Lemon Eyes

[Xhel]

After an initial moment of hesitation, it was difficult for Xhel not to find comfort in Alena’s presence. She was soft, warm, and beautiful, few would not that tempting. He could see now, how many had fallen to her allure. Simply running his hand across her skin felt like a privilege. He would never join their ranks but would enjoy her while she was here. Never again. He reminded himself for quick measure. He met her gaze as she spoke. How generous of her. He thought sardonically. She’d intend to let him out once this month. Xhel bit back a response. That was not all she had to say, fortunately. There he smiled. That sounded far fairer. He’d bought Pablo hopefully some freedom, and all it had cost the hunter was dignity. Alena’s kiss took him by surprise. Neither forceful or overpowering as their kisses had been until then. Affectionate, surprisingly so. Part of him expected Alena to depart, or force him from her bed. Perhaps force herself onto him once more. Instead, she seemed inclined he’d stay. At the moment he didn’t dare try leave. Somehow, he felt she wouldn’t let him.

“Alena…” Xhel spoke, his voice low. As pleasant as her lips was he would remind her, this was a one time affair. Instead, she relaxed, resting her head against his shoulder, he ran his fingers through her long silky hair. It was a familiar moment, strange that he was sharing it with her. The hunter yawned. His body feeling heavy, Alena had worked him thoroughly. Drawing more of him than he knew he could give. His eyelids fluttered as she spoke and he only vaguely understood the words she spoke. What was her game here? He thought as she scooted in closer. Draping a leg over his. Her warmth a blanket of comfort begging he let the dregs of sleep take him. The weight of her body against his, hallowed his breathing. He tried to shift, she seemed to grip him tighter, held in place, why would he want to move anyway. The last he saw was a soft smile on Alena’s lips, and a glint in her eyes as sleep took him.

[Adele Holst]

When he spoke her name, reaching out to touch her arm, Adele rolled onto her side, meeting her friend's gaze. She couldn't help but smile a bit when Pablo mentioned the tension between her and Damien in the past. That was, in part, why she was scared. It hurt to admit, but she didn't have a good track record with past intimate relationships.

It also wasn't easy for her to let people in. She valued her privacy, and was often taciturn for quite some time when meeting new people. Addy supposed Okello had been right regarding that; perhaps she had come across as strange when Pablo had brought this new pack back to the den. Somehow, it'd been easier to open up with Pablo, though. It might have helped that when they met, he had only recently hit puberty; he never felt like a threat, even though he'd been quick to grab her hand and lead her through the forest. It might also have had something to do with his scent; it was subtle, but she could tell Perrin had sired him, too. Pablo had become her best friend in the years since becoming a werewolf. It felt a little strange, but Adele thought maybe a part of her felt guilty. There was no denying that she had feelings for Damien, yet something quiet within her whispered that it could have been Pablo if she'd spoken up sooner.

Yet beyond all of that, the young woman felt a significant amount of actual guilt. Part of the answer to his question, was also the reason why Pablo had arrived to his den in Rome, alone. Why he'd been captured and hurt in the first place. There was little Adele wanted more right now, than to bury those events deep into her mind, never to be brought up again. Yet somehow, she didn't believe Pablo blamed her for any of it, despite her own conviction it'd been her fault.

"I think..." Adele brushed blonde hair over her shoulder, out of her face, "It started in Athens. He, he finally asked to see Perrin's villa. To see Perrin." Somehow, it felt like the change had begun slightly before that, but for the life of her she couldn't pinpoint why she thought that.

Casting her gaze back toward the television to hide an amount of shame, the lycaness added, "And then, he saved my life in Rome." There were a few times in her short life, where Adele was convinced she was about to die; but for some reason, the events in Rome haunted her as the closest she'd been. If Damien hadn't shown up, if he hadn't gone looking for her, she would have been as good as dead by now.

Adele wanted to say more; she felt like she needed to get some of what happened off her chest, but as she looked away from the television, back to her friend, he was sleeping soundly. Frowning, the young woman looked upon her best friend with concern; he'd been sleeping so much lately. She was almost jealous. Yet she wouldn't join him, her dreams had not been kind. Only with Damien nearby had she been able to get some amount of peaceful sleep. But by now, her sire's son was likely helping Alena; he wouldn't be free for a few hours.

Returning her attention to the cartoon, the lycaness watched it lazily, only half paying attention. Her eyelids did feel heavy though. The blonde frowned again, shaking her head as if it would stave off her exhaustion. Adjusting her position to lie completely on her side, Adele grabbed one of the pillows, staring at the sleeping form of her friend. Pablo sure had a way of befriending the misfits; Lucia was definitely odd, and yet, it didn't seem so strange that he would become attached to this hybrid of Alena and the former vampire king. If anything, it was strange he'd only come across her just now, with how obsessed he used to be about this stuff.

Her eyes closed slowly. In the darkness beneath her lids, she could picture the former vampire king perfectly. She'd never seen him, personally, but sometimes, she got glimpses of people, places, short snippets of events, as they might have happened during Perrin's lifetime. This image of Raven came with a strong aftertaste; Perrin had hated him with every fiber of his being. There was nothing but mistrust and malice for that leech and all blood-suckers.

And Lucia was Raven's.

Somewhere along her thoughts, sleep crept in and took Adele into its embrace.

[Pablo]

His lips found her shoulder, her neck, before finally settling against her mouth, Pablo kissed the vampire at that moment falling into a familiar rhythm. It was cruel that he could not have Lucia, this arrangement seemed harsh for him and his love. But maybe that’s what the hybrid wanted. She could be sadistic was she a masochist like her mother? Or was this Catherine’s game. The vampire eagerly returned his kiss, ending with a cry as Pablo slipped a pair of fingers into her. He felt a flush of warmth, her walls slightly tighten around him. The lycan couldn’t help but smirk. He was just getting started. Across the room Lucia moaned. It seemed Catherine wasn’t the only one enjoying themselves. Glancing towards Lucia, Pablo doubled his efforts, pumping quick.

Lucia bit her lips. She shuddered squirming against her seat, it seemed begging to find traction from her fingers or the furniture. He wanted to get his hands on her writhing limbs, and hold her down as he had his way. Pablo grit his teeth. Why didn’t she join them? He saw it, the chain around her neck, like his. But it wasn’t silver. It didn’t leave her screaming in pain. Pablo whimpered, that shouldn’t stop her. “Eyes on me.” Catherine said, in a sultry tone. He looked back. “She wanted this. As much as I.” Pablo gaped, Catherine arched before him. Her bountiful chest, but inches from him. Somehow he doubted her words, but if that was the case, if Lucia wanted a show, he would give her one. Pablo lunged against the woman.

Bless her soul whether she was overwhelmed from the heat or resigned to let him lead Catherine let Pablo have his way with her. On their knees he pushed her over. Hand falling to chest and shoulder. Groping as he pushed in, Lucia echoing Catherine’s pleasure ridden cries. Pablo glanced over to Lucia, smirking. It seemed any moment she’d topple from her seat, seize in bliss. Catherine grubbed his arm, instinctively he pushed it away. The woman arched out her back once. He felt the pressure grow between his legs. She knew just how to drive him. She gasped softly as he pulled out. Planting his hands on her hips he flipped her over. Wrangling the vampire so they now faced Lucia. Graciously Catherine propped herself on all fours. Another echoing of cries as he pushed in. Sweat coated his body, droplets falling onto Catherine’s rear and back as the lycan let go. His only thought and concern his own desires. Lucia’s writhing figure just in the corner of his vision sunk into the background. There was only the body before him. The woman’s hips, and her soft and shapely ass. His fingers kneading both as he pierced her. Thrusting with the weight of his entire body behind her. His thighs slapping against the vampires. Catherine was a moaning, writhing mess. He wasn’t much better, but maintained enough control. “Faster.” A voice commanded, though if it was Lucia’s or Catherine’s he didn’t register, still he complied. “Spank her. Hard.” That had been Lucia. She had a habit of losing her decorum during moments of passion. He listened. A flat palm striking Catherine’s rear. He felt the vampire shake. He followed with a second strike. “Again.” Catherine seized tight, pushing back against him. Pablo felt alive. He wasn’t aware of how much he had needed this. Why had it felt like so long? “You like this don’t you.” What may have been a yes slipped from her lips with a cry. Eyes closed he let all consume him. The beautiful wringing of their voices. The soft hips he fingers dug into. The plush body he buried himself against. Pablo moaned, feeling close, when suddenly there was a change.

Catherine’s body flushed with an intense heat, as her hips seemed to shrink into a more slender form. Her walls seem to close, not tighter, but a more snug fit. The pleasure was consuming in it’s all right, and Pablo found his eyes opening in the sudden surprise of it all. He froze. He wasn’t inside Catherine at all. Instead he looked at the slender form of his best friend Adele, sprawled before him, his cock buried within her. The woman’s short blonde hair shaking, as she glanced back at him. “I do.” She bit her lips. “Why did you stop? Don’t stop.” Adele’s golden eyes were wrought with desire. He pulled his hands away. “I- I” This was Addy? What were they doing? He glanced nervously about the room. Adele’s room. Lucia still writhed as she watched with her own gaze lost in lust. He felt her reach back, grab him by the hip. “We can’t. I-“ He’d never thought of her this way.

She whimpered. “Why? You said you wanted to play.” She shook her hips, pressing back against him, heat flourishing, making him shake. He was close. “So play.” Adele smiled, but he slapped away her hand, pulling out of her. Adele gasped. Propping herself onto her knees, turning to face him, she gave a strong yank to the chain in her hands. “Playing hard to get.” He sprawled out in front of her, landing on his back. She moved with alarming quickness, straddling him, before he could act. Lowering herself slowly onto his throbbing member. Leaning forward to bow over him. As she took him inch, by inch, her moaning lips coming ever closer. Not with Addy, not like this.

Pablo woke with a gasp. Adele’s lips but mere inches from him, his fingers sinking into her arm and shoulder. He had moved to lie on his side, facing her. And she looked beautiful. Her parted lips, tempting, her shallow breathing stirring something in his chest. He felt alight with fire. Why was she close? It would be so easy to learn forward and press his lips to hers. She would kiss him back, he knew it. And if they continued, he would have more. And even if she didn’t want it… he had Xhel’s knife. It flashed in his, an image of her riding him, the silver blade to her throat. NO. What was wrong with him? Why was she so close? Practically pressing against him. He could feel her warmth. “No!” He suddenly shouted, pushing her back with all his strength. She tumbled right off the bed. Pablo felt himself shaking. “Don’t touch me.” Why had she been so close? Images of Catherine and Lucia waking him to sate their desires flashed into his mind. No, he wasn’t that any more. “Get out! Don’t touch me!” He cried out, to Adele’s perplexed expression. “Get out.” He repeated just as strongly. It hurt to watch her leave. The pain in her eyes. But she had to. His mind… it wasn’t safe right now. He sighed, his body trembling, slowly relaxing, one side of the bed warm with her heat. He lay down there. All too aware of his throbbing manhood. He removed what clothes he felt. So warm. He sighed, hand sliding down his body, between his legs.

[Adele Holst]

"Come on, hurry up! It's over here."
Adele paused, despite the excited way in which Killian spoke. She stole a glance at Dierk, who was beckoning her over, as they broke through some brush, into the next property. "Let's go, Addy."
She nodded, watching her childhood friend disappear into the building ahead, covered in shadows and the dark of night. She recognized this place, although she couldn't exactly remember why. It was enough, however, to give the young woman pause. Something had happened here; something that shouldn't have happened.
"Come on, Addy. Too late to get cold feet now." Killian was staring directly at her from across the lot, holding the door open for her; his eyes seemed to hold a subtle scarlet hue to them that they'd never had as a human.
Finally, Adele made up her mind. Glancing both ways to check that the coast was clear, she sprinted across the open lot, and into the building. Killian seemed to close the door behind them, but it was loud enough to startle her. She turned toward the door to see Killian had not come inside with her. Turning her attention back to the inside, the blonde realized she was on the second floor, just at the top of the stairs. It was dark in here, but the moon and stars cast bright light in through the windows. There were two young men up here, talking quietly, members of the crew she used to run with in high school.
"What are you doing up here?" Upon noticing her, one of them spoke up, resting a hand firmly on the other's shoulder, as if to prevent him from getting up. "You need to go! It's going to start soon."
His eyes seemed to flash red, and Adele could feel her pulse quicken as she turned and ran down the stairs.
"Go! He's waiting for you!" Voices called after her as she ran through the building, across the main floor to the stairs leading down. "Best not to keep him waiting."
Standing at the top of the stairs to the basement, Adele looked behind her as the air around seemed to grow colder.
"Addy!" Dierk's voice called to her from deep within the basement. He sounded, what was it; worried?
Something inside her begged her not to go down there. She knew she should just leave; turn around now and get as far away from here as possible. But that, she knew, was an impossibility. Taking the stairs carefully, they seemed to stretch downward for an eternity; yet in no time at all, she found herself at the bottom. Her legs moved of their own volition, leading her toward the open room at the end of the hall, all while she shivered so fiercely she could hear her teeth chattering.
Reaching the end of the hallway, she could see a motionless figure in the center of the room. He was slumped over himself, tied to a chair; breathing, but unconscious. It looked like he'd been beaten severely. Bringing a hand to her mouth, Adele felt nauseous, "Pablo..." Had she gotten here too late? This wasn't supposed to happen. Rushing toward her friend, she finally noticed the other person in the room. Standing beside Pablo, the lean form of her father held his arms crossed, red eyes peering into her soul, and pointed teeth poking out from his smile.
He seemed to scowl before sighing softly, "Here, I'd gone through all the trouble to make this happen for you, on your special day. And you're late. You ungrateful little shit."
Terror filled her chest, and Adele tried to run. A strong hand gripped her by the arm, pulling her around to face the man, and she flinched visibly.



A soft whimper escaped, and her golden eyes opened wide as she felt herself get pushed back. A spike of adrenaline hit her hard just as the feeling of falling took over. Adele felt her muscles and bones beg to shift up, the sudden, overwhelming adrenaline insisting she was in danger. Closing her eyes shut tight, the brief moment of falling felt like forever with her wolf raging in her head to break free. She landed on the floor with a thud, hands around her head, trying to keep her breathing in check; shaking under the strain of holding back the transformation. She could smell it: she wasn't in danger. She was with her best friend. In the moment after waking, before falling, she'd seen Pablo; she must have fallen asleep beside him after all.

Above the rapid beating of her heart in her ears, she could pick up his voice. Don't touch him? What was he talking about? Groaning slightly, Adele shook her head; she couldn't concentrate right now. It still felt like she would shift up if she wasn't paying attention too carefully. Trying to sit up and get to her feet, the young woman met her friend's gaze.

"Get out! Don't touch me!"

Confusion covered her features, "Pablo? I..." His voice, it almost sounded callous, and yet there was a near pleading tone to it. "Talk to me, Pablo. Please. What h--"

When he repeated his demand for her to leave, Adele hurried to the door, pounding on it until it was opened from the outside, and closed immediately behind her.

Bringing shaking hands up to her face, Adele ran them through her hair only to realize that the rest of her was shaking too. Despair seemed to fill her; it was all she could do to not shift up. What had just happened?

[Alena Wulf]

She knew exhaustion would would soon weigh the hunter down; as tempted as she was to mount the man again, she doubted he'd be able to maintain consciousness for much longer. Still, the thought was tempting. Alena pressed close to the hunter, taking in his scent. For a brief moment, it almost seemed as if he would attempt to push her away; yet just as quickly as that seemed a possibility, Xhel relaxed against her, into the mattress. Quickly after, his breathing slowed, and his fingers rested within her hair, no longer caressing her, consumed with fatigue.

Gazing over at the human's features, Alena watched his eyes flutter closed, taking in the moments sleep consumed him. As he drifted deeper into sleep, the queen of lycanthropy ran her hand across his chest, licking her lips. Oh, how she wanted another round. Unfortunately for her, there were other matters that required her attention.

Sitting up, Alena carefully untangled the hunter's hand from her hair, resting it back against the bed as she stood to her feet. Lying there, sprawled across her bed, Xhel looked so tempting; completely relaxed, vulnerable. Delicious. Oh, the things she could do to him. Alas, they would have to wait for another time.

Drying herself off, the wolf mother wandered toward the door to her chambers, stooping to pick up the hunter's knife, examining it momentarily. Near silent footfalls caught her attention, and Alena looked over as a large wolf covered in black fur approached her from the adjoining room. The lycan queen smiled, scritching the wolf's chin for a moment, before returning the knife in her hands to the remainder of the hunter's garments. "Keep an eye on him for me, hmm?"

The wolf pushed its weight against Alena briefly, before jumping onto the bed, lying down beside the hunter, and resting its head on the man's chest, settling in.

Leaving her chambers, Alena intended to make a visit to a few locations in the vicinity where it'd been rumored that vampire's had attempted to move in. However, it seemed another matter required her attention, closer to home.

[Lucia Drusa Severa]

Lucia woke feeling fuzzy, a pleasant warmth growing between her legs making her feel hypersensitive and giving her the illusion that she wasn't alone. The images in her head had been so strong; so convincing. She could practically feel Pablo's hands on her skin, his lips brushing against her ear as he whispered to her. Her fangs plunging into his neck as she rode him; the way he moaned beneath her.

A low moan escaped the hybrid as she rolled over in her bed, entangled within her silken sheets. The way her sheets rubbed between her legs and against her skin only had the girl writhing more. Hell, she felt so warm. Her hand lingered down, running across a breast before falling lower, between her legs. She felt so impossibly sensitive.

The image of riding her beloved felt so real. And then suddenly it changed, seamlessly; Catherine now straddled the young man as she looked on. Whimpering, Lucia let her fingers tease the warmth within. The vampiress looked at gorgeous as ever; oh, how she should have taken the woman's offer and left with her. She'd have never been separated from Pablo if they'd gone with Catherine.

Watching the rise and fall of the vampire's breast in her mind, as she took Pablo, the girl's breathe hitched. She felt so close to relief, "Pablo..."

There was another change, instantaneous, and Catherine was nowhere to be seen. Now there was someone else taking her love; smaller in stature and blonde. Adele.

Whimpering again, Lucia squirmed; and then the image returned, and she gazed down at Pablo beneath her, watching as he tried to push his hips up to meet her. She wanted him so bad she could feel her teeth ache. Licking her lips, the warmth seemed to grow unbearable; a low moan escaped her throat again. She was so close; she was almost there...

There was a sudden, loud, knock on her door.

Lucia's cry turned into a yelp as she tried to bring her hands up to cover her mouth. The heat within wanted to turn to anger at the audacity of such an interuption; yet she remained motionless on her bed.

"It's time to hunt, Lucia. Be ready in 10."

[Pablo]

The lycan woke, feeling warm and hard between his legs. His hand lingering on his thigh. Insticual Pablo’s first thoughts were of her, Lucia, equally wanting and warm. A small whimpered slipped his lips. She was so beautiful in his mind, writhing, looking for some relief to her satisfaction, he couldn’t help but picture her riding him. It felt real, nearly so, he could almost feel her thighs brushing against his, her cool fingertips running across his chest. He touched himself. When was the last time he had done this? He couldn’t recall, maybe after becoming a lycan. His breath hitched. She buried her fangs into his throat. How he would kill to feel the hybrid’s kiss once more. Please. He inhaled sharply. Her scent, Catherine’s scent entering his mind. Suddenly it was her instead. He felt a bit of shame, but knew he would never be rid of her. The vampire’s sheer beauty, the intensity of her touch. He whimpered once more, breathing in deep, that wasn’t the vampire’s smell, it was Addy’s. And truly ashamed she flashed into his mind. Addy, she’d been here last night. Had something happened? It had become so difficult to remember certain things. He gasped, she would be warm and tight, he realized and felt disgust in himself.

He swore he felt Lucia whisper his name. And suddenly, blessedly, it was the hybrid who rode him. Quick, the way they liked, her heat quickly growing. He pushed out his hips. The sight of her licking her lips always drove him mad. He wanted to feel both, lip and tongue grace his skin. Lucia. He spoke to her. Suddenly she stopped, and so did he, the growing pressure and heat, coming to a sudden halt, and no matter how he stroked himself, it didn’t help. Lucia, no, don’t stop. He lifted a hand, she was still there in her mind, he could feel her decadent skin, unearthly. Pablo slid his palm across her skin, pinching at her chest as he rolled his hips. I’m so close. We can be quickly. Her took her hand, leading a finger to his mouth, playfuly chewing before suddenly pulling her close, close enough that he could bite and neck and shoulder, the way she liked. That drew out the cry that he wanted, building his desire once more. He watched her quickly rise and fall, he was so close, she slammed her hips down onto him, seizing tight.

The mess that Pablo had made fortunately had not reached his bed sheets. He didn’t want to explain why he would need another pair of sheets so soon. And any lycan would likely know what he had done. Instead he reached over for a tissue and cleaned himself. What he had done, somehow it felt wrong. Unless Lucia had truly been there, with him, touching herself. He couldn’t know, he only hoped, as he made his way into the bathroom to finish cleaning. It was a far cry of what he’d felt before. Lucia and Catherine they’d… used him for their own desires. No, that wasn’t right. They’d made him feel alive, estatic. What’d he do to actually have Lucia right now. He would kill, he knew it, if it didn’t end him up in another cell, deeper beneath the mansion. No.. .that wasn’t right either. Would he really kill his kin? Just to feel her. They were keeping him apart from his love, but eventually they’d let him see her. He felt at odds, stepping out of the bathroom, and staring at his bed, where Addy had fallen asleep last night. Something had happened, and yet he couldn’t remember. Maybe it was better that way.

[Xhel]

Xhel woke with a sigh and a grunt. The first thought of the morning was of Alena, straddling him, arching hard and crying out. That had been real, as real as the wolf lying its head on Xhel’s chest. Was that her? “Alena?” He doubted it, but wouldn’t put it past the mad woman. Alena… she had thoroughly abused him. And every moment had been one of sheer pleasure. He gritted his teeth. What was her game? To show her dominance over him? He’d made a single request, and she turned his mind into puddy. If that’s how she wanted to play… next time he’d swing or shoot first. The wolf rolled over onto its side, wagging its tail. Xhel sighed, reaching to rub the beast’s belly, still thinking of her.

Truly, what had she’d hoped to gain? A night of passion was she so lustful to earn his ire? He had decided… finding pleasure in Alena, there was no shame in that. He’d been forced to. If she hadn’t taken his mind… resisting her touch, her advances would have been easy. But by the time she’d let go, he was gone, hard, his heart racing, pass the point of fighting, his desires stoked. And still he had fought, hadn’t he? Not until it was clear there was no escape. He clenched a fist. No, there was no shame in his own pleasure, but the act itself. Satisfying that monster. He wanted no part of her pleasure. No matter how it felt. No matter how engraved in his mind was the image of her riding him, or arching as he spanked her ass. Had it been just that? A way to get off. There was little he would put past her ilk. Xhel stood, his own rear sore, throbbing pleasantly. Never again. It was not a difficult decision to come to. He was not some manwhore to be used. And there were few less deserving of anything pleasant than Alena. He thought of her climaxing, again and again, it had seemed. His gut clenched. The next time he saw he’d... the hunter glanced down at his discarded weapons… he’d do nothing. She still had him. Locked away. Even taking petty vengeance now would likely reflect poorly on his cousin. Xhel hastily dressed. His best hope was that Alena held true to her word.

She would let Pablo out of that blasted cage. It was a start. Xhel scoffed. His dignity… his pride… he still had those. No matter what he had told himself. They were his until he came to his. There was nothing he could had done. Xhel stepped towards the window, glancing out, the sun had quite yet to set. There was some light out. And it seemed some residents of the mansion as well. Making there way into the woods for an early night. He stayed there, hidden behind the drapes until one by one the disappeared into the woods. Xhel made his move. Dropping from the third floor and landing gracefully on both feet. Sticking close to the mansion wall, he made his way around. Ignoring the watching eyes, hand resting on his holster. IF anyone dared to speak to him… If Alena had half a mind, she’d warn her pups not to.

Xhel never turned his head or gaze aside. He kept his eyes straight, marching beeline to his bike. His gut still feeling tight. How dare she? He hopped onto his vehicle, quickly turning the ignition. His bike roaring as he rode away. How the hell did he explain this to Pablo? Xhel cursed, still at a loss, wondering what in the hell Alena had hoped to accomplish, his bike slowing to a halt as he waited for the gates to the property to open.

[Lucia Drusa Severa]

She'd just begun to remove her hands from covering her mouth when she gasped involuntarily. Lucia could feel Pablo trying to reach out; he was thinking of her. Needing her. And hell if she didn't need him. The warmth between her legs seemed to spike once more and the hybrid could practically hear Pablo pleading for her to help him find release. She let one hand fall down her body, dipping between her legs as she pictured her lover grabbing hold of her, biting her neck and shoulder. Her breath hitched; she could feel her teeth ache in response, her fangs extending as the warmth within her peaked before quickly subsiding. The moment was pleasurable, but far too fleeting. The hybrid wanted more; needed Pablo.

Whimpering softly, Lucia forced herself out of bed and to her wardrobe, sifting through her dresses. Damn Alena; she never should have come back to Stockholm with her mother. All she wanted was to be with Pablo. She didn't want to cause any more trouble; didn't her mother know she felt horrible for how things had turned out? Hadn't she been tortured enough? Though all her injuries had almost completely healed, Lucia still felt the ache of a sinking hole in her chest that really learning the truth about Dane had given her. He'd sounded, and acted so sincere; how could she have been so blind? Her teeth seemed to ache more at the thought.

Crossing her legs, shifting her stance slightly as the tingling in her core began to slowly fade, her body moved on its own, picking out a light blue summer dress. Pablo liked her in blue, the hybrid recalled as she pulled the dress on, adjusting it to fit just right. For modesty, the hybrid pulled on black spandex shorts to wear underneath her dress; the shorts stopped mid-thigh, only a little longer than how her dress fell. Brushing her hair absent-mindedly, Lucia tried to distract from the aching in her fangs and jaw. Yet all she could think of was her beloved Pablo. His taste and the way he felt; and of the adoration present in his eyes anytime she caught him gazing at her. Something in her chest hurt. She needed to get him out so they could leave this place forever.

Loud knocking sounded at her door once more, and Lucia attempted to pull her thoughts back to the present. Frowning slightly, she stood tall, stepping closer to her bedroom door, "I'm ready."

As the door opened, the figure on the other side offered his hand for her to take. Nero stood, the very slightest hint of a smile at one corner of his lips, waiting for her. "Good evening, Lucia."

She smiled at his greeting, stepping gracefully toward him. Yet he seemed eager to leave, grabbing her hand and turning swiftly toward the staircase. "Nero, please!" Grabbing his hand with both of hers, she dug her heels into the floor, trying to force him to stop. When he turned to look back at her, the girl tried pulling him closer to fully stop, using all her weight. "Please just help me, Nero. I won't be any trouble, I promise." Gazing up to her brother hopefully, Lucia stuck out her bottom lip slightly in a pout. "Bring me to Pablo. He's all I have. And- and then we'll leave, and Mum won't have to worry any longer--"

She could see Nero clench his jaw as he looked at her, yet he said nothing and tugged his arm, pulling her easily to his side.

Stumbling into him, Lucia tried to pull free as he led them upstairs and out into the night. Her struggles proved futile, and the girl eventually gave up. She could feel angry tears begin to well up, and she brought a closed fist up to lash out, yet as they broke out under the night sky and Nero spurred his change, sprouting wings, Lucia stopped. This was the first time in her memory, she'd been in the presence of another hybrid and witnessed their true form. Somehow it felt like home; his resemblance to their late father was uncanny.

Letting go of her hand, Nero met his sister's gaze, "Come with me."

It wasn't a command, yet Lucia felt compelled in some way to comply, if only to be able to learn more about her brother. Glancing momentarily back toward the den, Lucia looked down at her bare feet before shifting up.

Following Nero into the sky, Lucia had to push herself to keep up with him; but she vowed to keep pace. "Why are you here? And why now? Where have you been?" She couldn't conceal the hurt in her voice as Nero led them far north.

[Nero]

The not-so-subtle glow of his sister's eyes as she attempted to stop him gave the girl a somewhat crazed look. If he didn't know better, Nero might have believed the girl hadn't properly fed in a month. While he knew that wasn't truly the case, the fact that his sister appeared so close to a frenzy was incentive enough to get her off the den's property as quickly as possible. Young in years, she was easy to overpower, and he forced her up the stairs and out the door.

Nero no longer felt his transformation. One moment he looked human enough; the next, he was simply hybrid. He realized that this might be the first time Lucia had ever truly seen another of her kind. She'd been quite young the last time he or Martialis had visited; unable to shift, herself, at the time. Damnit. Setting his jaw, he met his sister's eyes, "Come with me." Someone should have been there.

The moment she shifted, he took to the air, not looking back, leading her North. He flew with the intent of pushing his sister; making her have to flex muscles she may not have truly been able to use before. Raven could have helped her, were he alive; but their mother, bound to the land, would not have been much help with developing the hybrids aerial talents. He could hear the girl behind him, trying to keep up; but he did not look back, even as she spoke.

Taking the girl North, there was a town Alena had asked him to visit, a few hours away, by land. As they neared their destination, Nero slowed his pace marginally, glancing askance at his sister. Though her questions were vague, he could guess their meaning in the context of the few years of her life and what memories she might have. His features remained calm, "My fondness for Raven extends only so far as what he left behind." He watched his sister's reaction but did not pause, "it's been lifetimes since I occupied His court, and longer since I felt any loyalty to His person." He didn't imagine Lucia would appreciate that sentiment; but that wasn't a concern for him. "As for my present appearance, one of Mother's pups asked for my aid; said you and Alena were in grave danger. Mum's pups generally know not to bother me unless the situation is dire; which, I would say, it proved to be."

Nero let his gaze fall away, scanning the ground below as they appeared to near their destination. "Mother is always playing some game or another..." The hybrid sounded almost bored, "Still, I didn't expect for you to get wrapped up in one of these messes. Not so soon anyway."

Signaling for Lucia to follow him, Nero folded his wings, speeding toward the city below. He caught movement on the pavement below a few blocks over and sped that way. A few people seemed to be dispersing from a movie theater, from what was probably the last showing of the night. Completely retracting his wings, he landed on top of a couple, forcing them to the ground as they screamed in surprise.