Raven

[Toothless]

You both can stay with me Ember. I'm just playing devil's advocate. We're at Malachi's home now. Jai's voice became soft, filled with the pain of old memories.

[Spotify]

Ember shook her head,We're not mates. I have no right to move in with you. Plus I think Kayrin would kill you if I did... Can we talk when you get back? Take carry of yourself and my best friend.

[Spotify]

Ren phased, his mind reaching out for what was his. He clenched his jaw as he glanced at the lover boys.

[Toothless]

Jai was silent for a moment. Yes, my lady. With that, he focused on his task; he shifted just as Malachi strode from the doorway of his home, black eyes narrow. Malachi was no lover of Costin, but preferred his solitude. "Two Schimba and a King come barging onto my home. How may I be of assistance, Kayrin, Lord of the Nephilim?"

[Spotify]

Ren snarled lowly,"Prince of the Schimba, watch it Strigoi."he snapped, his eyes flashing with need for his mate.

[Toothless]

Malachi's expression hardened. "A nice title, boy, but you're hardly royal in these parts." Jai stepped forward, and Malachi's expression softened a tad. He had a soft spot for the kid whom Costin had nearly destroyed.
"Mal," Jai said, "we need help finding one of our own. Costin kidnapped her on Priciolici lands and gave her as a gift to one of his spawn. Do you know who he might have given the Schimba to?

[Spotify]

Ren growled, but said nothing. He glanced at Jai and than Kayrin, his eyes narrowing just the slightest. He slowly took in the scene, then his mind began to wonder. Lauren.

[Toothless]

Lauren was roused from her state of half-consciousness at the soft call of her name, stormy eyes flickering open slowly. Her body hurt, bruised and battered at every angle. Her neck throbbed, covered in dried blood; her ribs hurt, probably broken in several places. Schimba had an accelerated healing rate to that of a human, but Lauren's body was hurt beyond what a human would survive, with an extensive loss of blood. Ren's voice had drawn her from her dazed state and she tiredly responded. Yeah.

Malachi watched Jai for a long time, as if deciding something. "You want me to betray my king," he said; it wasn't a question, but Jai nodded. "I have heard a fledgling named Sandor bragging that he'd gotten into Costin's good graces. He is your best bet. His home is due east to here; you can't miss it."

[Spotify]

I'm coming. Do you have any idea where you are? Ren asked as he silently stalked outside. He wanted her. He wanted her by his side and nothing more.

[Toothless]

No, not really. I'm in some kind of dark cellar, so I can't see outside. Lauren made a soft sound of pain, curling into a fetal position. Her soft brown hair fell in loose waves around her, though it was dirty and matted. I'd ask that you hurry, but I'm pretty sure that's a given. She allowed her eyes to close and her mind to drift, though some of her attention remained on Ren.

"Thanks, Mal," Jai murmured. "I own you one."
"You owe me quite a bit, little Schimba," the Strigoi chuckled. Jai nodded and turned, gesturing for Kayrin to follow him.
"Ren!" he cried. "Let's go. We know where we're going!"

[Spotify]

Ren nodded and finally followed them. His mind drifting back to Lauren, but he said nothing through their bond. He simply offered her his presence.

[Toothless]

Kayrin met Jai's gaze for a moment, a silent message passing between them. They would follow Ember's wishes, but were saddened to keep mates from each other. In his heart, Jai understood. Mates were meant for each other - they were each a half of one soul, each a part of another, and by asking Ember to consider himself as a choice, Jai was potentially keeping the other half of her soul from her. A sadness entered him and he released a soft sigh, before he shook it off, loping across the landscape once more as a black wolf.

Lauren's mind was beginning to slow, making it difficult for her to understand what was going on around her. Her perception was slowed, and it felt as though she was wading through water. She began to sink into darkness, feeling her mind close in around her. It was a defense action, one her body made out of desperation to survive. Her mind shut down on itself in an attempt to heal her broken body, sending her spiraling into her own dreams. Lauren drifted off into unconsciousness with a soft sigh.

[Spotify]

Ember's mind was elsewhere. Her thoughts jumbled and her heart heavy. She stared at her mother's gravestone,"Please. Let me do the right thing. For them. For me. For dad. For my people. Let me do the right thing."she whispered, as she sank heavily to the ground to sit just before her mother's grave. She knew it was no use. Fighting to keep mates apart. It was useless. She sighed again, gently reaching out to her own mate. She knew it was useless to fight their connection, but she didn't want to lose her first love. She knew it was stupid, but she just didn't want to let him go. But she knew she had to. I changed my mind... Do whatever Ren thinks is right. You answer to him for right now. Or do whatever you think is right. I don't care anymore as long as you bring back my best friend. 

Ren glanced at two,"We have to get to her. NOW."he said, reaching out to his mate once more. When a sudden thought hit his mind and the rest of the two boys. It was Ember's I'm sending Lyric. Try and be nice. She's a little on the crazy side, being a schimba strigoi you know.

[Toothless]

I promise we will get her back, Ember, Kayrin murmured to his mate, sending comfort and affection through the bond. With a grunt, he spread his wings and leapt into the sky, moving much quicker than Jai. The wolf managed to keep up, however, and within the hour they'd reached the home of Sandor. It was a run-down looking place, with vines creeping up the sides of the home, making it seem uninhabitated. Jai waited outside the door, panting softly, as if he were getting his bearings.

[Spotify]

Thank you. Ember replied, accepting his comfort. She sighed once more, she was finally starting to see that it was pointless to fight their connection anymore. All she wanted to do was to be happy and she knew Kayrin could do that. She just hoped her happiness wouldn't be of the extent of her people.

Ren panted as he phased back into human form. He wanted his mate beside him, but he knew it would unwise to just barge in there. He looked at Kayrin for advice.