Mature: Desert Moon

[Emora Deen]

The man fumbled. His eyes went wide. His mouth opened. "I..." His gaze darted to Tenele as she slumped against the wall. Stalker pressed his muzzle to her hand.

"What else do you want to know?" he asked, trying to change the subject.

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad smiled ruthlessly. "Tell you what. If you explain what you are, I'll answer any question you want in return."

[Emora Deen]

The man blinked, and wiggled in Vlad's grasp. "I'm half-demon. A half shifter. None of the strengths, all of the weakness of a human. Only thing I got going is I can wear other peoples skin..." He chuckled. "My question.... How do you control it? The God?"

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad grinned at him. "You mean Knight?" his gaze was like molten steel. "I don't. What a wasteful question," he shook his head disapprovingly. "Oh well, a deal's a deal."

With that, he drew back his claws and thrust them, millimeter by millimeter, up through the man's chest, cutting through flesh, then ribs, then stomach, slowly, slowly, up through the lungs, and into the man's heart. The entire movement took about a full minute, and the vampire relished the screaming like it was his baby's laughter.

When the man disappointingly passed out, Vlad finished the kill in one sharp stroke, shook his bloody hand over the stone floor, and turned to the cell. "Tenele," he said, jerking the door open and coming to Stalker's side. "Are you hurt?"

[Emora Deen]

Tenele shook her head. "Not physically," she whispered. She leaned forward and pressed her forehead to his chest and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I'm not sure... what's going on or where I'm at."

[Soran Nightblade]

"You're in the dungeon with a dead half-demon who tried to silence you for knowing too much about the people who kidnapped Atul, mainly because I oversold my performance last night to Atul and made him think you're a pathological liar.

The vampire paused and reflected on his words. "I mean, you fell asleep down here and I came to pick you up," he amended. His voice wasn't quite ready for the joke. There was still death in his eyes. He rather wanted to revive the fake Borat so he could kill him over again.

[Emora Deen]

Tenele clenched her eyes shut as the memory of Atul's sternness came back to her. It felt like a hand reached inside her chest and twisted her heart. "I see," she whispered. "You couldn't even whisper it to him, what we'd done? You made him think I was crazy. That I lied about it... And he didn't trust me enough to believe otherwise..."

That hurt worst than anything. "He took Tenara away from me and gave me over to a monster?" She felt her eyes brim with tears, but she swallowed the pain. "Take me to my daughter, please." Her hand fisted in Stalker's wet fur, as if she were seeking a hand to hold.

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad grimaced. "He fell asleep so quickly. I planned to make it all right when I saw him mid-day, but he was knocked out and in horrible shape. He was devastated that he couldn't stop them from taking you. He thought you needed help, but he didn't intend this," the vampire gestured at the cold dungeon surrounding them. "If I hadn't sold it so well, he might not have suggested help, and everything could have gone according to plan. I messed up." He studied her for a moment, and took a good look at the hellhound's wounds. The creature's legs were beginning to shudder under his weight.

[Emora Deen]

Tenele nodded, but his words couldn't quench the anger and hurt she felt towards Atul at the moment. She trust him beyond reason, and loved him. That trust was severely shattered.

"Would your blood make Stalker feel better?" she asked, kneeling next to the hell hound. She ran her fingers through his fur scratched tenderly behind his ears.

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad nodded. "If you don't mind waiting." The hound met his eyes loyally as Vlad crouched before him. The vampire cut his wrist with a long nail. As usual, Stalker wouldn't take the blood willingly. Vlad had to wrestle the best into a guillotine grip and force his wrist into the creature's mouth. More than once, he used the beast's razor-sharp teeth to keep the small wound open, healing as fast as it did. When Vlad was satisfied, he released his grip. Stalker scooted backwards, bracing himself and shaking like a mutt out of the bath. His energy seemed revived. "You did well," Vlad praised the beast. The attention, although brief, seemed to discomfort the hound, who stiffened up and stared at him. "Modesty does not suit you," he slapped the creature on the shoulder and stood up.

"My love...If you're well enough, I'll take you to Tenara," he offered, extending his hand to her.

[Emora Deen]

Tenele pressed a kiss to Stalker's head. "Thank you for protecting me," she whispered to him. "I wish I had been more useful."

She stood up and nodded to her husband. "Please. I'm well enough. I want to see her." She placed her hand in his, lifting her gaze. How could she explain to him the dread she felt in that moment, when Atul had ordered men to take her away from her child. Not knowing if she'd ever be let go, or ever see Tenara again. It was going to take a little while for her to forgive the King for that. Even if he had only meant well, and only wanted to help her...

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad drew her in against his chest with care. "Here we go," he said. A moment later, they were standing in the tiny second-story bedroom where Vlad had left Atul with the nurse and Tenara.

[Emora Deen]

Tenele went to Tenara immediately and took her from the nurse, curling her daughter close to her chest. Tenara hushed her crying. Tenele stepped away to a corner of the room, facing the woodwork, and rocked her body back and forth to sooth her. "Shhh," she whispered. "I'm sorry. I'm here." The new mother wiped the tears from her eyes before they could roll down her cheeks.

Stalker stared up at her curiously from where he lounged on the floor.

Atul stared quietly from where he lay in bed. He was still groggy, but his half-god blood was processing the drug quickly. He turned a mortified gaze on Vlad, as if someone was about to do something horrible and he was begging the vampire to stop it.

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad caught sight of the king's expression and moved to his bedside. He crouched next to him and took his hand in his. "Are you feeling more alert? Alert enough to listen a minute?"

[Emora Deen]

Atul nodded slowly, but kept his eyes on Tenele. His brow furrowed with pain, but it was hardly physical. She squeezed his fingers around Vlad's hand and finally looked to the vampire, waiting to hear what he had to say. Afraid to hear it.