Digging Up The Past Of An Enemy.

Lael Mercia.

"Why aren't we returning to the stag, you got something else planned love?" Cagli seductively mentioned in a purr by Lael's ear making Lael himself roll his eyes."No, are you constantly high on arousal?" Lael retorted earning a snicker from Dunkan. They had left the district with the burning apartment building after making sure every last undead was indeed gone, but instead of heading toward The Stag Lael had taken a route away from it, rather due north which was currently Kybern's territory but he didn't seem to care and he knew Dunkan along with Cagli would follow, if only Cagli could do it silently.

Lael knew Kybern had a past, everyone in the world had a past and to understand his motivations, his need to have it all, Lael figured he needed to understand his past, to truly grasp him as an individual, so that is why he was taking the trip due north, to visit an old friend, who could enlighten him on that very topic. "Are you sure about this, you know she demands a price, a hefty price." Dunkan asserted having picked up on Lael's intentions, unlike Cagli, Dunkan could easily do that, maybe it was due to him having lived with Lael or the fact that he wasn't just wolf and could pick up more on emotion. "I am sure and she requires a price from unworthy mortals, her existence itself is owed to me, that is my price." Lael replied knowing well that Dunkan would understand.

"Are we talking about, mad Caimen the seer, she creeps me out, a lot." Cagli finally joined in the conversation and it amused Lael. "Come on, I bet you've always given her something to use, she's perceptive and anything to her is a weapon she'll use to her amusement, that's why she's referred to as mad." Dunkan explained whilst his arm was draped over Cagli's shoulder, hooking him by the neck and bringing him closer, the gesture wasn't lost on Lael who saw how easily Dunkan had taken to Cagli after their truce, he was always a free spirit and his trust was easily won, and from the corner of his eye he could see how surprised yet glad Cagli was to be held like that, the man didn't have a lot of bromance or genuine romance aside from Lael himself, so he could understand.

Lael and his men in tow had finally stepped onto the edges of the west territory, he didn't go forward rather held out his hand and in an instant a green swirling portal opened. "Comimg?" He questioned the two bulking masses of men behind him as he stepped through, they didn't hesitate to follow him as the portal closed behind them and opened in front of a home, two stories of quaint, white picket fenced home. "You would think one of the most powerful seers in the world would live in a mansion or something." Cagli mused making Lael chuckle. "Not everyone wants to live lavishly like you sweet one, come she awaits us." Lael replied as the two nodded and walked up to the door.

Dunkan rang the doorbell and without too much wait, footsteps ever so light were heard inside, as a petite woman, golden skin and obsidian eyes opened the door to greet them. "Lael." She mumbled in surprise. "Rita, how wonderful to see you." Lael replied hugging the woman. "It's been so long, you barely visit us in this part of the city." She mentioned as Lael made an apologetic face. "I am sorry about that, it gets so busy in WestEnd." Lael apologized as Rita nodded. "I understand, please come in, master Cagli, master Dunkan, welcome to our home." Rita added with a smile whilst beckoning them inside. "We are very sorry for disturbing you at night Rita." Dunkan apologized as Rita waved him off. "No matter, Lael and any of his company are welcome here any time, but I know this isn't a social call, mom's been expecting you." Rita replied and Lael knew, Caimen had indeed been expecting them.

"Would you like to see her with me?" Lael asked his two men. "No, I'll wait for you here." Cagli chuckled nervously. "Go sugar, I'll keep the whimp company." Dunkan retorted making Lael chuckle. "Okay, Rita is great company, I'm sure she has loads to tell you." Lael mentioned winking toward the woman who giggled whilst he walked into the main hall, leaving the others behind, having been in Caimen's home so many times, he knew where she was, but despite that, her aura itself called out to him like a beacon until he stood by her door, opened for him already, this was her workroom and since Caimen was blessed with magic, she dabbled. "Sentient of chaos, harbinger of the endless, mistress of the west, the first ray of the dawning sun, welcome." Caimen muttered as her eyes turned from obsidian to lilac, guess there was no time to have a chat.

"What is it you wish to know mistress?" Caimen questioned as she settled on the plush cushions by one corner in the workroom. "Tell me of a high demon called Kybern Marcs." Lael answered as Caimen uttered a sound between a purr and a growl. "He wasn't born in any of the lands of earth, and unlike you he was born in hell, three thousand years ago, his parents he knew not as he was abandoned as a child, grew up in strife, wars and torture until he escaped to this plane, used his mystic gifts to acquire wealth, privilege and all that he could not indulge in, —in hell, he has had many enemies and few are left to kill but one who was once his lover drove him away from his previous home to come here." Caimen spoke and Lael listened intently.

"Is this lover of his stronger than him, is that why he came here?" Lael demanded. "Yes, but not by measure of individual power no, his lover had an army ready to dismantle all that he had built, and he knew he could stand against it, so he fled and came here, focused his sight on the north, seized it, amassing more power than his rival." She concluded as Lael finally could put the pieces together, Kybern needed more than what he had to defend against his own enemy. "Will his lover turned enemy come here for blood?" Lael demanded. "Yes." Caimen whispered. "Does Kybern want my child to bolster his own strength against his enemy?" He questioned again. "You ask questions you know the answers to mistress, you yourself could easily figure out that Kolby Mercia is far much more than just wolf and nymph, he is an incarnation of a long dormant power, one in which only you could train him to wield before the others come." Caimen's answer was nothing short of a nail in the right post for Lael, the confirmation of what he already knew and was trying to avoid.

Kolby had the blood of a very powerful being, one who rivaled many creatures and gods, the weaver. "I need to know, despite my interference will Cagli— his fate change?" Lael asked the true question he needed an answer to. "You know very well, you can only bend the rules of fate and destiny so much mistress before they unravel but yes, it will change, —you must be wary however, it will draw them." As the last answer was given Caimen fell to her side unconscious but before her head hit the ground, Lael was there to catch her. "Thank you old friend for helping me." He whispered as he healed her, what made Caimen so powerful was her gift but like many seers, to see all, there is a price, madness to the words you tell, and Lael was the only being capable of taking away this madness from her mind and keep her as youthful as she was, after all, she was a thousand year old seer.

After fully healing her and leaving a token of appreciation, he left, with more answers and a way to possibly deal with Kybern, but he knew he needed more but in that moment as he walked into the kitchen, he couldn't help just smile as Cagli, Rita and Dunkan were sharing what could be amusing life stories, he would let Cagli have these moments, to be happy for as long as they lasted.

Kolby Mercia.

"There, you look great, now hurry up or you'll be late for school, Rod's dropping you off today." Dan finished as he placed the assorted combs and hair gels back in their places by Kolby's dressing table, he had done a fantastic job at helping Kolby tame his messy and rowdy curls. "Thanks so much Dan, oh I'm so late!" Kolby shrieked as he kissed Dan on the cheek, stretched his hand out and wove magic that pulled his bags to him and he ran out of his room, he was getting the hang of his magic, the more he practised it, with control and precision. "Here you go, I put extra of everything." Monica asserted as he ran into the kitchen. "Thanks sis!" He grabbed the lunch bag with a kiss to Monica's cheek and was flying down the stairs.

"Bye Danton!" He muttered passing the tall angel. "Hey, give me my kiss!" Danton protested as Kolby grumbled but walked back to kiss the angel's cheek, but Danton grabbed him, pulled him up so he wound his legs around his waist and assaulted Kolby with kisses, he also ported them both to where Rod was with his Range Rover. "Put me down Danton!" Kolby shrieked in happiness. "Fine, fine, bye kiddo!" Danton finally released him as he hurriedly got to the passenger side with a sigh. Rod was merely amused by his already disheveled state, even his hair was coming undone, why did he even try. "Before you ask, yes, I'm ready." He asserted finally earning a belly laugh from Rod, and he too couldn't resist laughing.

As Rod drove at a relatively non speeding space, he got to school with a few minutes to spare. "Don't forget your wallet." Rod reminded as he handed him the wallet, Kolby stuffed it in his jacket whilst trying to figure out how he was carrying the rest of his stuff, so he just grabbed everything. "Bye Rod." He mumbled in their hug. "Goodbye cub." Rod rumbled as he ruffled Kolby's hair, neither wanted to let go but they had to. "Okay I'll see you in the afternoon!" Kolby called out as he took off for campus leaving the large man with a smile.

Kolby was a whirlwind until he got to his locker, subtly he held out his fingers and opened the locker with magic, putting everything inside orderly like mum Lael had taught him. "You look like a hot mess." Devon mentioned as he stood next to Kolby which was also where his locker was. "Had a long morning." Kolby mused as he took what he needed from his locker and closed it. "Rumor has it you just got ranked up in the schools who is who list." Devon mentioned and a groan escaped Kolby's lips. "Not that again, I mean I'm not a cool kid, I literally am a nerd and my family isn't that well known." Kolby defended causing a snicker to escape Devon's lips. "One statement there is wrong, cool kid, yes, everyone practically worships the ground you walk on, ever since you came to school, you're like this adorable mushy thing that none of us can resist, two everyone knows who the Mercias are, you're royalty among mystics and extremely feared in some circles, no one wants to mess with your dad, and three you're not a nerd, you're way worse." Devon concluded earning a smack from Kolby.

"Hey!" He protested. "It's the truth, get used to it." Devon mused as they both laughed walking toward their first class but before they could enter, a certain Mencini vampire was waiting there with his friend. "Oh boy, —just ignore him." Devon stated and Kolby was going to do just that except the vampire moved first toward him. Kolby reacted on instinct  grabbed Devon and put him behind him, then conjured a transparent barrier in front of them. "I just wanna talk Kolby." Seris stated hands raised in surrender. "Since when do you ever just wanna talk." Kolby argued. "Look I've been a dick, I know that, but I'm telling you the truth, I just wanna talk." He pressed on but Kolby despite knowing Seris was being genuine, he couldn't bring himself to just talk with the vampire.

"Whatever it is, —no thanks." He replied as he took Devon's hand in his and they passed by him, his barrier vanishing slowly as he walked into the class, Kolby didn't miss the possessive rage that flashed in the vampire's eyes when he held Devon's hand, it was unmistakable but he wouldn't dwell on it right now, he had to focus on class. "It seems the vampire still wants you, despite being literally knocked out with one punch." The fae mused making both of them laugh. "I told you that in confidence." Kolby laughed. "Yeah, and what did you expect." Devon retorted making them laugh even more just as the lesson began.

"Let's eat outside, it's so sunny and warm, you could use some sun, you've been looking pale lately." Devon suggested as the two of them had gotten their food, Kolby had gotten his packed lunch bag whilst Devon got food from the cafeteria. "Fine, and you can finally tell me what is up with that girl you were dating, I thought you two broke up, why does she keep texting me." Kolby groaned. "She's still texting you, I mean I only used your phone like once to text her, she's nuts that one." Devon retorted making sigh then laugh. "You're hopeless, why did you even date her?" Kolby asked as they sat outside by a lone table with just enough sun and shade.

"I just wanted a shag man, she misinterpreted the whole thing." Devon argued making Kolby's jaw drop. "Then why weren't you clear with her at first." He demanded and his friend just made a sound akin to not caring. "You're a monster." The Mercia child grumbled as he ate his large chicken strips, also smacking Devon's fork away from his food. "Mind if we join you guys?" A foreign voice stated as Kolby looked up and his appetite was almost killed, almost. It was Seris again, with his friend in tow. "What is it now Seris?" Kolby asked frustratedly, his fork dangerously pointed at the vampire. "Oh I just wanted to sit here and eat, Kelvin over there wanted to chat with Devon." He replied and Kolby groaned with a sigh, tolerating him was possible but it was also possible that Kolby had knocked something loose in the vampire's head, he couldn't stand him.

"Yeah sure, we'll come." He heard Devon agree to whatever Kelvin had asked. "Whatever it is, —no." He grumbled out. "You haven't even heard what it is." Devon argued. "Aslong as the leech is there, —no." He added and Seris glared at Kolby lightly. "Would you please give us a minute, come on Kolby." Devon dragged him away from their table, to a bit of a distance away and cast a sound barrier so no one could hear them. "Listen, I've always wanted to attend a live Trail Talk band show okay and I've always wanted to shag Kelvin, I mean seriously the miracle that is you brought him to me, so please let me at least have one of these things, it won't be fun without you, I really wanna go." Devon pleaded as Kolby rolled his eyes in annoyance.

"Then why don't you two just go together, the two of you." He argued and the fae sighed. "I can't because Seris wants to go too and he wanted to invite you too, so he could apologize, for you know." Devon explained and Kolby wanted to smack his friend. "That's not enough, asking me to go watch a live band, I mean come on, he could've just told me he was sorry and we moved on with our lives!" Kolby slightly yelled in exasperation. "When would you have given him the chance, listen I know he bullied you and made your first days at school here miserable but I feel like there's more to this than just a hangout invite, but if your final answer is no, then we won't go." Devon was guilt tripping him, he could tell but he was also his best friend. "Fine, but keep him away from me." Kolby begrudgingly accepted as Devon cheered.

"Thank you, thank you!" He cheered squeezing him in a hug, then dragged him back to their table. "We would love to go with you Kelvin, it's sort of a date." Devon stated as Kelvin smiled and Kolby could noticed the slight change in Seris, a rigidness he had which was gone. "Great, I'll pick you up at—." Before Kelvin could finish Kolby intervened. "We'll meet you there." He immediately muttered. "Great then, now lets eat." He knew he was going to somehow regret something, maybe it was tolerating Seris who sat opposite him with the ghost of a cocky victorious smirk or actually agreeing to going to an event he would be at, Kolby knew he was going to regret something.

Dan Mercia.

He was surrounded, the three of them had come out of nowhere as he finished teaching his freshman class and cornered him just before he could escape. "We just want to talk, nothing else." Klaus was the first to speak as the others nodded along, hoping he would respond. "There is nothing to talk about, I told you already, we are done, it's over, I won't be part of whatever this is, I can't and I won't, have you sat around a bonfire and shared stories on how you broke my heart, huh, I have nothing to give you, nothing to talk about!" Dan hissed as he tried to move past Klaus but he sidestepped him, the action made Dan fall back.

"I told you already Daniel, I will not accept your rejection, I hurt you I get it and I am trying to apologize, but I will not let you walk out of my life, I won't allow it." Klaus grolwed lowly as Dan's eyes hardened. "Were those your thoughts when you slept in their arms and lied to me, when the proclamations of love you made to me, you made to them, has it occured to you yet, that Sinan and Paul broke me and not just my heart, has it occured to you that their brother accused me of stealing from them, defamed me, and threw me out on the street with nothing but the clothes on my back." Dan asserted, his eyes brimming with tears yet they glowed aswell, like green flames waiting to be unleashed.

"I am so tired of being told the same thing over and over again, you didn't love me if you could hide this from me, from them, you're bonded, I can feel it, so they may accept you and accept this twisted love you claim you have for me, but I don't, I have had my fill of pain and betrayal, I am done and tired of it, so please I beg of you—." Dan held his palms together over his chest. "Leave me alone." He pleaded as Klaus took a step back and tears fell from his eyes. "Dan you're my love, I wouldn't have the strength that I have today if it wasn't for you, please my love, my spring wind, please, don't leave me." Klaus begged as finally he broke down and fell to his knees. "Klaus!" Paul called out as Sinan came forward and looked at Dan, no words escaped his lips.

"I should have been a better man, I should've had faith, I am truly sorry for what I did to you, if I could I would take it all back, and love you, the right way." He whispered but Dan looked away, he accepted his words with a nod. "I hear you Sinan, but old wounds heal and leave marks behind and they are reminders of what was, I forgave you, all of you, but it doesn't mean I'll repeat the same mistake again, I'm done and I am tired of being that person, and I would rather be alone that fall head first in the shallow end, with you, —all of you, I'm bound to get hurt and I don't want to be hurt, not again, not ever." Dan finally said his piece as he wiped his tears away, Sinan didn't stop him, nor did Paul who looked at him with brimming tears.

"Hey babe!" Danton walked in, his loud call causing the three men in front of Dan to turn and face him. "I brought lun— are you okay?" The angel immediately asked and Dan was so grateful that he had come, he was home, despite the hell he caused in his life, Danton was a constant and he would never break his heart. "I'm okay, just glad you're here." Dan replied as he hurriedly walked over to the angel who was ready to crush him in a hug. "There, —there lovebug, daddy's got you, it's okay." He soothed him, just being in his arms was enough to have Dan forget anyone else was in the lecture theatre, it was just him, in Danton's arms. "Come on, let's get you fed." Danton whispered as he easily carried Dan like a child teleporting away with him in his arms, away from what troubled him.

There was a long road ahead of Dan, but having finally said what was in his heart, what he felt about everything that happened with Sinan, Paul and Klaus, it was freeing and finally he could move on from them and when the time came, Malcolm would come and he would finally cut that old tie for good, because he wanted to move forward and none of them were a step forward rather back. "You okay lovebug?" Danton asked as they sat under a peach tree, Goddess knows where. "I am now." Dan reassured as Danton nodded giddily. "Cool, so let's eat!" He cheered making Dan giggle, only he and his family could have him smile so easily, it was a blessing.

The Stag.

Sometimes the love we NEED isn't out there, it's actually closer to home than we could ever imagine.

Saint Jay.