｡･:*:･ﾟ★,"Is that a threat?":*:･ﾟ☆

｡･:*:･ﾟ★,"All your threats sound like compliments to my ears."｡･:*:･ﾟ☆

Riven

I shake, gasping for breath as Tavi stands before me. Dowling's body is slumped over on the floor and I tremble at the waves of power washing over me. Silent steps murmur across the ground as with wraith like steps my mate prowls towards me.

Gentle footsteps stop before me, a shift of cloth-wings, has a soft breeze fluttering over my cheeks. A breath chokes in my throat and I swallow as cold fingers brush against the underside of my chin. With a softness I didn't know she possessed Octavia tugs at my chin, tilting my head until I looked up at her.

She's stunning like this and I barely dare to breathe as she stares down at me with eyes of black ink and swirly stars. I watch as her head tilts to the side, the movement more animalistic than human and I can't stop the predator within me from snarling in recognition. I see you, I want to scream. I see you my love. I see every part of you, the good, the bad, the darkness and deceit and I love you more for it.

As if the words were written on my face I see her eyes widen and she tugs at my chin, her other hand reaching out to guide me to my feet until I stare down at her. We stare at each other for a long moment, Soldier and general, lovers and rulers. I wait for her commands, or maybe for her to break down at the strain of the day but I don't voice my concerns because I know they are unfounded.

"Take our troops back to Alfea, Astin Min." Her voice is gentle and smooth. "We are needed to protect the wounded."

She traces her hands over my shoulders, down my arms and across the buckles and straps of my weapons. Dark shadows flutter down her arms coating me like armour until she's satisfied that I will be safe.

"Kaerasti will join you on the battlefield." Sky. She means sky. I stare down at her, slowly lifting a hand as though she was a wounded animal. When she makes no sign of protest I brush a knuckle down her cheek, relief threatening to crush my chest when she leans into the touch.

"Who will be by your side?" I dare to murmur. 

"Kataigída, her lighting is already echoing in the darkness. I must join her, you will be safe."

It's not a question, nor a plea but an order. I will come back to her or she will drag the god of death to the pits of hell unless he brings me back.

"I will." I state and Octavia goes to pull away then- hesitates. Her unseeing eyes flickering across my face as a moment of awareness comes back to my mate. I close my eyes at the delicate brush of her lips against my own but when I open my eyes again there's nothing more than a receding wisp of shadows.

｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆

Beatrix

My breathing is too loud in the darkness of the tunnel and I know I should be more scared but ever since Tavi and I became close the shadows always brought me comfort, they remind me of her, of our bond and what it helped me achieve. Reminds me of the confidence I have, what I did to earn it and not backing down from it.

But I know my sister better than I know my own mind.

Which is why I don't flinch when the shadows grow darker by my side and Tavi emerges from them, carried by her power which I can't help but note with pride. She's no longer relying on the sentient ones in that way.

"Sky sprung the trap for you to get down here." Her voice is wrong and off. I shiver at how little she sounds like my sister. I swear to Helios if this whole wing thing has fucked her up I will slaughter Rosalind- "You hurt my mate, the strongest Dumaris of his generation, leader of armies and you just- lost him to a trap."

"Is that a threat?"

"Did it sound like a compliment?"

"All your threats sound like compliments to my ears."

We don't bother to look at each other as our steps sync up and we prowl through the catacombs. I feel the signature SKy used to block and shield every doorway and corner bend to our will. Apparently, when you set a locked door seal your mate gets a free pass entry. Sometimes I really love having my best friend date two completely smitten males.

Something echoes in the distance and I fling a hand out, knives sliding from my wrist gauntlets into my hands as I raise one to stop Ocatvia's movements.

"A knife? Are you flirting with me?" Tavi murmurs and for a second I blink at how normal and un-bothered she sounds but then a grin takes over my face as I recognise the bloodthirsty gleam in her eyes. This is going to be fun.

"Bloooooom." I sing-song down the corridor, relishing in the way my voice echoes down the tunnels. "Ooooh, BlooOOom."

I watch with fascinated amusement as Bloom runs across the corridor further down from us, her steps clattering as stupidly runs from two predators.

"Let's have a little fun." I snarl and a pulse of electricity reverberates down the tunnel.

Helios I've missed this. 5 years worth training comes back in seconds having Tavi and I splitting and using my little echolocation pulses and her shadows to map out the maze beneath the school.

Bloom is going to screw this all up and I am done letting this happen.

"You can't hide forever." I call out, smirking as I stalk through the corridors. "You won't be able to defeat us either."

"I don't have to beat you." Bloom snaps and I whirl around in time to block the fireball sent at my head. When the cloud of flames diminishes nothing but an empty tunnel remains.

"Cute." I mutter, knowing she can still hear me through the echoes. "Party tricks might win you points in class Bloom Peters but it won't win you a battle."

"Oh don't be so mean sister." Octavia sings from somewhere further away in the maze as we circle our praise. "Distractions and sleight of hand can be very successful, if only sweet little Blue knew how to use her knowledge."

"H-how do you know that name?" Bloom stutters and I round a corner to see her stumbling backwards from where Octavia stands at the end of the corridor. "Only my parents-"

"Vanessa Peters gave it to you." I state, relishing in her fear as she whips around to face me. Quickly, Octavia shifts from view, stepping out into a different corridor. "That is, after Micahel Peters came into your room to find you painting when you were five. A beautiful little family portrait and all you needed to finish was the blue sky.... But that wasn't what else the painting was missing- was it?"

Bloom swallows heavily, rage building in her eyes as she summons those raging flames of hers.

"It was missing their daughter."

A torrent of fire comes bearing down upon me and I watch it in fascination. The way her flames ripple and burn with colours so vibrant and bold. Red, golds and oranges all swirling and roaring in cacophony of colour. It's beautiful, or it would be if someone else had created it. She has no control.

Half a thought has the air whipping around us, smothering her flames until they choke and splutter.

"Pathetic." I roll my eyes. "Try again."

"Why are you doing this?" Bloom demands through gritted teeth as she sends out another blast of power only for it to be easily deflected. "It needs to stay this way. You can't-"

"Oh, be quiet." Octavia grabs her by the throat and sends her flying to the ground. "Beatrix- Rosalind."

"On it."

｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆

Octavia

Bloom is a pitiful adversary.

Her stance is sloppy, her grip on the weapon I tossed to her less than adiquete and she has the survival instincts of suicidal squirrel.

But there's something to relish in the hunt. She's pacing, glancing at me hesitantly as I retreat back to give her time to regroup. No need to kill her off so soon.

I stalk across the small expanse of the tunnel, back and forth across the width, no more than a panther prowling within the confines of its cage. Do I want her dead? Maybe, the firefairy has caused plenty of harm but I can see the good she is attempt to achieve. She has made an admirable effort at stopping us.

I don't acknowledge much of the fight. I remember pouncing at Bloom, ripping into her with blades and magic. My shadows took over for most of the fun, it was more of a lesson in theatrics than a fight but I needed to blow off some steam.

｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆

Beatrix

"You have many questions." Rosalind's head tilts to the side and I swallow heavily when she huffs with amusement. "You always did but this- this feels different. You want answers... Do you even know the questions?"

"What happened the night Ricki died?" I can't hide the way my voice quivers and shakes, tears threatening to rise at the thought of my beloved mate. "Because someone fucked with our heads, I know it. I spoke with Stella and Tavi and it's wrong. We all remember different things."

"A minor fuck up on my part. It's hard to keep stories straight when you're weakened by a stasis chamber and the mind is a powerful thing - it has stories of its own."

"So what happened to my mate!" I roar and Rosalind's eyes widen in shock even as an approving smirk rests on her lips. I take a deep breath, looking around at the lightning now filling the stasis room. "What did you do?"

"Oh me?" She makes a dramatic shocked look before rolling her eyes. "I did nothing its everyone else you should consider."

She watches me for a moment, taking in my building rage and the broken vials used against the stasis chamber behind her. She arches a brow before striding past me. My lip wobbles as grief threatens to overcome me.

Ricki. My sweet Ricki. She shouldn't have died.

"Come along Beatrix and I'll tell you how your mate really died." Rosalind's voice taunts and I close my eyes but can't bring myself to regret what Tavi and I have done. "After all, it's the least I owe you and Octavia for getting me out of here."

We walk in silence past many corridors and turns, Rosalind following some path only visible to her as we listen to the sounds of metal clashing as Octavia fends off Bloom's advances to stop us unleashing Rosalind.

"The changeling has lasted far longer than I expected." Rosalind comments and I fight the urge to scream and demand answers.

"Octavia has waited a long time to put her in her place." I comment with a detached calmness as I desperately claw at any shred of a mask I can conjure. "She's toying with her prey, you know what she's like."

Rosalind hums in agreement.

"Bloom was so close to being mine but that little trip to Asterdell you encouraged through Stella- oh don't look so surprised, you have the future Queen's ear and no doubt a few comments about your own birth family dying there had her in turmoil for her friend."

I stiffen, hating how she easily knows what we did. What I did.

"The experiments though, did you know beforehand or was it a complete surprise." Rosalind doesn't bother to look at me as we reach a metal door.

I swallow heavily, "both. I had my suspicions, I needed to confirm them."

"Did you now?" Rosalind mocks as we step outside. "I suppose you were hoping it would answer why everything happened, why you had to be you, why you endured so much, the pain of death blah- blah, blah."

Rosalind observes me, I can feel her gaze on my skin even as I refuse to look up.

"Tell me what happened to Ricki and about what happened to Irene's daughter."

"Irene's daughter? Not your own?"

The world stops and my breath catches in my throat.

No. No no no. Ellie. Not Ellie. There was me, Ricki and Ellie. The dog. The little golden lab who lived with us in our cottage but-

"Helios, I'm stuffed." I exclaim, my hands resting on my rounded stomach cradling the food baby nestled beside the actual one.

I hear Octavia's laughter as she no doubt takes in my face covered in chocolate cake. I pay her no mind, even as Ricki snorts against my shoulder, this new movie is far too interesting for me to entertain distractions as the three of us cram onto the sofa of dad's cottage but-

"What?" I demand, laughing as I throw a cushion at Octavia. "Don't judge me, chocolate is my weakness."

"I- I know." She exclaims between giggles and I fight a smile.

No- no helios please no. Not my baby. Please no.

But the memories.

I walk arm in arm with Ricki, smiling up at her as she makes a dramatic thinking face.

"I want...." Ricki starts with a grin as she glances back at Tavi and Stel. "Caramel ice cream."

"I want strawberry ice cream." I moan, closing my eyes at the dreamy thought.

I hear giggles breakout behind me, no doubt at my dreamy expression.

"Leave me alone." I hiss, pushing Ricki away. "I've got a sudden craving for strawberries."

"I thought Ellie was my fucking dog." I gasp out through tears as I beg Rosalind for it not to be true. "But then I took that purple vial and all the memories started coming back. Ellie was my daughter, mine and Rickis."

"You were a good mother if it's any consolation, despite your obvious youth. " Rosalind comments. "It was a perfect feat of mine to combine both of your bloods."

"We were fifteen, why would you-"

"Because I needed her, like I needed you and Octavia. The same way the three of you needed me to survive." Rosalind states as she stalks towards the stone circle. "All three of you were destined to die at birth, I gave you a better chance at life."

"Life? What fucking life?" I roar, pausing for breath when I see Rosalind's arched brow at my anger. "You killed her, you killed my Ellie and Ricki and Belle-"

"Belle?" There's a teasing lilt to her smile. "I don't know of a Belle. Who names their child that anyway? It's not exactly a strong name, not something for her to be proud of in the future- oh... you're angry with me."

"Silence will get you nowhere Beatrix, I didn't train you to be weak and submissive. I trained you to understand your orders, and accept that they were for the greater good-"

"Many atrocities have been committed in the name of the greater good." I slowly, too fucking slowly turn to Octavia as she stalks into the stone circle, shadows nowhere in sight as they hide from the one woman that could take them away. "I'm sure you know all about it."

"Oh good, did you bring the changeling with you like I asked?" Rosalind taunts and I don't bother to send a questioning look to Tavi, Rosalind likes to drive wedges between people, twisting their minds and changing their motives till the only people they can trust is her.

"What does it matter? You've no doubt drugged her as well." Tavi states as she stalks to my side and we face the commander. For a second - just a second - I'm 14 again, standing side by side with Tavi, our hands behind our backs in a classic military pose as we stare up at the monster giving out orders. "I'm sure she'll come begging to you soon enough for another fix."

"True, very true." Rosalind cocks her head as she observes us and I fight the urge to squirm as her eyes drag up and down my body. "But let's talk about the two of you. Considering you had Calum killed I can only assume you wanted the stasis key he had for yourselves. How did you know he had it?"

"My mate, Riven, he used to- Calum had a thing for him. I'm sure you know all about Calum's tastes for control and power?"

"Oh yes. He built up quite the record for forcing students into relationships with him, he got off on the power dynamic I believe. Used the school records to find kids who come from broken homes and then found something to hold over their heads in exchange for... favours."

"I assume you put that particular skill to use?" I snap.

"Of course, I'm not an manipulatable idiot like Octavia's mate. Besides, it was much easier to convince Terra to hide the skeleton key artefact and make those memory vials for me when I had someone blackmailing her. Now, how did Riven get the key? You know the game Tavi, truth for truth, play the game."

Terra? That fucking earth fairy-

"Riven saw it in his office one time, hidden away about a year or so ago. He was looking for his confiscated phone." Octavia states blankly, her voice deceptively emotionless as she no doubt comprehends Terra's involvement. "He connected the dots, realised what it was and then snuck back in for it."

"And?"

"There was an altercation. Calum it seems had the ability to grow claws and fangs and had the unmatchable strength of a mountain lion, yet he was not a fairy, not a shapeshifter or from one of the shifter packs by any means." Rosalind hums in answer to Octavia's accusations of Calum being another experiment. "They fought, Riven was losing, I heard via the bond and- took care of the problem."

"And let me guess, Beatrix was the clean up crew?" Rosalind taunts and then scoffs, entering the stone circle and we quickly follow. "That was pathetic, the both of you. I trained you to have better plans but it doesn't matter now. I'll take care of it, you know I keep my girls safe."

"We're sorry." I can't help but state, the pleading note in my voice barely hidden but she waves me off.

"Not to worry Stormy," Rosalind hums as she steps up onto the centre stone. "Tell me what you did and I'll fix it and then we can discuss what exactly the two of you want from me in return for letting me go- don't try to disagree Octavia. I trained you, I know all your tricks."

So we did. We told her about discovering the experiments, finding out that we had all been dying at birth, the same way we suspect Irene's babe is. We told her about the late nights with my mates planning, discussing with Saul and Andreas and how little we told all the males. I ignore the guilt crushing at my chest, the lies and tricks we told and used. It wasn't fair to my dads but they would never understand what Rosalind is to us. She used them and gave nothing back but without Rosalind, Octavia and I would have died a thousand times over.

It was easier telling Rosalind about the facts of the plan. Riven and I attacked Terra and Bloom, we took the artefact, scorched the ground to blame Bloom and dumped her somewhere deep in the forrest. Sky takes the artefact to seal off the catacombs to students and unlocks the spells binding the stasis room. Sky comes back, he has the vials. I take the vials, make the potion that would dissolve the stasis chamber and then split half the memory vial with Octavia.

Bloom was a bit of a wrench in the system. We didn't expect Stella to try and stop Rosalind with her little goons. mercifully, Terra was on Rosalind's pay roll ad sent them on a wild goose chase for the intruder. Octavia subdues Bloom in a makeshift stasis chamber and joins us here - which was a bitch move but kind of funny when you consider that the angry fire fairy is no doubt beating on the walls of her cell.

"That was both." Rosalind pauses as she considers, her hands hovering over the stone circle as lightning crackles beneath her palms. "The most complicated and stupid plan I have ever heard."

"We had two days to plan and carry it out." I snap and the humourous tone seems to bring something back to life in Octavia's eyes. Rosalind huffs and rolls her eyes but then- Burned Ones, their snarls unmistakable in the silence.

"It seems we are to have company." Rosalind smirks. 

A/N: Surprise?