The next morning, it was clear no one else had heard the banshee the night before, except for the four of them. Nate and Lexine found Eire and Xander mulling around out in the hall outside Lexine's room when they left to head down for breakfast. Eire was leaning against the wall between the two doors and had an arm around Xander's shoulders. Both were dressed in sweaters and jeans. Lexine was wearing a pair of jeans, and a long sweater, his hair was held back by his infamous black satin ribbion. He'd done his make up again, and although still looked the part, it was clear to Xander and Eire, he looked exhausted and troubled.

Nate stopped into his room and changed quickly. He was pulling his hair into a pony tail as he came out. "Breakfast shouldn't be nearly as long as dinner." Nate said, sliding an arm around Lexine's waist.

"Dinner was pleasent." Eire said with a smirk. Nate gave him an eye and reached over, smacking him in the shoulder at the suggested privet joke and Eire just sort of snickered, knowing Xander and Lexine didn't get it.

The four of them headed down the hall toward the stairs case and saw Duncan coming out of his room, he stopped, turned around to his room, opened the door and Eire was pretty sure he'd heard a kiss being exchanged. He glanced at Nate who'd obviously gotten the same idea, because he was watching Duncan with a raised eyebrow.

Duncan turned around and saw the four of them and said cheerfully. "Mornin' cousin Nate. Eire, Xander, Lexine. Sleep well?"

"Obviously not as well as ye." Nate replied.

Duncan just grinned. "I'll introduce ya later..."

"Ye didn't by chance, hear anythin' last night did ye?" Nate asked Duncan.

"The wind got awfully rough didn't it." Duncan's eyes were sparkling in that mischievous way that Nate's did, when he knew something he didn't want to tell. Nate eyed him, knowing that look all to well. "Helena's waitin' we don't wanna keep Auntie Hel waitin'."

"Ye still call 'er that?" Nate asked with a roll of his eyes.

"Aww. come on Nathaniel, ya know how yer mum is...She grabbed Conner by the back of the next last night, death grip, ye remember that..."

Nate had to smirk, and rubbed his neck. "Only to well, Dunc. Ya remember how it was when Michael and I'd get introuble...She'd grab us both by the neck...And ya can't struggle when she grabs ya."

Eire was snickering behind him. "Much better then Ruby..." He said to Nate. "Ya remember how Ruby was."

"Who could forget? I think she kept a wooden servin' spoon on her person twenty four seven..."Nate replied.

"And if she wasn't wackin' ya with the spoon, she had ya by the ear..." Eire sighed forelornly.

"We 'eard about Ruby...really sorry t' hear she...passed on." Duncan said seriously to Eire.

Eire inclined his head with a muttered thank you. It had been a few years, but Eire still wasn't comfortable around the subject of his adopted mother's death. She'd been more a real mother to him, then the bitch who claimed to be his mother.

"So wha' are ye plans fer t'day?" Duncan asked as they walked down the stairs together.

"I don't know... I was thinkin' of just...lookin' 'round...it's been five years, Dunc." Nate answered.

"We know tha' Nate...feel free t'. Helena's never changed a thing..." Duncan said, leading the way toward the breakfast room.

"The stables still opperative?" Nate asked softly as they turned down a side hall off the greeting hall, toward the breakfast room and the study and library and back palor.

"Oh, aye. And Conner's tried t' get rid of that horse, but Helena'll have none of it...not tha' that bloody mule'll let any one else touch 'im..." Duncan said with a pointed look.

Nate smirked. "Blackjack's always been spirited."

Duncan gave him a look. "That's puttin' it lightly...ye know no one can touch that horse... He wouldn't let any one but Michael near him... He'll let Quinn bed him down, but other wise..." Duncan shrugged.

"I'll look in after breakfast." Nate told his cousin as Duncan opened the door to the breakfast room.

The food had already been sit on the side board and Helena and Conner were already in the room. Helena was giving Conner the death glare and Conner was staring red eared at the table, picking his food. Helena turned her eyes to the door and smiled warmly at the five of them. "Good mornin'. I hope ye slept well."

"Oh we did." Eire answered with a grin.

Nate smiled. "It's nice t' be home, mum." They heard Conner snort in reply to this, but Helena gave him a firey look and Conner kept his comments to himself.

"It's good t' have ye home, Nathaniel." Helena said with a warm smile. She motioned to the breakfast side board. "Do help yerselves...Mrs. Plinkett made yer favorite breakfasts."

The door behind them opened and the silent Mr. Brown came in, crossing over to Helena and whispered something in her ear, handing her an envelop. Helena frowned deeply but nodded and got up from her chair, crossing to the window to open the envelop. Nate watched from the corner of his eye as he poured a cup of coffee. Mr. Brown turned around and smiled at Nate. "I didn't get a chance to greet ye last night, Nathaniel. It's good t' see ye home."

Mr. Brown was a tall, obviously scottish man. He wasn't the bulter, but he had, for as long as Nate could remember, helped take care of the Hawkscliff manor and grounds. He'd been a friend of Nate and Michael's father, and had been one of the first people to teach Nate how to use a gun properly. An old Winchest rifle. Mr. Brown had taught Nate how to use the rifle from the back of a horse and Nate had become quiet effective with it.

Nate grinned, glad to see his old mentor. "It's good t' be home, Mr. Brown. And it's good t' see ya. I didn't get a chance to introduce...Ye know Eire."

Mr. Brown nodded to Eire who grinned back.

"This Xander Caine, a good friend of Eire and I's and this is...Lexine Mordant."

"A pleasure t' meet the both of you." Mr. Brown inclined his head in greeting.

"Oh that!" Helena suddenly snapped from the window. "Tha' woman!" She was stridding toward the door, pausing to kiss Nate on the cheek. "Ye'll have t' excuse me this mornin'. It seems me presence is needed in town, before this one gets blown out of proportion..." She was waving a crumpled letter.

"Wha's up, mum?" Nate asked, blinking at her.

Helena kept going toward the door. "The Widow Winship is at it again...and if some one doesn't shut her up, there's gonna be a lot of gossip...Mrs. Ackhart is calling for help." Helena left the room with that, but they could still hear her ranting about this Widow all the way down the hall. Mr. Brown looked slightly amused.

****
After breakfast, they grabbed their coats and Nate led the way out the side of the house and down a little to a large stable. There was an older man, in the door way of the stable, staring out over the snow and smoking a pipe. He turned as they approached and smiled a toothless grin. "Lard almighty, if it ain't Master Nathaniel!"

"Mornin' Quinn. I would've figured Mr. Brown would've told ya I was visitin'."

"Aye, he might've mentioned somethin' t' that effect, but seein' as it was me night off, I was down at the pub."

"Quinn, yer down at the pub even if it ISN'T yer night off." Nathaniel answered with a laugh as the others wondered into the stable, which was much warmer then at the door. Eire lingered by the door however, knowing horses didn't take well to him being a wolf were.

Lexine saw the stallion first. He was in a back pen, watching them all intently.His black coat had a reddish tint to it, in the right light, and his mane and tail were long and glorious. Lexine made his way closer to the pen. It must have been the horse Duncan and Nate had been talking about and Lexine didn't know better, he'd swear it was an Andalusian. Lexine stopped at the door of the pen. The stallion looked powerful and he looked wild. He had intelligent deep brown eyes, which were watching him closely. Lexine glanced over his shoulder. Xander had wondered back over to Eire and Nate and Quinn were still talking. Lexine turned back to the horse.

He held his hand out over the top of the pen door to the horse, not really expecting the horse to react. But to his surprise, the horse came forward, snuffling Lexine's hand, then nudged it. Lexine smiled genuielly for once in the past few days and stroked the horse's nose gently, leaning on the pen door. "You're a beauty." Lexine said softly to the horse, reaching his other hand over and stroking the horse's mane. The horse gave an answering whinny that Lexine was pretty sure was amused.

The whinny got the others' attention. Nate looked in the direction it came from and blinked in surprise. "Lardy, if e'er there was a miricale..." Quinn said in awe, watching as the horse nudged Lexine's shoulder. "Ne'er! Ne'er did I e'er think I'd see that horse takin' up with some one...Me thinks yer lass is good with horses." Quinn said to Nate.

Nate had to laugh, tipping back his hat. "Only Lexi." Eire was snickering from beside him.

"I suppose it only matters if the beasty lets her ride him...Blackjack's been itching for a run..." Quinn said.

Nate looked slightly mischievious. He'd been wanting to visit a hollow, but the only way to get to it, was by horse. "Lexi, ya think ya can ride him?"

Lexine looked back, still petting the horse. "R-r-ride him? I've never ridden a horse..." He blushed at Quinn's laugh. Nate moved past Quinn to a rack of saddles and grabbed a black leather saddle, before carrying it over to Black Jack's pen. He sat it on the rail and grinned at Lexine.

"Ne'er t' late t' learn, baby doll." He said with a grin, while stroking Black Jack's neck. "Good t' see ya old friend." He said to the horse, who nudged his hand.

"I've never...maybe you should ride him..." Lexine said softly, looking at Nate. "I don't know anything about horses, I'm only pretty sure he's an Andalusian..."

"Friesian. Andalusian and Arabian breed." Nate corrected.

"Okay, so I was only HALF right.." Lexine muttered, rolling his eyes.

"Yer not chickenin' out of me, are ya, darlin'?" Nate asked mischeiviously.

"I'm sure there are other horses in this stable that I could ride, other then this one." Lexine hissed back giving him a look, only making Nate grin more.

"Oh aye. Ya could ride mum's mare, but she only takes side saddles," Nate leaned closer and said softly, "An' this is yer chance t' get away from playing a girl fer awhile..."

"And what about Xander and Eire?" Lexine asked softly.

"Eire doesn't ride, baby doll. Horses don't like wolves. But he'll kept up." Nate winked. "As fer Xander...he'll probably ride Nutmeg...if he goes... Xander, you ride a horse?"

"Yes, I can!" Xander answered back from beside Eire. Both were watching Nate and Lexine with amusement.

"An' what about YOU." Lexine hissed giving Nate a look, for a solving all the problems.

Nate turned and pointed with a grin at a far pen, which had both door closed. "I'll be ridin' me own steed. Xander, saddle up Nutmeg." Nate pointed to a ginger colored mare who looked excited at the prospect of going on.

"Would ya like me to saddle Nightmare?" Quinn asked.

"Please." Nate replied with a nod as Quinn took a black and silver guilded saddle from the collection and headed back toward the closed pen. Nate opened the pen door to Black Jack's stable and slid in side, talking to Lexine. "Friesian's are high steppers, but they're powerful. They're also tempermental. But ye've won Black Jack o'er. I don't think he's gonna give ye much a problem. Let him run things, he'll follow me and Nightmare..." Nate strapped the saddle to Black Jack quickly and effeciently. He stroked Black Jack's mane as he stood. "Besides, Nightmare's much more tempermental..."

As he said this, there came a neighing from the far pen, then the sound of breaking wood, before Quinn came tumbled backward out of the pen. "Ye ungrateful beasty!" He roared, getting to his feet.

Nate jumped the pen gate and ran back toward the far pen. "Quinn! I got him!" Nate slid around the side of the pen door before Quinn could storm into the pen. There was a tremendious amount of neighing and whinning, but after a moment, it quieted down. Quinn had stalked back toward Black Jack's pen. "Friesians aren't nearly as tempermental as that bloody horse!"

Lexine saw Xander mount Nutmeg and bring her around, watching them with amusement. Lexine looked around for Eire but didn't see him, until he caught sight of a silver wolf sitting behind the door, waiting patiently while panting.

He spun back around as he heard the door to the far pen being kicked open and a beautiful and graceful white stallion came charging out, Nate on it's back. It took to a high stepping canter as Nate led it to the middle of the stables. "Allow me t' introduce ye to Nightmare. Half Andalusian, half Lipizzaner." Nate said, holding the reins in one hand and tipping back his hat. Lexine had fallen in love with the horse the moment it came prancing out of the pen.

"Up ye go, lass..." Quinn said, and Lexine turned to see Quinn had led Black Jack reinged and saddled out of the pen. He was holding a hand out to help Lexine up into the saddle. Lexine shot Nate a look as Nate leaned over Nightmare, stroking the velvety white coat and watching Lexine with a grin. They heard an encouraging bark and looked toward the door to see Eire jump to his feet, and run about in a circle, barking for Lexine to get up on the horse.

"Ye heard 'im, Lexi...up ya go." Nate said, grinning at Lexine.

Lexine sighed, and excepted Quinn's help. Putting his foot in the stripup, Quinn hoisted Lexine on to the saddle, where he quickly caught his balance and righted himself, taking the reigns. "Now jus' kick gently at his flanks when ye wanna move." Quinn said. "Let Master Nathaniel lead the way, Black Jack'll follow him..."

"Right." Lexine said with a resolute nod, but he was still giving Nate a look.

"Ready?" Nate asked both Lexine and Xander. Xander was petting the ginger mare from the saddle and grinned, nodding. Nate nodded back and kicked at the flanks of Nightmare. The white stallion came up on his back legs with a neigh and charged forward at a hard gallop from the stable doors. The silver wolf ran along beside it, barking gleefully. Xander kicked at Nutmeg's flanks and was following Nate at a brisk gallop. Lexine hesitated, but Quinn got the jump on him, slapping Black Jack's flanks and sending the Friesian charging forward.

Nate led the way around the side of the stable and toward the far woods. In the snow, the only thing that could identify the white majestic horse, was it's saddle and rider. Nate rode expertly, Xander wasn't so bad either. Eire bobbed about the horse, barking and running about, as if he were having the time of his life, and the horses hardly seemed bothered by having it running with them as long as the wolf wasn't trying to attack.

Lexine quickly got into the flow of Black Jack's movements, sat himself right in the saddle and wrapped the reigns around one hand, letting the black friesian follow Nate and Xander. Nate reigned in at the edge of the forest and waited for the others, watching Eire dodge about the trees excitedly. "From 'ere, we trot them." He told Xander and Lexine. Lexine was about to point out he had no idea what Nate was talking about, but as Nate spurred Nightmare into a trot, Black Jack followed at the same pace.

Nate led them through a path in the woods, a bit worn over, but still managable. Eire ran ahead of the horses. Xander watched him from Nutmeg, with a slight grin. "At least some one's enjoying themselves." Lexine said softly, watching Eire as well.

Xander looked at him. "You're not?"

"I've never ridden a horse before, I couldn't tell you yet." Lexine replied simply, looking at Xander.

Xander grinned. "Relax, Lex. Ya really think Nate would've put ya on that horse if the thought you couldn't take it?"

"No, but-"

"Then relax, Lex."

They both looked forward as they heard Eire starting to bark a warning, and Nutmeg whinned. Black Jack seemed to know Lexine had never been on a horse before, because he came to a calm halt rather then rear up like Nightmare did as the figure appeared from the trees ahead. Eire had come to a hault and was snarling.

"Nice dog." The figure said casually, keeping his distance from Eire. He was tall, with slightly blondish hair and sharp angular face. His eyes were a steely grey and he looked rather amused to see them all. Eire however didn't like the man and neither did Nate, who was giving him a cold look. The man's gaze however, had zeroed in on Lexine.

"He's a wolf." Lexine said softly, knowing the man was talking to him. "Not just a dog."

"So he is.." The man said with a cold grin. Eire curled back his lip and snarled, baring his fangs.

"Ye realize yer trespassin' don't ya?" Nate asked calmly, from atop Nightmare who was pawing at the ground and snorting.

"Am I really?" The man asked, a bit sarcastically, just standing there. He looked slowly away from Lexine to Nate.

"Yer on me families' land." Nate replied, tightening the reigns of Nightmare's around his hand as he watched the stranger.

"It wasn't always your land." The stranger replied simply. Lexine realized the man had no accent what so ever. And Eire seemed to be chomping at the bit, so to say to, attack the man.

Nate smiled coldly. "Yes well, it's me families land now..." he replied.

"Terribly sorry, my lord." The man said cynically.

"Do ye have a name? Jus so I know whose fuckin' ass I'm gonna kick off this land?" Nate asked, leaning a bit in the saddle.

The man looked back at Lexine, openly smiling leeringly. "Your...friend there will." Then the man turned and headed back into woods.

Eire started to chase after the man, but Nate whistled shrilly and Eire came to a hault. He winned, but Xander was already getting down from his horse and Eire trotted back toward Xander. Xander stood next to his horse, holding the reigns in one hand, and as he reached out toward the silver wolf, he changed back to Eire, letting Xander pull him close.


***

Nate led them through a path in the woods, a bit worn over, but still managable. Eire ran ahead of the horses. Xander watched him from Nutmeg, with a slight grin. "At least some one's enjoying themselves." Lexine said softly, watching Eire as well.

Xander looked at him. "You're not?"

"I've never ridden a horse before, I couldn't tell you yet." Lexine replied simply, looking at Xander.

Xander grinned. "Relax, Lex. Ya really think Nate would've put ya on that horse if the thought you couldn't take it?"

"No, but-"

"Then relax, Lex."

They both looked forward as they heard Eire starting to bark a warning, and Nutmeg whinned. Black Jack seemed to know Lexine had never been on a horse before, because he came to a calm halt rather then rear up like Nightmare did as the figure appeared from the trees ahead. Eire had come to a hault and was snarling.

"Nice dog." The figure said casually, keeping his distance from Eire. He was tall, with slightly blondish hair and sharp angular face. His eyes were a steely grey and he looked rather amused to see them all. Eire however didn't like the man and neither did Nate, who was giving him a cold look. The man's gaze however, had zeroed in on Lexine.

"He's a wolf." Lexine said softly, knowing the man was talking to him. "Not just a dog."

"So he is.." The man said with a cold grin. Eire curled back his lip and snarled, baring his fangs.

"Ye realize yer trespassin' don't ya?" Nate asked calmly, from atop Nightmare who was pawing at the ground and snorting.

"Am I really?" The man asked, a bit sarcastically, just standing there. He looked slowly away from Lexine to Nate.

"Yer on me families' land." Nate replied, tightening the reigns of Nightmare's around his hand as he watched the stranger.

"It wasn't always your land." The stranger replied simply. Lexine realized the man had no accent what so ever. And Eire seemed to be chomping at the bit, so to say to, attack the man.

Nate smiled coldly. "Yes well, it's me families land now..." he replied.

"Terribly sorry, my lord." The man said cynically.

"Do ye have a name? Jus so I know whose fuckin' ass I'm gonna kick off this land?" Nate asked, leaning a bit in the saddle.

The man looked back at Lexine, openly smiling leeringly. "Your...friend there will." Then the man turned and headed back into woods.

Eire started to chase after the man, but Nate whistled shrilly and Eire came to a hault. He winned, but Xander was already getting down from his horse and Eire trotted back toward Xander. Xander stood next to his horse, holding the reigns in one hand, and as he reached out toward the silver wolf, he changed back to Eire, letting Xander pull him close.

The hollow was small, but comfortable and surreal. Even in the snow it had a certian beauty. Xander and Eire had stayed back, Eire still seemed fidgety over the stranger and they knew he was likely to bolt, for the hunt. They left the horses secure to a group of trees near by, with Xander and Eire keeping an eye on them, Lexine followed Nate through the path, into the hollow. Nate stood for a long time, looking around the mystic place, lost in his thoughts. Lexine stood slightly behind him, watching him.

"Me brother and I...we used t' play here. When we were kids." Nate said softly, still looking around. "Hide and seek....cowboys and indians..." He smirked slightly at that.

Lexine smiled softly and came forward, stopping at his side. He looked up at Nate. "You...never told me...what happened." He whispered.

Nate turned his eyes on Lexine. "I haven't, have I?" Lexine shook his head. Nate sighed and shoved his hands in his coat pockets. "It wasn't...unlike what happened t' Saffron...cept, I could have...I should've done somethin'..." Nate shut his eyes, trying to block out the memory. "I was young, careless. Eire and Chaos were there...we went up against some nasties...I wasn't...I didn't even think t' watch me back.." He trailed off a moment.

"Michael saw I was about t' be attacked...He came t' me rescue, then some nasty appeared from no where, behind him. Ran him through..." Nate ran a hand over his face, his eyes still closed. "He fell right ontop of me and I just...watched him die... Eire and Chaos, they took care of the nasties and..all I could do...I was helpless t' do anythin' but watch the light go out in his eyes..." Nate opened his eyes, looking up at the sky. Snow had begun to fall again, and for a long moment, he watched the snow falling, feeling it on his face.

When he looked back down, Lexine had moved away from him, with his back to him. There was snow in his hair, and he had his arms wrapped around himself. "Lexi..." Nate spoke softly, moving forward.

"You were lucky, Nate. And you should count that for something."

"Lucky?" Nate asked indignitly. He saw Lexine's head turn slightly over his shoulder, saw the touch of a cold smile. But he saw the tears on Lexine's cheeks.

"You grew up with your brother, Nathaniel...you've got a lot good memories no doubt...I didn't even know I had a brother until a year ago. I didn't even know I had a father..." Lexine hissed. He began trembling. "What happened to Michael wasn't your fault, and you're a fool to blame yourself. Saffron died because of me...because of a stupid mistake I made! Because I was stupid enough, cocky enough, to think I could handle that group on my own..." His breathing deepened, trying not to sob openly as he went on. "He was only trying to pull me to my feet, I didn't realize it was Saffron...one of them bumped into him, sneding him sumbling into me and I shoved my arm...in doing so, I shoved him right into the that sword...I looked up, just in time to realize what had happened..."

Nate saw Lexine's knees buckle and he sprang forward, catching the delicate fire elemental about the middle, holding him up. "He just...slumpped into me after that...thing pulled the sword free...We just went down together...his eyes looked...so hurt..."

"Lexi,": Nate couldn't say anything. To tell him that Saffron's death hadn't been his fault, made him a hypocrite. But Saffron's death hadn't been Lexine's fault. Had it?

"I pushed him in to that sword! And even if I hadn't...it was still my fault, because he came to rescue me. Directly or indirectly, I'm responsible for Saffron's death...and I didn't...a year, that's all! And And when he didn't come home...Alandra was so upset...and my father's barely talked to me..."

"But...the other day..." Nate frowned.

"Oh, in front of Chaos and the other's a different story...but not in privet, Nathaniel." Nate held him from behind, holding him tighter, Lexine leaned back against him. "It's like...it should've been me and I understand...hey, he raised Saffron until he was nine... me...he didn't even know I exisited for the first 20 years of my life...And some times I feel like I should just go back to that life because who would have t' give a fuck over me?! I'd be out of everyones hair and so the better!" He started to pull out of Nate's arms, and stumbled a step. "Just...leave me alone Nate..."

Nate grabbed Lexine by the shoulders and turned him around, frowning. "Wha' the devil is wrong with you?!" Nate demanded. Lexine pulled back, trying to pull out of Nate's arms, but Nate's grip tightened and Lexine winced.

"Leave me alone!" He hissed, pulling hard against Nate's arms. Nate held tighter, not about to let go of Lexine. Lexine struggled, more tears rolling down his cheeks. Finally he shoved hard at Nate, sliding his foot between Nate's legs and catching him off guard, knockng Nate back. Nate tumbled backward into the snow, caught by genunie surprise.

By the time he sat up from the snow, Lexine had vanished out of the hollow, though his tracks were plan to see. Nate got to his feet. "Fuck it!" He swore in a hiss, grabbed his hat and started off after Lexine, when he heard sharp barking and a colletive of horses neighing in fright. He turned to see several dark shadows riding through the trees, through the hallow. Nate ran back to where Xander was holding on to the scruff of Eire's neck. "Wha' the bloody fuck?! When theses guys show up?!" Nate demanded, grabbing Nightmare's reigns from the tree branch and yanking.

"Just after Lex disappeared!" Xander replied, still holding on to Eire. The figures on the black horses were cloaked, but Nate was possitive he saw the figures holding heads under their arms.

"Dullhans..." He hissed.

Suddenly a black horse broke from the middle of their lines. It was riderless and had yellow eyes. It reared, but other wise seemed to wait for Nate's orders. Nate realized it was Puk and smiled illy. "Lexine's run off, that way." He pointed. The black horse nodded once, then charged forward. Nate turned to Xander. "Keep Eire with ye but head back toward the manor and try t' avoid the dullhans and any thing else out there. I'm gonna get Lexi."

"Be careful." Xander said seriously. "Ya should know what those damned things are capable of."

"Aye." Nate answered, before swinging into Nightmare's saddle. Kicking hard at the tempermental horse's flanks, he charged into a gallop, heading in the same direction as the dullhans and Puk. But most importantly, Lexine.

 

 Lexine heard the dullhans and looked over his shoulder. They were chasing him down, and there were at least seven or eight of them. Lexine dodged through the trees, swearing under his breath about another stupid mistake. He knew he couldn't out run them, and he was too tired to try. Tripping over a branch, he rolled, lay on his back a moment in the snow, staring at the sky in disbelief, then sprang to his feet, brandishing his chakrums.

As he did so, a riderless black horse skidded to a hault past him and when he spun around it was Puk. "Lards of Terra, boy'o!" Puk swore, grabbing a hold of Lexine's arm hard. "Ye would've been FINE if ye'd stayed with the others...but no...one lovers tift and ye run off!" He growled.

"What the fuck would you know of it!?" Lexine snapped. The Dullhans began circling.

"More then ya know!" Puk fired back. "Ye've got one chance, my firey little elemental...I'm going t' turn back in to a horse...get on me back and we'll see about gettin' ya out 'ere alive!"

"What do they want with me anyway?!" Lexine demanded.

"I'm just the body guard, boy'o." Puk replied, taking a half step and was replaced by a black horse. The horse neighed frustratedly and actually bit Lexine on the shoulder. Lexine yelped, but grabbed a hold of Puk's mane, pulling him self on the pooka's back. He didn't even have time to get settled before Puk charged forward, Lexine threw his arms around Puk's neck as the pooka reared, stricking a dullhan cutting them off, then bolted.

Puk galloped through the trees, seeming to know the way. He was taking Lexine to the only closest safe place. A small chapel built on the land. It was a small building, had been used in the past for family burials and weddings. But the land was blessed, and fae wouldn't cross that line. Puk would have to bolt, but he knew Nate wasn't to far behind them. The dullhans were attempting to come in on either side, cutting Puk off.

Then Nightmare appeared from a break in the trees. No horse could keep up with a pooka or a dullhan, but Nightmare kept along side Puk at a hard gallop. Puk knew Nate was probably running that horse wet.

"Give me yer hand, Lexi!" Nate yelled.

"What?!"

"Give me yer hand! Puk can't follow we're goin', he's fae!"

"I don't-"

"Give me yer bloody hand!" Nate leaned over in the saddle and grabbed Lexine's arm. "Hold on." He growled, before moving his arm to wrap around Lexine's waist, and pulled him from Puk's back on to Nightmare before him. Nate kicked at Nightmare's flanks, urging the horse harder through the trees. Puk turned to the left, but other wise kept running with them. The small chapel came into view, it's gate hanging open. With one last kick, Nate sent Nightmare through the gate and pulled hard on the reigns, turning Nightmare around. The dullhans came to a screeching halt before the property and there were growls and moans on the wind, from their frustration and disgust.

Puk came to a halt before the fence and kicked out with his back feet, kicking a near by dullhan hard. Something went flying, that looked suspeciously like a head and the dullhan drew a sword. Puk threw his head back, neighing angrily, kicked again, then lunged off, galloping past the chaple and fence. The dullhans sprang to the chase.

"Puk!" Lexine yelled, and would have gotten down, but Nate's arm tightened around him.

"'E'll be fine." Nate growled. "Of all the stupid fuckin' things t' do! Wha' the FUCK were ya thinkin'?!" Nate demanded.

Lexine hunkered down, and attempted to pull out of his arms and get off the horse. "I wanted to be left alone."

"Yes, well we see where tha' got ya!" Nate snapped.

Lexine turned as best he could and hit Nate as hard as he could in the shoulder, Nate blocked the hit and Lexine promptly slid out of the saddle backward into the snow on his rump. He glared up at Nate through the locks of hair in his face. Nate looked oddly amused and he shifted in the saddle, looking down at Lexine. "Cooled off enough?" He asked bemused.

Lexine stumbled to his feet with a sniffle and turned his back on Nate, heading into the small chaple. The building was white stone and was dusty and damp, but no wind got in, and it was realitively less cold then it was outside. There were a few oak pews and a stone alter with a large stone cross. Along one wall was a line of tombs with the family name and dates from the 1700 and 1800 hundereds. Lexine looked about the place and heard Nate entering. He'd tied Nightmare to the fence.

"Ye wanna tell me wha's gotten in t' you?" Nate asked softly, watching Lexine looking around.

"No." Lexine answered with another sniffle.

"Why?"

"Because I don't know!" Lexine snapped, throwing another glare at him.

Nate came forward, toward him. "PMS?" He teased. Lexine spun around, attempting to hit Nate again, but Nate dodged and grabbed Lexine about the waist. "I'm jokin'. Wha's wrong?"

Lexine growled in frustration. "I don't know!" He cried back, attempting to pull out of Nate's arms, but Nate held him tightly. "I just...all of this, and them...and YOU!"

"Me?!" Nate asked in confussion.

"Yes, you! You're not helping!" Lexine replied, crying again.

"Wha' the bloody fuck is that supposed t' mean?!" Nate demanded.

"I realize you miss Michael an awful lot, but you had it better then me, when it comes to relationships with your family! You still do!"

"Ye don't know anything about that, Lexine!" Nate hissed, eyes flashing.

This time when Lexine's hand flew, it connected, and he slapped Nate across the face. Nate let go of him in surprise. Lexine stumbled back a few steps, trembling, but glaring. "Your family doesn't blame you. Chaos and Eire and Sylvie, they don't blame you. The only one still holding on to any blame is you!" Lexine hissed in return.

"Hypocrite, Lexine!" Nate snapped back, watching the firey red head.

"Saffron's death WAS my fault!" Lexine cried. "I've been trying to tell you people this for four months! But you people keep telling me it wasn't! So don't tell me I don't understand!"

Nate reached out to grab Lexine's arm, but Lexine pulled back, stumbling against a pew. "Lexine, this is gettin' ridickulous..." Nate growled, glaring.

Lexine sighed deeply, sagging slightly against the pew. "No...what's ridickulous was thinking this could work..." He turned around, his back to Nate.

"Wha' the fuck? Wha' are you talkin' 'bout?!" Nate sneered, glaring at Lexine's back. He heard Lexine sigh again.

With out another word, Lexine turned, moving past Nate with out a word and headed out of the chapel. Outside, Xander and Eire were waiting. Eire had refused to leave the two of them by their selves. Lexine stood looking at the two forelornly.

****
The ride back to the manor was silent. Eire and Xander had both heard bits and pieces of the coversation between the fire elemental and witch. And both knew, as Xander had put it, the shit was about to hit the fan. Mr. Quinn and the stable boys took the horses and Eire and Xander watched Lexine heading for the main house. Nate glared after him, before following. Xander and Eire exchanged a look, before quickly trotting to keep up with the two.

Lexine headed for the stairs, fully aware that Nate was following him. He took the stairs two at a time and picked up speed as he heard Nate continuing to keep up. Eire and Xander right behind him. Lexine spared a glance at Nate and realized Nate was just about to grab him. He yelped and broke into a run for his room, throwing open the door. Nate growled and sprinted after him. "Shit!" Eire swore, before he and Xander ran up the stairs after the two. They saw Duncan coming out of another room and stop in the door way, closing the door behind him as Nate chased Lexine past him angrily.

"Wha's happened?" Duncan asked Eire and Xander with a raised eyebrow.

Eire answered, keeping it simple. "They had a fight."

"Oh Lordy..." Duncan muttered, and the three stood and watched.

Lexine slid into his room and spun, seeing Nate baring down, with a rather pissed off look. Lexine winced painfully, but slammed the door, directly in Nate's face. Nate smacked the door hard, with the palm of his hand. "Lexine!"

The only reply Nate got, and Duncan, Eire and Xander heard it as well, was the bolt being slid on Lexine's door. Eire's eyes widened. Lexine had just locked Nate out. Eire looked at the other two, with a rather bemused look, especially at seeing Xander's shocked look. Lexine had guts...but he shouldn't have done that...

Nate bristled, drew in a sharp breath and raised his leg, kicking the door wide open, busting the locking. He marched into the bed room. Lexine back away from him, staring at Nate wide eyed and fearful. But Nate continued stalking toward him with a scowl. Lexine had back up as far as he could, into the wall and spun, his back to Nate, when Nate reached him.

Nate sneered and grabbed Lexine by the hair and arm and spun him back around. "There'll be no bloody doors or locks between us, Lexine Mordant! 'Cept those in yer own bloody little heart!" Nate growled wickedly, before kissing Lexine hard and deep. Lexine would have submitted, but just as he went lax, Nate pulled from the kiss, grabbed Lexine under the legs and scooped him up, before carrying him to the bed and throwing him on it. And with out a word, Nate spun around and stalked out of the bed room, slamming the door in his wake, hard enough to knock something off the wall near by, and eco through out the house.

Lexine stared at the door in shock for a moment, before he burst into tears. But he didn't know if the tears where from dispare or hystrics. He had a feeling they were hystrics. He lay on the bed however, and threw his arm over his face, still crying.

Nate stalked down the hall, past Eire, Xander and Duncan, who were all staring at him in surprise, and down the stairs, in a right foul mood. He stalked down a side hall, toward a small door and threw it open, entering the trophey room. He stalked toward the gun locker and un locked it, taking a semi auto matic shot gun and a box of shells. Eire, Xander and Duncan had followed him.

"Er, Nate...don't ya think tha's a tad t' much?" Duncan asked calmly.

Nate said nothing, took the shells and shot gun and stalked past them, and back out side. They followed him. Arriving at the stables, he sit the items down, opened a cupboard and took out a leather shot gun holster. "The Guildin', Quinn, d'we still 'ave 'im?"

"Aye. Saddle 'im then?"

"I will, jus' make sure the gauntlet's ready t' run." Nate said,getting his saddle.

"Oh Lord..." Duncan whispered to the other two.

"Wha?" Eire asked nervously.

"He's gonna run the gauntlet...he's pissed."

"The gauntlet?" Xander asked softly.

Duncan motioned for Eire and Xander to follow him and he led them away from the stable, and down a path. "This was set up years ago...Me dad set this up...targets, jumps, obsticals...It was a sorta trainin' things. An' as boys we all played 'round it. It was Nate who started usin' the gauntlet as a...a sorta stress reliever. So wha' the bloody 'ell did they argue 'bout?"

"Er...Michael...actually." Eire grimaced.

"Lordy..."

"It gets a tad more complicated, cause Lexine...she lost...her brother only five months ago..." Xander put in, rolling his eyes at the two words. A long stretch of land came into view, set up as an equestrian course, with targets.

Duncan led them over to a bench as they heard horse hooves. Nate came into view, riding a young and fit black stallion, with a white streak on it's forehead. They watched as he perpared to run the gauntlet. Duncan sighed. "Nate always looked up t' Mike. Ye know that, Eire."

"Only t' well. He wasn't the only ya know..." Eire replied, lighting a cigarette.

Duncan nodded. "He needs t' move on...we 'ave 'ere...Helena doesn't blame Nate...She just doesn't wanna loose another son..."

"It's...not jus' Michael that's drivin' Nate, righ' now." Eire said softly with a sigh. "There's some...issues with Lex...Things they're both tryin' t' deal with. For one...I don't think the L word has come up between 'em...two, there's some...things Lex is goin' through, Nate's tryin' t' help...but Lex isn't...Lex is to damn stubborn t' ask fer help!"

Duncan shook his head. They watched Nate running the horse through the gauntlet, hitting targets directly. "That's wha' he gets for seein' an irish lass. But really...it's been clear t' see Nate obviously loves Lexine..."

"Yeah, well, ya know Nate..."

"'Course. I some times wonder if 'e ain't irish 'im self...Takes after Helena really..." Duncan replied with a slight grin. Then sighed. "He's gonna run that horse t' death before he gives up..." Nate was going for a second time through the course.

****
By the time Helena arrived home, Nate had run two horses to exhaustion and was working on the third. Helena made her way down to the gauntlet after hearing from Mr. Brown that something was a tad bit wrong. Duncan, Eire and Xander were standing around a near by fire pit, warming them selves. The dusk was just sitting in. "Wha' the bloody 'ell has happened this time?" Helena asked with a sharp look, seeing Nate running the gauntlet.

"He and Lexine had a fight...rather nasty one too, appearently. An' he's been out 'er all day, runnin' the poor animals t' exhaustion." Duncan said, rubbing his hands, before taking a flask out of his pocket and unscrewing the cap. He took a swig and passed it to Eire who passed it to Xander after taking a drink.

"Does any one know wha' they were fightin' about?" Helena asked, eyeing them.

"Er...Michael mostly. " Eire answered.

Xander started to hand the flask back to Duncan, but Helena snatched it, taking a swig, while watching Nate. "An' Lexine, any one checked on 'er?"

"Er..."

"Oh, no, o'course NOT!" Helena snapped, thrusting the flask back in Duncan's hand. "Tell him, I want him inside in twenty minutes." She growled at Duncan.

"Aunt Helena I think..."

"DO IT!" She ordered before turning on her heel and marching back toward the house. The three watched her go, before Duncan turned to Eire.

"Flip a coin?"

"Nah...I'll...uh...I'll tell 'im..." Eire said softly, dropping his cigarette in the fire pit and heading toward the track. Nate was paused to reload. Eire leaned on the fence and cleared his throat. "Yer mum, wants you inside in twenty minutes." He said simply and directly.

Nate looked at him silently, while reloading. Then Nate turned his eyes upon the manor. Eire looked over his shoulder as well and raised an eyebrow. Lexine was standing on the balcony of his room, smoking a cigarette and watching Nate with a lost and forelorn expression.

Nate swung down from the saddle and holstered the shot gun, before taking the reigns of the horse and began walking it back toward the stable. Eire fell into step beside him. "Work your frustration out?" He asked Nate softly.

"Fer the most part, but there's some things I need t' speak to Lexine 'bout." Nate answered, eyes on the barn. Eire glanced at the balcony and saw Lexine had vanished, closing the door.

"How long was he watching..." Eire asked.

"Most of the time." Nate answered.

Eire stopped Nate just inside the stabble. "Nate," Eire said softly. "He loves you. He really does...And ya know these past six months...have been hell. Fuck, the past YEAR has been hell on him...What ever was said back there t'day...he probably didn't mean it..."

Nate sighed, leaning against the horse. "I know this is all hard on 'im...But some things were said back there...he talked about Saffron, did ya pick up on that?" Nate asked Eire with a pointed look.

"I heard some of it, yeah..." Eire replied. "But Duncan's right...ya need to put Michael's death behind ya."

"Yes, thank ye so much fer remindin' me of that." Nate hissed, tugging on the reigns of the horse, pulling it forward toward the pen. He walked it around right and secured it, before sitting about removing it's saddle.

"The thing is...It's been, how long now, Nate? Almost seven years...it's time to put it behind you...ye think Mike would want ya carryin' it that long? Not really. Me point being Nate...six months...Lexine needs the support right now, and he...needs t' know you love him." Eire said softly, leaning against the post of the pen.

Nate dropped the saddle on the ground "I know tha', Eire," He said giving his best friend a look. "I know tha' well." He began taking off the horse's blankett. Eire glanced at his watch.

"Ten minutes..."He said.

"Fuck it!" Nate swore, and left the rest of the work for Quinn or one of the stable boys and stalked toward the house. Eire followed at a descret pace.

**

Lexine rubbed his eyes, trying to get rid of the gritty feeling and moved back toward the vanity. He sat down on the stool and pulled a klenix from the box, his make up looked horrible from the crying. Wincing, he wiped as much of it as he could from his face, removing the foundation covering the tattoos. He took another tissue and removed the rest, before laying his arms on the vanity top and laying his head down with a sigh. He hadn't really meant what he'd said to Nate, but he didn't really have an explanation for why he'd said it. He stared at the clock on the mantal piece, not really thinking.

The knock came to his door and he jolted, swearing under his breath and turning toward the door. He didn't have enough to time to put on any more make up. Wincing, he got up, grabbing a black chaffon scarf and wrapping it around his collar before moving to the door. Biting his lip, he opened it, not like he could lock it.

He blinked in surprise, Helena was standing in the door way. "It was brought t' me attention tha' ye may care t' have some one t' talk t' concernin' Nathaniel." Helena said gently.

Lexine had to smile slightly. "If any one knows him best." He replied softly, opening the door a little more.

Helena looked him over, noting the tattoos. "An' why d'ya cover those up?" She gestured.

Lexine blushed. "Most people aren't comfortable with them..." He said softly. Helena moved to a near by chair in the sitting area in front of the fire place, which came to life with soft warm flames. Lexine raised an eyebrow, looking the fire place.

"They define your lovely eyes my dear." Helena said, gesturing to the other chair.

"Thank you..." Lexine replied softly, taking the other chair.

"So then, tell me wha' Nate has, or hasn't done." Helena said, sizing Lexine up.

Lexine shook his head. "It's not...really Nate's doing..." Helena raised an elegant eyebrow. "There's been...alot going on that...I haven't really had time to...get over Saffron's death." Lexine said slowly, trying to figure out how to word everything. "There's been some issues with..an ex, and, we had a particularly hard case for Chaos...But Nate does factor in..."

"How so?" Helena asked calmly.

"I know that he blames himself for Michael's death, I just..."

"Nathaniel's relationship with his brother was strong. He looked up to Michael, worshipped him. And then Eire joined the two...all three were like brothers, the younger two looking up to Michael. I knew Ruby, she raised a good lad. It's just with Michael's death, they lost a mentor almost...Considering the circumstances, Nate took it the hardest. I don't blame Nate, I dont' blame Chaos, and I don't blame Michael. Michael was doing something he felt he had to. You can't change what a peson feels in their heart is right." Helena reached out, placing a hand on Lexine's arm. Lexine had been staring at the fire. "He's always carried the burden of Michael's death himself...All that can be done is to let him come to terms with it himself. "

There came a knock at the door. "That would be him." Helena stood, but gestured for Lexine to stay seated. She moved over to the door gracefully and opened it. Nate was standing out side, looking chilled from the winter evening. "An' if ye break another lock on another door, Nathaniel, ye will answer t' me." Helena growled at him as she passed him.

Nate stepped into the room and Helena closed the door behind her. Lexine remained seated, staring into the fire place. Nate came up beside the chair, leaning against it's hide side, looking down at Lexine. He reached over and touched an inverted tear drop tattoo with the back of a finger. Lexine winced slightly at the chill of Nate's skin on his flushed face. "Forgot yer make up..." He said softly.

"I didn't have time..." Lexine replied even softer, still watching the fire place.

Nate knelt beside the chair, "Lexi...I'm sorry fer wha' I said back at the chapel...bout ye know understandin'..."

Lexine turned his eyes on Nate and opened his mouth to speak, but Nate put his thumb on Lexine's lips. "Let me finish." He said softly. "Wha' ever happened with Saffron...ye can't say it was yer fault, it was ne'er yer intention fer him to be hurt. When it comes t' Michael...I'm learnin' to except it wasn't my fault. I came home, with the hope tha' it would help...And I got caught up in that, an' forgot why we're 'ere in the first place." Nate looked up at him. "I don't wanna lose ye, baby doll...not because of this...an' not because o' somethin' that was said. " His other hand took one of Lexine's. He met Lexine's gaze and said simply. "I love you."

Lexine stared at him with that almost innocent wide eyed expression. Nate had to smirk slightly, wrap an arm around Lexine's waist and slide him from the chair, kissing him deeply. Lexine moved his arms, sliding them around Nate's neck, kissing him back.

After a moment, Lexine pulled back, and sighed, whispering. "I hate it when you do that..."

"Why?" Nate asked with a smirk, kissing him teasingly.

"Makes me feel like agreeing to anything." Lexine sighed.

Nate laughed softly, bemused. "I love you, Lexine."

Lexine smiled softly. "I love you too..." He whispered

As Helena was having dinner with her friend Mrs. Ackhart and Duncan had other plans, Mr. Brown arranged for them to supper in the upstairs parlor, not far from their rooms. It was a much more relaxed setting then it had been the night before, and was just the four of them.

"I can't help but hope Puk made it out alright." Lexine said from by the window with a peice of sour dought bread.

"Puk's a resourceful pooka. Besides, Estehl's got 'em on a short leash." Eire answered from his chair, slouched and drinking an ale.

Nate turned the fire place and leaned his shoulder against the mantel. "I think we're gonna head on t' Ireland, day after t' morrow." He said.

"Sounds like a winnin' plan to me..." Eire said.

"So who was that guy, in the woods?"Xander asked, looking at Lexine. Nate and Eire looked his way as well.

"Hmm?" Lexine looked up, nibbling on a piece of bread.

"The guy, in the woods...who was?" Xander asked.

"I don't know..." Lexine answered softly, but I felt like I'd met him before...It just wasn't a good feeling."

"We'll have to keep an eye out of the the guy." Nate said simply. He came back to the set table and flopped in the arm chair. His chair was right by the window, where Lexine was leaning agains the frame, watching the snow falling in the night. Nate reached out and grabbed Lexine about the waist, pulling him around and down on to his lap. Lexine settled against Nate, resting his head on his shoulder.

"I gotta be honest, I like it better when the two of ya ain't fightin'." Eire said with a grin.

Nate smirked slightly, his fingers stroking Lexine bare upper arm. Since it was just the four of them, he'd pulled off his sweater. "Not every couple is perfect. Besides, you an' Xander've had yer fights..." Nate said softly,

Eire shook his head, sitting back, his hands behind his head. "Ye look like lord of the manor and Lex there yer mistress."

Lexine was giving Eire a look. Nate slid his arm around Lexine's waist, petting his side and giving Eire a calm expression. "I 'appen t' be heir of this estate...and I don't think Lexi would settle for mistress..."

Lexine smiled a touch smug as he turned his head to look out the window again. Then something caught his attention. Some one was moving across the yard toward the barn. There was a petite figure standing against the side near the door. Lexine sat up a touch more, and reached over, running the end of his sleeve over the glass, to clear the mist away. "Wha is it?" Nate asked softly, knowing Lexine's curosity was peaked.

The figure coming from the house, crossed under a lit window and Lexine saw it was Duncan. "Duncan is meeting with some one..." He told Nate.

"Where?" Nate leaned over toward the window, shifting Lexine slightly on his lap.

"There." Lexine pointed. Eire scrambled from his chair over to the other corner of the window and wiped the mist and fog away. Sure enough, they saw Duncan crossing to the barn. The other figure stayed in the shadows, but Duncan grabbed them and they all knew just what Duncan was doing with the person...

"Curiousier and curiousier..." Lexine said softly, propping his elbow on the windowsill, his chin on his fist. He saw Nate looking at him with a smirk from the corner of his eye, and had to bit his own cheek not to grin. Eire was shaking with silent laughter...

****
They said good night ot Eire and Xander at Eire's room. "Think it'll be quiet t'night?" Eire asked Nate as he leaned against the door, Xander leaning agianst him. Nate had his arms wrapped around Lexine's waist. Lexine looked tired, and was rubbing his eyes, before laying his head against Nate's shoulder.

"We can only hope." Nate replied to Eire. "Night..."

"Yeah, you two...too." Eire gave them a grin, before pushing his door open and dragging Xander inside.

Lexine smirked as Eire shut the door with a snap. "Tired?" Nate asked softly.

"Very." Lexine whispered. Nate smirked slightly and then scooped Lexine up, heading for his own room.

"Why walk the rest of the way?" Nate asked, smirking more. Lexine actually smiled, and wrapped an arm around Nate's neck, resting his head against Nate's shoulder. Nate shouldered his door open, slid around it and toed the door closed. He carried Lexine over to the bed and put him on it, leaning over him and kissing him. "I want ye t' try and sleep t' night." Nate said softly. Lexine lay there looking at him. Nate looked him in the eyes, then kissed him again, softly. Lexine sighed against the kiss, Nate moved, stretching out beside Lexine, who curled in against him, laying his head on Nate's chest and closing his eyes.

****
It was again, some time after two in the morning when the wind began picking up again, the soft moan slowly growing over it. Lexine opened his eyes, He hadn't been entirely asleep. He started to sat up, but Nate's arm tightened on his shoulders. "It's alright..." Nate whispered.

"Why are they after me?" Lexine muttered, snuggling closer to Nate.

"We'll find out..." Nate answered softly.
****
In Eire's room, they lay on the bed together, spent, Eire had his arms around Xander', who had his head on his chest. In the silence of the room, Eire's ears picked up the wail on the wind and he grioaned, dropping back on the pillow. "Why t'night?" He muttered.

"What?" Xander asked softly.

"Ye'll hear it soon enough." Eire muttered, squeezing Xander tighter.

"You know I hate it when you do that..." Xander muttere with a mock pout. Eire chuckled The wail slowly grew pitch. Xander sighed, starting to hear it now. "Do you ever go home t' Ireland..."Xander asked after a moment.

Eire sighed. "Not really, there isn't much of a reason for me to...There's nothing left there for me...well...me dad, but I don't know where he is or how t' get ahold of him..."

"He was the shade..."

"Aye." Eire nodded. "I don't know how he and my mum met. Ruby...never really said. But I think he cared more about me, then me real mum...Emerald..." Eire muttered.

"What happened, Eire..how did Ruby die?" Xander asked softly.

Eire sighed deeply. And for a long moment, didn't answer. Finally he said. "My real mum...Emerald...showed up when I turned 18...She thought I'd inherited some of her magic...she's a witch, herditatry, like Nate...Ruby was too, but...I didn't get any of that...Still, she obviously thought I was useful...Ruby tried to keep her away from me, but she persisted and when things got bad, she killed Ruby...leaving her where I'd find her...Nate and Michael were with me..." Eire said softly.

Xander sighed, hugging Eire. "I'm sorry..."He saud softly.

Eire shook his head. "Wha' d'ya have t' be sorry, bout darlin'? You didn't have anything t' do with it..."

"Still..." Xander muttered, staring at the ceiling. "It's hard to lose a loved one like that..."

"You?" Eire asked, looking at Xander.

"My sister... like Lex, we were both born in to slavery for Abandon." Xander said in a whisper. "Her name was Evelyn...Evie.. She was a few years older then me..."

"Wha' happened t' her?" Eire asked, carassing Xander's shoulder.

Xander sighed. "Abandon, he killed her...when she displeased him for protecting Lex from his wraith...I don' t exactly remember what happened. Lex had done something that really pissed Abandon off and he came hunting for Lex...Evie had him hidden...and when she wouldn't give him up, Abandon killed her..."

"What happened t' Lex..." Eire asked.

"Abandon found the hidding place and dragged him out by the hair...I remember Abandon dragging him down the hall, by the hair, Lex didn't even put up a fight, but who can blame him...We knew what Abandon would have done if he had. He dragged Lex to a center chamber, in front of the rest of the slaves, there was at least nine of us...and he ordered us to watch as he beat and raped Lex repeatedly..." Xander's voice was so soft, any one else wouldn't have caught a word of what he was saying, but Eire heard every word of it clearly.

"Jesus...how old was Lex?" Eire asked, appalled.

"Lex was only 15." Xander replied. "Ya have t' understand...from the time Abandon COULD use Lex...that way, he did, because Lex was his favorite...Even then Lex was so pretty,,,And because Lex was Abandon's favorite, Abandon was crueler to him, then the rest of us...If love can be perverse, and black, heartless and cold, then that's what Abandon felt for Lex...Lex was his...still is...and if Abandon ever gets free...there'll be hell to pay, because I don't think Abandon will let Lex live, unless it's again as his slave..."

"Abandon can't get free..." Eire said strongly.

Xander turned his dark blue eyes on Eire with a serious look. "The key is gone, Eire...the door is weak...how long do you think until Abandon gains enough power to get free? Lex is now, SOULY the only thing keeping him in..."

"Do you think Abandon knew Lex has fae blood?" Eire asked. not wanting to consider what would happen if the Gate Keeper got free.

"Oh, most definitely, there wasn't anything Abandon didn't know..." Xander replied. "I don't remember much...Evie knew more...about Lex's mother...Some bargin between Abandon and Honnor Knight, his mother was brought in and left there...pregnant with Lex...she died after giving birth to him..."

"What is with all the secrets surrounding Lex? IT's getting damn ridiculous." Eire muttered fouly. Xander smiled slightly, leaning up and kissing Eire. Eire quickly forgot his rant, kissing Xander back, but the wail outside was slowly growing. "Oh wont that bitch shut up!" Eire growled, glaring at the window. Xander groaned, pulled the covers over his head, and began pawing at Eire to follow. Eire grinned wickedly, before pulling the blanket over his head as well, kissing Xander again.









 






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The Gurgi Clan & Chaos Inc.
  Skye, Ruex, Sage, Washu & Miss Frost .
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