The Completion of a Circle - Dark Love 3

CHAPTER 5

Waves of Fear and grief rolled over Azrael as he, appeared and with it the scent of death. "I am Azrael." He bowed to the vampire before him. "You petitioned Sanctuary from me."

The younger vampire released the woman in his arms, and rose to stand before him. Azrael's eyes went from him to the woman on the couch. 'Ah, now I see. There is no threat. His pet is dying. He is going to be alone again'. "And your name is?"

The younger vampire who stood, before him looked lost as he answered. "I-my, my Sire named me Loki." The words came out in a stutter.

Azrael felt a silent rage begin inside of him. This Kin, Rogue or no, had been forced to live. He understood how hard it would have been if any of his Brood had failed to take the Gift, but he would have spared them this. As painful as it would have been for him, he would have taken their life before ever allowing any of them to face the world as a half-wit. He could not understand how anyone could be as heartless as to do this to any Childe they loved.

The vampire might have been closer to his age, than any other Kin in his house, but his mind was that of a Childe, and always would be. Lanky dark brown hair framed cool, coal, gray eyes, in a face that would have been quite lovely if it were not at the moment stamped with fear. "Th-this is Katherine. She-she's why I called."

Azrael moved, slowly, ever aware of the fear in the room, to the woman's side. "Yes, her life is fading, poor thing." He looked at Loki, eyes showing the compassion and understanding, that only, one, who had been where this Childe was, could know. "Is this the first that you have lost one so? Do you understand what is happening?" How lost was this Childe? "I am sorry, Brother." Again the word, that meant no harm between Kin. "But no one can help her. She is dying."

Anguish passed across his face. "I-I know that. I've had a pet," shame in his whole presence. "A keeper, for most of my life. My Sire taught me how, before he left. I've lost them all. One by one, death took them all from me." The emotions coming from him were strong enough to wash away any nervous stutter.

"Loki?" The woman's voice drew the wounded Kin.

Azrael watched, moved to tears himself as, Loki, whirled, going, back to her side. "Love?"

She stroked his face, smiling up into his tormented eyes. "Don't cry, there's no need now." Even in pain, she comforted him. It was the only life she knew. He was her responsibility. "Ask him to come closer, let me speak to him, please."

"I am here, dear." Azrael stepped closer, but would not intrude on the space they shared.

"I'm tired. But I can't leave him alone. Please," she stroked Loki's hair as he pressed against her, sobbing, "On your word, your Line, help him to find another to help him. He can't be alone."

If Azrael had had any doubts about taking this one into his home, they died with her words. Whole, this one was not, but he had lived, and had done so without embarrassment, or loneliness. The words of his dying love were enough to settle Azrael's mind. "Katherine," he moved to kneel beside her. "My word, on my name, and my Line. I will let no one harm him, nor will I allow him to be alone again. Sleep, rest, knowing that you have fulfilled your responsibility, and that your master is safe."

Katherine looked up into the strange, vampires, eyes. "Thank you." And with a weary movement, her fingers brushed his cheek. "Let me be with him now."

Azrael rose, moving across the room. Leaving the two alone again.

Katherine lifted his, tear streaked, face, "Loki?" The name was spoken softly, but all her feelings were in it. "Master, My Lord, please love, let me go. Kiss me one last time, then grant me rest. Take me, take my life."

It was time, when he left what had been his home for over three hundred years, he would go alone. "Be brave for me Kathy. I am so afraid. Of all those I have held, loved, and made mine, I have loved you the most." It hurt knowing that she counted on him to ease the pain. She who had never asked for anything in her life, now asked him for the greatest favor any could. She asked him to release her.

Her lips trembled against his, but she held on, pain or no pain she knew that once he pulled away, she would lose him.

"One last time, Katie girl." He swallowed back the, lump that threatened to choke him. "Let me feel you take from me, just once more." His teeth tore at his wrist, as the tears came again.

She looked up at him. Eyes so full of trust, and love, that Loki had to force himself not to turn away. "Thank you love, I am ready. The pain is gone." She reached up and kissed him once more. As her fingers reached up and tangled in his hair, pulling his mouth to her throat as her head turned, pulling away. "Go on my evil trickster, love me."

He couldn't do it not again, he knew she was counting on him, he had sworn that she wouldn't be forced to suffer. It was the least he could do. But, as he held her, lips pressed against her flesh, he knew he couldn't, not again.

Azrael's will and control flowed over him. * You must do this, Brother. You know the pain she is feeling. If you love her at all, spare her that. * This part of loving a mortal was never easy. He had been forced to grant the, 'final kiss', to more than one of those in his care and in time would be forced to again. He knew what the one before him was going through, and pitied him all the more for it. For with her death, he would be alone, again. With no one to fall back on. * Take what strength you need from me Loki, and allow your love to rest. *

She sighed as his fangs sank into his flesh. It was a weary, satisfied sigh. One that, touched him, gave him more strength than all the power Azrael could offer. She wanted this, welcomed it, and going to her rest happily. She freely gave him her blood and life. * I will always love you . * His mind touched hers as she began to weaken in his arms. * You will never truly die, for I will always love you. *

* You were my first, and only, * the faint touch flowed back to him. * Never once have I regretted my time. I love you, always have, always, * the darkness was taking her as her life flowed into Loki, * will, my love. *

The pain was agonizing. "Kathy?" The body in his arms was no longer as warm as it had been. The life was gone. "Forgive me."

Azrael felt the tears sting his eyes, as he shared this wounded Childe's pain. To lose, your, only love, to walk away, totally alone. If this ones Sire had not already been dead, Azrael would have tracked him down and killed him for what he had done to his Childe. He would never be alone again. Azrael swore this to himself. If, Loki were not comfortable, with staying with him, he would find a way to make sure that there would always be someone with him.

Loki held Katherine's limp body, watching as the age, that had never touched her in life, ravaged her now in death. He could leave now, turn away and not see the love he had, wither before him, but he owed her this much. So he stayed, watching till the last indignity was marked upon flesh that had, only yesterday, been so warm and inviting.

"Loki," Azrael laid a hand on his shoulder. "It is time to go. Allow me to see to her. You have been forced to walk away too often. Let me take you to my home. Place you in the care of those I love. I promise, I will see her remains given proper treatment."

Loki looked up at him, lost and confused. "Tell me something, you're older than I, and whole. Why do we love? Why do we who lose, everything, we hold dear to us, time steals from us unlike it does anything else that lives. So why do we love?"

Azrael knelt beside him. Placing a hand on his arm. "We love because it is the only thing that separates us from the monsters that we can be. Without love, we are soulless beasts that live only to kill. I know you are in pain, you feel pain like only Kin can, but time is also merciful to us. The pain fades quickly from our thoughts and hearts. You will heal, I will see to it. I gave your sweet one, there, my word, and I will do all that I can to see that it is kept." Firm but gentle hands pulled the wounded Kin from what was once his dearest love. "Leave her to me, I will care for her."

Loki looked up at him, hope and despair clear in his eyes. "You will see to her?"

Azrael brushed his lips across his brow. "Yes, I will place her with all those that I have loved and cared for in my life. You will be able to take comfort in the knowledge that time and ice will be the only things that ever touch her again."

The arm around him was meant to offer comfort, but as Loki turned from the withered form on the couch, he felt nothing. Nor did he think he would ever feel again. He did not want to live anymore. And he could not see that changing.

So lost and soul wounded was he, that not even the coldness of the Dark Paths drew his attention as Azrael lead him home.

* * *

His domain was silent as he brought his newest charge in via the Paths. For that he was grateful. It was comforting to know that those in his keep understood the severity of the situation. "Megel," he sought out his eldest Childe.

"Yes, Father." The answer was immediate and soft.

"Take this one, hold him, for me. Shield him in his pain for now." He tried to pull away, but Loki held on in blind pain. "No, Brother, listen. This is Megel. He is my 'Childe' , my 'First-Born' . He will let none here harm you." To Michael, "take him downstairs, put him behind a barrier, I can not fault his pain, I know what he is going through. But as he is now, he will cause a great deal of needless suffering among the children." Turning for a moment to address Loki once more. "Do not be afraid Brother. I go only to keep my word and see that she is put to rest safely. No one here will harm you or fault you in your pain. I have no idea what you have come to know of Sire's other than they can abandon and harm those in their keeping, but I have never abandoned nor have I ever harmed any Childe I have sired, from my eldest, to those who are now my Chosen." He pointed to Torin, Robyn and Morgan. "My Childe, he is a Sire as well, he will protect you. Go ahead Loki. Mourn. No one will fault you your love or your pain." And he stepped back fading from the room.

The room was silent was Michael moved slowly, leading Loki across the room. Whole this Kin might not be, but the pain he felt was as strong, as any he had ever felt. And, being, such could only be contained by one Kin, for a short time. Azrael had been right, he needed to be shielded. "My Sire called you Loki, is that your name?" The room, the others forgotten for now, he was responsible for seeing to this ones care while His Master was not here.

Again the eyes that were, oh so lovely, but held such confusion and pain lifted and locked gazes with only the second of his kind that he had seen in almost four hundred years. "It is what my Sire named me. I have no other name. Call me it, or what ever you want. I don't care anymore." All emotion, save raw agony, was gone from his voice.

Michael smiled, trying to look reassuring. "Then Loki it is. Come with me Elder, I will see to you." And he led him from the room.

* * *

The utter blackness of the cavern surrounded Azrael as he appeared, burdened, as he was with yet another mortal who had given his or her life and love to his kind. He would see she rested here, with all those he had brought here whom he had loved and killed over the years.

The almost weightless bundle slid to the floor in a soft rustle. Close and yet separate from all the others here. A silent spectator to the price all Kin pay for loving another not of their kind.

Though the darkness was total, his eyes adjusted and he could see well. He slowly moved to each bundle, touching one bundle here, and another there, briefly, recalling to memory the joy of loving and protecting each one, and the pain of being forced to let them go when the end was at hand.

It would not be too many years before he would be forced to return here, with another cold, lifeless, bundle. He had what, perhaps, ninety to a hundred years, and again another would rest here. The very thought brought pain.

So to each of those this silent tomb held he went. "I'm here again, and again I add to your number." He spoke to no one but the dead. "Welcome her my precious darlings, my lovers, she served her Master well, and was loved, as you all were loved." He felt no shame at the tears that spilled, nor did he try to wipe them away as they rapidly froze on his cheeks. "And you all are loved, from the first to the last." He looked at the bodies before him. "You will never truly die, for I will always remember you." With one final glance around at all those he had loved and cherished the, remains, of his humanity. He stepped back fading along the Paths once more.

* * *

Cerberus startled, sitting up from one of his many pets, as a light but strong touch brushed his mind. * Pardon me, I do not wish to be rude . * It was Azrael. * But at your request, I cannot enter your domain uninvited. May I do so now? *

"Shit." He swore. "Go on, Lilly, go back to the living room, we'll finish up in a little while." Talk about bad timing, it would be now, that the Elder wanted to visit.

"Is there a problem, Master?" The girl moved, gathering the tattered remains of her clothing.

"I have no idea, but Azrael is knocking on the door. I have no clue as to what he wants, but I can't very well ignore him, not with what he just did for Titania, she would have my hide, if Eris didn't first. So you need to go on with yourself and let the Elder and I discuss what ever we need talk about."

Lilly chewed at her bottom lip. What could this mean? "Master, you two aren't going to have a fight, are you?"

Cerberus just shook his head. "Go on with you girl, and stay out of the business of your betters."

Once the girl had fled the room and Cerberus had a moment of peace and silence. * Okay, Azrael, what do you want of me? * Due to the Elders aid with one of those in his home, he knew Azrael could come calling and ask almost anything and be within his right.

Mental laughter sprinkled down onto him. * Relax, Cerberus, it is I who comes with my hat in hand, as it were. I am concerned that I might have a problem that I am not suited to handle. *

He found it hard to believe that this particular Elder would have problems handling anything. * Okay, I retract the ban on you from my home. Come, be welcome, and tell me what it is that one such as you can't face . *

It was fortunate that vampires don't really feel the cold, for had he been able to, the chill of the Paths would have sent shivers down his spine. "All right Azrael, tell me what it is that you think I or my folk might be able to do for you?"

Azrael chuckled at the abruptness of his words. "You still fear me? I stood by your girl, saw to it that she had justice, brought my own blood here to see that she make certain that you are protected your Childe is, even as we speak, trying to make friends with one of my Chosen, and yet you still fear me." He cocked his head to once side. "Why?"

"Old habit." Was all he would say. "So what is wrong? I have a hard time seeing anything out of your grasp."

The Elder Kin laughed softly. "I have a Rogue in my home. I have only just saved him from a life of isolation." He held up a hand to forestall Cerberus's comments. "I went to him as his last and only pet met her death. Gave her my word that I would look after this Childe/Elder, for that is what he is. He has lived for so long and done so without disgracing us that I can not take his life from him unless he desires death. I would see him safe and cared for. The only concern I have is I am afraid that my domain might be too much on him. He is so very much like Vincent's little pet made Kin that it is painful for me to look at him."

Cerberus came off the bed in a single motion. "What are you telling me? That some poor, half-mad, thing has been forced to live like this for centuries? But where is his Sire, why has he let it rest like this?"

Azrael shook his head. "His Sire is dead, and fortunate he is that I can not get to him. I am afraid that there is no reason for this crime against the Lines to have been left uncorrected, other than, perhaps, the sadistic whims of a mad man. But horrendous though it is, and no matter how much we wish to turn our eyes and pretend that it does not exist. I have a Rogue Elder with the mind of a Childe in my keep, and if I cannot see he finds a home with me, I am asking your word that he will be safe here. Not alone, nor abandoned, but kept safe and cared for until such time as he asks for death, and then it be as befits an innocent." Azrael didn't question Cerberus's ability to do this. He knew that if the Childe gave his word, then the Childe would live up to it.

Cerberus ran a hand through his hair. "Does this one know what you are asking?"

"Not yet, I wanted to see that there was an option here before I offered it to him. It is not an easy thing that I ask of you, and I am well aware of that." He folded his hands before him, and waited patiently.

Cerberus bit at his lip as he considered what Azrael had asked of him and his house. Could he do this? Take a vampire, Rogue or not, who was as crippled as Azrael had described this one as being. Harder yet, could he not? The two questions chased each other around in his head. "I suppose I could protect him. Hell Azrael, it's not like any of my folks are hot to persecute anyone. We hate it enough to be shy about dishing it out to anyone else who, is, like us, and not, Lined. So with the exception of one or two that live here, he should find no opposition."

"I want your word on this one Coven Master. Should the Childe flee here, you will see that no one harms him." Azrael knew what he was asking, and wanted to make sure that if Loki chose not to live within his home, he would still be able to keep his word.

Cerberus rolled his eyes. "You have it Old Man." Okay so this, Elder, might be more than he had ever thought to be able to face, but he would be damned if he was going to let this man order him around in his own home. "If he shows up here, I'll throw him Eris's way and consider it taken care of. Not even Garren is willing to cross my Husband."

Azrael looked at him a look of cautious confusion on his face. "Garren?"

Cerberus shrugged. "A Rogue that lives here that has a lot to learn about the way to treat mortals. He is the only one that might even make noise should this retarded Elder show up. And if he does, I'll allow Eris to challenge him, or will do so, myself, and deal with it that way. Don't worry about it Old Man. My word, should he flee here, I'll keep him safe. I owe you that."

* * *

David looked up as Azrael returned. "He is downstairs with Megel." He nodded his head towards the door on the other side of the room. "Who is he Master? Why has he been allowed to live like that?"

Azrael held up a hand. "Wait, I cannot answer your questions at the moment. I have more important things to deal with, but soon Vincent, I promise you, soon." He smiled at his three Chosen. "You three, come with me. Ugly, though what you will see might be, it is necessary."

Michael looked up as Azrael, and his three, came into the room. "Slowly, Father." He warned him.

Azrael noted Michael's continued use of the paternal title. Yet questioned it not. This poor Childe/Elder needed to see that there were Sire's who were as they should be, and not the sadistic beast his was. "My Son," he brushed Michael's cheek as he reached for Loki. "I will take the burden from you now." Then to his three Chosen, "see Children? Look what pride and foolishness has wrought."

Morgan watched as he pulled the silent and pained man into his arms. "But," she shook her head. "I don't understand," She looked up at him. "What lesson? We're not like him. You wouldn't do that to us. We know that." Both Torin and Robyn nodded.

The confusion of his precious Chosen was achingly beautiful. "Not his life, love, but his pain. My brother," he would not use another word for him for now. "He comes here from the death of his love, a mortal. See what immortality costs us. To know that even as you love them, and make them yours, you will lose them one day. That is the lesson you must face." He lifted Loki's face. "Look well, my darlings. Remember this look come the day you choose to take your first pet, and know that one day you too will wear it."

Morgan turned away, hiding in Torin's arms. The look of unbearable agony and unspeakable loss was almost more than she could bear. They weren't even Kin yet, and already they were being forced to face the realities of their life. "I understand." She wanted to be away from here. Wanted to put space between herself and, the, pain that his grief was causing her. But she wouldn't ask to be excused. She owed Azrael that much. As long as he wanted her to stay and face this, she would. No matter how much it hurt.

'Such bravery', Azrael was so proud of his youngest. She stood there, with the pain of this wounded one in his arms, facing it silently. Willing to brave anything to show that he had chosen well. They all stood there, silent and brave. But it was too soon to ask that they face so much pain. "Megel, take them from here, and go. I need to be with our wounded brother now. They are still too tender and too new to face more than just moments with him as he is now."

Michael moved, pulling Morgan with him, Torin with an arm supporting Robyn to follow behind and was quick to leave. Nodding once to both Azrael and Loki before the door closed.

Loki looked up at Azrael. Pain and confusion warred on his face. "Why?"

"Why what, Brother?"

"Why did you do that? Did those others, the ones you say are your Chosen. Did they, are you, was facing me punishment?" There was no other reason that he could imagine why anyone would force someone to face him. Forget that he was in pain, he was sure they had. But that a whole Kin is willing to force those who he had, 'Chosen' to become his Children, to look at him. His own Sire had not been able to face him and his shortcomings, how could anyone ask any as young as those three had been to bear it?

"No, not punishment. They are just young and will soon be my Fledglings, and as painful as your loss is to you, they must, one day, face the same. Better they know what the pain looks and feels like, so that perhaps they might be better prepared to face it when their day comes. If anyone can be prepared for the agony we all feel."

The logic behind Azrael's words was solid. But Loki found it hard to believe that he was worthy of being used as even an example of how Kin suffered. This Elder, he was nothing like he had been warned they would be like. Not once had he threatened him, even now, with as helpless and bleeding as he was, Azrael didn't try to use his weaknesses against him. No threat of pain, no, judgment, not once had the loss of his cursed life been presented as a threat. What was more, this one, the whole Kin that held him. Had sworn to Katherine that he would see him safe. See him protected. Could they have been more than just soothing words from a compassionate man to a dying woman? "So tell me." Azrael read the worries and the pain in Loki's eyes and soul. "What is it that I can offer you? My word to your love is my bond. I will see you healed, and I will see to your care, if you will but permit it. But for, now, don't worry over the morrow. But concern yourself with what is happening now." He rose slowly, still holding the wounded Kin. "We shall go, you and I, go to my chambers, where I will help you to face the loss and to mourn it as it should be mourned."

Loki nodded, still too numb, confused and lost to begin to try to understand what was happening to him. He was alone now, Katherine was gone, and no matter how sweet this Elder's promises were, it wouldn't make any difference, his most precious and cherished love was dead, and nothing could bring her back.

Azrael carried him through the room, aware of the silent eyes that watched his movements with worry and a burning desire to know what this hurting and pitiful excuse for a Kin's existence in their home, meant.

* * *

Zak grabbed William. "I got to get out of here." He knew pain all too well, had felt his share of it in his short life. "If Azrael asks, I've taken Will and we are with Cerberus. If that boy of his can hide here, I figure we can hide there." And they both faded before Michael could respond.