No sooner had they returned to Eternelle Lune than she was faced with the destruction of her entire pack in New Orleans, the only survivors those who were already living in Eternelle Lune and those numbers were quite small. Natani’s presence might not have been the bad turn of events some might have thought it would but it was still something of a shock to see her alive and, more than that, one of her own wolves. She even seemed to have an idea of who was behind the pack’s destruction, a force that had taken every opportunity to make her miserable her entire life and was, in fact, responsible for most of the unfortunate turns it had taken.
That was the price one paid when they took off and abandoned their duties for several weeks. When you returned things might not be exactly as you left them. She’d thought when she and Valorius returned their biggest concern would be telling Akuma and Mariska they were now married. Oddly enough, that had been the easiest part of their return. Akuma wanted to be with Natani and was quite accepting of her new marriage and Mariska had been gone when Valorius returned to his manor on the grounds of the Eternal Embassy in Aleris.
She’d found out Valorius was with Ameerah and had chosen to depart and save Valorius the trouble of breaking up with her. She’d always known Ameerah had held his heart and didn’t wish to be in the way when Valorius had always shown her such kindness. Though she had no doubt that Valorius wanted to be with her, Ameerah knew that he was worried about the slayer what with the various enemies that wanted her head and while she definitely was not in the business of helping her rivals for Valorius’ affections, in this she wanted to ease his concern.
It was for that reason that she’d set one of her best trackers on Mariska’s trail. It wouldn’t be the easiest thing in the world to hunt her down given the various realms the woman had the ability to pass through but with enough time her tracker would no doubt locate the former Redmont slayer. His mission was to find Mariska, ensure her safety to wherever she was going, and to extend the offer the official protection of the Imperial Family of Eternelle Lune for the rest of Eternity; she had been given the touch of immortality by Duvessa’s own hand, after all.
Her tracker eventually returned with news of Mariska, finding Ameerah at the Embassy in Aleris, but it was not news that Ameerah wanted to hear. He’d found the immortal human slayer…but too late. He’d arrived on the bloody scene in the woods of a remote area in the realm of Earth to find Mariska had been savaged to the point that even her gift of immortality had not saved her. Immortal or not most people can not function without a heart or a head. Her tracker further reported she’d been stripped naked before her death and there were signs of possible sexual assault though he could not be sure given the extensive damage done to her body in general. That, unfortunately, was not the worst of it. It had happened so recently upon her tracker’s discovery of Mariska’s body that he’d been able to scent just who had been in the wooded clearing with Mariska. It was someone, two someone’s actually, who was well known among the Empire and easily identified.
Arikkon Blackthorne and Sadira Laveau.
Anger warred with anguish for dominance within her. Arikkon had once been her mate, had been adopted into her family by her mother and made one of them, and Sadira was her blood. Once upon a time Arikkon would never have done something so ignoble…Sadira, on the other hand…was an evil bitch and totally capable of some fucked up shit like this. The reason didn’t matter though. They had attacked and killed someone under Imperial Protection. They would be dealt with.
First things first, a gently worded missive was sent to Maniac letting him know what had happened. He had befriended Mariska long ago and they had once been lovers and Sadira was his chyld turned sire so she knew he’d wish to know what had happened. He would no doubt be distraught but he had Callidora to console him. He would be angry with Sadira, of that she had no doubt, but she was already way ahead of him.
It was rare that she would make such a pronouncement without first discussing it with her parents, the Empress and Emperor, but this time she knew they would not challenge or even disagree with her decree. Within the hour of hearing of Mariska’s unfortunate demise a notice was sent throughout Eternelle Lune and to every Empire outpost, including the Eternal Embassy.
”Let it be known that from this moment on Arikkon Blackthorne and Sadira Laveau are disowned, exiled from Eternelle Lune, and are to be killed on sight. Let none who are loyal to the Eternal Empire offer them shelter or aide or their punishment shall be visited upon those traitors as well.”
A generous bounty was also listed for their heads, ensuring they would know no respite anywhere that the far reaching hand of the Empire touched. They had not returned to the Eternelle Lune, the bayou house being the first place the Protectorate looked for the newly declared fugitives. If they did they would be hunted and destroyed the moment they set foot on Empire soil.
There were others who would be affected by this, though. Maniac for one, Valorius for another. Ameerah knew he would be distraught over what had befallen Mariska, perhaps even blame himself, and his fury would be awesome to behold. Should Maxim Redmont get word of it wherever he was he might be angry enough to hunt Sadira and Arikkon. But more than that Sadira’s sisters, Cairenn and Deirdre had been left behind.
Cairenn was already living in the Palace in Eternelle Lune under Ameerah’s protection, the human young woman choosing to remain where it was safe considering the vulnerability of her particular race. Deirdre was kindred, though, and chose to roam wherever the mood struck her. Sometimes she was in the Empire, sometimes not. She’d once promoted at Pit Falls and as Ameerah was the owner of said establishment Deirdre had caught her notice long ago. Not wishing to see Sadira’s actions cause any strife for either girl planned to visit Cairenn when she returned to Eternelle Lune but for Deirdre a letter would be best as she was unsure where to find the woman.
”Deirdre,
I hate to be the messenger of distressing news but unfortunately this duty falls to me.
Sadira has been exiled from Eternelle Lune, disowned from the family, and a kill on sight order has bee placed upon her. She will be killed for crimes against the Empire the second she is found. Cairenn is safe and in my protection and now I would like to extend that to you as well. There is a place for a cunning woman such as your self in my employ and it is yours if you wish it.
Join us when and if you wish. I’m sure Cairenn would love to see you.
Ameerah Amunet.”
Folded and sealed a drop of her blood was allowed to fall to the parchment paper and with a whispered command it vanished in a gust of wind, whisked off on magic even she didn’t always understand to find its intended recipient. She had done all she could for now. There was one final matter she needed to see too and rising from the desk she moved through the manor that had been designed for Valorius within the vast grounds of the Eternal Embassy within Aleris until she found the man she’d been looking for.
Easing into the bedroom where he stood pondering which shirt to pull over his pale flesh she closed the door softly behind her, a gentle smile on her lips as she tried to consider the best way to tell him.
”Hey baby…I have to tell you something…”
Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2010 12:17 pm