They had moved Allegra onto the bed, her heartbeat even and strong, her eyes moving beneath their lids. He had let out a sigh of relief when he spotted her breathing nice and even.copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWbDSPV7Kp
“What happened?” Theo beseeched, his voice belying his shock.copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡTU5QTnqaXk
“She...unlocked some of my memories. Genny’s birth...They wiped me right in the middle of it. Then it was like meeting her all over again, only she knew who I was and didn’t tell me.” He ran a hand through his hair, “It progressed and showed me, us I suppose since she was with me during it, the following year or so.”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnkFEmlBnF
“And? What went on then?”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNCIquylBi
He sighed, walking over and sitting in one of the righted chairs. Theo brought over the chair that had toppled over to sit next to him, the old crib sitting between them like a ghost. Asher sent a pointed look toward the crib, “She got pregnant again, we were happy, I was even with her until a week after the birth of Mona when they wiped me next.”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvdQl6eMhc
He leaned back, exhaustion coming off of him in waves. He needed to sleep, but he feared that if he did, he would just relive another bad memory that left him feeling cold, copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76zrMeO8Qb
“There was a man, she knew him, his name was Russ. Something was off about him, it was like his very presence was poison in the base. It reached out to everyone except for Allegra, Beau, and Genny. It affected even me, but I held it back. It appealed to the darkest parts of everyone, making everything worse and rising the tensions. I managed to keep us out of it, but it all seemed to get worse when they cornered me for another wipe.” Asher described, revealing the situation to his cousin. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnYq5pUEKw
“I remember the pain, it was all consuming and I tried to push back against it. The next thing I know, I’m in the apartment and Allegra is screaming from her room, begging me to stop, but I wasn’t in there and I didn’t know what she wanted me to stop. I tried getting into the room, but something was holding me back. I tried the bathroom, and I’m swept into another memory, this one I’m sure is mine.”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡWv2amohBaz
He paused, “Something about being ordered to be with her.”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhFnJsBxAr
“Then I’m back, and I see the girls in the living room. Genny and Mona are playing with blocks, and Mona notices me. She’s the only one that does and begins to tell me that I’m not supposed to be there. I asked her about the screaming, but it was as if I was the only one who could hear it. The twins came into the room, but they didn’t notice me either. A younger girl enters the room, Lenore. She’s the smallest and sick, but says she’s getting better. Theo, I think I was in Allegra’s head. I think I was in a memory of her’s.”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnOINU7IyS
Allegra gave a soft gasp from the bed, but she was still asleep, moving absently beneath one of the quilts. Her curls were tumbling in and around her face and she was silently mumbling, her lips giving only the slightest hint of speech. Blood was still steadily streaming from her nose, but it was beginning to slow its pace. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvniGKGXlQ
The sound of an explosion resounded through the air, coming from outside of the base. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡw98cwRE8pe
Asher and Theo stood from their chairs, much faster than humans would have been able to and both seats hit the walls with a resounding crack. They looked at one another briefly, not noticing Allegra come to and appear at the door in one sudden movement. The sound of the door slamming open garnered their attention and they quickly followed when they spotted the rosy curls fly from the room. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8CoQqjX9R
Out the apartment and down several halls and up too many flights of stairs, they made their way to the entrance of the base. They were almost to the door when Allegra opened it and stepped outside into the sunny forest surrounding. She inhaled, looking around in every direction till she appeared to trace the explosion back to the place of impact. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpndH3Yn0j
She ran forward for a few minutes, till she rapidly cut to the side and stayed downwind of the site. They followed her, Asher never failing to catch how… predatory she looked.copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡextmKZeo7D
Mate. Mate. Mate. Mate. Mate. Mate. Release me! Mate. Mate. Mate.copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHLg6BHpzQ
Her movements were incredibly graceful, smooth and precise. Her feet made little to no sound on the forest floor, careful not to scare any of her… prey away. Her eyes were narrowed in the direction of her will, calculating and deadly, but still warm. If he was honest, it made even him feel clumsy in compare, him, the trained assassin. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpgECXIAlJ
You’d think the lycan would be the loudest being in the forest, but no, that would by far be the vampire beside him who seemed to almost thrive off the fear that his own prey would feel when they heard him coming. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzhnW1naqv
Though to be fair, Theo was clearly more of a city hunter when it came to hunting grounds. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4dykja2JK
She stayed yards ahead of them however, separating herself from their louder motions. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡT099FM6nnr
Allegra remained in their sights, though if he had to guess, it was more of a happy coincidence than an actual decision she made. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7h0oFWp37P
A new sort of wind was picked up, and it was heading towards them from the side, and it was not what Allegra still had her sights set on. She completely disregarded the new threat and didn’t even look sideways when a blue blur flashed through and collided with Theo, sending the blond male flying. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUUMse5DhO
Asher turned away from her and appeared at Theo’s side faster than humanly possible. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaPxjujpSG
Theo popped back up and they turned back to back and waited for the blur to make a reappearance. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZYSoEPNIW
Sure enough, the blur manifested in front of them in the branches of an overhanging tree. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgQx3jM8X3
“What? Don’t tell me you’re alone? That isn’t exactly your style, Milana.” Asher remarked, flippant.copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡXldNSxicXa
“Disappointed? The rest are just running a little late, I’m afraid.”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOaRGywwme
“Milana, what do you want?” Theo called.copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZvjxyCkHA
“A grand many things, but with you two… I want only one thing.”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFVBsN8K06
“What? Our deaths? Aren’t you cliche?” Theo smirked and Milana narrowed her grey eyes on him. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSU6KBEg71
She sighed, “No, but I guess that will have to do.”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡvA00TyzwSg
Another blur manifested on the opposite branch. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gV2RnQ08Q
“Rorik? I thought you retired in your old age.” Theo kept smirking and even Asher wanted to wipe that expression off his face.copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63J1auDPLK
Rorik narrowed his eyes on his brother, “Dick! I am not that old!”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡQglRgfpPMh
“You’re right. You’re only sixteen thousand years old- not that old compared to everyone else. Maybe you shouldn’t retire.”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Tx1VppMqy
Asher cocked his head to the side, “Can’t we move this along? We got somewhere to be.”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxCmzMQcBB
Milana sighed and pulled out her throwing daggers, “I guess if we have to.”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrRii8yIYk
Another explosion was heard from the direction Allegra had disappeared to and it drew the eyes of all those present in the clearing. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04dy69XwVo
Cassandra and Talon stepped into the clearing. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yWHUvtKH5
Cassandra let out a sigh, “Milana, Rorik, just what are you doing here for?”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡlExdXPlvyj
Milana shrugged, “Kicks.”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyo36vd428
Rorik sighed, “Markus’ heir wants any allied lycan killed- no ‘buts’ about it. The pay is good, so here we are.”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7GpOAUilC
“I’m sure your sister is happy to hear.”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGhUTeKfKi
They all shuddered at the idea of Katia’s anger. A furious Katia was one that no one wanted to face. And when you faced her- you faced Leah- another creature no one wanted to face.copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡzARXEXtR1v
Rorik sighed, “She can’t stay angry for lon-”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uCHTriNKD
“Have you met your sister?”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8kH3eWNtH
Cassandra waved to Theo and Asher, “Go on, we’ll handle these two.”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62hX0WVuOW
With a nod from Asher, they disappeared in a blur of their own toward the destination, not caring for any discrete pussy footing as they bolted into another clearing within a few moments. They slowed to a stop to take in the situation around them and took a moment to take in where they actually were. It was another clearing, but the tree’s canopies hung over their heads so densely that the sky could not be seen in anything other than patches. This clearing was larger too, but the heavy underbrush and thick tree roots spread out across the forest floor were tricky to move around. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOrCvk4N8O
Allegra stood beside a tree ten yards to the right of where they were against the treeline, observing the fight in the center of the clearing between an imposing man and two… beasts.copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡryWLgZZcNt
The creatures could not be named by any mortal words, of that Asher was sure. Primarily because they most certainly had come from Hell itself. The larger was a sticky looking absolute black thing that moved on three thin spider-like legs, dancing in and out of the fight between the second and the man. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUvbSw7N0V
The man, slightly taller than he or Theo, was well muscled and had a dark olive complected skin that was littered with paler white stripes; most likely scars. His skin was dark- but without tan- like he had never stepped foot in the sun in his life. It looked rather strange, but it seemed to be natural. He wore ornately carved leather armour that must have been light for him to almost dance in his movements. He bore two short curved swords that he used with incredible precision to lay hit after hit on his deadly enemy. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0KaDfvH3D
The first beast disappeared in an explosion of sorts before Asher could take a close look at it. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuctfssfEg
The explosion was like the beast had burst into glass shards, but before the shards rained down anywhere, the turned inward into a… void and disappeared cleanly. It made Asher wish that everyone he fought disappeared like that. It would certainly be cleaner, anyway. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyaeJ2KQPL
And so the man turned his full attention onto the sticky spider… thing and within moments, the beast was gone in the same fashion. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzMwKpMf7P
For a minute or two the man stayed alone in the center of the clearing, clearly taking time to regain his breath. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEj57zyzOd
He combed a hand through his black hair, brushing it out of his face. It reached a little past his jawline, hanging over his shoulders. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwL0Ku2vlR
Allegra stepped away from her tree and walked into the center, ghosting over and through the bramble to get to the man. They followed her, staying slightly behind her. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8q3FbsrqA
She stopped two feet away from the man, and he turned his attention her way, his eyes scanning them and dismissing them immediately. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkeBqlaYVZ
His eyes were a pale green like Allegra’s had been, but his were rimmed with a pitch black that seemed to desire to consume his entire eye, reaching out towards his pupils. He couldn’t figure out why, but he reminded Asher of Russ. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLwXLhsNMO
He was as imposing as Russ had been, but unlike Russ, he didn’t seem malevolent or even innately dangerous, despite the fight they had just seen. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3W66Chz4H
“Érevos, o gios mou.” Allegra spoke up, her voice smooth, but weighed down heavily by emotion.copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡal2oWsK7rG
He didn’t know who the man was, so Asher could only guess that she knew him well- as her almost bittersweet tone gave her away. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DrDAdU30H
“Mitéra,” The man uttered softly, looking down to meet her gaze. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFLOMSr3rv
The moment seemed almost private between the two of them. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBQN0NfLUH
She spoke again in more greek. It must’ve been, because of how similar it sounded in his head to how she spoke with Russ.copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1kTFV6zY7
Theo met Asher’s gaze briefly, hazel eyes meeting blue in question. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQM2FyU6Cm
Theo nodded and they looked back at the two. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnYsaZgqKa
“Who are you, Erevos?”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ccs5Rnbrm
The man narrowed his eyes on Theo as he looked away from Allegra, he was clearly annoyed at being interrupted, but shook it off after a moment. His voice was lacking a heavy accent when he switched to english to speak to Theo. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡiId5LSEFZg
“I am whom mortals call Erebus. Who are you, mor- well, you are not mortal, are you? You are like Mitéra or perhaps you are not? She is under my wife’s curse, but you are not.” He sounded flippant towards the end, giving a very small shrug. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BE04OZkfJ
Allegra sighed, “You did not answer my question, O gios mou.”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnVHP1zcc0
He looked back down at her, “Can I not visit, Mitéra?”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvJMAuFfaE
“You never have before, not in this life. Why have you left tártaros?”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcgackZcEe
A beam of light shot into the clearing and cut down one of the ancient trees to the left. A blast of violet soon followed and both he and Theo turned to face the fight that was coming their way. Erebus, whoever he was, pushed himself in front of Allegra, but she quietly chided him and stood even beside him, her eyes the color of rubies as they scanned the tree line. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaBRRrSrE5
The blue of Milana’s leather armor flew into the clearing and crashed into the underbrush, driving up dirt and roots and all that lay on the forest floor. Milana flew back up onto her feet quickly enough, but she was definitely having trouble with her legs as she swayed back and forth for a moment before steadying herself. Milana angled her eyes toward the tree line as well, as if she hadn’t spotted them. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdAbZbFFrP
“Milana, stop this.” Asher commanded and she turned to her side, keeping her back away from both her main fight and their small group. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡjX2A7eU6qz
“Why can’t things ever be simple in the Family? For a bunch of relics, we seem to attract complication like nobody’s business.” Milana remarked. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmJXeBo722
Theo shrugged, “What do you expect? We are immortal, which certainly gives us the time to attract trouble.”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡcufNFfZlVq
“Who’s Barbie Fatale and the Achilles behind you? And why do you both and Barbie behind you look like you can do a stint on a CW TV show? I mean, have either of you heard about these wonderful things called shirts?”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeodPwrKCS
“I do not like this mortal, Mitéra. May I put an end to her for you?” Erebus beseeched Allegra and she made to shrug when Theo rapidly denied him. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYf3VtFkAI
“No, unfortunately they’re Family. Even if their loyalties can be bought and sold on QVC.”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNcCASSAdN
“Some family if they would seek to attack you without all the information.” Allegra stated cooly, her eyes narrowed on Milana. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0o2pBRV3By
“And you Barbie, do you have all the information?”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVwbZsFEMf
Allegra smirked, “As soon as you stepped foot in my territory I did.”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡm93zMErEeF
She tapped a finger up against her temple, “For someone who thinks herself a genius, you need to learn to keep up a mental barrier up if you wish to be of any threat to any… higher being.”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡse4vEGnzJZ
“Higher being? Is she for real?”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GVDRU6xzS
Jaron came out from behind the tree line, looking like he wanted to pinch the bridge of his nose, but held himself back. Asher and Theo relaxed, their eyes trained on the tree line again as another violet blast reached out into the air briefly before receding. In his peripheral, he analyzed Milana like the humanoid shifter was prey. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡNV2QvOuWtI
She wasn’t, Asher reminded himself. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWXGrBmOa6
No, she was Family, and that guaranteed her a position a step above that. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhMJVED1bc
Well, maybe now she was prey- did her trying to kill him allow him fair rebuttal?copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡUY8WODLjAe
Erebus snorted, “Mortal.”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1daZTCAgrL
Milana sneered, “Who you callin’ mortal?”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡnf39YYOC0Z
Allegra rubbed his arm for a moment before releasing him. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVYXSNAD6b
Another violet blast shot out into the clearing and Rorik collided with the ground, leaving a trail a few feet from where Milana had landed. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8o37iFIz6
Cassandra appeared at the treeline, her black leather jacket zipped up to cover her tattered shirt from view. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWmx6kvUXw
Rorik stood up from the dirt, his plain t-shirt ripped and covered in untrenched soil. He, unlike Milana, noticed them immediately, and if the vampire actually cared enough to, he would have sighed. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡULrSJjFkXM
Cassandra approached the two parties, standing between Milana and Rorik and across from them. Asher’s gaze travelled back to the treeline where a bird landed on a tree branch before a bright flash of light, leaving Talon perched on a branch. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPUUS2dyKM
“When did you get to be so…” Milana trailed off as she looked at Cassandra. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeI1LOmhJj
“Powerful?” Rorik supplied and the shifter nodded.copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡND5fvOzb8w
“Erev.” Allegra began and the… god nodded. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡXElSzeUMMF
In a moment they reappeared in one of the lower levels of the base where the only light they received was from the horrendous fluorescents flickering on the low hanging ceilings. Most of them took a step back at being… transported suddenly, a crash being heard from the hall. An annoyed Talon appeared in the doorway, eyes narrowed on the group.copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡysThtF5QWO
“Let’s never do that again. Deal?”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KrfZX3y8c
Milana and Rorik looked like they wanted to fight, but chose not to, probably due to the close quarters they were in. Allegra walked around Asher and Theo, her loose top swaying with her movements as she stepped even with the enemy shifter and vampire. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56RrYqFScs
“No fighting within or anywhere close to the base, have I made myself clear?”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKUr1o67f2
Her voice was low and threatening, and even Milana realized it would be stupid to cross her when it came to her decree. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoMoEMlIlu
But that didn’t keep her quiet however.copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqAMRycxro
“What? Afraid the neighborhood ghosts will get pissed off?”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡZY9Uqbjwjy
Allegra sighed and the furious pattering of two sets of feet were heard as a high pitched calling came from down the hall.copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfXlDB8Zjt
“Momma? Momma? Where are you?” Genny could be heard well enough through the thick concrete walls, her childish voice worried and searching. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡteU31LCdj3
Allegra brightened, but still appeared tired, the dried blood above her lip still present from her nosebleed. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡCi2MdsXwYg
“In here, baby girl.”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xw2TaE19Y
The approaching feet grew louder and faster as two of her daughters began to run toward the group. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCdpGebiru
Erebus turned distressed, the expression on his face helpless and worried as he whispered in greek to Allegra. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3NoP0QNxP
She replied softly, as if she were consoling him- not that they would know, given that it sounded almost like gibberish. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CmBFfLjhU
Well, maybe not Milana, what with her innate talent for linguistics to annoy all sorts of people with, but she had chosen to keep silent. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMwubdImva
Talon stepped away from the door, sparing a moment to greet the small girls with a smile. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡQReDf4E6Rb
“Hey Genny, hey Mona. In here.”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWOixtxiMO
Genny ran through the doorway first, immediately launching herself into Allegra’s arms and hugging her mother tight. Mona trailed in behind, slowing to a walk as she approached, her almond eyes scanning each of them slowly until they arrived on Erebus. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4BJzMXh9s
She tugged on Allegra’s shorts with her right hand, quiet as she analyzed him. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZkGDzKhGB
Her eyes widened after a moment of silence passed over them all, her lips widening into an ‘o’. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡtByhT5Krox
“You’re big, baby brother.”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBCRlbEitN
Erebus gave a nervous chuckle, kneeling down on a knee to look her closer in the eyes. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVN5BqEmIl
“You too, are also different than I can remember.” Erebus admitted and Mona smiled lightly, her eyes lighter with happiness and excitement. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbWwsQBdh0
It was the closest she ever came to jumping for joy.copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyBnqWz4e2
Allegra turned to glance over her shoulder at them and Genny pulled her head away from her mother’s chest and looked widely at the two of them. The little eldest child seemed shocked for words, not anything she was used to. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZYF4A6JWO
Mona held her arms out and Erebus picked her up, rising from his knee and wrapping his arms around the small girl. Mona closed her eyes and leaned her head against his chest, listening to his heart beat slowly and rhythmically in his chest. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UZ1qsS2Fa
“Little brother?” Genny muttered and Erebus smiled at her. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rIEO8AodP
Her eyebrows scrunched together in thought and her lips were downturned in a frown as she looked at him. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5PpLUZREW
Milana had been watching the scene with a critical eye as they all had. After a moment she relaxed and slid her freed daggers back into their sheaths against her thighs. Rorik followed suit, forcing himself to relax from his tense stance. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJQFLh7DjN
“If you wouldn’t mind, I think I’ll take an explanation.” Rorik stated, his voice flat. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmew03FBrT
Allegra nodded, her eyes stilling on his face for a moment. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSYhiJbhBQ
“Perhaps you should invite the rest of your team, so that they may know where you are. Just tell them that no fighting is to take place within or around the base.” Allegra allowed, pushing a locke of Genny’s hair out of her face, garnering her daughter’s attention. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡegA4Vll3ZF
Genny nodded, as if deciding for him, and Allegra led them through the halls and up several flights of stairs to the level where the antechamber was kept. The glass had been cleaned from the floors, which had clearly been mopped and swept recently, though a slightly musky scent remained, which Beau appeared to be trying to circumvent by using a lavish amount of incense. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡRN16k290DB
Annka was sitting perched on Beau’s desk in conversation with the doctor, flirting with him animatedly, though Beau didn’t appear to catch on too well. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5uSmMCy4d
Allegra rolled her eyes and they all filed into the room with a large wave of the girls pooling in after them to surround their ‘big baby brother’. Lenore was noticeably missing until she appeared a few minutes later with three others coming in behind her. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiuZmqkIuk
The three newcomers were familiar to Asher- though he hadn’t seem them for almost two thousand years. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡol8qrtsBt6
The first was a tall male witch that was decked out in light leather armor with a long staff hanging off his back. The staff was almost as tall as he was and was made of silver with a red orb hanging out on the top while a blade was embedded in the opposite end. The witch’s hood was pulled up, but he pulled it down as he entered, revealing his bronzed skin and blond hair that was a trademark of his bloodline. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnbHgytS6x
He was one of the rare witches that had made it through their transition from mortal to immortal, Asher knew. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vPBuc1PVv
His features were regal and handsome, outlined by the white tattoos that seemed to be changing their shapes and designs again and again almost like he hadn’t been able to pick which one he wanted- so he took them all. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jQiJiLcTf
His name was Adanlen.copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6CvNS3gLa
The woman that came in behind him had fair delicate features and dark violet hair with a pair of electric blue eyes that showed no judgment even on the worst of days. She was tall, almost as tall as Adanlen, and like him, wore leather armor that clung to her in pants and a chestplate, leaving her arms free to easily move. She also bore a staff on her back, hers like a silver branch that extended up above her head and extended below her knees in another blade similar to Adanlen’s. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSFEt9QuYM
She smiled at Theo when she spotted him. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡ086RrQ9c23
“Cousin-”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡsm94RWXVdJ
“We’re all cousins,” Milana interrupted. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51BLF5UwAT
“I haven’t seen you in what? Three hundred years? It’s nice to see you again!” The woman declared. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡjA2pstgBGi
The woman’s name was Thomasin. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8FOdwLbsZ
She was another witch that had been able to survive to and through her transition. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡVx0wjGBddc
Thomasin squealed when she spotted Cassandra, clapping her hands, “You must be one of my new little sisters! Adanlen! We have a new sister! Isn’t that marvellous?!”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wMaWeEcQl
Adanlen scrunched up his forehead at the squealing before nodding in response. “Marvellous, truly.”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvuakHH6Ta
Thomasin ran up to Cassandra and caught her in a bear hug, before pulling away after a moment. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OH6l1MXfZ
“What’s your name? We must do something together, you know, it’s not often that we see our siblings! Gods! It’s so nice to meet you-”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mwVxtacF1
“Cassandra,” Cassandra supplied and Thomasin smiled. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbx1lSJ3YC
“Cassandra.” Thomasin said softly, “I’m Thomasin! And that’s Adanlen! Oh, and behind him is Concordia- but we call her Cordy because it’s such a mouthful- yours is too- can I call you Cass? No, you look like a Cassie- we’ll go with Cassie.” Thomasin pestered as the last woman stepped into the room.copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3rV9MWWJb
The last woman, Concordia, was a vampire if her eyes were anything to go by- the kind of exploding supernova look to them behind the flash of bright blue surrounding her pupil. Her wavy blonde hair fell to her waist when free, but for now it was tied back in an elaborate braid that fell against her spine. She was shorter than the other two, but taller than Milana. She had an athletic build with long limbs that made the skirt of her armor appear shorter than it was in truth. She had fair, princess-like features and cute dimples that Asher could remember making her face appear carefree when she laughed. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSytO6WYiC
He cast his eyes at Allegra who cast the group a small welcoming smile but her eyes quickly caught the blonde vampire’s blue ones staring at Asher. She frowned. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPNxR9pAcn
Oh, fuck. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqrEmBqjx9
What were his chances of escaping if Allegra figured out they had a relationship before. Granted, it was over a thousand years ago, but still. He had never seen Allegra jealous before, but he wasn’t looking forward to it any time soon. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡvu23XQaTOs
His Beast was mindlessly prattling on and on in his mind, wanting desperately to be next to Allegra, to remain by her side throughout the whole of this. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOiilasKKF
Cordy stepped further into the room, her eyes rolling over Asher briefly before analyzing the others. They flashed over each of them briefly until they stopped on Allegra, burrowing holes into her neck where his bite had been left, already healed with a fresh set of white scars. Cordy sniffed the air and approached Allegra and he was at a loss at what he should do.copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Y5zCsa3LI
Should he stop her? Should he make an escape? Should he-copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgcfka6u3U
Cordy pushed back Allegra’s hair from her neck and scanned the markings before smelling the air around her. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzJgS5qkQb
“Congrats, Asher. I never thought you would find your mate, I must admit, it is surprising.”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZa5yMxJQi
Shit, he hadn’t told Allegra.copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3zEjTOpoS
Allegra stilled up in shock but quickly relaxed almost as if she hadn’t stilled in the first place. Genny had stilled in her mother’s arms, pulling back to look back and forth from Allegra to Cordy. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmr4Ck93E0
“Momma?”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEZpJycgh2
Allegra turned away from the blonde vampiress to look at her daughter, “Everything’s fine.”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJ68op2dPr
Genny nodded and kicked her heels against Allegra’s hips to be let down. Allegra bent over and released Genny to the floor where she went to burrow into the crowd of her sisters to get to Erebus who had moved to sit with his back against the dais, the remains of the tube having been dismantled. Mona sat quietly in his lap, playing with his hair absently. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69NyeqSoux
“Who are you?” Allegra asked Cordy, who had turned back to scan the strawberry blonde. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJbo8UWkae
“Concordia, as you heard. Your mate and I were… friends.”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKYtSnTVAI
He spotted Theo cringe beside him a look of sympathy in his eyes. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGSaf6B7u5
Allegra barely blinked, but some unidentifiable emotion flickered in her eyes. He sincerely hoped it wasn’t anger- getting on her nerves before he really showed her who he was with his memory, was not on his to-do list. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡETPPhXKdiU
Allegra smiled, “Then welcome. Please, I am Allegra.”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGEp9xN3sn
Oh, no. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡLP4E0jKBre
Theo cringed beside him again. Perhaps recalling the last time he had fucked up as bad. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡG68vVptFCM
Erebus looked up from the girls to take in the scene. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4sfuCNhFg
Cordy smiled, it wasn’t quite malicious, but it wasn’t all that pleasant, either. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡFr5K554PHv
“Mitera. If that is all of them, why don’t we sit and begin.”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oBcTxBnde
Bless him. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNiC3NfQ5U
He doubted Erebus was his son purely due to the lack of similar features- but bless him all the same. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KlcuqiygZ
Erebus’ lips quirked and he nodded, as if he heard him offer his thanks. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4knFxhd9Fq
Allegra looked away from Cordy after a moment and they all found places to sit; the girls and Erebus on the floor, Rorik and Jaron on either side of them, and Milana’s group filing in beside Rorik till they ended with Annka who sat beside Beau, clearly still flirting with him out of amusement. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPeGshuH8z
Poor guy. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfjYrOpKmF
Allegra sat on his other side with Cassie beside her, leaving Talon to perch himself beside her and then leave the two open chairs to Theo and Asher, who was not too pleased with the situation. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡJr076xpkH4
His Beast grumbled within him and he could sympathize. For once, they were in accord. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4UYLngf5o
“So!” Theo clapped his hands together and leaned forward onto his knees, “Why don’t we establish why everyone’s here! I know I’m here not so willingly- is anyone else?”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHD8G5W5Pj
His group all raised their hands except for Asher, who was definitely not willing to alienate his mate. Thomasin raised her hand and Adanlen struck it down with a swipe of his own. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzKLHRj6b0
“Ok, so now that’s out of the way- what the f-” Allegra’s quirked brow put an end to the expletive and Theo changed tactics, “-hell are ya’ll doing out of the Homelands?”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡbW56VQtb6z
Thomasin beamed, “We were looking for an adventure!”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUge2XkZ2a
Rorik sighed.copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNJ3zrUSy6
Milana rolled her eyes, “We already told you- but for the overall benefit- Mikah, Markus’ heir, demanded that we hunt down any allied lycan that had strayed. For a hefty sum of course, and out of the Homelands because even we’re not brave-”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡTK2YQYPk9V
“-stupid-” Talon clipped, interrupting. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKPaYS7jSa
Milana narrowed her eyes on him, “enough to go against Katia’s rule.”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbYdexE9qc
Theo sighed and rubbed his eyes, “You are hunting allied lycan for money of all things? What? Did you fall on hard times? Don’t even lie like that- we all know that in the Homeland, things like that don’t happen.” copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjWjiNh78r
“You and I both know that isn’t true. It happens in only one way and only for one reason.” Milana frowned. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21bScaLjtE
“No, I don’t believe it.” Theo shook his head, “They aren’t due to return for…”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWPs940Oeq
“Idiot,” Milana scolded, “They’ve been due to return for almost a thousand years.”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uKXN2L5aT
Beau let out a grumble, “Who’s ‘they’?”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdVH67RSql
Annka replied, “Why, the Ancients of course. Not that it would really concern you since this isn’t the Homelands and you haven’t interacted with any of the first gen really. The fact that so many of us are here today is mostly happenstance- well, now that your sister is mated to one us that might change, I suppose.”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVhlnrqnfE
Erebus glanced at Allegra and rattled off something in greek.copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡOg8yeWB01M
Milana shrugged, “It has been known to happen. As in heaven as on earth can be applied to everything to a certain point. Whatever happens in the Homelands tends to trigger an uprising in parts of th1e Primalverse. Could be the same here.”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyZOf6V7Ym
Erebus nodded, “That would make sense then. The seals here are breaking.”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvhKRFbh2r
Jaron cocked a brow, “What seals? In my world when seals broke it helped hasten the end of my homeland and my people’s culture.”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRH4pW11W3
Allegra sighed, “The twelve seal bearers have been dying off. Viscera killed three within the past century alone. I am the thirteenth.”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQBNERTAYS
Erebus’ eyes widened and he burst into frazzled greek.copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrofbfUmxX
Milana translated to the rest as he argued with Allegra.copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtOvyerzfo
“He was supposed to be the thirteenth. Tartarus is angry because of that. She had inadvertently placed herself at odds with a being called Zaeus. His… older brother.”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2eePT5Ju4
Asher stared at his mate who was trying to calm her worried son.copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrv0HGfC3N
“Why don’t we ask an oracle?” He suggested and they all turned to look at him.copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQgpmODOnT
Allegra sighed and they turned to stare at her. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0VrfLkkvO
“The only oracle available in this time period is the Belarian Doppelganger. The only problem is that she went missing a quarter century before I took mortal form.”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7gT7YAnAD
Asher wisely shoved off the conversation they would have to have for later. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡaaurAQfdFD
She clearly wasn’t mortal- no one there was.copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RE3iTODdk
Theo shrugged, “I could find her.”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCsIwAG6Xh
Milana scoffed, “You?”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8sdz24PgJ
Theo turned to glare at his cousin, “Yes, me. I’ve run across three Belarian doppelgangers within the past two centuries of my life. Granted, one of them I stumbled across by chance. One found me intentionally- the last I tracked down as a favor. Should be easy work.”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnB6qUZfxd
Allegra shook her head, “The Belarian Doppelgangers of this world descend from a witch named Lilliani. She was blessed by Hermes to go unnoticed should one seek to use her. I assume the rule would apply to her descendents as well.”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZQ1ImBptz
Theo stood and cracked his neck. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcI8qhav6r
“That’s not too bad. I’ve worked against witches before. They’re tricky, but certainly not indestructible.”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡezOQFeKFti
Asher frowned, “We want her alive and here, Theo. We’re not looking to destroy the poor woman.”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3iI505Gpy
Thomasin nodded but then spoke up, “I could help you narrow down the search zone, cousin. Perhaps Talon would be of help as well.”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6LYecgpHn
Theo glanced at Talon, who was picking at his teeth.copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVWFLBTwgn
Talon dropped his hand and leaned back in his seat, “I don’t see why not.”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9r6Sw7Xdx
Theo nodded, “That would be helpful and much appreciated, Tommy.”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtDhrStIha
Thomasin smiled gently, “I will remain here then. Adanlen is a better tracker of lycan than I am anyway.”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5861NSDHpU
Milana grumbled, “Who said we ain’t killin’ the lycan in the room?”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4d3vkV2rSf
Allegra turned to look at her through narrowed eyes. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoJCGbu9TL
“Try it, shifter. I dare you. There is nothing that would stand in my way of killing your sorry-”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYUrZHkDoJ
Erebus coughed over the expletive.copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtWAZhv1Jo
“...if you cross me or mine.”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIN0ktbOD4
His Beast damn near purred while Asher focused on not smiling at his mate’s words. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡAY2uq2bKFA
A tense silence stretched on for a few moments before Milana relaxed.copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡtd3qN3Hj4r
Milana rolled her eyes and sighed, “‘Kay Momma-bear, I get you.”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡIm9vmtZxhD
Allegra leaned back and slowly rolled her gaze to Annka.copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRCFm2IxMn
“What plans do you have?”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gAcHofpHk
Annka sneered, “You kept me waiting so long I forgot.”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqGZV2tVAK
Allegra rolled her eyes at the vampiress.copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcCbRYdzw0
She turned to Rorik.copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFhyRYX6nF
“I take it you all are moving on?”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡqe56d19GWJ
Rorik glanced at his team members. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvW4HO3Voz
“Unless anyone would like to stay?”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmedV6cScA
“I will.” Concordia replied and all went silent until Milana leapt to her feet. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDODK2ETJB
“Alright, then. Let’s get out and about far away from here.”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡDa7AfOoiJN
Rorik and Adanlen stood. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡRF96T5c5Xp
They made for the door but Thomasin stopped them, muttering in a soft voice to Adanlen for a few moments. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡFv2u9NwOGf
She squeezed his hand and the males and the female shifter left, Adanlen glancing back at her with concern as they departed.copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkqxUFljX5
“Are you sure your team can operate with so few people?” Allegra asked Concordia and the blonde vampiress nodded. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PKgWEl9Jj
“We are among the Descendents, a single one of us could destroy a kingdom given the right skill set. Milana is ‘tricky’ when she isn’t so talkative and Rorik is skilled in close bladed combat. Together they are difficult to fight. I wonder how your witch and shifter managed to hold them off, Asher.”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpPBTYopM5
He glanced to Cassandra. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcp6JkL5DJ
“I have an active telekinetic ability.” She clipped, leaving out the telepathy in her wariness. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKzV0wzlGi
Concordia grudgingly nodded, “I suppose if you are strong enough, a witch could handle the pair of them, though I imagine Talon certainly had a hand as well.”copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfIuQBtf1f
Talon smirked from his seat.copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHsLNc6yhJ
“And how will Adanlen fair?” Allegra asked and Concordia glanced back at her and waved off her inquiry. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡirtSmuoVQ4
“Adanlen is a first generation descendent of the Ancientess Hecate. While Rorik and Milana are second and third generation of their respective Ancients. Adanlen has the experience and talent to pick up where those two err.”89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zDcqsFMF3
Allegra nodded and they all went silent except for some of the girls chattering voices from where they surrounded their brother.copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡevjWZaytqA
He needed to know how badly Viscera had screwed them all over. copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMhby4nEDE
He needed to know more about his relationship with Allegra.copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡnV6ROslcob
He needed to know more about what went on here.copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDGBAGM89d
He needed to know more about his past, if only to know how to help save them all from what was coming- whatever it was.copyright protection85ＰＥＮＡＮＡISZ04x4rbI
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