The Completion of a Circle - Dark Love 3

CHAPTER 1

David moved to greet his Sire. "Sharra, Mother, it's so good to see you."

Sharra smiled up at her Childe. "And to see you too my dear. So how is my new Grand-Childe?"

"Christian?" David turned to look at his new Childe. "Come, meet my Sire, and your Grand-Sire." He grinned at Sharra. "Mother, this is Christian, he was Shiva's boy, and now he is mine."

Sharra hugged the young Fledgling. "Hello sweet. It is good to see you. I knew your Sire's Sire. Kali was a good friend of mine."

Again, the willingness to accept him stunned Christian. "I-Umm," he struggled to speak to her. He had no idea what he should say to her. "Vincent has told me all about you." He refused to pull away. Allowing instead for this woman to welcome him. This was the one thing that Shiva had been unable to offer him. Shiva's Sire had been dead, and so there was no family to come to know, his Sire's brothers hated him, and so alone they had struggled to face the world.

She smiled at him warmly. "Yes, I can just imagine. Well don't pay him any mind. Only about half of what he says about me is true. The rest is just him." She looked to David. "I am so proud of you. You should have been my first Childe." She looked back at Magnus who stood anger and fear clear on his features. "After all I seemed to have failed with that one."

"Don't worry about it, Mother." David wouldn't let her beat herself over Magnus's wretched state of existence. "You can't always predict how the Fledgling will fly, once it leaves the nest. I've made some pretty stupid mistakes myself, and I've only been gone from you a little over sixty years. He's had lots more time to screw up." He wouldn't let her take the blame for this, and even if he had to anger her, he would make her see that she wasn't responsible for everything that one of her Brood does. "But I have to admit," he went on. "I might have done some stupid things, but I never killed any Kin without reason, most assuredly not because they wouldn't be my slaves. The shame is his, Mother, not yours."

* * *

Azrael could feel the tension as Morgan and he appeared in the Rogue Covenstead. The feel of a foreboding was, so heavy that it was almost a physical blow seemed to permeate from everyone.

"Greetings Elder." Cerberus rose to step into his role as Coven Master of his domain. "This gathering is long in coming, I think Titania is going to bust a gasket before it is all over. Is this the one you are leaving here?" He indicated to Morgan, who was standing there pressed against Azrael.

"Yes," Azrael had to physically push Morgan forward. "And where is Titania, I am after all here for her." Long in coming, the boy didn't know how right he really was. It had taken Azrael almost a year to first get a hold on the accused, and then set it up so that he had five, and no less than five, elders to sit on the council. But tedious and time consuming as it had been he had done it.

"She's coming, just messing around with her dress and makeup. You're a little early. She is almost finished." He held out his hand. "Why don't you let your girl there, come on in and take a seat. After all, being a living promise that the Kin under my protection will not be harmed, does not include being made to stand in the middle of the floor for hours waiting for her release or doom."

He nodded, motioning for Morgan to take a seat. "Precious, you are safe here. None here will harm you." He tried soothing her nerves. "You trust me, do you not?"

'Sure I do. I know I will be just fine'. She tried to convince herself that Azrael was right, 'unless, things go all wrong'. Despite her best efforts, the thought came to her. 'Then I'm take-out'. "Just rush things along Master, if you can. I'll be good, stay, behave." A small hand fit well into his. "I know I'm supposed to be safe and all, but if you could hurry things along, I'd be real thankful."

"That makes two of us." Titania stood in the doorway. Her usual garb of black silk, lace and leather was exchanged for a simple black dress and heels. "I am ready Azrael. Again, your word, You won't let him kill me." She was as thrilled about going into a Lined Covenstead, as Morgan was about having to stay here. They both knew how much danger they were in. Despite all the words that both Coven Masters had uttered to assure them.

He rolled his eyes, "On my oath as a Lined Elder of the Vampyr, you are safe. There is nothing else I could promise you that would be anymore true than the words I have just spoken. Now are we need go? It will not be long before the others begin to make an appearance within my home."

Titania took one last good look at her surroundings before taking the hand that was offered. "Okay Elder, it's your ball game, I only hope I'm on the winning team." She muttered under her breath as the black of the Dark Paths took them.

'Okay, so I am here, now what'? Morgan looked at the vampires around her. The reacquiring nightmare she had been living with for the last near year, she was being held as a hostage in trust for Titania who had left with Azrael. 'I only hope Az, is as good as they say he is'. If, he, wasn't she would end up lunch, and several of the Kin around here looked as if they had not been eating none to good lately. Not very reassuring, all around her, they watched. Both Kin and kine alike, they sat, stood, lay and lounged watching her. She had never felt so out of place before in her life. She felt like the Blue Plate Special at the local diner, a feeling that she was not particularly happy with. She looked up to Cerberus. "So," she hated to be a pest, but she needed to know what the deal was here. "Can I ask, Master, what am I supposed to be doing right now? I mean like how many of y'all want to add me to your menu?"

The young slim, overly pretty, vampire that sat, in, Cerberus's lap, laughed. "Do?" He looked down at his husband and lover. "Cerberus," he punched him in the arm " 'Tell her' something, she is scared stiff." He had no patience for this foolishness. Azrael had not lied. He had been open to them, going out of his way in the past months to ease their fears. Only truth could pass mind to mind, and lies could not be held there. And, yet, still Cerberus had insisted on having a hostage for Titania. And knowing how much this would frighten the ancient Elders Chosen. He couldn't help but think that it was a really rather stupid thing to do.

Morgan looked to the older Kin, as she tried to decide whether the rumbling coming from his chest was a chuckle or a growl, and not being able to. She came to the conclusion that desecration really was the better part of valor, so she sighed, and pulled back. "Uh, never mind, Master, I'll just sit here and hope that the council meeting doesn't take too long." She was, no, more ready to anger Cerberus, than she was Michael. Both were young to the Vampyr, but that didn't mean they couldn't fix, her, but good.

Again that rumble, as Cerberus reached out patting her hand. "Kid, relax, I'll be honest with you. I would just as soon not have your Master decide to take a pound of my flesh because he thinks one of mine frightened you." He tightened his grip on the younger vampire in his lap, hugging him. "It's okay, Eris, I'm not going to let anyone here hurt her. I keep my word, as long as Titania returns in one piece and no one is going to come and seek revenge because what was done this day, the old one will find that, I have kept his little one here just the same." His hand moved to include the room. "I don't care what you do here Morgan, watch the idiot box, read a book, sit and chat with anyone who wants to talk to you."

Having her options listed made her feel a, little, better. But TV had never been much her thing, and 'read a book' ? Who was he kidding? Like she could even think in this mess. So that left talking to one of them. Could she just turn around and strike up a conversation with one of the many who watched her.

Eris rolled his eyes. 'I swear. The fool acts like she should be used to things like this' . "Damnit Cerberus. She doesn't 'know' anyone here right now." He gave his partner, one last final look of, utter, disgust and slid from Cerberus's lap, reaching for her hand. "Come on honey, lets go see what kind of trouble we can get into." He shook his head at the caution in her eyes. "You don't have to look at me like that. I might not look like much, Morgan, but believe me. There is not a soul in this house who would even so much as 'dream' of questioning me. I may look very young, but other than Cerberus, I am the eldest here, and if I was in a situation where I was going to lose, " he snickered. "Well being the husband to the Covenstead Master does have its advantage."

'Oh happy, happy, joy, joy'. She sighed, mentally echoing William's favorite whine, as she followed him.

* * *

Titania looked at the gathered Elders, and at the face that had filled her nightmares for almost four years now. It was Magnus. He was, having, to be forcefully restrained by both, the, woman who was his Sire, and another of his blood. He wanted to see her dead. She knew that. Nothing could take that knowledge away from her, or deny the truth. They did not care. The horror of the truth, though it was painful, did not surprise her. She had always known it, deep down inside. The monster had killed her family, and would kill her, if only he had the chance, and they did not care. She had been a fool for coming here. They would not listen, did not concern themselves with the petty actions of a Lined vampire. They acted as if she was more in the wrong by demanding justice than Magnus had been for killing her Sire and brother. And before this night was over, unless the Elder who stood as her protector and advocate pulled some sort of magic trick out of his hat, she would die.

She looked up into the face of the Elder's First-Born, who had physically protected her from Magnus as he tried to attack her. He looked so angry, so betrayed by the others. Would he be the one to do it? Would they punish Azrael for disturbing them in their own little worlds, would they force him or his Childe to kill her?

Neither Azrael, nor Michael had been prepared for the utter stupidity that so many of the Lined Elders were showing. First, none would help track the murderer down, and then it had taken literally months, once Magnus had been found, for Azrael to gather the needed Elders. And now, Magnus had had to be restrained as Azrael had brought Titania into his domain, and yet not one of those Kin other than Sharra had made a comment about the violations of the Law, that his refusal to obey Covenstead Rule represented. The poor Childe clinged to Michael as she looked at the Kin who had murdered her family. Azrael had been wrong. He realized that now. They did not want to hear her, nor did they really care what crimes one of the Lines committed against a Rogue. As long as they could go on about their little lives, in peace and ignorance, the rest could go to blazes.

"Silence!" Azrael grabbed her from Michael, ignoring her startled cry. "I am Master here. And I will be obeyed. Now I want all of you to tell me," he thrust her at the five Elders who sat before him. "No, better yet, 'tell her' , that she has no right to our protection. Explain to this, Childe, how it is that, for the one simple sin of being born outside of the Lines, she can expect nothing more than to die. To be enslaved at best, abused and tortured more likely." He released her allowing her to stand alone before them. "Go on, 'Elders', " the sarcasm in his tone was a blow all by, itself, and several of them actually flinched. "Go on, I dare you. The first one of you who dares to cast this Childe aside without even a token of an effort to protect her and her rights, I will challenge, 'Myself' ." Not a one of them could meet the icy, raging, gaze that Azrael swept them with.

Sharra had never seen her oldest friend like this before. "Cousin." She lay a hand on his arm. "If you keep this up, there will be war."

"Good," he stepped away from her, and towards those who sat before them. "Let there be war. If we have sunk so far as to have forgotten who we are, and what our purpose is, better it is to die fighting for what is true, than to quietly, and meekly live a lie." He never once looked anywhere but at the oldest of the Elders. "Isis," his voice was soft. "Aunt, sister to my Sire. Would you sit aside and allow all that we were taught to be law, trampled? You who are the eldest of us gathered here. Whose words alone will decide this council. Will you let this sit as it is? Is, what, I am hearing true? 'Can there be no justice for the Rogues'? "

The ancient Elder moved slowly. Age sat on her in loving layers. Even as ancient as she was, it would be many more millenniums before age forced her to fade. "My brother's Childe", her tone was loving, "I see my brother did not fail you in your training, nor you in the passing of it. But alas, though it pains me to say this the age's have changed us." Her voice was filled with regret, and the lovely eyes that Azrael had remembered holding only amusement, were now filled with pain. "A millennia ago, This tribunal would have never been needed. Rogues were not left to their own designs, but taken in by Lines and trained, adopted and protected from the world, and in doing so, the world was protected from them." She lifted a hand to forestall a comment. "But times have changed. Now the lawless breed like rabbits." She pointed to Titania. "For every Lined Kin, there are fifty such as she. We no longer have a choice but struggle to come up with a way to reduce the count. For if we fail to, then all law will crumble."

Titania cried out in protest as she pulled away from Michael. "Damn you all." She turned away, seeking out Azrael's face. Her eyes hollow chunks of ice as she raged. "But damn you the most. You swore I would be safe here, that I would see 'justice' ." The bark that should have been a laugh, was more a sob. "But despite all the pretty words, all you have done is to get me killed." She launched herself at him. "So be it." The voice was a harsh hiss. "But know this, 'Elder' ." Her fingers tightened around his throat. "You lose your Chosen with my death. At least I know that if I have to die, it isn't for nothing." Her hands gripped around his throat, trying to kill him. If she were to die now, she would go out fighting, it had been the one thing she hadn't been able to do when her Sire and Brother died, but this time, she would not shame herself again. If she were to die, then so be it. But she would go down fighting.

The room erupted in chaos. Shouts and bodies moving forward in a single-minded attempt to protect the Elders. Michael and David stood before Azrael, who struggled with Titania, and the others, who were too ready to call fault. There would be war. There was no choice. The Lines would fight, and they would attack and see that Azrael and all those in his keep died first.

"' Enough'" Isis rose, a chilling rage in her eyes, as all but one of those about her fell away. Azrael, stood his ground, arms around the fear maddened Orphaned Rogue. "You would see that war was fought?" She did not understand the man that her brother had sired. "Blood shed, all for her a Rogue orphan?" There was no reaching him. "Why? Can you answer me that? Why?"

Titania looked up to her, a snarl on her face as she spat out before Azrael could respond. "He wouldn't be the only one either. If I die, then the Kin of the Warlock's, my Covenstead of brothers and sisters, will see, Line blood, flow, or they're gonna die trying."

Azrael shrugged, more than just a little pleased with the Childe's willingness to stand up to, any and, all that faced her. "Her words are true Isis, you know they are, the entire room knows this." *None may lie here, try, and see if you can prove me wrong. *

Isis shook her head, her face one of contempt as she turned to look at the others. "I will not have it." She turned away, looking to Sharra. "The criminal is of your Line niece. He is your problem. See he pays for his crime." She looked once more to Azrael. "Osiris would be pleased with you, my brothers Childe. The Law lives, and breathes within you. I will not forget this day." And she turned to face the other Elders. "Nor will I let anyone else pretend that it did not happen."

To the man, the other four Elders rose in protest. "You are mad", "Senile", "Crazed." The cries sounded out through the room. "She is nothing. The boy acted harshly, but it is not as if it mattered. This trash, just as her Sire before her, are little better than Renegades, who we lawfully track down and kill."

A cry from the corner of the room as a body hurled itself towards the converged Elders. "You lie." A thud and a crash as flesh met flesh. "You don't just, track down, Renegades. You help create them."

The Elder, who Christian had hit, growled, pulling the boy from him and hurtling him across the room. "That will change Renegade, with your death first." He crouched preparing to leap at Christian, as the boy struggled to pull himself up.

Both Sharra and David moved as one to block the Elders path to the boy. "Touch my Grand-Childe, fool." Sharra's voice was the merest of whispers. "And I will make you pay with your life."

The Elder who Christian had attacked sputtered. "The fool boy attacked me. You would allow that without justice?"

"Why not? You would let this one," she pointed to Magnus. "Attack Kin, for no reason and allow it. Why not another? If you are willing to allow this, then what is to prevent all the law to be ignored." She looked back at the Childe who huddled in David's arms. "Admirable Childe, but a bit foolish. Attacking an Elder is not the way to go about getting their attention." Then she looked back. "Mocking them on the other hand, seems to be the just the solution."

David looked him over, anxiously. "Baby, you all right? He didn't hurt you did he."

Christian shook his head, before reaching to pull David's head down to his. "Tell them Master, tell them the truth. Tell them who I was, and what was done to me. Tell them how Shiva died." He would see that Titania was not the only one who spoke and was heard this day.

"Yes, Vincent, tell the, ' wise' Elders, how you came to have your Childe." Michael moved to stand with David. Leaving both Azrael and Isis to face the rest.

The four looked to David. They would hear him. He was Legal blood. "Yes, Childe, tell us of your foolish Fledglings beginning." The youngest of the Elder's who had presented themselves spoke.

David looked down at Christian. "Go on, my Son. Tell them the story. Let them know how good they are at the tracking and destruction of Renegades." David would not take this chance from his Fledgling.

Not a sound, not, a word, as all attention was focused on this infant. Each one, wondering what the youngster could possibly think important enough to demand attention as he had. Christian struggled to stand, leaning against David for a moment. "I'm sorry." He nodded towards the Elder that he had attacked, as he brushed himself off. "My Sire," with a glint in his eyes that only David understood, he added. "Both of them, taught me better." He paused, letting the words he had just spoken sink into the minds of those who listened.

'Both of them' , this Childe had, two, Sire's? The very act was rare enough to startle them. How was it that this boy had lost one Sire, and gained another so quickly. He could not be more than two maybe three.

Finally, the one who had up until now remained silent moved forward. "And your first Sire was, Childe?"

Christian looked at him. "And your name Elder?"

"I am known as Bane. Now would you answer my question Fledgling, who was your first Sire?"

"Shiva, he was my Sire, his Sire before him was Kali, and hers before her was Izzan." He stood before them, back straight, head held high. "He saved my life when I was eleven, and made me his when I was sixteen. I lived with him as my Sire for almost two full years. I still carry his brand. Orphaned, I was, but no Rogue." He looked to David. "I am here now, with my new Sire, because." He took a deep breath. "Shiva was challenged by a soul stealing Renegade." Again he paused, but this time to allow those who were so full of, themselves, to, hear what he had said, and to understand the truth. "My Sire died. Set, that was the Renegades name, he killed him, but trapped his soul, stole his powers." He moved from David towards Azrael. "I was sure I would die eventually, but the bastard made a fatal mistake." And he nodded to Azrael to take up the story.

Azrael nodded smiling at him. "I was unaware of Christian's plight." He lay a protective hand on Christian's shoulder, squeezing gently. "I knew of Set, who was the Renegade that had killed my adopted Childe, Selene's, Sire. I had sworn that I would see that he paid for the crimes he had committed against her." He lowered his head. "I should have moved against him, the moment I knew who he was, but, like a fool I was certain in my belief that no Kin mad enough to attack the young of our Line, would ever be insane enough to attack one as old as I." He shook his head chuckling. "I learned how much of a fool I really was. For it was not a full twenty-four hours after adopting Selene, that the animal had taken his vengeance for me out upon one of my Pets." He pointed to the small, mousy, quiet mortal in the corner, who was watching from the safety of Torin's, who was yet another of those he claimed as, Chosen, arms. "He attacked, tortured and raped my love, solely to punish me for daring to take what he believed belonged to him."

There was silence absolute within the room, as Vampyr sat stunned, trying to believe that any Renegade would be that mad. To attack, not, only an Elder, but an Adept Mage as well.

"You killed this one, did you not?" Bane's voice trembled with rage. The fury that he felt, that they all felt, at the blatant disregard and disrespect that the attack represented. "Does this soulless beast still live? If you won't finish him off, I will."

Azrael chuckled. "Oh, yes, he died. Though it pains me to say, not as I had wanted him to, screaming in agony as I tore him asunder. My fury was so great, my pain unlike any I have known for so long, it, galled me, to be forced to offer him a quiet death for the sake of the souls he held. But, yes, I killed him. And in killing him I freed not only Christian's Sire from the chains upon his soul. But Selene's Sire, Mara, as well as several others. Allowing then to, at last, finally die in truth."

The chorus of voices that rose in response was ear shattering. Azrael stood there silent, waiting for the clamor to die down.

"My nephew," Isis came to stand beside him. "I understand what you are saying, and I feel the pain that this has caused so many within your house." She smiled. "Yet I feel that there is a reason for all of this, other than to explain where the Childe of two Sire's and the Rogue child who you now claim as yours came from. Finish the tale."

He grinned at her. "Osiris used to swear that no man, nor woman of the Lines could ever fool you. I see he did not exaggerate." He tilted his head at her in respect. He then turned back to the room.

"It was when I was allowed to track my adopted Childe's and pet's abuser down that I first met the most incredible collection of Rogues that I have ever had the good fortune to meet.

"It had been the Covenstead Master Cerberus who had enable me to finally track Jenna to where Set had dragged her, at no small risk to himself and his own, I might add." These words were not lightly spoke, for they all knew how dangerous they could be when they raged. "And it had been at his consent that I took my justice upon the body of the madman."

Michael cleared his throat, a soft smile on his face. "Father, tell them what brought about this gathering of Elders." Michael knew his Sire; he could and would go on for hours if left unchecked.

Azrael nodded at him. "Yes, Megel, you are right, forgive me. I do tend to be the bard, if the story is good." Then back to the collected Kin, who sat watching him. "Upon freeing both Shiva's and Mara's soul, and collecting yet another orphan for my home. I learned of crimes so vile, that I only wish I could have disputed them. Alas, painful and ugly though they were. They were the truth. Titania stands here before you, because her brother and Sire died to be free. Innocent and guiltless though they were, they were given the choice of slavery or death. Ghede who was no true Rogue, but orphaned Line, as well as his First-Born, Baal, they chose to die as free men, rather than to bend to the will of another. Titania ran, her brother, Baal, holding off pursuit with his life. Cerberus had found the Childe, huddled in a basement, starving, living in fear that Magnus would keep his vow and track her down and see her dead as well."

Again the absolute silence as the tale came to an end. "So we are here. And I am ashamed to say that I was wrong. The Law does not live as it once did. Petty concerns laziness and apathy has taken its place. Not the first of you were willing to help track the murderer down, and it took me almost a year to set this up, you all had so much more 'important' things to do." His gaze moved to each of the Elder's in turn, causing them to bluster and look away. "Why do you think that they breed unchecked, or that the Renegades prey on them as openly and as freely as they do. It is because we," he made a move to include the room. "All of us, we have failed to keep our word, to protect our people." His eye stopped flat on the youngest Elders face. "We prattle law, and oaths, and codes. And yet I bring a victim before you, why is it you all are so ready to see the criminal freed, and the poor Childe dead, all because she dared face you and demand justice?"

Bane nodded, conceding that Azrael was right. "You have brought up some very valid points, Azrael. Several of these points shame me in their ugly truth. The Rogue's and Renegades never touch me." He looked to Sharra. "I agree with the Lady Isis, he is your Childe, so be it your responsibility to his punishment."

And with his words, the other three fell in line. Each of them, adding their voice as quickly as they could. Four ancient and powerful Elders were in agreement on this. The three were not so old yet, nor foolish enough to stand against them in something as important as this was. The Lines would look to their duty to the Vampyr, as a whole, again.

Magnus struggled as Michael as well as David moved to hold him in place, as Sharra neared him. "I will see you pay." He spat at her. "You are little more than trash like that, bitch, there." He fought, but to no avail. "Both of you, sleep light. I will seek you out, you will pay." But for all the threats he made, he could not break free and as his Sire's hands closed over his face, the fight was lost. "Don't do this Sharra, please, I'm your First-Born." She would strip him of everything he had. Do to him, what he had sought to do to the Rogues that he had killed, strip them of all freedoms and enslave them. "Please, Mother," a whimper. "Mistress." He moaned against the loss. "Damn you!" He half screamed, half sobbed, as the pain began.

Sharra heard nothing, would hear nothing as she drained him, stripping all his training from him, and crushing his will to hers as she broke him, quickly without care for pain or any effort to show mercy. "Yes, damn me." She pulled back. Slapping him with such force that he was knocked from Michael and David's grasp. "I let you free as this monster. I deserve to be damned for this." She reached for him, yanking his face to hers. "Damned though I am, I will take my guilt out on your hide for years. I strip you of freedom, your powers, your self, and your name. You are nothing. And nothing you will be until I free you once again. And if I were you, I would pray that I relearn all that my Sire had attempted to teach me so many centuries ago, and do so quickly." She dropped the sobbing wretch on the floor, wiping her hands on her pants, as if to remove an invisible stain.

Azrael relaxed. "There will be no blood, no war, no loss. Though it shames me at how difficult the attaining of it truly was, we have seen to justice."

Titania stared at him, mouth working but no words forthcoming. She had come here to see justice, on this ancient one's word, and so it had come to pass. Her, Sire's and brother's killer would pay for what he had done. "F-forgive me." She dropped to her knees, waiting for what ever the Elder would feel was her just due. She had threatened him, struck out at him, tried to kill him. He could see her pay. Cerberus would not lift a hand once he knew what she had done.

Azrael shook his head. "Childe, there is nothing to forgive. Rather it is I who needs beg your pardon. I had been so sure that this would be ever so simple in attaining the justice that you so rightly deserved. But alas, it would seem that I no longer know my Kin as I once did." He turned to see the Elders beginning to move to leave. "Isis, my Sire's sister, will you stay?"

The little woman turned smiling at him. "What do you need Azrael? What do you plan to do next?" He wasn't so old, or she so dignified, that she could refuse this opportunity to tease her younger blood. "Great it must be indeed. I have never seen anyone set Bane back as you and that infant have. Next you will be raising the dead, and returning my brother to me once more."

Azrael, who had not blushed in what seemed to be time immortal, chuckled. "No, I simply ask that you return with me to where my Chosen is waiting, in the care of the Rogue Covenstead Master. Allow me to collect the child and return this one to her home. Meet those that the others would see killed. Take the knowledge that you gain from your visit, to the others, those who were not with us this day. Call them to their duties once more.

She nodded. "And this youngling who stands as Master of these children. He will not protest my presence in his home?"

Titania laughed. "Lady Elder, if Cerberus so much as utters a peep in protest, I'll trounce him myself. You are as much to thank as the, Elder, here." She lay a hand on Azrael's shoulder. "Had you not been willing to stand by him, those others," she shuddered. "They would have seen me dead."

"Well then Childe, I will graciously accompany my nephew to return you to where you live, and collect the child held as hostage for your safe return." She reached up to stroke Titania's cheek. "But before we leave, you must know this. Justice or no justice, neither, Azrael or myself would have ever allowed you to be killed. I have not strayed quite so far, so that I would see an innocent killed for crying justice."

Titania looked up, a gleam in her eyes, one of joy, that had not been there for much too long. "You know something, Lady, I do believe you're telling the truth, and you would not have let anyone do me wrong." Tears sparkled in her eyes, as she kissed the Elder Kin "Thank you."

"You are so very, very, welcome. Now come Childe. My nephew is anxious to see to his Chosen, and I to return to my domain, let us return you home."

And as one, the three faded.