LORE: Training a Hell Hound (MATURE)

[Emora Deen]

Tenele smirked as she moved against him. She brushed her cheek across his face as she gripped his arms with her hands. "That's what I was kind of hoping," she whispered seductively back to him, brushing her body against him. It was almost as if she were trying to take him deeper every time. She wanted him. She wanted all of him. It was a bit possessive of her, and she didn't care. He was hers again, and she wanted him. She could barely keep her sanity, and felt she'd lose it any moment. She gasped at every gently touch, moaned at every vibrant feel of him. There was no where she wanted to be more in the world than in his arms. Her hands roamed, unable to find a satisfied place to stay, until they slid around his back and she held onto him for almost dear life. Unsure if she'd be able to handle such sensation, such joyful pleasure. Her body was willing, oh was it willing, but unsure if it could keep up. As much as she hated to admit it, Vlad had been right. She hadn't been fully recovered, and she'd ignore it. Ignore it until the moment she couldn't move from exhaustion. And she'd make sure that by that point... neither could he.

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad could hear her heartrate rising as her body strained against its limits, and there was nothing about it that didn't make him go crazy. She was playing to every instinct he had, and as much as he wanted to lay her onto her back where her body could rest more and make it go on and on and on, her straightout invitation was too much. He sat up slightly, strong arms bracing around her waist and the back of her neck as if supporting her entire body. He continued to move for her, but she was more or less trapped still, though he would have released her if she asked. Probably. He drew her forehead to his shoulder and secured it there. Then, he opened his mouth to her skin and pressed the sharp tips of his fangs to her neck, and bit down. The heat of her body burst into his mouth and his magic seemed to pour in reverse through the wound, his energy drawing her up with him into the fierce heat of his ecstasy.

He moaned against her neck, every nerve he had tingling with the sensation of her blood and her body together. His arms tightened and every muscle in his body stiffened in a rippling power that thrust them both upward together like a tidal wave that was impossible to swim against. He pulled deep against her, and a flashbomb of cripplingly intense sensation flooded his mind, whiting out all of existence, it seemed, except for Tenele.

When his senses finally began to come back to him, he was lying on his back with Tenele pulled against him, their bodies still joined in more way than one. He drew back from her neck slowly and placed a hand gently but firmly against the punctures in her neck. The first thign that came to him was a sense of overwhelming satisfaction and a peace he hadn't felt in a very long time. His other hand brushed the hair back from her forehead in a gesture of absent affection as he gasped for breath.

[Emora Deen]

Tenele's hands grabbed at his back, her nails digging into his skin. Her eyes went wide as she was consumed by undeniable pleasure, and a cry erupted from her that was probably loud enough to be heard well down the hallway. It was strong and powerful, and left her lying weak and trembling against him. Her mind was on fire, her body as well. Her throughts swirled around in her head, unable to stay focused on one thing for very long. Too much to stay focused on, but so much to think about. It was too many things. Her thoughts, his thoughts. His feelings, her feelings. She loved this man, more than her life, and she knew that he felt the same.

What would become of them, neither could care, as long as they could be like this for eternity.

She rested with her head against his chest, just under his chin. Her finger tips rubbed up and down his sides absentmindedly as she tried to catch her breath. Still shaking, and probably would for a while longer. "I want more," she whispered to him with a soft laugh. Oh, she did. She wanted more, but didn't think she had the energy or muscle to move another inch. She assumed she'd have to wait until later, which wasn't entirely disappointing.

Her thoughts sparked at the feel of something different, something very different from Vlad's swirling and buzzing sensation. She flinched at the sudden invasion. Not knowing what it had been, for the moment she diverted her attention to something else, like the feel of his body, warmed from their contact, lying beneath her. "I love you," she told him gently, her eyes closing for a moment as she rested against him.

[Soran Nightblade]

'I love you, too,' Vlad's mind answered directly into hers. His arms encircled her back and he breathed in her scent. He couldn't get inside her head completely the way she could with him, but he could feel her presence as if she were something circulating inside him. It was an extremely intimate connection that could almost drown the everpresent nagging of Verin's call inside his head. He was still there, though, like a wolf pacing the perimeter of his makeshift mental barriers, waiting for an opening.

Sinead's presence sat further back, silent and observant. It had nearly receded to nothing during the course of their love making, possibly to give them privacy. In any case, there was no doubt that the queen knew the current state of their relationship.

Vlad smirked at the thought, and knew Tenele could hear it too.

[Emora Deen]

Tenele laughed softly as she snuggled against him with a sigh. "Poor Sinead," she whispered, her hand trailing up and down his sides, then across his chest and over his shoulders. She did feel sorry for Sinead, knowing what they'd just done and how she'd willingly let Vlad bite her. She wasn't quite sure how Sinead would handle that. She enjoyed being able to literally feel Vlad's love, but one thing she didn't like was being able to feel that cold presence of Verin. She knew it had to be him, it was dark and she didn't like it. She didn't like that she could seem to feel him even trying to worm his way into her mind through Vlad's connection.

"Hmmm," she mused, pushing that out of her mind. She wasn't going to let that spoil what they'd just done. She twisted her head, placing kisses across his chest until she reached his nipple and she bit him maybe just a little too hard. She couldn't tell.

[Soran Nightblade]

Tenele's actions inspired a low, carnal laugh from Vlad. "I must warn you, my stamina is different from a human's," he said silkily, "It's not too soon for me to be tempted." He raised his head up to kiss her lips.

His concentration on her snapped as a firm knock sounded at the door. "Mister Dracul, your...dog is frightening the men, and the prince is becoming cross at your absence," the breathless voice of the messenger from earlier pleaded outside the door.

Vlad looked at the door, a burst of anger flooding his thoughts more strongly than what might have seemed justified. His mind flashed to Atul and to what he'd been asked to do, and all the inward deliberation he'd spent all afternoon setting himself on seemed to unravel into indecision again. He grimaced and drew back from her slightly. Damn, he hadn't even had the chance to tell her yet.

A new voice chimed in outside the door. "Vlad, we had an appointment. We need to speak before the banquet."

The vampire's expression hardened. His eyes rose to meet Tenele's, serious and searching.

[Emora Deen]

Tenele felt anger suddenly, white and hot and she was suddenly worried about what he'd be angry about. Tenele slipped from attop him to lay at his side, her head resting on his arm and her eyes watching him. "What do you have to discuss with him?" she asked him softly, and it was clear she was a bit worried. Silver hair spilled over in front of her face, her green eyes watching him intently.

"Please, there isn't much time, and I have some on stand-by, as you requested."

Tenele's eyes flashed at the door, she swore someone was turning the nob, but then again lying naked in bed made her a bit paranoid about things like that.

[Soran Nightblade]

Before Vlad could answer her question, he heard it also. The latch was turning, and the prince was coming in. Vlad grabbed onto the sheet and tugged it up over Tenele just as the door began creaking open. "Prince Atul, come on in," the vampire said as the man entered the room. His voice was sarcastic, but the fuming anger from a second ago was carefully concealed. "Hope you don't mind if I throw something on," he added, getting out of the bed in his birthday suit and crossing the room calmly for a robe that was hanging in the corner. In the process, he waved the door shut, ensuring Atul's messenger stayed in the hall.

He couldn't answer Tenele's question with Atul in the room, so he used the other means of communication available to him. 'I didn't have the chance to discuss this with you, but Atul's requested I do a job, and I agree with him,' he thought as he began pulling on the robe. 'The enemy has a god on their side, and to gain even footing, we need an inside link to Verin's plans. To put it crassly, I'm going to use my mind as bait to spy on Verin.' He glanced at her as he took a dress from the closet and passed it to her so she could dress under the privacy of the blankets. He tried to read her expression to see if she could understand his decision.

[Emora Deen]

Tenele gasped, taking the sheet and holding it to her quickly so that only the top of her chest and shoulders were exposed. Her cheeks flushed a deep rose, now definitely from emotion than sun exposure. Her eyes averted as she huddled at the head of the bed, her body thankfully conealed by the softness of silk sheets.

Atul glanced her way, but did not let his eyes linger there. Either she'd kill him, or Vlad would. Hell, she was probably going to kill him anyway. But, how was he supposed to know they'd been doing that. He followed the fabric of the dress flying towards her and she let it land on the bed before pulling the soft fabric under the sheets with her.

"You shouldn't be doing that," Tenele whispered feircely, glancing to Atul. "Don't let him do that." She was instantly worried. Too worried to just ignore what was going on to slip under the sheets and dress. She'd dress in a minute, and she was covered so it was not dire that she do it right at that second. "Verin is dangerous. If you let him in willingly there's no telling if Sinead can hold him back. He's a God, she's powerful but she's not that powerful." She could feel Verin in Vlad's mind already, riding that wave of anger.

"Its the only way, Tenele. If there was a different way we'd do it. I'd volunteer if I could, but I can't. He's blocked me out. Verin wants Vlad for something, and if Vlad opens his mind to him, then we have a chance an an inside look. We have to know what he knows, it could save all our lives." Atul glanced at her. Her skin flushed from her earlier activities and mild emberassment. Even under the circumstances she appeared strong and unmoving on her point of view.

"Or he'll just kill us when Vlad opens his mind to him. Maybe that's what he wants!" She didn't want Vlad to go through that again. She was angry, but what could she do about it. What if Atul was right, and not doing it got them all killed.

"Vlad, we need to go now, before everyone convenes. We don't want them to see you in that state. And we don't want trouble if something goes wrong." Atul's placid face looked to Vlad. "I'm sorry. I really am." And he looked sorry.

[Soran Nightblade]

"Sinead can't stop Verin, but she can stop me. If I lose control, she's promised to shut me down. You'll have little more than a sadistic human on your hands. With the right security, I won't be able to harm anyone else," he said, pulling his pants on under the robe and then discarding it for a black silk shirt. He knew Tenele could sense the unspoken fine print that was flowing through his mind. He wouldn't hurt anyone else, but if he allowed Verin to possess him again, it would hurt him. And it would hurt Tenele by proxy. Not to mention the fact that if he let Verin in past his breaking point, the whole effort would be useless. To be honest with himself, he wasn't sure it would even work.

However, none of these excuses were used on Atul as the vampire pulled on and laced his boots. "It will be okay. I'll make sure of it," he said to her, knowing only Atul could be fooled by his front at the moment. Tenele would be able to sense his uncertainty and, as much as he hated it, his growing sense of alarm.

He stood up and walked toward Atul. "Where do you want to do this?" he asked casually, as if they were going to have a drinking contest and not try to trick a god.

[Emora Deen]

Tenele threw the sheet over her head and made quick work of the dress. Outerland clothing, it all seemed to be one-size-fits-all, if you tied it correctly. She tossed the sheet aside when she was finished, looking dishevled as if she had been rolling in bed for some time. She wore the pale pink dress nicely, and it hugged her graceful body in every way that was perfect. Obviously intended for that purpose. It was low cut, and she didn't care for that cut so much, especially if she was going to face down Verin's personification in Vlad. Moving around quickly might become a little bit annoying.

"I'm coming too," she said, marching over to stand next to Vlad.

Atul looked at him, and then at Vlad. "Maybe-"

She glared darkly, her hand reaching down and her fingers looping around Vlads hand. "I'm coming."

As they walked down the steps with Atul she glanced to him. "Will he get inside my head too?" she asked him, a bit worried about that. What would be the effect on her, if Vlad was taken over by him? Would she be a danger to them? Or would he not be able to control her since she was human. Maybe just invade her throughts. Terrorize her. The thought was revolting. She didn't want Verin anywhere near Vlad, and anywhere near there intimate connection.

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad shook his head. "That won't happen. You aren't his creature to call. His powers won't have a controlling effect on you, even if you can feel their effect on me. I'll try my best to shield you from that, as well," he said as they passed through a doorway and entered a large circular room with a vaulted ceiling. The walls were built of thick marble, and the only exit seemed to be the door they entered through. Two fully geared soldiers stood inside the door and bowed to Atul as he entered. A priest stood off to one side, and a huge holy rune had been carved into the floor. It wasn't active, but it could become so if it was necessary. Vlad surveyed the room and the reinforcements, and he approved.

He was gripping Tenele's hand rather firmly. "I'll need something to start me off," he said in a level tone, just pushing himself through the motions as if it were all just hypothetical and not happening right now. "Verin will know to be suspicious if I just let him in. Someone has to set me off. Make me mad, or hungry, or both." He glanced at the priest. Priests could piss him off in about two seconds any day of the week, but their powers also blocked off his access to Verin. He looked instead at Atul. "Since this was your idea, I'll make this your job. Be creative," he said, slowly letting go of Tenele's hand and looking expectantly at the prince.

[Emora Deen]

Verin was seated on a over stuffed crimson chair at an angle, with one of his legs draped over the arm, and his other outstretched across the floor. He wore a pare of fine silk white pants. The room was for the most part dark, save the light that was coming from a large dome on the floor. It played out the images as he watched them, flashing between his son, Vlad, and the woman that angrily reminded him of someone. He hated them, all three, and for some reason two refused to follow, and another refused to die.

It was annoying thing, this will to survive. But, what could one do?

He put a finger to his brow and his thumb to his cheek as he rested his arm across the chair. He watched Vlad as he grew angry, and he could feel that hatred bubbling to the surface. He pushed, but the wall around him was strong. He needed Vlad. The vampire didn’t know how important he was. He could be the deciding factor in a war. He was stronger than most demons, a fact brought on by his making. But, apparently his strength of will was equally strong.

The image in the dome brought up the annoyingly beautiful face of the half-elf. He watched her smile, her sparkling green eyes. They were not her mother‘s eyes, they must have been the eyes of her mortal father. She looked too much like her mother when he’d first met her so long ago, and the woman didn’t even know her heritage. It didn’t matter. She hadn’t inherited any powers of a God, her mother had been trapped as a mortal.

It was a painful thing, to decide whether to kill her, or keep her. If he could not have Attara, could he not have her daughter? She was as spirited, maybe even a little more. She was as reckless, as beautiful, as daring. Then again, she pissed him off. It was qualities he had to admire, but then she was just a fragile human. He could crush her with his bare hand, well… he’d like to at least.

There was a flash of light, and he’d almost been distracted to the point that he didn’t notice it. She was standing there in the darkness, not dark at all. Glowing with every bit of beauty and power she possessed. A gleaming star in the dead of night. Her silver hair was long and flowed around her, tossed gently by an unfeeling wind. “And what brings you to my realm?” he asked, his interest peeked.

“Leave them alone,” she told him, ordered him, this woman who used to be weak.

Verin made a contemplative face. “Eh, no. I have plans for your daughter, I think.”

Attara’s eyes narrowed on him. “I have no daughter,” she replied coolly, not phased by his suggestion.

“Will you deny your own blood?” he asked her, moving to stand. He ran his hand over the top of the dome, over Tenele’s face, before he continued on towards Attara. She stood regal and strong, unafraid of him. “If she is not your daughter, then there is no reason to care is there? So it will be fine for me to take her as my own when he turns her. We both know he will. Why would you have offered him the inferior curse of humanity, unless you feared what he would eventually do. Even then, I don’t need to wait until he’s turned her. There are plenty of beings to manipulate as puppets. Even if you want give yourself to me, I’ll just take your human incarnation instead.” He smiled evilly at the look on her face, he could see her jaw clenched so tightly. “She’s your spitting image, except her eyes. I wonder who her eyes belong to? Not Thar’s… Could it be the human lover you took when Thar was not there? The one that now resides under Shea’s command.” He grinned more fiercely. “The traitor not spoken of. He should be dead, but taking the bite of a werewolf tends to lengthen your life span. I’m not really into the fur, but I could get around it.”

Attara’s face grew more harsh. Her hand flashed out and wrapped around his thick neck, not really able to completely encircle it. “You will leave my children alone!”

“Children?” Verin asked, arching an eyebrow. “More than one? My, you did hide them well. Is that the deal you made with Sinead? Did you come to her after your release and beg her to watch over your children, hide them from me. Or does she even know? Maybe she just loved you that much, to take your children as her own.”

“You will leave her alone!” Attara roared at him, and Verin chuckled, tilting his head. “Give me what I want, and I’ll consider it.”

“I do not bargain with you. I never have. I never will. But, you will heed my words, or I shall curse you for an eternity.” Attara squeezed his neck before letting go and taking a step back.

“You haven’t that kind of power, Attara. Now, run home to your husband. I have something that needs to be done,” Verin said harshly to her, enjoying the look of livid anger.

“Heed my warning, Verin.”

* * *

Tenele didn't want Vlad to let her hand go, but it seemed he had to. Atul thought for a moment. "I really mean nothing by this," he told Vlad before punching him hard in the face. Too hard, hard enough to send him flying a few feet. He couldn't be gentle. He had to hit him hard, and he wasn't entirely sure if that would set him off good enough. If not, he'd always do it again. So he did it again, just encase the first time hadn't worked. Maybe he'd hit him a little too hard that time. Still, if he knew the vampire, hitting him probably wouldn't set him off.

"Stop that!" Tenele yelled. She wasn't about to watch Vlad get hit over and over at the amusement of the prince and his bodyguards. Okay, so she knew deep down he wasn't hitting Vlad for his own amusement. Still, if Vlad wasn't pissed, she sure as hell was.

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad sprawled back, adrenaline climbing through him and setting his instincts on edge. He felt a faint flicker of anger just from the pure randomness of it, but pain didn't phase him well. It wasn't enough to unseat his resolve against Verin, and Verin would know it. "Got to do better than that," he said with a smirk, jumping up and throwing a spinning kick at Atul's ribs, knocking the prince sideways.

[Emora Deen]

Tenele stepped back quickly to get out of there way. And then Atul was flying at him. They went at eachother, and all she could do was watch helplessly as they seemed to be deterimined to beat the living hell out each other. She hated seeing Vlad being hurt, and she hated watching Atul hurt him. When Atul was stumbling back Tenele walked up to him and grabbed his arm, jerking hard. "Stop this foolishness. Its clearly not enough."

"Get out of the way Tenele," Atul advised. "I don't want you hurt." He tried to shurge her off, but she didn't move. Instead she followed with him. "Why don't we try something else? Go get Fero, that's enough to set me off, surely it will work on Vlad."

"Tenele, back off. You'll get hurt if Verin's control comes over him before we can put our precautions in place," Atul advised. He stepped forward to hit Vlad again, Tenele grabbed his hand. "Tenele," he said harshly. This is exactly why he didn't want her to watch this. She'd get in the way. "Get back!" He shoved her. Forgetting his inhuman strength, his adreniline pumping from fighting Vlad, the force of his shove was to hard for a small human like Tenele. Tenele was light compared to his strength, like that of a feather, so he was always careful about what force he used around her. Except this time he wasn't paying attention. She was lifted off her feet and thrown hard into the rounded marble wall, crumpling to the floor after the hit to lie still and motionless as the dead.

His heart stopped, his eyes wide in horror, frozen in his place with disgust at his actions. Then, sudden worry consumed him when she didn't move or raise her head to give signal that she was alright. He wanted to run to her, but he couldn't get his feet to move.