A debt

[Throe Bastard]

*Xcor had lost his mind, even farther than before. They had tortured and beat Tohrment Hharm for almost a week. And the leader of the Brotherhood had said nothing. Had not even screamed.

Now the male was passed out in pain, laying face down in his own puddles of both fresh and old blood in the stone cellar, lined with lead and jammed to prevent escape*

Xcor, he needs to feed. If not he will expire. *He looked over at the Bastard's leader and then back at Tohrment* Perhaps the Chosen that has assisted us before?

*He hated the thought of that, for he knew Xcor shared the same adoration and attraction that he shared for the beautiful specimen of the race. And so pure and perfect, they were both enthralled by her mere presence.

Xcor grunted and hissed, walking over to kick Tohrment in the side and look back at him, "He's not going to tell us shit, everyone knows the son of Hharm has nothing to lose. Maybe we need to let him bleed out and die. Serves the fucker right. Did they show you any mercy when they held you captive Throe? "

He thought about how to answer that, since in reality, the Brotherhood had been ruthless, but yet, showed mercy. The proof evident was the fact he was still alive. And it was for that reason alone that he had stopped Xcor on removing the spine of the Brother and sending his remains to the Glymera to show the Brotherhood was without its leader. Glancing back at the Brother, the male's back cut and sliced open, not healing as they beat him to prevent it, once again found himself fighting with himself; that small grain of honor he once aspired to obtain rubbing against what the bastard he had become wanted to do. Narrowing his eyes realized something had changed since he was a captive of the Brotherhood and now*

Look at him. We know that the Brother lost his shellan, and was on the brink of failing from not caring for himself and wanting to go to the Fade. *He walked over and yanked Tohrment's head up by the hair, eyes and face purple and swollen, but even now letting out a fierce snarl in his unconscious state* Something has changed. He's large and healthy, restored to his former state before his shellan was killed. The Brother has someone to lose. *Glanced down and lifted the brother's hand to show a ring on the Brother's thumb* And I am betting it is someone who has restored the Brother's will to live. And love.

*He dropped Tohr's head with a sickening thud and stood, rubbing the Brother's blood from his palms on his pants* He has someone, we need to find out who. I recommend feeding him and using the ploy that we know he has someone and target that female.

*Xcor's ruined face twisted in disgust. But Xcor listened to him more now, and they had a much better level of respect. If Throe would have known turning his back on the Bastards and making Xcor beg him to come back would have done that? He would have done it long ago. Xcor nodded* We'll summon the Chosen. Feed him enough to keep him from the Fade, and nothing more.

*Xcor kicked the Brother once more and turned to leave the cellar cell. Throe looked back and sighed* You owe me Brother. Our debt will soon be paid and then, you can have a wish you may not longer wish.

A trip to the fade.

*As he closed the door*

[Tohrment, Son of Hharm]

The door closing, brought him slowly to, but that was about it. His body was weak and hurt everywhere it could. Add that to Xcor slicing his back open, kicks to the head and stomps on his most special parts, he found the irony amusing in a small part of his mind. Once he had craved, to the point of obsession, to go to the Fade.

Now that he had found love again in Autumn, he feared he would get that wish. He craved blood so bad it curled painful in his gut, his biology panting to heal his battered body and bruised organs. The blood lust was one out of survival on the brink of dying, and was like a pounding pulse thorough his body, was dully pleading to be met.

Letting out a groan, wasn't even able to sit up, move or even try to address any of his body's needs, as darkness started to draw him in and he feared the Fade was waiting as he whispered out, "I'm sorry Autumn. Scribe Virgin knows your hellren I wanted to be." and the blackness took him away.

[Autumn Hharm]

Lying in Tohr's bed, she awoke to thoughts of him, and a need to go to him that would not fade or be ignored. She grabbed the closest garment and dressed quickly in the robe and a pair of easily-donned flats before making her way towards the vestibule.

Thanking the blessed Scribe Virgin that the shutters came up just as she crossed the mosaic apple tree, and before she knew it, she was gone.

When she materialized again, she was standing on the lawn of a farmhouse. Frowning, and feeling an inexplicable pull, she followed it and went to the door. She debated knocking, and instead, reached for the handle and gave it a try.

[Throe Bastard]

*The proximity alarm went off and he glanced up at the door camera and stopped the Bastard who was going to send the guest to the pit below* Its a female. *He frowned. Xcor had tried to summon the Chosen Layla and said he got no response. Hiding a SIG behind his back went to the door and opened it and was struck by the female's beauty. Not as glamourous as the chosen Layla, but beautiful nonetheless. Skin flawless, hair silky and beautiful grey eyes. But why was she here?*

Are you a Chosen? *He looked past her, thumb on the safety of the gun, still held behind his back* Where is the one named Layla?

[Autumn Hharm]

She looked at the male who opened the door, surprised it wasn't Tohrment. But the way his eyes darted away and back, triggered something in her memory, and when he asked about the Chosen and then Layla, she followed a suspicion and went out on a limb.

Lowering her head, she gave a small bow. "Yes, my lord, I am a Chosen," she lied, without so much as a flinch, straightening again. "Layla was unable to come. I was sent here in her stead."

[Throe Bastard]

*Thumb moving off the safety, stuck the gun back in the holster at the small of his back. Motioned for her to come in, after scanning the yard. Barked for two Bastards to go patrol the grounds as he escorted the lovely chosen into the farm house* We have a wounded prisoner we need you to feed, as Layla did before for us. Is is crucial to the safety of the race that he not perish until we are finished with our tasks. *Small lie as they had told the other Chosen it was a hero she fed, but perhaps this Chosen would still assist. He did not lying to the pure females*

[Autumn Hharm]

"Yes, sire." Nodding, she followed him into the farmhouse, then down into a cellar. Finally, they stopped at a cell and he opened the door. He instructed her to go inside, and as she did, she looked around, seeing nothing in the dark space at first. And then her eyes adjusted to the dark and she gasped.

Just at the edge of the shadows, a male lay on the floor, in a pool of blood. His, judging by the gashes across his back. And as his scent hit her, it was all she could do not to run to him.

Tohrment...

Her hand over her mouth, she felt Throe's eyes on her, studying her, and recovered as quickly as she could, giving another small bow, not lifting her face until she'd cleared it again. "Forgive me, sire...I am unused to seeing anybody in such a state." She took a breath and collected herself again, enough to continue.

"Shall I feed the male here?" gesturing around the cell.

[Throe Bastard]

*He indicted the male with a nod* Yes, our task is not a gentle one. Nor is it one without bloodshed. But we do what we must to ensure the safety of the race. *He paused as Xcor walked and filled the Bastard leader in on the reason the Chosen had come and not Layla. Xcor gave her a look of suspicion, but again, trusted him.

Heard her question of doing the feeding here and nodded. Walked over, squatted down, turned the Brother over, propped him against the wall and slapped Tohrment's face several times showing the shackled cuff that encircled Tohr's neck.*

Yes Chosen, we do it here. My apologies, but we cannot risk his escape. But I assure you. I am right here and will not allow him to hurt you. *Pulled out his gun and placed it against Tohr's temple* I give you my word.

[Tohrment, Son of Hharm]

The searing pain of coming to and then the rough stone wall hitting his frayed back, caused him to hiss in pain. His eyes blinked open, but his vision was blurred. He went to sag forward but a circle of steel was around his neck on a short chain.

He must be losing his fucking mind, because he thought he sensed Autumn. Her sweet scent of spices, her fall to his winter and thought it was gift from the SV before they killed him and sent him to the fade. Heard voices and they all seemed garbled. Sensed someone walking closer, just a darkened blur and bared his fangs in warning, barely heard growl hissing past his busted lips. And too weak to do much more.

[Autumn Hharm]

Winced as the male slapped Tohr, then stepped forward and stood before Tohr, placing a hand against the male's shoulder.

"Please, my lord, that will not be necessary. This male is clearly too weak to break these chains, and thy proximity seems to be distressing him. You may protect me as well from the doorway, if that would suffice."

[Throe Bastard]

*Gave her a soft smile, knowing she was naive to the ways of war and violence* No Chosen. I stay right here.

*Met Tohrment's glazed eyes and pulled out a dagger from his waist and set it underneath the Brother's scrotum* Remember when I had a visit with the Brotherhood? And the warning you gave me? One twitch from your manhood, one groan of pleasure, and I slice and dice your cock off. Same deal Hharm. You show any sign of pleasure, and you'll be short one member you will need if you ever mate again.

*Met those blue, eyes, one the white full of blood and gave a deadly smile*

See, I learned so well for the honorable Brotherhood.

*Nodded to the Chosen* From the wrist only Sacred one. And he is not even worthy of that. *Watched as she bit her wrist and offered, knife blade pressing in warning*

[Tohrment, Son of Hharm]

He pressed his lips closed, turning his head but then something real made itself known. A resounding, demanding, undeniable MINE in his pain hazed mind and then his eyes tried to focus upward, blinking past the blur and the swelling as his nostrils flared, breathing in her scent and his fangs punched out and he opened his mouth, and had no doubt.

Her.

His Autumn.

His female and his love.

He grabbed her wrist and drank deep, alarm flying through him as he met her beautiful grey eyes, confusion and panic in his navy gaze, eyes darting over to Throe and back to hers.

And his body knew it was her and that knife steel against his manhood became real as well.

Control Tohr, if you have ever been able to control, now is the time as he drank his female's blood in, and the pain started to ease and he had to lock down a groan of relief and pleasure that purred in his chest. And questions burned and sparked in his mouth.

Did they kidnap her? How? What was she doing here?

[Autumn Hharm]

The male's words gave her as much confirmation as she needed.

Tohr had found the Bastards.

Or they had found him.

Either way, he was clearly an unwilling guest in their 'abode'.

She saw the moment he registered her, the emotions that flashed in his eyes, across his features. Keeping their gazes locked, and not wanting him to give her away, she shushed him, placing a finger to her lips, then resting the hand on his head, her eyes momentarily flickering to the gun and the dagger, before locking on his again. "Be calm, sire. I am the Chosen sent to feed you...drink and be well."

[Throe Bastard]

*Narrowing his eyes, tried to register the emotions on the Brother's face and glanced over at the Chosen* Does he know you? *She gave a slight shake of denial and he believed her. Such a lovely being could not be capable of lying. Going back to observing motioned with his chin to Tohrment at her wrist*

That is enough Chosen. *Tapped the gun on Tohr's temple* We have injured males thanks to this trouble maker, and they need to be fed as well. He deserves no more. They deserve recovery, he barely deserves to breathe.

[Tohrment, Son of Hharm]

His eyes darted to Throe, pausing at Xcor who had a greedy, sick look on his face as jealousy reared up to growl in his chest. No fucking way his female, whether they knew she was his or not, was going to give one blessed drop to the Bastards.

Feeling stronger, reached out fast and hauled Autumn against him, wrapping his arms and legs around her, and before Throe could stop him, released his fangs and sank them into her neck, and drank deep. The knife sliced into his thigh and he didn't care as her blood flooded his mouth. If he took enough, there would be none to share.

He drank deep, huge gulps as her pulse sped up, going fast at his drinking so much so fast. Xcor was yelling and Throe pistol butted him in the temple. Still he fed, though black streaks crossed his vision.

Xcor was over them and slammed a dagger hilt blunt end against the top of his skull several times as Throe yelled and kicked him in the ribs, pain blooming in his chest, each breath like fire. Finally he crumbled, his fangs pulling free as his arms and legs went lax, releasing Autumn with a pained gasp and then head dropped, her blood dripping off his fangs, as the steel cuff chained to the wall around his neck was the only thing keeping him upright and darkness took him.

[Autumn Hharm]

She'd barely had time to react to Throe's words before she found herself wrapped in the sudden vice grip that was Tohr's limbs, his fangs buried all the way into her jugular. Not registering at first what he was doing, she almost panicked, then fought the urge to wrap back around him, hoping they would attribute his actions to bloodlust, and settled for gripping his arms, as any would do in such a situation.

Just as she felt herself getting weak from blood loss, and thought she would surely faint, she felt him release her, and her heart lamented the loss, while her face gave nothing away as they pulled her away from his limp body.

[Throe Bastard]

*Xcor was going ballistic as he caught the Chosen and the Bastard leader kept kicking and punching the limp body of Tohrment*

Xcor stop. We have to see to the Chosen.

*Holding her up, scanned her features and found her pale. The son of a bitch had drank too much.*

We will give you a room to rest and recover. And then tomorrow you can feed our wounded, if you are able. If not, you can go.

*turned her away from the sight of Xcor beating the male, and now enlisting two of their number to continue to beat the Brother all eve to make the Chosen's precious blood and the strength it offered a useless purpose as punishment.*

Let me show you to a room. You have my promise, none will touch you or I shall kill them myself.

[Tohrment, Son of Hharm]

It took every ounce of control as the blackness swallowed him up, her blood still sweet in his mouth, to not roar her name, threaten them with a painful death if they touched her. The last thing he saw as he swam up, bobbed amongst the blows only to sink too deep to come back, was his female in the arms of Throe.

And then the roar of MINE was cut off as he sank to the bottom of the dark.

[Autumn Hharm]

It was all she could to do let the Bastard lead her away, to appear merely shaken by the 'attack', and nothing more.

To leave Tohrment there, bleeding, and, even now, beaten mercilessly, and not run to him, cry out his name.

She nodded, shaking, a tear running down her cheek. The Bastard seemed to take it as shock, and she allowed it, making sure to keep it reigned in so as not to tip him off, as she often heard Xhex and the Brothers put it.

"I thank thee, my lord. I fear losing another ounce will surely kill me," she said weakly. "I shall go recover, and return here again when I am once again able to be of service to thee."

[Throe Bastard]

*Still held her arm*

You misunderstand Chosen. You will not be leaving. This place is shielded by lead, and I would be remiss if I allowed you to leave in such a condition.

*Not to mention he feared she would not return after the brutality she had seen as the sounds of the beating echo'ed through the tunnel as they emerged to the farm house above, to even be heard here through the floor.

He entered the small hall and opened a door to a small bedroom with a thin cot and nothing more, the window covered by a lead plate. He barked out for one of the men to bring a meal pack, which included an apple, bread and cheese and a small clay flask of wine* It is a meager meal, but all we have to offer.

Rest, and I shall guard your room myself. No one shall disturb you.

[Autumn Hharm]

She nodded, thanking him again with another slight bow, and watched as he left the room, closing the door behind him. Then she set the food down and lay on the bed, curling up, silent tears rolling down to soak the cot as she shut her eyes.

So close.

She had been so...close.