Ethereal

The war between the half-bloods and the pure-bloods has reached a danger point, and destruction of both races is imminent. For two members of the pure-bloods, though, life seems to just be starting. Will it end sooner than they think?

A/N: YAY ... They mated. WOOT WOOT!

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Chapter 4. Envisionment


The early morning dew set bloody on the ground, the sun glimmering from the teardrop-shaped pools that scattered the forever beautiful world of Ethereal. The sound of battle was nowhere, but the knowing it was happening still hung heavily over everyone. The high rays of the burning sun speared over the hillsides and into the darkness of the forbidden trees, casting long grueling shadows along the grassy land.

The high strong walls of the palace Uurusai (oo-ru-sai) stood without battle scar, the long stone wall ways and heavy iron gates and doors were untouched and unscathed. Within marched many warriors, each one being suited for battle, their long, short, mid-length hair all tattered and bloody from pervious nigh. One growled, his long many of icy green locks falling bloody in his face.

“Damn,” he hissed.

“Fucking dammit,” another snarled. “What do we tell Lord Gabriel, Xavier?”

Sighing, the icy green haired male leaned back into the wall, staring up at one of the open windows that the sun was glowing into.

“Tell him our mission failed,” sighed Xavier. “We were unable to retrieve any more blood.”

“Do you think we should talk to ‘him’?” another asked, his frame small and quivering.

Xavier eyed the once yearling and shook his head.

“No, we will tell him later,” he said. “For now ... I must speak to the Seer.”

“What?” everyone gasped.

“Are you insane?” a short haired blonde asked.

“Probably, but I need to know some answers,” Xavier said. “Get some rest. We return to battle in thirteen fifty hours.”

The dozen or so Vampires saluted and said, in unison, “yes sir.”

Silently, Xavier turned to the tunnel leading back into the forest. It was a closed of section they had acquired for one purpose. It housed their Seer, a Vampire of unimaginable strength and wisdom. Insane he was, but he knew much, and sometimes went to far to know it. Swallowing hard, returning the fear to the back of his mind, heart and soul, he walked forward on stiff legs and into the shadow of trees.

His feet echoed through the trees, branches swaying and swishing in the wind. Xavier’s eyes never averted from the path, afraid if he looked away, it would be a look into death’s eyes itself. He was glad when he finally reached the clearing in which the trees parted and let the heavy sun burn down upon the grass ... or, what was left of the grass.

Most, or it seemed to be most, had burned away and become rough and brown. Spots were missing, filled with pools of water or some strange swirling liquids of various colours. The trees seemed grey and old unlike the other trees, which were always so green and beautiful.

“Creepy,” muttered Xavier.

“You do not like it?”

He jumped, startled to the core by the wispy voice that floated over him from all around.

“C – Cecil,” he breathed. “Lord, don’t scare me like that.”

“Sorry,” came the whispered reply. “I did not expect a visitor in such early hours.”

“I am truly sorry,” Xavier said.

“Yes, I know.”

Xavier gave the inquiring Vampire (whom he could not see) a disgruntled look and peered around warily for any approaching footsteps. Of course, in an odd sort of way, Cecil never made a sound. He was very quiet and moved even quieter. You could be speaking to someone and he’d appear before you without knowing and then disappear the same way.

He was just like that.

“You wish to know ... when this war will end,” came a whisper.

It was a statement, not a question, but Xavier nodded anyways.

“This war has been going on for centuries, and still we are not at peace,” Xavier said, speaking in the shadows. “Tell me, Cecil, why is that? And when will it end?”

“It will end ... only when one falls to the betrayal of a loved one,” came Cecil’s quiet voice. “Our war has gone on ... only because one is not of pure blood. He is a mix, and that is why we destroy one another. Until his death, and ones sacrifice, this war will never end.”

“I don’t understand,” sighed Xavier.

“I do not expect you too,” said Cecil.

Sighing, Xavier turned around and bumped chest to chest with a short man. He gasped, startled so suddenly, and stumbled backward. He caught himself before he fell to the ground and stared at Cecil’s pale frame, his long midnight blue hair swaying along his shoulders and down across his back to the nook of his knees. He smiled cheerfully at the startled other.

“I am sorry,” he said kindly.

“Is it just me you like to scare, or do you do that to others?” Xavier asked.

“Just you,” Cecil giggled.

Again, Xavier sighed and walked forward. His look changed from one of surprise to that of a pallid smirk and he leaned down, one hand forming around Cecil’s chin and he lifted it. The smaller man’s eyes opened wider slightly, his smirk becoming wider as he felt lips trail across his own. He could feel the rough texture of Xavier’s cracked ones against his petal soft and sighed.

“It’s been a while,” said Xavier.

“Yes, it has,” whispered Cecil, his lips brushing his lovers.

“If it hadn’t been for me you wouldn’t be here,” Xavier said angrily.

“I was shunned for my insanity,” giggled Cecil, licking Xavier’s ear.

“Yea, right,” Xavier said sarcastically.

“I have but one question,” said Cecil, backing away to stare at Xavier seriously. “Why ‘do’ you care for someone like me. I am insane. I have visions that make me go crazy. I am not normal. I am an animal ... dangerous.”

Xavier smirked and pulled the smaller man into his arms, nibbling on his bottom lip as he whispered to him.

“I like a little danger.”

Cecil’s big bright eyes shimmered, his mouth twitching into a smile, a single sharp fang protruding over his bottom lip. He tangled his arms over Xavier’s shoulders, lacing his long white fingers into the light green hair and pulled the other down to meet his lips. Their tongues tangled as Xavier pushed Cecil into the cover of trees, his hands working their magic on the smaller Vampires long shabby grey robes.

*~*~*

Israfel blushed; he’d never done ‘this’ before. He curled into Gabriel’s body as the other pulled him close, the water cascading down over their naked bodies, the heavy shower head casting steam in all directions. He felt Gabriel’s rock hard chest beneath his palms and massaged the unblemished skin, his tongue running sweet over the flesh.

Gabriel’s lips left Israfel tingling wherever the older male kissed him, the talented lips moving down his neck to his shoulder, a tongue rolling across the bony flesh, their strained erections brushing tight against one another. Israfel groaned, his arms tightening around Gabriel’s neck, his legs trembling with weakness.

That morning the yearling had been tender and very sore, his backside aching painfully. Gabriel hadn’t said a word to him when he had heard his lover holding back the escaping whimpers of displeasure. Instead, he pulled the younger male out of bed, folded him tenderly into his arms, and stalked toward the private bathroom ...

Where, now, they had been for more than two hours; touching, caressing, groping, fondling and feeling one another. The suds had long since washed away, their hair tangling together under each others fingers. It seemed all to surreal to be having such an intimate moment at the time, knowing that Gabriel would return to war at dusk, his armor already set and ready.

Gabriel pushed his leg between his lovers thin thighs, spreading them open. His muscular thigh brushed Israfel’s erection, the younger Vampire letting out a gasping hiss of pleasure. Israfel’s fingers clenched his upper arms, small clawed nails digging into his skin as their bodies melted more firmly together. He bent low, his cool tongue running across hot lips, and slipped the playful appendage within his lovers mouth, feeling the others tongue join in the ongoing dance.

Finally the dance was over, and both separated for air. Gabriel sniffed his mates arousing scent, growling pleasurably into one slightly pointed ear. He lapped at it playfully, tongue stroking warmly. He lead Israfel to the wall, pressing the young male to it tenderly, and spread his young mates legs wider. His right hand pressed to the stone wall beside Israfel’s head, the other snaking it’s way down his lovers sides to his inner thigh, caressing slowly, softly.

Israfel gasped into Gabriel’s ear.

Growling with pleasure, Gabriel slid his clawed fingers gingerly across his mates straining erection, the sex twitching against his muscular thigh from such a caressing touch. He felt Israfel press into him again, wanting – needing – more. Their tongue dueled quickly once more before they parted and Gabriel once again attacked Israfel’s neck, kissing the tender bite he had been given not days ago, the wound healing fast. His pinky slid over the open sores of Israfel’s mating mark, the tender area making the yearling gasp in true passionate pleasure.

“Gabriel,” his lover gasped.

“What is it you want, my mate?” growled Gabriel.

“I want – I – I want,” Israfel stuttered, before pulling Gabriel down into a heated kiss, mumbling against his mouth. “I want you.”

“Then you’ll get me,” retorted Gabriel playfully.

He turned his mate around, the younger male willingly pressing up against the cold stone, his chest heaving quickly. Gabriel leaned over him, thigh between legs, and kicked Israfel’s legs wider again. His right hand massaged his lovers cheeks, moving slowly inward. His fingers touched the round pink hole of his mate and Israfel cried out wantonly, pushing back into Gabriel’s hand in a hopeful attempt to feel penetration.

“Shh, slowly love,” whispered Gabriel lovingly. “You’re still tender from before.”

Whimpering, Israfel nodded.

Slowly, Gabriel inserted an inch of finger, and then withdrew it. He slid it out completely and circled the tender hole, before inserting his finger again, more this time, and then back out. Not all the way though, only too about half an inch, and then back in again, all the way this time. He licked Israfel’s slightly pointed ear, his mate whimpering in pleasure.

Gabriel circled his middle finger around Israfel’s hold as his index finger moved in and out continually now. Slowly, he inserted the second, and repeated the process slwoly. He continually licked at Israfel’s ear now, lapping in and nibbling it playfully. His lover was now writhing and moaning against the wall, pushing back against the impending fingers, wanting more of the wondrous feeling. As Gabriel entered his third and fourth finger, he felt his mate tense, a whimper of displeasure escaping those beautiful lips.

“Hush, just take it slowly,” Gabriel said, his voice soft and caring.

Israfel nodded, eyes watering from the pain.

Though he’d taken it last night, and enjoyed it with some content, he was till rather sore from the penetration, and was still slightly new at the immense sensation. He pressed against the wall firmly, hands up beside his head, and groaned, Gabriel’s more talented clawed fingers working him slwoly, that ticklish tongue now licking between his shoulder blades. He gasped, feeling one pointed nail poke at his prostate, the sensation sending sparks flying; sparks of shock and pleasure, mingled as one.

“Gabriel ... no more ... no more teasing,” gasped Israfel.

“Hmm, are you sure you’re ready?” asked Gabriel.

“Mmhm,” muttered his lover, unsure in reality, but he wasn’t willing to risk saying no to his new mate, the man he loved so deeply.

Gabriel’s fingers withdrew, each one coming out slowly, one at a time. A moment of relaxation passed before Israfel felt the sensation of his lovers sex seated at his entrance, ready to break through the tender ring of relaxed yet strained muscle. He bit his lip, whimpering in anticipation and fear ...

Slowly, Gabriel entered him, his left hand pressed softly to the small of his mates back, his other hand gliding up the wall to close over Israfel’s much smaller right hand. His lover turned his head and their lips came together, warm and trembling. He knew Israfel had not told him the truth about being ready, but he knew the reason, and he wouldn’t scorn his lover for it. Israfel did not want to anger Gabriel, but the older male knew he’d never be angered by such a golden creature. He loved the yearling all to much ... even though their love was forbidden.

Finally, he was in, and stayed that way, still and calm, caressing his lovers back softly, calming the pleading whimpers that escaped his mates now freed mouth. Israfel’s hand fisted into the wall under Gabriel’s larger palm, the yearling shuddering and panting in discomfort and pleasure. He didn’t know which one he felt more of, but he was leaning more toward discomfort than pleasure by the second.

“Does it hurt?” asked Gabriel.

“A little,” whispered Israfel. “But I’ll be okay.”

Gabriel liked his mates ear again, chewing a bit on the lobe. He pulled out, slowly, letting his sex slide softly along his lovers passage, and pushed back in, slow and softly. He growled gently, the scent of his lovers body filling his nostrils. That same, protective barrier he felt last night returned strongly as he moved within the yearling ... and he loved it.

Israfel clawed at the wall, moaning loudly. The water flooded around them, pouring down upon their heads, skin glistening in the morning rays. The windows fogged with their lovemaking, Israfel turning his upper body slightly and grasping Gabriel’s lips in another kiss as his mate moved faster within him, pumping a little bit harder.

He was in bliss.

Gabriel’s tip touched that spot within him and he cried out, legs almost giving out in the hot shower. He felt Gabriel catch him, hands grasping tightly to his hips. They leaned back, Israfel now sitting on Gabriel’s erection, the elder sliding him up along his shaft and back down, thrusting hard. A hand wrapped around Israfel’s erection, pumping it also. He cried out again, tears of pleasure in his eyes, white hot sparks going off like crazy.

“G – Gabriel,” panted Israfel. “I’m – I’m going to – nnnhn ... AHHHH.”

He came, white seed spilling out over Gabriel’s hand, his body trembling. Gabriel growled in his ear, low and deep, hitting that spot over and over again, Israfel having tightened his passage, the heat burning within him. He gasped, his sight blinded by a constant white of pleasure. Gabriel came, hard and long, semen spilling out over his mates prostate, milking into his small body. He panted, head resting on Israfel’s shoulder, and pulled out slowly.

“Gabriel,” Israfel whispered.

“Mmm, my mate,” Gabriel sighed, pulling Israfel to him and holding him. “My lovely mate.”

*~*~*

Ethelred walked slowly down the hallway, reading through the list of yearlings that were going to come of-age the next day. He hummed softly, reading off the male names, passing all the females wince they were forbidden by law to join in the wars. He rubbed his chin, feeling the stubble of a beard appearing.

From within one of the library chambers, he heard soft whispers and dared to look. The door was open a crack, the gentle light of a fire going. He stepped forward, peaking into the room and smiled happily.

Sitting together, one in the others lap, were Azazel and Marius. His friend, Marius, was sitting in his lovers lap, head resting against a shoulder, just staring into the fire. Azazel was stroking his boyfriends cheek, smiling at him softly, watching as his love stared off it the fire. Marius looked at Azazel and their lips met warmly, softly kissing one another. They parted and smiled at one another, content and happy.

Ethelred sighed. Wish I could find someone to be with. With all the training I have to do to these yearlings, it’s no wonder I have no one.

It was all too true. Ethelred never had time for anyone, not even himself. Every day there was a group of young Vampires becoming one hundred years of age, the year in which they were now adults, able to mate and fall in love. The men were trained for battle, in any case a war arose, like one had not long ago and was still waging. The females were taught in the art of meditation and defense in case the perimetre was breached at any time.

There was always paper work, the long lists of names of those who would move on into longer more harder battle strategies, and those who would stay behind and train harder. Ethelred had ten classes a day, each between 3 to 6 hours long depending on the new of-age Vampires strengths and ages. Between that, his paper work, and the fact he barely had time for anything, he could never find someone.

“Ethelred ... ETHELRED ... ”

He stopped, turned, and looked at the streaking blonde hair of Armand, the castles messenger. The man was fast, damned well fast, and was a sneak. He could slink into any place unnoticed and get out in a breeze. Sometimes he was used for tracking missions, other times he was used to deliver massages that ranges in miles.

“Sup, Armand?” sighed Ethelred.

The smaller man blushed and held out the forms he was holding.

“Um ... these are for – for you,” He stuttered, blushing more heavily. “It’s the list of yearlings coming of age next week.”

Ethelred growled angrily. “More.”

“Yep.”

“I can never catch a break,” sighed Ethelred, taking the list and nodding. “Not one day I can have off. God I feel like killing myself.”

“Don’t do that,” Armand said.

He slapped a hand over his mouth, noticing how face and startled he had said that. The young male stepped back, suddenly uncomfortable under Ethelred’s curious gaze. He stumbled over a loose brick and began to fall, but Ethelred swung out an arm and grabbed him quickly, pulling him back and into his chest.

“You okay?” whispered Ethelred.

Armand stiffened and blushed, feeling the closeness between him and Ethelred. He placed his hands on the older Vampires broad chest and pushed himself out of the hold slowly, not wanting to seem to iffy, but not to lusty.

“Y – yea ... I’m – um – fine,” he said, slapping himself mentally.

Ethelred watched, bemused, as Armand stumbled backward out of the hallway. The man turned slowly and dashed down the hall. He collided with the wall and disappeared out of sight around the corner, Ethelred’s confused gaze still locked at where Armand had disappeared.

“Yo, Ethel,” Marius said, appearing in the doorway of the library. “Was that just Armand we heard slam into the wall down the hall?”

Ethelred turned to his confused friend.

“Yea, it was,” he said, still slightly unsure of his next move.

“What’s wrong? You look a little ... off,” Marius said, worried for his friends strange behaviour.

“Oh, no, it’s nothing,” laughed Ethelred, waving his free hand. “Look at this. Look at all these of-age Vampires I need to start training.”

Marius felt pity for his friend.

“Must suck,” he said.

To his stunned surprise, Ethelred’s eyebrow twitched in anger.

“Suck ... ” whispered Ethelred, glaring at Marius. “IT DOESN’T JUST FUCKING SUCK ... IT BLOWS SERIOUS FUCKING ASS.”

“Wow, Ethel, calm down,” Marius said, gliding out into the hallway to grab his friends flailing arms, the papers he held falling hazardously to the floor. “Come into the Library a minute and take a break.”

Ethelred trembled, chuckling almost crazily.

“Break ... take a blasted break,” he said, voice rising. “I can’t. Must train ... must make new battle strategies. Must train new of-age Vampires.”

“What’s wrong with him?” Azazel asked, getting up from the chair he had still been sitting in awkwardly.

“I think he’s having a nervous breakdown,” Marius sighed.

Azazel looked at them both thoughtfully.

“Why are you standing. You’re supposed to be resting your body. It’s still weak,” scolded Marius, glaring at his boyfriend.

Azazel smirked and limped forward. “You think I’m supposed to be relaxing when all last night I never gave your sweet little ass a break.”

Marius blushed.

“Thought so,” chuckled Azazel.

He kissed his lovers cheek softly.

“Where are you off to?” asked Marius as he seated a trembling Ethelred into the empty seat.

“I need to see Gabriel,” Azazel said, heading for the exit. “I need to tell him something.”

“I’ll see you later then,” Marius said, watching as his lover disappeared through the doorway.

“How do you do it?”

He turned back, Ethelred’s voice croaky and weak. He was looking at the floor, cream coloured white hair falling in front of his eyes. Shadows poured over the Vampires face, weakening his more handsome features. Marius had noticed how tired his friend had been looking, and it worried him he wasn’t getting enough food or sleep.

“What do you mean?” whispered Marius, kneeling before his friend.

“You and Azazel, how do you do it?” asked Ethelred.

“Be in a relationship?”

“Yea ... You too always seem to have time for each other. You’re always laughing, smiling,” said Ethelred, lowering his head more. “I barely have time to sleep let alone find someone I actually want to spend time with intimately.”

“Ethelred,” whispered Marius, smiling softly.

“You know, the last time I dated someone was ... ” he had to think on that a moment. “I think eighty-two years ago.”

“You’re kidding,” said Marius.

“Nope. Eighty-two damned long years,” smirked Ethelred, lifting his head to rest on the chairs back. “Now I barely have time for myself, let alone spend time with someone I can call my lover.”

“What about Titiana?” Marius asked. “I’ve seen her eyeing you from the dining hall sometimes.”

Ethelred actually laughed, one eyes focusing on Marius.

“My sexual preference has never really leaned toward women, you know,” laughed Ethelred.

Marius blushed. “Sorry, guess it has been a while. I hardly remembered.”

“This whole castles turning gay,” snorted Ethelred. “Soon there’s going to be no yearlings and only a bunch of horny males wanting to fuck each other hard in the ass.”

“Nah, Piotr will make sure he pounds himself hard enough into his slut of a girlfriend to make dozens of new straight boys and girls to keep the population in check,” said Marius, smirking.

“True,” sighed Ethelred.

“Listen, Ethelred,” whispered Marius, leaning closer. “You need to talk to the council, tell them you need a break. You need some time for yourself and to get a good lay. You right, it has been a long time since you’ve been with someone.”

“Maybe I should go to them,” said Ethelred. “Think they’d give me time off from training the newbies’?”

“Not sure, but it’s worth a try,” Marius said.

“Then I’ll do it,” Ethelred said, standing from the chair. “I am Vampire ... hear me roar.”

Ethelred stomped from the library, arms in the air above his head, a proud and strong look on his face. Marius watched, dumbfounded, as his friend marched from the room. Sighing, the redhead shook his hair from his eyes and picked up the abandon book he had been reading before leaving the library, the large doors clicking shut loudly behind him.

*~*~*

Cecil’s large white eyes widened, his loves tongue moving across his collar sensually. He growled, sharply clawed fingers cutting through Xavier’s skin, blood pooling around his nails as he continued to maul and scratch at his lovers touch.

“Hmm, you’re always so sexy when your rough,” hissed Xavier, pushing his naked lover harder into the tree he had him up against.

Cecil snarled, pulling Xavier’s head away from his neck roughly, hands clasped tightly in light green hair. He bared his fangs, pale white eyes staring insanely. He brought his boyfriend’s lips hard to his mouth, their teeth scratching at one another, cutting each others lips. Their blood pooled together, each drowning in the scent of the other. They drank from each other, swallowing the others blood, and growling into one anothers’ mouths inhumanly.

They parted for breath, panting heavily, eyes lidded heavily. They stared at one another passionately, Cecil’s eyes now soft and shy. Smirking, Xavier brought their lips together gently, licking at the bite he had left to his lovers bottom lip. He pulled away at Cecil’s puppy-ing whimper, feeling him press his hard sex into his chest.

“Do you want me to fuck you,” growled Xavier.

Cecil whined in his throat, keening him.

“Do you want me to penetrate your soft core?” seethed Xavier, licking Cecil’s earlobe.

The other whimpered, arms thrown over Xavier’s shoulders.

“Do you want me to touch you?” Xavier asked.

Behind his eyes, Cecil watched, a fog rolling across his mind. He felt himself grow distant from his lover, the voice echoing into the fog. He was standing alone, a deserted battlefield strewn beneath his feet, the ground streaming and burning, the heavy fog becoming lighter and more smoke-like. (Gore starts here ... )

He moved, cut and scared feet crunching over burned trees and shrubs. Some still hissed with the dying flames beneath them, their blackened leaves and berries sizzling in the strange quietness.

Ggggrar ...

He turned, the sound startling him, a low snarling hiss of a growl. Behind him appeared a Werewolf, the thick bloodied furred, tall standing beast growling and snarling loudly. It’s black eyes pivoted around, the stench of death and rotting bodies very much hanging in the air. Cecil watched, the beast moving forward, it’s steps lopsided and wobbly.

Strange, the Vampire thought.

It stopped, and a body rose from the ashes of the black battlefield. Suddenly, with gasping horror, Cecil locked his eyes on the figure. Black hair was matted with mud and blood, face rotting pale and weak. Crimson eyes flowed with death, and the man stared up without care, without remorse, up at the Werewolf. The beast growled, spit and saliva dripping from the upturned lips, canines exposed.

Gabriel ... Cecil’s mind echoed.

The Lord rose himself from the ground, the sun sparkling over the ground. His usually deep and mysterious crimson blood pools that shone with such brilliance were dull and lifeless. His arms were drenched in blood, but not his own. Following the Lord’s lean body, Cecil stared long at the ground, the body of another at Gabriel’s bloodied feet.

Israfel ...

The small body of the yearling lay in tattered shreds, his face pale, eyes blank. He was far from death. He was destroyed, throat ripped from the confines of his neck, arms, legs, face and torso slashed and rotting. His mouth was open slightly, a trickle of glimmering blood dripping down his lower cheek.

Gabriel stumbled, bringing Cecil’s vision back to him in a snap. His blind white eyes stared at the tottering figure, his lovers blood coated along his armor. The beast snarled at the Vampire Lord, long jowls drawn back into a feral grin. Like a bolt, Gabriel’s hand lashed out and the beast hissed and screamed in pain. From the Vampire’s trembling hands hung the Werewolf’s jaws, it’s mouth a spray of saliva and blood, splattering the tall dark Vampire.

Cecil covered his mouth, the vomit rising in his throat. He hunched over, falling to his knees, bones crunching under his weight, and watched with trembling fear as the Werewolf hissed and screamed louder, insane with pain and shock. The beast’s long clawed arms lashed about, swinging wildly. With a dull thud, one clawed hand sunk deep into Gabriel’s neck, stilling the Vampire, the Werewolf’s jaws dropping from his fingers.

Cecil vomited.

“GABRIEL,” he shrieked. (Gore end here ... )

Xavier stumbled back, stunned by his lovers outburst. He stared at the trembling seer, watching as those blank white eyes shot unfocused blindness to the ground. His legs gave way and Cecil fell tot he ground, hugging himself, shaking from head to toe. He muttered under his breath, one finger tracing circles in the ground for comfort.

“Cecil,” whispered Xavier.

“Sacrifice ... always a sacrifice ... death ... all dead ... no one survives ... death ... just death ... ”

“Cecil, love?” whispered Xavier, kneeling before his lover.

The other twitched, moving away from his loves outstretched hand. He looked at it, sniffing the familiarity, but not sensing it. He huddled back, hissing a warning, but the intruder did not leave. Arms encircled him, and Cecil hissed, biting Xavier’s forearm, upper lip pulled back, fangs sinking deep.

Xavier didn’t even flinch.

“Hush ... it’s okay,” he whispered, stroking Cecil’s white blue hair. “It’s just me ... calm down now ... it’s just me.”

“Xavier?” whimpered Cecil, having released his lovers arm. “Xavier ... I’m scared.”

Xavier watched, startled and worried, as his usually stoic and soft spoken lover curled into his arms, huddling as deep into the bigger body as he could. Tears were leaking from his eyes, sprinkling the ground. He sat back, leaning against the tree, and pulled Cecil closer. The smaller man let his legs spread out behind him across the ground, the vision swimming vividly in his mind, whispered words spilling from his mouth ... over and over.

“Sacrifice ... always a sacrifice ... death ... all dead ... no one survives ... death ... just death ... ”

What does it mean? Wondered Xavier, listening to each word carefully.

“Sacrifice ... always a sacrifice ... death ... all dead ... no one survives ... death ... just death ... ”

A sacrifice. But who? He wondered, listening more.

“Sacrifice ... always a sacrifice ... death ... all dead ... no one survives ... death ... just death ... ”

No one survives ...

“Sacrifice ... always a sacrifice ... death ... all dead ... no one survives ... death ... just death ... ”

Death ... just. Death.

*~*~*

Azazel stood outside Gabriel’s room, waiting for his friend. He whistled, staring at his nails, as the older male appeared before him, door gliding closed behind his large body almost silently. He peeked inside quickly and caught a glimpse of Israfel’s small body huddled within the sheets and downs, sleeping soundly.

“You seem happy,” Azazel said, walking beside his Lord.

“Tell no one but Marius and Ethelred ... ” Gabriel whispered, seeming almost reproachful and worried, “but me and Israfel ... we’ve mate. He is mine now.”

Azazel’s bright eyes glowed.

“I’m so happy for you, Gabe,” he whispered/cheered.

“You don’t understand,” hissed Gabriel, looking angry. “No one does. He’s a yearling, a child. I’m an adult. It’s illegal and disrespectful. He can be killed if the elders find out by anyone.”

“You’re afraid if the elders find out,” whispered Azazel.

“To be honest – yes.”

“Gabriel,” Azazel said, placing his hands on his best friends shoulders and forcing him to a stop. “I promise you, I will tell no one. And it the elders find out, I’ll protect you and Israfel till death. I’m your friend ... your brother. I wont let anything happen to you.”

“I know, Azel,” sighed Gabriel, smiling and placing a hand on his friends shoulder. “And I would never let anyone harm you, or Marius.”

“I’m happy for you. You and Israfel have been together for fifty years. The moment you saw him you fell in love with him,” whispered Azazel, smiling. “I owe you for saving my life one a fort night ago.”

“You’re my best friend,” scoffed Gabriel. “You have no need to repay me.”

“But I do,” Azazel whispered. “Not only saving me. You brought me and Marius together. If not for you I would never have found someone I love so deeply.”

Gabriel wrapped his free hand around Azazel’s head and brought their foreheads together softly in a brotherly hold. They closed their eyes and Gabriel brushed his lips over his friends forehead charmingly, the smaller male smiling and accepting the gratitude with love and kindness.

“Thank you,” whispered Gabriel.

**~**~**~**~**~**

Note: Another short chapter (dammit). Hey, be grateful I even updated. God Damned exams have had me tied. I probably failed my Hieroglyphs final, and even my Ancient Runes. Damned Archaeology; whatever drew me to it, I don’t know. Whatever, I updated.
Okay, my computer crashed because of viruses and I wasn’t able to update in FOREVER, but not, I have. I hope you guys didn’t mind the wait, but it took some time to get ride of 150 – YES, READ IT, 150 – viruses on my damned computer.
Anywho, that’s it for me. WOOO! Updated.

P.S. Review