Uncaged [Sequel to Forever Caged]

The old maz veran sipped a pale, thick liquid from his wine glass while he immersed himself in a heavy book set on his lap. A brass candelabrum stood tall behind his dark suede chair, long white candles glowing atop the graceful curves of the holders. Smaller glass lamps hanging from the walls illuminated the large red and gold room that served as the study of the manor. The pale man toyed with the metal star on the end of a tiny chain of the earring dangling from his left ear, pausing his reading to look out the small window. It was well into the night, the sister moons past their pinnacle in the sky. Deep purple eyes narrowed slightly as a familiar presence neared the elegant house, and the man marked his spot before setting the book down and leaving the room.

He traveled through the wide, dim halls, which were painted in a deep rich brownish-red like most of the house. A mere handful of seconds before he entered the main hall, the doorbell chimed. He smiled to himself, brushing a loose strand of violet-tipped silver hair behind his ear. He stood before the large brass and iron metal doors, and waved one long-fingered hand down the middle of them. The turning of gears could be heard from inside the doors as the psionic locks were undone and the doors pushed themselves open. He waved his hand again when the doors opened wide enough for the person on the other side, and they halted. He smiled and folded his arms over his chest.

"Koumori. What a nice surprise," he purred.

The younger veran gave a small bow to the taller man. "Master Lexuta. I would have sent notice, but it's...a bit of an urgent matter."

Lexuta shrugged casually, then gestured for Koumori to enter. With a wave of his hand, the doors shut and locked themselves again, and after the redhead hung his cloak the two of them headed left into the living room. Koumori sat on a red velvet chair and Lexuta took a similar one adjacent to it, leaning back into the soft cushions.

"Now explain," Lexuta demanded simply.

Koumori nodded, silent for a moment while he organized his thoughts. "Do you remember the servant I kept?"

"Yes. Reyvn was his name, right? That meek little thing? Last I heard you were trying to sell him off."

"Right. I managed to sell him to a colleague and his friend; a naga and a demon." Koumori paused, giving an uncertain smile. "When it was the demon's - Rendell's - turn to have the boy, Reyvn escaped and I was called to help retrieve him. Reyvn managed to severely hurt Rendell, so after taking care of his injuries, we set out to recapture him. It seems the boy has unlocked much of his power... Only a week after we got him back, another man came and rescued him. Another Requiem."

Lexuta's eyebrows rose slightly in sudden interest. "Another Requiem? Where did he come from?"

Koumori shrugged. "I don't know. But I talked to a woman who got close to him, and it would seem this 'Shinda' burned down Rendell's manor and stayed with the naga, Lesara, in order to protect Reyvn. Rendell is dead now, and I'm not entirely sure who struck the killing blow." He grinned then, leaning forward a bit. "But that's not why I've come. From this same woman I've learned that Lesara, Reyvn, and this other Requiem are traveling to find the boy's family."

Lexuta leaned forward with full attention now. "That must mean they are headed for one of their settlements," he finished.

"I believe so. And I came here because-"

"Yes, yes, I'll come with you," the older veran responded with a grin. "Purely for research, of course." He rose and closed the small distance between himself and his kin, placing his hand on the silken fiery hair. Koumori flicked amber eyes up to Lexuta, going still as stone. Lexuta smiled. "You have not told me everything."

Koumori let out a short breath, then shut his eyes. "I have told you everything relevant to this trip."

Lexuta gently stroked Koumori's head. "Yes, but it has been a long time since we last spoke. There is more I want to know." He placed both hands on Koumori's shoulders, dark purple eyes gazing into the other veran's. "Open up."

Koumori laced his fingers together in his lap, and lowered his head slightly. Was Lexuta upset because he'd not contacted him in over a year? That was the only reason he could think of. He concentrated for a while, lowering the carefully erected barriers guarding his mind. He shivered as he felt his master's energy penetrate him, and forced his body to remain still while Lexuta searched him.

Lexuta closed his eyes, sighing softly as he sifted through Koumori's memories. The images sped through his mind; the selling of Reyvn, the boy's failed escape...he skipped the bills and an auction, and jumped ahead to where Koumori was contacted via mirror to visit Rendell. From there, he watched the events unfold in super-speed. The potions, the battle, the threat on a huma's life...And an alchemical spell. Reyvn's recapture, more potions, and Koumori's final exit from the scene.
"Hm..." Lexuta purred, feeling Koumori sway slightly under his hands. "Just a little longer, I want to try something." He called up energy and magick, focusing on the memories of Rendell. Some concentration, and suddenly he was seeing things from the demon's point of view. He smiled to himself, then simply watched. He opened this small connection for Koumori to see as well.

The Requiem, Shinda, wielding fire to save the boys, his entire house burning down before he blacked out, and the darkness reviving him. His failed attempt at vengeance and his second violent death at Reyvn's hands...and then darkness again. Endless amounts of empty, soothing, loving darkness.

Lexuta took a deep breath and pulled back, releasing his kin's head. Koumori gasped and leaned forward, putting his head in his own hands. "Master...that's..."

"Rendell may very well still be alive after all that. I could only see his memories by finding his conscience." Lexuta smiled, then offered a hand up to Koumori. "Come. We have quite the journey to prepare for."