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And he traumatized the kid again... Great... He really was bad with kids...

Thankfully, Snow knew how to handle him quite well. Just a couple of orders and he was sitting like a good WereTiger where he was but found himself not wanting her out of his sight. It took him a bit of hard thinking to remember why he'd be feeling that way when he knew she could handle herself just fine.

It was the memories that did it. She was what had kept him going, what had gotten him to risk the escape, what had lead him back here.

He was sorry he'd reacted to her necklace that way, but the sight of a cross right now would just set him off again. It didn't help much that he had one or two that had been branded into the skin of his chest and were still a bit raw even though he couldn't seem to feel them just yet.

He watched Aten leave and shook his head at the cub, trying to tell her that he hadn't seen a Hunter that looked like what she described. Part of him knew they all needed answers but he needed them too.

His mismatched eyes went back to Snow. His lifeline right now and ticket back to sanity. He reached one hand out and moved his fingertips over her cheek lightly, "You got me out of there, Snow... But you have to keep me out of there in my head... Stay with me... Where I can see you..." he requested of her softly, where no one else could hear it, knowing she'd understand.

"The others are alive but I don't know what condition they're in. We couldn't see each other, just hear each other sometimes. They kept giving me stuff, making me shift... Most of it's a blurr..." he told her in a slightly stronger tone, never taking his eyes from hers.


Sebastet walked in just in time to hear the last bit, thankfully having gotten the gist of everything from the servant who'd talked just fine along the way here.

She'd had her own check-out for a bit, but it had been voluntary and related to her temper.

But she was back in control now and frowned down at Dev's condition then looked at Snow, "Where's that guy I hired for protection around here? Your new mentor? He knows about Hunters about as well as I do but with more recent information. Get him in on this. Get the information out of Dev however you have to, you and Gallen. Get my people back home," she told the cold vampiress simply then turned to one of the blushing maids with a frown.

"If you can't handle it, go back to the village. I will not abide idiots working in my castle. The next one that blushes or shrieks will not like the result. Get over it or get out. Now do everything Snow says or deal with me," she added with a low growl then sent a servant to collect Gallen and bring him up to speed before she left the kitchen.


Shortly after that, one of the more sensible servants came in with a robe and some healing supplies that were beyond simple to use: basic ointments and bandages. She left the stuff with Snow then herded the idiot gaggle out of the kitchen, leaving Snow and Dev alone in the kitchen.

Well, the easy part was out of the way. Snow promised not to leave him until she had to. He could handle that.

Then the other guy came in and had a temper fit, sending the rest of the servants out of the room. Thankfully Sebastet had come back into the kitchen to make sure that Gallen didn't kill anyone prematurely.

When Dev spoke this time, though, he wasn't talking to Snow even though he couldn't stop looking at her eyes, "I didn't see her where I was kept but I know of her. She took out a couple members of my old clan back before I came here. I think she took out the cub's family too. Though I may have traumatized her just about as much. I don't do kids very well," he started and even found himself using the distraction of the cub to get his head straight so he could keep talking.

"It was Hunters, though. No doubt about it. They keep spewing all the crap the church teaches them that's stupid on a good day and wear those damned crosses all the time. These guys are into torture though. Don't tell the snake but I don't know how Wind's gonna come out of it if we get to them in time. The others, they'll make it. They're all good that way. Wind, he's... not like the rest of us..." he finished that as politely as he could and hoped that the others would understand.

Now the endorphins started to fade and he started to feel the pain of his injuries, wincing a bit around his eyes but doing his best to hide it.

He didn't say anything as Snow got him into the robe and tied it around him, making sure he could see her the whole time. Yes, he had her bite mark at his neck, but it was the rest of him that was a nightmare to see. Thankfully that was all covered up by the robe. Well, most of it. Another few days with the Hunters and he'd have been getting close to Gallen's glory.

Dev spoke again as he leaned against the wall but on his feet that he didn't notice were leaving bloody footprints behind, "One of the bastards is particularly nasty. Likes branding irons and hot knives. Overheard one of the others saying something about keeping him away from Blade, said he's real mean to females. I think I remember that they're on one of the outlying islands, on the other side of this one from the dragon's place. Trying to keep it under the radar as they gather forces. Had to sneak past a crap load of them to get off the place. I remember swimming to get here and that the water burned like salt, had to be the ocean. Once I got on this island, I think I went on automatic, blanked out," he finished giving them what he could for the moment.

But the pain was really starting to get to him and left him panting a bit. But he stayed calm as long as he could see Snow and ignored the rest.


Sebastet raised her emerald eyes to Gallen, "Go down to the dungeon and work some of that crap out. I want your head in the game. Then you get some people together and try to figure out where that island is. I want this place checked and re-checked. Find out how they got them and how they got them out. Then plug the leak. After that, go get them home and clean out that nest of vipers. Just leave one to deliver the message back home. Once you've done that, Gallen, you can take care of the other Hunter on my island. I told you before, they're lunch. Unless she's had a complete change of heart, I want her bottled," she told him with a low growl, her gaze and tone giving him no room for argument.

Then she turned and headed for the door, "But first, help Snow get him cleaned up and in a real bed," she added on her way out, not really giving him much choice in the matter when Dev's legs started to shake...

Dev was a bit unsteady on his feet and heading for even more unsteadiness. He was remembering more and more the longer he had his eyes on Snow. He couldn't understand that quirk of his memory but he wasn't about to argue with it when she started leading the way to her suite that he'd called home since she collared him.

He rested his head against Gallen's shoulder as they moved, grateful the vampire was letting him have some pride by not actually carrying him, "Doesn't she have the sweetest a** you've ever seen? And you can smell how dangerous she is when she walks by... I love the way that female hurts me, man, I really do..." he rambled a bit, not really caring if Snow could hear him or not. Of course, she already knew how he felt about her. After all, he was wearing a collar with her name on it.

But his rambling continued, "She's so much better at hurting me than those bastards, though... With them, they just liked the pain they caused... Especially that one b*****d with the brands... Got a scar that runs diagonally across his face... Big nasty one too... Looks like Sebastet tried to fillet his face open or something... Really hates her too... Mumbles 'bout her all the time while he's working..." his words were starting to get a bit slurred and he was having a hard time keeping his eyes on Snow.

That last lead to a momentary panic he swallowed down harshly, not wanting anyone to see any weakness in him. Instead, he tried to remember something else, something important.

"Gotta check everywhere... Use somethin' or someone that's good at findin' silver... They were testin' somethin'..." he managed to get out to Gallen before his body went limp one second then started shaking uncontrollably the next.

Apparently, the Hunters had been using their captives to test a few new delivery systems for silver...

Sebastet found herself pausing just outside the doorway thanks to the panic in the new female's eyes and her gaze softened a bit, "You two are welcome to stay. Aten knows that by now. Now go on, look after the little one. And try to keep that snake busy for a bit," she said softly and simply then left with a swish of her tail.

She was probably the most unusual person the girls would ever meet. She was one of the rarest creatures in existence now: a Hylarr. But one turned Vampire. She had the signature short downy fur of the Hylarr, as well as the tail and claws, but was patterned after a white tiger, what would have been a ruling class among her people.

But she was the last of her kind. Well, until Fate had dropped Lio into her bedroom. He may have been more intimidating in appearance (being a full lion type), but it was Sebastet's power and fighting skills that made her the one to run the place.

As she moved away, her tail swished in agitation as her braid swung lightly behind her, her fighting leathers and boots making no noise as she walked into the garden.

But she'd given the girl what she needed, her approval to stay. That should have been the end of it for now. After all, she had people missing, people being held captive by the Hunters... As a result, she felt suddenly ravenous for both revenge and for blood. After all, Hunters were her primary prey...

Ash stepped into the kitchen and raised one eyebrow as every female eye turned to him and stayed there. But he turned a narrow-eyed glare on the staff, "I know full well that this kitchen works so much better than this... See to it that it reverts to that state or no one will be happy with the outcome..." he said softly, his pleasure-inducing voice turned to unhappiness and disappointment as he looked around at each person who worked in the castle currently in the room.

"I would also suggest that those who have no business being in here shouldn't be in here," he added then stepped aside to allow for a mass exodus of superflous servants that made for alot more room in the place.

That done, he moved further into the kitchen and took over the stove to make himself a meal. In a fit of pique, he pulled a smaller beef fillet and added another of venison, seasoned them then started them searing on the stove.

He paused a moment, then reached in for another steak, slightly larger, seasoned it lightly and set it to searing as well. He thought Metis would appreciate the delicate and meaty flavors of the rare buffalo steak, after all.

He went back to the fridge from time to time and put together a very nice meal for himself in a short time then took two plates to the table. Replaced after Gallen's fit, of course. He set Metis' plate beside his own and pulled up one of the WereAnimal friendly seats to it so she'd be able to eat easier then turned his focus onto his meal as the kitchen staff returned to the better functioning place Rebecca had turned it into.

They even got something for the fox demon to eat in short order...

Ash simply raised one eyebrow at her as he paused in his eating, "Well... That explains the temper... Glad you enjoy the flavor of buffalo... too bad we don't have enough room for a herd here..." he stated simply then returned to his meal.

He ate with impeccable manners while listening to the whispered gossip moving around the kitchen, where the servants thought he wouldn't be able to hear it.

By the time he was finished, he leaned back in his chair to enjoy a half-glass of a wonderfully sweet red wine and had even poured a bit into a lion-friendly glass for Metis to enjoy, "It seems that one of our resident rarities has returned with bad news, Lovely. I'll have to see what I can do to help get the others back. I'm not sure how you'd appreciate having other shifters around, though, each just as rare as you are, if not more so. Three of those mentioned were born in this place... What do you say, Metis? Up for a bit of a fight?" he finally commented to her about the gossip that had come about during Dev's strange appearance.

He really wasn't expecting much of an answer, just some indication from her while she was still in her lion form. He didn't mind the lion form one bit and, in fact, saw it as her being more 'herself' than she had yet to be.

He wasn't going to leave the room until he'd finished his wine so if she wanted to keep following him, she would have to wait just a bit longer...

Ash did rub and scratch behind her ears and across her head where all the sensitive spots were, knowing that he was only teasing her even more in the process. But he was managing to give her what she'd asked for...

He gave her a small smile as he sipped his wine, "Glad we agree on that one... You might be able to visit Dev when he's a bit more... himself... Until then, don't worry about it. You'll more likely have more fun with the others when we get them back. Until then, though, I need a bit of rest so I can track down the head cat and tell her of my intention to join the rescue party," he said to her, finally setting his empty glass on the table.

He leaned forward to nuzzle her behind one ear briefly then grinned at her, "Until tomorrow, Beautiful..." he whispered softly to her as he got to his feet then headed for the door.

Behind him, though, he'd left the kitchen staff doing what they could to tame things down and not cause any more chaos with the residents...

Metis sighed heavily as she sat at the kitchen table laying her head on it sniffling a bit. There was a cup of wine and a bottle next to her head and a plate of dark chocolate covered almonds next to it. Ugh what was she doing..she looked like she'd just broken up with her favorite lover or something, she groaned somewhat as she sat up and placed her face against her hand. She was so embarrassed that she'd ran away from Ash like that, it made her look like a silly little ninny. She growled somewhat and huffed frustrated as she slapped her tail against the chair legs with a firm pop sound that made some of the cooking staff jump a bit. Raking her hands over her head as she leaned back against the chair tipping her head back so she could stare at the ceiling. She was suppose to be thinking about everything Ash told her, honestly..the only bad part she could figure out was the draining part..though she'd like to be able to get to know him better without all the sexual charm getting in the way not that she would change that about him. Sighing softly as she played with her wine cup running her fingers along the rim slowly staring in the liquid. Was she...ready to try again with someone?...what if...what if he turned and decided he didn't want her and she ended up being tossed out...Ugh There was too many what if's. She didn't feel like Ash would be cruel like that but honestly..she was scared..

She didn't know how much of herself to trust Ash with..letting out a rather frustrated sound she chugged her wine down before plopping her head down on top of her arms lightly stomping her feet on the floor. Why were decisions like this so complicated. Of course it wouldn't have been an easy decision to just have a fling with someone and then walk away.. the thought of that just made her really pissed off.. she hooked up with another shifter when she first got there..she thought it would be okay, there was a connection there or so she thought..Huffing as she pushed the thoughts of that away as she closed her eyes breathing out slowly in and out deeply calming herself. She needed to think straight about this, think about every possible pro and con, think about herself and what she wanted and what she wanted out of a relationship with another person. There was a lot to think about..yet she felt the need to rush through it and get every possible answer as fast as possible. She didn't have the patience to wait.