Will you all believe I have Chapter 5 half done and totally forgot I had not posted this? God did I faceplam right then and there. After I got over my n00b moment I decided to go back over Chapters 1-3 and clean them up a little. Added roughly a 100 words or so per chapter so just a little added detail for clarification. As I said Chapter 5 is roughly half done, a bit more then, so if all goes well it will be posted Thanksgiving break or December sometime. Warlords of Dranor will be out in November so I am planing to stockpile a few updates and new works to post during the last big holiday seasons of the year. If you are a WoW player you can find me on one of 2 realms. Duskwood for the Alliance and Entrigg for the Horde, Order of Shadow is the name of both guilds. If you play D3 I am there too if you ever wanna kill something together. All right enough of a call out to my fellow Blizzard gamers out there.
WarNinGs: Blood, politics, Shounen-Ai, not much this chapter.
Aishi Say
"We're living in the darkness,
We hate the day.
We're hiding in the shadows,
To the moon we pray.
We are the creatures of the night,
We want your blood.
We're the seduction of evil,
Want to conquer your world."
From Blutengle's song' Children of the Night', the first few lines could suit a werewolf pretty well but the last two are clearly Vampy. This band does a lot of Vampire stuff so if you like Within Temptation and Vampires you may want to YouTube these guys.
As We Dance With The Devil Tonight4
Trowa frowned just watching the waves, turning his head slightly to his right when he heard soft footfalls behind him, "Need something Iria?"
"Barton? I did not recognize you with your hair like that, why is it like that?" Iria frowned at the short tail, she had seen it like that when he had fought as well. She saw no practical, or other, reason for the look, and had asked not really thinking about who she was talking to.
"I put it up when I work sometimes, I never let it down after the gathering," Trowa answered seeing no reason not to do so. Turning to look over his shoulder he frowned slightly at the blonde, "Yes?"
"Forgive me, I am use to you looking a little like my father. Did you wish to be alone?" Iria could not read him any more then she could any feline she had met, she was a Witch after all.
"And if I say yes you would just walk away? I do not care what you do as long as you do not hurt my sister," Trowa informed her before turning back to the waves. The Witch may be powerful but she lacked the killer instincts he did not.
Iria sighed softly not surprised by the cold greeting, he was never rumored to be the warm and friendly type. "That is good to know, but I would yes. You have been civil with my brother, and have done nothing to me, though I am sure you have wished to."
"And yet you are here?" Trowa glanced at her curiously, she seemed to be in a talkative mood. Odd since she had shown no interest in talking to Katherine and they had been friends, he was nothing to her.
"You did say you would leave me alone as long as I stayed away from Katherine. I may not like you but I know you are not a liar, and I hope you will trust I am not as well." Iria watched the male closely but he seemed inclined to not claw. She could not remember any rumors about him attacking with no provocation or official reason.
Trowa nodded as he reached back letting his bangs fall back into his face, "Winner are not known to lie, even to those they dislike. Did you come here to be alone?"
"Not really, I like the water, it must smell wonderful with your senses." Iria did envy them that, it must be nice to experience things so much clearer then she could. If there was a way to acquire such enhances senses that would not require inflicting pain on others on a regular bases she would gladly consider it.
"I hadn't noticed, I tend to come here to think not enjoy, always did." Trowa slipped his hands into pale jean pockets turning to face the blonde. "What has changed?"
"My brother was right, we do not have to be enemies, and perhaps you are not as savage as I first believed you to be." Iria tucked a lock back behind her ear, the Vampire's bangs swayed a bit more then she tough they would. He did not look anything like a monster just standing there as he was, was this what Katherine had seen when he had still been mortal?
"Not really, I am a bit too Lycan that way perhaps. Why were you friends if your family hates our kind?" Trowa was a curious creature by nature, immortals had to do something to pass the time, and he did not care for meaningless sex followed by a warm salty snack.
"She was nice to me, many are, but she could care less for my rank. I am sure you found that endearing as well, after all you did tie yourself to her. Tobias would have liked you once he got to know you, I think, he did hate the dark side of your nature." Iria had met many who did, their race had it's whispers in the dark to fear as well.
"I am use to the dark side of nature so it does not concern me, I control my emotions, they do not control me. If they did I would have torn you apart, if you do it right your victim does not die right away. History is such an intriguing subject, every race has its dark pasts, some just repeat them more often then others." Trowa had spent much of his time recovering reading, he had been only human and much more fragile then he was now.
Iria nodded hugging herself, "We are trying to stop that cycle as best we can. I am well aware not all your kind are ruled by bloodlust but enough are. You do give in to it from time to time, those rumors are not all exaggerated." She was willing to give a little benefit of doubt to the rumors, everyone famous had some complete lies tied to their name after all.
"I have yet to hear one that was," Trowa admitted shrugging, "I am not sure if I should be flattered by that or not." It did seem strange that his handiwork was not exaggerated, perhaps his work was to well known for such things.
Iria frowned, knowing what she had heard may very well be literally true disturbed her. Barton was a Knight and an enforcer for the Bloom clan so he had quite a few public kills. It made it hard to doubt rumors that painted him as dangerous and brutal. "I am not sure either, I would not be, but my family holds our power through helping not mortal combat."
"You can," Trowa reminded her evenly, she was not trying to be insulting. Witch clans held their authority through power and skill, while Lamia and Lycan had to prove their superiority through blood spilling and body counts. "As long as our natures drive us to fight like the Lycan we will, even if it is toned down. How exactly would you go about that? Stricter penalties for petty fighting perhaps?"
"That would do little good. The demon in you and the beast in Lycan darken your natures, even my brother would be affected." Iria knew her brother had come a long way from being a spoiled brat in his youth but the potential was there, being inhuman just made it harder to resist.
Trowa frowned but nodded, she was not as blinded by hate as she first appeared. "Going against one's nature is unnatural. Humans try so hard to pretend it drives some mad, I never bothered with such foolishness. Your brother is stronger of will then you give him credit for, I do break them for a living."
"I do not wish to discuss your various duties Mr. Barton. Our Knights do the dirty work for our Covens as you do for your House." Iris wondered if he enjoyed reminding people he was not as harmless as he looked calm, or if it was simply habit. Wolves could look approachable one moment and be snarling the next, keeping that in mind kept one from being bit.
"I am not sure why you wish to discuss anything. You have no interest in becoming friends, no matter what you may claim. You may have forgiven Kathy and Tobias their dark sides, but that is all you know of me." Trowa sneered sliding his long claws off each other, they made a sound like blade against blade and the Witch winced a little. "Your brother would not wince."
"You would not do that at him," Iria retorted crossing her arms. "You dislike me because I stopped being friends with your creator."
"Humans created me long before she crossed my path, you all seem to forget just how savage they can be." Trowa retracted his claws as he turned his back on the water, "You betrayed her when she needed you most. May your gods judge you for that for they will be far more merciful then I would."
Iria turned as he walked past her, dark glare falling on a servant before he was gone. Frowning she let out a sigh, "You always did have good taste in men Kathy, they would rather die then betray you."
As We Dance With The Devil Tonight4
"What business do you have here Witch?" A large mean looking guard asked eying the young looking female. She was a pretty little thing, pretty little things did not do well around wolves of any type.
Hilde crossed her arms, with Barton here what exactly did they need guards for again? "I am here to see Barton."
"Lord Barton is not here at the moment. He did not say anything about a meeting," The guard frowned at the girl, she looked like the stubborn kind.
"I do not have a meeting with him, I wish to speak with him." Hilde would have scheduled one if she knew the Bloom's doormen would be this difficult.
"The Bloom are not entertaining quests at this time," The guard did not see why this girl did not just go away.
"Goody for them, I am here to see Barton not his clan." Hilde could care less if the family was feeling welcoming.
"As you have been told Lord Barton is not here," The second guard muttered, Witches never seemed to listen.
"Leave now or you will be forcibly removed from Lamian territory." The first guard threatened taking a step forward.
"Lay a finger on her and you shall lose it. Hello Hilde did you need something?" Trowa asked walking up to her with a smile of greeting. He had not expected to see her at his front door, he would have to see the guards were well informed about his new Witch friends, and what would happen if they were harmed.
Hilde smiled relived, his timing was very good, "Yes, actually. Your doormen are being quite rude."
"They were not changed for their people skills. Come, you are more then welcomed here." Trowa turned to the guards glaring as they stepped aside.
Hilde grinned up at them as she followed Baron inside, "Getting in late?" She noted he was wearing the same thing she had last seen him in, didn't looked bloodied.
"Couldn't sleep, it happens. Now what did you need?" Trowa opened a door allowing Hilde to enter a well lit room.
Hilde sat down enjoying the warm sunlight and pale colors, not very Vampy but very homey. "Not so much need as want really." Dark eyes followed the Vampire as he sat down on the couch across from her, lazy but interested was very Duo. "I take it you get a few visitors?"
Trowa sighed leaning back crossing his arms, "The price for being single and in power, annoyances nothing more. You are not here for that Hilde, if you were I would not have invited you inside."
"You don't think I'm pretty?" Hilde teased, knowing full well she was not getting herself into trouble, not all males, inhuman or otherwise, mistook no for yes.
"You hate shallow my dear, as do I. To be honest I prefer curious Witches to any other kind of stalker." The curious were always more interesting since he was like them, not all curiosity was welcomed though, especially from stalkers.
"Aren't you sweet. I was hoping we could talk, I didn't see you after they started yelling." Hilde could have used less of that, why did men always think the louder they said something the more others listened?
"Oh Yui and I were…around. While we both agree talks do little it is still our duty to see they are not interrupted by actual fighting. We probably won't have anything fun to do until the others show up, those here are happy just yelling." Trowa sighed not impressed with such nosy displays, truly dangerous predators made no noise until it was too late to escape them.
"At least you two can have some fun," Hilde sighed shaking her head. "Sometimes I wonder what is so great about being timeless? Was it worth it's price really?"
"Some think so," Fear of death and lust for power made people do stupid things sometimes. "But I did not become immortal out of fear of death, are you considering it?"
"I think everyone wonders what it would be like at least once, I'm not sure we can help it. I would miss my friends too much to just be changed. To save my life…I would allow it. Did you ever think about living forever?" Hilde knew he had been changed for much nobler reasons then to be young and powerful until killed, that did not mean he had not considered it a side bonus.
Trowa shook his head, "I was too busy learning to fight and take care of myself to bother with such things. Once Kathy told me what she was it was just something that came with the power she was offering. To protect one must fight, to win one must be strong, immortal…not so much."
Hilde smiled at that, it had to be nice living such a simple life. "I'm not nearly so logical about things."
"I don't…oh…Who is this now?" Lord Bloom eyed the Witch girl, pretty thing if not a bit too short of hair.
Trowa sighed turning to the elder Vampire, "Hilde is a Midnighter who needed a little help."
"And when did you start doing favors for any pretty thing that comes a calling?" Midnight members were not as shy around their kind but he did not remember Barton making nice with any of them.
"She is a friend of Kathy's, so it is no bother. Now what are you muttering about?" Trowa asked folding his arms on the back of the couch as he turned.
"This nonsense is taxing during the daylight. You and Katharine can take my place tonight, I have had my fill of Witches today. No offense my dear," Lord Bloom bowed his head slightly to Hilde, she seemed nice enough.
"None taken," Hilde assured him, he looked like a Lamia with those gold eyes. "I think Winner's plans are too simplistic to work."
"Ha, try telling him that, waste of time. Maybe we should just beat the extremist down and be done with them all?" Lord Bloom sighed before turning to his adopted son, "Nothing to say?"
"The human's world is constantly being torn apart by extremist why should ours be any different?" Trowa asked arms resting on the back of the couch. "Have Kathy give the order and I will go to work."
"Do not tempt me boy, she was not even born when the last civil war broke out. If it comes again the peaceful will not win, they will be slaughtered." Lord Bloom knew full well what happened when a Lamia took their true form and went mad. Barton was a nightmare as he was, without his human façade the Winner house would fall to his claws.
"The Covens will see the error of their ways, or they will pay dearly for their lack of vision. I am no diplomat, convincing them to listen is not my job." Trowa glanced at his right-handed nails, they looked so harmless just then.
Hilde frowned looking from one immortal to another, trying to control the dark sides of the Lamia and the Lycan through force only allowed them to come to the surface. Treating them like people gave them no reason to growl and bite, why couldn't the Covens remember most of them had been of their blood once? "There are people who words alone will not reach." Dark eyes looked down when Barton blinked before just staring at her.
"Finally, a Witch who makes sense. Winner's boy is a bit idealistic still but there is hope for him." Lord Bloom nodded to himself, "Do not break him hm?"
Trowa frowned at Lord Bloom as he walked away, "Quatre is allowed to be. Is that why you chose Midnight, you are not?"
Hilde tucked a stray bang behind her ear before leaning forward, "I like humans, mostly, but I do not think we can all live in prefect peace. I guess you don't need to be told that do you?"
"No, I don't. If it makes you feel any better I still would have liked you then, this is who I am, who I will always be." Trowa had no plans on allowing himself to change as a few Made did, he controlled his demons they did not control him.
"I like the real you, this warrior guy scares me a little. I hope war can be avoided so we can go back to just being friends and not possible enemies." Hilde hated the idea of having to face off against him for more reasons then one.
"You do not wish to chain us to walls so do not worry, I will protect you and my other Wiccan friends from the monsters of my kind." Trowa assured her taking her hand, "I am very good at my job."
Hilde smiled squeezing his hand, it made her feel better just like Duo's always did. "Thank you Barton. I had better go before I worry someone besides myself."
Trowa nodded letting her go, watching her as she walked towards the door, "May your Lord and Lady keep you."
Hilde turned hand on the door frame, smiling at the goodbye, "May your power keep those you cherish." Turning she headed out the door knowing the lives of a very few were all he truly cared about, being part demon did not mean you could not be noblehearted.
As We Dance With The Devil Tonight4
"I swear that man tries to make my life difficult, and that 'son' of his is no better." Lord Winner frowned at the printout he was holding. "His wife was always the voice of reason in that family."
"Is not the daughter a friend to the Covens?" Rashid asked from where he stood before the large window, the warm sunlight did little to improve Winner's mood.
"Lady Katherine is very much her mother's daughter, but she bows to her father as bit too much to be of much use." Lord Winner flipped through a few pages, "A pity really."
"The son only obeys her yes? If she denounces war and refuses to agree with her father the Bloom's forces would be divided." Barton was the most feared of the Bloom's fighters for good reason, the rest of their forces were nothing special for a House of their status.
"I have seen nothing to contradict those rumors, however, Iria hurt her, and Barton has no love for me. I am unsure why exactly, it seemed almost personal but we had never met." Lord Winner frowned in thought, quite for a moment, "Rachelle?"
Rashid turned at the name spoken as a question, "I thought her mad and kept away form all. A sad fate for one so clearheaded and reasonable."
Winner nodded, "She was a dear friend once, one of the few Lamia I trusted but now…last I heard she was being cared for at the Bloom's stronghold, but I am unsure. Only she would speak of me, but in her current state she is unsafe to be around, he would never risk his daughter's life, or her own allowing her near Barton."
"Perhaps she is not as far gone as you assumed and the child is safe form her madness? The only person he cares for you have done nothing to, your distrust of his kind would hardly warrant a personal response." Rashid had heard all the rumors, as a Knight of the Arcane he had needed to, Barton seemed rather indifferent until angered or threatened.
"I have not seen her in decades, she could very well be nothing but a ravenous beast by now. I know Daniel loves her, as I did my dear Katrina, but is just as powerless as I was to save her. No one should have power over life and death but sometimes…Quatre is so like her." Winner smiled with absent fondness, he was so protective of him for a reason.
"And where is your son?" Rashid had not seen his young friend in quite sometime do to their duties, he was one of the reason he fought the Dark so hard.
"Outside I think. He seems distant, I fear Barton is partially to blame." Normally that would be enough for him to be seeking the perfect revenge spell, but the former human had not harmed his son only confused.
"You allowed him near your son?! That is unlike you," Rashid knew the Vampire attacked when provoked but he was not the nicest of people, not the kind Quatre normally sought out.
"Not by choice, they met here, and it seems my son formed an accorded. He has yet to harm my son, even snap at perhaps, but his troubling childhood has depressed him. It amazes me who humans entrust their children to, it is a small miracle he is as sane as he is." Lord Winner shook his head sadly, some never had a chance to defy their fates.
Rashid nodded turning back to the window, Quatre would be troubled by such a thing, his pity was raceless, "Is it wise to allow your son to become friends with him?"
"Katherine was a good friend to Iria, and I truly do not believe the child wishes my son harm, but I do worry. Such pain is not easily soothed, and Quatre's powers can react more intensely with a fellow physic. Iria seems fine with it so I shall not interfere just yet, I would rather have the child as an ally, even if just to my son." The child's reputation alone would be enough to keep many at bay, especially if he made nice with the sister.
"If you are sure then, I will go have a look around. Things may have been quiet so far but that will not last forever." Rashid turned form the window and headed towards the ornate doors, they may look nice but only the spells cast on them would keep anything out.
"Do not work too hard old friend, or my son will chide me," Winner teased as his friend walked out closing the doors behind him. Turning a few more pages he frowned at the words, things were never as simple as they sounded.
As We Dance With The Devil Tonight4
"Cat you with me buddy?" Duo turned his head, folded arms staying behind his head, "dude harsh."
"Hm?" Quatre murmured turning to look at his lazy friend, "Sorry."
"Cat I love you man but you need to relax, seriously, no serious bitching last night was a good thing." Duo was more then happy to doze under a tree like a few of his Lycan friends, but it was hard to relax when your best friend was a million miles away in a bad way.
"It is but I…the worst will be here tonight, and I do not see them being as understanding as those already here." The Bloom were the most feared House there already, and besides Lord Bloom muttering a few times they seemed to be on the same page as his father.
"That is what the Knights are for, face it kid they were bored last night. Why do you think we did not see either of them the rest of the night? At least I didn't." And he had looked, the two Knights of the Blood were growing on him. Not such a bad thing really, he took pride in getting people to lighten up, a feat onto itself with some people.
Quatre sighed hugging his knees, watching the shifting shadows moved along wind blown grass. "I do not want to see him hurt. I do not care if he enjoys fighting or not, I hate it."
"Cat the guy is a survivor, they fight because they don't know how not to. Look I know a thing or two about growing up all alone. It changes some people more then others, sometimes they can't change back." Duo sat up, palms resting on his ankles, "The Kitty needs a lot of love and time to heal, Sis is good on the love, but time is out of her control."
"I've never been all alone, my family is too large for that. I don't know what to do Duo, Father will never let us get close I know that. As long as Barton is this terrifying figure that is what Father will see him as, even if it is not who he really is." Quatre closed his eyes, "Iria thinks I should abandon him like the humans because he is damaged, it is not his fault he is scared…is it?"
"Look no offense but fuck your Sis," Duo muttered getting a blink and he bit his lip a little. "Red needed her after her friend got killed, and she just bailed leaving her all alone right?" Quatre nodded but said nothing. "Did that help Red heal? Nope, finding someone who gave a fuck and would never abandon her did. I know, my friends are my family, you and Hil are great, and if I can, I'll be adding Barton and Hiro to my circle as well."
"I cannot be that someone for him if my father would have him killed Duo. Aroree hasn't spoken to any of us after…Father may not hate him now, but as soon as we get in a fight over him he will." Quatre closed his eyes again, "I am completely useless to him."
"Oh for fuck sake as if," Duo scoffed shaking his head, "If we all are playing nice then wouldn't allying a powerful Witch clan and a powerful Lamian one be a good thing? I know the Maxwell would love being cool with the Bloom and the Yui."
"Your clan has always been more welcoming, you are lucky they found you. Father would not stand for a second heir being seduced by the Lamia." Quatre frowned at that, Barton had not laid a hand on him in anyway Duo had not, in fact Duo was much more physical towards him. If Barton ever hugged him he would probably turn red as his sister's hair, he was not sure how Barton would react to that.
"Yeah I have been very blessed, some bad shit early on but now smooth sailing. Look Quatre, you know I'm all about follow your heart and damn the masses, but you should be sure of his before you go and piss off your old man." Duo could guess what would happen if Quatre blurted out 'father I love him', nothing good would come of it. There was little doubt Barton cared about the blonde, he had not been born yesterday, how much…that was the million dollar question.
"If his sister is right even he might not know what it wants, she seems pretty sure who he really is has yet to remove all its masks. I tend to agree with her, but there is little I can do about that but wait and see if my gifts tell me what he wants, and not just what I do." Quatre was use to bonding quickly with people, he always had, but this was not the same.
"Well calm the Kitty is very nice, hissy…still nice to look at. Give it time Cat, we have that and rushing can end a beautiful thing before it ever gets to start." Duo gave his friend a reassuring smile, he wasn't the only one around who had a knack for reading people.
Quatre couldn't help but smile a little at Duo's teasing, even straight people commented on looks like that now and then. "Katherine saw the soul that is inside and coxed it out, I can do the same if he allows it. How did you become so wise Duo?"
"I listen really. Feeling a little better about the future?" Duo had always loved trying to figure out people, he knew Barton enjoyed doing that as well, even if some of their methods differed.
"I am yes, thank you." Quatre smiled thankful yet again he had gone to that party, if he had stayed home who knew where they would all be now?
"Anytime Kitten, now try daydreaming while I cap nap hm? Trust me smiles look better on you then frowns." Laying back down Duo closed his eyes content now that Quatre looked thoughtful rather then depressed.
Quatre smiled blushing a little at Duo's suggestion, he did not daydream like that. "I'll give it a try. Sweet dreams Duo."
Duo smiled sleepily, sometimes you just needed someone to care a little to make things better, "Back at ya."
As We Dance With The Devil Tonight4
Trowa sighed arms folded on pale cool stone, breeze swaying his long bangs slightly. Stare turned when he heard cloth rustle from the room behind him, more instinct then thought. Frowning the former human turned back to the sunlit world that often cheered people up, it did nothing to help or hurt his mood. The sound of bare feet on soft carpet drew his stare back over his shoulder, "You should be sleeping."
"So should you," Katherine retorted as she stopped in her doorway blinking at the bright world outside, why did sunlight have to hurt first thing?
Trowa nodded turning his gaze away from his sire, staring at trees did not upset or worry the trees any, "Didn't feel like it."
Katherine shook her head, white night gown trailing as she walked out onto her balcony. "If you need to wear yourself out I am sure Mother would be more then happy to fed."
"I have no doubt, but drained I am useless, I tended to skip sleep even as a human, I need it even less now." Trowa had always been fine sleeping when he could and no more, some people needed more or less sleep then others.
Katherine crossed her arms loosely, studying her creation, things had not changed much between them since the night she told him what she was, or the morning she made him family. "You think too much Brother Dear, the trees only speak to druids not us."
"I would worry if inanimate objects or plants did speak, they are just something to look at." Trowa turned his head to look over his shoulder. "Did I wake you?"
"Not at all, I sensed you near but that has never disturbed me. Did you have fun with Hiro last night?" Katherine had found the amethyst eyed pair to be rather charming, Midnights were not all doom and gloom types.
"Mostly we just talked since there was nothing for us to slash. Tonight we should be more useful," Trowa had always preferred being useful. Helping strangers had given him something to do while honing his skills, not all humans were beyond redemption and hope.
"Just try not to break the furniture while reminding everyone to keep their attacks verbal, those fancy chairs add up quickly." Katherine teased as she stopped beside him, frowning when he said nothing, "I'm sure he would appreciate the lack of chair carnage as well."
Trowa shook his head, "I really hope no one there feels pity for chairs, there is some madness that should not be tolerated."
"You've never had a favorite chair have you?" A favorite chair became a very personal thing to some people, she herself had a few only her brother would be allowed to sit in and get away with it. "That exception aside I agree wholeheartedly. Quatre is a sweet kid, but you can't play bodyguard for him unless something attacks. Just knowing you are near will bring him comfort, you can be very intimidating when you choose."
"Only a fool would start something with both Hiro and I there, but some of the worst fools of our kinds will be there. Do not worry Sister I may think these talks are a waste of time but I will see they continue, as will Hiro." A truce meant he could get back to what mattered to him rather then what loyalty compelled him to deal with, fools.
Katherine placed as hand on his shoulder, pleased when he turned his head to face her, "I have no doubt you will see that child is stressed no more then he has to be. Scare the fools, I will offer my aid where you cannot. I would prefer he not have white hair before we tire of talking, though it could be charming…what do you think?"
"I think Duo has teased him enough about his hair turning white he dose need it from anyone else." Trowa would likely tease him about it regardless, but cats enjoyed playing, and not just with things they intended to eventually kill.
Katherine tapped a finger off her chin as she thought for a moment, "Perhaps you're right. The mouse has a whole room of mangy rats to worry about right now doesn't he? I am not surprise Father wishes to be far away from them tonight, though he will miss some fun."
"He will likely spend the evening with Mother, it will be easiest for him to tell if my blood is helping." Trowa sighed resting his forehead against folded arms, "I should just kill something and pass out."
Katherine sighed placing her hands on his shoulders, some people tried to do too much. "If it helps you can give her more when we are back home. If not…we will find what will. I have yet to meet another with a will like yours, our power is our will, and our rage. Promise you will save a little vengeance for me hm?"
Trowa made a fist before flicking his fingers, claws extending a few inches and forever sharp, "There is no such thing as a little vengeance Sister. Those who did this will pay dearly for their foolishness, I will not be so greedy as to withhold them from you and your father."
Katherine closed his fingers into a fist as his claws retracted, "That is why we love you so baby brother, you are one of us as sure as if you had born into our clan." Turning her head she kissed his cheek and hugged him tightly, "Go to bed, you may stay here if you wish, but get some sleep please?"
Trowa nodded, not thinking would be a nice change of pace, "I'll stay."
Katherine smiled letting him go, emotional discussions normally ended in him sticking close. "Come to bed then, it's nice and warm…and very fluffy."
Trowa shook his head at her, she did like fluffy things, "Go back to sleep you are talking nonsense."
"Yes, yes, warm fluffy bed will make it all better," Katherine cooed before laying back down lazily, she really did love her soft fluffy beds. Trowa just shook his head at her again but was smirking so she ignored him until he laid down, curling up beside him with a content sigh. Tobias had been a wonderful pillow as well, a perfect gentlemen who loved her without any desire to move beyond deep friendship. "Night Kitten."
Trowa smiled at the red head as she curled up, voice already half asleep, "Good afternoon Sis."
As We Dance With The Devil Tonight4
Katharine sighed softly, tucking a stray strand of hair behind the simple green star earring her mother had given her. Closing her eyes she scanned the room before reaching behind her and catching her brother's wrist, "There you are." Smiling she placed her hands on his arm when he pulled her close, "Feel better?"
"I'm fine," Trowa assured her resting his chin on her shoulder. "Your old man still hiding from the masses?"
"Yes, I have you so there will be no problems." Katharine smirked as she turned to face the young man she had given eternity to. His long bangs were tied back so his death glare would be even more effective, white shirt and black slacks as dressy as he got unless she ordered otherwise. "You'll ruin that shirt."
Trowa shrugged at the half joke, "I have so many for a reason. So orders?"
"Just do what you do, I will handle the formalities," Katharine envied his patience but around representatives it failed more often then her own. She could understand why, Gods knew she could not stand most of them. Turning from him she headed for the guarded doors ready to get this yelling match started. Walking past the two guards she entered the room pleased when eyes turned to her then her brother, the silence was all she needed to hear to know she had their attention. Ignoring the following eyes she strode right up to the seats reserved for her house. Nodding to Quatre she sat down, arms resting on the arms of the chair, legs folded to the left. "My father is engaged in personal business, I will be speaking for the House of Bloom during this meeting. Now what were we discussing before my arrival hm?"
As We Dance With The Devil Tonight4
Trowa sighed softly from his sister's right, arms and legs lazily crossed, listening but not really caring about what was being said. Noting Quatre's calm voice he opened an eye glancing towards the blonde, highly doubting Quatre noticed in the least. Speaking as one would to two bickering children he was busy getting two Lycan to relax enough to say something requiring thought. The darker haired Lycan noticed his stare first, looking annoyed until he remember who was lazily frowning at him. Sitting back in his chair he agreed petty fighting amongst themselves was not solving anything. Smelling the other's fear the second one hastily agreed getting a sneer from the Vampire, bickering was such a waste of time. Quatre turned catching the sneer before it became an amused smirk and a shrug. Returning the smile he returned to his seat, ending fights sure was easier with Barton around. "Father?"
Lord Winner shook his head when his son got between two growling Lycan as calmly as if they were mere puppies, he was his mother's son all right. Catching fear in the Lycan facing the Vampires he turned, green eyes were glaring with all the lazy indifference of a feline's. It did not take long for both wolves to sense their peril and sat back down, his son sharing a smile with the young Bloom adoptee before sitting and prompting him to continue. "As I stressed last night we must agree to respect the ways of the three races or we will fall to each other rather then to the humans."
"Blah humans are weak," A Lycan muttered getting a frown from many of the Mades in the room.
"Perhaps, but Hunters are well trained in fighting us, and modern weapons make them more formidable then ever before. Normal bullets can still hurt your kind Lycan and sliver is easy to get, none of us are invulnerable." Lord Winner glanced at the Vampires but none made any comment, Barton looked lost in thought as a few others did. "It is why we cannot continue this petty fighting amongst ourselves, weaken we can be hunted down and destroyed, even we born of magic."
"Ha you need us far more then we need you Magic Thrower, why should we not allow the humans to burn you all again?" The same Lycan who had badmouthed humans jeered.
"Humans have decided our kind are not their largest threat, you who must feed on them are who they will burn, gun down, imprison, what have you. We knew this when we from this alliance, and the reasons are still valid." Lord Winner knew his kind would survive the longest if war broke out among the four races, Vampires would likely suffer the worst.
"Humans run like frighten deer when faced with something they cannot kill easily, we shall slaughter them all and take our rightful place as leaders of this world!" The black spiky haired Lycan shouted jumping to his feet, a handful of others joining him in roars of challenge.
Winner opened his mouth to speak only to leave it open when the roaring of the leader stopped, his voice a choking gag. Barton's fingers curled around his neck, holding him easily off the floor, expression freezing cold. "Stop your boasting fool before I remove your offensive tongue. I could have killed you as a mortal, now it would take but a gesture." Dropping the wolf he turned flashing eyes on his clan, before turning and sitting back down as if nothing had happened.
Closing his mouth Winner reminded himself of just how fast and well trained the Knights of the Blood really were even still in their human guise. Barton's threat was by no means empty, and the Lycan murmured among themselves clearly well aware of it. "Those who have tried to concur man have failed each and every time, and that was before they created so many nasty weapons. The only way to claim this world would be to utterly destroy it and ourselves. Then we would turn on each other as we have before, three races locked in a struggle for power. We must see our races survive any catastrophe humans cause, while not causing one ourselves."
"It seems to me peace would be much easier if the Circles stopped treating us as tainted magic. You all can stop assuming we will use you as a convent food source, and treating the Lycan as savage animals." Katherine chimed in fingers tips together, legs crossed. "Not that we Lamia or the Lycan are blameless, but much of the ill will is started by your own people My Lord."
Mummers from the crowd far outnumbered the frowning Wicca and Lord Winner sighed softly, "We cannot be solely blamed for our weariness My Lady. We can substation your races as easily as humans, and the Lamia have farmed their food before."
Katherine nodded in agreement, "This is true, but such practices are now outlawed, and if humans ever do wipe most of their population out such research will come in handy, unless you care to supply us? Unlike our Lycan cousins we need not kill to ensure our survival, without a steady supply of humans your kind would become food. It was your own reckless use of magic that created us, and too many have tried to unmake us since."
Lord Winner frowned but Bloom cold logic was a Hell of thing to argue with, "Such research has been forbidden for centuries when no easy cure could be found."
"We are not some sickness!" A Lamian female cried standing, sitting when Katharine turned to look at her.
"You were corrupted and cursed, if we had the means we would have reversed the spells, but that was not possible." Lord Winner closed his eyes wishing once again it had been, "While many of you are no threat enough are, and that is what causes so many problems. We are not blameless there, our resentment and fear have played their parts in this."
"Glad to hear you admit that Lord Winner, The House of Bloom will never deal with those who would lie to us. Now that we are all agreed the worst of us all are to blame how would you see those problems resolved?" Katharine leaned forward, "Our Knights rounding them all up and locking them away would solve the immediate problem, but would not sit well with your house."
"The very worst of us should be helped, imprisoned if there is no other way as the humans do, but no it would not. We must choose to live in peace with each other, the petty fighting for power needs to stop." Lord Winner glanced at the Lycan who was still rubbing his throat, "We are the leaders of our kind it is up to us to do so."
"We are tried of Witch rule!" One of the black haired Lycan's pack shouted leaping at him, blinking when he saw a hand appear sticking out of his chest. The arm slipped out of his body as he fell over, his pack growling.
Trowa frowned at his bloodied arm before turning to the Lycan, about a fourth of them were on their feet, a few Lamia joining them. Flicking blood from his claws he sneered at them eyes flashing, "Do not forget only a Knight may kill at a gathering. You wish to start a war with the Circles then do so away from neutral territory, or you all will join him."
"Perhaps that would not be so bad Barton? Those who are standing do represent that worst of us all, our sworn duty is to utterly destroy threats to our peace. Which half of the room would you prefer?" Hiro glared at the crouching baka as he stopped beside his friend and fellow Knight.
"The point has been made, those who feel we seek to control them have voiced their concerns. Perhaps they should be addressed before anyone else is executed?" Quatre gave each Vampire an even stare, daring them to kill anyone else. He was sure he was safe from their claws but that did not mean he was entirely safe from them, nor could he stop them. A Knight of any races sworn duty was to eliminate threats to their own kind's survival, and the other races as a whole. Starting a civil war was a rather big threat to the Three as whole, and Vampires as a race.
Hiro frowned slightly at the blonde Witch Heir, those eyes never flinched, and had to admit the blonde had more of a spine then he had originally given him credit for. Glancing at Trowa he caught the amused smirk at the other's choice of words, he sometimes wondered about his friend's sense of humor. The Made Heir calmly sat back down crossing his long legs, he seemed inclined to wait. "Only if they remember to only attack with words."
Quatre blinked when Barton simply sat back down without a word, he had expected him to say something. Hiro on the other hand gave a warning before taking a seat not looking all that amused, not that he could remember seeing him amused. "Alpha Greymoon you were saying?"
As We Dance With The Devil Tonight4
"Will you be watching the Greymoon or should I?" Hiro asked as he came up to Trowa, who was rolling his sleeves halfway up his lower arms.
"I'll handle them, after all I killed a clanmate not you." Trowa answered before glancing up at the raising moon, "Even if it was full only a fellow Knight has a chance against me."
Hiro frowned at the absent tone, "Is something wrong? I know we have not known each other long but you know I am true."
"I knew that when I first met you Hiro-kun, what do you know of The Madness?" Hiro was a born Vampire, he would likely know more stories then he would.
Dark blue eyes went wide before looking concerned, "Who?" Mades had yet to ever be so inflicted but that did not mean they were immune.
"Katharine's mother, I don't know how long but longer then I've been around at any rate." Trowa closed his eyes with a soft sigh, Hiro was one of the few who would care if he did go mad, besides those who would have to face him.
Hiro nodded thoughtfully, Trowa had mentioned the woman before, they seemed to be close unless his profiling skills were completely useless on the Made. "I am sorry, I have only ever heard good things about her."
Trowa nodded, Hiro was not one for heartfelt ramblings, "She took my blood but I am still not sure if it helped any." Sighing he clenched his fingers, "All I know is whoever has to die to fix this will once this mess is over."
Hiro placed a gentle hand on a trembling shoulder, "If you have need of me call. Made or not you are a loyal friend, and I could not ask for a better fighting partner."
Trowa smiled placing a hand over Hiro's, "I will be all right, a few more days can hardly matter. Quatre can really glare when he wants to."
Hiro chuckled, the blonde would be a formidable ally, "You'd never know looking at him would you? We did what we could to help his cause, peace will come soon enough."
"Supremacist and purest groups will always exist, but for a time all serious talk of war will be of past or human ones. Go see to your duties and I will see to my own." Trowa patted his friend's hand before turning his head, "Sister."
"Brother, Yui-san," Katherine greeted using the honorary title she had been taught, it sounded nicer then mister to her.
"Bloom-dono," Hiro replied with a bow of his head, he liked the fiery red head, she never backed down from a good fight.
"He didn't have to go?" Katherine frowned but shook her head, Knights were not ones for long goodbyes.
"Work. I thought you would have headed home since the talking is done." Trowa turned his attention back to the dark slow moving waves, "finally."
Katherine giggled at the muttered word, hugging her sired shoulders loosely, "My Sweet it is, I was just talking to Blondie a bit before heading home. Wander in when work is done, there was a bit of snapping after all."
Trowa nodded touching her wrists lightly, "I will not be out all night, Greymoon would become extinct if that were to happen."
Tightening her grip for a moment the red haired Vampire smiled, letting go she paused as she walked away, turning back to him. "He'd worry if the next time he saw you you looked dead on your feet too, remember that My Sweet."
"I will," Trowa watched her go satisfied before sighing, gazing out at the dark eternal waves once more. "How much is even left to worry over anyway?" Turning from the waves eyes flashed, burning a rich red in the dark as the Vampire went to work.
As We Dance With The Devil Tonight4
And Trowa ruins yet another shirt...poor little shirt. Sadly Chapter 4 is over 1000 words shorter then 1-3. Chapter 5 will be nice and long again so yeah!. As always drop me a few words for faster updates. I try not to work on fics readers are not reading, or at least not liking enough to review at least. If you like werewolves and 1x3x1 the look for a new fic that will be posted this month. OK bye bye now.