Episode 9: 
From the past to the future

“Happy anniversary, darling. Have you thought about me these last decades?” I spoke the words bitterly, my arms folded as the white fox strode into the field before the three of us.

“Every day...” Elias folded his own arms as he spoke out to me gently, his blue fires already rolling from his tail and ears.

“Leave us, incapacitate any who interfere, but do not kill them.” I barked out the orders and the twins slipped into the darkness.

“Sarnai… for the love of the gods… do not do this.” The fox growled the words and I could see the pleading look in his eyes. I felt my gaze soften for a moment. I simply wanted to rush back into his arms and be held by him, told it would be alright and he would keep me safe.

The voices hungry for blood drowned out the thoughts and I shook my head before showing him a hateful glare. “You say you think of me daily… does that include when you make love with that rabbit and cat?” I spat the words out, clenching my fist as my flames burst forth, going straight to a bloody red.

“Regardless of whom I have laid with, I still love you… You still have my heart… so please come back to me!” The fox shouted the words, his own fires intensifying and turning white. I could feel his power had grown as the angel had warned me. I knew already he was beyond me and I couldn’t beat him in a one on one fight.

“Then give me your heart, Elias! I will carve it out here and now before I pierce my own. Let us die together as husband and wife!” I barked the words out, showing him a wide hungry grin, my tail wagging eagerly.

His head shook and he gave me a deep frown. “Sarnai… my love… you truly have gone mad… please, shut out the demons and come back to me!”

“Master!” I lifted my ears, hearing the rabbit call out as she rushed to join us along with a small group of my husband’s family members, some I recognized, others unfamiliar to me. Everything came to a head at that moment.

#

The resulting struggle was one you already know. I woke in the guest bed feeling weak and drained. She had beaten me, she used his power to do it, but she had bested me. I sat through the lecture and the scolding this fledgling gave me, knowing she was within her rights, then I was alone with my husband for the first time in half a century.

He clasped my hand in both of his, kissing my fingers gently. I could smell that rabbit upon him, as well as Katrina. At that moment I didn’t care, he was with me and saying he loved me, saying he missed me. It was all I wanted, the voices of madness could wait, for now, I was content to enjoy the moment of respite with my husband.

“What will you do?” He asked me gently after a time.

I didn’t have an answer for him, I didn’t feel I had a choice in the matter. Alice had bested me and I had given myself to her under my word in exchange for my family. I shook my head, still feeling weak. “That’s up to your rabbit now, isn’t it?”

“Alice will not try to control you, Sarnai… that isn’t the kind of rabbit she is. She simply seeks to keep us at peace,” The fox spoke the words in a strong confident tone at me.

I met his eyes and could see he had changed greatly in this last half-century. He was so much stronger in a lot of ways. I gave him a weak grin and folded my arms. “Time will tell I suppose… for now… well, can you forgive me?”

“There is nothing to forgive… that was not my wife’s doing. You were guided by your demons, not your own thoughts.” He barked the words at me in a matter of fact tone.

“Ever the optimist, my… husband? Can I even call you that now?” I tilted my head curiously.

“You can… if you still wish to. You must understand my position though, Alice and Katrina have my heart now as well, I will not give either of them up.” The fox set me with a strong look that said he meant what he said.

I could feel his resolve and will, I knew he would reluctantly cast our relationship away for them if I tried to argue the fact. Oddly enough it didn’t bother me, on the contrary, I felt a sense of relief that he had managed to grow such a strong love in the shadow of my madness and torment I had forced upon him.

“For better or worse… isn’t that how the mundane say it?” I spoke the words with a smile.

“Indeed… both in sickness and in health...” He took my hands and kissed my fingers once more.

I bit my lower lip, feeling his touch against me and thinking back to the sensations I felt as Alice pulled my energy forth. She flooded me with emotions she had siphoned from Elias when she did so, I recall feeling his longing and desperate love for me. I closed my eyes in focus before shifting to pull from his grip.

Elias looked at me curiously as I pulled from him, then moved my palm to his chest, gripping the silk shirt he wore and tugged upon him. “You’ve talked enough… just kiss me you dumb dog.” I barked the words, gripping his shirt and jerking him forward.

The fox stood and without another word was over me, his arms wrapped around me before his mouth was against my own. I threw my arms around him, drawing him close to me as we kissed deeply for the first time in half a century. I felt his will wash over me in the comforting manner he used to do when I woke from nightmares.

Our tongues pushed out after a few moments, flicking and teasing against one another, then my eyes widened as I felt something else pushing into me. I shuddered and let out a soft gasp, feeling power flood into my smaller body, as if the fox were forcing his own lifeforce into mine. “W-what… are you-”

He pushed his lips to mine again to silence me before continuing to kiss me and force his energy into me. I dug my fingers hard into his back and broke the kiss after several more moments, panting heavily as I blinked up into his blue eyes, trying to process what had just happened.

“F-feel better?” He panted the words, giving me a grin, looking obviously winded.

“What in the nine hells did you just do, Elias? I… I feel invigorated like I just fed and woke from restful sleep!” I barked the words out, my emotions shifting to concern as I drew him to my chest, holding him as he panted weakly in my arms.

“Just a little trick I picked up while you were away, love… I wanted to share some of my lifeforce with you and make you feel better.” He growled the words proudly and I felt him nuzzling at my breasts through my sleep gown.

I could see a lot had changed in my time from him. For the first time in centuries, my mind felt clear after receiving the rush of energy. I lowered my ears and frowned, holding my husband to my chest gently. He had expended a lot of his energy and before long he had drifted to slumber in my arms, laying against me in the small bed, his leg draped over mine.

We laid there for a time, hours with nothing but him in my arms. I held him and stroked his soft white hair and ears, thanking the gods to have him in my arms again and feel this moment of clarity, even as the energy dwindled and the darkness slowly crept back into place.

#

“You tried to kill my Master and broke my fucking arms. You think I’m going to so readily forgive you?” Katrina folded her arms, giving me a strong glare, her wiry black tail whipping about as we stood in the field of grass alone together. Alice had just finished having a heart to heart with me about things, when the cat came to speak with me, insisting she had time alone with me.

“I can make no excuses, my sister. I only hope you can forgive me in time.” I growled the words and bowed my head. It was awkward trying to be so humble, but I had no rank or right to be haughty. The cat had seen me at my worst through the years and had more than enough reason to hate me.

She sighed and ran her fingertips through her red hair, the locks looking shorter than they had been when I saw her last. “Alice says… it’s not your fault, and that I shouldn’t resent you.” She fixed me with a glare and shook her head. “But… what I can’t forgive is how you hurt my lord… he, I and Alice are only about ten years old you know. I had to watch Elias suffer and be tormented by your actions for nearly fifty years before she came along. Even afterward I could still see the pain in his eyes.”

I lowered my head and growled. It pissed me off to be scolded by her, she was still a fledgling compared to me and had no right to talk to me in such a manner. Then I dashed those thoughts, realizing that was not my thoughts and the thoughts of the demons in me. This ordeal had slapped me back to reality enough to distinguish my own thoughts from the madness.

“I have nothing I can say for myself, Katrina. I am a terrible wife and an awful Marquess. I could sit here and roost upon my nightmares and madness, but it is just an excuse for my own short-comings.” I growled and gave her a deep bow. “I only pray I can earn your understanding and trust in time.”

The cat clicked her tongue and moved a palm to my face, I blinked as I felt her lift my gaze to look upon her. She was a timid little thing when I left, but here she was radiating confidence and strength. Her copper and green eyes met mine and she gave me a nod. “Alice and Elias say they can trust you, so I will do the same.”

“Thank you, sister. I will try my best to not disrupt your life.” I spoke the words and stood once more, looking down upon the smaller female.

Katrina gave me a shrug and turned her back, her tail flicking about. “If you hurt him again… all bets are off… I can feel Alice gave you back most of your power, but that won’t save you from me if you break his heart again, that’s a promise.” The cat showed her sharp teeth as she spat out the declaration and stomped away before I could answer her.

I frowned and stood there in silence in the field of burned grass and uprooted earth. The wind kicked up and whipped my hair about and I shook my head slowly. Everyone in this house had a right to hate me and would be on edge. I suddenly longed for my old home and the company of my family from Silverpaw.

Resigning myself I walked through the field and moved to the overlook that stood before the large city in the distance. I recalled when it was just a small boomtown of wooden shacks and storefronts when we first settled this land, a nostalgic smile crossing my face.

My ears lifted as I felt a presence and turned to look over my shoulder, seeing the large wolf and the only other male amongst them walking towards me. I could clearly smell Alice upon him as well as the fallen angel, it was obvious that the rabbit got around.

“Have you come to begrudgingly welcome me and threaten me as well?” I called out dryly while looking back over the city, folding my arms.

“Welcome you, yes. Threaten you, no.” The wolf shrugged and stood next to me and I could see he was even taller than my husband, a large male to be sure and well built. I felt nostalgia staring upon him but couldn’t quite put my finger upon it.

“Well thank you for the welcome, I will try my best to not be a pain or disrupt your life too much.” I clicked my tongue and turned my focus back towards the city.

“I also came here to thank you.” He growled the words out as he looked upon the cityscape.

I barked out a laugh. “Whatever for, wolf? Turning your life upside down?”

He set his amber eyes upon me and shook his head. “I never knew the details, but Elias told me last night it was you that gave him my information as well as how to find me and guide me.”

I flicked my tail and cut my brown eyes to his, cocking a brow. “Vietnam… so you were that soldiers from then, eh?” I giggled and ran my fingertips through my hair giving the dog a coy grin. “It’s a small world indeed… Well, I’m glad I was able to help at least one being in my delusion of madness.”

“Why did you not just put me down?” He asked me curiously.

“What’s your name, Wolf?” I responded without answering him.

“It’s Alex.” He looked away from my strong gaze and I showed my sharp canines.

“Well Alex, I make it a point to not kill those that stand by my side in combat.” I flicked my tail lazily and looked at him out of the corner of my eye.

“I do not remember any of it, but I’m glad I was able to fight by your side. Glad I was able to help in some way and know that night’s rampage wasn’t just the death of my friends.” He sighed as he folded his arms and lowered his head.

“You are a mighty warrior now, wolf, I can feel that. I would very much like to spar with you sometime if you are willing. I’d very much enjoy seeing how you’ve come along since that time.” I gave him another grin, trying to lighten the mood as best as I could.

“That sounds fun, yeah let’s do that sometime!” He barked the words out and clapped a hand over my shoulder. I yipped out from the heavy blow then gave him a smile.

“Thanks for not treating me like some deranged monster, Alex,” I called out as he turned away from me to walk away.

“We’re all monsters, Sarnai. I know what it’s like to lose myself… it happens a little bit with every shift… I’m just glad everyone is alright.” He hummed the words in an almost childish tone before moving back to the house.

“Yes, I suppose everyone is alright...” I nodded as I spoke the words to myself and turned on my heel, walking back to the manor behind the wolf.

I walked into the foyer to see him and the celestial embraced. I cocked a brow as they kissed and then parted from one another’s arms. “Yes, I will join you in your bed tonight. Will Alice be joining us as well?” The golden-haired angel titled her head while speaking to the wolf, a loving smile on her face.

“I’m not sure, I guess we will find out.” Alex spoke the words then turned to see me standing there, a curious look on my face as I eyed the two of them.

The celestial nodded to me and turned back to the wolf. “I wish to greet our new sister, I will be up in a few.” The wolf gave her a nod and moved upstairs without another word.

I watched the retriever approach me, her tail wagging as she spread her charcoal wings out before folding them against her back once more and offering me her hand. “Hello sister, nice to meet you, I’m Gloria.”

I looked to her hand and hesitated before grasping it. I winced at the burn but shook it firmly a few times before parting grips and flexing my fingers to get the stinging to stop. The dog frowned and drooped her ears. “Oh, I’m sorry, Sarnai… I forgot about that.”

“Think nothing of it. It is a minor thing compared to what I put you and your family through a few nights ago.” I spoke the words and gave her an apologetic bow.

The dog giggled and put her hands in front of her, folding them. “That is in the past now, sister. Now you are family and I welcome you with open arms.”

I tilted my head curiously and looked her over. She stunk of that wolf and once again I smelled the rabbit upon her. I was starting to realize a trend here. “You are… fallen, yes?”

Gloria looked over her shoulder at her wings, as if she had forgotten the shade of them. “Ah, yes I am. This is the price I pay to be with my rabbit and wolf.” The retriever giggled the words and gave me a lazy smile. “It is a price I gladly pay to be with them, they bring me such joy, all of the family does.”

I frowned at her earnest response and felt the guilt crush me at the prospect that I had wrought so much pain on this happy family. I shook my head and sighed. “Again, I’m sorry...”

“Do not apologize, Sarnai… you are family now.” The angel clasped her hands as if offering a prayer. “My lover has told me of your troubles and I will do everything in my power to help heal your heart, ask of me anything.”

I couldn’t help but grin at the angel’s innocent words and found myself unable to resist. “So you, the wolf, and… her? All three of you?”

She blushed but nodded. “Yes, Alice is my girlfriend and Alex is my boyfriend. I love them both very much.”

“Wait… you’re the fallen angel her and Elias stood up for, are you not?” I barked the words, realization dawning upon me.

“Why yes. Alice, Katrina, Alex, and even Elias. They all came to my defense. Why even lady Lorelai came to help. Truly I am blessed to have them all at my side.” She hummed the words and clasped her hands once more.

“S-so… you and Elias?” I frowned and tilted my head.

“Me and Elias?” The angel looked upon me curiously, putting a finger to her cheek.

“Is he having sex with you as well?” I asked her dryly.

The terrier’s cheeks darkened and she shook her head quickly. “Oh my… N-no… I only lay with Alex and Alice. Elias only lays with Alice and Katrina to my knowledge.”

“I see… but Alice lays with all of you in some capacity or another?” I folded my arms, tilting my head curiously.

“That’s right, I do.” I heard the rabbit’s voice come to me from behind and I jumped slightly.

I jerked my gaze back to her with a huff, irritated at being startled. “How long have you been there?!” I growled the words, my eyes shifting slightly to red.

“About the time you asked about if Gloria was banging Elias.” The rabbit spoke out casually, then nodded to the retriever.

Gloria gave the rabbit a brilliant smile and quickly slipped into her arms. I watched the two embrace and kiss quickly before the dog gave me a gentle smile. I watched the angel move up the stairs and slip out of sight, leaving me and Alice alone in the foyer.

Alice stared at me for a long moment before speaking out. “If you have questions about me, you could ask me directly you know.”

“I wasn’t trying to snoop, it just came up.” I barked the words and shoved my nose up into the air.

“Indeed...” Alice frowned and set me with a disappointed look. “Sarnai… why do you think I insisted you stay here?”

“If I recall your own words? To keep an eye upon me and make sure I would not be a threat to Elias and your family.” I parroted the words and set her with my own annoyed look, my hands moving to rest upon my hips.

“More than just that… but yes.” Alice sighed and folded her arms over her stomach, I watched the position change her posture, her breasts pushing out heavily. It was an odd sensation, I had never looked upon another female like that other than Lorelai.

“I apologize...” Alice spoke out gently, her eyes meeting mine, acknowledging she knew what I was doing.

“Why are you apologizing, my Marquess?” I called out, reigning in the gawking and returning to my forced formality.

“I forced that spark of desire into you when we were embraced a few days ago. It was not malicious, but it probably reawoke some things you had dormant for decades. Things… he helped you with.” She spoke the last of the words with hesitation, her eyes averting.

“It was not intentional? I assumed it was some sort of test.” My words came out calculated as I flicked my tail.

“No, Sarnai… it was just something that happened...” Alice met my eyes for a long moment as she chose her next words, “I have a request.”

“I am yours to command, Marquess. After all, I am yours.” I spoke the words with a dutiful tone in my voice.

“I do not mean to keep you as a slave, fox. Only try to keep you in check for a time, do not think I will force things upon you.” The rabbit frowned and set me with an annoyed look.

I scoffed and ran my fingertips through my hair, giving her a haughty glance. “Fine then… what is your request, rabbit?”

Alice set me with an irritated glare at my haughty shift of attitude. “I have business to attend to and will be out of the house for a few days. I request you do not lay with my master while I am gone.”

“I did not think such a thing was even on the table,” I spoke the words thoughtfully.

“I would prefer not on a table, desk, or bed.” She gave me a small smile.

I barked a laugh and rubbed the back of my head. “Ah… he still likes those sorts of positions does he?”

“He does...” She showed me a grin and I saw her gaze soften. “Especially the desk...”

I felt irritation well up in me at the thought of him having someone other than me, but I quickly doused the anger and tried to keep the conversation civil. I could tell she was trying to do the same. “Ah… some things never change.”

“Any interesting stories to share?” She asked me with an eager grin.

I shrugged and played along with the girl’s talk. “We did it upon the deck of a ship, we’ve also laid together in the midst of a battlefield, surrounded by the beings we had slain together.”

Alice frowned at the last one and blinked a few times. “Damn… that’s pretty… hardcore.”

I showed her a hungry but prideful grin. “Yes… I suppose I bring that out in him.”

She cleared her throat and nodded. “All the same. I need your word on this, it is important and for reasons, I do not expect you to understand.”

With a snort and a flick of my tail I nodded. “I had no intention of trying to begin with, I do not wish to disrupt his life further than I must. Upon what power I still have, you have my word I will not lay with him.”

“Until I get back.” Alice lifted a finger.

“I didn’t say I would lay with him at all, now did I?” I growled the words and folded my arms.

“Good enough...” She sighed and flicked her small tail as she turned from me. “You should get some rest, Sarnai… try not to let the dreams get to you...” She gave me a concerned look and left me there in the foyer alone.

I felt keenly aware of my own solitude as I stood there in the silence of the old manor, the sun already starting to crack over the horizon outside. I shook my head before I made my way to my room, collapsing into the small bed and finding my sleep and the waiting nightmares. The scene had changed but it was still the same as it had been for half a century. I would have my dreams and none would be there to comfort me when I woke from them in a panic.

#

A week had passed since that fateful night and my life slowly started to normalize slightly. Elias spent most of the nights with me, talking and walking with me in the gardens. We had gotten affectionate but it seemed he had also given his word to not lay with me. I questioned if this was just another ordeal the rabbit was putting me through to test my resolve to behave.

The other members of the house all treated me kindly, except for Katrina. It was obvious she did not trust me and though she was civil, I could see she didn’t take too kindly to me being there. I couldn’t blame her in the least. Now that the fog had cleared slightly in my mind, I could see how terrible I had been.

The fog had lifted some, but it was still there. The dreams came to me every night as they had been. I woke up alone and in tears, fearful of when I would go over the edge again. I knew it was only a matter of time before it happened but I tried to take solace in the peace I had for now. I tried to embrace the time I had with my husband again, even if it was an odd situation for me.

“You have my apologies, I was longer than I expected. I’m still getting used to this whole Marquess thing, you know.” Alice spoke to me from across the desk while I sat in one of the chairs before it.

“It is a challenging role to fill, I had trouble when I was first given it as well, even though I had Elias to help me.” I folded my hands in my lap, giving her a sympathetic look. I could only imagine how difficult the role would be for someone of her age.

“You two ran your house together, Sarnai?” Alice tilted her head curiously as she questioned me.

My ears lifted and she saw the obvious shock on my face. “Did my husband not mention that?”

Alice shook her head, her large white ears swaying. “He didn’t talk about you more than he had to. I did not press because… Well, I could see the pain it caused him to speak of you.”

I clenched my teeth and looked down, feeling the guilt and fury with myself come forth once again. “I see... ” With a shake of my head, I composed myself and gave the rabbit a nod. “He and I ran Silverpaw together after Lorelai stepped down.”

“Lorelai was the head of your house?” Alice looked upon me curiously, tilting her head.

My eyes widened at the look she gave me, the fondness in her eyes as the name was spoken. I had thought I imagined it, but I did ever so faintly smell the sheep upon her. I ignored the question and spoke out before even thinking. “Alice, what is your relationship to Lorelai?”

She gave me a challenging look as if she knew my train of thoughts before she spoke out pointedly. “She is my lover.”

I pushed my palm to my face, my teeth showing in anger. I didn’t even try to hide the rage that came from those words. “My husband… my brother… our sister and even my lady...”

“And the celestial, the wolf, and a few more. I’m a succubus Sarnai, what do you want from me?” Alice folded her arms and gave me a frown.

“So they are just convenient means to draw energy from?” I growled the words, setting her with a hard glare.

“One as old as you… I would think less ignorant.” The rabbit showed her own teeth, pushing her palms to the desk as she looked directly into my eyes. “I love each and every one of them. Do not assume I use them… Yes, I love Lorelai and she loves me. Do you think I did not feel your emotions for her when we embraced? Did you think I did not feel that you thought of her as well as Elias when you thought your final moments were at hand?”

I gave the rabbit a furious glare, feeling like she had dug into something she had no business seeing. I stood and slammed my hand onto her desk, my tail fluffed out as I barked down into her face. “You had no right to dig into my feelings and see what I felt for her!”

“You had no right to try to murder my master and my loved ones! You want to split hairs on this, bitch?!” Alice spat the words out, both our eyes red now as we glared upon one another.

A knock came from the door and I and the rabbit both in unison turned to the door and yelled out, “What?!”

The door opened to Elias standing there, his arms folding as he looked upon the two of us. “I can hear you two from down the hall. Do you plan to try to kill one another again?”

“Do not be absurd. I have given my word to mind myself while here.” I showed my teeth to him, whipping my tail about in irritation.

“A simple disagreement, Master. We are not going to come to violence.” Alice spoke out to the fox and gave him a nod.

My husband stood there for a long moment staring upon the two of us, his head shaking gently. “Understand, it grieves me to see the two of you at one another’s throat. I love both of you dearly. Please keep that in consideration… I know I am a selfish fox to say such a thing, but please try to not hate one another.”

I watched my husband close the door as he exited, then shifted my gaze back to the rabbit. She stared upon me for a long moment as well, both of us locked in an awkward battle of silence.

“I apologize...” She broke the silence first, her arms folding over her stomach as her stance relaxed slightly.

I placed my hands upon my hips and looked away while frowning. “I am sorry as well. I had no right to lash out at you.”

“You did. Know that in the heat of that moment, I did not dig into your feelings to try to use them as a weapon. The act was new to me and I was not sure what to expect. Digging up your feelings for Lorelai was just something that came with it.” Alice stepped from the desk as she spoke and moved around to stand next to me.

I frowned and shook my head. “This is all so jarring… I know it was my choice to not pursue things with her but-”

“Understand something, Sarnai.” She cut me off and gently put a hand to my arm, gripping it. “I already know what you’re thinking. I do not deserve any of them...”

“I did not say or think that, Alice.” I frowned at her, feeling a slight tingling at my skin from her touch. It reminded me of what Elias had done only more direct and powerful.

The smaller rabbit looked away as she held my arm, her ears folding. “All the same… We can sort out our drama after the business is done.” I felt her hand release my arm, feeling a wellspring of energy inside me, and my thoughts clear once more.

I rubbed at my arm where she had gripped it, then set her with a dutiful look. “What are your orders, my Marquess?”

“Sleep with me,” Alice spoke the words nonchalantly as she moved back to the other side of the desk.

“E-excuse you?!” I barked out, heat filling my voice once more.

She gave me a coy grin and folded her ears. “Did I stutter? I wish you to sleep with me today.”

I huffed out and put my hand to my chest, glaring upon the rabbit. “E-Even with my word and saying I am yours to command… is this not taking things too far?”

The rabbit showed me an amused smile and shook her head. “I do not mean to have sex or feed upon you. I simply wish to share a bed with you today.”

With a growl and blush, I folded my ears. I won’t lie, the thought sounded enjoyable despite the pretense it had been presented under. “May I ask why?”

“Because it is necessary. Rest assured my intentions are not of a sexual or controlling nature.” Alice hummed the words and drummed her fingertips upon the desk. “Shall I come to your room?”

Another huff escaped my throat as I shook my head. I wasn’t sure what this rabbit was on about but this was a ridiculous request to make of me. “I… I do not know what game you play with me, Alice… but as you wish. My chamber will be fine, your bed would be a bit crowded I would imagine.”

“Yes, yes I suppose it would. It’s a large bed, but four people may be crowding it.” She hummed the words playfully and gave me a gentle smile. “Rest assured I have no seedy intentions, sister.”

I bowed politely. “As you wish, my Marquess. I shall trust in your words as you have trusted in mine.”

#

Alice entered my chamber in a simple little black nightgown. I recalled it was the same one I saw her in the night we clashed. My eyes couldn’t help but look her over, the dark silk hugged her natural curvy figure in all the right ways. The rabbit shifted to close the door of the chamber, giving me a look at her backside. Her small fluff of white tail perked up, showing the firm but round curves of her rear.

The succubus gave me a small smile and folded her arms over her stomach, letting her chest push out slightly. “Have you sufficiently profiled me, or would you like another position?”

I barked at her words and jerked my gaze away awkwardly. The rabbit started to look me over in my own nightwear. The gown I wore was not as clingy as hers but I could keenly feel her staring upon my form, admiring the curves and definition of my own body.

I folded my arms, letting my own chest push out as I set her with an annoyed look. “I thought this was not a sexual thing? Why are we staring upon one another so?”

The rabbit gave me a playful grin and casually hopped onto my bed. “I apologize, you just have a nice body. You’re sleek but defined, yet you still have a lovely ass and bigger tits than me.” Alice hummed the crude words casually as she kicked her feet lazily off the side of the mattress.

“T-thanks… you also have a lovely body… It kind of reminds me of Lorelai’s only not quite as curvy.” I spoke the words awkwardly and took a seat on the side of the bed next to her.

“I’m thinking you have a thing for short girls, Sarnai.” Alice hummed the words at me playfully, showing me her sharp teeth in a grin.

“I’m thinking you’re too cocky for your own good, rabbit!” I barked the words with a huff, my cheeks growing darker.

“I’ve been accused of that, yes...” She spoke the words playfully and shifted her gaze to mine with a challenging grin.

Blinking at her I grumbled and looked down. “So what now?”

“Now we sleep,” Alice spoke the words as she climbed over to me. I grunted out in protest as she pushed against me and we both tumbled down into the bedsheets.

“You say to sleep as if it would be a simple matter like this! My mind whirls like a hurricane over this!” I huffed the words, my voice probably sounding as nervous and fussed as I felt.

“Hum… it’s very simple.” The rabbit pushed her palm to my face, her own extremely close to mine now. Her soft-looking lips just inches from my own. I could feel her energy coursing through me now, trying to will me to give in to her. Her smaller body pressed to mine while I lay on my back, her breasts against my own, and her leg draped across mine.

“A-Alice… what are you doing?” I barked the words, feeling my heart start to beat, her scent intoxicating and her touch making me feel euphoric.

“Now now my fox… you said you were mine and you wouldn’t resist… give in to me...” She whispered the words and I clenched my teeth, blinking into her crimson eyes before giving a slight nod to her words.

I felt her will overwhelm me, darkness filling my vision and mind. The last thing I recall was her body pushed to mine as I collapsed into a deep heavy slumber.

#

Darkness and the scent of death. Even through the soiled furs and clothes, I could usually smell it, but it seemed absent this time. I growled to myself as I prepared to play my part again and slowly climbed from the debris. I stood in the yurt and felt odd. I felt taller and bigger than I usually did. I looked down over myself and found I was not the small teenager I had always been. I was grown in my current adult form, my ceremonial leather armor on me, saber and revolver at my side.

I pushed my hand to my head trying to comprehend what was happening. Revolvers didn’t even exist when this happened and a saber of this quality wouldn’t have been possible to forge.

“Don’t think too hard upon it.” Her voice came to me and I snapped my eyes open to see Alice standing there before me. She wore a more modern ballistic jacket and jeans. She had two revolvers at her back as well as her rolled up whip to her side. Her feet were covered in heavy modern-looking combat boots and she wore fingerless black gloves.

“What… is going on, Alice?” I growled the words, looking around the small yurt that was devoid of bodies or the scent of death.

She set me with a hard glare. “I’ve counseled with the archangels and the mages about you. All of us put our heads together and finally came up with a theory, something only a chimera could potentially do.”

“The archangels and the magi… why would they be involved?” I folded my arms and frowned as I lifted my ears to see the entrance to the yurt part. A female fox casually walked into the small shelter her tail lazily wagging about.

My eyes widened to see her, it was my mother in her normal state, not the drained husk I would happen upon when I woke. She looked very much like myself but with softer features and lighter eyes. I felt something stir in my soul to see her alive and moving around, an overwhelming sense of nostalgia bearing down upon me.

“Remind you of someone?” Alice asked me casually while looking upon the fox as well. The vixen didn’t seem to notice we were there and just tended to move about the yurt tidying up.

“Remind me of someone? It’s my mother, I see her almost every night, only… well not like this… not so alive.” I frowned and felt my eyes growing wet staring upon the long-dead fox, my head shaking slowly. I wanted to hug her, feel her warmth, feel her being alive and well.

“How about now?” Alice waved her hand and the foxes’ hair and eyes shifted. Her black hair became platinum-blonde, fur from black to brown, and her eyes a sharp unearthly blue.

“R-Rachel?!” I barked out sharply and took a step back, shaking my head before glaring upon Alice. “What the hell is this?”

“More questions for you to ask the High Bishop, eh?” Alice spoke out casually and moved to grip my wrist. “Come...”

I let her pull me along and we left the yurt, walking out into the bright sunlight of the day. I hissed at the thought of it but quickly remembered this was a dream. I looked around to see the world lit by the light of the sun for the first time in centuries. I had seen it in movies and television, but to witness it first hand like this was breathtaking.

I paced around looking about my small tribe, seeing the colorful yurts and various neighbors going about their business of the day. “It’s so real… what is this… what have you done Alice?”

“Something cruel, but necessary.” The rabbit spoke the words with sadness in her voice as she waved a hand and the whole scene changed.

My mouth parted in a gasp as the familiar carnage was suddenly before me once more. Drained corpses scattered about, the sun gone and the darkness of night blanketing the area. I shook my head, feeling tears fill my vision before I clenched my teeth and glared upon the rabbit. “Why? Why do this to me?! You wish to dig the blade deeper and salt more of the wound by reminding me of what was?!”

Alice frowned and shook her head, saying nothing to me. I howled in fury and grabbed the rabbit by the collar of her jacket, pulling her to face me as I spat the words into her face. “Answer me, Alice! Why do this to me!”

She brought a palm to my chest and pushed me back with surprising force. I staggered away a few paces, growling and whipping my tail. The chimera placed her hands upon her hips as she spoke out. “You planned to die that night with Elias, did you not? Die to be free of the maddening dreams?”

“I did… yes… I asked Jeremy to cut me down once Elias had fallen before I could slay the rest of you.” I growled the words, looking away from her piercing gaze.

“Do not avert your eyes from me, fox!” The rabbit spoke the words with authority and I felt her very will compel me to shift my gaze and stare upon her.

“I can summon forth the demon in your soul, the madness that torments you. However, it is a one-way trip.” The rabbit clenched her teeth and opened her palm towards me. “I lose control of the dream once I summon that part of you. You overcome it or you die… we die.”

“W-We?!” I snarled and clenched my fists. “And they say I am mad… What of Elias and Katrina… everyone you have made bonds with. You cannot jeopardize yourself and all of their love for my worthless hide!”

“All of them have another to lean upon. I do not cheapen the loss they would feel for me… but each and every one of my lovers has another they can turn to.” She spat the words out and I saw her clench her fist, tears flowing from her eyes and rolling down her cheeks as she looked upon me. “However you… It is too sad to bear… Not just for my master, but for me. Knowing what you have gone through these centuries… knowing that it was saving my sheep that drove you to this point… I cannot sit idle and let you slip back into madness!”

“Alice...” I frowned and folded my arms, staring upon the smaller rabbit as she cried for me and what I had done.

“E-Enough...” She huffed out and wiped her eyes before setting me with a strong glare. “One way or another the nightmares will end tonight, Sarnai. Either you overcome them, or we never wake up!”

“You will not back down from this, will you?” I frowned and put my hands upon my hips.

“I will not… I would like to say I do this for Elias, but the truth is... I do this for you Sarnai. My life has been nothing but good fortune and yours nothing but tragedy. I will stand with you and share my power to save you, or we will go down together… as family!” The rabbit set her jaw and gave me a nod.

I gave her a laugh and shook my head. “You’re just as mad as me rabbit… very well. I accept your aid, sister.”

No sooner had I accepted her terms, then I heard a savage feral snarl in the distance. We both turned to see the hunkered down form of a fox move out of the shadows. It was Elias but he was hunched over, his hair wild and unkempt. He wore not a stitch of clothing and his form was covered in blood, dirt, and filth. His mouth and throat particularly were soaked with the ichor and blood of his feeding. His eyes were burning blood red and occasional wisps of blue flame trailed from his movements.

“Husband… what a pitiful site you were...” I frowned and felt myself draw my saber while staring down the twisted form of my fox.

“The embodiment of your personal monster, Sarnai… nearly six hundred years of it controlling you. It’s time you took your heart and mind back.” Alice moved beside me, both her guns already drawn, an unearthly purple haze of flame drifting from her body.

“Well he’s a baby, this should be easy.” I hummed the words as I leveled my own gun at the rabid fox and squeezed off a shot. His form simply blurred as the bullet passed through and he was atop me, nails digging into my shoulders, mouth parted baring his fangs, spittle, and blood dripping over my shoulder as he dragged me to the ground.

I yipped out as I fell to the ground before the rabbit sent a powerful lance of fire into the demon, sending it sprawling off me before it righted itself in a snarl. I quickly found my own feet and stood beside her, saber drawn once more. “This is your soul, Sarnai, not reality. Do not assume this will be a simple matter.”

“Noted...” I clenched my teeth as I set my stance and the fox launched forward once again. I was ready this time and quickly sidestepped, raking my saber across the monster’s chest. My blade cleaved through as if it were made of mist, leaving not a scratch.

“Damn it!” I barked out as the fox spread his talon-like fingers and began to rake and slash at the air while I leaped back, jumping and dodging the blinding flashes of strikes.

“Use your fire! A force of will is needed, not steel and strength!” Alice yelled out to me as I heard several shots ring out, the bullets leaving her revolver alternating in colors of red and white. The foxfire infused rounds peppered the back of the wild vampire as it reeled then turned in fury and howled.

“Don’t turn your back to me bastard!” I snarled and willed my flames forth, red wisps caking my hands and feet before I leaped forward and round housed the other fox in the back of the head.

The blow landed and the Elias specter slammed to the ground in a heavy thud of pressure. I focused my will and held both my hands forward, pushing forth heavy torrents of red flames. The monster howled and screamed in pain and I felt my heart twist, the sounds familiar as if they were indeed my husbands.

“Keep it up, I don’t know how much of a beating this thing can take.” Alice spoke the words as she moved to my side, her own fire pouring off her hand to join mine. We stood there for several moments until the creature finally stilled and grew lifeless.

“Is it… dead?” I growled the words, hesitantly ceasing my flames to see the corpse of the monster laying there burning.

“Dead is… a subjective word here...” Alice spoke out to me, staring intently upon the flaming body of the fox.

“What is this all about, rabbit? It seems laughable that all I needed to do was beat up the bogey man in my head to fix my nightmares.” I growled the words at her, my tail slashing through the air, red flames drifting off it.

“Your sire… he was one of a dying breed of our kind. It seems any turned were cursed or possessed as it were. We are battling a literal being within your soul right now. A spirit that feeds off your anguish and grows strong from it.” Alice unfurled her whip and the length burst into white flames as the burned corpse stirred.

“Inside my soul? How much sense does that make!” I snarled the words flames bursting forth as I dropped my foot into the mostly charred head of the fox, kicking it back down before releasing another wave of fire against it.

“Maybe it jumps from host to host, have you ever turned someone?” Alice snarled the words as she lashed the whip across the things back.

“No, it never was needed. I never wanted to pass on my potential madness.” I lifted my ears as the corpse simply faded from sight and I set my jaw.

“Keep yourself at the ready… I do not think we are close to-” Alice choked out as I grabbed her by the throat and hauled her from the ground, my own red flames pouring forth from my body.

I barked out in shock, seeing it was literally me holding her from the ground as I gazed on. “What in the nine… hey bitch! That rabbit is under my protection!” I barked out furiously and pounced upon my own specter.

The shadow version of me yipped as I tackled into her, Alice falling to the ground coughing as we rolled in the dirt and grass, clawing and punching at one another. I shifted and rolled the doppelganger over, snarling as I glared down upon myself. “This is stupid… all these years of pain, all for your sorry ass!”

The copy of me showed a wide grin and lifted her ears. “You should thank me, the constant torment tempered you. Made you strong enough to protect your husband and sheep!”

“Fuck you! I didn’t need your help in anything, nor your stupid fucking nightmares!” I barked the words, my teeth clenched as I snarled and cut my eyes to the side, seeing Alice standing there with her arms crossed, watching the internal struggle of myself.

“You do not like the rabbit seeing such personal things? Perhaps we should show her more. Let us make this little meeting a nightmare in and of itself!” The demon in me cackled the words, her voice filled with madness.

“Don’t you dare-” I yipped out as everything changed in a blink and I stood in a long-gone field, hundreds of years in the past. My ears lifted as I saw the whole scene replaying before my eyes, right in front of me and Alice.

“Stop this now!” I snarled out as the rabbit stood beside me. The conflict between Rachel and Hagen playing out. The whole battle was quick and ended faster than I expected, my hellfire halting his attack so that Lorelai could finish things.

“So you were protecting her even back then, eh?” Alice looked upon me curiously as the scene faded.

“Protecting is a stretch...” I spoke the words and looked away.

The shade appeared before us, a cocky grin on her face and flames rolling off her form as she held a hand up. “Oh, she did… she’s loved the sheep for centuries… she fell for her the same night she fell for Elias.”

“I’ve had enough of your shit, wraith!” I screamed out and sent a lance of hellfire towards the fox, the image fading as the scene changed to that night of her and I on the balcony in Ceuta. The night of my confession. “S-stop this, now!”

“It’s okay, Sarnai… no shame in your love for her. I do not take affront to it.” Alice called out to me gently and I looked down upon her, my teeth still clenched in anger. The rabbit averted her eyes to watch the scene play out, the awkward moment of me speaking of the comfort of her arms and our talk of the new world.

The shade returned in a new form this time, of Alice in a shimmering red dress of silk and holding a martini glass of blood. She tilted her head and gave me a malicious grin. “How does that feel fox? To know I have everything you once did or sought to have? Shall I regale you of the lovemaking to your husband or the lovely sounds the sheep will make for me?”

I howled out in fury before I felt Alice grip my arm hard. She looked upon me and shook her head. “It cannot. It does not have those memories and it only seeks to antagonize you… Nothing you have lost can’t be regained. I hold no absolute claim over any of them, Sarnai.”

“They have to make those choices, not you, Alice.” I growled the words as the scene faded once more and the next act unfolded. The fight with me, Lorelai, and Samantha. I swallowed hard at the view of it all, knowing that was the pivotal moment in my madness.

She watched the scene to its conclusion then sighed and looked up at the fake stars in the sky. “So you sacrificed yourself to save her… You knew the price but paid it all the same.”

“That’s right, Sarnai… It was thanks to me you saved yourself and the sheep that night. Can’t you see you would be helpless without my power?” The shade version of me slowly faded into view once more, now sitting upon the chair I would use back home.

Alice cocked a brow at me. “Is it true? Is all of your love and dreams tied to this thing, or to you and your own will?”

I ground my teeth and thrust my hand out. “No. It was my own power that won that night, you have never brought me anything but pain.”

“Ha… I have tempered your soul, fox. I made you strong enough to grit your teeth and stand in the light. I gave you the fortitude to endure even when your husband was lost to you. I have-”

“You will shut your mouth! You were the cause of most of my anguish. My power is mine and I do not need you. Yes, I may be stronger because of the nightmares, but how broken and mad am I to show for it?” I shook my head and glared hard at myself. “No… I don’t need you and never did.”

The shade of myself showed a snarl and stood from the chair. “You are nothing without me, Sarnai. I made you what you are.”

“My husband… my brother and sister… even Lorelai...” I barked out a bitter laugh and put a hand to my face. “You almost cost me all of them… no… you almost cost me so much more… had I fallen that night, it all would have been lost to me, and they would have been the ones left to grieve.”

The fox before me showed a wild grin and lifted her ears. “You think you can just brush me aside? I’ve been a part of you for nearly six hundred years.”

“Your hold on her was loosened the moment you showed yourself, demon. You had fallen into my trap long before you started this display.” Alice folded her arms and gave the other version of me a bored look.

“You still your tongue, bitch!” The shade of me snarled and lunged for the rabbit, slashing a flaming claw against her throat. Alice snorted through her nose as the attack simply passed through her.

“It took me some time to put the pieces together, but do not assume you can touch me now, shade.” The rabbit turned and looked upon me, putting her hands on her hips. “Everything is brought forth into the light now. What will you do?”

I folded my arms and looked hard upon the shade of myself, contemplating what had happened through the years. “Perhaps… you are correct.”

“What?” The doppelganger showed her teeth as her ears lifted.

“You have tempered me and you have made me stronger. I cannot say for certain if I would be here today without that.” I held my hand aloft, red flames rolling from my fingertips.

“Ha! So you admit you-” I didn’t let the shade finish before backhanding her. The fox fell to the ground holding her cheek and looking up at me in shock and fear at the very real pain from my blow.

“You are a part of me and though you have caused me great pain and misery. You have in your own way done me a service. This life is as much yours as it is mine.” I folded my arms while looming over the demon inside me. I then shifted my gaze to Alice. “So, I can do away with this part of me anytime I wish now, eh?”

Alice gave me a shrug. “More or less. I can help bring you back to this point anytime you wish, sister.”

“Well, there you go… you’ve been on this ship with me the whole time, as a stowaway. You can sign on as part of the crew or I can throw your ass overboard. What’s it gonna be?” I showed the shade of myself a cocky grin and held my hand out to her.

She blinked upon me while still holding her cheek, her mouth gaped slightly. A moment later she shook her head and glared upon me. “You, why would you do this?”

“Because in a way, you’re like a sister to me. You’ve been through the trials and tribulations of my life, both what you wrought and everything in between. I’m hesitant to cleave away a part of me that has been there since day one.” I tilted my head and set myself with a glare. “You wish to argue this point with me, shall I cast you into oblivion instead?”

The fox blinked at my words then shook her head before reaching to grab my hand. I hauled her forward and we stared upon one another for a long moment. She averted her eyes and sighed. “You got to experience all the fun stuff while I was left here in the darkness, the avatar of your nightmares...”

“Well, now you can experience them with me, the good and the bad. Neither of us needs to deal with the nightmares any longer.” I barked the words and opened my arms.

The other fox pushed into my chest and held me tight as I wrapped my arms around her. “Thank you… yes,  I would enjoy that...” She whispered the words and then she faded and I was alone with Alice once again.

The rabbit gave me a moment before tilting her head. “How do you feel?”

I opened my hand, clenching my fist, seeing the red flames roll off me still. I nodded and looked back at her. “Whole, stable, I feel… complete.”

Alice smiled and nodded. “I have a sneaking suspicion I will not need to do this again...” With those words, the dream washed away and ended.

Thank you for reading and I hope you look forward to the next episode.
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