Secrets, part 39

Pax pouted as she made her way back to camp. She walked briskly, trying to get back before Eadmund noticed. She knew he'd give her hell. Her tail twitched to and fro in irritation. Why would no one sate her carnal appetite? Rustling on a branch overhead caught her keen ears. "You're pretty far from home", grinned the incubus. A shadow swooped down and landed neatly on top of her head. Pax glanced up with a flat expression. "Why do you like my hair so much?", she sighed. Nefeli cooed happily as she got comfortable. Ignoring the creature, Pax took up a quick pace once more. "I suppose your master sent you?" The drake cooed in response. "He's always ruining my fun." Nefeli growled faintly. "I know, I know, you love him to death...Sorry..."

Soon enough, the pair arrived back at camp to find Eadmund staring their direction. "Crap!", cursed Pax under her breath. Putting on a sparkling smile, she strode forward. "Hey! Just thought I'd enjoy the night air and take a walk. you didn't tell me Nefeli was coming on this trip", she said. Eadmund coolly held her gaze. The drake perked up at his scent and leaped down, happily climbing into his lap once more. "She goes where she likes", he replied. "Or where she's ordered", muttered Pax. "So, it's official then? We're taking Noctis down for good?", she asked, sitting beside her simmering partner. He appeared calm, but she knew better. He was mad she'd gone after Jasper. "Yes. How are the others?", he replied evenly. Pax froze in place, cold sweat dripping betwixt her wings. "He's pissed!", she thought. "They're coming up quick. Should reach us tomorrow", she replied nervously.

Pax leaned forward and peered at the sleeping dragon slayer and exceed. Slowly, she faced Eadmund. "Aren't you going to yell at me?", she asked carefully. Eadmund calmly pet Nefeli. "What would it accomplish? It's your nature to seek such trivial pleasures and would only succeed in waking our guests. It's not as if you'd actually learn anything", he said, his words sharp. Pax sighed and started to relax. "Yeah, but such things aren't trivial to me. I'm dying out here! No one wants to play", she pouted. Eadmund grinned faintly. "We'll be home before you know it. Have a cold swim in the meant time", he said, moving for his bed roll. Pax shivered. "Already did that", she grumbled. Yona had ensured the sea water was frigid. "Get some rest then. The location we were given isn't far off. Conflict will arise shortly", stated the gargoyle, calmly closing his eyes as his drake companion curled up on his chest to sleep. "Fine", sighed the succubus. Once in her blankets, she stared up at the night sky. It was nice to see actual stars for a change. It reminded her of her celestial companions. Faintly clutching her keys, she grinned to herself. She'd see them soon enough.

The next day, the main rescue team walked in awkward silence. Jasper was at the lead again, setting a harsh pace. Yona, Rani, and Lucy brought up the back, talking in low tones. Occasionally, Natsu would glance back and offer a smile, but Lucy only glared in response. So, he'd sigh, and focus on moving ahead. "Lucy's pretty mad", said Happy. "I know", grumbled Natsu. "We can focus on that later. We have to keep up", chided Erza. Jasper had outpaced them yet again. "Hey! Slow it down up there!", shouted Yona. Jasper sighed and impatiently waited for the rest of comrades. Finally reaching him, Yona pat his shoulder. "It's okay. Like Veda said, they're together. That's enough to buy us some time", she said, trying to ease his concern. Staring ahead, he made little effort to relax. "They may be at the same base, but that doesn't mean they're together...You didn't see their dreamscapes...", he trailed darkly. "You found Kavi last night, didn't you?", inquired Yona pointedly. Rani peered up at them with hopeful eyes. "Is he okay?", asked Ronen.

Finally facing his friends, Jasper's grim expression wasn't a good sign. "Yes, I found him, but I couldn't make contact...He was-..." Carefully choosing his words, he continued, "Out of range." Yona narrowed her eyes. That answer was a lie. "How bad is it?", inquired Lucy. "It's not good. We don't have much time. Something big is happening soon and whatever it is, Kavi can't cope", stated the incubus. Silence washed over the group. Lucy could see Yona tensing. Despite her bravado, she did care about her team mates and she knew how easily Kavi could fall into darkness. Even if he never let her see those lows, she'd heard of them from others. "And Blythe?", asked Erza. Jasper shook his head. "His dreams are so torn, even I can't enter them", he said sullenly. "Then what are we waiting for?", said Natsu, offering an encouraging grin. Erza smiled faintly. "We'll get them out of there", she affirmed. Lucy and Happy also nodded, setting the serpents at ease. "Let's go take our boys back", grinned Yona. With renewed vigor, they set off once more.

Up the road, the advance team was expecting the others to catch up anytime and maintained an even pace. Nefeli was sitting proudly on Lily's head as they walked. He'd sighed at the drake's affections, especially since his partner had taunted him, but he didn't mind her so much. Eadmund had told him that she gravitated toward the fey and since exceeds were creatures of flight, she likely saw him as a kindred spirit. Thus, he'd accepted his tiny passenger.

Even further away, Blythe glared at his father. Yavuz grinned in response. "Marvelous", he'd said, proud of his work. Blythe was healing near instantaneously now. He'd renewed his hopes of getting away from Noctis and the dark church with Kavi, so he'd focused hard to boost his power. A fresh slash across his chest hissed as it sealed. Yavuz had caused it mere seconds before. "You've improved since I agreed to set your lover free...Or is it spite?", grinned the master of Noctis. "Have I finally taught you how to hate?", he said, slicing another wound down Blythe's pale face. The blood mage flinched at the sensation, but it healed quickly. His eyes had stayed red for the last several hours. "I wonder if they'll stay that color now", said Yavuz coldly. He remembered Tihanna's blue eyes turning the same blood red hue when she used her filthy magic in the past. "Who knows?", uttered Blythe, near exhaustion once more.

"Tired again so soon? That won't do", said Yavuz, drawing fluid into a syringe. He stabbed it roughly into Blythe's arm and plunged the liquid into his son's veins. "He may be unstable, but Dubhan is a skilled scientist. Not a complete failure, I guess", said Yavuz. He stepped back and watched Blythe twitch and convulse as the serum took effect. Dubhan had created yet another masterpiece, a serum that was fortified with nutrients and healing boosters. It would help anyone in a weakened state. In Blythe's case, it worked in overdrive. "It's an added bonus with you that this stuff seems to enhance your energy levels. Must be that magic of yours", said Yavuz, calmly taking a seat. Once the spasms passed, Blythe looked upon him with hollow eyes. "Seems you've lost that park of anger again. Maybe I should go visit your little friend." Gritting his teeth, Blythe fought with all he had to keep hatred at bay. He couldn't let Yavuz win. If he began to hate, madness wouldn't be far behind.

"I hear Dubhan's been seeing him often lately. What is it about that dragon slayer that has you two so captivated?" Blythe sighed, a faint sound near laughter escaping his lips. Yavuz raised an eyebrow at the unexpected response. "Losing sanity already? I suppose it will speed things in the end", he shrugged. Blythe's subtle grin had him unnerved. Once he snapped, there was no guarantee he would hold back on his feelings to kill his father. "Did you ever love mom? Even once?", blurted Blythe. Yavuz's cold stare hardened. "Why do you ask?", he replied carefully. "You don't seem to know what love is...I guess it was too much to expect an emotion like that from you", sighed Blythe. He instinctively flinched as his father rose from his seat, ready for his ire. When no impact was made, he cautiously opened one eye. Yavuz stared at him with an odd expression. "It doesn't matter. She served her purpose", he said, almost sullenly.

He grinned at Blythe's confusion. "Don't waste your time trying to understand me, son. We come from two different worlds...After all, you're a mage and I'm a human being. You'll never grasp concepts over your station", he said, lighting a fresh cigar. Blythe stared in thought. "You really believe all that anti-magic dribble?", he asked. His eyes went wide once he realized he'd said it out loud. Yavuz glared darkly. "Rising to challenge me, are you? Don't forget who's in control here, boy", he sneered. He quickly stepped forward and grasped his son by the throat. "No, I have a better idea", said Yavuz with chilling delight. He released his hold and instead held Blythe's eyelids back on one side. "I'll teach you to shoot your mouth off." He used his other hand to bring his smoldering cigar toward Blythe's now open and helpless eye. "Wait!", pleaded the blood mage, the ash close enough to sting.

Suddenly, a cold air blew the chamber. Yavuz stared at his cigar in wonder. It had been blown out and was now harmlessly hovering near Blythe's terrified eye. Yavuz glanced around the chamber skeptically. It hadn't been Dubhan playing tricks. Letting go of his son, Yavuz stepped to the center of the cell in observation. Blythe himself was quite intrigued by the situation, but had no clue as what had saved him. Though, a massive drowsiness took him over. He fought to keep his eyes open and a soft voice whispered, "Go to sleep, my sweet." He trembled at the sound. He knew that voice, but it was impossible! ...Unless Dubhan really as telling the truth. Sleep overtook him as Yavuz turned his focus back toward him. "How convenient", he sneered. "Apparently, we have another mage in our midst", he seethed. It wasn't the first time the acolytes had caused problems. Perhaps it was one of them. As he thought that, the air turned freezing cold around him. He could even see his breath. "What is this?"

Odd sounds emanated from various sources, only increasing his frustration. he pulled out his pistol and cocked the hammer. "Come out. Now." No response. A smug grin crossed his lips. "Fine. Have it your way." He pressed the weapon firmly against Blythe's forehead. "Last chance." He shivered as he awaited a reply. He'd never once felt so cold in his entire life. He gaped as ice settled over the pistol in his hand. It was so frigid, it burned his skin. Dropping the gun, he glared around him. His stomach leapt to his throat at a scent he'd last smelled years ago. "Perfume?" He knew that specific scent, but it couldn't be. Grumbling, he put the weapon back into his pocket. "Whoever you are, I will find you", he glowered. Leaving the cell, the haughtily took off in search of liquor to ease his nerves.

Once the cell door was locked and his footsteps had faded away, the room returned to its normal temperature. A faded image smiled fondly at Blythe. "This is all I can do for now...Stay strong." Tears falling down the see-through cheeks of the speaker dripped onto the floor. "Please...stay strong...please."

Down the hall, Kavi glanced toward his cell door. The locks were sliding open. He watched with interest as a small frame slipped through. He grinned faintly as the person came into view. It was Maria. She kneeled in front of him with a worried look on her face and something hidden in her robes. "What are you - ?", began the bound mage. "Shh! Don't tell anyone I was here", plead the acolyte. Reaching into the folds of her garment, she produced a filled syringe. "Please trust me. This will help you", she whispered. He wearily eyed her hands. She had yet to harm him, but that didn't mean she could be trusted. After all, she had ties to Dubhan. "It's medicine", she uttered, her voice low. She carefully injected it into Kavi's leg. "They've been using it on Blythe. It'll make you strong again and help heal these wounds." Kavi had little choice, but to give her the benefit of the doubt. "Thank you", he said meekly. He's magic was so weak, he was having trouble speaking. Maria looked at him with pity. "I'm sorry. I can't adjust the inhibitor. They'll know I was here then", she said. He nodded in understanding. Rising, she kept her eyes low and toward the door. Gently stroking his face, she offered a kind smile. "You'll be okay", was the last thing she said before hurrying from the chamber and locking the door tightly once more.

In the hall, she got a few yards down the hall before bumping into someone. She looked up, flustered. "Imagine running into you here", grinned Dubhan. Relief washed over her face as she embraced him tightly. "I've been so worried about you", she whispered. He gently returned the embrace, but his voice remained cool. "So worried you've been going through my lab again", he said with notes of suspicion. "I - ... I couldn't get to your room without your help...", she said, trying to cover up how nervous she was. A dark tendril slipped into her clothes, sending shivers through her body. The darkness produced an empty syringe. "My my, what have we here?", said Dubhan, palming the object. "I can explain!", stammered Maria.

He sniffed the needle and even licked it. "Hmm, my latest work, but what were you doing with it?", he asked skeptically. "I took it to a sick elder in the church", she said, shyly averting her gaze. She blushed deeply as he thrust her against the wall, pinning her in place with his own body. She'd missed his touch. He leaned close and whispered, "You're lying." He held one of her wrists in each hand and was rather amused by the predicament she'd put herself in. "Have you missed me so much that you're willing to tempt my anger just to be against me?", he taunted. She shyly nodded. "Mmhmm." He grinned darkly. "Tell the truth now", he said, lowering one hand to fondle her. She let out meek sounds as his fingers glided over her. "D-Dubhan, not here", she whispered, afraid someone would see. He chuckled at her distress. "Not the same without Tomas involved?", he teased, pressing himself closer. Giving in to herself, she wrapped her freed arm around his waist and buried her face in his long hair.

"Please", she whispered. "Not until you tell the truth", he said almost coldly. "Maria, what are you hiding?", he asked, pressing the matter. Continuing to tease her, his fingers tickled all the right places. Squirming, she had to tell him. "The dragon slayer", she spat, unable to hold it in. The utterance paused all Dubhan's taunting. He froze and looked coldly into her eyes. "What about him?", he inquired. "I used it on him...so you could keep playing with him! I swear!", she spat. "All for me?", he asked stiffly. "I don't really believe you, but that's not currently interesting me anymore", he uttered, his gaze softening. "Dubhan?", she whispered shyly. "Come", he said, pulling her from the wall and holding her close. Within seconds, the darkness consumed them both, propelling them elsewhere in the underground city.

Hours later, in Dubhan's hidden room, Maria was sewing with a contented smile. She'd gotten what she wanted. Dubhan lied on his back, casually tossing a ball of thread into the air repeatedly. "Now I suppose Tomas will be at my door next", he grinned. He didn't mind his scars being seen by Maria or Tomas. They were the only two allowed to know of their existence. Even now, he was comfortably naked in her presence. "Perhaps", she chuckled coyly. "There!", she beamed, shaking out her sewing project. "All fixed. you should have brought this to me sooner", she said, holding out the garment. Dubhan got up and happily put it on. The frayed lace had been repaired and ribbons replaced. "You know you can only work on such things here. I'll never take them from this room", he stated, feeling a warm happiness that it was fixed. Maria smiled shyly and glanced around the room. The only two people to ever see it or this side of Dubhan were herself and Tomas.

The other side of the mirror was forbidden to everyone else, even Yavuz and the priest. They could enter the lab, but not his sanctuary. Large stuffed animals, the size of a person, lined one wall, most with their eyes missing or their heads completely removed. The vanity chest was another secret. The mirror it held was enchanted. Maria glanced at it as she sat there to sew. Dubhan stepped behind her with a thankful hug around her shoulders. He, too, looked at their reflections. The mirror was special. It reflected an alternate reality, one where the genders were reversed. She smiled shyly. She made a passable man, but Dubhan made a gorgeous woman. "Thank you", he said, kissing her ear. She grinned happily to herself. He'd kept his affections from her for months.

"I'm always happy to fix you tatters. I can make you a new one, if you like", she offered. Dubhan stepped away and took a spin in his freshly mended clothes. "No. This one's my favorite", he said, watching the fabric swish around him. "Tomas and I helped make that one, didn't we?", asked Maria, fondly remembering. "I probably should bring him here, too. He does get jealous when we play without him", he grinned. Maria blushed and nodded in agreement. "Perhaps later, after I change. I think I'll wear this for a while." He held out his hand. "Come back to bed, my sweet", he said, a twinkle in his eye. Maria gladly obeyed. She had so missed his touch and had been so worried about him. Ever since Noctis had located Blythe and made plans to capture him, Dubhan hadn't been the same. The fact that he once again held her this way gave her hope for a full recovery. Still, she was just glad he wasn't angry about Kavi and the serum. Even if he was, he had taken his frustrations out and she'd gladly accepted them.

To be Continued...