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And with that out of the way...

Welcome back, my lovely reader! I won't mince my words, this is gonna be a pretty drama-heavy chapter, but I think it'll also answer a few nagging questions you may have had. Oh, don't get me wrong, it won't answer alllll your questions of course.

Well, our lovely fox is going to have his paws full this episode, and not in that fun sexy way either! That's enough yammering from me though, let's jump right in!

--*--

Episode 9:

A Death in the family

"Rachel! It is of no concern, please!" I reached for her with one hand as she had turned to storm off from me.

The vixen whirled upon me, pushed my hand away, and jabbed a finger squarely into my chest. "Mayhaps to you, Ryder! How do you think I feel? Do you ever stop to think how I feel?!"

She screamed the words at me, her sharp teeth showing as I saw the fury and tears in her eyes as she continued, "I turn an eye from your other lovers, I truly hold no jealousy in my heart over them, but... to be so starkly shown our differences..."

I clenched my teeth and looked away. Rachel had been stationed in the former city Lorelai's home was in. My lover and her sister, the one known as Sarnai, returned to exact retribution upon the church. The cathedral that was built upon the site of their former home had been burned down, the entirety of the clergy murdered and left in a heap in the street as a clear message. Rachel confronted them as they left the city and, well, the results were before me.

"Even had I my wings... I know I would not have compared, to feel such overwhelming strength, to know I compete with that for your love..." She snarled bitterly and my ears lifted at the words.

"You do not compete for my love, Rachel, none of you do! I love each of you in your own ways! There are things I adore that only you can give me, likewise with Lorelai!"

"Do you speak of me to her? Do you speak of the three of us?" She prodded the topic, her eyes narrowing, looking calculating as they shifted to gold.

"I do, I have no reason to hide any of you! I speak proudly of you, Toroah, and even Charlotte, despite Lorelai having a distaste for her!" I met her eyes and sharpened my gaze upon her, showing I'd not shirk away or avoid this topic.

Rachel scowled and clenched her teeth, averting her own eyes as they shifted back to blue. "Do you think she merely spared me as a gesture to you?"

"No. Lorelai is not some mindless killer. I feel she would have done the same to any of our kind so long as the option were there." I snarled and slammed my fist into the wall in the hallway we were in. "This is all that stupid ram's fault, he knew what he was doing stationing you there! I swear I'll take his head the moment your wings are returned!"

"Calm yourself, Ryder. I knew what I was signing up for, I knew my power would be diminished to that of a cadet's when I gave my wings up. This was merely a coincidence that-"

"No! He is conniving and has more at play here than he lets on! I wouldn't be surprised if he had a hand in that burning of their home nearly a decade past either!" I folded my arms, teeth showing as I snarled bitterly.

"You overestimate him. He is my commander, but he does not have the strategic foresight of Toroah or Ichiro. It is moot, I feel even with my wings, even if I were a first like you, I do not-"

"Rachel, look at what you attempt to compare yourself to. Lorelai is overwhelmingly powerful, even I would stand no chance and I already am and have been training as a first for years now! We are very much like their kind or any other, it takes time to grow power and Lorelai has seen much of it."

"How old is she, Ryder?" The vixen frowned and folded her own arms, giving me a curious tilt of her head.

"Even she doesn't know for sure. She said she can remember back as far as the fifth century, but has hypothesized she was even around a few centuries prior. She may have just been mindlessly stalking the wilds feeding and surviving."

"Gods... so easily a millennia or more... how could she not recall the time prior though?"

"You've dealt with your fair share of them as I have, Rachel. You know some of them become mindless to the hunger and lose all semblance of themselves. Apparently, her brother was once like that but managed to rein the hunger in. Perhaps it was the same for her, perhaps an intervention brought her to her senses."

"Still, her age rivals Ichiro's..." Rachel frowned as she rubbed at her chin in contemplation.

"Yes, and neither of us could stand before that even at our strongest. Do not compare yourself to such a thing. Combat prowess and power mean little when it comes to our love, Rachel."

She gave a resigned sigh and shook her head. "All the same... I must go report my failure to the Commander now and receive my lecture."

I snarled and clenched my fist. "If he steps out of line-"

"It is fine, Ryder. He has a sharp tongue but he has never been violent with me. We'll speak more later, I love you."

"I love you too..." I called out as she turned and strode from me, feeling a knot in my stomach over the whole ordeal. I was thankful Lorelai spared her, but I knew this would become a point of contingency one way or another.

--*--

Blessed Silver Weapons:

Contrary to what one may think, blessed silver is harder than tungsten and capable of easily holding up to the most brutal treatment. The blades forged by celestial blacksmiths also hold their edge incredibly well, only needing to be sharpened after heavy use over the course of several years.

All celestials are outfitted with blessed weapons upon completing basic training and ascending to the rank of Cadet. However, Celestial Knights will be presented with a personal weapon of their choosing upon being knighted. Bladed weapons are most common, but all manner of weapons can be employed so long as they are metallic in nature.

A knight's weapon is very cherished and willingly relinquishing it is a sign of deep respect or attachment. Some exchange their weapons permanently rather than rings as a sign of commitment. It is not uncommon for life-partners to wear the other's weapon as a sign of their devotion.

--*--

"You, are truly mad if you think I'll let you open a gate and go do as you please, Hagen," I sighed the words as I rested a hand on my longsword, giving the ram a level gaze. It had been five years since that incident with Rachel and she now stood next to the ram, her wings returned and the same size as my own.

"I need not humor your pitiful whimpers, dog." He sneered the words, keeping his own hand on the hilt of his katana. Rachel had a similar curved sword at her side, not her personal one, but still of blessed silver.

"Toroah will stand for this as much as I will. My personal relations aside, you attempt to plunge us straight into a war with them."

"Toroah isn't here, but by all means, go find your master like a good little whore. We both know it's your tailhole that got you that rank, to begin with." Rachel showed her teeth in a sneer at Hagen's words but remained silent, she had little choice in the matter as he had ordered her to when this first began.

"Ha... that's amusing. You know what? I've deemed you unfit for command, Commander. You plan to destroy our diplomatic truce with the Bloodstone court for your own prejudices against me." I drew my sword and narrowed my gaze as my stance set. "As a first-rank knight of the High Commander, I have the authority to demand you submit for a tribunal, but please... resist so I can finally-"

The ram blurred forward without warning, drawing that curved sword out in a wide-sweeping slash that I barely deflected. My arms shuddered from the strength of the draw and as I flapped my wings to steady myself, seeing he had already set himself in an overhead stance with the blade.

"So be it!" I barked out as my eyes widened and I sprang forward. We exchanged a flurry of blows, each of us striking and countering for several moments as Rachel stood there with panic on her face but was compelled to stay out of the combat.

"Heh... you've picked up the slack on your training, but I'm still your better, kid!" I snapped my teeth as I drew forth on the prayers to enhance myself.

Hagen seemed to acknowledge the prayer and showed me a knowing grin. "I don't need to best you in a duel Ryder, merely outmaneuver you," He cooed the words as I narrowed my eyes. I knew when someone was stalling and I didn't suffer fools lightly, I wouldn't stand around wagging my tongue while another finished their plans.

With a bark, I lunged forward but the archangel simply blinked out of sight along with Rachel. I snarled furiously as I realized they hadn't actually moved I had, I lunged straight into a fucking gate and was now in the sky gods know where.

I howled out at the petty tactic and threw open a gate to return to the citadel, getting back to the courtyard just in time to see the ram and my lover enter another portal. I slammed into the gate with one hand, my sword drawn, but of course gates could be attuned to only allow certain individuals of the owner's designation into them.

"You've had far too much self-righteous indignation, Ryder. Enough to last me a lifetime I'll add. I've bided my time for this, I'll get revenge for our flock and put your little vampire whore to the sword in the process. I'll even have Rachel do it to be poetic!" The commander showed me a mad little grin, as if he had been planning this for years, as he had no doubt been doing just that as Rachel lifted her ears in shock at his words.

"Hagen! I swear to the gods, you are a dead fucking ram! I will find you and I will kill you!" I roared the words into the gate as it shut in my face. I howled out in fury and focused my senses, I couldn't find Toroah anywhere in the citadel, why was this even happening?

I didn't have time, I had to do something and so I opened one of my personal gates and dove in, coming out high above the Straits of Gibraltar, near the new home of my lover. She had moved her family to the city of Ceuta five years ago. I knew she had been planning a trip to Seville but this was as close as I could get.

Focusing my senses I felt her presence, my eyes widening as I felt Rachel and Hagen already there with her. Snapping my teeth I flew as hard and fast as my wings would carry me, but it would still take time to cover that distance.

While in flight I felt another presence appear as well, Toroah's. "About fucking time you showed up!" I barked out to myself in fury as I closed in on the location, my wings pushing so hard it felt they'd tear apart in the gale.

My mouth gaped at the scene when I arrived. Rachel was torn up pretty good, her wings looking broken but she was on her feet and I watched her set her arm. Lorelai and Sarnai were standing together with another vampire I didn't recognize, a massive bull that wielded a claymore as if it were a longsword. Sarnai had somehow disarmed Rachel and was now welding the blessed silver katana with an improvised grip of some of her shredded gown.

Toroah was just there high above the whole scene, his wings keeping him aloft as he frowned upon it all.

"Toroah! Are you out of your mind? Why are you just floating there letting this happen?! He means to plunge us into war!" I moved to the rabbit, panting as I spat the words into his face.

He clenched his teeth and looked away. "I apologize, Ryder, I'm oath-bound to stay out of it."

"Are you insane? Why would you give your word over something like this?"

He sighed and rubbed at his temple. "Hagen twisted the words around in a manner that didn't imply any of this, that's the short of it. I cannot interfere, though I wish to."

"Then to hell with you, I'll do it myself!" I hissed the words as I dove but then I felt my wings snap out and stop as if they weren't mine. I gave a sudden bark as I felt my body simply move back to Toroah and hover there as my wings flapped.

My eyes widened as I glared at the rabbit. My words came out with fury laced in them, "What... is... the meaning of this!"

"My word included my subordinates... I'm sorry Ryder, I'm desperately trying to think of something, but he's no doubt been plotting this for decades, the wording of the agreement is quite tricky to get around." Toroah furrowed his brow as if in deep contemplation for a way to break the agreement.

"Enough of this!" Hagen snarled out as I felt him send forth his divine light. I winced at how powerful it was, it was easily twice the strength of my own and it showed.

Lorelai and Sarnai each dropped to a knee from it and I cried out in panic. "Lorelai! Gods, no!" I whirled around to face Toroah once more. "Do something about this! It's your fault I can't go to her! If something happens to her-"

"I know! I'm thinking! I'm sorry Ryder, I truly am! It was a moment of weakness and poor judgment, know it was not my intention!" Toroah spoke the words back to me, his eyes looking wet as he shook his head and tried to focus.

I watched as Hagen commanded my own lover to execute the other vampire right before Lorelai and Sarnai. I heard my lover's pained cries at the loss of her brother and felt her overwhelming fury as she started to stand through the light, my ears lifting at the sheer will she was exerting.

"Gods... so much pow-" I winced as the vixen staggered to her feet as well, my eyes widening as bloody flames rolled off her, the sight of them and the sheer force behind them making my stomach twist.

It was over in just a few seconds. Sarnai snuffed the divine light with the flames, then turned them on Rachel and Hagen. Lorelai was atop him in a blink of an eye, fangs in his throat. I shuddered as even I felt the ram's lifeforce fade, an archangel dying was something that any being nearby with an attunement to the supernatural would feel.

"Gods... you stupid bastard... you had it coming but still..." Toroah shook his head and I could see the tears on his face, he then lifted his ears as I did my own, seeing Sarnai getting ready to do the same thing to Rachel.

"Rachel!" I started to dive forward but Toroah pushed a hand out. "I will deal with this, stand down knight!" He spoke the words and I felt his compulsion take hold as I snarled with fury, but had no choice but to obey.

A moment later he was there, speaking to both my lover and her sister. I clearly could hear the exchange. Sarnai mercifully looked like she was already considering sparing Rachel before Toroah even intervened, but I gave a sigh of relief when the vampire climbed from her and even helped her up.

He healed Lorelai who had been badly burned from feeding upon Hagen, then there was talk of war and retribution, Lorelai was furious as she had every right to be. I clenched my teeth at the next exchange, talking of a duel with him and her, that if he won she'd put off war, but if she won, that was the end of him.

Toroah agreed to the terms and he sent Rachel back to the citadel with Hagens body, leaving me there high above the whole thing. Was this how it would be? Was I fated to watch one of my lovers die today one way or another?

Sarnai parted from them at Lorelai's orders, leaving a final threat to Toroah over Lorelai's safety. After several moments, the sheep folded her arms and glared up into the sky right at me, even though I was concealed. "Is he in shock, or is that your doing?" She spoke dryly.

"My apologies, I wanted to smooth things over, I knew Ryder would be too emotional in the moment." The rabbit gave me a nod and I felt the compulsion end.

I landed immediately and looked between the two. Lorelai's outfit was in shambles, with slashes and cuts through the fabric, but most of the injuries healed thanks to her natural abilities and what Toroah had done. I wanted to rush to her and embrace her, but the look she had told me I'd end up with a well-placed punch to my face for the gesture. He was right about me being too emotional though as the first thing I ended up doing was sending my own fist right into the rabbit's jaw.

"You son of a bitch!" I screamed out as Toroah staggered back, wiping blood from his chin but saying nothing.

"That was not what I expected. Would you care to bring me up to speed, boys?" Lorelai frowned at the two of us as I glared daggers at Toroah.

Torah sighed and rubbed the back of his head. "Hagen ensnared us both in a convoluted plot he'd been planning out for years now. Using well-choreographed words, he managed to manipulate me into giving my word to stay my hand while he embarked on this little endeavor of his."

"You should have let me kill the bastard, years ago," I spat the words bitterly while giving my rabbit a furious glare.

"Ryder, love. I'm sorry, I really am. I never wanted to put Lorelai or Rachel in jeopardy like this." Toroah offered another apology and bowed his head, the display just making me all the angrier because of how helpless I had been.

"Ryder, give your lover a break, no one on your side lost anything of worth this day by the sounds of it." Lorelai folded her arms and frowned upon Toroah. "That being said, I hardly feel the scales are balanced now. If anything it appears I've done you a service. Can you possibly offer anything to make up for the loss of not only the head of our family but my oldest friend?"

Toroah frowned and met her eyes, I growled as I realized he was actually staring at them rather intently, staring at them as he stared at... mine. Lorelai acknowledged the look and clenched her teeth, hissing through them. "Stop staring as if you are smitten and answer me!"

"I thought you requested a duel to settle this, Archvampire Lorelai?" Toroah spoke diplomatically as he bowed once more.

"Stop calling me that!" She spat out and then put her hands on her hips. "I made that agreement under the pretense both our sides had lost something of merit, but I suppose you wish to not be alone in being trapped in an agreement that was more one-sided."

"Wait, that was not my intention at all! Hagen was troublesome but he was still a valuable member of our military. Also if we can come to the common ground without violence I'm all for it, Lorelai." Toroah raised his hand towards her as he tried to explain.

Her eyes were red now as she drew the cutlass she had been wearing. "I feel there is no recourse for us at this point, you have little to offer and-"

"I know I have little say in this, but please don't kill one another! I'm begging you two!" I finally spoke out between both of them before Lorelai could finish. She and Toroah both gave me long contemplative stares before the sheep sighed and stepped away from the two of us.

After a few moments, she looked over her shoulder with a glare, "Draw your swords, both of you!"

"Lorelai! I can't raise arms against you!" I called pleadingly to her as I took a step forward, then saw her turn and point her own blade towards me.

"You wished the terms changed, fine. I will absolve your family of this crime against mine but the two of you must fight me and do so without holding back. No magic or tricks, just martial ability." Her eyes met mine in a hard glare before she sighed out, "A non-lethal duel, but you had both better hold nothing back, or I retract my offer and we go to war!"

"Agreed." Toroah drew his rapier and I gave a snarl at him.

"I do not wish-" I grunted as my body drew forth my longsword without my own will playing a factor.

"Stand and fight Ryder, that is an order. This is the only way." Toroah spoke the words sternly as I growled at him, then gave a shrill bark as Lorelai was atop me in a blink.

I saw her red eyes blazing with a heat I'd never seen before as I responded to parry the strike. the blow was so overwhelming it sent my longsword flying in the air, and me with it shortly after as the ewe round housed me with a snapped kick.

Sprawling against the earth I bounced several times, feeling my left wing snap painfully in a break as I winced, blinking up just in time to see Toroah lunge upon her with blinding speed. There was another clash of swords before Lorelai landed a kick in his midsection then batted him away with an offhanded strike of her fist.

She'd never shown such power in any of our sparring matches and I could feel the sadness and fury pouring off her. "I'd known him for well over eight hundred years, Ryder, can you even fathom that kind of loss?" She snarled the words at me as I found my feet and collected my sword, setting my stance.

"Answer me!" Lorelai spat the words into my face as our swords crossed once more, her eyes looking aflame as she glared upon me.

I took a step back, rolling the blade despite her overwhelming strength, then Toroah lunged for her back with a piercing strike but the ewe simply juked to the side as I yipped out, having to parry the rapier myself that he thrust.

Our swords met in a chink of impact then Lorelai drove both down with her cutlass before sending another kick out towards the rabbit, sending him sprawling before she dropped her own blade and grabbed me by the collar, wrenching me down to look into her face. "Say something, Ryder!"

"I'm sorry! I wanted to stop him, I tried to stop him!" I sobbed out the words, my vision clouding with tears to see her so furious and hurt, feeling keenly her anguish now that we were touching.

She blinked at me a few times then I gave a yip as she threw her arms around me. My knees hit the earth as she just clung to me, her arms wrapped around my neck. She made no sound but I could feel her shuddering and her tears against my collar. I wrapped my arms around her, drawing her as close and tightly to me as I possibly could, one of my hands resting on the back of her head as her horns pushed into my chest.

Toroah stood over the two of us, a hand over his rosary with a remorseful frown upon his face. I blinked the tears from my eyes to see his own rolling down his cheeks.

Things seemed to just stay like that for a time, then she pulled from me with a sigh, wiping her face. "I've not the energy to continue this, I cede." She whispered the words with a ragged breath before forcefully pulling out of my arms, collecting her sword, and putting it away.

"Why do you shed tears, rabbit?" Lorelai spoke out bitterly as she brushed herself off, readjusting her scabbard.

"Because I have known loss on that scale. I knew it from the crusade, and regardless of how much of a pain he was, he was still a comrade I have worked with for centuries. But... mostly I shed tears for you and your loss."

"I did not ask for them, nor do I need the pity," The words came out bitter, almost childish.

I rose to my feet and put my own sword away, a heavy silence hanging in the air between all of us. Finally, Toroah spoke out once more, "I will counsel with the Seraph, we'll see he gets properly sorted, even offer him a chance to ascend if he wills it."

"Will he remember me or any of his loved ones?" She asked the words dryly, already knowing the answer, I had explained this to her long ago.

"He will not." The rabbit spoke the words sadly.

"Then for us, he will still be dead, but do as you will, rabbit." She turned to face me, a hand on her hip. "Thank you for allowing me to cry, know that I love you."

"And I you, Lorelai... I wish I could-"

"Wishes do not bring back the dead or solve problems, Ryder. I will keep my word and quell the rage of my kind, though it is valid."

"Can we all get some tea?" Toroah spoke out conversationally, both of us jerking our gazes to him looking equally shocked.

Lorelai finally gave him a contemplative look, as if really looking upon him for the first time. "You... mean to ask me to tea, after everything I've endured this night?"

"Yes, I've wanted to get to know you for a while now, and you're every bit as stunning as Ryder said you were." He gave a suave grin at her and I felt anger build in my chest.

"Now wait just a minute!" I stomped over to the rabbit and jabbed a finger into his chest. "Putting the moves on my ewe is one thing, but at least let her properly grieve before you start chasing her tail!"

"He isn't chasing my tail, Ryder. He's trying to defuse the situation, I can see through his tactics." Lorelai snorted through her nose and put her hands on her hips once more. "However, you are easy on the eyes and the idea of spending some time with the both of you does sound therapeutic after these events. I'll have tea with you, so long as Ryder is substituting his blood for the cream in mine." She showed me a playful grin, her sharp canines poking out.

--*--

Right of Hospitium:

The Right of Hospitium is a tradition that has been present in all circles of the paranormal world since the most ancient of times. It welcomes a guest into a location and guarantees their safety while present. This does not just ensure safety from the host but also outside forces that may do the guest harm.

Churches are a long-standing example of this, with priests or other clergy offering hospitium to fugitives or war refugees. In the circles outside of the mundane realm, breaking one's oath of hospitium can have grave consequences, from loss of power to outright death.

--*--

"So, why does your touch still burn when you focus your healing prayers, but Ryder's does not?" She spoke conversationally as we all sat at a small table with tea. Of course, her tea was mostly blood from me. Toroah offered his own but she refused, saying she preferred mine. She had 'acquired a taste for it' was her excuse.

I wasn't sure where we were, but I could sense it wasn't the citadel. Perhaps he had a home off-site somewhere. Regardless the room was well appointed but simple, with a large dining table and cozy chairs.

"Wait... Ryder's touch doesn't burn you?" Toroah tilted his head curiously while taking a sip of his own tea.

"As long as I focus my prayers, no it doesn't, I had just assumed that was the way it was intended." My own ears lifted at the information, feeling confused as Toroah shook his head.

"Not at all, my touch will always burn their kind, likewise with demons, regardless if I'm healing them." Toroah chuckled as he sipped his tea. "I had wondered how the two of you were able to get so intimate."

Lorelai gave a fussy huff and looked upon me. "Ryder, are you giving your other loves the intimate details of our time together?"

"No! It's implied we do things, but I've never sat down and given him or anyone else the finer details."

"Hmm... may I test a theory?" Toroah showed the two of us a playful grin as I narrowed my eyes at it.

"Depends on the theory you wish to test, rabbit." Lorelai clicked her tongue, giving him as much of a skeptical look as I was.

"Ryder, can you take my hand and focus your energies as you would with Lorelai?" The taller male reached his open palm out to me. I saw no harm in it and did as he asked. Toroah nodded as he seemed to be analyzing what I was doing. "Yes, I can't feel anything different in what you're doing than I do, how curious."

The rabbit showed Lorelai a grin and offered his other hand to her. The sheep gave him an annoyed look as she just sat there drinking her tea. "Come now Lorelai, just a quick touch to test my theory, just brush your fingers against my palm."

I watched her eyes shift to red in annoyance but she snarled and reached out, grabbing his hand. She jumped slightly as if on instinct, but then snorted through her nose, holding the grip. "Huh... so it would appear that it works."

Toroah casually released my own hand, then I heard Lorelai give a sharp bleat before wrenching her own grip away. She snarled and shook her hand before making a fist and looking like she was ready to climb over the table. "You damnable rabbit!"

"I apologize, I was focusing my own prayers so there should be no damage." Toroah gave a bow of his head as I watched Lorelai look at her palm, glaring as she shook her fingers out before settling back.

"So why do you think that is? That my touch doesn't burn her when I focus?" I frowned as I contemplated it all. I had assumed it was normal up until now.

"It's no doubt because of your love for her," Toroah nodded as he spoke the words matter-of-fact.

"You're an idiot." I and Lorelai grumbled the words in unison, then grinned at one another.

Toroah scoffed and rolled his eyes. "Some people just can't take a joke. I don't have the answers Ryder, maybe it has something to do with that ability you have to sense and track beings you've met."

"I'd hypothesize it may be influenced from him spending time with me, but he's been doing that since we met." Lorelai shrugged then looked over to me with a frown. "Ryder, I'll be taking the reins from here on. Someone has to lead my family and next to Ra's I was the eldest known member."

"Do you want to do that, love?" I frowned upon her then lifted my ears. "Also, is it going to change... us?"

"I can't say I'm thrilled with it, but I'm the most suited and so it falls to me." She contemplated and then shook her head. "In large part, it should not. Though I will be very busy in the coming months until this is sorted."

"I apologize again, Lorelai. I hold much of the blame in this. I should have been more cautious of what my former brother was doing," Toroah sighed as he spoke the words remorsefully.

"Indeed you should apologize again. You celestial's always thinking you have everything in order, but you always are blind-sided so easily," She grumbled as she spat the words out bitterly.

"My love speaks the truth, Toroah. I had been pushing my concerns for years over him. Even Rachel assumed he wasn't capable of such things until it was too late." I shared my own annoyed words towards him, watching him give another bow of his head.

Toroah shook his head, his long ears folded down. "Truly I'm sorry for all of this."

"Fair enough I'll not demand further apologies or continue to chastise you as if you were a child. What's done is done, best we move on." Lorelai finished her tea then passed me the cup expectantly.

Toroah averted his eyes while I 'refilled' her cup. Lorelai didn't even bother adding tea to it and took a drink while it was still hot, a shudder filling her as she nodded at me in thanks, then spoke out. "So... Rachel didn't want to stand and fight, but she was compelled to do so? Ryder was chained to your own will and oath as well?"

"Yes, it's just something that comes with our ranks. Cadets are assigned under-"

"I don't like it!" She hissed out and met the rabbit's eyes. "I'll not add conditions to our peace, but I do not like my lover is restrained in such a way. Had he been free to act my brother would yet live."

"That's not something I can control, Lorelai, believe me, I do not like it and I rarely invoke it. Ryder knows I respect his choices and freedom in most situations."

"Ryder also appreciates you talking about him like he's in the room with you," I grumbled as I looked at both of them. "And you've stayed my hand many times in situations that would have been more beneficial to follow my lead."

"I simply air my displeasure over it, I did not expect you could change it." Lorelai finished the fresh blood and sighed. "The sun has no doubt risen and I am weary from this day. Do you have guest chambers in this place?"

"Of course, I wouldn't have brought you to a location that wasn't safe for lodging." Toroah gave a nod.

"Ryder, please retire with me, I suspect it will be our last day together for a few months to come, I will be quite busy after tonight." She gave me a strong look that said she had every intention of doing more than sleep.

"Of course, my love." I couldn't help but wag my tail as I responded.

"The house is yours for the day, I'll return to the citadel. Ryder can return you to Seville once the sun sets." Toroah stood and collected the saucers and cups.

"Thank you for your hospitality and comfort in this manner. Know I will not hold resentment towards you over this." Lorelai met the rabbit's eyes with her own, giving a nod of her head.

"I am grateful for that. May I see you again, Lorelai?" Toroah gave her a playful smile and I watch the sheep slowly blink before narrowing her eyes.

"You may... so long as Ryder is present. I find you fetching and polite, like him. However, you have not fully won my trust, and to be frank, were the carnal desires to surface, I'd want both of you." She proclaimed the words as if it were nothing, even as I barked in shock and Toroah even widened his eyes in surprise.

Lorelai gave me a bored look as she turned her gaze to me. "Come now, darling. You know how I am about new experiences, he is your lover and obviously shows interest in me, would it not be more ideal to you than me to go off alone with him?"

My head nodded a few times as I tried to process all that information. "Y-Yes, that all makes sense, not to mention I could keep it from being painful."

"That would not be the reason I have you with me Ryder." She hopped up from the chair and sauntered right over to the rabbit, a sway of confidence in her hips like she had the night she met me. Toroah had a look upon his face that was more than likely similar to how mine had been as well that night.

The ewe reached up and grasped his robes, jerking him down as the rabbit went right to a knee before her. "Use your power, I'd prefer not to have blisters for this." She hissed the words, then I watched her push to his mouth, her hands shaking a little as they cupped his face.

I had a maelstrom of emotions rush through me over this display. Of course, I was jealous and upset on some levels, but I was also intrigued, even excited to see the display. I knew I was fortunate to have my lovers and I never once assumed I'd be their only mate, but to see two of them together like this.

Lorelai withdrew from the kiss, their tongues parting as saliva hung from them and she pulled from him in full, hissing in pain as she shook her hands out. "You're a good kisser, I'd like to say the pain was worth it but... well I can endure it to give you that token of appreciation."

Toroah looked stunned, then saddened at her obvious pain. "I apologize, but thank you, it was quite enjoyable. You are beautiful and I am unworthy of the affection." He stood once more and offered her a bow.

"He lays it on thick, doesn't he?" Lorelai grumbled as she looked over at me and offered a smile.

"He does, and he can't make his mind up in bed either. Somedays he wants to throw you around, others he wants to be bossed around." I barked the words playfully as I moved over to my rabbit and offered him my own kiss, a quicker less intense one.

Toroah shivered at my touch and I gave him a look that I'd be the one tossing him around on the bed when I got home, then turned from him and returned to my ewe's side.

He took a moment to compose himself then gave us both a nod. "I hope to see you again, Lorelai." His eyes turned to mine and he smiled. "Enjoy yourself, Ryder, I love you," He cooed the sentiments and stepped right back into a gate before leaving us alone.

Lorelai looked upon me for a long moment, as if she had many questions for me, but eventually sighed and pushed her forehead to my chest. "Take me to bed, Ryder... Take me to bed and ravage me until I cannot think."

"Of course, my love." I held her tightly to me, kissing the top of her head while we embraced. I felt her hug tighten against me and held closer, knowing there were more tears to come. "I'll always be here for you, Lorelai..."

--*--

Vampiric Elders:

In the darkest reaches of the shadows, in the most hushed of places, there lies the elder race of vampires. Truly frightening vampires with power that is said to challenge the champions of the gods themselves, and indeed did during the Crusades.

Three elders were present during the wars with the celestial military. When the three were at last slain, scores of knights, cadets, as well as Archangel Raphael and the Paladin lay dead in the aftermath. More frightening was that each acted individually. It's well accepted amongst the higher rank celestials that had the elders banded together, the world would be a very different place.

At least one elder is whispered to still be around, though it's unclear if they are hidden away plotting or simply in torpor while they wait for their children to gain strength. Regardless, if they ever show themselves, the world would no doubt be forever changed.

--*--

"Rachel, it's a bit unorthodox to do this, but I'm taking you on as my uh... other first, I guess?" Toroah offered a grin as he gave a shrug.

I was standing in his office at attention, cocking my brow as Rachel just cocked her own at the words as well. "Beg your pardon, High Commander, but how can you have two firsts?"

It had been a week since that fateful night but as soon as Hagen fell, Rachels's wings shifted back to that of a third-class knight.

Toroah frowned and folded his arms. "Simply put, there are no other positions open but Charlotte's first. Samantha is in charge of the Bishops, and Ichiro doesn't have personal units."

"So why not Charlotte?" I asked curiously.

"Because taking on a first-class Knight is a very personal responsibility. I know and have sparred with you multiple times, Rachel, I know you well enough to pass the title to you, Charlotte doesn't."

The vixen gave a shrug. "Fair enough, but theoretically, couldn't Ryder just be Charlotte's first and I-"

"Absolutely not!" Toroah snarled the words with surprising heat and possession in his tone as he slammed a hand to his desk. I and Rachel both shared a look, acknowledging the reaction for what it clearly was.

"As you wish, High Commander. Will this influence Ryder's powers? If it will I'd rather stay-"

"Worry not, it will do nothing of the sort." The rabbit gave her a gentle smile and the situation seemed to be resolved as a knock came on the door.

Toroah looked shocked and even we stiffened at the familiar power. "Uh... Please enter, sir!" He called out respectfully.

Ichiro pushed the door to the office open to all three of us offering a perfect formal salute to the eldest of us. The st bernard lifted one drooped ear at the display then gave a labored sigh, "At ease."

"Is everything alright, Ichiro, sir?" Toroah frowned as he lowered his salute. I and Rachel held our own for a few moments longer before easing them as well.

The aged celestial gave a grunt as he leaned on the staff he carried with him at all times. I knew it was a powerful magic focus, but I think he kept it around to support his walking and standing as much as he did for channeling his powers. "That remains to be seen, but we'll find out soon enough."

"That sounds troubling, what's going on, Ichiro?" Toroah spoke out with a little worry in his voice as I and Rachel looked to the eldest of our ranks.

Ichiro moved his gaze straight to mine as he spoke pointedly, "The Seraph has requested an audience, with you specifically, Ryder."

My mouth hung open for a moment before I stammered out, "I'm sorry... what?!"

---

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