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Episode 24:

You have me by your side, Knight

"So three mundanes, all having been clearly drained and the bite marks were still there?" I folded my arms while mulling things over as I spoke.

Gloria nodded while sipping at her tea. "Yes, right now the authorities are chalking it up to animal attacks because of how torn up their bodies were. However, it doesn't take a genius to see what the signs point to. If it gets out to the general populace, we could see problems."

I shook my head and frowned. "The fact they were left with the bite wounds and attacked so viciously... I don't think we're dealing with one in their right mind."

"Why do you say that, Katrina?" The retriever looked at me curiously over her teacup.

My shoulders shrugged in response. "Even a fledgling is taught early on about how our saliva can be used to heal the wounds we make. On top of that, we all know the value of keeping our head down when we hunt. The fact the attacker isn't bothering with such a simple thing, makes me think they've gone mad."

"I remember reading about this in basic training, vampires that lose themselves to the hunger and become nothing short of mindless beasts." The dog shivered as she spoke the words.

"That's hitting the nail right on the head. Most likely they have been skulking about in the wilderness for who knows how long. They wouldn't be unlike a wild animal bumbling into the city in that regard." I take my revolvers out and lay them on the table before us.

Gloria tilts her head at my guns. "Did you want me to bless your bullets like I do our rabbits?"

I couldn't help but set my jaw, it sounded odd hearing anyone say 'our rabbit' other than Elias. I shook my head to clear my jealous thoughts and showed my teeth in a grin. "Nah, just bless the whole damn gun, bullets and all."

The retriever looked surprised at the words. "Oh, you mean your guns are made of silver?"

"As much of them as can be, yes. Some of the intricate parts aren't, but mostly they are." I spoke the words proudly and grinned. My guns were special models Elias had commissioned for me from a master gunsmith over thirty years ago. It had been what initially sparked my interest in gunsmithing.

"How fascinating..." The dog hummed the words, staring at my revolvers before moving her hand over them. She clasped her rosary in her off-hand and I watched her muttering a silent prayer. "All done." She spoke the words in a loving tone of voice.

I hesitated before gripping the two guns once more, there was an ever faint sting in my palm from the blessing for a split moment, then it was gone. "Thanks, Gloria." I spoke the words and put the guns back into my jacket. "I'm still not sure what to think of this blessing thing."

"I do have a theory." The golden-haired retriever spoke to me with a smile on her face.

"Yeah? What's that?" I picked up the coffee mug and downed the last few gulps of blood before setting it down.

The celestial raised a finger. "As with all things in our life, I think our rabbit is at play here."

"Color me surprised." I gave the angel a curious look. "You think she is siphoning off your divine mojo and spreading it around?"

"I do... I believe she has also corrupted me slightly in the process." She spoke the words in an amused tone of voice despite the dark sounding tone of them.

"Corrupted you how?" My ears lifted curiously as I slid my chair out from the table and stood to take my coffee mug to the sink.

Gloria sighed and placed a hand to her chest. "I can feel demonic energy in me from time to time. It does nothing to me and does not affect my own divinity. However, my days are most likely numbered because of it..." She spoke the words in a resigned and calm voice.

I felt a chill roll down my spine and clenched my teeth, jerking my head back to look at the dog. "Numbered? What does that mean?"

"It means I may have a limited time of my life left. It is a common term to exp-"

"I know what the fucking term means!" I spat out the words and snapped my tail about. I felt dread settle upon me, I didn't know this celestial and I had no reason to care about her, but I knew how much she meant to the two of them. The thought of them being hurt over losing her triggered something in me.

"Ah... my apologies, I was not trying to be a smart-aleck." She bowed her head politely to me. "More to the point... once one of my superiors comes to check up on me... well..."

I frowned and folded my arms. "They will deem you tainted and compromised."

"Yes..." Gloria frowned and looked down at her empty cup.

"Couldn't you just quit their ranks then?" I asked curiously.

"Ah... I once heard someone compare being a member of the celestial military to being part of a mundane mafia. Once you're in, you're in for life... erm, or second life as it were" She giggled the words and then smiled at me.

"Second life? You mean you were dead?" I quirked a brow curiously.

"Well, yes I suppose so." Gloria smiled and placed a hand to her chest. "Mundanes that lead pious lives or die in heroic ways are sometimes given the opportunity to join the ranks of the celestials. We are born again as holy warriors to defend the world. We are not true angels but we are as close as you can get without being one, to begin with."

"So what did you do to become one?" I asked curiously, finding the idea of it fascinating.

Gloria tapped her chin in thought as she recalled the memories. "I do not remember anything of my life but the last fleeting moments of it. I was told by my superiors, I was a school teacher and had just celebrated my retirement. I remember leaving the school on my final day and seeing a child about to be struck by a moving vehicle, a very large semi-truck. I flung myself into the road and pushed the student away. Then the lights went out and the rest is history as they say."

A shiver went down my spine and I looked upon her smiling face. "Damn, Gloria... that's pretty hardcore..."

"I like to think it is what anyone would do in that situation." She gave me another motherly smile.

Clicking my tongue I folded my arms. "Well... back to the point. Why can't you just up and quit? Can't you be a fallen angel or something?"

The retriever folded her arms in thought. "As to the fallen angel... well those are truly rare and usually you must be granted such a thing." She then shook her head, her curls bouncing about gently. "Regarding simply quitting, I have formed a pact with my commanding officers. They can track and find me at their will and I cannot raise a hand to any of higher rank than me. Quitting is not on the table..."

"So not unlike the bonds a vampire will have when they sire a new progeny..." I folded my arms with a frown. "That's why you've never come to see Alice at our home, isn't it?"

"It is... I do not wish to jeopardize your family." Gloria gave me a smile as she placed a hand to her chest, clasping the rosary there.

"Isn't there anything you can do?" I stepped over towards her and looked down into her eyes while she sat and looked up at me.

"This is the price I will pay for my love. I do not regret it and I will not run from it. My only lament is the pain it will cause my rabbit and wolf." She offered me a gentle smile and stood before moving to the den and collecting her rapier.

"Gloria... we have to do something! We can't just let them kill you like that. You're not even-"

"We can do something, we can stop this monster from praying on the flock I have sworn to protect." The celestial fixed me with a strong look as she shrugged on her jacket. "It may be years yet before I need worry about that problem, but here and now we have mundane dying. I have a duty to uphold and you have a family to protect."

I set my jaw, feeling a little impressed at the dogs sense of duty. I gave her a quick nod. "Right... let's deal with the pressing business at hand. What's the plan?"

"I can narrow our search down with a tracking ritual I have used in the past. I simply need some of your blood, only a drop." Gloria spoke the words as she cleared off the table and began drawing out an intricate magic circle upon it with a piece of charcoal.

"That should be simple then. We don't have any family members operating in the city right now. Elias called them all back before I left." I watched the dog work as she drew the elaborate design like it was second nature.

The blood was let and the ritual was finished. I found myself on my bike again with the celestial pressed to my back while we rode.

"Ha! I've never been on one of these, how exciting!" The dog barked the words aloud while clinging to me.

"Well just hang on tight, Alice would kill me if you fell off and got hurt!" I yelled back to her.

#

With her guidance, we made our way to the industrial sector of town. I killed the engine on the bike and we climbed off it. I pulled the helmet off and looked over an old abandoned steel mill. "Nice place..." I mumbled to the night air.

"It stands to reason, all of the victims have been homeless squatters." Gloria spoke the words while keeping one eye closed. "Ah... they're definitely in there and moving... oh! Very quickly too!"

I showed my teeth and drew my revolvers. "Fuck... they probably picked up on our energy after we arrived." I cursed myself for deciding on the loud ass motorcycle now, a car would have been quieter.

"Ah... they are very fast... already on the ground floor and... oh..." The angel stammered the words and quickly drew her sword.

"Looks like they're ready to party too..." I hissed the words and focused my sight, my eyes shifting to red. "Gloria... these wild ones can be strong, we have no way of telling what tricks they have..."

"R-right!" The retriever moved next to me and her tail went rigide. "Ah... they're outside the building and-"

"Get down!" I shouted out as a blurring shadow of a form streaked past us. The dog dropped and I fired off a shot at the blur, missing as it slipped back into the shadows.

"Gloria! Are you okay?" I spoke out and quickly moved over to her.

"Y-yes..." She stood and we pushed our backs to one another. "I lost the focus on the ritual though..." The words came out in a huff as she clenched her rapier.

"Just stay focused and keep your eyes open, stay near me." I hissed the words quietly and jerked my gaze about. My ears flicked up sharply and I listened for any sounds of movement.

A crunch of gravel was my only warning and the blur was atop us once more. I huffed out as I saw the blaze of red eyes and long sharp claws aiming for my throat. Gloria darted to the side and I rolled away before firing another shot.

Both the bullet and the angel's blade had grazed the rabid vampire, we heard it howl in a screeching yowl of pain before bounding away into the darkness as I took another shot with no luck.

"Bastard is fast..." I panted the words and quickly popped a few more bullets into the chamber of my gun.

"Indeed... huff... most certainly an ambush predator..." Gloria steadied herself and we moved back to back once more.

I felt her back press to my own feeling a little nostalgic, thinking back to the times I and Elias had been in this sort of situation. I lifted my ears and huffed out softly. "Gloria... you're a pain in the ass." I spoke the words with a grin on my face.

"I've been told this once or twice in my time, yes..." The dog hummed the words playfully and pushed against my back a little more.

My teeth clenched as I heard gravel crunching in the darkness, my ear lifted and I felt Gloria tense behind me. I spun around with my guns at the ready as I heard the dog bark out in shock. The feral vampire was on her in less than a blink of an eye, there was a flash of silver, blood, and the sound of my own guns firing all at once. Everything happened so quickly in that heartbeat worth of time.

The mad creature tore into the celestial's midsection with a vicious swipe of its claws. The dog had, in turn, run the vampire through with her rapier. My two bullets found their marks, one in its chest, the other right in its head. Gloria crumpled to the gravel as the vampire fell back and burst into divine fire from all the blessed silver pouring into its body. We never even got to discern its sex or race.

It took my brain a second or two to process everything before I realized my partner was down. I felt panic well up in my chest and quickly moved over to her to assess her condition. "Gloria! Damn it... are you okay?!"

"Ha... it was fast... got me pretty good..." The retriever coughed the words and moved her hand away from her midsection. She had on a reinforced ballistic jacket but the vampire had torn through it like paper and cleaved a deep wound through her belly.

"Oh man... this is bad..." I hissed the words out and tore her shirt open to fully expose her stomach to see the full scope of the damage.

Gloria barked out in a cough and folded her ears. "Sorry Kat... guess I was no help... T-take care of Alice and A-Alex for me... okay?"

"S-shut up! We're not playing that game Gloria! Just focus on your breathing." I hissed the words and checked her over, she was bleeding heavily but she didn't appear to have any ruptured organs.

"Huff... huff... sorry..." She panted the words in apology and I showed her a reassuring grin. The wounds were too deep and wide to simply lick them closed, I had to result to more drastic measures.

"Hey... it's gonna be fine, I promise! Just gotta stop the bleeding..." I quickly tore open my palm and wrist on my own tooth, blood spilling down my collar. I willed my thaumaturgy forth and pushed my palm to her belly. "Okay... it's gonna burn... just bare with me!" I gave her my free hand to grip as I spoke the words.

She gripped my hand weakly, then I felt her crush my fingers as she howled out in pain. "I know... I'm sorry..." I hissed the words as I willed my blood to burn as I dragged it over her wounds, cauterizing them and slowly halting the flow of her own blood loss.

I felt her grip ease and her body shiver as she whimpered and blinked up at me with tears in her eyes. I showed her a smile and shook my head. "There... you're gonna be fine you big baby..."

She bit her lower lip and nodded at me. "S-sorry again..."

I started lapping at my wrist and palm, taking several passes of my tongue to seal the wounds I made. My ears lifted and I shook my head, "Stop apologizing. I never would have hit the thing had you not scored that blow with your sword."

Gloria showed me a smile and winced as she tried to sit up. I shook my head again and held her down. "Just give it some time... you lost a lot of blood and you can't just drink more to refuel like I can..."

The dog gave a ragged sigh and nodded her head. I shifted to let her rest her head in my lap and frowned at the pile of charred ash a few feet from us. Whatever it was, it was gone now.

We stayed like that for nearly an hour, I was thankful it was in an abandoned area of town and no one had called the mundane authorities on us. Gloria furrowed her brow and came to with a groan of pain, my hand was gently stroking her hair and ears. "Hey... Welcome back."

"A-Alice?" She blinked as she spoke out in a groggy tone, then shook her head a little. "Ah... S-sorry Katrina... you smell so much of her, even your touch and energy is like hers in a lot of ways..."

"Don't worry about it..." I purred the words and shook my head. "I recall reading you celestials can heal pretty fast... how do you feel?"

Gloria winced but slowly sat up and looked over her torn shirt and jacket, the ugly sight of burned flesh covering her stomach. "I feel like I was carved up and set on fire..."

"Well, you kind of were so..." I grinned and climbed to my feet before offering her a hand up. The dog stood and yipped from the dizziness and slumped against me. I grunted under her weight but smiled and held her up. "You okay?"

"Y-yeah... just a head rush..." Gloria shook her head and slowly pulled away from me, giving a controlled huff before she made her way to the pile of ashes to collect her rapier.

I moved next to her and watched her clasp her rosary and offer a silent prayer for the fallen creature. I gave her a moment to finish before stepping back towards my bike. "You got enough strength to hold on to me without falling off?"

"Y-yeah... I think so." She shook her head and moved over to me.

I frowned at the skyline, seeing the faintest signs of the sun starting to rise. "I hope you don't mind if I bunk at your place for the day... I don't think I'm getting home before the sun is up."

We saddled up on the bike and the dog hugged close to me, huffing out weakly. "Hold on tight, Gloria... you can sleep it off when we get you home," I spoke out sternly at her. The retriever nodded and hugged tight to me as I pulled out of the gravel lot and made my way back to her apartment.

#

"That's how it went..." I spoke to Elias on my phone while drawing the shades in the small apartment closed.

"How is Gloria?" He asked me curiously.

"She got tore up pretty good, but she is sleeping it off now. I'm going to pile up on her sofa, then I will be home when the sun goes down." I spoke the words while unlacing my boots.

"I'm glad you're both safe, I was worried..." His voice sounded unusually concerned and I bit my lower lip.

"Master, everything is okay. Thank you for being concerned for us though." I hummed teasingly. "Though I didn't know you cared so much for the celestial."

I heard him bark out at my teasing. "Of course, she has shown her loyalty to this family time and again. I would be callous not to worry about an ally and comrade in arms."

My mind wandered back to that topic, of the other celestials killing her when they found out. I stepped over to her bedroom seeing her piled up in the king-size bed asleep. She was clutching a large stuffed animal that I recognized as one of Alice's. "My lord... how powerful are some of the elite celestials?"

I heard the hesitation in his voice. "Why do you ask?"

"Just curiosity, really." I moved to the kitchen and found a bottle of the blood she had in reserve and began drinking it cold, I just wanted the energy in me.

"I've been told the strongest of them could rival our theoretical elders. The elite of them such as the bishops and archangels, can summon sunlight upon command even in the dead of night. The power of that light leaves us paralyzed and helpless to them."

I sigh and shake my head. "I'm wondering if Alice is onto something here... how much of this is fact and how much is just misconception and rumors?"

"I cannot say... For now, you should rest my lady."

I yawned and nodded. "You're right... tell me what I want to hear and I shall go do that."

There was a pause before he spoke out to me. "I love you..."

I felt my heart start to beat and smiled. "And I you... rest well, my lord. I will see you upon the dusk."

#

"Good evening, Katrina." Gloria spoke the words cheerfully to me from the kitchen as I rose from the sofa and rubbed my head with a yawn.

"Mm? Oh hey... glad to see you made it through the day." I showed her a sleepy grin, my ears flicking upwards.

"Yes, all thanks to you." The dog brought me a large mug with steaming hot blood within it. My ears lifted and I happily took it, sipping upon it while my tail flicked and coiled about.

Gloria sat before me after pulling up a chair and sipped upon her own hot drink. I tilted my head curiously. "Joking aside, how are your injuries?"

"Oh, I slept them off nicely." She gripped her shirt and lifted it to show off her stomach, not even a scar remaining.

"Wow... I didn't know you celestial's healed so quickly." I took a few more gulps of the hot blood, shivering at the flavor and feeling my eyes burning red. "This is... really good... what did you do to it?" I practically panted the words, feeling a little drunk.

"Ah... t-that's... well... I wanted to reward you for helping me, it's some of my own." She hummed the words playfully and wagged her tail.

I wanted to reprimand her, but I was too focused on getting it into me. I turned the mug up drinking it down as fast as I could now, It burned on the way down but I didn't care. With the last gulp, I shivered and lolled my tongue in a soft pant. "Stupid... huff... you lost too much to be giving me yours..."

The retriever smiled at my reaction and shook her head. "We heal quickly and our blood also replenishes rather fast. We mostly need to sleep for it to work though."

"I could get used to this... your blood is like a drug..." I coil my tail before sighing happily, feeling eager and wishing my rabbit or fox were around.

"Oh, w-would you like some more Katrina?" Gloria spoke the words innocently and offered me her wrist.

My mouth gaped slightly at the offer. My common sense said to let it be, but my hunger didn't want any part of it. I quickly snatched the dog's wrist up and shoved my mouth to it. I heard her yip out in pain as my teeth sunk into her flesh, then her whimpers turned to soft pants of pleasure as the euphoria of being fed upon gripped her.

I drank her blood down as quickly as it would fill my mouth, having it fresh like this was unquestionably better. My ears lifted, listening to her pant and whimper in desire while I fed upon her directly.

"T-take... as much as you like, my brave cat..." Her words came to my ears and I flicked them sharply. I wasn't hers and I had no intention of being so, but I was too interested in my drink to retort.

Taking down a few more heavy gulps I reigned myself in and pulled from her wrist, dragging my tongue over her flesh and closing the wound. I shivered and let out a ragged sigh of pleasure, then glanced over at her. The dog was lolling her tongue in a soft pant, her eyes looking dazed.

I took a moment to compose myself before speaking out pointedly. "I'm not your cat..."

Gloria seemed to snap out of her daze and blinked upon me. "Ah... did I say you were?"

"You did..." I blushed and looked away. It wasn't that I didn't find the dog attractive or nice, but I had enough on my plate with Alice and Elias. The only one I would have considered would have been Alex, but she already had a claim to him.

"Oh... Katrina, I'm sorry... I didn't mean to offend you. I was just in a daze..." Gloria whimpered the words and folded her ears.

I blinked at her apology and offered her a smile. "N-no... it's fine... it's nothing personal, I just... Well, I dunno... you're a cute dog and I like you, but not like that... you know?"

Gloria smiled and put her hand to her chest. "I do... and I understand. It would be a challenge for me to bring another into my life now that I have Alice and Alex." The angel lifted her ears and gave me a warm smile. "Oh but... I'm happy to be your friend and companion, Katrina. If you ever need my sword arm, or you just want to hang out, I would enjoy that."

Her words made me grin and I gave her a nod. "That sounds good, I would like to be your friend too. Call upon me if you ever need anything." I licked my lips and shivered. "Also... thank you for the drink... that was amazing..."

Gloria giggled and moved her hand to her chest once more. "Of course... you are welcome to come have a drink with me anytime, just please forgive me if I lose myself and say something odd."

I smiled at her then set her with a serious look. "Does Alice know about what we talked about yesterday? About you being on borrowed time?"

"S-she... somewhat knows... she knows it's a possibility. I brushed it off saying they would understand some taint would be expected and that it would be fine." Gloria rubbed the back of her head and frowned deeply. "However, I've laid with her so much... there is no denying I've been thoroughly corrupted... there will be no explaining it away when the time comes."

"Is there nothing that can be done?" I showed my sharp canines and hissed the words, feeling anger fill me. "Alice won't just stand by and let that happen, neither will Alex... N-neither will I."

Gloria gave me a smile and put a hand to her cheek, her face blushing. "T-thank you. It means the world to know so many care... However, there is nothing to be done for it. All you would do by interfering is jeopardize yourselves."

I hissed and clenched my fist. "I take the bonds of battle seriously. We have fought together side by side. Rest assured if that day comes, I will be by their side in your defense, regardless of the odds."

The dog shook her head and frowned. "I do not deserve the love and support of the three of you. I only pray I do not bring tragedy upon you all and your house..."

"It's not about the family, it's about honor." I rose to my feet and rolled my shoulder.

The celestial rose as well and frowned at me. "Katrina... knowing all of you care is enough, I mean it."

"Knowing my sister... I assume she has already made you give your word to call upon her?" I quirked a brow as I folded my arms.

"Y-yes... I swore I would tell her..." Gloria looked away awkwardly.

"Then know if that time comes, she will not come alone. You have my sword arm... or gun arm as it were." I grinned at the divine dog as my tail coiled and flicked.

She shook her head but smiled. "Thank you... it means the world to me to have such good friends."

I parted with Gloria a few minutes later and made my way back home. On the ride I muddled over things. I thought about my own words of protection and what it might mean to come to odds with celestials. I knew it was foolish, but I would rather stand and die with my rabbit then lose her and my friends.

#

Elias met me at the entrance and we embraced. I purred happily in his arms, feeling his strength as he held me. I could sense his relief and sighed happily, feeling him stroke my tail and ears. "I am happy to have you return safely."

I grinned and pulled from him slightly to look into his eyes. "Yeah, me too. It got dicey for a second there."

The fox gave me a deep frown. "I should have ignored the council business and came with you. Perhaps Gloria would not have suffered injury..."

"Hey, you've got your job, I've got mine." I showed him a confident grin and put my hands on my hips. "Besides... she's no worse for wear, just a little more corruption."

"Corruption?" He asked me curiously. I frowned and recalled everything to him. The talk of her pending fate, my blood mingling with her own as I used thaumaturgy upon her. Even the promise of giving her aid when that time came.

Elias peaked his fingertips in thought while sitting behind his desk. We had moved back to his office while I told him of the previous night's adventure. "This is unsettling..." He sighed the words and shook his head.

"I agree, but you and I both know Alex and Alice would rush to her side with no hesitation." I folded my arms and coiled my tail, flicking it sharply from time to time.

"They would, and you would follow them now?" He looked at me curiously, raising an eyebrow.

I gave him a nod. "I would. I wouldn't let my lover and my best friend leap into the flames alone. I also would not abandon Gloria to an unjust fate. She stood on the field of battle with me, and that is something you know I do not take lightly, my lord."

"Well let us pray it does not co-"

"By the way the dog speaks, it is only a matter of time. There is no running from it either." I threw my hand forward and showed my teeth. "Alice is right in her pursuit of strength and improving herself. The winds of change blow in our face, my Master... my love..."

Elias looked away and folded his ears. "Perhaps so. I simply wish my family to live in peace and happiness. First house Silverpaw, now potentially celestials. Even the attacks on the mundane have ramped up in the last few years."

"Change is harder for us because of our nature, but it comes to every creature regardless." I gave him a nod and sighed. "I wish nothing more than you do my love... I just want to stay here, be happy with you and her..."

The white fox drummed his fingertips on the desk. "I wish to meet this celestial. If three of my house are willing to lay their lives on the line for her, I wish to see what her character is."

"The night is young. I shall call her and we can go back to her now." I withdrew my phone as I spoke.

"Why not bring her here?" Elias asked me curiously.

"She claims her superiors have her bound by a contract, they can seek her out and find her no matter where she goes. That is why she has not come to call in this last year." I frowned as I spoke the words to my master.

The fox gave a nod. "So again she shows her loyalty to our house. She has been shielding us this whole time." Elias pushed from his desk and flicked his large white tail. "Very well... tell this angel I wish to meet with her. We will leave within the half-hour."

"And I just got home too..." I gave him a playful pout as I called the retriever.

#

"I can't believe that Elias of the divine flames is in my home..." The golden-haired dog looked upon the fox in awe, her tail furiously wagging.

I watched my master give the celestial a courteous bow before reaching for her hand. The smaller dog barked out in a soft gasp when he brought her hand to his lips and gave it a gentle kiss. "Thank you for your hospitality and meeting with me, lady Gloria."

"N-no no... to meet a legend such as yourself. Ah... the pleasure is all mine." The dog wagged her tail and pushed her palm to her cheek. I couldn't help but scowl, seeing her blushing at his presence and practically smelling her reaction.

"Cool, well now that those pleasantries are dispersed, why don't we get to business," I hissed the words and moved between the two dogs, giving my fox a fussy look. Elias showed a knowing smile and stepped back.

"R-right..." Gloria frowned and seemed to compose herself. "Why have you come to see me, sir Elias?"

"Why don't we go to an all-night cafe to speak. I do not wish to continually taint your home with my energy, it is not the sort of thing that would be overlooked easily if I linger here. It could even draw unwanted attention." The fox bowed his head politely as he moved for the door.

The retriever nodded and followed along. "Certainly, I know of a quiet place with lots of seating, we should be able to find some privacy."

We found ourselves seated at a small table in a coffee shop in the heart of the city. We had taken a corner far away from the few lingering patrons. The fox spoke out over a small cup of steaming coffee set out before him. "So, my lady tells me you fear that retribution will come to you for being in a relationship with two of my family members?

Gloria frowned at me and I gave her a shrug. She moved her gaze back to the white fox and nodded. "Y-yes... but it was my choice to make, I knew the price that would be paid."

"Even if it were an unfair price?" Elias showed his large sharp canines a little heat showing in his voice.

I could hear the heavy gulp from the dog swallowing the lump in her throat before she spoke out. "Sir Elias, I apologize if I have offended you or your house..."

"You have not raised my ire in any way, knight Gloria. However, like it or not you are now an integral part of my family regardless of what any of us want. Not only my sister, but my brother claims you as their love. My lady here also claims you as her ally and says she will stand in your defense as well."

The fox huffed out, his ears lifting sharply. "I have kept a distance from the celestial court and my family has made every effort to treat your flock with a gentle and protective hand. However, I will not tolerate any hostilities towards my family."

Gloria shook her head and frowned. "This is why it is best to let me reap what I have sown alone, your lordship. I never had any intention of bringing your family into my plight."

"That is an unacceptable scenario. You have shown great loyalty to my court, be it in helping us uphold our own laws, as well as being a source of companionship for my brother and sister." Elias snorted out his nose and folded his arms. "I will not allow it."

I coiled my tail and felt a grin show on my face. I always found these sorts of displays irresistible by my lord. I purred and looked over to Gloria. 'You see, Gloria. This is now a family matter, regardless if you like it or not. You're part of our team, and we don't turn our backs on our allies."

"Rightfully so." Elias barked the words and fixed the angel with a confident stare. "You have me by your side, Knight."

The dog blinked her eyes wide and looked between the two of us speechless. She took several moments to compose herself before looking to Elias and clearing her throat. "T-thank you... but they can follow me to the ends of the earth, you cannot hide me sir El-"

"Can you be turned?" He asked pointedly, drawing a shocked look from me and the smaller dog.

"Uhm... I- I don't... know?" Gloria quivered as she spoke the words uncertainly. "I would assume the divine blood in me would not allow it, b-but... I've been so tainted by Alice, that I question it."

"Elias... you can't be serious..." I hissed the words out, looking my fox over in shock.

He shrugged his shoulders. "It is an act of desperation, but I would imagine if she ceased to be a celestial, her pact would sever, they would be unable to restrain or track her."

"Are you sure about that?" I raised an eyebrow curiously.

"I am not, but I know someone who could find out for us. I will send Alice to the circle to seek the information from Kazemde, he seems to like her and will probably be willing to help."

"Y-you... you take such massive risks for me, why?" Gloria shook her head and frowned while looking between the two of us.

"Because we honor our allies, our friends." I hummed the words and gave the angel a cocky grin.

"That's right. I would be doing a disservice to both my ladies and my brother were I to turn a blind eye. Not to mention the aid and support you have lent my family over the course of this past year. No... we do not act recklessly, we act within the guidelines of honor." The fox showed a proud grin as he spoke.

Gloria clenched her teeth and shivered, shaking her head. "I... I had accepted my fate... but now you come and offer me hope... the very damnable creatures I swore to fight now offer me comfort and asylum when I know even my own family will strike me down..."

"It will be okay, Gloria. We will make sure of it!" I offered her my own proud grin.

"This is how it is. For now, we'll play our cards close to our chest. I will gather what information I can. Know that when the time comes, you will not stand alone, our court values loyalty and honor. You will not stand and die alone." Elias nodded and rose from his seat.

"B-but... lord Elias. I do not doubt your power, but do you think you are enough to stand before the celestial court?" Gloria barked the words out, tears now clearly forming in her eyes.

Elias gave her a gentle smile and moved in to brush her tears away. "I do not... but you underestimate the bonds your lover has made. Alice has developed strong bonds with several of our members and I know at least two other houses that would defend her. Potentially even the circle and one of our most ancient members."

Gloria widened her eyes and blinked up at the fox. "You really think they would all come to her aid like that?"

"Perhaps... perhaps not, but it is a bargaining chip we can levy if needed. Our rabbit is strong, but I think her greatest strength is in her ability to form bonds. She never set out to do such, but she has powerful friends and lovers now." The fox shrugged. "Even if it is just the four of us. You will not stand alone in this." I saw his eyes cast away in thought, pain crossing them before he clenched his fist and gave the celestial a wide grin. "Besides... my ex-wife stood toe to toe with one of your most powerful, I can't let her out do me!"

The smaller dog sighed and nodded her head. "I still feel terrible for drawing all of you into my problem..."

"Stop worrying Gloria. For now, let's just get back to business as usual." I moved a hand to grab hers in a bid of comfort. I felt the dog squeeze my grip and gave her a nod.

Elias took her other hand after sitting back down and also gave her a nod. "She is right, do not let it weigh upon you too heavily. We have the advantage of preparation."

Gloria nodded several times and gave us both a hopeful smile. "Thank you... I will do my best as well. To protect my flock and... to protect my other family's veil."

#

I see you looking upon me while I glance out over the lilies in the water. I lift my ears and fold my arms, giving you a show of my teeth. "What? You wanted lewd stuff and I gave it to you, I even gave you drama and friendship."

You ask about the wolf and I give a shrug. "No... I think it's for the best this way..."

More questions and I show my teeth in irritation, then my ears lift as I see a car pulling down the long spiraling road towards the mansion. "Hmm... well, you will have to field any further questions towards Alice. Come along newbie, let's head back to the house."

"I may spend time with you again later if you wish it, but the rest of the night is mine and hers." I cut my eyes to your eager reply to hear more of my tales and I roll them. "Alright alright... you're kind of cute how curious you are, I can see why she took a shine."

My tail was almost wagging as I saw my rabbit climb from the large black car. I was atop her in a heartbeat and threw my arms around her neck. Alice gasped out as my mouth pushed to her own and I pushed her right back down into the back seat she climbed from.

"Mmph! Ngh... Kat... at least let me get to our room." She giggled the words as I pulled her further into the car and tugged the door shut.

"Park the car in the garage and leave us." I hiss the words to the servant at the wheel. My hands then move to grab my rabbit by the wrists and I pin them down while grinning over her. "Oh how I've longed for you, Alice..."

She giggles and bites her lower lip, her eyes shifting to red, her hips squirming beneath me. "I long for you too, my cat..."

We feel the car slide into the garage and the driver quickly exits and leaves us alone in the back seat. I show my teeth to the rabbit in a hungry grin. "And now you're all mine..."

Alice sighs and blinks up at me, her ears wobbling drunkenly while she nods. "All yours Katrina, my love..."

---

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