Those Who Walk In Darkness
Seventh, and hopefully last installation in the Darkness Saga. ^^; No plot, pure fluff.
Takes place after everything else, including maderr's In Darkness Thrive, and contains characters swiped from there. ;)
In case you somehow managed to miss the rest of them (or want a refresher) they are: Darkness, Darkness Falling, Darkness Calling, Darkness Rising, The Lure of Darkness, Drabble 1: So a Vampire and a Demon walk into a bar..., Drabble 2: Why Lords of Darkness Should Not Drink, and From The Dark Realms With Love.
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Why was it, Alexius wondered, that every time his scars started to hurt he found himself standing in the gallery staring up at the portrait of the flame-haired Lord of Darkness? Azragael. It wasn't as though being able to see the painting made it any easier or harder to remember. Not easier, because nothing could improve a memory that was still as clear as the day it had happened. Not harder, because nothing would ever erase that incident from his mind.
He was lucky to be alive at all. There was no reason whatsoever that he should have been spared when the sickness spread out, felling everything in its path. No reason at all that he shouldn't have died when that demon, wielding the powers of High Lord Baharazel had dug its claws into his shoulder.
To this day he didn't know why he hadn't fallen to the sickness. He did, however, know why he hadn't perished at the demon's hand.
Lucien Lacroix. The greatest and most legendary of Demon Hunters to ever live. The man whose legend refused to die despite the details of his life and exploits having been lost to history. The man who still lived, in a place where time could not touch him, hidden away from the world.
Until a young, desperate Vampire Hunter had come seeking his aid against the overwhelming power that had destroyed his family, his village, and everything he knew. Alexius hadn't been expecting to actually meet his ancient ancestor, hadn't expected the legend to be real. He certainly hadn't expected to follow the man and his demon lover into the heart of the Demon Lord's lair and come face to face with not only a demon wielding the powers of a Lord of Darkness, but the flesh and blood reality of another Lord of Darkness as well.
It should have been a dream. Nay, a nightmare. But instead it was real. Against all odds, they'd triumphed that night with only minor wounds to show for the experience. After that... Alexius had made certain that the legend of Lucien Lacroix would never die.
He reached up reflexively to touch his chest where the ancient pendant still hung around his neck, beautiful as the day it had been made. He wasn't sure why he still wore it. He had no reason to seek out the dark castle. Perhaps it was a reminder. Something solid to prove that it had all been real and he wasn't losing his mind. It, like the scars, would never let him forget the terror of seeing death come for him, only to be turned aside at the last moment.
"What is it, I wonder, that you find so fascinating about that painting?"
Alexius yelped and spun around, hand going automatically to the weapon that wasn't there. He silently willed his heart rate to return to normal as he levied a half-hearted glare at the man who'd snuck up on him.
"Levent!"
Levent smiled and stepped forward for a quick kiss. "Sorry. You were just so intent, I couldn't resist."
"Very funny," Alexius muttered, though there was no heat in his words.
"So, I ask again, why do you sometimes come and stare at this painting?" Levent asked curiously.
"I..." Alexius hesitated. "I've met him, before. Looking at the painting is... I don't know. I guess it reminds me that it was real."
Warm arms encircled him as Levent held him close, sensing that Alexius had a need for reassurance of some kind. "What was real, Lexi?" he asked softly. "Who is the man in the painting?"
Again, Alexius hesitated. Would Levent even believe him? "High Lord Azragael," he replied finally.
Levent started, his embrace loosening as he stepped back to stare at Alexius, golden eyes wide. "Azragael? But the Lords of Darkness cannot leave the Dark Realms..."
Alexius's lips twisted into a wry smile. "Yes, that's what I thought too, until he informed me otherwise." His eyes closed, the moment in question playing out as vividly in memory as it had been in life. "Apparently two of them can leave, though he said the other one doesn't... Lurizal, I think."
"But..." Levent frowned faintly. "If a Lord of Darkness were to walk the earth, would not everyone know it?"
Alexius chuckled quietly. "Apparently not." His lips quirked. "That story you told me, about your mother and the card game..."
"Dice game," Levent corrected absently, frowning curiously. "What of it?"
"It's probably true." Alexius smiled. "He certainly didn't seem like how you would usually imagine one of the Seven Lords of Darkness... but then, considering his son..."
This time Levent openly gaped. "Son? High Lord Azragael has a son? How?"
Alexius frowned thoughtfully. "I'm not entirely sure. Nobody ever told me that part... of course, we were a bit preoccupied with not dying at the time..."
Levent blinked, blinked again for good measure, then took his arm and firmly led him away from the painting and out of the gallery. "You are going to tell us the entire story, from the beginning, preferably in order."
"It's not all that interesting of a story," Alexius protested as Levent pushed him through the door into the dining hall.
"What's not an interesting story?" Eren asked, looking up from where he'd just finished setting out their evening meal.
"Lexi has met High Lord Azragael, who apparently has a son, in some situation in which involved possible dying," Levent informed him, steering Alexius into his proper place before assuming his own seat. "More than that, he has not yet divulged."
Eren blinked, looking at them both oddly. "Azragael can't leave the Dark Realms."
Levent grinned and spread his hands helplessly. "That is what I told him, but Lexi says this information is wrong..."
The twins turned equally intent golden stares upon him and Alexius did his best not to fidget beneath those looks. "I don't know how he did it, but I am fairly certain it was Azragael..."
"From the beginning," Eren ordered calmly, "And eat your supper."
Slowly, haltingly as he paused to enjoy Eren's delicious cooking, Alexius relayed the story of the demon that had somehow acquired High Lord Baharazel's powers and the terrible deaths that had occurred as a result, followed by his own decision to seek aid and the journey that had required. He drew the pendant out from beneath his tunic, pulling it over his head and setting it on the table.
"This was passed down through my family for generations. I thought it was a myth, just a pretty legend." Alexius rubbed a finger gently over the gemstone in the center of the pendant, watching as it glowed a soft blue before a ray of light emerged, pointing off toward the far wall. "It wasn't a myth. It leads to a castle that exists outside of time, where my many times great-ancestor Lucien Lacroix lives with his demon lover." He smiled wryly. "Also known as the son of Azragael."
The twins exchanged matching looks with eerie fluidity, then Levent asked curiously, "And Azragael himself?"
Alexius laughed quietly. "Oh, that was later." He related the rest of the tale, from meeting Ciaran and Lucien, the journey back to the demon's castle, the ensuing battle that had left him with permanent scars on one shoulder, and the subsequent arrival and departure of the notorious Lord of Darkness.
When he finished there was a long silence, unusual for the twins, then Eren said thoughtfully, "The legendary Lucien Lacroix and a man who may as well be a Lord of Darkness himself... you certainly have interesting friends, Lexi."
"They're not friends, exactly," Alexius demurred. "One's... well, family, distantly anyway. The other is..." He shrugged helplessly. "Ciaran's just... different."
There went another of those thoughtful looks exchanged between twin sets of golden eyes, then Levent smiled slowly. "But you would admit that you are on good terms with these people, correct?"
Why did he feel as though his doom was bearing down on him?
"Er, well, I guess... I mean, Ciaran did offer to let me stay in his castle if I wanted..." Alexius admitted cautiously.
"So then," Eren pressed, golden eyes gleaming, "He would not be likely to object if you dropped by for a visit?" White fangs flashed as Eren grinned. "With friends?"
Oh. Oh! Alexius paled. "Um, well..."
"You do want to introduce us to your friends, don't you?" Levent asked, eyes wide. "You're not ashamed of having dhampirs for lovers, are you?"
"No!" Alexius said quickly, shaking his head. "It's not that, it's-"
"Then you do not mind if we all go for a little trip?" Eren interrupted him, somehow having left his chair without Alexius being aware and looming close.
"But they... you..."
Levent was on his other side, hands in his hair and fingers trailing down his cheek. "It'll be fun, Lexi, really," he purred.
Moaning quietly, Alexius gave up. "Okay, you win, we'll go. But I did try to warn you..."
Eren leaned down to kiss his cheek. "Don't worry, Lexi," he murmured. "What could possibly happen?"
If he didn't know it was impossible, Alexius would have sworn that the weather was conspiring with the twins to hasten their plans. A heavy layer of clouds rolled in, not dropping any rain but making it just right for two dhampirs who wanted to take a cross-country journey with their lover without having to fear direct sunlight.
Ciaran had to have moved the castle again, given that it only took them a week and a half to get there as opposed to the considerably longer journey he'd made the first time. He stared up at the smooth grey exterior, half listening to the twins in the background as they compared what could be seen of this castle to their own. Externally, at least, the thing looked ordinary. Alexius knew intimately that inside was an entirely different world.
Not that the courtyard was much better. Once past the ornate wrought-iron gates, the intricate hedgework became readily visible. It had changed from the last time Alexius had seen it, almost seeming to be laid out in an imitation of a maze, albeit a maze with crawl-holes, spirals, and... was that a guillotine?
Swallowing his trepidation, Alexius slowly began leading the way to the front of the castle. They only got lost once on the way, and a helpful tree pointed out the right path to take after that. The twins had been rather amused by the talking tree. Alexius refrained from pointing out that trees with teeth were usually not what one would consider 'cute.'
Then again, neither was the hellhound waiting just inside the front doors. Alexius steadied his nerves and held out a tentative hand. "Remember me?" he asked it warily. "I'm just visiting my... err... distant relative..."
The hellhound sniffed the proffered hand curiously, then gave a rather lupine grin and sat up to its full height to lick Alexius's face with its enormous tongue. Eren and Levent laughed behind him and promptly offered their own hands for inspection. "We're with him," Levent explained cheekily, getting a face-full of hellhound tongue for his troubles.
The proper order of the universe promptly flew out the window again as the hellhound rolled over onto its back to allow the twins to pet its belly and scratch its neck. If it had been a cat, Alexius suspected it would have been purring. As it was, the creature made some very fascinating sounds that he'd never have believed possible for one if its breed.
"You two do realize that's a hellhound, right?" Alexius asked.
Eren grinned up at him from where he was kneeling next to the giant animal. "What else would it be, in a demon's castle?" he asked, giving the beast's head one last pat before standing. "Though I did not realize they were so friendly."
"Usually they're ripping heads off and eating people whole, yes," Alexius affirmed dryly. "Though things in this castle never quite seem to behave like they're supposed to."
"Behaving as one expects you to is boring," Levent stated, reluctantly standing as well. "If our mother had been a 'proper' vampire, we would never have been born," he pointed out.
"Which makes me wonder if your mother ever spent any time around here." Alexius shook his head, pulling both twins close for a brief embrace and equally brief kisses.
Eren and Levent shared a glance. "You did say that her story regarding the High Lord was true... perhaps meeting Azragael is like meeting his son."
Granted, Azragael hadn't been your typical Lord of Darkness, but Alexius didn't think anyone was quite like Ciaran. "Come on," he said with a slight smile. "Let's go see if anyone's home."
They progressed down to hallways and up a staircase before the next of the castle's inhabitants found them, a rather buxom bat-winged woman clad in nothing but strategic ribbons and a few pieces of jewelry. She hovered overhead, regarding them warily.
"Hello," Alexius greeted, trying to look as non-threatening as possible. "I'm Alexius Lacroix. We're looking for-"
"Lord Lucien!" the succubus interrupted, drifting lower. "You're the one with the Master's pendant."
Rueful that he'd forgotten about it, Alexius drew the object out from underneath his shirt. The succubus smiled warmly and finished descending to the floor. "Welcome back, Master Alexius," she greeted. "And... friends?"
Levent grinned and waved cheerfully at her. "We're with him, yes," he confirmed. "And you have excellent taste in ribbons. Very artful," Eren added, grinning as well.
The succubus blushed prettily. "Thank you."
"Careful," Levent warned good-naturedly, "Or he'll make you pose for a painting."
Somewhat flustered, the succubus's wings fluttered a moment as she tried to decide whether to be pleased or embarrassed. Both seemed equally evident as she gestured them to follow her. "I think the Master and the others are in the gardens," she informed them. "I'll show you, as it's very easy to get lost if you don't know the castle." She considered, then giggled softly. "Actually, it's easy to get lost anyway. The Master likes to change the layout periodically."
"Change the layout?" Eren asked as they followed her down one of the many corridors, sounding a little impressed. "As in move all the hallways and rooms around, or..."
The succubus laughed, alternately walking and flying. "That, yes, or make new ones, or redesign old ones... Every day is a new adventure, trying to figure out what's changed. Maria came up with a little map spell a while back that keeps track for her so she doesn't get nearly as lost as the rest of us."
"Maria?" Eren asked curiously.
This time the succubus's smile was both fond and mischievous all at once. "Yes," she replied. "Maria is my- Eep!"
All three of the visitors blinked as the succubus vanished into an adjacent hallway. They waited a moment, startled, then Alexius unsheathed a dagger and stepped slowly around the corner. And stared.
Their guide was obviously in no danger. She was half sprawled in the lap of another woman wearing mostly black and engaged in a rather enthusiastic liplock. Several of her ribbons were in disarray, no doubt the handiwork of the black-clad woman given that one of her hands was studiously occupied in undoing more of them.
Alexius flushed scarlet. The twins gave him a curious look, then peeked around the wall to see for themselves. Their eyes widened briefly, then they promptly burst into laughter.
The succubus and the other woman broke off their kiss at the sound, blinking up at their audience. When first Levent, then Eren started applauding, they adopted matching smiles and stood up to take their bows. Alexius did his best not to notice that the succubus's formerly strategically placed ribbons were not so strategic anymore.
"Bravo," Levent said, hooking one arm around Alexius's waist as he grinned at the two women.
"Beautiful," Eren added, doing the same from Alexius's other side. "I especially like the part with the ribbons." He considered, glancing to Alexius. "I don't suppose we could talk you into wearing ribbons...?"
Alexius flushed again as the succubus and her lover both burst into giggles, feeling equal parts embarrassed and grateful when the succubus fixed her errant ribbons.
"This would be Maria," the succubus explained cheerfully, "And I'm Michelle, if I didn't remember to say that before."
Maria smiled. "Are you visitors or new residents?" she asked.
"That one's related to Lord Lucien," Michelle explained, indicating Alexius.
"Oh!" Maria exclaimed in delight. "You'll be wanting the garden, then. Master and Lord Lucien were there not ten minutes ago when I flew through in search of Michelle."
"This way!" Michelle added, hooking her arm through one of Eren's, pulling him forward. Maria followed suit with Levent, and each of the twins hung on to one of Alexius's hands. In this manner they were all dragged gleefully through the castle.
When the women finally released them, they'd emerged into some sort of bizarre cross between an exotic garden and a primeval forest run wild. Two large wolves were engaged in a ball game of some sort with a black panther, a minotaur, and a harpy. A naga and what appeared to be an incubus were rough-housing in a small pond, while a tall creature with large black wings watched from a safe distance.
Alexius didn't see Lucien or Ciaran during his brief glance before his vision was suddenly blocked by a handsome, if rather annoyed-looking blond vampire.
"You again," the vampire observed. "How many Lords of Darkness have you managed to set loose upon the earth this time?"
Alexius flushed. "Nice to see you too," he muttered. To either side of him the twins tensed, unconsciously seeking out his hands. That was odd. A quick glance showed drawn, somewhat worried expressions on both of them.
"And you brought pets," Oliae continued dryly, arching one pale brow. "How..." He paused, frowning slightly. "... dhampirs? Where did you find dhampirs?"
"In the middle of a swamp so evil even you couldn't find fault with it," Alexius muttered, trying to figure out why the normally so boisterous and outgoing twins were suddenly acting so withdrawn. "Eren, Levent, this is... Oliae, I think."
Oliae snorted. "Nice to know I made such a memorable impression."
"My apologies if my mind was more on not getting trounced by a demon and less on your charming self," Alexius snorted, making a quick mental inventory of the weapons he had on him. Baiting a vampire as old and powerful as Oliae wasn't usually a good idea. Fortunately, fate decided to intervene before it came to that.
"Who are you harassing now, bloodsucker?"
Oliae rolled his eyes and didn't even bother to turn around. "I'm not harassing anyone, featherhead."
The tall black winged man had left off watching the two in the water and come over to stand behind Oliae and peer at the newcomers from over the vampire's head. "Oh," Karai observed in surprise, "The Lacroix child."
"Get off of me, you birdbrain," Oliae grumbled, trying futilely to dislodge Karai, who simply smiled.
"Welcome back," Karai continued. "Who are your friends?"
Alexius smiled faintly at the sputtering vampire as he answered Karai. "Hello, Karai. These are Eren and Levent. I was telling them stories and they insisted upon visiting. I hope we aren't imposing."
Karai laughed. "My Master would never view anything as an imposition, despite what Oliae might have told you." He winked reassuringly at the twins. "He's always like this, believe me."
"Let me go right now you wormbreath or you're sleeping alone for the next month," Oliae sputtered, finally managing to dislodge Karai.
Alexius shook his head in amusement, glancing at Eren and frowning to notice that the dhampir still had that peculiar expression on his face. "What's wrong?" he asked softly.
Eren's gaze flickered to Oliae, then back to Alexius. "Vampires... aren't particularly fond of dhampirs," he said quietly.
Blinking in surprise, Alexius pulled both twins close to reassure them. "I don't think it's anything personal," he murmured. "As far as I've been able to tell, he's like that with everybody." Alexius chuckled softly. "For instance, the bird man is his lover. They seem to think insults are a form of affection."
"I like kisses better," Levent returned, a trace of his usual good humor creeping into his voice.
"So do I," Alexius agreed, stealing a brief kiss before frowning thoughtfully at Karai. "So, where are Lucien and Ciaran?" For that matter, he didn't see Maria and Michelle any more, though judging from the discarded ribbons on the ground he probably didn't want to know where they'd gone.
Oliae snorted and pointed up. Alexius glanced at the sky, but didn't see any sign of Ciaran's telltale red hair or the broomstick he was so fond of. "Where?" he asked.
Karai walked a short distance away to stand beneath a large tree, putting his hands on his hips and staring up into the branches. "Master," he called, sounding both amused and resigned at the same time, "You have guests."
A few moments later a very distinctive head of flame-red hair dropped down to the ground, followed shortly by a man so similar to Alexius that they might have been brothers. They both dusted off before walking over, smiling warmly when they spotted Alexius.
"Alexius Lacroix," Ciaran greeted, reaching out to gently touch Alexius's hand before his warm grey eyes slid to the two standing to either side of him. "And you brought friends..."
Alexius smiled. "This is Eren, and that one's Levent."
Ciaran considered, looking up at the taller dhampirs and reaching out thoughtfully to touch Levent's hair. "Pretty..." he murmured, blinking slowly as he tried to puzzle them out. "What are..."
Eren and Levent exchanged a brief look, Eren's gaze darting briefly to Oliae before he responded. "We are dhampirs, sir."
"Call me Ciaran," Ciaran instructed automatically, then blinked again. "Dhampirs?" His eyes widened. "Really? Can I keep you?"
"Master!" Oliae exclaimed at the same time that Lucien said dryly, "Ciaran..." While Karai just laughed quietly.
"What?" Ciaran asked, petting Levent's hair again. "I don't have any dhampirs yet, though I know you and Karai have been trying your best, Oliae, you just don't seem to be getting anywhere..."
Both Oliae and Karai sputtered, and the twins burst into giggles. Lucien just shook his head in amusement and made sure he was a reasonable distance away from Oliae for safety's sake.
Alexius wasn't certain whether to object or die of embarrassment. Oliae managed to do both, face flooding with crimson as he informed his lord and master that, with all due respect, Ciaran really needed to stay out of their sex life.
"Hmm, I think he's just jealous he doesn't have any dhampirs," Ciaran told Alexius and the twins, voice pitched so that only they could hear him, eyes fairly glowing with mirth.
Eren hesitated. "We have never known a vampire to be jealous of a dhampir..."
Something odd flashed in Ciaran's soft grey eyes. "Ah," he said quietly. "To be of two worlds, and yet belong in neither. I believe I know the feeling." His smile was warm and open. "There will always be a place for you here, should you ever need it," he announced. "And even if you do not, I hope that we can still be friends... It would be nice to have other half-bloods to speak with."
"So you really are the son of Azragael?" Levent blurted, smiling sheepishly when he realized his manners had gotten lost somewhere.
Ciaran chuckled softly. "Apparently, though I was not aware of that until a short time ago. I grew up under my mother's care."
"Your mother was human?" Eren asked. At Ciaran's slight nod, he smiled wistfully. "Ours was the vampire. Our father was human."
"Perhaps, in that, I envy you a little," Ciaran murmured. "It is one thing to know that you are different, but perhaps things might have been easier if I had known why..." He shook his head. "No, enough of that. The past is the past. Today is for today, and for wondering what the future will bring." He grinned suddenly. "I don't suppose either of you fly...?"
"Fly?" Eren shook his head. "Dhampirs can't change shape."
For a moment Ciaran looked downcast, then his lips quirked suddenly into an impish smile. "There are other ways of flying, you know..." A battered, worn broomstick suddenly appeared in his hand. Still smiling that mischievous smile, he seated himself upon it and rose just high enough off the ground to put him at eye level with the twins.
"Ohhh..." Levent breathed, gold eyes gleaming. "Could we? I thought that only witches..."
Ciaran grinned. "The spell is on the broom," he explained. "Once it's set, anyone with a bit of magical energy can direct it." He winked, and a pair of matching brooms, these in considerably better repair than his own, appeared in front of the twins. "Care to join me?" he asked.
Lucien winced. "Alexius," he called, "I suggest you learn to duck. Very quickly."
Karai and Oliae exchanged brief glances, then both promptly sought cover beneath a large tree as Eren and Levent mounted their brooms. They wobbled at first, fledglings testing their wings, then first Eren, then Levent rose slowly into the air.
Ciaran laughed in delight, spiraling up into the sky and back down again. After a moment's thought, Levent duplicated the trick, narrowly missing a weeping willow tree on the way back down. Lucien grabbed Alexius's arm and dragged him over to a crumbling iron gate. "Believe me, you don't want to stand out in the open where they can use you for target practice," he stated.
"Target practice?" Alexius asked, unnerved as the twins began swooping around the sky with nothing remotely resembling grace but from the delighted laughter it at least seemed like they were enjoying themselves. "That can't possibly be safe..."
Lucien shrugged. "As long as Ciaran's with them, they won't fall."
"Not even by accident?"
Lucien chuckled quietly. "Ciaran won't let anyone get hurt. He's been playing this game for a very long time. You could fall three feet from the ground and he'd still catch you before you hit it."
Alexius shook his head in mild disbelief. "You'd never know he was related to High Lord Azragael from the way he behaves..."
For a moment, Lucien's expression turned strange. "I don't know about that... Azragael... isn't your typical Lord of Darkness."
Alexius glanced at him oddly while maintaining a wary eye on the sky. "What do you mean?"
"Well for one thing, he's insane." Lucien snorted. "He's also... well, remarkably insecure for one of the most powerful creatures in existence." He shrugged. "We met him again briefly about a year ago, by the world's time. He got lost while looking for a tavern."
"...... tavern."
Lucien smirked. "Like I said, not your typical Lord of Darkness."
"Apparently not," Alexius observed, still watching the twins as they went zooming around through the air, trying to catch Ciaran. A moment later he frowned. "What would a Lord of Darkness want with a tavern?"
Lucien chuckled. "He claimed he wanted to get drunk. I didn't inquire further."
Alexius looked over at him. "So what you're saying is that his entire family is insane."
"Ciaran isn't insane," Lucien objected, "Just... different."
Alexius pointed upward. "I beg to differ."
Ciaran was standing on his broomstick, his arms full of soft orange fruits he'd taken from one of the trees and was now using as projectiles to throw at the twins as they attempted to trap him between them. There probably wouldn't have been any problem at all if the harpy that had been playing ball hadn't leapt into the air to avoid one of the wolves, subsequently crashing into Ciaran and Levent and knocking both off their brooms.
"Levent!" Alexius and Eren exclaimed in dismay, blinking when both Levent and Ciaran just drifted slowly toward the ground with their broomsticks following along like ducklings trailing their mothers.
Alexius ran over to Levent, Lucien following at a more sedate pace. "Are you alright?" Alexius demanded.
Levent grinned. "That was incredible!" He turned to Ciaran. "Can we do it again?"
"The flying part or the falling part?" Ciaran asked impishly, snuggling into Lucien's arms as the man reached him.
"Both!" Levent exclaimed, looking up at where Eren was slowly descending to the ground. "Why didn't you fall off?" he asked.
"I'm more graceful than you are?" Eren suggested, dismounting and joining his twin.
"You're all crazy," Alexius told them, hugging the twins.
"I'm going to second that," Karai added as he and Oliae joined them. "I will never understand the appeal of flying around the sky on glorified sticks."
Ciaran, Eren, and Levent all exchanged a look, then burst out laughing.
"Come back any time," Ciaran said firmly as he activated the large mirror he was using for a transport spell. "Just tell it to Activate, and you won't ever have to leave your castle to come visit."
"And you are welcome to visit us as well," Eren insisted as he and Levent hugged Ciaran goodbye.
"Be sure to practice." Ciaran grinned impishly. "I will want a re-match."
"Of course!" Levent exclaimed, brandishing his broom. "Next time, we'll beat you."
"Barring any further harpy interference, that is," Eren added, making them all laugh.
Lucien shook his head and simply shook hands with Alexius. "I apologize for the broomsticks."
Alexius smiled tolerantly. "I'm sure they'll get bored with them eventually."
Lucien smiled, sapphire eyes gleaming. "Oh, I wouldn't be so sure about that," he promised darkly.
"You have a point," Alexius sighed. "I'm slowly getting the idea that when it involves a certain Lord of Darkness or his son, anything is possible."
Lucien laughed. "Anything is possible. Including two Hunters falling in love with their sworn enemies."
With a brief, laughing smile, Alexius linked his hands with Eren and Levent's and all three stepped through the mirror back to their home. Together.
Takes place after everything else, including maderr's In Darkness Thrive, and contains characters swiped from there. ;)
In case you somehow managed to miss the rest of them (or want a refresher) they are: Darkness, Darkness Falling, Darkness Calling, Darkness Rising, The Lure of Darkness, Drabble 1: So a Vampire and a Demon walk into a bar..., Drabble 2: Why Lords of Darkness Should Not Drink, and From The Dark Realms With Love.
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Why was it, Alexius wondered, that every time his scars started to hurt he found himself standing in the gallery staring up at the portrait of the flame-haired Lord of Darkness? Azragael. It wasn't as though being able to see the painting made it any easier or harder to remember. Not easier, because nothing could improve a memory that was still as clear as the day it had happened. Not harder, because nothing would ever erase that incident from his mind.
He was lucky to be alive at all. There was no reason whatsoever that he should have been spared when the sickness spread out, felling everything in its path. No reason at all that he shouldn't have died when that demon, wielding the powers of High Lord Baharazel had dug its claws into his shoulder.
To this day he didn't know why he hadn't fallen to the sickness. He did, however, know why he hadn't perished at the demon's hand.
Lucien Lacroix. The greatest and most legendary of Demon Hunters to ever live. The man whose legend refused to die despite the details of his life and exploits having been lost to history. The man who still lived, in a place where time could not touch him, hidden away from the world.
Until a young, desperate Vampire Hunter had come seeking his aid against the overwhelming power that had destroyed his family, his village, and everything he knew. Alexius hadn't been expecting to actually meet his ancient ancestor, hadn't expected the legend to be real. He certainly hadn't expected to follow the man and his demon lover into the heart of the Demon Lord's lair and come face to face with not only a demon wielding the powers of a Lord of Darkness, but the flesh and blood reality of another Lord of Darkness as well.
It should have been a dream. Nay, a nightmare. But instead it was real. Against all odds, they'd triumphed that night with only minor wounds to show for the experience. After that... Alexius had made certain that the legend of Lucien Lacroix would never die.
He reached up reflexively to touch his chest where the ancient pendant still hung around his neck, beautiful as the day it had been made. He wasn't sure why he still wore it. He had no reason to seek out the dark castle. Perhaps it was a reminder. Something solid to prove that it had all been real and he wasn't losing his mind. It, like the scars, would never let him forget the terror of seeing death come for him, only to be turned aside at the last moment.
"What is it, I wonder, that you find so fascinating about that painting?"
Alexius yelped and spun around, hand going automatically to the weapon that wasn't there. He silently willed his heart rate to return to normal as he levied a half-hearted glare at the man who'd snuck up on him.
"Levent!"
Levent smiled and stepped forward for a quick kiss. "Sorry. You were just so intent, I couldn't resist."
"Very funny," Alexius muttered, though there was no heat in his words.
"So, I ask again, why do you sometimes come and stare at this painting?" Levent asked curiously.
"I..." Alexius hesitated. "I've met him, before. Looking at the painting is... I don't know. I guess it reminds me that it was real."
Warm arms encircled him as Levent held him close, sensing that Alexius had a need for reassurance of some kind. "What was real, Lexi?" he asked softly. "Who is the man in the painting?"
Again, Alexius hesitated. Would Levent even believe him? "High Lord Azragael," he replied finally.
Levent started, his embrace loosening as he stepped back to stare at Alexius, golden eyes wide. "Azragael? But the Lords of Darkness cannot leave the Dark Realms..."
Alexius's lips twisted into a wry smile. "Yes, that's what I thought too, until he informed me otherwise." His eyes closed, the moment in question playing out as vividly in memory as it had been in life. "Apparently two of them can leave, though he said the other one doesn't... Lurizal, I think."
"But..." Levent frowned faintly. "If a Lord of Darkness were to walk the earth, would not everyone know it?"
Alexius chuckled quietly. "Apparently not." His lips quirked. "That story you told me, about your mother and the card game..."
"Dice game," Levent corrected absently, frowning curiously. "What of it?"
"It's probably true." Alexius smiled. "He certainly didn't seem like how you would usually imagine one of the Seven Lords of Darkness... but then, considering his son..."
This time Levent openly gaped. "Son? High Lord Azragael has a son? How?"
Alexius frowned thoughtfully. "I'm not entirely sure. Nobody ever told me that part... of course, we were a bit preoccupied with not dying at the time..."
Levent blinked, blinked again for good measure, then took his arm and firmly led him away from the painting and out of the gallery. "You are going to tell us the entire story, from the beginning, preferably in order."
"It's not all that interesting of a story," Alexius protested as Levent pushed him through the door into the dining hall.
"What's not an interesting story?" Eren asked, looking up from where he'd just finished setting out their evening meal.
"Lexi has met High Lord Azragael, who apparently has a son, in some situation in which involved possible dying," Levent informed him, steering Alexius into his proper place before assuming his own seat. "More than that, he has not yet divulged."
Eren blinked, looking at them both oddly. "Azragael can't leave the Dark Realms."
Levent grinned and spread his hands helplessly. "That is what I told him, but Lexi says this information is wrong..."
The twins turned equally intent golden stares upon him and Alexius did his best not to fidget beneath those looks. "I don't know how he did it, but I am fairly certain it was Azragael..."
"From the beginning," Eren ordered calmly, "And eat your supper."
Slowly, haltingly as he paused to enjoy Eren's delicious cooking, Alexius relayed the story of the demon that had somehow acquired High Lord Baharazel's powers and the terrible deaths that had occurred as a result, followed by his own decision to seek aid and the journey that had required. He drew the pendant out from beneath his tunic, pulling it over his head and setting it on the table.
"This was passed down through my family for generations. I thought it was a myth, just a pretty legend." Alexius rubbed a finger gently over the gemstone in the center of the pendant, watching as it glowed a soft blue before a ray of light emerged, pointing off toward the far wall. "It wasn't a myth. It leads to a castle that exists outside of time, where my many times great-ancestor Lucien Lacroix lives with his demon lover." He smiled wryly. "Also known as the son of Azragael."
The twins exchanged matching looks with eerie fluidity, then Levent asked curiously, "And Azragael himself?"
Alexius laughed quietly. "Oh, that was later." He related the rest of the tale, from meeting Ciaran and Lucien, the journey back to the demon's castle, the ensuing battle that had left him with permanent scars on one shoulder, and the subsequent arrival and departure of the notorious Lord of Darkness.
When he finished there was a long silence, unusual for the twins, then Eren said thoughtfully, "The legendary Lucien Lacroix and a man who may as well be a Lord of Darkness himself... you certainly have interesting friends, Lexi."
"They're not friends, exactly," Alexius demurred. "One's... well, family, distantly anyway. The other is..." He shrugged helplessly. "Ciaran's just... different."
There went another of those thoughtful looks exchanged between twin sets of golden eyes, then Levent smiled slowly. "But you would admit that you are on good terms with these people, correct?"
Why did he feel as though his doom was bearing down on him?
"Er, well, I guess... I mean, Ciaran did offer to let me stay in his castle if I wanted..." Alexius admitted cautiously.
"So then," Eren pressed, golden eyes gleaming, "He would not be likely to object if you dropped by for a visit?" White fangs flashed as Eren grinned. "With friends?"
Oh. Oh! Alexius paled. "Um, well..."
"You do want to introduce us to your friends, don't you?" Levent asked, eyes wide. "You're not ashamed of having dhampirs for lovers, are you?"
"No!" Alexius said quickly, shaking his head. "It's not that, it's-"
"Then you do not mind if we all go for a little trip?" Eren interrupted him, somehow having left his chair without Alexius being aware and looming close.
"But they... you..."
Levent was on his other side, hands in his hair and fingers trailing down his cheek. "It'll be fun, Lexi, really," he purred.
Moaning quietly, Alexius gave up. "Okay, you win, we'll go. But I did try to warn you..."
Eren leaned down to kiss his cheek. "Don't worry, Lexi," he murmured. "What could possibly happen?"
If he didn't know it was impossible, Alexius would have sworn that the weather was conspiring with the twins to hasten their plans. A heavy layer of clouds rolled in, not dropping any rain but making it just right for two dhampirs who wanted to take a cross-country journey with their lover without having to fear direct sunlight.
Ciaran had to have moved the castle again, given that it only took them a week and a half to get there as opposed to the considerably longer journey he'd made the first time. He stared up at the smooth grey exterior, half listening to the twins in the background as they compared what could be seen of this castle to their own. Externally, at least, the thing looked ordinary. Alexius knew intimately that inside was an entirely different world.
Not that the courtyard was much better. Once past the ornate wrought-iron gates, the intricate hedgework became readily visible. It had changed from the last time Alexius had seen it, almost seeming to be laid out in an imitation of a maze, albeit a maze with crawl-holes, spirals, and... was that a guillotine?
Swallowing his trepidation, Alexius slowly began leading the way to the front of the castle. They only got lost once on the way, and a helpful tree pointed out the right path to take after that. The twins had been rather amused by the talking tree. Alexius refrained from pointing out that trees with teeth were usually not what one would consider 'cute.'
Then again, neither was the hellhound waiting just inside the front doors. Alexius steadied his nerves and held out a tentative hand. "Remember me?" he asked it warily. "I'm just visiting my... err... distant relative..."
The hellhound sniffed the proffered hand curiously, then gave a rather lupine grin and sat up to its full height to lick Alexius's face with its enormous tongue. Eren and Levent laughed behind him and promptly offered their own hands for inspection. "We're with him," Levent explained cheekily, getting a face-full of hellhound tongue for his troubles.
The proper order of the universe promptly flew out the window again as the hellhound rolled over onto its back to allow the twins to pet its belly and scratch its neck. If it had been a cat, Alexius suspected it would have been purring. As it was, the creature made some very fascinating sounds that he'd never have believed possible for one if its breed.
"You two do realize that's a hellhound, right?" Alexius asked.
Eren grinned up at him from where he was kneeling next to the giant animal. "What else would it be, in a demon's castle?" he asked, giving the beast's head one last pat before standing. "Though I did not realize they were so friendly."
"Usually they're ripping heads off and eating people whole, yes," Alexius affirmed dryly. "Though things in this castle never quite seem to behave like they're supposed to."
"Behaving as one expects you to is boring," Levent stated, reluctantly standing as well. "If our mother had been a 'proper' vampire, we would never have been born," he pointed out.
"Which makes me wonder if your mother ever spent any time around here." Alexius shook his head, pulling both twins close for a brief embrace and equally brief kisses.
Eren and Levent shared a glance. "You did say that her story regarding the High Lord was true... perhaps meeting Azragael is like meeting his son."
Granted, Azragael hadn't been your typical Lord of Darkness, but Alexius didn't think anyone was quite like Ciaran. "Come on," he said with a slight smile. "Let's go see if anyone's home."
They progressed down to hallways and up a staircase before the next of the castle's inhabitants found them, a rather buxom bat-winged woman clad in nothing but strategic ribbons and a few pieces of jewelry. She hovered overhead, regarding them warily.
"Hello," Alexius greeted, trying to look as non-threatening as possible. "I'm Alexius Lacroix. We're looking for-"
"Lord Lucien!" the succubus interrupted, drifting lower. "You're the one with the Master's pendant."
Rueful that he'd forgotten about it, Alexius drew the object out from underneath his shirt. The succubus smiled warmly and finished descending to the floor. "Welcome back, Master Alexius," she greeted. "And... friends?"
Levent grinned and waved cheerfully at her. "We're with him, yes," he confirmed. "And you have excellent taste in ribbons. Very artful," Eren added, grinning as well.
The succubus blushed prettily. "Thank you."
"Careful," Levent warned good-naturedly, "Or he'll make you pose for a painting."
Somewhat flustered, the succubus's wings fluttered a moment as she tried to decide whether to be pleased or embarrassed. Both seemed equally evident as she gestured them to follow her. "I think the Master and the others are in the gardens," she informed them. "I'll show you, as it's very easy to get lost if you don't know the castle." She considered, then giggled softly. "Actually, it's easy to get lost anyway. The Master likes to change the layout periodically."
"Change the layout?" Eren asked as they followed her down one of the many corridors, sounding a little impressed. "As in move all the hallways and rooms around, or..."
The succubus laughed, alternately walking and flying. "That, yes, or make new ones, or redesign old ones... Every day is a new adventure, trying to figure out what's changed. Maria came up with a little map spell a while back that keeps track for her so she doesn't get nearly as lost as the rest of us."
"Maria?" Eren asked curiously.
This time the succubus's smile was both fond and mischievous all at once. "Yes," she replied. "Maria is my- Eep!"
All three of the visitors blinked as the succubus vanished into an adjacent hallway. They waited a moment, startled, then Alexius unsheathed a dagger and stepped slowly around the corner. And stared.
Their guide was obviously in no danger. She was half sprawled in the lap of another woman wearing mostly black and engaged in a rather enthusiastic liplock. Several of her ribbons were in disarray, no doubt the handiwork of the black-clad woman given that one of her hands was studiously occupied in undoing more of them.
Alexius flushed scarlet. The twins gave him a curious look, then peeked around the wall to see for themselves. Their eyes widened briefly, then they promptly burst into laughter.
The succubus and the other woman broke off their kiss at the sound, blinking up at their audience. When first Levent, then Eren started applauding, they adopted matching smiles and stood up to take their bows. Alexius did his best not to notice that the succubus's formerly strategically placed ribbons were not so strategic anymore.
"Bravo," Levent said, hooking one arm around Alexius's waist as he grinned at the two women.
"Beautiful," Eren added, doing the same from Alexius's other side. "I especially like the part with the ribbons." He considered, glancing to Alexius. "I don't suppose we could talk you into wearing ribbons...?"
Alexius flushed again as the succubus and her lover both burst into giggles, feeling equal parts embarrassed and grateful when the succubus fixed her errant ribbons.
"This would be Maria," the succubus explained cheerfully, "And I'm Michelle, if I didn't remember to say that before."
Maria smiled. "Are you visitors or new residents?" she asked.
"That one's related to Lord Lucien," Michelle explained, indicating Alexius.
"Oh!" Maria exclaimed in delight. "You'll be wanting the garden, then. Master and Lord Lucien were there not ten minutes ago when I flew through in search of Michelle."
"This way!" Michelle added, hooking her arm through one of Eren's, pulling him forward. Maria followed suit with Levent, and each of the twins hung on to one of Alexius's hands. In this manner they were all dragged gleefully through the castle.
When the women finally released them, they'd emerged into some sort of bizarre cross between an exotic garden and a primeval forest run wild. Two large wolves were engaged in a ball game of some sort with a black panther, a minotaur, and a harpy. A naga and what appeared to be an incubus were rough-housing in a small pond, while a tall creature with large black wings watched from a safe distance.
Alexius didn't see Lucien or Ciaran during his brief glance before his vision was suddenly blocked by a handsome, if rather annoyed-looking blond vampire.
"You again," the vampire observed. "How many Lords of Darkness have you managed to set loose upon the earth this time?"
Alexius flushed. "Nice to see you too," he muttered. To either side of him the twins tensed, unconsciously seeking out his hands. That was odd. A quick glance showed drawn, somewhat worried expressions on both of them.
"And you brought pets," Oliae continued dryly, arching one pale brow. "How..." He paused, frowning slightly. "... dhampirs? Where did you find dhampirs?"
"In the middle of a swamp so evil even you couldn't find fault with it," Alexius muttered, trying to figure out why the normally so boisterous and outgoing twins were suddenly acting so withdrawn. "Eren, Levent, this is... Oliae, I think."
Oliae snorted. "Nice to know I made such a memorable impression."
"My apologies if my mind was more on not getting trounced by a demon and less on your charming self," Alexius snorted, making a quick mental inventory of the weapons he had on him. Baiting a vampire as old and powerful as Oliae wasn't usually a good idea. Fortunately, fate decided to intervene before it came to that.
"Who are you harassing now, bloodsucker?"
Oliae rolled his eyes and didn't even bother to turn around. "I'm not harassing anyone, featherhead."
The tall black winged man had left off watching the two in the water and come over to stand behind Oliae and peer at the newcomers from over the vampire's head. "Oh," Karai observed in surprise, "The Lacroix child."
"Get off of me, you birdbrain," Oliae grumbled, trying futilely to dislodge Karai, who simply smiled.
"Welcome back," Karai continued. "Who are your friends?"
Alexius smiled faintly at the sputtering vampire as he answered Karai. "Hello, Karai. These are Eren and Levent. I was telling them stories and they insisted upon visiting. I hope we aren't imposing."
Karai laughed. "My Master would never view anything as an imposition, despite what Oliae might have told you." He winked reassuringly at the twins. "He's always like this, believe me."
"Let me go right now you wormbreath or you're sleeping alone for the next month," Oliae sputtered, finally managing to dislodge Karai.
Alexius shook his head in amusement, glancing at Eren and frowning to notice that the dhampir still had that peculiar expression on his face. "What's wrong?" he asked softly.
Eren's gaze flickered to Oliae, then back to Alexius. "Vampires... aren't particularly fond of dhampirs," he said quietly.
Blinking in surprise, Alexius pulled both twins close to reassure them. "I don't think it's anything personal," he murmured. "As far as I've been able to tell, he's like that with everybody." Alexius chuckled softly. "For instance, the bird man is his lover. They seem to think insults are a form of affection."
"I like kisses better," Levent returned, a trace of his usual good humor creeping into his voice.
"So do I," Alexius agreed, stealing a brief kiss before frowning thoughtfully at Karai. "So, where are Lucien and Ciaran?" For that matter, he didn't see Maria and Michelle any more, though judging from the discarded ribbons on the ground he probably didn't want to know where they'd gone.
Oliae snorted and pointed up. Alexius glanced at the sky, but didn't see any sign of Ciaran's telltale red hair or the broomstick he was so fond of. "Where?" he asked.
Karai walked a short distance away to stand beneath a large tree, putting his hands on his hips and staring up into the branches. "Master," he called, sounding both amused and resigned at the same time, "You have guests."
A few moments later a very distinctive head of flame-red hair dropped down to the ground, followed shortly by a man so similar to Alexius that they might have been brothers. They both dusted off before walking over, smiling warmly when they spotted Alexius.
"Alexius Lacroix," Ciaran greeted, reaching out to gently touch Alexius's hand before his warm grey eyes slid to the two standing to either side of him. "And you brought friends..."
Alexius smiled. "This is Eren, and that one's Levent."
Ciaran considered, looking up at the taller dhampirs and reaching out thoughtfully to touch Levent's hair. "Pretty..." he murmured, blinking slowly as he tried to puzzle them out. "What are..."
Eren and Levent exchanged a brief look, Eren's gaze darting briefly to Oliae before he responded. "We are dhampirs, sir."
"Call me Ciaran," Ciaran instructed automatically, then blinked again. "Dhampirs?" His eyes widened. "Really? Can I keep you?"
"Master!" Oliae exclaimed at the same time that Lucien said dryly, "Ciaran..." While Karai just laughed quietly.
"What?" Ciaran asked, petting Levent's hair again. "I don't have any dhampirs yet, though I know you and Karai have been trying your best, Oliae, you just don't seem to be getting anywhere..."
Both Oliae and Karai sputtered, and the twins burst into giggles. Lucien just shook his head in amusement and made sure he was a reasonable distance away from Oliae for safety's sake.
Alexius wasn't certain whether to object or die of embarrassment. Oliae managed to do both, face flooding with crimson as he informed his lord and master that, with all due respect, Ciaran really needed to stay out of their sex life.
"Hmm, I think he's just jealous he doesn't have any dhampirs," Ciaran told Alexius and the twins, voice pitched so that only they could hear him, eyes fairly glowing with mirth.
Eren hesitated. "We have never known a vampire to be jealous of a dhampir..."
Something odd flashed in Ciaran's soft grey eyes. "Ah," he said quietly. "To be of two worlds, and yet belong in neither. I believe I know the feeling." His smile was warm and open. "There will always be a place for you here, should you ever need it," he announced. "And even if you do not, I hope that we can still be friends... It would be nice to have other half-bloods to speak with."
"So you really are the son of Azragael?" Levent blurted, smiling sheepishly when he realized his manners had gotten lost somewhere.
Ciaran chuckled softly. "Apparently, though I was not aware of that until a short time ago. I grew up under my mother's care."
"Your mother was human?" Eren asked. At Ciaran's slight nod, he smiled wistfully. "Ours was the vampire. Our father was human."
"Perhaps, in that, I envy you a little," Ciaran murmured. "It is one thing to know that you are different, but perhaps things might have been easier if I had known why..." He shook his head. "No, enough of that. The past is the past. Today is for today, and for wondering what the future will bring." He grinned suddenly. "I don't suppose either of you fly...?"
"Fly?" Eren shook his head. "Dhampirs can't change shape."
For a moment Ciaran looked downcast, then his lips quirked suddenly into an impish smile. "There are other ways of flying, you know..." A battered, worn broomstick suddenly appeared in his hand. Still smiling that mischievous smile, he seated himself upon it and rose just high enough off the ground to put him at eye level with the twins.
"Ohhh..." Levent breathed, gold eyes gleaming. "Could we? I thought that only witches..."
Ciaran grinned. "The spell is on the broom," he explained. "Once it's set, anyone with a bit of magical energy can direct it." He winked, and a pair of matching brooms, these in considerably better repair than his own, appeared in front of the twins. "Care to join me?" he asked.
Lucien winced. "Alexius," he called, "I suggest you learn to duck. Very quickly."
Karai and Oliae exchanged brief glances, then both promptly sought cover beneath a large tree as Eren and Levent mounted their brooms. They wobbled at first, fledglings testing their wings, then first Eren, then Levent rose slowly into the air.
Ciaran laughed in delight, spiraling up into the sky and back down again. After a moment's thought, Levent duplicated the trick, narrowly missing a weeping willow tree on the way back down. Lucien grabbed Alexius's arm and dragged him over to a crumbling iron gate. "Believe me, you don't want to stand out in the open where they can use you for target practice," he stated.
"Target practice?" Alexius asked, unnerved as the twins began swooping around the sky with nothing remotely resembling grace but from the delighted laughter it at least seemed like they were enjoying themselves. "That can't possibly be safe..."
Lucien shrugged. "As long as Ciaran's with them, they won't fall."
"Not even by accident?"
Lucien chuckled quietly. "Ciaran won't let anyone get hurt. He's been playing this game for a very long time. You could fall three feet from the ground and he'd still catch you before you hit it."
Alexius shook his head in mild disbelief. "You'd never know he was related to High Lord Azragael from the way he behaves..."
For a moment, Lucien's expression turned strange. "I don't know about that... Azragael... isn't your typical Lord of Darkness."
Alexius glanced at him oddly while maintaining a wary eye on the sky. "What do you mean?"
"Well for one thing, he's insane." Lucien snorted. "He's also... well, remarkably insecure for one of the most powerful creatures in existence." He shrugged. "We met him again briefly about a year ago, by the world's time. He got lost while looking for a tavern."
"...... tavern."
Lucien smirked. "Like I said, not your typical Lord of Darkness."
"Apparently not," Alexius observed, still watching the twins as they went zooming around through the air, trying to catch Ciaran. A moment later he frowned. "What would a Lord of Darkness want with a tavern?"
Lucien chuckled. "He claimed he wanted to get drunk. I didn't inquire further."
Alexius looked over at him. "So what you're saying is that his entire family is insane."
"Ciaran isn't insane," Lucien objected, "Just... different."
Alexius pointed upward. "I beg to differ."
Ciaran was standing on his broomstick, his arms full of soft orange fruits he'd taken from one of the trees and was now using as projectiles to throw at the twins as they attempted to trap him between them. There probably wouldn't have been any problem at all if the harpy that had been playing ball hadn't leapt into the air to avoid one of the wolves, subsequently crashing into Ciaran and Levent and knocking both off their brooms.
"Levent!" Alexius and Eren exclaimed in dismay, blinking when both Levent and Ciaran just drifted slowly toward the ground with their broomsticks following along like ducklings trailing their mothers.
Alexius ran over to Levent, Lucien following at a more sedate pace. "Are you alright?" Alexius demanded.
Levent grinned. "That was incredible!" He turned to Ciaran. "Can we do it again?"
"The flying part or the falling part?" Ciaran asked impishly, snuggling into Lucien's arms as the man reached him.
"Both!" Levent exclaimed, looking up at where Eren was slowly descending to the ground. "Why didn't you fall off?" he asked.
"I'm more graceful than you are?" Eren suggested, dismounting and joining his twin.
"You're all crazy," Alexius told them, hugging the twins.
"I'm going to second that," Karai added as he and Oliae joined them. "I will never understand the appeal of flying around the sky on glorified sticks."
Ciaran, Eren, and Levent all exchanged a look, then burst out laughing.
"Come back any time," Ciaran said firmly as he activated the large mirror he was using for a transport spell. "Just tell it to Activate, and you won't ever have to leave your castle to come visit."
"And you are welcome to visit us as well," Eren insisted as he and Levent hugged Ciaran goodbye.
"Be sure to practice." Ciaran grinned impishly. "I will want a re-match."
"Of course!" Levent exclaimed, brandishing his broom. "Next time, we'll beat you."
"Barring any further harpy interference, that is," Eren added, making them all laugh.
Lucien shook his head and simply shook hands with Alexius. "I apologize for the broomsticks."
Alexius smiled tolerantly. "I'm sure they'll get bored with them eventually."
Lucien smiled, sapphire eyes gleaming. "Oh, I wouldn't be so sure about that," he promised darkly.
"You have a point," Alexius sighed. "I'm slowly getting the idea that when it involves a certain Lord of Darkness or his son, anything is possible."
Lucien laughed. "Anything is possible. Including two Hunters falling in love with their sworn enemies."
With a brief, laughing smile, Alexius linked his hands with Eren and Levent's and all three stepped through the mirror back to their home. Together.