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CHAPTER 15
" 'You die' ." The words chilled Set. There was finality to Azrael's words. He would, die not all the talking or threatening in the world was going to save him. Three hundred years of scheming, of working to build his power, gone.
"Know this." He forced his voice past Azrael's hand. "Killing me won't change a thing. I got you. Me, I'm, a, nobody, nothing but trash that your kind won't even talk to. I got you. I hurt you in a way that you can never erase." His eyes flickered over at Jenna. "I had planned on sending her home to you after I cursed her with the Gift, just so you'd get to watch her starve or have to kill her yourself. But maybe this is better." The mindless gleam in his eyes moved over Jenna's body. "You won't kill her, hell you'll take her home and spend weeks convincing her that none of this was her fault, and that you love her. But deep in your soul, in that private part we all keep hid, every time you go to fuck her, and see my name, it will cut you. She will be a constant reminder that you aren't as all powerful as you would like to believe, and you failed to keep her safe."
Azrael pushed him away. "You're wrong. No, Kin lined or, Rogue, would touch her. Even Renegades leave that, which belongs to such as I, alone. Only the insane would dare risk my wrath. And insanity is rare in Kin. But when it occurs, there is little any vampire can do to stop it, striving rather to limit its destruction and destroy it before it can do lasting harm." He turned his attention to Jenna. "Precious."
Being here, safe again, was the only comfort she needed right now. "Master."
"I will see you healed. His marks removed. Forget him he is dead forget this ever happened. I will take you home soon, let me deal with this mad-thing. I love you, I will always love you." He would see her healed. The extent of the damage done to her cut at him. The Renegade was right. He would feel the guilt of failure for the rest of Jenna's life. He had failed her, and she had suffered because of it. "So," he looked up from her, time enough later for the suffering he would do. "Where am I?" Time to follow protocol.
Cerberus took a small single step from behind Michael. He wasn't sure how to behave to the Elder. "You are in my domain." He motioned around him. "All you see answer to me."
Azrael graced each vampire in the room with a glance. "A Covenstead of Rogues." His eyes hardening as they stopped on Set, "so Coven Master, what has this thing to do with you?"
"Nothing. He had petitioned entry into the Warlock's, and had been denied. He had come here, hoping to force me into going in with him to kill you." 'What is he doing'? Cerberus thought, frantically trying to figure out Azrael's next move. 'He's can't be granting me domain right. I'm not Line'. But for all his disbelief, there was nothing else it could be. The Elder vampire was following law, and offering him, a Rogue, domain right.
"The Warlock's?"
"Yes, from the old definition. We are out casts, oath less and outside the law."
"Nonsense." Azrael waved a careless hand at him. "Rogue you may be. But if you were out cast, we would not, you and I, be having this conversation. You would have stood with him, and shared his fate. Now, do I have your leave to deal with him? Rogue or Childe, it does not matter. I stand in your domain; I seek your permission. If you do not want his blood on your territory, say the word and I will take him from here."
Cerberus breathed freely again. "Knock yourself out Elder. I'd just as soon you did it here. I want to know he's dead. But please, have your two release the Dark Paths, my folk grow nervous with no way to move."
"Done." Both Michael and David echoed.
Azrael turned back to Set. "I had sworn to my adopted Childe, that I would see you dead. I should have done so last night, but fool that I am, I did not consider that anyone ignorant enough to pervert law was dangerous enough for me to worry about. You have proven me wrong. And I will see that I never forget the lesson you have taught me." His hand shot forward, and with one single yank, ripped Set's cock and balls from him.
Set's scream of agony deafened all in the room, but he stood still, frozen in place, even as the blood poured from him briefly. The tattered remains of his filthy denims sliding down his hips.
The hardness in his hand drew Azrael's attention. He shook the remaining bloodied cloth from the prize in his hands.
What he saw there, the vicious piercing's that covered the soft flesh in his hands brought a sickened pained gasp. "Jenna?" He looked at her, eyes begging her to tell him, she had not felt this. "Love?" Her single sob as she turned burying her face in Michael's chest was all the proof he needed. This beast, this heartless monster had branded her in a way he could not undo. He would never be able to heal this. Jenna would be scared, horribly, painfully, scared for the rest of her life.
Azrael's, howl of fury, drown out all other sound.
Cerberus averted his eyes as the Elder vampire went berserk. Set had bought his death. No one could dispute Azrael's right. But to be killed this way. To be ripped handful upon handful apart as Set was. Cerberus wasn't sure he could have done it, no matter what Set had done.
Set screamed choking on his own severed member as Azrael shoved it down his throat. Pain incredible pain, he could feel Azrael's fingers as the ripped flesh and muscle from him. His body attempting, to heal, to preserve blood with every rip. He would have fought, warred with the Elder if he could have only moved. But he wasn't even allowed to die in battle, but instead stood there screaming around the bloody dead flesh in his mouth, as Azrael began to reduce him to nothing.
"No!" The boy, Kary, Set's slave hurled himself against Azrael. "You can't kill him yet." He beat at the maddened vampire. "He has my Sire's soul, make him set him free."
Bloody hands caught him, holding his immobile. "What?" Azrael fought and won over the urge to throw this Fledgling from him.
"He has his power, his soul. Make him set Shiva free." Gray-blue eyes, that were so full of pain and grief. "Please."
It all made sense now. How this, mad youth, had attained his power. He had killed Kin, lined Kin and took their souls, their very power and added it to his own. He had broken the oldest, and most sacred of all laws. The one that not even, a, Renegade dare touch. He had taken the life of a vampire, but had held the soul. Denied Kin the right to die.
"I hear you Childe." Azrael gathered the sobbing Fledgling to him. "How long ago did he kill your Sire, how long has his soul been in torment?"
"Three nights ago, he killed Shiva, three nights ago." Kary looked up at Azrael as he dropped to his knees. "Please, my life. I'll give you my life, anything, but make him let Shiva go."
"Vincent, take this Childe, hold him. I shall return soon. It would seem I must deny myself the pleasure of ripping this beast to shreds." David made shushing noises as he took Kary from Azrael. "I hate to think that after all you have done. I will have to offer you a peaceful death, so that I may take back what you have stolen, and set those poor souls free to continue their travel to rest." The beast in Azrael raged. To be denied its freedom now, when it burned so, was difficult. Had he been any younger, any less trained, he would have failed. "Coven Master, I will take this from here. Do not think to flee while I am gone. We will talk upon my return."
The room was silent save for both Jenna's and Kary's cries. No one knew what to do or say. Cerberus worried at Azrael's last words. The Elder wanted to talk to him.
David moved Kary slowly, trying to get the boy to let him go. "Hey, it's okay now. Azrael will see that everything is put to rights again." Poor kid. David wanted to calm him. "I promise."
"Put to rights?" Kary looked at him, stunned that the vampire could actually look him in the eye when he said that. "How the hell can he put it to rights? My Master is dead."
"Vincent." Michael brought Jenna with him as he moved to stand beside his friend. "Take Jenna, hold her. Let me ask our little brother here a few questions."
David nodded. "Listen to me Childe. This is Megel. He is Azrael's First-Born. He won't hurt you." Again he gently tried to disengage the young vampire. "Look, you have to let me go."
Michael reached for him. Soft soothing noises from deep in his chest as he pulled him from David. This Childe was young, younger than Michael wanted to consider. "Do you remember your name?" He ignored all the others in the room as he sought a place to sit. "Mine's Megel. Did that monster strip all from you?"
"Kary." The boy shook so hard that his teeth rattled. "My name is Kary."
More soothing noises as Michael tried to calm the boy down. Disgusted by his appearance, from the tattered remains of clothing, to the burn marks on his skin, hair stringy from sweat. This Childe couldn't be much older than a year or two, maybe a little more. "How old are you Kary? You're full Kin, I can tell that, but what is your age?"
"Two." A tiny voice, a voice that spoke of knowing more horrors in the last three days than Michael had faced in the last thousand years. Lost and without life. Freed from Set, the boy was now preparing himself to seek his death. To young to survive alone and too hurt, to seek out another, of his Line for help. Michael could feel him seeking the way of fading.
"Don't do that, Childe." Michael spoke softly, but refrained from forcing his will on the boy. The Childe had the right to suicide. He was a Fledgling, an orphan now, one that without Kin help would die anyway. "Death can always be sought. Wait, my Sire will want to speak to you. Will you not stay your fading until you hear what he has to say?" Michael didn't want to see one so young die. Resisted the thought that even after death, Set would claim one more. "You are hungry Kary. When was the last time you fed?"
Gray-blue eyes lifted to focus on Michael's face. "Why?"
"Why what Childe?"
"Why do you care? I'm not of your Line. I'm a dead man." The pain in his words made Michael turn his head.
"I'm Kin." Michael whispered. "You're Sire was of Legal Line, I can see the mark. My Sire has only just opened a Covenstead for Line and Rogue alike. You would find a safe haven there. You're too young to know all your rights, and too scarred to seek them out. So I am offering you them. You have a right to protection. To be remade if that is what it takes to heal you. To training and food at the very least."
Cerberus stepped towards them. "If the boy doesn't want to go with the Elder if he is frightened, he can remain here. We may be Rogues, but we care for our own." He knelt there. "Kary? Right?"
"Yes." Why were they all so concerned for him? He was nobody. Set had made, him, in just a single day understand that. Why would any other vampire want to help him? What did they get out of it? "You let him kill Shiva." His words were like ice as he looked at Cerberus.
"No, I let no one do anything. He challenged your Sire, your Sire accepted. I had hoped that Shiva would be strong enough to take him. I was wrong. But I didn't let anyone kill anyone." Then he stopped. "At least not before tonight."
"Wait, that is all I will ask of you." Michael brushed his hair from his face. "Wait, you owe Azrael that much, he has freed both you and your Sire. What harm would it do to speak to him?"
Kary lay there, against Michael. Mind lost in consideration of the older, vampires, words. It wouldn't matter. He could die anytime. Michael was right. He did owe the Elder his gratitude. Shiva was dead now, the pain he had lived with over the last three days was over. He felt his Sire's soul slip free, and the finality of closure. "Shiva's dead." He whispered.
"Yes, completely this time." Azrael stood there before them, eyes glowing red with blood. "There was so much." His pained words, "he had so much blood, needed it to control those he stole. Megel, help me, I'm drowning."
Michael moved, catching his Sire, teeth seeking Azrael's throat. He had never seen a vampire drunk on this much blood before, his skin glistened with it, and it seeped from his pores. Well, Morgan wouldn't have to complain about her masters' diet for a while. Michael thought somewhat amused as he drank. If Azrael needed to feed again before next month it would stun him. "Vincent." He pulled away full.
"Master?" David was hesitant to come closer. Too much blood could be a dangerous thing. It could madden a vampire for a while drive them into blood lusts so strong that it could be days even weeks before they returned to themselves.
"Come Vincent. Bring the boy with you, feed Childe." Azrael fought with the beast within him. The feelings of power that the blood brought up in him were painfully sweet, but the price of accepting that power was too high for him. "Drink, come, all of you." He threw an open invitation, knowing that Michael would stop them before it became dangerous.
"You heard the, Elder come." Cerberus motioned his folk forward. "He has removed a threat to us, aid him."
Azrael swooned in ecstasy as mouth upon mouth found him, his throat, his arms, his wrists. He felt the fabric of his shirt rip and fangs piercing the flesh of his chest. Never before had he fed so many at once. It was heaven, a joy unrivaled by any feeding he had ever granted before.
Michael watched on, ever vigilant of the amount of blood his Sire was loosing. He was amazed at what Azrael had taken on. Fifteen vampires, himself included had drank from his Sire and more stood ready as those stepped away. And yet the glow was still strong. How many Kin had that bastard killed? How much blood had he been forced to carry?
"Enough." The power of the blood in Azrael's body was returning to normal, it was time to end this. Michael pulled feeding vampires from his Sires body. "He's bled enough."
One of the younger Rogues chuckled. "I've never had vampire take-out before. The old vampire might just be starting the newest rave."
"Eris." Cerberus snapped. "Behave. If the Elder is going to abide by the law here, you will show him the respect his age deserves. Or go away until he leaves."
Azrael waved a hand in Cerberus's direction. "It is nothing. I have a half dozen or so younglings in my care, I have become accustomed to them." He moved to sit by Kary. "Now." He patted his leg. "That we have dealt with the criminal, we have time to see what we are to do about the loose stings." He locked gazes with Cerberus. "What is your name? How is it you have become a Coven Master at such a young age. Where have all these poor lost children stemmed from?" The questions were fired off quickly.
"I am called Cerberus. My Sire's name was Horus. As to how I became a Coven Master at such a young age. Some one had to do it. There are far too many Rogues out there, with no one and nothing to help. I find them track them down. Pull them out of the holes they dig for themselves and give them a family. The Lines have become too inflexible. The promise that if you are orphaned that you can seek out one of the Legal Kin and expect help is a lie. So we help ourselves now." He was proud of the effort he had made, in his power and his creation. This Elder could banish him, strip him of all he had, but he would not be able to dispute what he had said. "Unfortunately, we are far too often beset with ones like, Set, bitter lost vampires who want to rule the whole world."
Azrael nodded. "You are correct. The Elders of the Lines have gotten careless in the discharging of their duties to the younger Kin. I am in the process of correcting that. You are not the only one with a Covenstead. As to Set, I will contact the Lines myself inform them that there are far too many Renegades walking free. It gives us a bad name, and offers the Rogues a bad example to follow. But you did not answer my question. How have you so many? You say you seek them out, but from where. I did not think there were all that many of us in the world, that you can stand here with a room so full of Rogue children." He held out his hands to the near thirty Rogues in the room.
Cerberus shrugged. "It's our way now. Even Rogues need companionship."
"But this many?" He counted thirty-three children, none of them other than Cerberus and Eris, had seen much more than a century, maybe two tops, yet.
Cerberus took a seat, holding a hand out to Eris. "Rogues don't live as long, as, Lined vampires. They aren't well trained, have no resources, and are victim to Renegade attacks ten times more often than the least trained Line Kin is. No one will seek justice for us. I'm the oldest Rogue you will find around here. California is full of children. The only reason I have lived as long as I have is that I was almost adult when my Sire died. I had completed my training I had resources, protections. All I lacked to be Line Kin was my adult mark." He hugged the boy in his lap. "These kids aren't as lucky. Their sires were Rogue and young when they made them. They are young when they make more. It's a vicious cycle. I'm trying to break it, but the problem is just so large."
It made sense. Children making children because they had no one else, then those children making more to ease the loneliness. Something would have to be done. These children would have to be hunted down, found places to train. This surplus of throw away Kin, must be stopped.
"What are you going to do about us?" The only female in the room stepped forward. She was a tall lanky girl with red-orange hair and enough tattoos to rival a biker. "The Lines kill us as freely as the out casts. What do you plan to do to us?"
"Do to you? Childe, I have no plans to do anything to you. You have violated no law that I can see. Threaten no one. Why would I do anything to you? The Lines have gotten paranoid over the last century, and you and those in this room are why. The Lines grow so slowly, but the Rogues, they seem to be breeding like rabbits. It has to be stopped. Our existence depends on it. But killing you is not the way, and if I find a Line that is doing so for no reason, I will challenge it myself."
"Pretty words." She whispered. "But how much good are they. It wasn't a renegade like Set who killed my Sire and brother, but one, like, you. One, who gave Ghede two choices be, a slave, or die. My Sire died instead of bending. With him his First-Born who was my brother, Baal, I lived because Baal kept him busy long enough for me to run."
"Can you name the Vampyr who killed your Sire? Be willing to stand before him in a council of Elders and lay charges? It was one thing to make careless accusations, quite another to back them up."
"If I could." She looked to Cerberus. "You know I'm not lying, read me when I came here, just like you read everyone. Tell him."
"Titania is telling the truth as she knows it. I found her hiding in the basement of an abandoned house, half starved and afraid that her Sire's murderer would find her." Good, let the Lines hear what they had wrought.
"I'm not doubting you Childe. I know several of the Vampyr who would kill a Rogue without questioning them. All I ask for is a name. You say you wish to change the way you are treated. Prove it. Give me a name I can call to task. Be willing to stand under scrutiny of the Elders. Fight for your rights as Kin."
"His name was Magnus." It was a name she would never forget. "His sire was--"
"Sharra." David whispered. His brother had killed for no reason. He knew how hide bound Magnus was, it just never dawned on him that he would go so far. "It is my line that owes you girl. Magnus is my brother, we share the same Sire." To Azrael, "Knowing Magnus the way I do, I don't doubt that he probably did it, just as she said. He is famous for his intolerance."
Azrael nodded. Sharra had complained often about her First-Born to him. Magnus was the embodiment of what the Line should be, with one flaw. If it wasn't law, it was lawless to him. He could not see past the letter and to the heart. "So, you believe that your brother might very well be guilty of the charge this Childe makes?"
"Oh yeah, and then some. Sharra won't even speak to him anymore. If she was to go to my Sire and make her complaint, Sharra would seek out the truth, and if she found Magnus guilty." He knew his Sire. She would strip Magnus of his powers; he would spend the next century or two her slave as she tried to, retrain, him. "I'll call Sharra if you want. Let the girl face her. If she is telling the truth, Sharra would never harm her."
Azrael looked to Cerberus. "So Cerberus, you are Coven Master here. Do you wish justice for one in your care?"
"Justice?" Cerberus threw back his head and laughed. "Elder, forgive me. But you live in a fairy tale world if you believe there will ever be justice for our kind. I won't have another here. You came because I had no choice but allow it. But if you think I am going to let another Elder of the Lines know where I sleep, where those I claim reside, you are a bigger fool than Set. I live because I know how to live. And a Rogue doesn't live by letting Lines find his lair."
"She can come to my realm. I will stand as her advocate. Leave one of my Chosen here as promise that she will return." He could not blame the Childe for his fear. If what he was saying was true, it was no wonder why so few Rogues had answered his summons.
"Titania, the Elder is willing to sponsor you, be your advocate. Here is your chance girl. Do you want it?" Cerberus had never met any of the Elders like Azrael all his dealings were with those like Magnus who were hell bent on wiping out all but the Lines. Were there more like this one, or was he alone in his stance.
Titania bit her lower lip. Could she face her Sire's murderer? Would they actually let her have justice? "What if no one will believe me?"
"That will not be an option. The truth will come out, all of it." Azrael would see to it himself if Sharra wouldn't.
"And he won't be able to kill me too. How much protection will I get? He will try to kill me." The fear was real, he had sworn as she ran that he would track her down.
"In my house?" Azrael was shocked. "Girl, no one kills anyone in my house without my leave. I give you my word, whether we prove him guilty or not, he will not harm you, not then, not ever. You have broken no law, have violated no sanctions, you are safe. I will leave one of my own Chosen with Cerberus as hostage for your safety."
Titania looked at Azrael. He was telling the truth, Cerberus would have called him to notice if he hadn't been. No one lied here. "Yes, I'll do it. I'll get justice for my Sire, or at least have it heard that he was killed for no reason."
"Agreed. It will take me some time to see this arranged. You may come with me, or stay here. The Dark Paths will remain open to you. If you remain here, I will return on the appointed day with Morgan. She will stay here while you come with me." He looked to Cerberus. "I am taking you at your word that my Chosen will not be harmed here."
Cerberus shrugged. "One more or less won't matter here. No one is allowed to war within the walls. She will be safe enough. The only problem I will have is keeping these boys from trying to court her. We have so few females that come here, and so many males. But I will keep her as safe as you keep Titania."
"Agreed. Give me some time to settle matters in my lair, care for my pet and call those involved. See to my lair and contact those that are needed. It will be soon, perhaps not next month or the one after that, but soon. Cerberus nodded looking to Kary. "And what of the boy? He's orphaned now, you freed his Sire, do you plan to take him or does he stay here?" It really didn't matter to Cerberus; the boy was probably going, to, kill himself anyway. That was the approved thing to do once orphaned.
Azrael turned his attention to Kary. "You offered me you life, remember. When you begged me, to, see your Sire freed. Does your offer still stand?"
Kary looked at him. "I remember."
"Is your word good Childe? I have the right to claim a life from you. Will you live by your own words?" Azrael had no intention of harming the boy, but if he didn't force him to live, he would die.
"I am yours. I will obey." Shiva was free now, the pain gone. What ever this one demanded for payment, he would give, he owed his Sire that.
Azrael smiled. "Good, then let us go home. Cerberus I will contact you soon. We will do what we must to begin to heal the wrongs committed."
"You know where I live." It, rankled, Cerberus, but there was little he could do about it. "I will be waiting you call."
Azrael stood, reaching for Jenna. "Megel, hold Kary for me as we return home. It has been a trying time for him."
"You heard your Master pet." Michael took his arm in grasp. "Stay close to me, I will protect you."
"Soon Titania, I will return soon. And I will see justice." Azrael bowed once before seeking the Dark Paths.
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