Alcar Castle. War Room. Before the mission.

Darkmere sat at the head of the table, with Ghallon sitting to his right and Kahn to his left. Lang and Victor sat beside them, which left Gabriel and Raziel in charge of tending to Nosgoth. Word had already been sent to Salice and Willow, about this meeting.

Rune was a late addition to the mission, with each taking note of the change that happened. Once everyone was seated, Darkmere moved to stand up, with a glance over those present.

"I know this is short notice, but a matter has come to my attention that needs our attention. You all know that this land is kept safe from invaders. Yet you also know that there is a cave that is sealed." He paused for a moment, as he got an odd look from Lang.

Dark lifted a hand for a moment. "When I first came here, there were dangerous creatures roaming the land. At the time I wasn't concerned about them. They were trying to destroy the land. When I was blessed with my two sons. I came back here, as I was spending more and more time here." Now looking to LLang as he spoke.

"With the help of Ghallon, Kahn and Victor. I was able to drive them out as well as seal them away. That seal has been weakened." Lang nodded, as he was quick to guess what the mission was. They were going to investigate.

Dark nodded to Lang upon seeing the look, then with a glance to the others. " " A slow glance over those gathered, as he sat down. Giving each a few moments to concider the choice.

When none raised their hands, or moved to leave. He nodded lightly, then looked to Ghallon who stood up. "Seeing how you two are going to face these creatures for the first time. I'll brief you on what we will be fighting. The creatures are dangerous. I know if we would of told Salice and the others.. They would of come with us. Magus and Etten have been told of what to expect." That was a given.

"But neither will say anything unless they need to. The creatures are demons. Old powerfull ones that have found a way to weaken the seal. None have passed through as of yet. We will be going to make sure none do, and if they do. We will either kill them or push them back into the seal." Both Rune and Lang nodded.

One question was left to be asked, and if came from Lang. "So..when do we leave?" He flashed the group a grin, which got Dark to laugh. Kahn just shook his head, as he looked to Ghallon. Who was amused at the demon.

"Remember when we were that reackless?" Kahn mused to the elder Alcar. Ghallon smirked and without missing a beat. "Speak for yourself. I was always the carefull one."

Dark shook his head at his two brothers. "We leave in the morning. And don't try anything foolish. I'd hate to tell one of your mates that I got you hurt or killed. " So giving Rune a look, then one to Lang. He knew those two were far more brash than they let on.

There they were, Anala,Gabe,Shea,Salice,Hera,Jade and Etten.All transported to the lounge. Hera didnt wait to be told anything she was gone upt he steps followed by shea. "You two can chill out here." Jade spoke and slowly went up stairs she knew Dark was alive she could feel him,she was also glad that the wee ones were with Aiden and Mila though it would be a lot for the two to handle alone for too long. Anala sat down,as did Etten and Gabe disappeared up stairs too. "This is going to get bad isnt it?" Anala sat back looking to Etten who just was looking up stairs.
"Yes I think so." Salice returned from the kitchen with tea for the three of them then sat down beside her fellow water mage.
Willow appeared a moment later. She nodded to the two then made her way upstairs as well.

~~
Vanessa rushed to his side. "Oh my god..."She looked to them all, batted and beaten. Then she shook her head at them, "your all damn crazy you know that.."Wait where was Lang? She starred at Rune for a moment, then looked across the rest of them, Victor barely coming too, Kahn still getting tended to,Ghallon looking like deatha nd even Darkmere wasnt looking his best brooding king ness. But before she could ask.

"Victor.." In came Shea worried to pieces. If he wasnt already down and out she woull have hit him hard but she rushed to tend to him. Audrey came in and out slowly, Kanhs wounds were tended to she was merely helping clean up. Shea knelt at Victors bed side,noting how wounded everyone was. She started tending to his wounds with magic as the nurses busied them selves around Kahn and Ghallon.

Jade flowed in silently and walked to Darkmeres side, she already sensed what was going on, things were too quite. She looked to ehr brooding king with risen brows.

Willow followed Shea. "Well your all.." wait where was Lang. "Alive.." It came out more a question than she wanted it too. She looked to Ghallon tot he faces of the men in the room,where was Lang?

"Wheres Lang?" There was the fire child, last to the party. She lenaed in the door frame. They were all there, the brooding king, his brothrs and Victor. And Rune too. Where was her demon?


As each one hugged their mates, Dark spotted Hera.. He looked down a moment, before he moved to stand. A light touch to Jade's shoulder as he moved towards the fire child. Taking a deep breath along the way.

Once in front of her, he spoke very softly. " Lang.. told us to flee.. We were gettiing killed out there. At this moment..I can't sense his energy..I'm sorry Hera." Lowering his gaze from her's, as of all people.. Etten moved up to help Hera to a chair if she needed one.

Each one of those that had been in the fight bowed their heads to her.. All but one..Rune shook his head. Just as another hard tremort rocked the castle.. With a faint "boom" reaching the walls of the castle..

It was the second one to do some.. This one had far more energy within it than the first one. All was silence afterwards. Far to silent..


Hera nearly fell in to the chair she didnt even notice Etten had come up.It wa slike the room went dark Tears rushed her eyes , and then there was that darkness all around her. . "Whatt.." was the only thing she got out.

Jade rushed over beside Hera where she had fainted to the chair. "Are you sure?"Looking tot he other men as their lovedones tended to them. The boom rocked the castle and sent the other two women to the room. Salice walked to sit beside Shea and Anala stood by Gabe wh
ere he sat beside Ghallons bedside. Willow sat there silent in prayer.
V looked to Rune then over to the fainted Hera.

Salce had her head bowed, she was holding Sheas hand and they were reaching out to try to feel Langs essance. But they couldnt.

"Shes out cold." Jade touched Heras cheek. Shea rose slowly. "I'll help you get her to a bed. " How odd the two of them teaming up, to help lift Hera out of the chair to a bed. Jade lifted and Shea used her magic.


Salice tended to the rest fo Victors wounds while Shea and Jade rest Hera to a bed. Shea looked back to the room, so quiet and errie. Prayers and magic, and none could sense Lang. Shea closed her eyes and focused now sitting beside Hera. Her hand over the fire childs head. "Shes in a very dark place." Shea's eyes were that bright errie silver again.

Before any of them could say a word..Hera passed out, with Dark moving to show them to Lang's room at the castle. The other looked to their mates a moment before looking to Salice. " Keep an eye on her for us.. She deserves all of our help during this time." Ghallon spoke up softly.

He knew Salice would honor that request, as well as would the other women.. She needed them more than she needed support from the ment. It would take a few days for them to recover..

Four days have passed.

Four long drawn out days, with each male keeping a look out in the direction of the mountains. The whole top half of it nothing more than a crater now. Leaving no trace there had been a battle there.

Dark was the only one to keep to himself, as he headed out a day after.. And came back empty handed..It would be later that night..They all would get a shock.

The front doors to the castle would be shoved open, no one in the main hall to see who was entering. A battered, bloody figure slowly walked inside. Moving towards the lounge.. A very tattered and worn figure to be excat.

Slowly the man stopped in the doorway.. One arm limp at his side, the other craddled to his chest. Wings looked tattered as the rest of his body. One eye swallowen shut, blood trickling from the corner of his lips.

As well asn from the various cuts, on his body. He literally looked like he had been to hell and back.. Slow shallow breaths taken, before he spoke. " Miss me?" Typical Lang fashion, before he started to collaspe.

Salice nodded looking down at Hera. "Will take care of her, all of us." She looked to her sister,Audrey,Jade,Willow,Vanessa and Anala. They each took shifts looking in on Hera. Radella returned Azura,Warner and Angel to Nosgoth. And went back to look after Lona and Dalryn in GreenStone. Vanya was the ever helpful little nurse maid helping with her brother and the three other children while the women looked in on Hera.

Shea spent the most time in the room. Her eyes clsoed her hand over the firechilds head trying to get Hera out of the darkness that had surrounded her after Langs sudden disappearnace. No Shea wasnt about to believe the demon was dead, even if none of them could sense him. And even after Dark had told ehr he had found nothing no signs of him, Shea kept ehr hopes up.They all did.

After the second day Shea finally saw where Hera was. Shea sat with Jade sitting across from her both on Heras bed. "Are you sure you should do this?" Jade asked brushing Heras hair from her forehead.

"Yes, if it had been Dark or Victor, or any of the others that didnt come back, would you not do everything possible to help?" Jade nodded. "You would do this for me?"

"Yes." Shea silver eyes lowered to Hera.

"What about the fire?"

Shea shook her head, " Hera Fyre is a very powerful mage its in ehr blood, shes more powerful than Alaric,or Keir. But her soul is pure. So even if I awake it in her, I should be fine."

Jade didnt like the sound of the word should. "Should I get Salice or Anala just in case?" Shea shook her head, "No." Shea slowly rested her hand on Heras brow and the other over Heras limp hands. "Just focus with me."

Jade nodded and closed her eyes as well. Shea was damn crazy.

One moment there was silence in the room, and the next a soft breeze ruffled the lupines hair. Jade didnt dare open her eyes to see. The room was staic with magic, as Shea focused on the dark place she had seen Hera in. Mind walking was not for the faint of heart and yes Shea was damn crazy for trying it.

She had spoken with Salice and Anala. Salice had promised not to say anything. She was sitting in the nursey watching Mina,Azura and Angel sleep while Vanya played peek-a-boo with Warner. Anala was down stairs drinking a heavy does of herbal tea. Vanessa was with Rune ,in their own little away room of the castle. Willow knew too what Shea was doing and she was pacing outside the doorway to Langs/Heras room.

Shea focused and soon found her self stanidng on a dark plane. Silloutes of trees stood out in the disatnce.The world was warm,but there was no light. So this is where the news of Langs 'death' had sent the fire child. "Hera.." Shea spoke to Heras subcoscience mind. "Hera,its Shea. You need to come out of here, you need to come back to us."

"No.." There was the firechilds voice, laced with sobs,shaking,unsteady. "Yes. Hera, we are all here for you.We will help you ." "No, you can't I don't care what you say to me Shea. You can give me some bullshit that you understand but you can't." Shea could feel the warmth rising ,the heat swelling under her hand. "Hera,there may yet be hope.." Then the world of darkness flared to life and Hera was looking Shea in the eyes. "You dont understand, I need him...I can't be with out him." Tears stained the firechilds face and then the world was set on fire. And Shea rocked back off the bed. Fire ripped through the firechilds body and Jade rose quickly off the bed. "Shea.."

Shea was knocked to the floor. "She wont let me help her.." Shea looked to her burned hands. "Shes lost with out him,if he is truly gone,she may never wake up."

Jade helped Shea to her feet and they left the room. Shea would not try again to reach Hera, they would only come in to check on her from then on.

On the fourth day

"Maybe I could reach her." Willow offered as she handed Shea a cup of tea. "No, the only one that could would be Lang. And theres still no word about him." The men were still very quiet. Sitting around,going off to look time and time again coming back empty handed.

Salice had even gone out looking,but she even came back empty handed telling the women what was left of the mountainside and that it would be nearly impossible for anyone to live through what had happened there.

Shea couldnt sleep. She was glad Audrey and Anala were taking care of the children,she couldnt do much more than focus on Heras state. By the night Shea s laid on the couch her head on Victors shoulder. Salice and Etten lay across from them.Jade and Dark were in the kitchen. Vanessa and Rune were trying to look up new ways of helping Hera ,bringing in tomes of books for Shea and Willow to flip through.

Ghallon paced behind where Willow sat on the floor before the fire. It was cloudy and soon to rain outside, the wind was blowing strongly. So whent he doors flew open everyone thought it was the wind. That was until the bloody,hlaf nude form of the demon came in to view.
Arm limp to his side, other held tightly to his chest. His face bloody and swollen. It couldnt be.

But as he spoke they all knew it was Lang and before he could collaspe.Shea,Victor,Etten and Salice were there all of them to catch him, Shea with magic and the men in their arms.

"Is it him?" V looked over them. She had never sene the demon so beaten up.

"Its him." Jade said. As they took him to a room. The nurse maids went to work. As did the mages in the house to heal him. Jade would be the first one to cover up his 'pride with a blanket seening as how the clothes on his back were torn and tattered. Shea,Salice,Willow and Anala helped with healing the wounds they could, but his arm had to be set and relocated,and the deeper wounds would have to be healed by Ghallon or Darkmere. So cleane dup, and somewhat healed he was there alive, just barely. So who was going to be the first one to tell him about Hera?

As he was carried upstairs to one of the rooms, and laid down oin the bed. Lang didn't move at all, minus the rising and falling of his chest. With each breath he took. Once he was healed as best as he could be at the moment. HIs eyes snapped open, just as Dark and Ghallon arrived to help.

He held still just long enough for his shoulder, and arm to be set back into place. The stubborn demon then moved to stand.. dispite Dark and Ghallon trying to keep him down.

" Let him go.. He needs to." Rune's voice got Dark and Ghallon to move.. As the demon forced his battered body to move.. Darkmere knew where he was going.. To Hera.

It would take hims a few minutes, as he had to stop to catch his breath, before moving down to Hera's room. He then pushed the door open, and moved to her side. Sitting down on the bed, as he leaned down. Kissing her brow.

" Miss me " Leave it to Lang.. to pop off a wise crack, while being hurt..and his lady in a deep sleep due to him being a reackless crazy idiot.

"I know it is probably the worst time..but you should smile. If he is willing to put himself through this. Picture what he would do..if it was you..and any of your kids in that danger." He smiled to the fire child..

Her brows rose at Rune. "If he was doing it just recently for all of us, then there would be hell to pay if I or.. any child of ours, should there ever be any was in danger. " She smiled to Rune. Then rested back in to the bed. Feeling as if shed been asleep for days. "Rune.." Before he could slip out of view, "could you get Shea for me?"

Hera knew Shea had tried to help her,and owed her a lot, she owed them all.

Hera chuckled at Rune as he left to go fetch Shea. Yes Lang did her have all wrapped up around him. Once she would have never thought that possible.Hera Fyre wrapped up in a man. But he was her mancare what anyone thought.

Shea rose from Victors bed side and gave Rune a little look, as she went to go see what the fire child wanted.

"You called?"

Hera looked up to see Shea in her door frame. "Yeah, I know you were tying to help me before and I sorta was an ass about it." Shea shook her head, "No worries,I would have done the same you get some rest."

With Lang back Salice returned to GreenStone, And soon Shea would follow while things at the Alcar house hold seemed to be going back to normal.


Jade returned to watching over her girls,Anala and Gabe took up thier room again . Audrey Vanya, Joshua and Kahn could al rest easier now.

Willow would remain along side Ghallon till he deiced to go back to Crendia.

V and Rune would return to their tower.

They were home.It seems so long since they were here at home, their little cabin in the woods. She was still taking care of him,pampering him, getting him food and drink.Nothing she made mind you all things from their stock of food that he could really eat.

Not that he seemed to mind as she pamperd him, and came to his every need.

"Feeling better?" Asked as she took the plate from him and placed it on the night stand. He looked better his burises were yellowing his cuts were healing over,though many of them were still covered with the thick white gauze. Those wounds she cleaned every night with out fail.

She kissed his brow,still being very carefull about his setting bones. All the magic in the world at their fingertops and not a soul amoung thsoe mages and dark kings could set his bones any faster than the natural way, or maybe that was the way Lang wanted it.

"Lang." She proped her self up beside him on the bedside. She ran her hand through his damp hair and it instanly dried . She had just helped him int he shower not an hour ago, not that she minded that deed, nor did he seem to mind it.

He even had her doing all these pampering deeds,save the shower duty, ina little red nighty, with matching under garments.

"They are all going to do something for you, for saving everyones lives, and risking your own.Knowing our little elf friends, they will have some big to do." She knew hed hate that. "Or maybe something small." A grin at him.

She leane dover and touched his cheek softly,hed feel that sublt warmth there. "I love you,I didnt know that i could ever be so much in love with anyone in my life. You make me feel so wonderful.You know that don't you?"

She kissed his cheek, "I never want to lo,I was thinking, that once your well,that we could do that thing I have been putting off."She of coarse meant get married. "We could have a small thing," at least as small as possible with how many friends and family they now had, " one of the rulers could wed us. I don't want to live too much longer with out being your wife. So what do you think?"

He brought ehr to life, brought so much light to ehr dark and sometimes very dangerous life and world. He loved her for who she was and she adored him and wanted to be his. Forever.

She didnt whine too much, she knew hed just torment her with the idea that Jade or V could be here instead of her. A little better was better than nothing yes. "Good, little by little" brash crazy man. She smiled to his kiss, he was in pain she could tell. Mr trying to be brave. She watched him as she spoke about how she felt and he was very quiet.


She saw his face move when she mentioned the idea of their friends and a ibg party." Maybe they will just give you a nice shinny medal.Or maybe they will give us some great wedding presant like no chaos for a month." She grinned. "And you'll think about nothing, I want to marry you and you asked me and we will do some.." But he ksised her brow and she shook her head at him. "Rogue."

"You love that I am wild fiery woman. " She winked at him. "I am nothing like the huffy,.moody and all grr over everything. "She glared at him lightly. "You start calling me that,I am going to go see if Jade or V is willing to share their man for a night. I think Darkmere would be up for a threesome."

A wicked grin. She shook her head at him and kissed his forhead, "get some rest, before I knock you out.And if you call me Lil Shea again, not only will i go see if anyone else wants a fiery woamn you'll never see me naked again. "

She rose up from the bed side and swayed along the floor. "Langy Poo..." A kiss blown at him and she slid out of the room.

Hera smirked at him as she slid around the corner. "Jade wouldnt ever know,I dont have a big mouth like Shea." Called back at him now. She hid there along the wall out of his sight. "Theres no other woman that could take you."

She waved her fingers at him, and what was that she dropped to the ground? That little red thing shed been wearing. "Are you sure you want me. " She flashed some leg from behind the wall. Then she slid out,she was still clothed, she ahd just taken off the little see through gown that was on top of the ruby red matching set of sexy linegre. She winked at him. "I am sure if I showed up dressed like this Darkmere might find it appealing. Don't you?" Then she walked back to the bed and lay down beside him. "Anything you want me to massage?" She smirked at him. And softly crassed his arm,sending soothing pusles of warmth in to it.


She knew how to torment him right back. He was still healing which meant. No funny business with her. Though she could tempt him all she wanted. "Or shall I lay here,and pretend to rest just like you'll be doing."

She smirked at him as he talked about all the women who could take him off her hands. "I am sure you could."There was that heat that rose through her fingers on his arm,it pulsed in to his body. She proped herself up. And an a warm hand up his arm. She knew many women would love to be in her place at the moment. Demon or not, Lang was a man to die for.

"I am sure the lupine would love to see that. She wouldnt turn you down at the very least.And I can bet I know what shed do too. And you wouldnt like it one bit if I went over to Dark like this. "She motioned at her less than outfit. She easily straddled his lap and rested her brow to his. "Youd be at least a little jealous." She grinned.

" Hmm, You more hurt than your willing to admit lover." She kissed his brow but stayed on his lap. "I was given orders, to take care of you and not let you over exert yourself. That means you hav to rest and be good."She tapped his nose with her finger. "You rest, " she kissed him softly. "Let your body heal,you were rather beat up. I can still sense all your wounds." Helaing had never been Heras thing, but she was getting better at that. " I'll be here watching over you." And she shifted off his lap to lay beside him.

After finding him at the Inn.

she bounced out in to the alley way and smirked where to first? He followed her out, before aimming to twist and push her back against the wall. Here and now.

Her brows rose at him as her back met the wall Hmm someones fiesty she wiggled a bit as those swords of hers were crossed across her back she wasnt flush to the wall right here right now ? a wild smirk He smirked back at her. Unless you are to good of a girl to be.. He paused to kiss the lenght of her neck, sending a pulse of that raw demonic fire into her.

she smirked and closed her eyes to the kisses down her neck Hmm no I am not too good ... she pressed her hands to his shoulders

That so? Leaning back from her, before backing away from her slowly. I don't believe you.. Said as he trailed a finger down her chest. I think you've gotten soft on me

She watched him for a moment ebfore grabbing that hand that had trailed a finger down her chest. I'll prove you wrong she pulled him back and kissed him A growl to the pull, before kissing her back. Hands moving to her hips, holding her in close. Eyes closing . Oh he knew she could prove him wrong.


she let the kiss linger and added a little of her own fire to it before she pulled softly away I am not soft He smirked to that pulse of fire. You are soft...when you are with me. Murmured softly as he rested his brow to her's. Looking her in the eyes.

she starred back to himhmm only with you she reste dher brow to his and your soft with me Because you are my lady. Whispered softly, as his hands moved to rest on the small of her back. She inched a bit to his touch and smiled That I am and your my rare gentleman He smirked to that. Hey now..I am a getleman with you. she snickered softly sometimes then she kissed his cheek when your asleep

And he swatted her rump. Keep talking like that.. and I'll find myself another hot little elven woman. she grwoled to the last part and pusled him with her full force fire you wont she kissed him softly Youd miss me He smirked to that, before kissing her back softly. And you would be so lost without me.. A pulse of demon fire. she shivered softly yes I would

As would I. Said softly, as he lifted her up in his arms. Not that he needed to, he wanted to. As he rested his cheek to her's. Never thought I'd find someone like you. She smiled as he lifted her up Hmm you shouldnt life me up your still not fully healed. then she pressed her cheek to his Nor I you

He chuckled softly. I'll be fine..been taking it easy. Murmured softly. Besides..even if I was hurting..nothing would keep me from holding you like this. Kissing her cheek softly. she smiled and even blushed hmm she nuzzled close I do like it she rested happily in his arms As do I. Smiling softly, before setting her down on her feet. So..do you wish to work? or head home? She linked her hand with his as he sat her down home

He nodded softly, as he squeezed her hand softly. Let's go. Murmured softly, as he turned to head home with her. she smiled and walked with him, nudgeing him along the way smirking What? Looking to her at those nudges. she smirked nothing grinning your very cute

An dhe sent a pulse of demon fire back into her. Un huh..you want me to get better so you can drag me down the asile. she smirked and shook her head nope, if you want to marry me youll come I know you want to see me in all white she shook her hips He smirked to that. That would be a change for you.. Wearing all white for me. Teasing her now. I'll have to get Jade to help you get ready.


she snickered I have never seen jade in all white she grinned And she and I have already gotten thimgs together, although I think the lycan is stillt aken with you she snickered at him you and she had a nice kiss she made a smoochy face at him and I know you and she spend time together

He smirked to that. True..and we do spend time together.. Looking to her. She let's me help her with Angel and Azura.. I know she smirked at him You r saying walking back wards now in front of him that you and jade never had a thing for one another she looked at him I doubt that He chuckled and shook his head lightly. Her heart has always belonged to Darkmere.. Said as he followed her. As mine belongs to you.

she grinned at him and nodded and went back in to his arms hmm she pressed her hand to his chest over his heart and sent that soft pulse good And he looped his arms around her. Granted for a time..there could have been somethign there..but neither of us chose that path. she snickered to that uh huh and if you either one did now Darkmere would kill you and Id kill jade then he and I would have it up

He smirked to that. Relax..while I do look.. He slipped from her arms, to slide by her. You..are the only one I wish to be with she smirked to that and walked with him I knwo that, I just like to make you a little jealous now and then just like you do to me He smirked to that. I know..My bad habits are rubbing off on you.

she grinned and wiggled her brows i like bad habbits He laughed softly Not as much as you love what I can do with my tongue. And he so took off running . she snickered and chased after him I'll show you

He chuckled and looked over his shoulder at her. You'll show me what? How soft you have gotten? and she giggled and chased after him I'll show you soft ... chase chase when i tie you to our bed He chuckled softly to that. We'll see. He then used a touch of fire.. Taking him to their cabin. she snarled and would use the same trick to follow him there you cant escape me she smirked

He smirked as he was leaning against the side of the cabin.. Who said I was trying to? she grinned at him and wlaked up to where he stood and pushed him back to the wall I am not soft , your soft poke to his nose

He smirked to her pressing him into the wall. Then a light nip at her poking finger. You are too soft. Poking her stomach. she looked down at his finger and grabbed it in her hand am not she pressed his wrists to the wall He smirked to her pinning him to the side of the cabin. Hey now..I'm steal healing. uh huh she smirked I know. I wont hurt you. He chuckeld softly, before kissing her nose. Pest