Mori wakes shortly before Nocturne walks into the cabin. "Just what the hell did you think you were doing?" Mori doesn't hold back when he enters.

He sighs. What had happened to being the feared one of the two? "What exactly are you referring to now Mori?" Nocturne takes her food and then slits his wrist and lets the blood drip over it.

Mori loses her train of thought as she smells the food with the blood. Nocturne is quick to give her the food and she starts eating quickly.

He takes a breather and looks at the vampires that remain. "Terrance, bring two of the most loyal from your list." Terrance bows his head and leaves.

"Jerus, just what the hell am I supposed to do with you? One day you merit a reward the next you merit death." Nocturne says bending down to the vampire and grabbing his hair. He pulls the head back and runs his hand down the face and neck. Jerus's reaction can't be hidden.

"You know the rule for touching the king's property with out permission." Nocturne forgets himself enough that Mori hears him easily.

"Property Nocturne? Just what property has he touched of yours?" Mori asks with narrowed eyes.

"You know the law Mori. I shouldn't have to spell it out to you," Nocturne doesn't have time for her games.

"Oh yes, I forgot." Mori says softly and pushes away the rest of the food. She knows that Nocturne won't let her out again, at least not right now so she doesn't try. She does pull into herself though like she had when she was hiding from her father and couldn't leave the cabin. It doesn't really hide her but she is no longer there either.

"Mori, Mori! Dammit Mori answer me! What the hell do you want me to do?" Nocturne asks beyond frustrated.

"Why are you asking me? By law I have no rights," Mori says dully.

"Dammit don't do this again." Nocturne yells. His anger just makes Mori pull into herself even more.

Jerus looks at the two of them wide eyed with fear. "She's becoming one of us, that's what you meant isn't it Nocturne?"

Nocturne turns his attention away from Mori to give the frightened vampire a look of disgust before turning back to Mori. "Jerus, come back tomorrow for your punishment." He tells the vampire without looking at him again. Jerus doesn't need to be told twice.

"And Jerus if you tell anyone about this I'll make sure your punishment is the most painful that I can think of." Jerus leaves wide eyed and sweating barely making a bow before running out the door.

Mori watches without interest and doesn't say a thing. This worries Nocturne more than if she had said something, anything.

Mori watches Nocturne with eyes dull and more dead than he'd ever seen them.

Nocturne goes to the bed and sits on it. He tries to ignore the flinch Mori is unable to hide, but he can't. Mori doesn't flinch. That he's done this to her... well it makes him angry. He wants her to fight with him to yell at him anything other than look at him like she did or avoid his gaze like she's doing now.

He sighs, "Mori, you know the law. So does Jerus, by touching you without permission he broke the law."

No response from Mori.

"I don't think of you as property Mori." Nocturne tries again hoping that this time he'll get a response.

"The hell you don't," Mori responds. Well it wasn't what he'd hoped for but it's what he got.

"I don't have hunting games with property," Nocturne tries desperately.

No response. Then Mori says something he'd hoped she wouldn't pick up, "Yes, you do. It's just that usually your property is the prey not the hunter." Mori had heard of the sick games of the elite vampires. They hunted their property and feasted on the victims. It was both an honor and a horror to live within the close confines of the vampires. Not many of the humans lived long when they lived at the estates.

"The twins you sent back to your estate, are they slated to be prey as well?" Mori asks knowing the likely answer.

"No, they still remain under your protection." Nocturne's answer more than surprises her. She actually looks at him.

"I allowed them to keep your mark, they are only on loan to me. Of course the loan is a permanent loan, but still they are on loan. Because they are on loan they and their children will be under your guidelines, your care. I can't use them for prey even should I wish to, not without your permission first."

"Their children will be considered mine," Mori says in disbelief.

"They are on loan to me in my land. Had they not been they would have their children in your land under your protection. Therefore the children are yours," Nocturne explains and is thankful that something is going right for him now.

"Probably best if they don't participate. Your vampires wouldn't appreciate being shown up by two humans." Mori says once more dull and lifeless.

"What do you mean Mori?" Nocturne is getting an idea.

"I trained them, they'd beat any of your so called hunters, just like I did. Can't have humans showing up the hunters now can we?" Mori turns away from Nocturne.

"Don't turn away from me Mori," Nocturne says somewhere in between a plea and an order. 

"Yes, master." Mori turns back to him. Nocturne curses himself for his loose tongue.

"I ordered you to not call me that before Mori," Nocturne says almost in tears.

"Are you going to punish me now, for breaking your orders?" Mori says her voice leaden and not full of life like Nocturne has come to love.