Chapter 10

The bedroom was completely black when Scabior walked into it. He had just gotten back from a mission with the Snatchers and he was eager to see his fiancé for the first time in three days. He didn't like leaving her here or leaving her alone but she understood why he was doing what he was doing and that's all he needed. She supported him and he loved her even more for that. His footsteps were soft on the hardwood floor; he didn't want to wake her up from her slumber. As he walked over to the bed, he pulled his jacket off of his shoulders. He reached the bed and climbed into it, too tired to think about anything other than her.

She lay on her back, her chest rising and falling in steady breaths, and her face was so peaceful. Her dreams weren't bothering her tonight, like they occasionally did. He moved in next to her, studying her face as he gently pulled her into his chest. Desire flared in his eyes as he touched her soft skin. She shifted into his touch, into his body with a little sigh. He couldn't help himself; he pulled himself onto her body and cupped her face in his hands as his lips lightly kissed hers. Her blue eyes opened slowly as a smile formed on her face and a little laugh escaped her chest. "'ello, beautiful," he whispered as he gazed into the set of eyes he always loved to look into.

"Well, hello," she said sleepily as she put her arms around his neck. "What time is it?"

"Just 'bout midnight," he stated as she closed her eyes again.

"I'm glad you're home," she muttered, opening her eyes again as she flashed him a sleepy smile. "I've missed you." Her mouth met his in a kiss, this time more passionate and alert than before. He didn't fight her kiss, right now all he wanted was her. His breath was hot in her mouth as she suddenly became completely awake and aware of her desire to have him tonight. His mouth slowly moved to her neck as her fingers started to unbutton his shirt.

The morning light in the room was growing old when Sira finally woke to find herself still in Scabior's arms. He was still fast asleep. She really had missed him, even if it only had been three days. It had been three days without her love. She moved closer to him, resting her hand on his bare chest as she placed her head on his shoulder.

Her mind wandered to what Sirius had said to her, about how she needed to find the ones in the Death Eaters that wanted out. He said that they would help her but who were they? Who were the ones that wanted out more than anyone else? She thought through all of the Death Eaters and the only ones she could think of were the Malfoy's. Their family used to be on the top, one of the Dark Lord's favorites. She would need to talk to them and get them with her but she felt like she would have to promise to do something for them before they did anything for her. Fear shot through her, she didn't want to have to do that again.

Scabior shifted as he woke; yawning a little before he pulled her even closer into his chest. His hand stroked her hair as she looked up at him, her eyes glittering in the light. "Good morning," she said gently as she smiled at him.

"Good morning," he replied as he stretched. "I'm sorry, beautiful," he whispered with a sigh, "but you know that I 'ave to leave again soon."

"It's okay," she said flatly. "I understand." He moved in close, his lips brushing again hers, and he kissed her lips passionately, not wanting to go.

"I love you, Sira," he stated compassionately as his hand touched her face.

"I love you too," she whispered back and he climbed out of the bed, releasing her from his arms as he moved away. As he started to dress, she just laid there, her thought returning to her. Maybe she could talk to the Malfoy's today but she knew she would have to invite them here, to her house, to get her feelings across. Her hands rubbed her eyes, trying to get her thoughts to un-muddle. Soon, she, too, climbed out of the bed and dressed quickly. By the time she was done, Scabior had already kissed her goodbye and left. Something in her stomach turned as she thought about him. She didn't know why but she put it aside, as if it was nothing.

A knock on the door brought her to her feet from sitting on the sofa. Quickly, she went to the door and opened it and a smile stretched across her lips. On her doorstep, stood Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy. Both of their eyes were filled with fear, suspicion, and concern and she noticed that they wouldn't look her directly in the eye.

"Hello, Lucius," she said happily, actually glad that they came. "Hello, Narcissa. Please come in." They stepped into the house and she closed the door before turning to them. "Let's talk in the living room, shall we?" she asked as she sauntered past them. They followed her into the living room where they all took their seats. Lucius was glaring at Sira and Narcissa was looking nervously from Sira to her husband. "So, you're wondering why I have asked you here," she said loudly as she watched both of them.

"Yes, why are we here, Sira?" Lucius asked defensively, sounding vicious, as his eyes burned with his irritation. The smile wiped off of her face as she looked at him, her eyes turning serious.

"We want the same thing, Lucius," she stated. "I've seen the error of my ways and I want to change. I no longer want to be a Death Eater." All was silent, they just glared at her.

"How do we know you aren't lying?" Narcissa asked her voice icier than what Sira had ever heard it before. An appalled look covered Sira's face like a mask.

"You don't trust me?" she questioned, her tone almost a whine, as she looked at him.

"Why would we trust you? Lucius asked in a snarl, his eyes turning murderous. "You're so close to him now, you have his respect, and you have his trust. Why would you want out? You're his lap-dog, his bitch. You're most likely trying to get us to say what you want so you can go tell him." Anger flared in her chest, burned in her eyes, as her jaw tightened. She wanted to lash out at Lucius but she willed herself back, fearing what would happen if she didn't.

"I will make an Unbreakable Vow, right now, Lucius," she growled, "saying that I am true to my word, that I'm not lying to you." She stood, offering him her hand. "If it is the only way that you will believe me, I'm willing to do it." He looked to Narcissa, unsure about making a vow.

"Why do you want to leave, Sira?" Narcissa asked, making Sira's attention shift from Lucius. "I mean, you're one of favorites now, it just seems unimaginable that you would want to leave." Sira looked into Narcissa's eyes, they serious but they weren't angry.

"I joined the Death Eaters on orders from the Order of the Phoenix," she stated, trying to hide the snarl in her voice. "I didn't wish to join the Death Eaters but I had to get information for the Order. I didn't choose any of this, Narcissa, and I don't like who I've become. I've seen the errors of the ways of the Death Eaters, and of the Dark Lord, and I see that it's all wrong. I don't want to be a part of something that I don't believe in and something that you can rise to the top in and then be thrown to the side in the same amount of time. It's all wrong and I see that now, just like I did before." They both studied her, looking for any signs of her lying. Then, Lucius stood and she offered him her hand again. He took it, his grip tight on her.

"Bind us," Lucius growled to Narcissa, his eyes boring into Sira's with intensity, "with the Unbreakable Vow." Narcissa stood and went to them, drawing her wand as she did so. "Will you, Sira Volkov," he drawled, his eyes never breaking away from her blue ones, "stay true to your word, saying that you wish to leave the service of the Death Eaters?"

"I will," she promised flatly, her eyes dead serious.
A tongue of flame shot out of Narcissa's wand, wrapping itself around her and Lucius' hands as if it was a red-hot wire.

"And will you speak only the truth to us, Lucius, Narcissa, and Draco Malfoy?" he asked, his tone flat and steady.

"I will," she stated and another flame wrapped around their hands.

"And will you speak none of this to the Dark Lord, knowing that if you do, it means your life?" he questioned, his voice hissing the word life. Her chin dropped a little as her lips pursed, watching his face for any signs of resentment. There was none.

"I will," she exhaled softly and the wire shot out of the wand, binding them one, final time. The wires glowed as they continued to study each other's faces. Narcissa withdrew her wand, putting it back as the wires slowly dimmed, fizzling out as if they had been doused in cold water. He finally removed his hand from hers when the wires were completely gone. There was something about his eyes that made her think, that made her wonder. It was as if they were emptier than usual, lifeless.

"Sira," Narcissa said flatly as they all too their seats, "we do want out of the Death Eaters, but we are so low now, the Dark Lord expects that we will try to leave. There's no way out for us. We are constantly being watched and he's always causing us to suffer more and more each day." Sira's mind raced with her words, trying to think of a solution.

"There is a way, Narcissa," she stated, "a few ways actually and two of them, you know of." Both Lucius and Narcissa looked at her curiously, wanting to know. "Firstly, there is death, we all know that one. Secondly, there's gaining back the Dark Lord's trust, this is the one that you're trying right now. Thirdly, there is switching alliances at the perfect moment. This one is risky and has to be done at the right time or it will backfire on you and you will meet your death. I suggest that you do two or three, unless you aren't afraid of death, then choose one."

"What will you do?" Lucius asked, examining her to see if she became unsure.

"I'm already doing it," she said almost in a whisper. "First, I needed to get you with me, and then I will slowly back out while staying loyal to him. He will not use me as much soon, I just know it, and once I see the opportunity to leave, I will."

"So you don't have a plan for sure," Narcissa muttered and Sira shook her head.

"I'll just make it up as I go along," she replied, "like I always do." Lucius scoffed a little and she glared at him, but it was true, his reaction was true and she wasn't going to tell him otherwise. They sat in silence for a long time, only exchanging glances. They all felt like their business was done here, like there was no more to say.

"Narcissa, we better be going," he stated as he stood. His wife gave him a small nod, stood, and followed him out of the room. She heard the door open and close and she knew she was all alone again. Her mind started to race. Why wasn't she feeling anxious or nervous? Why wasn't she afraid? She had just mad an Unbreakable Vow with the Malfoy's, she should be feeling something. Maybe it was because she had already made so many promises. Maybe it was because she was bound to so many people. It was just a normal thing for her now, making promises, and everyone knew that she would keep them as best as she could. She allowed a sigh to escape her chest as she sank back in her chair, closing her eyes.

The door to the drawing room opened and Lucius Malfoy stepped inside, his grey eyes bright with his anticipation. He had something to tell his Lord, something that may bring honor back to his family's none. "Lucius," a cold voice hissed, coming from a tall figure that stood by the fireplace, "if you are here to grovel at my feet and beg for forgiveness, then go. I have no time for that."

"My Lord," Lucius said quickly, unable to hide his eagerness, "I do not wish to do that for I have new for you, news about one of your Death Eaters." The Dark Lord's attention turned to him, his red eyes staring at him.

"Really?" he asked in a cold him. "Who is it?" He could not hide his curiosity, it filled his eyes.

"Yes, my Lord," Lucius whispered quickly. "It is Sira Volkov. She has told me personally that she wishes to leave the service of the Death Eaters. She no longer desires to be a part of the Cause. She wants nothing that the Death Eaters have to offer her." His eyes glittered with his words, with his willingness to please his Lord. "And she is already planning to leave. What do you want me to do about this, my Lord?" The Dark Lord knew that Lucius only spoke the truth, the truth that one of his favorites was betraying him. Anger swirled within him, causing his eyes to become murderous.

"No, I will take care of Volkov myself, Lucius," he said icily, looking into the fire as he thought of a way to break her, to subdue her, but not kill her. He was silent for the longest time, his mind running through all the possibilities. He finally came to one and an evil smile grew on his cruel face. "You will be rewarded, but Volkov will be paying dearly for her crimes against me." His eyes studied the flames, knowing that his plan would truly tear her apart. "You are dismissed."

Lucius bowered to him, a smirk on his face as he did so, and then turned and left the room, suddenly becoming nervous. The Dark Lord continued to gaze at the tongues of flame. "Volkov," he said, barely a whisper, "I expected more from you and you will be begging for death when I am finished with you."