Slowly she let their hands rest on her stomach. "I feel kind of strange...like somethings not quite right." She winced as a deep pain ran through her. Averting her eyes from Dareal she took a deep breath to ease it. She frowned at the syringe and vial on the table but said nothing. Her face paled as her pulse raced suddenly. A cold clamminess replacing the flush she had.

Shaking her head, Elizabeth shifted in discomfort. "I hate surgery. You always feel shitty afterwards. It’s like no matter what you do, no position is comfortable." She smiled slightly at Dareal squeezing his hand. "I’ll live so don’t look so concerned ok?" Elizabeth’s face relaxed as the pain eased off. In minutes though it repeated. She forced back the fear filtering into her. The hand holding Dareal’s trembled, the only clue now that she was afraid. "Guess I’m just being a big baby about this." She laughed softly.

Edwards had Sarah ushered off to a private room down the hall from Dareal and Elizabeth. After she was settled in and near tears he had left her to deal with Ricky. The boy would pay dearly for what he had tried. It didn’t take long for his mind to rip through Ricky’s and discover that the young doctor had already given Elizabeth a trial dose of the questionable drug.

Leaving the battered and bloody man unconscious on the floor in the lower chambers of the manor. He sent a silent thought to Dareal on the matter, asking of Elizabeth’s current condition. Deadly anger filling his own thoughts. He informed Dareal of the doctor’s location, but nothing more. His own thoughts of ripping the young doctor to shreds if anything happened to Elizabeth, tempered only by the fact that the kindred lord cared deeply for the man’s young wife.

The dawning relization also taking place, that Ricky had NEVER acted in such a manner in all the years that Edwards had known him. Something had caused him to do the deed but another force had led him to confess, possibly before it was to late. The confusion in Edwards radiated out to Dareal.

Down the hall Sarah wept tearfully into her pillows on the bed she occupied. Her deep sobs muffled by the material. The rules were harsh here but she understood them. Yet it did nothing to help the fact that her and Ricky shared a link through his being ghouled to Lord Edwards. Everything her husband felt she did...even the mental anguish. Somehow this had been overlooked by all the kindred that had been present..including Edwards.

Sobbing from the horrible shared pain and mental images of what had been done to Ricky, Sarah tried to block it out. But it had happened to fast. She cried to almost exhaustion...but she knew until one of the kindred blocked the link...or did something more drastic, she would suffer along with her husband.

Dareal nodded lightly as his fingertips gently brushed against her cheek. "Yes, you will be alright, tho you scared the life out of us all for a while there." His eyes lowered gently as he recalled what Ricky was going to do, letting his gaze come to rest on his hand that was holding hers upon her stomach. "Shhh.. relax, dont move too much. Your going to feel sick and sore for a while, but that will all pass. And no, your not acting childish about this either." He offered her a soft smile as he lifted her hand to his lips and pressed a soft kiss to the back of her knuckles. It was then as he did that, that he got the mental question from Edward. Mentally he responded, tho keeping his smile upon his lips as he lowered her hand back to her stomach.

::::She’s doing alright, she’s in a good deal of pain, but i think that its more from the surgery than anything else. Tho i think that whatever ricky gave her is making her feel fairly sick as well. Im doing my best to keep her calm.:::

As he waited for a response from edward, he kept an eye upon Elizabeth. He could not help that he could feel her pain as well. He knew that something was going on, part of it was most likely due to the possibility of her being pregnant..but he thought it was more likely due to the drugs that ricky gave her. He sighed softly as he gently squeezed her hand in his. This was going to be a rough time, but he was determined to stay with her. He was not about to leave her now, and oddly as it seemed.. he enjoyed staying right there with her.

::: Edward, she’s afraid. Im doing my best, but i can feel her fear and i know she’s even worried about the pain she’s feeling. But someone is going to have to tell her the truth of what is going on. Its up to you Edward, you or Ricky is going to have to tell her, tho i have a feeling that Ricky is not going to be in any kind of shape to do it himself, is he?:::::

Edwards made his way to elizabeth’s room. His face grim as he walked the now silent halls of his manor. <>

His thoughts drifted off towards Sarah. The poor child was as distraught as was imaginable. He brushed her mind with his own recoiling at the pain and images. Cursing at his own stupidity on the matter concerning the young couple, the lord of Rhionne Keep continued to Elizabeth’s room. Sarah would need attention also, but was in no imediate danger. Elizabeth though...

He tapped lightly on the door before entering. "May I enter?" At Elizabeth’s nod the kindred entered the room closing the door firmly behind him. He rubbed his eyes in frustration. Things had gotten complicated rather quickly in his normally peaceful household. He understood Melanthus a bit better now. Silently he reminded himself to enjoy a quiet drink with the kindred prince. Stepping up to the bed he sat on the other side of the woman carefully.

His hand stroked her brow gently as he sent a soft tendril of his power into her to calm her before he told her of the pregnancy. Elizabeth’s eyes closed at his touch, though she remained awake. The two men watched as the tension and pain ebbed for a short time. Looking up once at Dareal before beginning, Edwards sighed. <>

He turned his attention back to Elizabeth and gently, but firmly, told her of the pregnancy and possible options available to her. Both watched as her eyes grew wide, then clouded over with mixed emotions. She trembled seeming on the verge of tears. Somehow though she swalowed them back before answering. "How much time do I have to decide?" The words filled with a hollow anguish as her heart and mind warred with each other over the possibilities.

Edwards thought carefully as he replied, "Time enough I guess. Though the longer you wait the more possibilities of complications." He cleared his throat images of Sarah’s beauty and vibrance with the life she carried in her belly. "Elizabeth, everything happens for a reason child. If you wish to carry the baby to term...I’m quite sure no one here within these walls or Lord Melanthus’s will think ill of it." He was suddenly at a loss for words. How to explain to a woman that the child she carried was concidered a precious gift even by most of his own race. A race that could no longer enjoy the wonderous moment of creating a new life and watching its entery into the world they lived in. His thoughts on the matter drifted to Dareal.

Elizabeth had kept Dareal’s hand firmly grasped in hers, both hands intertwined over her stomach. She looked down at the small moment in time as if seeing it from another perspective. Quietly she spoke, "I’ve always wanted a child Edward...but one concieved in such violence..." Her words trailed off as a deep inner fear took over. Would the child reflect that? Or if she carried it and raised it in love would it reflect that instead? A moral issue she could not bring herself to think of just yet.

No sound whispered through the room, even the warm fire in the hearth across the room seemed oddly hushed. Elizabeth still watched her and Dareal’s hands. Oddly it gave her a warm comfort. Closing her eyes she searched deeply inside for some answer to the questions that repeated themselves to her in her mind. "If only fairy tales were true." The words breaking some balance in the quiet room as an unseen scale tipped akwardly in the unseen realms of possibilities.

"I choose the to have the child Edwards. For better or worse I choose to let it live. May god grant me the strength to raise the wee one well on my own." Tears rolled down her cheeks as some deep sense of relief washed over her. The pain rolled through her again, bringing the fear back that something was wrong. "Edward, something’s not right." The fear now open in her voice.

He nodded in response. "I know Elizabeth. You were given a small amount of a drug to induce a miscarriage. I’m not sure if it will take effect or not." His voice holding the anger barely at bay now. Dear god he thought angerly, she’s chosen to have the child and a fool’s actions may cause both their lives. He looked at Dareal, the angery helplessness vibrant and alive in his eyes.

Dareal lifted his gaze to Edward, for once the kindred priest murmuring his own response to this all. "Anger will not make things easier, M‘lord edward. There is always a reason things happen, and we must let them happen." His words soft and if Edward looked closely, only he will notice that there was something.. different about dareal compared to Melanthus. As if an inner light shone more than the dark gift that Dareal had been bestowed so long ago. "If god wants the child to live, then it shall be so. We all have our time on this land, and the fates control our destiny’s. Like a river that travels for miles along the land, it has a set path, even around the rocks that lay in its wake. We are just the same way. Our lives follow a path, and the fates guide us in the direction that we must go. There may be rocks and obstacles to go around, but in the end, all is as it should be."

Dareal reached up and gently brushed his hand against Elizabeth’s cheek, smiling softly. "You do not have to go thru this alone, m‘dear. You have people that will help you, if you so wish it." His words soft and gentle, and full of meaning as his eyes gazed down into hers. There was an underlying meaning to those words, but he found it hard to express his feelings to her, but the once cold block of ice he called a heart, had thawed and for once, he found someone that perhaps he could think about being with, tho for now, he would take it slow and be there for her, if she so wished it.

He then turned to look back at Edward, "For now, things must run their course. If it was meant to be, then the light she holds within her will continue to grow and come into the world. If it was not meant to be, then the powers above will see fit to do what is necessary. Anger at this time will only make things worse. I know you have pressing matters down the hall, i shall remain here with Elizabeth until such time that she no longer needs me, or i have outstayed my welcome." Then with a gentle nod he looked at Elizabeth again, gently rubbing her stomach beneath her hands, smiling softly to her as he let his own gentle touch seep slowly into her to ease off more of the ill feeling and to take the edge of the nervousness as well, to make her feel more comfortable.

Edward nodded, "If either of you have need of anything at all just ring for a maid. Chelsa is on right now and is an apt lass." He kissed Elizabeth’s forehead, "Rest well dear lady. Until Dareal see’s fit to move you, both of you are welcomed to stay as long as is needed or desired." His eyes drifted to Dareal’s, "Concider my home as yer own sir. You and those of your clan will always be welcomed within these walls." His attention remaining briefly on Dareal as he did indeed see the difference.

"May the higher Powers indeed be with you both as they seem to be now." Without another word he turned and left the room, closing the door as he did so.

Elizabeth steadied under Dareal’s touch, the pain easing to nothing but a dull ache for the moment. She looked up at him sitting next to her. "I would like you to stay with me as long as you desire to do so Dareal. I..." She stopped losing the words to what she was going say as her eyes locked on his. She smiled softly, "I want to thank you, but words just don’t seem to mean much right now." Her soft gaze though somehow reflecting his own feelings. "I truly do wish to.."

She stopped, chuckling softly, wincing a bit as her hand tightened on his. "I have never had this much trouble trying to get words out." Elizabeth sighed, her gaze dropping to their hands. "Some things do not need words Dareal. I wish you could somehow look inside and see just what I feel right now. But such things are not possible I suppose." A sense of deep caring and love was building inside of her. Oddly she went with the flow, what the other men had done in the alley only brought to light that all things happened for a reason.

Dareal smiled softly as his grip on her hand relaxed and remained as such. Dareal nodded to Edward.. "Thank you sir." His attention turned back to Elizabeth, sitting upon the side of the bed next to her. "I believe i can see what you are feeling, even words dont sometimes feel adequant in what you wish to express.. but .. i know and understand." A gentle sigh escaped his lips as he blinked his eyes and started to chuckle. "Its funny, that .. after all this time, i can feel this way about anyone. I can see the rest of the family.. finding out that i have fallen head over heels for someone." He didnt realize at first what he had just said aloud, mearly sat there, letting his thumb stroke the back of her hand.

His eyes locked on hers, holding them gently as if they were a very very special gift. When in actuallity, to him she was the best thing that could have happened to him, even tho she would give birth to someone else’s child, he would still cherrish her and the child, since their kind could not have children of their own. As she winced again due to the pain, he moved as close to her as he could get and let his other hand come up and gently brush another strand of hair away from her eyes. "Shhh, its alright, this will all pass and things will be alright. Have no fear, im right here and have no intention of leaving your side till you are able to get up and about and well again, and even then, you might have to beat me away with a stick." He grinned towards her, chuckling softly as his fingers gently entwined with hers.

Elizabeth smiled resting her head into Dareal’s body. In time her eyes closed and she slept peacefully without pain. Somewhere during the night her fever spiked to an alarming 105. Yet a great calmness permiated the room. As if by the grace of some other being the sleeping woman remained cradled in safety reguardless of the raging fever.

Early as the next dawn broke through the sky over the moors and sent its golden warmth outwards, Elizabeth’s fever broke and she slept soundly, finally out of danger. A small sparrow landed on the open windowsil and chittered a sweet melody as the woman slept in Dareal’s arms. Her face relaxed and showing the barest hint of a smile at the edges of her lips. The small creature eyed the coup[le with interest as it hopped closer on the sill. Its small head turning from side to side as it finally stopped only inches from Dareal’s shoulder. It fluffed its feathers and settled into a restful position, watching the kindred with its small eyes.

"They say the sparrow is God’s herald of chages to come. New beginnings of sorts." Sarah’s quiet, hagard voice came from where she stood by the door. Her eyes holding a deep pain and sadness, so unlike the vibrant joy that had radiated from her when Dareal and Melanthus had first met her the other day. She seemed reluctant to enter, nervous almost and afraid. The boldness and carefree manner totally gone. "I’m sorry my lord for disturbing the two of you. I just wanted to see how she was doing." Sarah started to back up through the door, "Forgive the intrusion sir." Her voice so quiet only Dareal’s kindred hearing allowed the words to reach him. Her eyes during the entire time had only once met his own.

Dareal gently looked upon Sarah and shook his head.."please, come in and no, your not disturbing me. Please, come in.. i would love the company m‘lady." He murmured to her as he held Elizabeth gently close. "She’s doing well, better than yesterday.. i think she will be alright." Dareal motioned with one free hand towards the chair that sat beside him. "Please.. sit. I wont hurt you, its not my way. Besides.. i know what happened, and im so sorry..." He whispered softly, just loud enough for Sarah to hear as he hoped she would join him for a bit. "And i can.. only guess at what happened to.. you, so please sit and im a very good listener if want to talk about it."

He loooked at the sparrow and smiled, letting his gaze then drift down to the soundly sleeping woman in his arms. He sighed softly, extreamly glad that the danger was now over, and besides.. he had a lot to ask Sarah about. "Besides.. i.. do have some questions to ask you, and they may sound... a bit.. well.. odd coming from me." He said, nearly blushing as he bit his inner cheek as apparently this was a very odd thing for him to ask about and bring about. "That is, if you do not mind, talking to me... i am a bit.. well, like a fish out of water you could say, where it comes to something like this." He tried to be as quiet as he could be, letting Elizabeth sleep as he shifted his postion next to her.

Sarah approached slowly, fear in every part of her now as she neared Dareal. Her hands trembled as she took the offered seat. She kept her eyes down towards the floor, the tension in her shoulders so clear. It took very little to see that everything that had happened in the basement, and then later in her own room had taken a great toll on the young woman. Her hand moved slowly and carefully to her swollen belly. It shook as her heart raced. She was so afraid to do anything that might bring a retaliation of some sort from the kindred she now was nearly touching knees with.

Her eyes closed as she drew a breath trying to ease her fear. Tears welled unbidden behind the closed lids. She swallowed hard holding them back. Dareal’s words though brought her eyes up for the briefest of moments. A look of ’You must be kinding’ shining clearly in them for a second before the other look returned and her head tipped down. Clasping her trembling hands over her belly, Sarah nodded. "Aye Lord Dareal I will do my best to help ye." Her voice trembled. Her very heart told her of all the kindred in the manor this one was one of great power and age, yet also of the greatest compassion and gentleness.

But the pain, terror, and torture had taken its deadly toll on the young woman. Her spirit was broken and replaced with a terror of his kind now. Drawing a dep breath Sarah whispered softly,"What is it you need to know Lord Dareal." As she spoke, Sarah knew she would answer anything he asked...

Dareal turned even redder as he cleared his throat a bit.. "please.. Dareal is fine. And i mean you no harm.. believe in that, as it may seem hard that i am..what i am. Priests have their... code as well, tho.. i think..." Yet again he blushed deeply as he sighed, finding it suddenly damn hot in the room as he ran a hand thru his hair. "Sarah, the thing is.. i’ve never had.. or even..cared about anyone in my whole life. Not in all of my 800 plus years.. and in truth.. i dont know what to do. I’ve never even.... well..." He swallowed and sighed.."You know..." He left the words like that and looked at her, severely embarassed. "Yet.. what i feel right now for her, i dont know what to do..well.. i do.. i know that i want to be with her, but.. why after.. 800 years does this now happen.. and.. drat it all.. i really just dont know how to act i guess." This coming from the kindred as he sighed. Yes, he sure was in a pickle and mixed emotions ran slowly thru his heart and mind as he looked at Sarah. "I envy you, and yet it makes me sad.. in a way. Seeing you so full of life, the life that you carry and your own, makes me wish that i could have one of my own, yet i know that’s impossible. But it also makes me smile to see you as such, because of the light that will be brought into the world, the new beginnings and possibilities." He smiled softly, tho face still redened with embarassment as he gently lifted a hand to brush some hair from her face. He then looked to her stomach, smiling as he tilted his head.. "May i...?" Referring to wanting to feel the miricle that lived within her. His words sincere and gentle, tho he may be one of the oldest of his kind, he was not by no means a monster and seemed very calm and complacent, good natured and full of life, even with his dark powers.

Sarah nodded slightly at Dareal’s request. "You may my Lord, if it pleases you to do so." Her words and manner telling Dareal just how horribly to far things had gone the other night. Gently Sarah took his hand in hers. The second their hands clasped, a searing jolt went through Dareal. Images of ancient forests, racing white stallions, hunting horns and mountains and valleys hidden from time itself swept through him. As did the horror and what Sarah now felt from the previous night. The latter burying the first in its darkness and desilation.

The woman semed to not notice though as she placed his hand upon her stomach. The images changed then, as she murmured the softest of irish prayers, of peace and protection, to her unborn child. Her trembling was now unmistakable as was her fear, yet something deeper...somme spark of what she had lost bade her to allow this moment. Dareal was once again swept fully into a sensation this time of crossing some barrier.

The sounds of the unborn child’s enviroment inside his mother washed over the priest. Allowing him the chance to witnees first hand the thing only distant memories in the deepest of dreams could recall. Sarah’s racing heartbeat, was now noticable. As was the subtle effects on her unborn son. The infant turned, his fist shoved firmly in his small mouth. His eyes opened as if sensing Dareal’s presence. The timeless look of ages past and yet to come burned with in the blue depths. The baby hiccuped as it twidt closer to its mother’s heartbeat, drawn to the sound as a moth to a bright light.

For a second the infant locked eyes with Dareal, pulling the kindred in with such power it was totally unexpected. Yet another presence was also there, silently releasing Dareal from the baby’s grasp. "So young and yet they all hold the secrets to things we often forget dear Dareal. I ask that you watch over my granddaughter my friend, and my great-grandson!" The voice was distant and yet familiar to Dareal.

Sarah startled slightly as the baby suddenly gave a strong healthy kick. Dareal’s hand moved quite visably and Sarah took in a sharp breath. Her collar on her blouse shifted revealing a deep bruise along the lower section of her collarbone.Her eyes glanced up briefly at Dareal as she started to slowly release his hand from her own.

Dareal blinked as he heard the voice, even as distant as it was, but clear as day. He murmured softly as his hand left Sarah’s belly, smiling as he did.. "I shall williams, ye have my word on it." As his eyes lifted, they caught sight of the bruis upon her collarbone and frowned. "You have a very special gift, and a very beautiful child within ye. I wish you all the love and happiness in the world when time comes to bring the babe into the light." And gently he turned his hand upwards towards her, tilting his head gently.. "trust me, just this once. I will not harm you, nor your child, i promis you that." He nodded towards the ugly dark colored bruise upon her collarbone. "The pain can be relieved, as can the bruise to almost nothing, if you let me.." Now would come the step on if she would let him help. He looked at Elizabeth, smiling so fondly at her as his other hand gently brushed against her cheek for a moment before returning his gaze back to Sarah. "I know this sounds, odd, but.. as old as i am.. im.. probably the worlds.. oldest.. virgin around." He said, coughing a bit as he said that, his face a nice shade of red yet again, tho still waiting to see if she will allow him to heal some of the bruises and pain he felt thru the link with her.

Tho after saying that, he waited for the teasing to start. He could not help but admit what he was, and truth it was, as for a moment, Sarah got a good look at Dareal, seeing him as the young man he was, an inner light seeming to ebb within him. The longing as well showing clearly that he only wished well upon Sarah, and all the love in the world for the woman beside him, which sarah only had to look and see how much he did indeed care about her.

Sarah trembled as she looked into Dareal’s eyes. She saw everything and became lost in his gentle gaze. Shaking her head to aliviate the odd sensation, she looked to the sleeping Elizabeth. Her own eyes grew soft then. She was happy that Elizabeth was going to be ok.

Slowly she brought her hand up to Dareal’s, grasping it with her trembling one. Waves of terror rolled off of her as their hands touched. Dareal could feel her racing heart and breathing through the simple touch needed to heal her. He could feel the baby’s confusion and its own distress at its mother’s reactions. Even in the womb, the child was aware of the greater world outside of its own. Through his mother he was learning even now of what lay in store for him.

The young mother’s eyes closed as tears streamed down her cheeks. It took many minutes before she could look Dareal in the eyes again. He could heal her physical injuries, but what about the mental ones? She had witnessed brutal kindred discipline almost first hand. But whereas her husband had finally lost consciousness, that had been denied the young mother and wife. An entire night had passed with the agony unrelieved and her emotions raw. Unconsciously, Sarah reached to Dareal on another level. His strength offering what she needed to center herself in the storm of terror.

Without any thought of her own Sarah leaned into the priest’s arms and sobbed softly. She finally had found a safe haven from the brutal forces working against her. Her head rested against his shoulder as she felt his arms go around her in comfort. Sarah took a few deep breaths and gave herself over into the kindred’s will. She no longer had the strength to resist of any kind.

Before Dareal could heal her though, Sarah froze in his arms. Blinking, a slight frown crossed her tear streaked face. "800 years and you never..." Despite everything, Sarah felt a giggle well up inside of her. "My Lord you just need to let nature take its course. Even being as you are, the desires and needs have never left you. Dimmed, dulled and possible thought useless, but never did they leave you sir." Even in her pain, Sarah felt compassion and deep affection for this man who had offered the one thing she had needed the most. Time and gentle understanding.

"My Lord, you’ll come to understand a depth to your feelings you never thought possible before." She eased back from his embrace. "If ye choose to be the man in the child’s life and call him son; as I truly hope you will, then ye need to understand the difference between being a daddy and a father." She sighed picking at a piece of lint on her skirt. "I think you should talk to Elizabeth sir. There are many things that will need to be discussed." The importance of her words and their subtle meaning she prayed was not lost on him. He had chosen to fall in love with a mortal woman in child. He had been offered a gift beyond words, Sarah prayed he would cherish it dearly.

Dareal smiled towards Sarah, tho a bit flushed in the face due to his embarassment at well.. his rather abstainment from any intimate contact with women. "A father and daddy, something that well..will be definetly, new to me. Never had.. family so to say, and tis been so long.. since i even had feelings for anyone." Which was in all honesty more than truthfull. "And the way i feel about her.. i cant seem to get her out of my mind. I look at her, and gods.. i dont think i’ve ever felt in my whole.. life, like this about anyone.. and i thank the powers above that i have found someone." He looked at Elizabeth, smiling as he rested his hand upon her stomach... "And no matter what, im going to be here for her, and the child. I’ve grown to fond of her, and .. well.. you understand." He turned back and looked at Sarah, smiling rather vividly as he reached forward slowly and rested a hand upon the mark upon her collar bone. "Now, lets heal some of these nasty bruises and pain, and later i will talk to Lord Edward about your husband, alright?"

Softly he started to speak a prayer, his voice quiet as a tingling sensation slowly ebbed its way into Sarah. The feeling of great care and warmth would flow thru her body, searching for any and all spots of pain and marks. Slowly the pain was deadening, lessening by each minute to the point to where it was nearly non-existant. The bruises healed over nicely, leaving only very faint spots, which would indeed finish healing on their own in a matter of hours. As he removed his hand he opened his eyes and gazed once more at Sarah. "Not all our kind are as harsh as others. But if one is driven to anger enough, then consequences will be given. But, i will talk to Lord Edward and see what i can do for your husband later, if that is alright with you?" He smiled softly, tho as he withdrew his hand from Sarah, his attention was caught by the faint shifting and murmurs from Elizabeth. His hands came over to gently grasp hers, waiting to see if she was going to come out of the sleep. He knew that eventually he would need to tell her what he was, but right now.. that could wait, for now.

Sarah nodded and left quietly, leaving Elizabeth in Dareal’s quiet care. Shutting the door behind her, the very pregnant woman headed out to the stables for the peace it offered.

Inside the room, Elizabeth woke slowly her eyes focusing after a few moments on Dareal’s face. "Hi stranger, thought you might have given up on me...sleeping this much and all." Her smile came easily. "You look like you have something to say." Her fingers reached up and brushed his cheek. "How did I get so lucky to have you enter my life I wonder?"

The small sparrow had remained up till now silent. At Elizabeth’s voice it hopped to the edge of the sil and after a last look and cheerful chirp flew off, spiraling dixxily into the morning. The woman’s eyes followed it for a minute or so before looking back at Dareal.

"So you want to take up with a pregnant woman or not?" Her smile and gentle laugh told Dareal things words couldn’t as Elizabeth sat up slowly breathing through the now diminishing pain. She held his arm to steady herself against him. "To be honest I’m not one for staying in bed much. Can’t abide being idle for long." During the time that he and Melantus had fed, Ricky had dressed Elizabeth in a nice comfortable sleeping gown. She eyed the thick robe laying on the trunk at the foot of the large bed. "What do you say to a short walk?" Her face was pale, but her eyes shone with her desire to get up and on with her life. "Or do I have to wait till I get a clean bill of health first?"

Dareal smiled as he looked down into her gaze. "Hello to you too gorgeous, glad your finally coming around. Tho, i dare say, you are stuck with me, unless you find that deplorable." He winked and chuckled as he tilted his head slightly against her hand as her fingers brushed against his cheek. "And, i know thos is gonna sound funny.. but i do want to be with you. Not just saying it to say it either.. i mean it, Elizabeth." The tenderness shone in his eyes as he spoke those words, looking up briefly at the bird as it then took off out the window and his gaze returned to the woman in front of him.

"Carefull my dear... easy, dont need to rip any of those stitches just yet." His arm gently coming around to hold her against him as she managed to get her balance and their gaze met once again. "As for that walk, i dont want you up and about just yet, but... i can see in that look you really want to get out of this room, so i guess we can, for a short while. But.. on one condition." He grinned lightly at her as his next reply came thru his lips.. "Only if you will allow me to carry you out there. The less moving you do, the faster you will heal, alright?" His hand came up and brushed against her cheek lightly as he leaned over and gently placed a kiss to the soft flesh. His smile was dazzling to say the least, and he did have something to tell her, but.. how was he going to explain what it was he wanted to tell her, how was he going to tell her what he was? "Well, is it a deal my dear?"

Elizabeth frowned at Dareal slightly. "Carried?" She smiled softly. "Well if that’s the only way out of this room, then I suppose I’ll just have to TRY and enjoy it." Her laughter filling the room. Elizabeth’s soft hands caught Dareal’s face between them, "Dareal, I love you." With that she kissed him softly on the lips, touching her forehead to his afterwards. A soft sigh escaping her as the touch of his lips on hers lingered, long after the kiss.

She felt a deep stirring inside and trembled slightly, feeling flushed at the same time. "My god I feel like some silly school girl instead of a grown adult. My appologies my Lord for being so..bold." The playful sarcasim evident as she drew back to look him in the eye.

Her hands though remained on him now instead of pulling away. "Dareal, I wish nothing more than for you to be in my life and that of the child’s. If there were a way to see to that on a more permanent thing, then I would gladly take it. I have only met you recently and I do know one thing above all others...I don’t ever want to lose you." The tender passion in her voice was almost heartbreaking. Never before had she truly felt this way about another human being. His touch set nerves alight that had long laid dormant, and his eyes drew her into depths of mystery and realms of fantasy. She listened to his quiet, yet powerful voice. In it hidden a strength that she knew commanded attention from any that he put his attention to.

Slowly she let one hand trail across his cheek and down his jawline. The fingertips barely brushing the sensative skin beneath. Elizabeth felt Dareal shudder under her touch. Carefully she allowed her hand to wind its way slowly and languidly down to his chest. Her fingers stopping on the skin where the top two buttons laid open. A smile crossed her face as she leaned in and placed a soft kiss on the tender skin. "I wish that I were in better shape to continue this." Resting her forhead on his chest, her heart raced inside. It took a few moments to bring it under control.

His insides trembled more as he held her gently go his chest. He sighed very contently as he let his hands gently rub along her back. Those three little words brought such a joy to his ears as she said them to him. "And i love you too." He murmured, tho slightly shivering beneath her hands. His lips smiled gently as his hands came down away from her as he leaned back, managing to lean over and grasp the bathrobe and smiling.. "So, shall we go for our walk, Elizabeth?" He held the robe for her, drapping it around her shoulders as she managed to slowly slip it on and she returned her arms back to him.

Within moments he let his arms wrap back around her, this time carefully hefting her onto his lap as he took the IV and disconnected it from the needle that was embedded in her hand. "I think we can do without this now for a while, dont you?" And as he said that, he stood up, bringing her up carefully against his chest as he held her like he would the most precious treasure in the world. It did not take them long to make their way out of the room and down to the garden outside. The garden itself was indeed gorgeous, just like the one back at Muncaster Castle. The soft scents from the blooming flowers filled his senses as he did not let her out of his arms till they got outside. "Beautiful place to say the least. Reminds me of Muncaster. Has a gorgeous garden there as well."

As he let her down, slowly he took a few steps away from her and leaning over, plucking a soft pink rose from a nearby bush and handing it to her as he drapped an arm back around her. "Feeling alright my dear?" He asked as he leaned over and pressed a kiss to the top of her head as he let out a soft sigh. As he gently rubbed her back, he let a bit of that healing power of his ebb slowly into her, removing what little bit of pain if any she had left, but doing it just so, so she would not think nothing of it. "There’s so much i... wish to tell you, Lizzy, but i dont know.. how or where to even begin. " He murmured softly again as his gaze looked at her beautiful face as she held the rose within her fingertips.

He entwined his arm with hers and lead her slowly across the garden, heading towards a small wooden bench near a patch of white lillies that had come into full bloom. He sat down upon it, pulling her gently into his lap as his arms carefully drapped around her shoulder and her waist, letting one hand rest upon her stomach and rubbing it slowly. How would she take it, him being kindred? That one thing worried him the most, because he did not want to lose her. And yet, that was the one thing right now that he feared the most and it truly pained him. Perhaps that was one reason why he never got close to anyone before. Why he was always so cold hearted. Sure there were plenty of times he could have had anyone he wished... but that fear had always kept him from persuing any of those women. And here he was, with a woman that seemed to have completely melted that block of ice from around his heart. Yet, he could not lie to her either, and he knew the longer he waited to tell her, the harder it would be for him to even tell her.

Elizabeth leaned into Dareal’s touch as the minor pain she had been in disolved away. She smiled at him softly, then let her attention drift to the wonderous garden around them. The warm sun had a calming effect that rivaled Dareal’s touch. "You know Dareal, you are a very special person." Pausing her eyes looked up into his. "I’m so glad twas you that found me in the alley."

Her hand drifted to her stomach. "I guess something good came of it all." Tears shimmered in her eyes but didn’t fall. "I’ve always wanted a baby. But never thought..." Her eyes closed as a fleeting moment of emotional pain crossed it. "I don’t want to lose either of you Dareal. Ever." The passion in her words stirring some deep primative instinct to protect the life growing inside of her at all costs.

calmly without looking up her next words came softly. "Tell me of yourself Dareal. I know nothing except your name. What is it that you do? Where were you born?" She looked up finally staring deep into his eyes. A gentle breeze lifted her hair gently.

Inside the Keep Ricky stirred. Edwards stood over him, "Ready to continue my boy?" Ricky moaned as Edwards hand clasped his neck from behind and tossed the man’s body on a stone slab table. Edward exerted his power over the ghouled doctor paraylizing him.

The kindred’s hand dipped down to the shelf next to the table. An unholy light shining in his eyes now, he brought the dagger up in front of him. "I think you will find this most...interesting." For a brief second a darker shadow outlined Rhionne’s master, then seemed to suck its self into him. Ricky’s eyes widened in horror as the knife decended slowly towards his abdomen. The agony of it slipping into his skin brought a muffled shriek, as Edward’s slowly ran the razor sharp blade through the first layers of skin.

Slowly he worked, slicing carefully the skin in arcane patterns across Ricky’s abdomen and chest. Smiling he stopped. "Well now for the fun part. For me anyways..." With great care and skill he pulled the layers of skin off and set them in a black metal bowl. The minutes ticked away as he methodically skinned the doctor’s body on the front. Red blood seeped and pooled on the table, dripping slowly to the floor. Ricky beyond screaming now laid in a state of deep shock, as the man he once had loved dearly slowly took the dagger up once more and started to carefully slide the tip into the soft area just below his armpit.

Edward’s hand holding Ricky’s firmly over his head as he worked. The dark whispers spoke approvingly to the kindred lord. ’Well done my friend..well done. With the skin of this one you will start to build the book to counter the one they search so hard for.’ Edward shuttered inwardly at the coldness.

In the stables on the other side of the estate, Sarah gave a cry of agony as her stomach convulsed in a manner she was coming to know all to well...Blackness never came though as she lay in undescribable pain in the deep straw on the white stallion’s stall.

Dareal held her closely, sighing as something... touched his insides, something.. painful. Something was amiss, but.. what? He could feel a familiar presence, a darkness that was rank of evil. Dareal’s eyes widened as he right then he KNEW who it was. "By the love of god..." Dareal shut his eyes tightly, not caring at the moment that the woman on his lap would most likely question what was wrong. "Elizabeth... my love, i need you to go somewhere. Go to the stables, and stay there till i come for you. There’s danger here... and trust me, i know these things. But trust in me right now.. i dont want you hurt.. go there and stay there till i come for you.. please." His eyes locked on hers with a deep love and passion. He stood up looked at her pale form, and looking over in the direction of where the stables were. "Please, hurry.. i will be there in a bit." With that he leaned over, pressing a loving kiss to her lips as he pulled away from her and hurried inside, hoping she would go to the stables.

"Blast you Lokius.. damn you to hell." Once inside, Dareal stopped, opening up a link to Melanthus mentally and telling him that he was needed here asap! That lokius is back, and its just him here at the moment. Melanthus would be there in a few minutes, but not soon enough as Dareal hurridly ran thru the huge manor, looking and feeling his way towards the infamous feeling of the demon. Thank god he had brought the cross, odd as it was, tucked into his back pocket, having forgotten to place it back upon the alter at Muncaster before they took their outting to get dinner that night.

Meanwhile, Melanthus hurried out of the castle, shifting into a black wolf and hurried his way thru the woods, as the crow flies. It would be faster than by car, seeing how this would give him a straight shot to Rhionne and he could use his own powers to speed things up in getting there. All Melanthus could think of was how much danger there was now for everyone there. But he kept in mind all the advice that Williams and the elf gave him. He knew Edward pretty well adn those that lived there for many centuries. Tho he only hoped that he would get there in time before anything happened.

Dareal followed the feelings that finally led him to a pair of stairs that led down into the lower part of the manor, feeling the gut wrenching feeling of the wraith beyond. "Ricky! Lokius!" He called out as Dareal came upon the sight before him. Edward carving ricky up on the table, causing Dareal to nearly lose his food from earlier as he managed to catch his composure and the color of his eyes shifting to a very dark red as the elder kindred stepped in. "Lokius.. Leave HIM alone! Right NOW!" Dareal’s voice boomed as his hand went to his back pocket, withdrawing the glowing cross that he had become so fond of carrying as of late. The sight of Ricky having been skinned not only hurt dareal to see, but also gave him more than enough reason to try his damndest to rid Edward of the wraith. "Edward.. listen to me. Stop what you are doing.. think on what YOU are doing. You are not like this.. this is not your way. You know in your heart that you would never bring pain to anyone, especially those close to you. Fight him off, Edward! Fight him off!!" And Dareal held the cross out, as if trying to ward off the creature within Edward. His voice started to get louder, praying for help one more time. Praying to the gods above to grant him the will, the knowledge and the wisdom and strength to help his friends..and to protect those that resided within these walls and those he loved with all his heart.

Minutes later Melanthus finally made it to the manor, shifting into his true form as he did not wait to be let in, and mearly turned to mist and let himself in. Melanthus nearly found himself overwhelemed at first by the forboding and evil presence that he felt last time and recalled what the wraith had done to HIM before. No, anger was not an option here... yet he thought upon his love for those he knew..and how much they all meant to him. With that he linked in to Dareal, following his presence as well which would lead him right down to where Dareal was at. His hand came down to rest upon Dareal’s shoulder, looking over at Ricky and his condition. There was sure to be one hell of a battle here, but he learned from their last encounter with Lokius, and this time, they were ready for all possibilities to come.

Edward spun around at Dareal’s commanding voice. But the eyes that looked back at him were not Edwards. Instead of the calm, piercing blue eyes that had held years of quiet wisdom and inner peace, what looked back now where red eyes from the burning pits of hell itself. "So Priest you have come to watch as I prepare to end this miserable creatures life. How fitting, that last rites be rendered by one of those whose hand has caused this." The infernal fury brightened as Dareal held the cross up before him.

Hissing with bloodlust, Lokious bolted at the two kindred before him. Yet as he launched a full attack a searing white light raced out from the cross. It hit Edwards in the chest in an explosive thunder, sending him into the air and against the far wall. The stone cracked as the pocessed kindred was slammed into it with enough force to shake the wall. Bones could be heard to shatter on impact and Ewards fell into a heap on the floor.

A thick black vapor rose from the fallen lord of Rhionne, shrieking in anger as it came to hover over Ricky’s still breathing and mutilated body. Lokious materialized next to the container with the scraps of flesh in it. "So Priest you would strike out with the Lord’s power against an innocent. How lovely that must feel to one such as your self." His dark words whispering softly between them, coaxing and cold. "I will have what is mine this day old one." The wraith’s hand running across Ricky’s open body. He arched in an agony beyondwords and sound at the wraith’s touch. His breathing shallow and labored, as his eyes widened in terror at the form next to him.

"AH! See Priest, he knows his death approaches soon. But not by my hand hmm dear boy? No I will leave him alive and in...pain." The last word coming out as an icey whisper that raised the hairs on the necks of Melanthus and Dareal. Their love and faith kept him at bay for now. The cross glowed in a brilliant swirl of rainbow colors now, revolving fast and faster in front of the two men, sweeping them into a vortex of somewhere beteen this realm and another. Lokious howled in pain and rage as his form disapated into the realm behind them. The shear evil of the place, keeping them from looking upon the fires of hell.

Lokious whirled past them clawing at the edges of the swirling colors. A voice of such darkness penetrated the room. Far older and full of such malicious hatred than anything they had ever witnessed. "Nooooo, Heeee’ssss MINE!" It thundered across the room, outwards into the moors and land beyond. The thundering sound shaking the very foundation of the keep as the searing evil of Lokious’s master shattered forth in aid of his prized minion. "Noooo PRIEST. The balance is even THIS time. Blood for blood. A life for a life."

In that instant a crashing bolt of white lightening issued from the cross, burning through both Dareal and Melanthus. The purity of it matched and exceded that of the Dark Master. The force of it throwing the two kindred, stunned but unharmed, away from the swirling vortex as Lokious, raging infernally shot upwards through the manor and out of sight. The gateway behind them slamming shut with a thundering sense of a battle only just begun.

The room grew silent then and calm. Only Ricky’s labored breathing puncuated the quiet. Edwards limp form lay unmoving across the room. From Dareal’ and Melanthus’s positions they could see tears streaming from the young man’s face. The bowl of skin a sizzling mass of charred remains, yet no smell came from it.

Elizabeth made her way to the stables, knowing from the wetness on her side and the deep pain she felt that a few stitches had broken loose. Yet something drove her to enter the stables and head for the white stallion’s stall. Talking quietly to the large animal she moved him aside with her hand, leaving a bloody print on the satiny white shoulder.

Sarah lay on her side in agony on the thick bed of straw, her hands over her distended belly. "Oh god the baby." she gasped against the horrible pains that flooded her senses. "Something’s wrong...its to soon!" Tears of pain and fear for her unborn child ringing loudly in Elizabeth’s ears. Elizabeth kneeled down next to Sarah, craddling the other woman in her lap.

She felt the contractions strong, coming just minutes apart. Like it or not the baby was going to come soon unless they could stop it. Her own wound bled freely now, but she ignored it in favor of staying with Sarah. Elizabeth felt her own tears of confusion streaking her face. She prayed Dareal would be here soon...

Dareal and Melanthus made it towards the two that lay within, Melanthus heading over to Edward and kneeling beside him. Dareal in the meantime went straight over to Ricky and stood beside him, looking at the horrific damage done to him. Blood coated everything in sight as Dareal lifted a hand and looked down into the young one’s face. "Shh.. its over, its over. I gave a promise to a special friend that i would watch over you." His words filled with worry as he wiped away the tears that rolled down his cheek. His hand came to rest upon Ricky’s forhead, doing what he could to numb the pain.

Melanthus did the same to Edward in his own round about way. "Lord Edward, come to us, its alright.." Melanthus used what power he needed, taking his own energy and using his body like a conduit and filtered it into the kindred before him. Luckily he was not dead, no.. but he was damn close, thanks to Lokius. "Dareal, Edward will be fine in a bit, but.. what of Ricky?" Dareal looked up and over at his lord and shook his head. "Its bad.. very bad. I can heal him..but its going to take all i can muster to do that. Then afterwards, i can guarantee i wont be worth a damn for quite a few hours." Melanthus nodded and sighed.. "Then do what you can, and ill do what i can after you have finished."

When Melanthus finished with Edward, and it would take a few minutes for the kindred lord to awake, he started back towards where Dareal and Ricky were. "Melanthus, i told Elizabeth to go to the stables and stay there till i came for her.. i just hope that Lokius did not pull a fast one and think of trying to get to her too." Melanthus gently patted the man on the back, smiling.. "I do not think he knows about her just yet.. so until we cross that possibility, do nay worry about it old one. Besides, im glad to see you finally found someone." Dareal was glad too as he nodded and continued his silent praying and concentrating as he called upon all the strength and power he would need to try and heal the very battered body before him. It was the groans from where Edward was at that brought Melanthus’s eyes back to the lord of Rhionne keep, moving back over to him and kneeling down beside the kindred as he spoke.. "Easy Lord Edward, in due time you will be up to full, but right now.. its going to take a bit of time." Dareal continued to focus upon Ricky in front of him. One hand still upon his forehead, the other slowly hovering above his chest as it moved up and down across the battered remains. Dareal gave a big enough dose to Ricky so that he would not feel the pain currently, that way he could work on trying to heal the gaping holes and slices and figure out a way to rebuild the flesh to regrow more. It would be easy if Ricky were kindred, but he’s not.. and that was going to be the biggest problem. As Dareal continued to pray... he also prayed to willliams, for guidance and help in this situation.

For the first time in ages, the elder kindred felt tears of his own roll down his cheek, not only for Ricky, but for the wife he had. He knew that what has just happened was dangerous to her as well, due to their link. It was right then that he let his thoughts brush against Elizabeth, to see if she was alright, and yet he got the second picture in his mind, the scene not as bad, but distressing none the less. "Melanthus.... Sarah and Elizabeth.. they are both in trouble, of sorts. Sarah’s gone into .. early labor, from what im seeing, and lizzy’s stitches have ripped open. I need to get to them..but i cant leave ricky like this." Melanthus came over, smiling as he looked down at the work so far on ricky.."Go, i will finish up here. I may not be as good as you are, old man, but i have enough inme to get by with. Go see what you can do for the two women. Me and Edward will work on Ricky. Do not tell them tho what has happneed down here. Please, not till we are all safe for the time." Dareal nodded and with that rushed out of the room, leaving Melanthus and Edward with Ricky.

Dareal managed for a minute to stop off and wash his hands, making sure there was no trace of the blood upon him as he ran off towards the stables, where he heard the crying of the two women. "Sarah, Elizabeth.. im here.. what’s going on.. " And when he stepped in, he looked towards them, seeing the blood seeping from the wound on Elizabeth’s side as he rushed towards her and Sarah. His gaze then went straight to Sarah, frowning.. "Its too early, not time yet." He moved to Sarah, resting a hand upon Sarah’s stomach as he smiled a bit.. "Trust in me, remember that.." And Darealfocused his own power to will the contractions to stop. Dareal continued to hold his hand there, feeling the child within pull back and up, away from him as the contractions started to die down slowly. "Shh.. its alright, deep breaths, then let them out slowly. That’s right.. calm.. shhh, no more tears, its all going to be alright m‘lady." He re-assured her as his eyes turn to look at Elizabeth, those eyes filled with enough love to sustain them for centuries. But a look of wearyness was settling in from the huge chuck of healing power he used on Ricky, to now this. And he still had to tend with Elizabeth and her own wound. He only hoped that Edward and Melanthus could do something about Ricky, he truly did.. but he had faith in Melanthus, that he did.

Ricky trembled under Dareal’s touch. "I don’t want to die my Lord." His voice trembled. "I don’t want to lose Sarah..and the baby." Richard fought back the emotional flood, calming and closing his eyes as Dareal eased the pain. "If you can not help my Lord, please let the end be quick?" He looked back up into Dareal’s eyes, "No ill will do I hold against my Lord Edwards. This last was not of his doing nor will." The youngster’s eyes closed in complete understanding of the situation. A tear rolled from the corner of his eye nearest Dareal. "Oh sweet Sarah, what have we all brought upon you..and those others we love" The words barely a whisper against his labored breathing.

Dareal’s healing stopped the bleeding, yet still the muscles and nerves remained open to the damp air around them. With that came the raw agony that the kindred priest tried so hard to aliviate. Slowly, ever so slowly, the mind numbing pain eased to a point of a dull ache. The damage to the young doctor though bordered on being fatal. It would take time and tremendous amounts of work if they were to heal him.

Edward groaned softly at Melanthus’s words. The kindred Prince’s touch starting the healing process within his own body. Indeed, in time he would heal fully, but what of those not kindred within these walls they called home? His own deeds under Lokious’s influence flooded his mind. What he had done to Ricky his young student, and adopted son, and inadervtantly to the man’s wife brought tears to the lord of Rhionne. He choked back the hidious scenes and dark feelings they brought. "What have I done." He whispered hoarsely.

He was unaware of Dareal’s departure, only coming aware more as Melanthus came to kneel once more at his side. Slowly he sat up with the Prince’s help. His blue eyes coming up to meet those of the other kindred. "To know such evil exists is not...reassuring... my Prince. To what ends will he go? How many lives will be lost in the fight to defeat this creature of darkness?" Knowing as he spoke the words that Melanthus most likely would not have the answers that he, himself, had probably already asked.

"The boy is dying my Lord. Few options are left to us. I have no wish to embrace the boy into our world fully. He would lose so much in doing so. But...he is already ghouled. That may help us in away to save his life. The blood is life, not just to us but also to those with whom we share it in time of need." Something in his manner and words telling Melanthus, that once again in the circle of histories he was being requiring the kindred Prince to act upon his noble birth. It could be no other way now. The old ways were needed more than ever, without the hirearchy they brought there would be distension and trouble within the great houses across Europe. Melanthus would again be required to step forward and take his position among the races.

Sarah looked up at Dareal, "Aye my Lord I trust you." Her hand coming over his that now rested on her stomach. She felt the power slowly enter her, stopping the early labor. The child within her moved and kicked in protest. HE...the feeling slamming both Sarah and Dareal at once. The child was aware and strong in ways they could only fanthom dimly at the moment. A gentle presence filled them both, a calming light familiar yet not.

It seeped into Dareal like a soft breeze through the treetops. ’Well done Dareal. You have but only begun in remembering things. In time more will come forth and your power and faith will grow beyond bounds of human consciousness. This time of pain and fear is but fleeting and shall pass. When it does you will be given the chance to rest before the war. I promise you that my friend and brother.’ the presence drifted away as gently as it had come. Sarah seemed unaware of it though. Her face relaxed as the contractions stopped, though she still felt Ricky’s pain and fear. Her eyes looked questioningly up at Dareal.

Elizabeth watched holding Sarah’s head in her lap. Her own eyes now resting with a deep question of Dareal that she refused to ask as of yet. Now was not the time nor place. Her own wound forgotten for the moment, as she reached out and touched Dareal’s weary face. "I love you more than life itself," the whispered words touching deeply into Dareal’s tired body. "We need to get back to the house soon. Sarah needs rest and so do the rest of us eventually." Her words mirroring Williams’s to a point of almost being a physical shock in Dareal.

Dareal smiled at Elizabeth as he nodded. "she and you both need the rest, as for myself, i shall be fine right now." He gazed at Sarah and formed a gentle link to her, telling her that ricky’s condition was critical and that Melanthus was orking on healing all that he could. He also told her that it was not lord Edwards fault as to what happend to Ricky. He would have Melanthus later on explain what was happening later to her. "Now, i will see to your stitches as well, my dear, once we are in your room." Carefully he helped both women up, and afer making sure that Sarah would be alright to walk, picked elizabeth up in his arms, being carful of the open wound on her side.

Meanwhile, Melanthus placed a firm hand upon Edwards shoulder, "It’s not your fault. It was lokius’s doing. But now ricky needs us to help him." He looked at Edward as he spoke his question, shaking his head. "Lokius is after one thinkg and one thing only. He’s after a certain bloodline in the hunters. If he manages to kill off that bloodline, he will destroy not just all hunters, but our kind asz well and the normal humans." Melanthus said with a very pained voice. "Tho there is a way to defeat him, which is one reason why we are looking for a particular book. We have been battling this wraith for quite sometime and the one thing that we have found out is that he is kept at bay by certain emotions, tho other emotions he feeds off of as well."

As Melanthus explained what he could, Dareal heled both sarah and Elizabeth into their rooms, then sitting elizabeth down on the bed, looking at the huge blood stain on her gown. "Let me take a look at those stitches, and see what i can do about them, if that’s ok with you?" He asked, worriedly as he knelt down beside her and gazed into her eyes. Yes, he is a different person, but none the less the tenderness and care could be felt even without his touch to her skin.

Elizabeth looked deep into Dareal’s eyes, his love settling any fears she had harbored inside. Her hands rested on his lightly as she considered everything that had just happened. What was happening to them all? The question that remained unspoken, filtered through her mind on an uneasy tide of thoughts.

Carefully she shifted in bed allowing his hands to find the wound. As he inspected the damage with a gentle touch, Elizabeth took a few deep breaths to ease the sudden rolling in her stomach. It hurt! Yet she kept quiet knowing Dareal needed to assess the damage fully before they could determine what needed to be done. Tears blazed in her closed eyes as her breath caught in a sharp whispered hiss. She already knew that she’d pulled the stitches both inside and out. Not in itself lethal, but horribly painful and opening the route for a severe infection if not cleaned out throughly with strong antiseptics.

Being mortal, she would need antibiotics also to stave off the possibilities of such things happening after the wound was restitched. Unless they wanted to explain everything here and now to the stressed and injured woman, opening a whole new series of problems, Elizabeth’s injuries would have to be handled the old fashioned way. Her body was already stressed from the ordeals placed upon it, yet she remained strong in spirit through it all. As Dareal finished examing the wound thoroughly, Elizabeth took another deep breath. "Lord n Lady, I need to learn meditation techniques to deal with stuff like this." Though her voice trembled, she managed a smile at Dareal.

He was a strong gentle person and the man she had come to love. Elizabeth took the final step between them then. Staring deep into his eyes she spoke quietly, "Do what is needed Dareal...I trust you in this." The words ringing with truth and a sudden sense of relief. Her trembling cold fingers touched his cheek. She was in light shock from his examination and was growing tired from the blood loss. She needed fluids as well. The iv port in her hand had come loose in the barn and was a messy small hole in the back of her hand. It would need cleaned and replaced as well now. But though nasty looking and sore, it was very minor. Once things were dealt with and she had rested, Elizabeth would be fine. Cleaning and restitching the ragged wound in her side though would be very painful and exhausting for them both.

Elizabeth looked up at Dareal, her eyes had half closed as her head rested against the pillows. "Maybe you should get Melanthus to help hmm? I’ll be fine until then ok?" She trembled chilled from the mild shock. Damn she felt tired right now...the brief fuzzy thought passing, unbeknownst to her, to Dareal who sat on the bedside watching her.

In the chambers below them, Melanthus and Edwards now stood next to Ricky who hung on the edge of life and death. Edwards thankful that Dareal had eased the suffering youngster’s pain. It would be easier on Sarah, whom he had no doubt was in extreme pain herself over this. He ran a hand across his jaw, the other resting tenderly on Ricky’s forhead. How on earth could they fix this horrible mess. It was nauseating just to look upon his young friend, knowing it had been his own hand, though guided by dark forces, to do this horrid deed. "Dear boy sleep for now. If it is deemed to end your life mercifully, I will awaken you to say farewell to Sarah first. My word on that son."

He never looked up at Melanthus, knowing the kindred Prince had been uninformed that he had adopted Ricky as his own. Indeed the old codes needed to be reinstated, in the old days it would have meant extreme trouble for a kindred to do such a thing witthout his Prince’s approval. But things had changed over the years and they had all gotten lax in upholding the Traditions as set forth by Caine. Was Lokious somehow their nemesis for such trangressions? Who was to know...If Lokious succeeded in destroying a full bloodline of the Hunters, then the balance would tip and things would start a downward spiral they would never be able to stop.

Edward whispered softly to Ricky as the young man rested his chek against edwards stomach, the kindred’s hands resting lovingly on the youngsters forehead and opposite cheek. "Sleep child. Rest and be at peace now." With that he exerted his power over his son and watched him drift off. "I love you child." he whispered hoarsely, choking back the strong emotions that threatened to overwhelm him.

"Melanthus...we have few options. I would welcome any suggestions that you have on this matter." Edwards felt the room sway around him. He would be fine in a few more hours but right now he was emotionally drained as well as physically.

Dareal sat still as he examined the wound, indeed.. stitches would be needed. Carefully he lowerd the gown and gently caressed her cheek. "Well, you tore both set of stitches.. that can be fixed, tho its gonna be painfull. Im not the best one on the block doing stitches..but i can do it." He said to Elizabeth as he reached over and grabbed the antiseptic and needle and thread, along with some cotton balls to clean the wound with first. He lifted the gown again, cleaning the ragged wound, knowing this was hurting her like hell. "Shh.. easy, just sit still while i do this.. ok?" Elizabeth nodded as she sucked in her breath, tears welling up and out of her eyes as she kept them slammed shut tightly. After he was done cleaning.. he took one of the cotton balls and placed some numbing salve on it, rubbing it along the wound and around it to help numb some of the pain before he started to stitch her up. "Now this will help numb it a bit.. You will feel it still..but not nearly as bad as you do now. Just relax and it will soon be over with." As he threaded the needle, he contacted Melanthus mentally to relay to him how the two women were..and to send for Roslynn asap so she could come and give Elizabeth something to make her sleep thru the rest of the night so she could regain her strength. After Mel told him he would, Dareal then started the teidious work of stitching her up, working fron the inside out to make the stitches taut, but not too tight.

Continued...

Dark Passions is copyrighted © 2001 to Erica Rabitsch
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