A/N: Oy vey, once again I've outdone myself this time. I listened to Within Temptation's "All I Need" for over three hours and this chapter came into fruition. YAY! My cosplay costume was a success and Naomi and I have now set up our joint YouTube channel for our Vocaloid cosplay: CosmeMiKa. (Here's a link, remove the spaces: ). I got to see Star Trek: Into Darkness with Grandmama Evie, Anilee and Jedi Skysinger and with Darth Tyronnius Shoelaces again for Father's Day. Here's a hint for those who haven't seen the movie yet: "KHAAAAAAN!" You'll understand once you see it. ^^ Anyway, I got a new line of clothes for my wardrobe which Anilee got me as a gift from Macy's in New York, and I must say they are FANTASTIC. A Wonderful Warning people: there's going to be some serious FLUFF in the air! Anyway here it is ya'll, the second to last chapter of TBR I!

Chapter XIII: Secret Kept and Silence Sealed
The human heart has hidden treasures,
In secret kept and silence sealed;
The thoughts, the hopes, the dreams, the pleasures,
Whose charms were broken if revealed
- Charlotte Brontë, "Evening Solace"

How long would this sorrowful soul be content to watch his love from the darkness in which he felt the need to lurk? When would he realize that their feelings were mutual and when would the penance for his sins be enough to cease denying himself his one chance for happiness and enter into her company?

Abel Nightroad had been staring at her since he'd made his resolve in the garden a few hours ago. From that time when he first entered the frozen waste that symbolically reflected the state of his soul to the time that he spent on the balcony when he had first seen her when he had first came back to this country as the sun had begun to set, he had wanted to speak with her privately, but he could not find the words to do so. As a result of his hesitation, he had been watching her from the moment she entered into her room, apparently just after he had missed dinner.

He had seen her trembling, and could only guess the result being her fear of the apparent "ghost" of the Puppet Master. He had wanted to envelop her into his arms and comfort her and whisper into her ear promises that fiend would never hurt her as long as he was there. But he could not bring himself to enter into her presence in the ruined state he was in.

However, what had hurt him more was seeing her lapis lazuli eyes loose cloud over with worry, regret and sorrow, was seeing what Abel could almost swear had been a slight trace of tears upon her eyelashes being held back by her sheer will. He had seen that look upon her face in those rare blue moon moments when he had secretly observed her during her time in the AX as well. To see her in that state now, he had wanted to kiss those tears away and sweep her up into embrace and whisper against her lips that she need not worry or regret any more now that he had returned to her world. Unfortunately for him, his voice of reason had held him at bay, proverbially yelling at him that to do so would be unwise and that she would not want to see him since he was responsible for the death of one of her household.

Lost as he was in his mental musings, he didn't associate her digging into the drawer of her nightstand with a potential threat until that action called back his attention back to reality when he realized that beyond the glass, the barrel of a high-class revolver was aimed right at him.

"Come out and show me your hands, whoever you are!" she demanded as she reached for the communications device that would summon the palace guards.

"No, wait, Miss Esther! Don't shoot!" he pleaded as he emerged from the balcony through the double doors, only to trip over the heavy velvet curtains alongside and landed comically on his back, spread-eagled on the carpeted floors.

"ABEL? WHAT THE HELL?!"

"Eheheheh," Abel said with a sheepish grin from his position on the floor. "Sorry for dropping in like this."

Esther sighed exasperatedly and put her gun away. She recalled this sort of behavior of his from their time in the AX when he used to do something stupid just to catch her attention. However, she also knew that this time he was attempting to hide himself from her... again. She needed to put a stop to that. Now.

After a few tiring minutes, the former nun finally managed to untangle Father Nightroad from the curtains and dust him off... and then pulled all the stength she could muster into punching him right in the arm.

"OW! I know you have a mean right hook, but do you have to practice it on me?" Abel whined while rubbing his left arm.

"Abel Nightroad," the Albian Queen began, the use of his full name catching his attention. "When will you stop hiding yourself from me? I've already told you once, what I hate more than anything is seeing you ashamed and afraid. You have no need to do that, not while you're here."

"Esther..." he began. "If you had any ideas of who I had been, or more specifically what I had been, you would understand my disposition."

"Then help me understand. You promised me to stand by my side and you promised not to leave me again. So... don't leave me in the dark about yourself... not anymore. We're together now and you know everything about me... but I still don't know anything about you. So... please Abel, give me a chance to understand you and be beside you like you are now beside me."

Abel's eyes widened from behind his spectacles. In that moment, he felt himself divided between telling her all the evils he had done and his regrets, thus risking her finally turning away from him. Or... keeping all the darkness of his soul confined within himself and risk her wrath over "hiding himself" from her. However, he recalled the numerous failures he had endured in that last option. When he tried to keep the knowledge of the Crusnik from her, she was not only nearly killed before his eyes, she was so frightened from the sight that she had fainted, and... That time when he had left her for two long agonizing years because he couldn't bring himself to face her after what he had been forced to become. It was then he decided that the last option was only going to further drive them apart. If he was going to protect her from him and be beside her like he had promised, the second option was no longer a choice.

Abel then smiled wistfully and spoke so softly Esther had a hard time catching his words.

"I wish you to know that you have been the last dream of my soul…. Since I knew you, I have been troubled by a remorse that I thought would never reproach me again, and have heard whispers from old voices impelling me upward, that I thought were silent forever. I have had unformed ideas of striving afresh, beginning anew, shaking off sloth and sensuality, and fighting out the abandoned fight.(1)"

"What?"

"It's a quote from a Pre-Armageddon classic. I just finally understand the meaning behind those words."

"I don't-" Abel placed his ripped-fingered gloved hand over her lips, those lovely rose-shaded petals.

"I will no longer hide my secrets from you, Esther. I fell like, now, more than ever, is the time for me to tell you the truth, like I had promised you. All you have to do is ask and I shall tell you everything.(2)"

Esther couldn't bring herself to believe what he was saying. He was actually laying bare his soul for her; something that he had never done for her back in her AX days. She had expected him to attempt to conceal himself from her. This had given her heart something far more than she could ever hope for. He was entrusting his heart and his past to her now...

It didn't feel fair for him just to expose himself like that. She also had to give him something equal in exchange for this. Esther wrapped her hand around his wrist and moved his hand to caress her cheek, as a reassurance for what she wanted to do for him.

"Very well, since you agreed not to keep secrets from me, it's only fair that I don't keep secrets from you."

Ion Fortuna, in normal circumstances when burdened with glorious purpose, would have gone about his intentions with speed and efficiency. However, in order to be efficient in this case, he had to undertake said purpose slowly and gather his thoughts. As such, instead of dashing through the palace to find the priest and the Queen, he had decided to walk at a Terran's pace through the gilded walls of Buckingham and think through his plan of offering a genuine apology.

In the midst of his mental musings, he nearly collided with the Earl of Manchester. Fortunately, their superior abilities had prevented each other from running into one another, which in turn saved Lord Walsh from losing the documents he held in his clutch and losing his place and also kept the Count of Memphis from losing his sense of decorum.

"My many apologies to you, Lord Walsh," Ion spoke in fluent Albionese, whilst giving a slight salute to the noble.

"Likewise, Domnul Ion," Virgil returned in the Imperial language, giving the Imperial envoy a bow.

"If you don't mind me asking, my lord, are you seeking Es-, I mean, Her Majesty the Queen?"

"Yes, there are issues that must be settled with the Council. Lady Caterina has also made contact with us concerning the intel we have gathered on the Order and Her Imperial Majesty the Empress Augusta is insistent that she meet with both Her Majesty and Father Nightroad."

"Her Imperial Majesty? Lady Caterina? Are they well?"

"From the looks of things, that appears to be the case. However, other concerns besides the Order have arisen as well. I'm afraid with the Inquisition landing in Normandy; our insecure alliance with the Francian Republic will be further degraded. President de Guise has been insistent that the blame fall upon Albian and Vatican shoulders, since it was the failed assassination of Her Majesty that brought the Inquisition down upon their necks and Franc's relationship with the Vatican has already been strained enough. This could be the last straw for them as a nation."

"Isn't that blame misplaced?" Ion queried. "We all know who attempted to put an end to Es-, I mean, Her Majesty, shouldn't the blame fall on the Rosenkreuz?"

"We know who was behind the scenes; however, there are those within both Franc and the Vatican and countless other nations that insist that the Order doesn't exist and the Order is content to let them continue that false belief. Unfortunately, President de Guise has endured far more grief from the Church, so much so that she blames them for every atrocity that occurs within her borders. Naturally, the Church is well aware of such tensions; however, they do not give one whit about whose feathers they ruffle. I fear that as long as certain individuals continue to influence His Holiness, war will be inevitable."

The Methuselah considered the President's emotional reasoning for turning to an enemy to end the nations' sufferings. It was no different than what Radu had done and his reasoning for why he had chosen that path. However, Ion knew what that path led down to: death and betrayal at their hands. However, Virgil was also right about that certain individual, that militaristic bastard Cardinal di Medici. For as long as he existed, the political tension between the Vatican, the countries under their Alliance and especially the Empire would no doubt further increase.

It was after at least two minutes of Ion pondering the political situation of Albion along with the other nations of the Outer World and his own previous reflections comparing the President and his late Tovaras that Virgil had finally asked Ion's intentions.

"I wish to speak with Her Majesty and Father Nightroad and in contrition for my actions that led to Dame Edith's death."

"Very well then. I shall have you accompany me. It appears you are in the need of moral support, something I am willing to give."

"Thank you, Lord Walsh."

Together the Methuselah noblemen headed for the Albian Queen's chambers.

"I might as well begin, since I started this," Abel suggested, as he ran his fingers though her scarlet strands of hair and took pleasure in Esther rubbing her cheek against his palm.

"Very well."

Abel took a deep breath and began emptying himself of the darkness that had been haunting him since he first arrived to Albion, "I cannot deny the... guilt that I feel towards our situation. Even though we've now been reunited after two years, I cannot deny that my return has brought more danger to you than before."

"Father..."

"However... I... My heart cannot deny the knowledge that I am the only one who can protect you from this danger as well. If I had known he was going to come after you... if I had known that his first intention was to target you... I would have..." He took a quick, harsh intake of breath and temporarily clenched his jaw before resuming, "If anything these two years' worth of agony have taught me, it is that I cannot protect you from him by staying away from you. And... I don't think I can stay away from you... not anymore."

Esther felt a sudden surge of joy once more, so much so that her heart was about to burst. However, she had to keep her swelling emotions held under the firmest control, knowing that now was not the time for such frivolity. "Abel..."

"Unfortunately... in exchange for protecting you... his wrath has befallen innocents. Lewis Stone... Horace Ethridge... Edith and almost a quarter of your guards..."

Esther knew what was coming next. If she had let him continue, no doubt he'd try to blame himself for their deaths... deaths that were on her hands. It was because they made the choice to get themselves involved for her sake... well, not all of them... but they were killed because of their association with her. And she didn't want her love to share the guilt that rightfully belonged on her shoulders.

"Abel... if anything I'm the one responsible for their deaths. I already have a list of individuals that have died for me and not just Lewis and Horace... if anyone's then Gyula's blood makes the most prominent stain upon my hands. Even though we both considered each other enemies... he still protected me and... Died because of it."

"Esther... it wasn't..."

"Please, let me continue, I have oftentimes wondered whether the battle could have ended differently for the both of us. However, even though this weight still burdens my soul... I know now that this weight rightfully belongs on the one that wants to see us destroy each other... The one that orchestrated the attempts to end my life... Contra Mundi."

Esther noticed that Abel had stiffened slightly at the repugnant title, but decided to continue as a means to place the blame on who was really responsible for all those deaths, both in the past and in the present.

"I know he is your brother, but he must be put to an end before more meet their deaths at my expense."

"Esther... my brother died long before you were ever born. Back then, I had felt... he was the only one who truly understood me and he was the only companion I had that I knew shared my pain and sorrows. But that man who was my brother died when he…" He had to keep the rage under control that began to swell within him as he saw him once more in his mind's eye, as he showed him the decapitated head of his lost love. But whether by some divine intervention or the fact he didn't want to let Esther see him break, he kept himself together. However, he had turned his visage away from her. Even this small tidbit of his past could have turned someone from him and he didn't want it to be her. "When he had... done the unforgivable... It was then I learned that my brother was no more and in his place was the Crusnik."

He then turned his gaze to his love and placed his hands on her shoulders, "Esther... I still remember your face, as you looked upon me when I was revived." Her eyes widened. "I still remember my last battle with him but... afterwards I can't remember anything. I don't know the number of lives I had ended before I finally regained consciousness, but I do remember that when I had awakened from that state I felt... like... I had drunk the blood of countless Methuselah." He heard Esther's sharp intake of breath before continuing, his face cast down in shame. "Even though there was no evidence I had done such an act... it only furthers my belief that one day... I will become just like him. I fear one day they will envelop my mind and I will no longer be the man you love, but a cold, heartless... monster..."

Esther took her time to take in his words. She had wanted to address his previous confession, that he had seen her before that last battle, which wedged two years between them. She believed that she was the reason he had taken on that vile form and that action had caused Abel distance himself for the shame of what he had become. However, despite her need to confess this grievous sin, she needed to address his needs first. And right now he needed to be free from the fear of what he could become and be grounded in who he really was, the man she loved.

"Abel... you are not a monster. You will never become like that. I've seen how different the two of you are and from what little I've seen of... him... I can assure you that you two are nothing alike. I saw that distant look in his eyes, but in your eyes... I see that you are still you."

"Esther... You don't know what I have done. On the night I had returned to Albion... I battled the Tudor Knights' warlock, Seeley Creedy. I was forced to use... them and when I fought him... the Crusnik... they... Even though I was only in use of the Crusnik at 40% capacity... I was possessed by the mentality of Crusnik on that night... when you first saw me... in Carthage."

That memory of fire, lightning, ruin and a black-winged devilish figure, standing before it all intoxicated by the destruction, was burned into the confines of her mind, as if the moment had just come to pass before her eyes. When the dark figure looked upon her, all she could do was stare in terror and cry out the first word that had come upon her lips... a word that had her recite repentance after repentance after that moment of flame and shadow. She tried to keep the aftershock of seeing that horrid sight once more behind a mask of ease, but she knew he could see the cracks within it.

She could then feel his grip tighten upon her shoulder, as a means not to hurt her but to anchor his sanity, so he could make his dark request. "Esther... there is something I want you to do for me, in the event that they should attempt to take control of me. You have my full permission to take that gun..." he gestured over to where the weapon lay, "...And shoot me. And if that isn't enough, if I... haven't returned to my senses... you have to kill me."

Esther's eyes widened at his bequest. How could he ask her to do such a thing to him? In her mind, such a request was the blackest of blasphemies. Her mind began to reel at the thought and began to wonder how she could bring herself to kill the man she loved. It was then a mental image came to her mind's eye, him with his burning lurid eyes begging her to end his life as his shackles of control began to shatter under his grip and her gun aimed for his heart. It was then she realized that imagining him dying at her hand had been even worse than that day when the Contra Mundi had taken his life... while she watched... helplessly.

She felt as those thoughts began to pool in her head, leaving her as a frozen state of being. Then the thought came that this was to be the punishment for her sins. In exchange for aiding the Contra Mundi to end the life of the one she loved... then she had to be the one to end his life in the event the Crusnik should take him.

After resigning herself to this fate... she then gave her answer; "Only in the event that you are no longer you." Tears were stinging her eyes as she agreed, but she refused to let them fall. "I guess, it is only fitting... that I should."

Abel snapped himself from his selfish reverie at her words, "What do you mean by that?"

"I... wasn't there for you when you needed me the most. I guess to make up for that sin... I will do as you ask."

"Why would you think that? That's not what I meant at all," he replied, shocked by her words.

"You mentioned Carthage earlier... and... on that night... I had previously denied you and then I had called you a..." She choked one the last word and then continued, her eyes cast down in regret and shame. "If I was your true companion... I would never have done those things to you."

"Esther..." His surprisingly calm voice, filled with sympathy, had shocked her and, when he moved his hand from her shoulder and slightly brushed her cheek, she had to look upon him. She stared in amazement, not at the wistful expression his lips had formed, but his winter-lake eyes, which were filled with compassion for her. "You have no need to bear this guilt. What you had done for me afterwards... in the Tomb of the Saint had made up for all of that and more. Don't you remember later that night...? " He had freed his previously occupied hand and took her own hand into his and placed it on his heart.

It was then a new memory- a memory that she had kept locked within her heart because it was too painful to return to her consciousness when he was gone- had returned. The reminiscence had once more filled her with joy. It was a memory she had kept to herself when she was still in the AX and she would often trace her right palm on restless nights to help her relive the moment during that time.

She had saved him from an Auto-Jaeger that had been feasting on his flesh and blood and saved him before death could lay claim to him. She had asked him if he was alright before her relieved expression hardened into a glare and commanded him to stand up.

She noticed the blood seeping from his neck and had inquired if he was bitten and began to clean the blood away. She had inquired whether or not he had completed the mission, but he had appeared to have been lost in thought. In that moment, she noticed that his eyes were unobstructed by those silly glasses and that he had... almost looked beautiful, even with his hair tied back... before Esther had had enough and literally snapped at him to come back to reality.

He had apologized frantically for the fact that he didn't fully complete his mission as she retorted that he didn't need to apologize all the time. But then his eyes clouded over in shame and self-disgust at what he was... it was then Esther remembered exactly why she had followed him there in the first place.

She had averted his eyes from his glum expression and said, "Oh, that. Yeah. There's something I wanted to tell you... I... Father... I... I really have to tell you, Father..."

"Eh? What?" He had asked, and she silently noted that he was gaping at her, despite the situation they were both in.

"To tell you the truth I... I think that pathetic 'sorry' people like you aren't scary in the LEAST!" she had sharply confessed.

She turned to face him and he had looked bewildered like he wasn't expecting her words.

She then said in a tone like she was declaring war, "That's right!" she then poked him in the chest as she spoke, "I am... Totally! Not at all! Not even a little bit! Afraid of you!"

She then saw he was appraising her and expression was uncertain... like he couldn't bring himself to decide whether to laugh or cry. Then his lips turned upwards in a wistful smile... "Um... Miss Esther..."

"Yes?" she asked, somewhat taking in by his beautiful expression.

He then bowed his head, "Thank you. Truly," he had almost murmured.

It was then she had called themselves back into the dangerous world they were currently unaware of and ordered themselves to finish their mission. The Auto-Jaegers had re-mobilized and were swarming in on them. He then commanded her place her hand over a light and to complete a halt code to stop a technological computerized sandstorm from destroying the city while he dealt with the zombie vampires. She then reassured themselves they were going to make it, as she heard and felt the electricity in the air, knowing what he was becoming... Hope and despair struggling before their very eyes, as he declared, "I will not allow you to interrupt her... your opponent...is me."

She then heard him as he fought against them while she had intently placed in the deactivation code and heard him with his metallic, distorted voice. "

Though dead... you are not allowed to rest. For this I pity you. However... I cannot spare you." She then heard the sound of a scythe tearing countless numbers of flesh and blood seeping from numerous opponents. Letting out a war cry before she heard him quietly pray: "Deus considere me cabra in nomine... Dono mihi permisum satisfacti... This eternally cursed power! This disgusting existence! May this wretched body help me protect that which is important to me now! This only power that makes atonement for my sins possible! Pulveribus pulverem pulveribus fieri... cineribus cineram fieri... terrae terram fieri... AMEN! (3)"

She then brought to his attention that she had completed the code and that they only had a minute before the storm hit the city. With his scythe in his hands, the priest then ran over to the console. He looked over her shoulder and saw the code was nearly completed; only he needed to finish the remainder of the Ibilis' deactivation.

In was in that moment, when he had nearly completed the cipher, the Terran girl took in the Crusnik's dark, yet striking form.

"Oh." Esther noticed he was trembling slightly. Almost like she was reading his mind, knowing he was thinking himself a monster before her, she then realized he was also a clumsy, awkward, yet wonderful priest. With great courage and great resolve, she then placed her soft hand over his taloned, bloody one, which had frozen as it hovered over the "enter" key.

"Father... I told you, didn't I? I'm not afraid of you... at all."

Esther then pressed Abel's hand down. Together they pressed the key. An Angel's face smiling down at her.

"If any time was appropriate to call me a monster after I dispatched those Auto-Jaegers, it was then. But you didn't and you accepted me while I was in that vile form. You were there for me, by my side. I had promised you that I would do the same for you, Esther. Never before had I felt the touch of love as I did, in that moment after the darkest hour of my life. At the time, I didn't know what was stirring in my heart when you pressed your hand against mine. But I know now what that feeling was. I feel it every time I see you, whenever I am with you, every time you smile at me..."

Esther stared in shock at the jubilant turn the conversation had taken. She could feel a fountain of happiness surge through her at this revelation. He had felt what she had felt after that night and that only furthered her belief that he was her Angel just as she was his. Wanting to share her exaultious rapture that she felt her heart, she smiled and then leaned closer to him to the point their lips were almost touching. She took note that she could feel his heart beating frantically against her hand almost in time with her own.

"I felt that way too and I still feel that way, my Angel..."

Their mouths melded together, gently, softly, a feather light touch. It was only lips on lips, it wasn't as fevered and passionate as their previous ones, but Esther could taste within that kiss that Abel needed her. To her, this kiss was so much more than their first heated and passionate kisses and she answered back his need for her as her own need for him. Their kiss continued slow and deliberately building towards...

"Your Majesty?" Came the voice of Lord Walsh from the other side of the large wooden door.

The pair froze momentarily and then they drew their faces apart from one another. Still staring into each other's eyes, the blue of day and the blue of night, they were mere inches from each other with their breaths still mingling when the Earl of Manchester rapped again.

"Are you alright, Majesty?"

And with that, they both burst out with peals of laughter.

The Imperial nobleman still felt a sense a dread hang over him that increased as he neared the doors of Esther's private chamber. Even with Virgil's assurances that nothing unpleasant would occur when he met with Father Nightroad, Ion still had his doubts. Virgil hadn't committed any sins towards the priest nor had he ended the life of one of Esther's staff. However, despite this dark foreboding, he still was going to face the priest and not cower in the darkness like some common vampire.

And when the Count of Memphis and the Earl of Manchester had reached their destination, the youth could pick out a small sound with his sensitive ears. Ion wasn't sure what it was, but it sounded breathy to him. He looked at the elder noble with a puzzled stare, but Virgil had let loose an exasperated sigh, like he knew what was going on, but wasn't about to tell the lad what was really going on.

After a few seconds of hearing the strange noise, Ion then realized what the sound was... and realized that along with everything else that could be held against him, he was now going to die should he dare cross the threshold beyond his current stance. He was about to dash off when Virgil took the option from him and knocked.

It was too late for him; he was going to seriously suffer retribution. Every nerve ending felt like it was locked, planting him there, braced for the impact. However, that feeling soon became overcome by new emotions. It was then his sensitive ears picked up the sound of pealing laughter; shock and confusion reigned within him.

"It's alright," came the muffled voice from the other side of the door. "I'll take care of it."

The Count of Memphis was uncertain whether to feel more apprehensive more that he was going to be meeting Esther face to face after what he had just heard. In the few seconds he had to decide how he felt about the matter before the door swung open, the young nobleman went with relief that he was not confronting Abel about what he'd just heard. He couldn't wrap his head around... well, more accurately, he didn't want to.

Amber eyes met lapis-lazuli as Esther opened the door. Now every beat of his heart, he was certain, was going to be numbered as Esther invited the noblemen into her quarters. He saw Father Nightroad standing by the glass doors, but refused to meet his eyes. He wasn't ready to look at him just yet. Virgil then formally gave the proper apology for having interrupted her personal time, to which Esther easily forgave. But he then directed her attention to the Count, for he had something that he had to say.

Ion took a deep, shuddering breath, feeling himself become filled with dread. He feared that nothing he was going to say would calm the priest's anger towards him. However, he also had to tell the Queen of his involvement in the death of one of her staff and surely she wouldn't forgive him. Since he was now under the proverbial spotlight, he had to speak and he now understood what it meant to be damned if he did and damned if he didn't.

He fell to his knees and bowed his head. He noted the irony of the fact he was bowing to a Terran and the only person he had bowed before was the Empress Augusta herself. But that was before he had cast away his prejudices towards Terrans and now, if he was to live any longer, he had to now cast away his pride.

"Your Majesty, Queen Esther, I have borne a deep regret that I must speak with you about. As you know, Edith has lost her life to the Rosenkreuz; however, I must speak of the fact that I helped her meet her demise at their hands. If I had not been a reckless fool, one who was blinded by hubris and vengeance, she would probably still be alive. I am no different than the common vampires that I claim are my enemies, for her blood now blemishes my hands, and I know now that nothing is going to cleanse this stain upon them, not even the perfumes of Arabia.(4). I am not asking you to forgive me, but I still wish to be of service to you and to Albion, even if you wish to never speak to me again."

He then addressed the silver haired man while keeping his gaze upon the carpeted floors, "Father Nightroad, I know I was an idiot to try to pursue the maid. If I had not distracted you from your battle, this would not have happened. I know any violence that might have come my way was solely my own fault and I beg your forgiveness in this matter solely that I may continue in Her Majesty's Service, if she'll have me that is, for I neither deserve your mercy or your forgiveness."

"Ion," the preist said quietly. "Have we not traveled these lands together? Was I not your companion for two years? What kind of monster do you think I am?"

The look that the young Count finally gave him told Abel exactly what kind of monster Ion thought he was. "I only growled at you to keep you away from the danger that the Crusnik poses. It had nothing to do with you!"

Ion wasn't sure what he was hearing, but it wasn't what he was expecting at all. "But how...?!" the Methuselah gasped "I wounded you! I caused someone to die! How can you-?!"

"Ion!" Abel calmly stated. "Edith's blood doesn't stain your hands, but the hands of the one who ended her life. I don't blame you for what happened to her, but the Crusnik in that moment were demanding me to..." he shuddered at the memory and then resumed in his heated but compassionate tone, "I needed to get you out of there before I lost control. I will admit I was somewhat angered by your impetousness, but what I needed you to do was ensure that you weren't going to die because of them."

Ion's couldn't believe it. All this time that he had spent worrying over how his companion was going to react when he asked for fogiveness was all for naught. For that moment in time, all he could do was stare at the silver-haired man and slowly ask, "Then... you... aren't... angry with me?"

Abel shook his head and replied, "No, Ion, if I had to forgive you for anything, it'd be your impulsiveness, which I can redily absolve you of that fault."

Ion thanked whatever God that ruled this world that Abel wasn't one to hold a grudge, and that even though he should have been heavily punished for his transgressions, he was exonerated of them. However... Esther still had yet to state his fate in both his relationship with her and his service to her.

"I thank you for your forgiveness, Father." He then turned his attention to the redhead, "Do you forgive me, my Lady?" and turned his gaze from her.

Esther then walked over to him and placed and hand on his cheek and turned his eyes to hers. "Ion, if there is anyone to blame for Edith's death, it is not you, but the one that took her life. There's no need to forgive you for an act that you haven't comitted." She smiled.

Ion felt tears come to his eyes but refused to let them fall. He felt a great burden had been lifted off his shoulders, so much so he hadn't felt the true weight of it until it had been lifted from him. (5) He smiled at his friend... no, she was more to him than that and it was time to let her know of what she was now to him.

"Iti multumesc frumos, Tovaras." Ion spoke in the Imperial language.

Esther returned in kind, "Cu placere."

Abel looked at his love and her companion with a tender look in his eyes. However, his face masked an internal war within his soul between reason and an emotion he had never felt in over nine hundred years... jealousy. He had felt it's poisonous sting then, whenever he had seen his lost love with his lost brother. However, during that dark time, she always seemed to know what was going through his head and let him know that she chose him, not his elder sibling. He fought against the negative emotion stating that Ion was his companion and a companion for Esther, too. However, jealousy hissed back stating that Esther was his, and that he had to let Ion know in uncertain terms that Esther belonged to him. He had to keep this war within himself, if not... he was sure Esther was going to kill him...

"Father, are you alright?" The Earl of Manchester stated from his position near the doorway snapping him out of his reverie and saving him from his internal conflict.

Father Nightroad then came back into reality and noticed that Esther's hand was no longer on Ion's cheek- to Abel's delight- but both hers and the Methuselah lad's eyes were upon him. Ion looked somewhat confused while Esther was looking at him oddly, almost like she was trying to figrue out what he was thinking. Before she could put her cleverness to work, he put on his best goofball smile and pushed his glasses over the bridge of his nose, "Eh? Of course I'm okay."

"If that is so, then I wish to convey to Her Majesty that the Council is currently in session and that they are waiting for her, especially Cardinal Caterina Sforza and the Empress of the New Human Empire," the Lord President of the Council advised.

Ion then paled somewhat at the news, "Th-the Empress...?" he stammered.

Esther then asked, "What's wrong? I thought you and Seth were on good terms."

Ion then hung his head and quickly answered, "Her Majesty the Empress hasn't let me live it down calling her 'girl,' or 'child' after what happened three years ago. Her Majesty is as merciless as my Lady Grandmother when it comes to teasing... I fear of what she's going to do when she sees my face again."

Abel chuckled and stated, "Well, I'm her older brother. I'll tell her to lay off that."

"Iti multumesc frumos, Father," Ion immediately thanked him in the Imperial language.

Virgil cleared his throat after Esther finished giggling and said, "Now that the frivolity is over, it is vital that the Council meets with Queen."

Esther then turned from Ion and nodded her head. She knew that tone Virgil was using. There was a great debriefing to be had and she was certain the Council was anxious for that the meeting occur. However, she needed not only Ion by her side, but also Abel.

"Very well, I shall meet with the Council. If you do not mind, I would wish for both the Earl of Memphis and Father Nightroad to attend. And if it well with you, Lord Walsh, I wish for them to become representatives for both the Empire and the Vatican," Esther requested.

Virgil bowed and stated, "It would be an honor, Your Majesty."

"Ion, you and Lord Walsh go ahead. I'll attend you momentarily."

"Of course, Your Majesty," the Earl of Manchester nodded before departing with the Count of Memphis in tow. The count gave Esther one last smile before disappearing behind the mahogany doors.

Esther finally turned her attention back to Abel and before she could speak he then questioned, "You want me... as a representative of the Vatican?"

She smiled and then answered, "Yes, I need both you and Ion now more than ever. If I had the opinions of both a priest and a Methuselah of the Imperial Court in Council, we might be able to understand where the Order should strike next. The Council consists of many lords and ladies who have encounters with the Order, save for Lord Stone and Prime Minister Stuart. With the two of you, who had been hunting the Order for over two years, we might have an edge over them, now."

The priest let out a light exhalation of breath, "I thank you for the honor, Esther. But... I'm sure that one such as I should hold a position of power, especially in your Court, not after what I had done."

"Abel," Esther whispered and she walked over to him and caressed his cheek, "You are more worthy than anyone to serve me, not only as my protector, but also as my most trusted aide. And you are not just those things to me, you are the one I gave my heart to, and one thing I have learned over these two years, is that being without you, was worse than nearly being killed by the Order. That is why, now that you're back, I need you now more than ever."

Abel shuddered at her confession. He had hurt her with his absence, worse than whatever schemes his brother had in mind for her. A part of him wanted to run away before his impurities had tainted her as they had tainted him and to prevent him from hurting her again. However, his vow not to leave her again had kept him from making that poor choice. Besides, even if he tried he couldn't bring himself to do so anyway. In his heart, that vow became just as important as the one he had made to Lilith, of never ending a life or allowing anyone to die. If he had left her, it would not only kill him, it would kill Esther, too.

However, being given a position of power re-awakened an old fear that was buried in his soul. He had abused his power during the darkest days of his life, as a Lieutenant-Colonel, and the price for his corruption were the countless lives that he had ended. No one such as him deserved that status. However, like it or not, he had sworn service to Esther. In that moment he had promised he would never desert her like he did on that night two years ago and, if this was how she wished him to serve her, so be it.

"Very well, I accept your offer. I hope I shall serve you well as a member of your Council." Father Nightroad then bowed before the Queen on one knee hand kissed her hand.

Esther then lifted his face, and bid him to rise and caressed his cheek, "There's so much I want to tell you, but... I fear we may not have the time yet."

Abel smiled and then took her hand into his and kissed her palm, "After the Council has ended, we will continue our discussion."

"That discussion, even though necessary, must be delayed. For a new threat now befalls Peter's descendant and may draw the world into the grasp of the Angel of Death."

The queen and the priest both took as sharp intake of breath at the voice. They knew this voice. They had heard it before, for the memory of this voice was so fresh they felt like they had only heart it yesterday when it only ten days ago. Abel and Esther turned their faces to the glass panes, to find them, not only opened but a figure outlined in the second moon's lurid light stood before them.

The black cloak had almost blended with the darkness around her and her pure white dress in the dark light resembled that of a pale red rose.

The Sybil had returned.

Next Chapter: Lady Guilty
Avert not thine eyes

A/N: ANOTHER CLIFFIE! MWA-HA-HA-HA! It must a sign... the Sith Lady is back! (Giggles evilly.) I FINALLY got this chapter done! This was a chapter to tie up some of the loose ends in the previous chapters, not all of then though, otherwise I wouldn't have some angst and lovey-dovey moments in my future chapters. And I must say all that time listening to Within Temptation has paid off. Especially after the fact I had to lay down brick pavers and do some house cleaning for him for extra cash. ^^ Unfortunately, Darth Tyronnius Shoelaces decided to ruin our hard work by placing oil-filled garbage cans on our work that leaked over the brick, I then had to go down and clean his mess! I wanted to say to him was: "Ain't nobody got time for that!" but I did it anyway... nearly worked my arm off trying to get that stain up. Anyway now that the ranting is out of the way, my friends I want to let you know, the action and shipping that I had metioned in my summary will come to pass in my next update, please be patient with me, I will get to that when I get the time I need to finish my next chapter. BTW I met two super-nice Russians that Jedi Skysinger is giving English lessons in exchange for workout lessons and information on Russia for her Burn Notice fanfictions. And OMG by birthday is coming up, and I can't wait for what's in store! WHEEEE! (This chapter is like a B-day gift to me. I'm so happy!) ^^ Oh, one fast fact about my birthday, it's also Hatsune Miku's (of VOCALOID2) birthday too, so I have to give a shout out to both her and my #1 Vocaloid MMD artitist Vocalkokoro. He is so nice, be sure to check out his artwork on DA, it would really make his day. Here's a link: (Remove the spaces)

Anyway, now that I'm done yammering about my life in reality and my B-day, here's some questions for my reviewers:

1. Was there any time that I was OOC with the Canon characters? (Like with Ion and Abel's talk in this chapter) If so, let me know and give me some advice about better ways of counteracting this. (No flames please, I'm begging you.)
2. Is the involvement of my OC balanced with the interactions of the other characters, (like her reappearance in the last paragraph of this chapter) so much so she doesn't take up the whole plotline?
3. How are you enjoying the story?

Please reply to these questions in a review, pretty please with milk tea and thirteen sugars on top. ;) I know I used some of the Twilight BOOKS as an aid, but I MOSTLY used Darth Stitch's works to help me stay in character. I WAS a Twilight fan until the movies came out, and since Abel and Edward are so much alike that it's pathetic... I had to use it as a reference. But note: Abel, unlike Edward is NOT a stalker, NOR is he obsessed like that fecking idiot AND Abel is a REAL vampire that feeds ON vampires, NOT a sparkling git that claims he's a vampire. Plus Abel had had a REAL reason for leaving Esther while Edward DID NOT have a reason for leaving Bella. And unlike Bella, Esther CAN kick $$, and take names -read the novels- she was a Partisan warrior AND an AX agent who held her own against vampires countless times, UNLIKE Bella. So now that Twilight bashing is out of the way... here's where I got my quotes.

(1) - Quoted from A Tale of Two Cities by the famous nineteenth century writer Charles Dickens.

(2) - Indirect reference to Psalms 2 "Ask and ye shall receive."

(3) - A variation on the prayer for the deceased, ending in the familiar Latin term for "Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust."

(4) - Indirect Quote to Macbeth Act V, Scene I by William Shakespeare, the original quote is "Here's the smell of blood still./ All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand."

(5) - Indirect Reference to The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne.

Mysteriously Yours,

ObsidianEmpress.