Burden of Payne

-1729, The year mine existence changed for an eternity- [For as long as I could recall the Sanctuary's seeing-pool had called unto me, and silently as any other Chosen I would watch over the only thing that warmed mine cold and bitter heart. Vishous. Mine blooded brother, my twin. From young unto fully developed male. I'd watched him grow, wishing I could share a life with him, away from both our unwitting circumstances. Together. We had shared the womb of our vampiric race's bitch of a mother, the Scribe Virgin. Our Mahmen. The term was not an endearment within my thoughts, but a curse spat upon the being who'd birthed us into this terrible existence. 

I felt Vishous' pain this night more acutely than ever before, and over the last two decades I had witnessed many atrocities within the BloodLetter's camp. Or more accurately, our sire's camp. The sadistic male showed no favor upon his only son, instead made a marked lesson of him to all within his savage troupe. Vishous. Verily, I could not help but wonder anew if the nomenclature of his birthed syllables were a reflection of the vicious actions wrought upon his being, and not an indication of the male he would some day grow into. 

My fists found a tight grip upon the edge of the seeing-pool, unable to look away from the horrific events unfolding therein. Thus far our sire had seen to the defiling of Vishous and, as if that was not enough for his perverse nature to visit upon mine brother, he had Vishous' skin permanently marked to warn others of his supposed evil ways. Once these acts were complete I hoped, prayed to the fates, that the Bloodletter was finished. The appearance of a filth covered tool gave answer. I wept openly as Vishous was held down and the device was clamped into place; fore his screams of agony became near unbearable to stomach. Oh fates, his screams, how mine ears wanted to bleed from them.

When Vishous' skin burst with a light so bright as to be blinding the luminance melted away the metal viced on his flesh and incinerated his captors within a blink. This last caused an growl to rumble up from inside my chest, approving of his swift vengeance. I watched mine beloved twin drag his large frame from the Bloodletter's camp, his blooded and thrashed skin becoming embedded with shards of sodium rich soil. And in that moment a vow formed in my thoughts. No matter how long it took, I would find our blooded sire and snuff him from existence. He would receive no mercy…. ]

-Present- [Memories shifted within my mind while my white robed form hung in suspended animation, hidden within the Scribe Virgin's Sanctuary. They were reminders of why I was in this current state and whom was responsible. One debt had been paid. Verily, the bastard Bloodletter was dead, his blood on mine own hands. And though it had taken nigh onto 30 years to hunt down the male harming mine brother, Vishous, I -had- found a way to escape this side and destroyed him. Verily the memories of that time were aught that kept me sane in this never-ending stillness forced upon my being…. ] 

-1761, the Old Country- The hunt for my sire, and the smaller band of soldiers he now preferred, was over. I had escaped Sanctuary and would taste vengeance this night. My blood teamed with adrenaline, ready to be release at the slightest mental command. Materializing outside a small village I saw the Bloodletter and his small horde battle a group of Lessers, the spawn of the Omega. None gave no care to the human habitants, slaughtering without hesitation. The Bloodletter, on his massive stead, galloped after a terrified human female. Leaning to the side he snatched her up with ease and viciously clamped fangs unto her neck despite her frantic struggles. 

Braced for battle I willed molecules to scatter upon the wind and reform within his horse's path. The male did not slow, but I could tell when he noticed my presence, fore he tossed the human like a piece of unfinished meat. With the ease of a practiced fighter my body lowered into an attack stance and when the Bloodletter drew near I vaulted onto the back of his horse, wrapping both arm around his waist and launching us clear to the side with a swiftness that belied my sex. The big male attempted to go for his blade but it was too late. The hatred I'd nursed inside burst out in the form of a battle cry fierce enough to cause the strongest warriors to take pause. I whispered one word.]  Vishous. 

[While the Bloodletter's grizzled face showed confusion my body began to glow with an unearthly inner fire. And, as Vishous' had done that night he'd been brutalized, my touch set our sire aflame almost instantly. I leapt off, but stood close enough to feel the heat, needing to witness his screams and his failed attempts to put out the fire until he lay still in death, leathery corpse burning. Pure satisfaction. My lips curved into a cruel smile and I looked up and into the half shadowed countenance of one of his band. Though He said nothing I could feel his need to strike out mingling with a healthy fear of being burned alive. Before he could do more I willed myself to dematerialize, slowly dissolving into molecules until disappeared…. ]

-Present- [At that moment I became aware of my surroundings and though mine eyes were closed I felt her presence surely as if she had placed hand upon mine skin. The Scribe Virgin. Rage, like that I had for the Bloodletter, rose to the surface. Verily, this bitch had left me to rot herein and I was ready to put her down as I had mine own sire. She did not speak but after a few moments passed I felt a warm rush of molecules wash over mine skin, causing a tingling sensation. As soon as I found I was able I opened diamond colored eyes, so like my twin Vishous's and latched upon our madmen.] "Daughter." [I replied with equal ease and forthrightness.] Fuck you.

Calling Card

Butch

I got him, V! Go for that other fucker! –Alright, maybe that was a little premature but I was damned if that pasty assbag was getting out of this alley. I glanced over my shoulder at you before turning my attention back to my prey. The lesser was a fairly new recruit, his hair retaining a little of the brown it had been when he’d still been human. But, Jesus he was quick. Was the Omega making buttboys out of last season’s prospective draft picks? Hand clenched around my dagger, shitkickers thundering on the cracked asphault, I rounded a dumpster and said a quick Hail Mary, darting through a service corridor and barreling right into the lesser as I came out the other end, tackling him to the ground and burying the blade in his shoulder- The fuck you goin’ in such a hurry, man? The party’s just starting.

Vishous

-Fuck, was it a night. At least when paired up with the cop, I had a sure thing going on with letting off some steam. We had been on patrol not more than an hour or so and the hound caught the goddamn powdery scent. In a second, all jokes were cast aside and we had our game on. A few blocks over, shit went down, like two bats out of hell the relatively new inductees bolted from whatever shithole they had crawled from. Who knows what was back there but it sure as hell wasn't a bake-sale. Diamond eyes focused on my target when Butch pointed in the direction of the Omega's bitch, I was in the zone. Shitkickers crunching on the pavement as we go in separate directions. With a last glance to my partner, I nodded and went down with the stinker. Rounding the corner, I got a good look where he was going and dematerialized just a few feet away from him. Pivoting on my feet, I slammed my shoulder into his ribs, making him lose his footing and crush him into the rotting brick wall lining the passage-

Butch

-pulling the dagger free, I jam it into the bone of fuckboy’s other shoulder, pinning him like a bug on a slide- I said… stop… squirming! –cranking the blade in place and smirking at his howl of pain as he finally drops his piece, knocking it under a pile of rank garbage bags- Where’s the fire, pal? You got a date grabbing your ankles for the bossman? -“Fuck off, freak!” He kicked out, nearly bucking me off and I shifted all my weight onto my knee, grinding down on his solar plexus, cracking his ribs with a satisfying crunch- He must have picked you for the looks, ‘cause he sure as hell didn’t do it for your brains. What were you and Tweedledumber back there doing? –Dead eyes trained on mine, lips blackened with blood curled into a sneer “Your mom. Think she liked it, too.” Eyes narrowing to slits, I wrenched the blade free and buried it in his gut- Yeah? You like that, fuckstick? No recycling bin for you this time, either. –leaning in almost nose to nose- Game over. –breathing deep until the fog of evil that animated him was gone, its rank essence filling my lungs and seeping out my pores until I sit back on the corpse, coughing and wiping the back of a hand over my mouth as I look around for V-

Vishous

-hearing the grunts and sounds of battle not too far from my place, but I was barely listening, my boy had this and I had my own problem to take care of. The pale one grunted and rolled to his side, making me miss my footing for a split second, but not enough to give him room for more fight. Growling I connect a few jabs on his already fucked up ribs, one-two-three... each blow making me breathe in the sickeningly sweet scent. Dodging the hit that was sure to make me see double, shifting my weight on my feet as I easily slide my blade out of my sheath in the same more. I manage to slice his wrist open, landing some of the oily blood on my shitkicker, making him lose the tube he had managed to grab on his way out of whatever place he had crawled out of. The incoherent string of curses that came from his lips didn't face me, if anything it only served to make my cool turned icy with calculation. Flashing a menacing grin just before I stab into his thigh and twist the blade until it hits bone. A very un-male yelp came from the gurgling sonofabitch which just made me laugh. Once again, the blade was out and dripping from the disgusting blood. I took a step back, only enough to kick his weapon aside and watching him fall on his ass- Not your fucking night, huh? –calculating the intent in his eyes I land a good hard kick to his stomach that had him gasping for air. Sure thing, he was seeing stars-

 Butch

-sitting back on my haunches and wiping the stained blade of the dagger on my thigh, I grab the lesser’s wallet from an oil slick of grime and rise to shaky feet, shoving it into my pocket and swallowing back the bile rising in my throat, scanning around for my partner- V? –neck cranking toward a gurgled scream, plowing through stagnant puddles back toward the fork I’d taken after the lesser, falling back when the mangled body crashes into my chest. Quickly catching him in a full nelson, I grin up at Vishous- You lose something, brother?

Vishous

-taking my time as I take a few steps into the direction the lesser was attempting on going. My smirk only growing when I see that he bashes into Butch who with quick movements turns the pathetic piece of shit into an oily punching bag. I laugh at Butch's taunt- Nah, this fucker -raising my oily blood stained dagger to the lesser you held, his attempts turning into pathetic little squirms while his eyes widen in fear- is right -the point of the blade pressed firmly right against the lesser's jugular- where he should be -barely letting him get another squeak out before I make a quick slash all the way through. The joker would be damn proud of the wide smile I had just scored on this fucker's neck. Taking a step back at the same time Butch lets the bleeding asshat fall face first on the pavement- fun times, true –wiping the dagger on the side of my thigh-

Butch

Yeah. Fucking laugh riot. –crouching down and flipping the lesser, flicking hazel eyes up to V’s for a second before dropping my head and inhaling, filth seeping through me until I nearly gagged but not stopping until all that was left of the pale nightmare was the fading stench of powder and decay, bobbing and weaving when I brace on the crumbling brick and push myself back up, sliding my dagger back into its holster and wincing at the strengthening waves of nausea and scenting the air, nostrils flaring at the tang of blood- You get nailed, man? Jodi’s gonna have my ass if it’s deep.

Vishous

-watching you go to work with what was left of the Omega's bitch, holstering my dagger slowly. Eyes wandering from you for mere seconds just to make sure we don't have a little party without notice around us. It seemed pretty clear, even of human scum that tended to roam the filthy back streets of Caldwell. Taking a step forward just in case, brows knitting together in concentration at the state in which you were left in after destroying our enemy. Good, huh? Dhestroyer going at it. I almost miss what you say and without thinking I let my eyes drift to my limbs.- Me?- now my senses registering what you meant... blood... and not the oily kind but the one that usually meant there was bad news to come to a poor unsuspecting family. My senses on full alert, I give you a once over and my head snaps in the direction the wind was coming - It's not me, cop, and from what I can see it's not you either- eyes flickering to yours for one of our wordless conversations. We both nod and head back to where this night begun-

Butch

-hackles still raised in expectation of more company, I follow a few paces behind you, trying not to puke at the mingled smells of dead lesser and restaurant waste, unable to shake the feeling that someone was still watching our trek back to the starting line, the coppery smell getting stronger with every step until we pushed through a makeshift cardboard shelter and I stopped cold- Oh, Christ. –the female lay in a puddle of deep maroon, steam rising from the blood left to cool in the frigid air. Kneeling down, I studied every detail, going from Dhestroyer to Cop in an instant- She’s not a vampire, brother. –brows furrowed, my focus draws to the wound on her throat- But, it looks like someone tore into her to feed –scrubs a hand over my face and looking back at you- 

Vishous

-aware of the small distance between us, I feel the hair on the back of my neck stand the closer we get to the blood that wafts through the air. Hidden to human senses but not to us. The scent lured us in and I had to slow my pace, letting you take the lead as I scan the area more closely, something about this didn't sit well with me. Messing with humans is not their usual MO I took a closer look from a different angle, her hair was wiped to the side, successfully covering most of her features. The blood had darkened her long hair, making it almost oily black, my brows drawn briefly at that- We gotta report this, be it our case or not, this female deserves to be identified -taking out my phone distractedly as I mumble that-

Butch

Yeah… -reaching out, I gently flip a lock of hair aside to see her face, jaw clenching to see her neck hadn’t been the only thing savaged, dried blood streaked around a symbol cut into the skin of her forehead, muttering under my breath- Maybe she cut herself when she fell… yeah, maybe I’m a Chinese jet pilot. –calling over my shoulder when I hear the phone snap shut, my gut knowing what I was seeing without needing to be told- Yo, V? Tell me that’s not what I think it is.

Vishous

-flipping my phone shut, still watching over you like a hawk with the knowledge that we had minutes before the first police car arrived on the scene. The cop staying true to his nature while I ponder what could possibly join our world with the human one. Taking another step to the side when you call for me and stiffening on sight. What I expected to see when Butch tried to show me what was doing, I don't know, but it sure as hell wasn't this. Blinking just to make sure that I wasn't just seeing things, crouching next to the cop to examine the gash even though I could see it from where I was just fucking fine. A symbol was carved on her forehead, much like in the movie "Inglorious Basterds", the victim was forever marked. Or at least until her body was an unrecognizable putrid skin and bones. Shit. However, the problem wasn't that... the problem was what the symbol was. V whispering at the cop, could it really fucking be? A "V" in the Old Language on the skin of this poor female... what in the fucking hell was going on here?- That's... Old Language

Butch

That’s a hell of a way to leave a calling card, my brother.  –the sound of sirens coming in the distance didn’t leave time to speculate- Caldie’s finest are on it for now, man. We gotta bail. –stepping around the body to stand next to you, clapping a hand on your shoulder to steady myself as much as break you loose from wherever your supercomputer cortex had traveled, the woman at our feet jarring memories of Janie that had never really left me, I glance down at her one last time, the glow of neon from Trade giving her hair a mahogany cast to stand out highlight her unseeing chocolate eyes- Holy. Shit. V, doesn’t she look just like…

Vishous

-the blaring sounds of the sirens almost dim to a buzz as I focus on the female's face, on the way her bloodied hair sticks to her face and the ground. Little by little the trickle of the blood formed a bigger pool of blood. The way her body was positioned she must've been restrained but... the moment your hand clasped my shoulder all thoughts disappeared and I was back right on the grim, lonely alley of Caldwell. Like a sharp blade your words sliced through me, touching base, too damn close to home for me to feel comfortable. Springing to my feet like suddenly the stench of the body was burning me, the alley seemed smaller and I had to take a deep breath that only filled my nostrils with death. In clipped words I said - Don't you fucking say it, cop-  diamond eyes focus on widened hazel ones that had just a shadow of the sickness that came with your Hoover impersonation. I shook my head slowly -don't even think it- after another look at the cold body that laid on the pavement, I clasped the cop's shoulder and nodded in the direction we’d come from, flashing red and blue from the arriving squad cars turning the female’s blood black on the concrete- Let's go- the night was young, we could still score a few more lessers before we had to go back to the compound. I would not allow this disturbing scene to fuck up with the Brotherhood's job. No. The crunching of cement under the heavy footfalls of our shitkickers rang in my ears, or was it the rush of blood that I could feel almost boiling at the scene I’d left behind me, a human female with an eerily familiar scar. No. Yet, in the back of my mind there it was. Butch's harsh whisper "Shit. V, doesn’t she look just like…" Jodi... my female. Fuck. Let this be a fucking mistake. Sweet Fade, just me overthinking. Please.

Rebirth

Simpering fool. [I snorted a vaporous growl, watching Hhavoc with steely eyes. I’d stalked this miserable whelp for more than a century and he had yet to grow a backbone. I’d found some small amusement in his dreams, nocturnal forays into a past that still haunted him.] That’s not all that’s haunting ye, is it boy? [My voice registered with the male to prick his ears and snap his head around, searching the darkness like a prey animal. The pop and crackle of skyborne explosives had him on edge already, skittering around his filth-strewn apartment like a cockroach. With a scornful laugh, I wave off the foggy form of a nearly depleted spirit, a young male, Stephan, I’d heard his mahmen wail once. He’d refused to leave her side in death and find his peace in the Fade, reducing him a barely visible column of smoke hovering at my shoulder.] Begone from me ye pathetic half-wit, I’ve no more use for ye that I’ve use for tits on a boar. [‘Twas true, I’d no interest in these milling wisps that roamed the InBetween and the Other Side as ghosts. A fruitless growl built in my chest. I’d had life. Purpose. Power. Respected and feared by the males who’d trained under the iron fist of my command. And many had reason to fear. Like this sniveling bastard. Hhavoc had been a favorite whipping boy amongst the others, who taunted him mercilessly. I’d encouraged the brutal ridicule in the dim hope of hardening him into a worthy soldier. Until he’d been bested in his first fight out of transition by the creature I’d sired on the Virgin Scribe. Little maggot had rolled over like a bitch in heat for Vishous upon his loss, the consent of his defeat too willingly given while I’d watched him mounted and taken like the females.  The white-eyed devil I’d begotten on the bitch had been my last thought when the female appeared, she who was so like him as to be none but his twin, speaking aloud that single word. His name. Vishous. The years since my end had festered outrage to murderous calculation, honed to single minded purpose. Vengeance. Watching and waiting, I’d conserved my strength and sought a way out. A path back to garner retribution on the creatures I’d seeded in the Scribe’s conniving womb. The rising growl burst free, once more frightening Hhavoc into a jerked turn of his body toward the sound, the motion sending the contents of his rat-eaten nightstand to the floor and scattering them across the yellowed linoleum, my gaze pinpointing on the glinting tip of a dagger, half-hidden my an empty bottle of cheap liquor. That was why I’d found him. Though he’d cowered from me in life, the male had still kept the burnt remains of my blade from that night, the only thing that seemed to have survived being razed by the she-demon’s unholy fire. Hhavoc scrambled to grab the dagger and stood, tucking it into his jacket and running out the door of his rathole apartment like his hair was on fire and his ass was catching, not slowing until he’d reached the buzzing neon lights of Trade Street. I followed close by, my smoky voice a buzzing drone in his ear] Aye, boy. Get back to yer tavern and try to drink me away again. That’s done well by ye’ so far. [laughing darkly, I kept on his heel as he rounded a corner, nearly colliding with what I could only assume was a female. My time shadowing this pissant had gifted me sights I’d not imagined in the Old Country, the line between male and female amongst the humans blended in a blur of slashed crimson lips and darkened eyes. Painted whores, the lot of them.] But, yer not lookin’ at them, are ye? It’s the males yer after. Always were. I should have had you tending the fires with the females, not wielding iron, ye’ sad waste of flesh. [My own senses hovering on a razor’s edge, I mapped the alley, marking shadows and alcoves instinctively as cover while the booming thunder of fireworks filled the air. Hhavoc gripped the hilt of my dagger beneath his jacket and kept moving, my ruthless barbs silenced at a change in the air, raucous laughter and drunken fights silenced as the rows of taverns were lost to damp alleys nestled between the great monoliths that made up this city. Hackles raised at the close quarters, I barked a string of curses at the male’s back.] Yer set fer an ambush, ye’ damned fool! [I’d no sooner gotten the words out when the stench of powder filled the alley and Hhavoc ran like a spooked horse, bolting at the thunder of boots echoing off of the crumbling brick. Gliding noiselessly through the garbage piles he tripped through, I scanned his path, centuries of instinct untamped by death as my eyes lifted skyward.] Aye, boy! They’ve got the high ground! [“Wrong way, asswipe.” It was too late. The male was beyond hearing me, his chin cranking up at the lesser who’d spoken, stumbling to pull the dagger free when the two flanking him darted out of the shadows, pale monsters of muscle launched at the hapless moron. I searched through the slashing limbs for sight of my dagger, having no care for the fate of its current owner until I moved closer to the fight and the glow of my arm dimmed, drained by something that had me instantly on alert. “Wait.” The word was greasy smoke on entrails, the voice the stuff of nightmares. I crouch back into the shadows, translucent fangs bared at the hooded evil approaching. “Not yet.” The Omega stopped short of the trio, hovering above the darkening puddle of Hhavoc’s blood, turning to face me, the showering sparks overhead lighting him in a grotesque rainbow. “You’re known to me, vampire. My sister’s stud horse, I believe? Come.” Boney finger crooked to coax me into the alley way, my gaze darting between the daemon and the gore-streaked glint of my dagger holding me in place. “Come. I’ve use for you.”] I’ve none for ye’, ye’ rancid bastard! [He laughed, a sound that would have made my skin crawl were it still covering me and I swore, searching the alley for a way out. With my body.. my blade, my horse and my soldiers, I could fight but, like this? I was helpless as a babe and the idea sent my fury boiling over. “I can offer you that which you’ve wanted for years, Bloodletter.”] What know ye’ of my wants, daemon? Get back to your sickly minions. I’ve no more to say. [“Revenge, vampire. You want revenge and I’m offering it.” He grinned, extending a finger to the male on the filthy concrete, Hhavoc’s breaths shallowing by the second as thick crimson bubbled up from his wounds. “But, my offer is on a timer. I’d say he’s got perhaps three minutes.” The lessers watched terrified and transfixed as I thought it over. Already dead, I had no purpose…no reason not to fade into nothing as I’d watched so many others do… save retribution. In that instant, an eternity of penance in Dhund was fair barter for a chance to complete a task that my own bastards had failed, blind vengeance winning over centuries of defending the race in that single moment.] I’m listenin’. [Floating out of the shadows, I force myself nearer even as I felt the energy leeched from me. “I’ll give you his body.” The enunciated ‘s’ sounded like the hiss of escaping steam and I could hear the disgust as the Omega went on. “A chance to rid me of the abominations you helped her bring about. Your answer now, vampire. Going once.. going twice…”] Aye! Fuck, aye, I’ll do it. [The lessers were yet retreating and I was certain if it were possible they’d have melted into the brickwork.] What would ye’ have me do? [In a fluid rush of robes, the Omega punched into Hhavoc’s chest and drew back, the male’s heart still swelling in his boney hand with the ebbing pulse of life at the moment I’m sucked into a sickening vortex of black and slammed into the ground, peeling open my eyes and squinting against the gap-toothed light of broken street lanterns. “Get off your ass and go kill your young, vampire. That’s what I’d have you do. Failure will reap.. unpleasant consequences.” He turned toward the cowering lessers, the stilled heart now encased in a porcelain jar, skeletal hand stretching out to thrust it toward his minions. “Obey him. And do not fail me in this. My sister’s offspring must die.” Gone in an instant, I got to my feet, trembling limbs moving with coltish awkwardness to raise Havoc’s body from the floor, a plan already coming into place as I stooped to retrieve my dagger from the gore-splattered concrete and dragging it over my thigh to clean the blade, scowling in distaste at the cheap denim coverings. They would offer no armor. That had to be remedied. Hearing the shouts and blaring horns from the taverns heralding the coming of midnight, I took a breath of frigid air and let out a self-satisfied growl. A new year, a new body… a new opportunity to take back the reins and shift the axis of power in my favor. I move my gaze to the lessers still huddled against the wall.] Come, ye’ pasty bastards. I’ve work for ye’. [A dark grin twisted the lips of my new face, steel grey eyes glinting with the rain of light overhead. Shoulders squared, I tested my grip around the hilt of my blade.] Yer to tell me all ye know of the brotherhood. And of the warrior Vishous.

Powder Keg: After the Fire

Jodi

*the warm span of leather over my belly anchored me against the hysteria finally beginning to subside, the foul remnants of Zypher's blood replaced by the rich essence of my hellren, a mewl of protest lost to the intensity of your eyes when you offered your wrist, I drank deeply and settle against you, the warmth of your battered body seeping through me to loosen fear-bound muscles, eyes squeezed tight against the brimming flow threatening to spill at the slightest sound, the males in the front were silent, relief at my male's return slowly chipping away at the tension that had nearly become visible as the Escalade plowed through the smoke billowing from the warehouse*

Vishous

-sounds were muffled under the blood rushing through my ears. Although the adrenaline had been lost the moment Butch had saved me from making a huge mistake just so I could take my revenge on the male that had dared... I had to stop the thought right there or I would be growling from this moment until I could have my female under my body and screaming my name to keep that bastard and the thoughts of him far away from our reach. No matter, the danger was past behind us. Not that I would let this go, after all I do have a knack for grudges. My diamond eyes were still gaining momentum in the internal glow that is always triggered with feelings of my female. I could at least feel my brothers and I knew  Butch would cover me. Yet, another secret that would forever binds us beyond the ties of brotherhood. I tightened my arms around my female and heard the leather creak in protest to the movement. Yes, even though I was weak, the blood I took from the aristobrat served to give me the strength to be with my female. My brothers will just have to wait.-

Jodi

*not having the strength to argue the vising grip of your arms, I tear my lips free of your wrist as the flow slows to a trickle and finally stops, tongue rasping over the punctures and hesitantly lifting my eyes to yours, icy beacons in the dark of the SUV's cabin, almost afraid to speak for the aggression radiating from you even beneath the heavy leather of Rhage's trench, not drawing a full breath until I heard the whirring mechanisms that marked the opening of the compound's gate, shifting in your lap when the Escalade bounces going over the tracks holding the heavy iron in place* home... *the word spoken with a rush of relieved breath, not realizing until that moment that it hadn't truly been home since you'd been taken from me... I'd come to think of it as a tomb, my final resting place if you'd not been returned to me* Nallum.. Vishous? We're home.

Vishous

-tearing my eyes from some unseen spot, somewhere far away from the place I was when your voice filters through. Something that has kept me alive for the weeks that I was held prisoner by the band of Bastards. I lift my hand to trace over the features of your face as the Escalade comes to a stop close to the Pit.- Home -repeating the word as I cling to the idea of being back with my female, I had either died or this was really happening. Everyone stayed where they were, my eyes flickered to Butch who had turned as if expecting instructions.- Tell the brothers I'm back, I'll see you all tomorrow when -my eyes back to you- I've spent some time with my shellan, true? -he nods and we all start to shuffle out of the Escalade-

Jodi

*the break of your voice was the only crack in the wall of rage that was gaining height around you when you looked at me, swiping a tear from my cheek and tracing the line of your jaw with my thumb, streaking through the grime that covered your thickened beard, the weakness of my near starvation slowly abating.. as much as I hated the idea.. in some part to the wealth of blood I'd been given, the pull of our bond running like lava in my veins, cursing at the circumstances but bonded was bonded and I needed my male, the flashing memory of the bastard's lewd sneer feeling like a layer of filth on my skin, getting to my feet and stepping out into the drive, my eyes widening when I get my first clear look at you since you'd been freed* Oh, fuck.. nallum... ?

Powder Keg

Vishous:

-Time was ticking, I knew what was doing around me and what it meant the longer I waited for an opportunity to escape. The seconds turned into minutes and minutes into hours, my strength was slowly draining out which meant I had one good shot at hauling ass from this place with minimum use of my strength… and it all came down to just the right time. Saving what was left of my energy to pull a trick from George’s hand playing dead for the assholes in the room. “… he’s out cold…” “Ye’d better be sure, Throe.” “Just move your arse before he does come to.” “I need to be able to mark his wrists. Take that… off his hand.” “Not until he’s locked back down…” the voices fade in and out…two I’d come to know well joined by a third new voice, hanging in my iron prison, diamond eyes darting behind closed lids as I strained to listen to the movement around me, stretched limbs screaming at being freed after so long when I feel the first of the bands holding my arms open with a clang, my hand dropping like a lead weight, jarring my shoulder until I had to swallow back a yelp of pain that would have given me away. My whole escape plan depended on the seconds when I would be freed from the cage and moved for the vermin that Ione had hired to brand me with slave bands. Gametime. My head rolling on my shoulders, I went limp when the second band sprang open and the two bastards lifted me out, feet dragging loosely over the dusty floor to the makeshift table, letting them hoist me onto its surface, falling back with a heavy thud. My stellar performance earning me the distance I needed from the males that have grown to make a sport out of bleeding me almost to death. There was movement to the side of the table… counting the footsteps…the clock of Throe and Zypher’s boots circling me, straining to hear the softer steps to my right, punctuated by the hushed tear of paper and the metallic clink of needles. “I think it’s safe.” The voice of the tattoo artist shook, in spite of his words. “He might look like a side of beef now, Cael but, don’t ever fucking assume you’re safe with this one. Unconscious or no, he’s still the Bloodletter’s son.” That’s right, assholes… and you’re going to see how much like him I really am. There was more than one reason for me to survive this shit, not only do I have my brothers but now… fucking father of two youngs and mated to the strongest and sexiest female I have ever known. Once again thanking my shitty past for giving me the self-control required to live through this and much more with a minimum movement and emotion. Fueled by the image of my female and our son, I’d held on this long, conserving my waning strength for this one moment… feeling my arms moved into place, picturing the juxtaposition of the table and its own iron bands… crucified… seems to be the fate of the young of deities, tamping down on the bitter laugh rising, I snapped to focus when cold iron closed over my forearm, securing one and then the other, an eternity passing while the males argued over who would free my cursed hand for the artist’s needle. “Just do it, for chrissake. And make it fast.” With a loud exhale, the lucky contestant stepped around, keys jingling and sliding into the lock that held the lead ball closed, the click of the tumblers and then the weight was gone, listening to the retreating steps. That’s it… back up… peering through slitted lids, to watch the males through blood-crusted lashes, ignoring the pain in my weakened arm as I pulled back, millimeter by millimeter, snagging the cuff of my glove on the band and beginning to work it down my palm, trying to peel the leather back from my skin. It was now or never.-

Borrowed Time

Jodi:

*I slipped back into the pit, exhausted, my heart aching with another day of fruitless searching. I don’t know what I hoped to do that the brothers weren’t. What I did know was that I couldn’t sit home night after night waiting for the worst. Kicking off my shoes, I hurried down the hall to the nursery where Kassandra would be waiting with Sahvage, as she’d faithfully done for the last week. That doggen was truly a godsend, tight-lipped and loyal when I’d made my request of her. The disapproval was evident in the way her face turned hard but, she’d nodded and agreed to tend my young while I joined the search for his father…their father. I dropped a hand to my stomach as pain spiked through me, the all too familiar pang of hunger that had grown with the passing weeks. I padded down the hall and pushed the door open.  Stopping inside the door, wanting only to hold my son in the few moments before sickness and fatigue forced me to sleep, my eyes snapping up at Butch’s voice.*

Butch:

What the fuck do you think you’re doing, Jodi? –watching warily from my place in the corner, Sahv snuffling softly in my arms as she stepped through the door. I eyed Vishous’s shellan as she shuffled through the door, her usual tawny skin pallid, her face drawn and gaunt. Her stubborn refusal of any attempt to feed her had me near panic, though I’d never stopped trying to convince her. She’d lost weight, her curves shrinking around the growing swell of her belly. Fuck, if V came back and saw her this way… not if. When. When V came back.- You can’t keep going out there. If I let anything happen to you, Vishous would rip me apart. –shakes head- Jesus, you can barely get out of bed on your best day. Stop being so fucking unreasonable. Think of the baby!

Jodi:

I am thinking of our babies, Butch! *striding across the room, I pulled my son from your hands and folded him into my arms, pressing my nose to the top of his head as his fingers curl around the pendant at my throat* They need their father. Do you want me to tell them that I sat on my ass and did nothing to bring him home? That I hid in the mansion and try not to notice the way the other shellans look at me? I know I’m sick and I don’t want or need their pity. I need my hellren home!

Butch:

You need to eat! –I winced at Sahv’s startled cry, my frustration raising the volume of my voice- If you die, he won’t have anything to come home to, Jodi. Fuck’s sake! –shaking my head, I crossed the room and loomed down at her. So small. She’d gotten so fucking small, her eyes dark with uncountable sleepless nights.- I talked to Marissa and she agrees, just let me do that much for you. For V. You need to feed before it’s too late.

Jodi:

*lifting my chin, I looked up to meet your hazel eyes* I will feed. When Vishous comes home. *it was the same argument. As the anemia raged to gnaw at my withering body, one by one, each of the brothers had offered their own blood to sustain our growing young but, I couldn’t bring myself to do it. Someone else feeding our young… I shook my head at the thought… it was too close to admitting that Vishous was gone. I would not.. could not ever believe that. Singing quietly, I dropped my lips to my son’s head in a hushed whisper* We’ll bring papa, home, Sahv. I swear we will.

Butch:

-heaving a deep sigh, I fell back to lean against the wall, watching Sahv pull the tiny dagger charm into his mouth and gnawing anxiously. Fucking hard-headed female. Christ, she’d have to be to get through to Vishous. The way he’d been before her.. I’d nearly lost him. Vishous was my best friend but Jodi was the glue that held him together. Without her, he wouldn’t just fall apart, he would shatter and leave nothing behind- I can’t let you go out there again.

Jodi:

I don’t remember asking your permission, O’Neal. *reaching for the pacifier clipped to his onesie, I push it between Sahv’s bowed lips, smiling when his lashes droop over his crystalline eyes*

Wrath:

[Taking off my wraparounds, I squeeze my eyes shut against the pain of a building headache. Beth had been quietly listening to me rage about the Glymera bullshit taking me away from a far more important matter. My brother. Her distinct scent of night blooming roses laced with my bonding scent wafting through my nostrils when she starting pacing in front of the pansy ass desk. I threw the wraparounds on top of the stack of bureaucratic bullshit piled in front of me. The absence of the tech-wiz pressed heavily on the Brotherhood’s collective back. All our efforts divided between the war with the Lessening Society, tracking the Bastards and now finding our brother, we were all walking a thin line of adrenaline and exhaustion. On top of that, the insulated Glymera bastards were on my ass about the constant attacks on our civilians and the none-too-subtle ‘advice’ on how I should rule. Not that it made any difference; pleasing those pompous asses was at the bottom of my list right now. The old ways were slowly dying and I would like to keep it that way, bringing us into a new era of our race. Evolution was necessary to survival and the Glymera sure as fuck wasn’t willing to evolve. My inner rant was cut short by the high-pitched ring of my cell,  guided by the sound, I tentatively searched over snowdrifts of beurocratic BS until I found the smartphone. Bracing for whatever the fuck news I picked up on the third ring] This better be worth the interruption [Brows shooting up when I hear the familiar voice at the end of the line, the half-assed humor in the voice surprising the hell out of me] Well symphath… same applies to you. This better be fucking good.  [“It is. I think someone made an impression with Donall’s daughter. She’s making plans to get the fuck out of dodge.” My fingers tightened on the phone until it creaked.] Ione? The fuck are you talking about? [“She met with me through…channels. Wanted help getting her and a package back to the Old Country tomorrow night. Female looked like the cat who’d gotten into the fucking cream and the whole time she was playing with a gold zippo.  I’d know that lighter anywhere, Wrath. I’ve threatened to shove it up his ass enough. She was playing with it like she was stroking his cock. Might be nothing but, it might not.” [moss green eyes narrowing to cat-like slits, I growled a single word into the receiver.] Where. Beth’s hand tightened on my shoulder for a moment, leaning in to write down the address I was repeating. This could be the break we needed and there was one brother that needed to know ASAFP. Speed dialing the cop I put the receiver back against my ear]

Butch:

God damnit, Jodi, you can't just… -the argument stopped when my phone rang and I dug in my leathers for the phone, snapping the Razr open without looking and barking a coarse greeting- What.

Wrath:

[The cop was as jumpy as the rest of us and you could hear it in the tension of his voice, but I had no time to chastise him about proper way to address the King] Cop, I just received some intel. I think this could be the real fucking deal so listen up.

Butch:

-I snapped to attention, hazel eyes locking with Jodi’s as I step out of the nursery to avoid waking the now sleeping young, shitkickers thumping on the hardwood until I reached the end of the hall- Did we find him? Tell me we fucking found him.

Wrath:

[leaning on my elbows on the frilly desk as I chuckle humorlessly at your words] Not yet, my brother, but we're one step closer. The sineater had some useful information and again I'm thankful the bastard is on our side [rubbing at my useless eyes in an attempt to dispel the tall-tale signs of an upcoming headache] apparently one of the civilians…Ione… asked to meet up with Rehv given his.... extracurricular activities. Turns out she needs cargo transportation out of the country. Not that I give a flying fuck if the whole Glymera population leaves this side of the pond for good ~but~ Rehv said she had V's lighter. [taking a small pause to let that bit of information sink in] Said she was in a real hurry to close the deal. Sundown tonight. The Industrial Street warehouses.

Jodi:

*my heart raced hearing Butch answer, hope lighting darkened eyes watching him storm out of the room as I clutched Sahv to my chest until he mewled a sleepy complaint, leaning over to nestle him back into his crib and padding to the door, straining to hear what I could as the cop growled into the phone, catching enough to fill in the blanks. Ione. Tonight. I glanced over at the shutters still closed tight against the late afternoon sun. The brothers were still bound by daylight but, I’d be damned if I’d be held back when my hellren was within reach. Pressing a kiss to the top of my my son’s head and stroking a knuckle over his cheek, I hurried out of the nursery and down the hall, stepping out into the hazy sunlight and jumping into my truck, the engine firing to life, tires squealing as I floored it down the winding drive*

Butch:

That. Fucking. Bitch. –a growl rumbled in my chest, spewing acid-laced curses under my breath, fingers already flying over the keypad to dial Rhage and Z, I headed back down the hall, rage raising my voice into the air – Jodi, we might have something. Jodi? –calling around the pit to no answer, I stalk past the wide-eyed doggen and back into the nursery with the phone clenched in my fist, heart pumping with the news.- We leave at sundown, we have a lead on… -the words fall on empty space and I stride across the carpet to find Sahvage peacefully sleeping in his crib, the screech of tires piercing through the drawn shutters- Jodi, what have you done?