Hounds of Winter

Author’s Note

lalae (La - - l - literally means \"blood sibling\". An affectionate term used between very close vampires.

fledge-mate - vampires that were created around the same time (either by the same vampire or by different vampires) and \"grew up\" together. They are NOT a mated pair.

fledgling - a very young vampire that relies upon others to survive. Fledglings develop into either \"common\" vampires or \"master\" vampires.

gwarel (gwuh (like in \"Gawain\") - are - el) - literally meaning \"commoner\". A neutral term used by vampires to acknowledge a vampire that is not a master, ie a common vampire. If the speaker wishes to acknowledge that they are subservient to the common vampire they use the term gwarae (gwuh - are - A). If they wish to use it as a derogitory title they use gwarith (rith rhymes with \"sith\") (which translates literally as \"little commoner\" or \"common child\").

stepanu (step-on-new) - The master vampire that rules over a court

venrel (ven (as in \"oven\")-rel (rhymes with \"sell\") - literally meaning \"venerable\". A neutral term used by vampires to acknowledge a vampire of the master rank, ie a master vampire. If the speaker wishes to acknowledge that they are subservient to the master vampire they use the term venrae (ven-ray). If they wish to use it as a derogitory title they use venrith (which literally translates as \"little master\" or \"demanding (bratty) child\").

***

The Hounds of Winter
Chapter 3
By: Delilah deSora

***

Cain watched his mate sleep, resisting the urge to reach out and disturb the peaceful scene. His mark was a bright blemish against the pale skin and he felt no small amount of satisfaction in seeing it. He had not meant to do more than trail a few bites down his mate’s neck before taking him out for a few hours at court but he had misjudged what seeing his childe clothed and dozing on the divan as he had during more satisfying times would do to his control.

But it did not matter. Indeed, Cain decided as he went to work waking his lazy mate with growls and nudges, it was a most preferable alteration.

Shido glared at him through hooded eyes and tried to forestall his attempts to wake him but Cain refused to relent and finally his mate had no choice but to stretch like a great cat and capture him. The older vampire laughed softly as he was pulled down and his childe pretended to go back to sleep.

He nibbled on Shido’s ear, earning a series of shudders. “Come now, melmae,” he whispered, blowing lightly in the exposegan gan and receiving a soft cry, “or do you not wish to find your lost childe?”

As he had expected the reminder of his mate’s childe brought the violet haired vampire back to seriousness. Cain stood, watching as suddenly nervous hands struggled to readjust the long green tunic. He reached out and straightened the long violet strands that had been sent astray by their coupling.

“What are we going to do?” Shido asked, holding still as Cain preened him.

“For tonight, something simple I think. Just a quiet return to court.”

Shido shuddered. “I do not think it will be as simple as you say.”

Cain shrugged. “We shall see. It will not be for long, only a few hours.”

“Why now?” Shido asked suspiciously. “I thought we were going to wait for a few days.”

His master laughed and tugged on his hair gently. “Because, now is the perfect time. It seems some “upstart” stole Yanich’s grivada after he found his own lacking.”

Shido flushed slightly. “It was an insult to give me the other one.” He whispered.

“I am inclined to agree.” Cain replied dryly, pressing a kiss to his lips. “Shall we prove that no wrong was done?”

Shido swallowed and nodded.

***

I must do this for Riho. Because I was not strong enough to protect her. I will not fail again. Shido repeated in his mind. It was a litany to keep the fear at bay. To keep from humiliating himself and Cain by fleeing like a skittish rabbit back to the safety of Cain’s rooms.

I have done this before, it is nothing I cannot do again.

He was a silent shadow behind Cain who, for the most part, ignored him. He kept his eyes trained forward, refusing to meet the assessing stares of those they past. Cain spoke to none of them and neither did Shido. Those regulated to haunting the halls held very little status at court and Shido recognized none of them. They were the young and powerless who were beneath the notice of the stepanu, the Master of the Court.

Finally they had entered the main hall where those that did matter congregated in lavish luxury ShidShido realized that somehow Cain had slipped away from him. He was suddenly alone, surrounded by a sea of half familiar faces who were all turning to stare at the new comer in their midst. He forced his fear down deep where it wouldn’t be noticed and walked through them towards Cain’s dais where his master liked to look down at the rest of his court.

A shadow fell across him and he stepped back warily, staring up into the gaunt face of a vampire he did not recognize. Power rolled off of him and Shido resisted the urge to growl at the blatant show of power. He was not some fledgling to be threatened by cheap tricks, though he had to admit the other vampire was probably more powerful than he.

No, Shido corrected, as the other paced once around him, not more powerful. More vicious. This vampire possessed a will and violent determination that Shido did not have. It was what made him a master vampire while Shido would never be able to control his own clan. He just didn’t have it in him to cow others as a leader needed. This vampire could and would. He was obviously used to getting his way and Shido knew he smelled like prey to a master vampire looking for someone to push around.

The master came back around to stand before him, his hawkish nose flaring as he scented him. “Who are you to stand before me, gwarith?” He demanded.

Shido smiled grimly in the face of the insult and what it meant. It would have been a better show of superiority if the master had called him a fledgling rather than a commoner but he had not, which meant there were other masters present who were younger than Shido’s few centuries. Masters who were powerfully enough that this vampire feared insulting them by claiming Shido’s age meant nothing.

“Who are you to block my path, venrel?” Shido asked, his voice cloaked in politeness.

The other vampire bristled and Shido forced himself to stand his ground and not show fear. He was not alone. He knew Cain was lurking about somewhere and would allow no permanent harm to come to him. He recognized this meeting as the test it was and knew that to fail now would make finding Riho that much more difficult.

“You are ill informed if you do not know me.” The master snarled, his eyes darting to the gathering crowd and betraying his fading confidence.

Shido inclined his head very slightly. “I have been away for quite some time. I cannot be expected to know every new comer to court.”

The master grimaced at the barely concealed insult but could not protest it for it had not been false. Whoever this master was he had not been present when Shido had left.

“I am Yanich!” The master stated grandly, straightening so that he towered over the violet haired vampire.

Again Shido inclined his head in acknowledgement, not surprised at the announcement in the least.

Yanich had obviously been expecting something else from him for his thin lips pulled into a frown. “You are the one who took my grivada?” He demanded.

Shido smiled pleasantly. “I was unaware that the court grivada belonged to anyone but the stepanu, venral.”

That strange grimace crossed the master’s face again. “Of course they don’t,” he snapped, his yellow eyes flickering through the crowd, “but I had already reserved the uses of that one
“
“Fate is sometimes harsh, venral. I certainly did not return with the intention of stealing your grivada.”

Yanich growled at him, baring long fangs that he snapped threateningly. “You think yourself strong enough to challenge me, gwarith? To steal from me like a mongrel from its master’s table?”

Shido’s eyes narrowed in anger. “You insult me, venrith!” He hissed, dropping the neutral title to one of distaste, “I have taken nothing that is not mine to take!”

Yanich snarled and grabbed for him. Shido slashed at the offending arm, tearing long gouges into the sunken flesh. The master bite at him but he dropped beneath the bite, shoving the vampire back a few steps. Yanich, however, caught his balance before Shido could regain his and the violet haired vampire found himself on his back, trying to keep the snapping fangs from reaching their target. Yanich managed to get a hand underneath his and Shido hissed in pain as clawed fingers tore along his cheek, leaving a set of angry marks down his face.

There was a deep growl from behind Yanich and the master froze suddenly. He turned and suddenly scrambled off of Shido. Cain snarled and slashed at him, leaving the master to huddle back along the edge of the crowd, clinging to his bleeding chest. The two vampires stared at each other as silence descended upon the hall, all eyes turning to stare at scene.

Cain turned his back fully upon the cowering master, showing his distain for Yanich’s power, and knelt next to his mate. Shido lowered his eyes submissively as his master caught his chin and tilted his face up. He felt the hair fall from his shoulders and didn’t miss the hushed murmur that disturbed the perfect silence as the bright mark Cain had left on his neck was bared to the room.

A shudder ran through him as Cain gently licked at the bleeding marks until they faded from his face. His mouth was caught in a possessive kiss and he relented, lying still as his mate claimed him before the court. Satisfied, Cain pulled away from the kiss and stood, helping him to his feet.

Cain tilted his head towards the dais and Shido nodded his understanding. His mate did not follow him as he continued towards the back of the room but he didn’t need him too. The vampires before him parted silently, a hundred eyes watching as he walked from the fight. He heard his mate’s voice, low and dangerous as he turned upon Yanich but Shido refused to turn to watch what happened.

It was no longer any of his concern and the weaker mate did not question what the stronger did.

By the time he had settled himself on tetteettee next to the large chair, Cain had finished whatever example he had chosen to make of Yanich and the court had dispersed into its usual collections of families and allies. He watched silently as Cain filtered through his court, occasionally speaking to a vampire that approached him but for the most part content to move among his people.

From his vantage point Shido began to recognize faces among the assembled court. A few acknowledged his presence with nods or a brief meeting of the eyes but there were many that peered at him suspiciously for a moment before turning away.

Only two vampires approached to formally greet him and Shido was glad to see them. They had all been fledglings of the court together and it made him feel more at ease to know that they were not suspicious of his absence. Gaven had finally come into his power as a master and Shido was pleased to see that it had not changed him as such a thing changed many vampires.

The new master had taken Soryo, who had proven to be a common vampire like Shido himself, as his mate. Shido approved of the match. He remembered many nights of he and Gaven soothing the green haired vampire after his master had taken his rage out on his youngest childe. It had pained them to see their friend in such a hateful family but they had not been able to do anything about it and no older vampire would help them. Apparently Gaven had taken it upon himself to fSorySoryo. Shido smiled and invited the sweet-faced vampire to share his settee.

Soryo climbed up behind him, wrapping long arms around his waist and for a moment Shido stiffened, terribly aware of the eyes watching. Soryo’s bright violet eyes peered down at him in confusion and Shido smiled, shaking his head and forcing away the embarrassment. This is not the mortal world, he reminded himself, there is nothing wrong with such closeness.

After that he relaxed in his friend’s arms and dutifully learned the faces of the vampires Soryo pointed out to him. Gaven had drifted off to join one of the larger groups and his mate patiently repeated names and brief histories until Shido could recognize who was important among his master’s court and who was allied with whom. Bored with this game Shido turned to reacquaint himself with his friend.

They were an almost perfect foil for each other. Yin and yang Gaven had once teased, pointing out that Soryo’s hair was the true color of Shido’s eyes and that Shido’s hair was a match for Soryo’s violet eyes. Even their temperaments were opposites. Shido’s emotions were like a storm at sea, quick to flare but quick to settle after he had blown off some of his anger whereas Soryo was like the calm ocean with only the occasional ripple of worry or anger on his normally docile disposition. But that docile disposition was deceptive for Shido knew that beyond the calm mask Soryo’s emotions ran deep.

“You are very quiet, lalae, surely you should be overjoyed at this reunion. Or have you perhaps forgotten us?”

Shido smiled and shook his head, reaching up to catch a piece of Soryo’s long hair. “I am just thinking old thoughts and comparing them to new realities.”

Soryo’s smiled softly and bent, pressing their lips together in a gentle kiss. “Gaven has been worried about you.” He whispered, using the fall of his hair to hide the words from any prying eyes. “As have I. You left so abruptly and the stepanu . . . he was terribly angry. We feared for you.”

Shido reached up with both hands, cupping his friend’s face. “I am fine. I just needed some time away.”

Soryo nodded. “Your mind was in turmoil those last few days. You hardly even noticed us.”

“I know. I am sorry. I did not want to leave either of you but I needed to make a clean break. If I had come back it would have brought too much attention to my movements and Cain would not have let me leave again so soon.”

“Ah. That is what Gaven said.” Soryo smiled and kissed him again.

Shido sighed into the kiss. It was so different from his mate’s claiming mouth. Whereas Cain demanded his submission, Soryo wanted nothing more from him than simple skin-to-skin contact. His hands slid from Soryo’s face to bury themselves in the green hair, forcing his fledge-mate to deepen the kiss.

Soryo murmured something and shifted until the open shirt he wore gapped and their chests touched. The sensation of Soryo’s skin on his sent shivers of pleasure through him and Shido groaned. Soryo’s tongue teased his and they chuckled as the kiss turned playful. Shido’s head fell back and he laughed when Soryo snapped at him with kitten’s fangs. The green haired vampire nipped at his bared collarbone for a few secondforefore settling and lounging across his chest.

Shido wrapped an arm around Soryo’s back, peering out into the crowd. His eyes immediately found Gaven who was watching them from a far corner of the room. The master vampire inclined his head in acknowledgement before turning back to the vampire speaking to him. It always amazed him how dark Gaven’s skin was. Compared to a mortal’s it wasn’t dark at all but compared to a vampire’s normal paleness it seemed exotic.

“Its too bad he can’t come and play.” Soryo mused.

“Why doesn’t he come over here? Surely he isn’t angry with me.”

Soryo peered up at him with exasperated violet eyes. “You have been gone too long, lalae. The stepanu keeps a very close eye on my mate. Gaven revealed too much of his power when he killed my maker and many older masters of the court fear him. They fear what he will become as he ages if he has started out with such power. Beside,” Soryo said, pausing to lick at Shido’s skin for a moment, “he is a master now. He must play their silly territorial games and you know how masters get when another master comes too close to their mate.”

Shido sighed, running his hands through Soryo’s soft hair. “I will talk with Cain. I do not think I could bear being so close to him and yet forced to stay apart. We have too many good memories and I am in too much need of friendly faces to pretend that he is a rival master.”

Soryo shrugged. “If you think it will help. Be sure to tell the stepanu it was not Gaven’s idea lest he take it as a challenge.”

“I will.” Shido promised, giving in to the urge to indulge in his fledge-mate’s soft kisses.

Eventually Cain returned and Soryo faded back into the crowd to return to his mate’s side. Shido sighed, feeling the loss of his companion deeply as his mate settled down in his throne. Shido shifted a bit, trying to find a comfortable position. The settee demanded that its occupant lay on his side, stretched. It. It was a difficult position to keep from looking ridiculous in and even more difficult to maintain for any length of time.

A hand settled on the back of his neck and he turned to peer up at his mate. Cain smiled, the slight upturn of his lips softening his normally serious face. Shido sat up and pressed his lips against his mate’s. He pulled back, pleased that Cain didn’t try to stop him.

Cain ran his fingers through the violet hair, marveling at the shades it cast in the pale light of the hall. Blues, violets, and even a shade or two of red winked at him as he let the soft strands slip through his fingers. He smiled and returned to stroking his mate’s hair. His eyes slowly traveled over his court and, for the first time in over a century, he felt complete.

With his mate at his side and his court stretched out before him he felt powerful. He felt as though he could do anything. As though he could reach out into the darkness that had descended his people and push it aside so that a new golden age would dawn for them.

All he had to do was maintain the course that fate had so kindly provided for him.

A smile slipped across his face as he watched his mate stare at his companions of old. Gaven had surprised him. He would never have suspected the quite, watchful fledgling to develop into a master with such power. One of his first acts as a new master had been to take Soryo from his nearly ancient master.

It had been a fight that everyone had thought the new master would fall in before he had even raised a hand. But Gaven had not fallen. He had shocked them all by calmly facing the ancient’s power and unleashing his own. In the end he had been left with both Soryo and a powerful new following.

A following that Cain was becoming increasingly suspicious of. It was not unknown for a master to amass a small following and leave to start his own court but Cain could ill afford to lose any of his vampires in the fight to come. Especially not to a younger master like Gaven.

The older vampires remembered the days of vampire glory. They remembered the years when they had been feared and worshipped. They remembered what it was like to hunt as they were supposed to hunt. They remembered the feel of the wind on their bodies and the exhilaration as they hunted without fear, without restriction.

They remembered what it meant to be a nightwalker.

They young ones, however, did not. They had never been free to expand their powers and instinct to the fullest, never free to explore all that their new lives had to offer. They had been raised in dark castles and taunt to lurk in the sws, ws, as though they were nothing more than breed. It was all they had even known and now to be told that they should fight to be given the chance to return to a lifestyle that had always been forbidden to them frightened them.

Cain sighed and shifted, crossing his legs as he studied the young master out of the corner of his eye. The younger masters must be kept mixed in with the older courts. He had told this to his peers and they had agreed. No new courts had been created in the last fifty years. He was not about to be the one whose court was fractured.

But fate had given him a boon. A double edged weapon, to be sure, but one that could be used to keep this powerful master under his thumb.

He didn’t miss the glances that Gaven sent towards Shido. The young master liked Shido as much as Soryo did. The three of them had been inseparable in the past. They had hunted together, slept together, and fought together. Gaven had reclaimed one of his fledgling friends, would he try to claim the other?

Cain smiled to himself. He had no wish to try his strength against the young master. Gaven was entirely too watchful. His green eyes saw far more than they should have. He saw weaknesses and strengths. He saw opportunities.

Gaven would be a powerful ally in the fight ahead. Ah, but how to keep him on the correct side? Cain turned to coax his mate into another kiss, noting the way Gaven’s eyes narrowed slightly. He needn’t worry just yet. Gaven had a mortal’s sense of honor and he would not take a friend from a mate he approved of. Soryo had hated his master and wanted to be free of him, so Gaven had freed him. But Shido didn’t want to be free just yet and Cain did not think Gaven would try to take him by force. At least, not until he believed his fledge-mate was in danger.

And Gaven would never leave one of his dear fledge-matn dan danger. As long as he had Shido at his side Gaven wouldn’t try to defect. He would either leave with his two fledge-mates or he would stay. Until the young master made his move Gaven would heel to his orders. Cain smiled against his mate’s lips. If only Shido knew what power he brought. If only he knew that his very presence made all things possible.

Shido was the pale light that painted the empty sky before the gold dawn broke. The light that bridged the darkness and the break of day. Without him the young vampires that had only lived in the darkest of night could not understand the transition to the new dawn of the vampires.

Without him such a dawn could not be possible.