ask," Noelle said, shaking her head balefully. "How you managed this…"

"Craft," Daemon said, shrugging his shoulders elegantly. "A grand exterior would attract people; a rundown one keeps them well away."

Amaya eyed it all appreciatively. "Well, you certainly don't lack for anything here Daemon."

He laughed at that. "Not really." He had reverted to his usual self; for once, his golden eyes held warmth and his body was relaxed. "Do you want something to drink?" Amaya and Noelle nodded. "Go down to the sitting room – I'll be there in a minute." Eyeing him speculatively, they went.

He turned to Surreal.

"Surreal…I'm sorry for what I said earlier."

Surreal almost choked. "What? The great Daemon Sadi, apologizing?" She reached out and felt his forehead. "Are you sure you're not ill?"

He caught her wrist, eyes serious. "No. I," he took a deep breath, "I should have been more…understanding."

"You should."

His tone sharpened. "This isn't easy Surreal."

"Nor is trying to take full responsibility of this, this mess we've managed to get ourselves into," she retorted.

"Are you trying to shift the blame onto me now?"

"I'm not trying to do anything!" She shouted. "I don't want to be here any more than you do: but I agreed to help Noelle because that's the right thing to do." She paused, regarding him with a cruel smile. "But I suppose you wouldn't know about that, would you Daemon?"

Daemon flinched. For a long moment he just stared at her. When he finally spoke, ice dripped from his voice and his yellow eyes were devoid of any warmth; Surreal shivered. "Perhaps you should leave, Lady," he suggested calmly; too calmly. "You and your friends. Find someone who actually gives a damn about you. Tomorrow," he purred, sauntering past her to the door. She didn't turn around. "Tomorrow, Lady, you're on your own."

The door closed with a resounding thud and the chill in the air dissipated.

But the cold which gripped Surreal's heart did not.

Mother Night, what have I done?

A/N: Ooh, Surreal, what have you done? You'll have to wait to find out I'm afraid: although I think Erkith might have worked it out…! Lyradaemon x