An hour later Jaenelle and Marian wearily walked into the living room where Lucivar and Daemonar waited and plonked down onto seats. Jaenelle sighed,

"Well, she's going to be ok, physically at least. We've cleaned her up as best we can, gotten rid of all the dirt. She won't wake up until tomorrow."

Daemonar relaxed, "Aunt Jaenelle, how bad was she?"

Jaenelle's eyes glazed with anger, "If I ever find out who has done this to that poor child…she got hit hard, she's very lucky it didn't kill her, and we have no way of knowing what her mental state is. But she's also got bruises that are days old and," she glanced over at Lucivar, "she's been whipped recently."

The room turned icy as Lucivar filled the room with fury. He sprang to his feet and stalked around the room, swearing under his breath. Daemonar stared; it wasn't often that he saw his father like this, usually only after he found out Daemonar had done something particularly stupid. His mother took hold of Lucivar and pulled him down beside her, "she's not much older than Nivian. To think that someone could do that to a child…"

Tears filled her eyes and Lucivar wrapped his arm around her. Nivian was Daemonar's 8 year old sister who was spending the week at Uncle Aaron's house playing with Arianna. He adored his little sister and the thought of her ever being in the condition he had found the girl filled him with ice. He looked at his father, "What's going to happen to her now Dad? There's no way we can send her back to wherever she came from if that's how she's been treated".

His dad looked at him and nodded, "We'll keep her here until she's recovered. After that will be soon enough to decide what to do" Lucivar stood up and stretched, then turned to Aunt Jaenelle. "Thanks for coming so quick Cat. Do you agree that it's best for her to stay here?"

Jaenelle also stood up and nodded, "For now, that'll be best. When she's better we can decided what the next move should be." She turned towards the door, "I better go tell Daemon what's happened, and I'll go see Papa as well. That way you can concentrate on her".

She kissed Lucivar and Marian goodbye and ruffled Daemonar's hair as he grinned up at her.

"Let me know when she wakes up, although being in a strange place will be scary so she shouldn't have too many visitors at first". His parents nodded and they all watched as Jaenelle left the eyrie. He turned to his mum, "can I go see her? Please?"

He saw his parents look at each other. Lucivar nodded. Marian sighed, "Ok, but only for a little while, she needs rest." She turned towards the kitchen, "I'm going to go cook something". That's my mum Daemonar thought to himself as he ran up the stairs. Whenever she was upset about something, the hearth witch came out and she started cooking or cleaning.

He quietly opened the door and went over to the bed. She looked better now that she'd been cleaned up. The dirt was gone, her hair had been brushed and she was in a blue dress he recognised as his sister's. Looking at her now he agreed with his mother, she can't be any older than Nivian. Now that the dirt was gone he could see the numerous bruises that covered her arms, and I bet there're more that I can't see, he thought as anger filled the room. Noticing a chain around her neck, he pulled it out from under her dress. Birthright green jewel he was surprised, she's going to be strong. His Birthright jewel was sapphire, one level darker than the girl. Taking one last look, he left the room. He couldn't wait until she woke up; she had a nice psychic feel that he liked.

****

Daemon looked up from his book as the dark psychic scent that could only be his wife filled the air. He rose as she entered the study and walked into his arms. Hugging her close, he tried not to wince at the sadness and fury flowing from her. Putting a hand under her chin he made her look at him.

"What happened love? You rushed off and all you told me was that Lucivar needed you and that I was to wait for you to get back. Are you going to tell me now what it was about?"

Jaenelle sighed and stepped back, "Daemonar found a little girl in the forest. She was unconscious and badly hurt. Lucivar called me to heal her." Tears filled her eyes, "It was horrible Daemon, she's bruised and cut and someone's done it to her deliberately. She's no older than 8, I'm sure".

Daemon pulled her back for another hug, resting his lips on her hair, thinking this must bring back memories from her childhood. Anger filled him as he thought of the people that could hurt a child. "So what's happening?" he asked.

Jaenelle sniffed, "she still unconscious at the moment and she's going to stay with Lucivar and Marian for now. I've already told Papa what's happened. Once she's woken up we can decide what to do with her". Her eyes turned sharp, "there's no way in hell I'm sending her back to where she came from. When I find the people that did this to her…"

Daemon interrupted, "I'll help you tear them to pieces, don't worry about that love. But we can't do anything until she's woken up". He took her arm and began leading her to the dining room. "I have it on good authority that Mrs Beale has made that soup you particularly like. We wouldn't want to make her angry by letting it get cold".

Jaenelle smiled up at him. "No, we wouldn't want that. She's a little bit too in love with that cleaver of hers for my peace of mind".

She laughed as Daemon winced, glad that her mood had shifted. Yes, he thought, tomorrow will be time enough to sort everything out.