Chapter twenty four: The angel Eve.

(Shanes pov)

As Shane enters the housing there is a roaring fire just at the back of the room.

"Shane.. Hunter.. Dixon.."Eve says almost gliding towards Shane with a grace no female could top.

"You are Deaunali.. Eve?"

"I am indeed. It seems you have encountered my species.."

"Yes they were cave dwellers."

"Gah! Grounded heathens.." She says with disgust in her tone. "Those were not true Deaunali.. They were tainted.. Did you slay them?"

"We did indeed Eve.. What do you mean they were.. Tainted? They were lost?"

She slowly blinks "Correct. You did well to snuff out their existence.. They are worthy of neither pity or remorse."

"They.. Hijacked my mind.."

She walks up to Shane.

"Close your eyes Shane.. I want you to relax.. Sit here with me.. Nina tells me.. You were.. Ascended.. Yes?"

"I was once.. Sol was my ability.."

"Let me taste of it.."

"I cannot.. I lost it when i died.."

She laughs out loud and Shane frowns.

"Oh how little you understand Shane, Ra'zele!"

Shane turns around to see him close the door and stand in front of it.

"You have Ghardehs blood within you, it has contained the power.. Not the artefact you touched. Nina is the same, she does not need the furere any longer to use her gift.. She controls it. You are very much the same.. You did die.. I sense that.. But you can no longer revive.. Take care.."

Shane shakes his head.

"How can i access it then? Is there a hidden switch in my head i haven't flicked on when i woke?"

"Ze'rei Sain'ja.. Is the answer Shane. What's the last thing you remember before you died? Close your eyes.."

She reaches out a hand.. And with two slender fingers she presses against his forehead.. Shane remembers those last heart wrenching moments as he lay unable to move. Eve sees what Shane sees.. Ghardeh crouched over him with the others around him. As he says his last words his view blurs then darkens… Blackness. A light intrudes.. Memories.. Events that define him.. A collage of memories.. A set of fiery wings.. A white tunnel.. Shane sees.. Something in the distance.. Darkness behind him.. He is running as light in front guides him towards his body in the capsule.. Shane shoots back with a breath but is pinned down by Eve.. Ra'zele holds a kunai to his chest. He raises his arm when Shane.. Holds out his arm. Ra'zele brings down the kunai but a strong grip grabs the blade.. Ra'zele slowly drives it down when Shanes eyes glow a medium green.

"There he is.. Shane.. Tap into the power.." Eve says with her eyes closed but sensing Shane has changed. Ra'zele removes the blade. And Eve steps back as there is a golden flash and crackled boom as Shanes arms sprout fiery wings.. He stands up and Shane reverts to normal.. And his eyes widen.. "Eve.. How in the.. World..? How is this possible?"

"Once you accept the gifts of the gods.. They stay with you for life.. When you died.. Your brain reverted back to "Human Shane" not "Ascendant Shane" thus giving the illusion the power left you. It was buried deep in your sub consciousness.. Waiting.. I sensed it the moment i saw you Shane. You Nina and i are a dying breed.. Powerful beings."

"Is there a way to revert me back to.. Normal yautja Shane?"

Her eyes narrow at the strange request.

"There is a way but why would you wish to.. Hinder yourself. It isn't like an outfit you can take off and put on as you please.."

"What would it entail?"

"It would entail Blood sweat and tears.. From your very being. That is a joke. It is quite simple.."

"I'll think about it.. Thank you for bringing it back.. But one question eve.. Ghardehs blood.. Will it remain in me forever?"

She nods with an elegant posture as she walks past.

"It will indeed and it has done much to improve your traits. All you have to do is tap into that.. Nature.. Now as much as your company was short.. I have a feeling we are not done yet.. Go about your business Shane.. And take care with that power.. It is now active don't forget.."

"Right.. Thank you Eve.. Ra'zele…" Shane nods to him. He clicks and walks up to Eve and Shane takes his leave..

Shane walks up to the others when he brings up a flaming hand, with a smile he clenches his fist causing the fire to dissipate.

(Ghardehs pov)

Uzkielle and i were talking he gives Shane a glance and laughs,

"This one is here. Esk'et mo wei-ghe'h re'seg't."

I hit Uz in the abdomen. And he grunts.

"Sister.. You wound me." he says with a rumbled laugh.

"What did he come out with this time?"

Uz laughs out raising his head.

"I asked.. What were you doing?"

"Liar. " i say with an almost dry growl.

He huffs "Very well i said.. If it's not the female breaker.. More or less.."

"The hell is that supposed to mean Uz? It's the other way round.. She breaks me.." He grunts.. "Nevermind zabin.." He rubs Shanes shoulder with a goading expression then literally walks up to Osh and.. Headbutts him..

"Ki'cte Uzkielle.." Osh says in a calm manner.

Shane looks at Uz.. "What is he up to?" Shane asks.

I look at Shane and sense something.. Different about him..

"May i ask what Eve wanted with you?"

Shane looks at me and he smiles..

He holds my hand and I feel.. A warmth envelope my hand. I look down to see our hands on fire.

"She brought it back Ghardeh.. It was there all along.. In the recesses of my mind.. It just needed waking up." He makes it disperse and i hold him close.

(Eve's pov)

Eve watches Shanes and Ghardehs interaction, Ra'zele walks beside her then folds his arms watching the pair. .

"It's almost as if.. They truly were meant to be Ra'zele.. Ghardeh is not like Osh'ikeille and Uzkielle. She has hunted around humans for much of her life yet now she is bound by one. It is funny.. How such a simple creature brings much.. Solace to her existence. Her life.. That revolves around the hunt. He nods silently. And answers. "She has also changed Eve, she is not the same huntress that left wuis't'kei."

"Test her.. Make sure she is not hindered.. She maybe the legendary Ghardeh.. But even legends.. And ancients let their skills.. Slide."

"Sei-i ell g-te."

"Of course you will.. You chose to take her in your care Ra'zele.. It seems you did a better job than you thought."

He lets out a contented huff..

(Ghardeh pov)

As the blue sun sets there is a stunning sun set causing a deep blue sky and final shine before it creeps behind the horizon. We have all eaten and drank when we all finally retreat to our homes. Shane has ran a bath and i laugh at how small he is inside it.. He barely keeps his head up when laying. It is also built into the floor. And more like a spring style pool than a bath.. But Shane has taken to calling it a 'bath' just like the foodstock is the 'kitchen', i step in with him and he shifts his legs up. He smiles as he causes the water to bubble with his hand as he causes fire to heat up the water.. To him it's scolding but.. To me.. It was fine.

"Why is it when males make a bath it's fine but when females make one we get out with 6 degree burns?"

I move beside Shane and he rubs my right leg and stares up at the high ceiling.

"Darl.. I can't decide if i want this.. Ascendant ability back.. I mean.. I've learned to fight without it before.. Look at the pyramid.. That wasn't Ze'rei Sain'ja that was Yours Uz and Osh's training that got me through it.. And a bit of my bad temper.. It's great of Eve to help me reconnect with it but i don't feel i need it.." He uses a green cloth and rubs my forehead with it.. But stops, he remembers when i was shot and i feel his angry heat envelope him as he clearly remembers what happened that day... "Still can't believe they.. Shot you in the head four fucking.. Times.." Shane does something unexpected and I let out a slight exhale as he.. Nicked me But drew blood.. He flops and i grab him.. "Shane?!"

(Shanes pov)

As Shane nicks Ghardeh he is snapped back to his chosen memory.. His view is red everyone around her giving off a yellow glow, but sees Ghardehs large arm aiming her pistol to a slight angle at ivan as he bundles Shane into the suv..

"I said i'd let you go Ghardeh but my men.."

Shane feels a shot rip through his body and a sting of hundreds of rounds hit him.. Then darkness.. He experiences the four head shots. And the extra several bursts of the weapon.. His mind begins to snap back.. "No.. Not yet.." But it's no use..

(Ghardehs pov)

"Shane.." i say holding his head above the water he jolts up. With a growl i thump his chest.

"Do that again and i will break your little arms! I didn't want you seeing that!"

I calm down as he is affected by what he felt and experienced.. All of my wounds have healed and not visible.

"I'm so sorry it was all my fault Ghardeh.."

"No it wasn't.."

"If we didn't return to earth we'd be fine.."

"We had no way of knowing that would happen.. Now let's forget about it krit.."

Shane tenses up but retracts his posture.. 'alright.. Fine you win.."

He splashes my front in a playful manner. And we carry on with our bathing when things get.. Interesting. He is running his fingers over my bony thorns along the outline of my forehead

"You are so horny Ghardeh.. Do you have sensation there?"

"Yes.. But here not so much.. I say rubbing the middle of my forehead. Shane headbutts me.. There is a thud. And i frown. Shane holds his head.. "Well I felt that." Shane says. I grab him by the throat and freign threat by putting my thumb to his wind pipe.. I growl and force him under water. He slams down on my legs and i raise him up..

He coughs "I choked on water you Lou-dte Kalei!"

I look Shane in the eyes..

"What did you just call me? You d'toudi pauk'n c'jit.."

I do grip him this time..

"Ell-osde Lou-dte Kalei!" I release my grip on his throat and with an irritated prolonged growl i grab his manhood.. "No-no-no! I was joking my sweet sexy yautja! Don't grab there… In that manner." I begin to squeeze and he squirms. "Ghardeh NO you asked me to say it again so i did! That's the rule!" I hiss "It was figurative you krit! Maybe I'll turn you into a khos'vis little worm? We don't reproduce anyway so what's the difference?"

"I need it to pee.."

My growl suddenly cuts off as his response was just typically comical of Shane. No matter how he angers me.. There's just one line that.. Hits me unexpectedly. I keep my grip firm.. Just to get the point across one more remark he will.. Choke on it.. Literally.. "Do you want to let go or are we holding this loving embrace all night my A'ket'anu Kch-tanu." I let out a growly laugh as i slowly pull away but it seems i lingered too long and Shane swims towards me.. "Think you can take on Shardeh?" I let out a laugh it was a full yautja laugh he smiles. "Come on! It's.. Been a while.." Shane says with a very devious smile.. We both relax "Call me that remark again Shane i will throw you out.. Naked. Or I'll heat up your wrist Blades and cook some.. What was that sustenance called Saggage?" Shane bursts out in a full belly laugh as he lays on top of me and wheezes. He laughs harder and curls upward and wipes his tears as he tries to collect himself..

"it was SAUSAGE. ahaa… AHAHAHAHAHAAAA!"

We finish up in the bath and enter the Bedroom and Shane flops down on the berth.. I flow on top of him and prop myself over him. My dreads curtain over his shoulders. "Are you staring me down yautja? You want some trouble? Shane headbutts me again with a thud but my posture stays the same. As if it was cushion of air that hit me.

"Try that again.."

As he leans up my right arm pins him down and i hold him there.. He squirms with a laugh but my grip doesn't budge and i add a little more incentive for him to stay still.. I dig my talons lightly into his chest.. He stops.. "Are you experimenting Ghardeh?" I say nothing.

"Make your move yautja.." I do so and in a quick movement i let go and lean my head in to his. I lay beside him and he rotates towards me.. He runs a hand over my mandibles then down towards my hips he traces my arm markings to my shoulders. Then my chest. We both take our time with each other but during our intercourse something.. Happens.. The Yautja traits have come back with a vengeance..

"Shane..we need to.. Stop…"

He does so but it's too late. I begin to feel a burning throughout my body.. I grab Shane by the arms and dig my talons into him.. "Ghardeh.. Calm.." Shane says... "Ell se ikthya.." I am calm.. Yet i am not.. I pick Shane up as the euphoria hits me but i forget of Shanes new strength and he slams my arm down and shoves me onto the berth.. With a growl i stand with fisted hands and bring in a gloom kick sending him flying across the floor..

"Ki-cte Ghardeh!"

His words fall on blood rushed hearing as my hormonal activity spikes at his aggression. He stands his ground. His eyes fixed on mine he has managed to clothe up..

"Ghardeh.. Your eyes.. You need to surface.."

Too late again..

I walk up to him he takes a step forward and throws out an arm i grab it and twist it round behind him bringing him close into me.

"I told you.. To stop.."

"I did you krit.."

I manage to claw back control and embrace him with a dwindling tingling sensation.

"If only yautja Shane surfaced.."

I look at him with a frown.

"If yautja Shane surfaced it would have gotten very out of hand Shane.. There's a reason i hold back and not just for your sake."

"Oh i know why.. You just don't want to snap my spine with one hand.."

"Precisely.."

"I was joking.." I nod at him.. "I wasn't.. You forget our difference Shane.. You may have a 'Yautja side' but it doesn't make you any more indestructible.. Just more attentive and quicker thinking.. Stronger but it has no effect on muscle mass or bone integrity. If i wanted to i could quite easily just squash you by.. Standing on you.."

"So why'd that happen again?"

"We haven't mated in a while.. It was bound to make a return.. But everytime i suppress it sooner or later it will explode. When that happens Shane.. We need to stop.. I know you did earlier. But when i become.. Engaged.. Do NOT show any aggression it makes the situation worse.." Shane looks at his arm to see the light scratches on his arm.

"That was an accident.."

He walks back up to me and jumps up wrapping his legs around my waist. I sit on the berth and we undress to sleep. Shane curls into my stomach and smiles. "Don't you ever.. Get fat? Hell it's none existent still on you.."

"What even is that word Shane?"

He takes my dreads and runs his fingers round them.

"It's.. A build up of.. Cholesterol. It's one of the three.. Macronutrients.. One being protein and the other carbohydrates.."

"You don't have any fat either Shane."

"Yeah not with living with five yautja and two humans. Hard work sparring and hunting game.. And.. Sex..you are hard work.."

I let out a trill.. "I'm hard work? In what way?"

Shane lets out a hissed laugh.

"I don't mean it in a bad way. Just.. I mean we are always doing something. Never a dull moment." With that said he kisses my forehead and closes his eyes. "Guan Ghardeh." I rub my jaw on his head. "Guan Shane."

Author note: Shane gets his mojo back! Though it seems he is now reluctant to use it, and jesums Shane! Stop riling the beast! You have no idea how easily she could just tie you in a knot and have you walking on your fingers! Topped with being naughty with each other.. We are almost at the end now readers.. Stay amazeballs!

Yautja words:

Ze'rei Sain'ja- Fire Warrior.

Es'k- If. (Non-cannon my own word for 'if'.)

Et- it. (Non-cannon my own word for 'it'.)

Mo- Not.

Wei'gheh- Female.

Re'seg't- Breaker. (Non-cannon my own word for 'breaker'.)

Ki'cte- Enough.

Sei-i- Yes.

Ell- I.

G-te- Shall/Will. (Non-cannon my own word for 'shall' and 'will'.)

Lou-dte Kalei- Child maker (Female insult, highly inadvised..)

D'toudi- Little.

Pauk'n- F^cking.

C'jit- Sh^t.

Ell-osde- You.