Chapter 32:

o-o-o-o-o

"Let me see if I have this correctly," drawls Rathius, picking his fangs with the spear on one of the statues. He had apparently just finished a whole cow before we showed up through the portal. "These Widows have kidnapped witch children to sacrifice in order to bring about the ancient relics to obtain the ultimate power so they can virtually take over the world, and the parallel one?"

"Essentially, yes," I reply, Nikko perched on my shoulder like a parrot.

"Certainly not that original of them," he muses, getting out what looks like a hoof between his large canines. "Why can't power hungry groups try something different for a change? Why not take over the economy by creating cheap labor through some unknown immigrant population that are actually flesh golems? Get all the minimum wage jobs and take over the work force and then move higher up the scale until they have a monopoly on all the major industries, like oil and technology, and thus control the world without being noticed..."

"Nikko thinks Rathius actually thought this through at one point," my familiar whispers after hopping off my shoulder and changing. I nod, a bit scared myself.

"Because that takes time and money and people are rather impatient," Toulouse pipes in. "Much easier to go with trying to obtain some mystical power that lets them take over the world in one go."

"Well, humans do live such very short lives, even if they are magically endowed," he sighs, licking his chops before turning his blazing emerald eyes to the sky. "Too short, really."

"So will you help us?" Dawn asks.

"Of course!" the dragon replies, looking incredulously down at him. "Not only am I bound by oath to aid this family, and been bored as hell lately, but I certainly can't let innocents die because of those nasty little black witches and their demon whores! No offense, Dimitri, Justinian," he adds, flicking his eyes to the two. Dimitri just bows his head and looks away and Justinian turns even more pale, gulping.

When we first entered the property, Rathius had rushed up and pinned both Justinian and Dimitri under his SUV-sized claws and roared right in their faces, covering them with bloody dragon saliva and bits of raw meat. Scared the hell out of Justinian. Dimitri seemed to have expected it and kept a perfect mask of neutrality. But he was visibly shaking.

He did, after all, swear by Rathius' full name. Therefore, if he broke any of the terms, Rath would have to eat him. Not exactly a pleasant thought.

"So, where exactly are we going?" ask the dragon, getting on all fours and stretching like a cat. His long tail nearly whips into the third floor window.

"Mount Everest!" Toulouse says. Rathius looks curiously down at the blond, his large head lowering to have his large red snout right next to him. He lets out a snort and Tou's hair flies up and whips about. His eyes squint and he holds up a hand as Rathius sniffs him.

"Dude, you made my hair all poofy!" he whines, trying to tame his hair again as Rathius pulls back with a chuckle.

"I apologize," he says before suddenly disappearing in a cloud of smoke. He becomes a tall, broad human with a thick red braid swinging behind him as he stands from where he knelt. He brushes off his outfit, no longer the armored stuff we usually saw him in.

"Uh...what happened to Rathiuses metal?" asks Nikko, diving closer to circle him. Rathius smirks, tugging on the leather jacket of what looked like a biker's outfit.

"Morgan took me shopping. Unfortunately, this is the only thing we found that could fit me," he says, dusting off his shoulders.

"Why not shop at the Big and Tall store?" I ask, looking him up and down.

"Because it's all suits. I wore formal attire for all of the 18th century rococo period. I'm rather sick of it."

"You wore fou-fou clothes and big powdered wigs with lots of makeup?" Dawn asks incredulously.

"Not the wigs, when Celeste Bonne tried to put one on, the powder made me sneeze and set fire to her costume designed by Claude Gillot..." he sighs, crossing his arms. "Gillot got very mad and she had to pose for several paintings for Gillot, as well as his friend Jean-Antoine Something-or-Other...started with a 'W'...well, she had to do it to make up for the whole thing. She didn't forgive me for the longest time..."

"Alright, enough. We're wasting time!" Rhian suddenly says, having been waiting patiently (although he was tapping his foot loudly) and smoking a cigarette. "We have to get there before those bitches do anything to those kids!"

Rathius raises an eyebrow at my twin, gliding his intense blue eyes over his face. "...and how did you get involved in this?"

"Because I'm the fucking detective that finds missing witch children. You know that," he growls, almost daring the red dragon to say more. Rathius raises his eyebrow. He then turns to gesture at Dawn and Toulouse, "And can you please make them stay? This is dangerous and they're useless to us over there!"

"Useless?" Toulouse scoffs, putting his hands on his hips and looking offended. "I am not useless!"

"Toulouse, please," Jazz mutters, putting a hand on his arm. The blond shakes it off and stomps towards Rhian, brandishing a pale finger.

"Just because you can hex someone into being attracted to another doesn't mean you're better than the rest of us!" he snaps. Rhian looks down his nose at him and take another long drag of his cigarette. Tou reaches up and snatches it from him, much to my twin's surprise. He wags it in his face before dropping it to the ground and smashing his heel into it. "And in your infinite superiority, I'd think you would know that these ruin your lungs!"

Rhian's nose wrinkles minutely and he blows the smoke still held in his mouth right into Tou's face, which only serves to piss him off more. Jazz, lingering behind Tou, quickly grabbed both his arms as he goes to lunge at my brother, who dares to look smug. "Toulouse! Stop! Listen, you'll be much safer here, and I'll feel better if you stay with Dawn."

"Who says I'm staying?" questions Dawn, hugging the puppy closer to his chest.

"Rhian's right, it's too dangerous," I say carefully as I turn to him. He looks at me like Tou was looking at Rhian. "I don't want you to get hurt, Dawn," I say in a smaller voice, stepping closer to him. His lips are thin and he takes a step back. "They took Karen, Shasta," he whispers. I take off my glasses and rub my eyes before putting them back on and getting closer to him once more, putting my hands on his shoulders. "Please, Dawn. We're going to be up against very powerful witches who aren't afraid of harming children to get what they want. They'll kill you in a heartbeat, or worse. Please Dawn, just stay here, with Toulouse. I promise I'll get Karen back."

"But-" he starts. I do the stupid thing and silence him with a soft kiss. He quiets but glowers at me. "Please," I whisper again. "You can't go up against them. As much as you hate to hear it, you wouldn't be much help. You can't defend yourself against simple curses, let alone spells that can seriously harm you."

"Listen to Shasta, Toulouse," I hear Jazz say. "You just have to sit this one out."

"Oh, and I bet you are pretty useless without your magic! What if they suck away all your power? What are you left with? Nothing!"

"Then I'll just fucking shoot them," Rhian interrupts, pullign his coat back to show his gun holster. "Either way, you two aren't going. Rathius can't hold that many people."

"Unfortunately he is right about that," Rathius says solemnly, looking with pity at Dawn and Toulouse, who both look none too happy. Timidly, Justinian walks a little towards Dawn. I look to him and he flicks his dark eyes to me, showing me he isn't going to do any harm with that look.

"Dawn, not only will there be seven witches, but seven demons," he says quietly. "Demons that will tie you to the wall and devour you inch by inch starting from your feet. Some will tear you open and feast on your entrails while others rape any available orifice. I don't want that to be your fate. I don't want anyone else to get hurt because of these vile creatures. For Shasta's sake, stay alive and stay here."

I think the description of what a demon would do did it, because Dawn drops his head, averting his eyes. "Fine," he murmurs defeatedly, "I'll stay."

Justinian smiles a bit before backing to stand next to Dimitri, who is coughing again. He gently rubs his back, whispering quietly as three more voices drop from Dimitri's mouth into the cloth in his hand. I stare at them for a moment longer, wondering if what Dawn said was true. That Justinian had feelings for Dimitri. A little bud of jealousy involuntarily sends a little shock through me, but then I look to Dawn and it leaves quickly. I have him. And that's all I need right now.

Toulouse looks a little green as Jazz gently pushes him towards Dawn, "And you, please stay with him. I know you can kick ass, but this is a bit out of your league."

"D...d'accord," he murmurs, hugging his torso and standing next to Dawn. "But you better come back without missing any toes, Jazz."

My cousin smiles gently, kissing his cheek. "I can't help if I'm missing my little toe, but I'll try."

I bite my lip before reaching to tilt Dawn's head up. His eyes drag up to meet mine through my glasses and I can tell he doesn't like staying behind still. I kiss him softly once more before making Nikko take the puppy so I can properly hug him tight. After a moment, he hugs me back, all but clutching at me desperately. "Just come back. I just want you to come back with her and everything will be alright," he whispers into my shoulder.

"I promise," I say, kissing his forehead, lips lingering for a moment before I pull away, holding his hands. His lips shakily pull into a smile and he squeezes my hands. I clench back before dropping them entirely. Nikko says goodbye to the puppy, who seems to be as downtrodden as Dawn. He grabs onto Nikko's shirt sleeve and refuses to let go. Dawn has to pry him off, ripping a bit of Nikko's shirt.

"That's okay," my familiar says, ears drooping as he kisses Dawn's cheek. "Nikko promises to get Shasta back to Dawn. Bye bye."

Dawn just smiles at him and Nikko smiles toothily back before changing once more and jumping back onto my shoulder. He nuzzles my cheek and I scratch his chin as I turn to Rhian. Bastet is curled at his feet, tail flicking back and forth as she just watches us coolly. I look to Rhian, who sighs and pushes off the wall he was leaning on. "Finally. Let's get through the portals already. The more time we waste, the smaller the window of opportunity to save those girls."

Suddenly, Dimitri strides over to me, stopping a few feet from me. Nikko hisses and Dimitri drops his eyes before holding out something. It's a bright green-blue sphere, a voice. I stare at it and he steps closer, still holding it out. I look up to him with furrowed eyebrows as Nikko continues to growl low in his throat. He one-handedly attempts to sign.

It's yours.

I look back at it and blink. "Oh...thank you?"

I reach out and take it, holding it awkwardly. My voice. Huh. I never imagined ever getting it back. I've gone so long with this golem voice...I hand it back and smile at the utter confusion on Dimitri's face. My smile makes him even more confused. I haven't really smiled at him this entire time.

"Keep it," I say. "I told you it was yours."

He thrust it at me again, lips thinning. Nikko growls louder and I step back from him. He frowns and holds it out still; I shake my head and hold up my hands. "I don't know where that's been."

In my mouth, he signs. The same place where your tongue has been before, just take it already!

No, I sign back, seeing Dawn look at us quizzically. Tou is watching too, though I know he understands so I keep the conversation less revealing.

Dimitri, despite what has happened, that will always be your voice, I tell him, quickly moving my hands. If you aren't going to have it, then break it.

For a second I think he is actually going to throw it to the ground. But he slips it into his pocket and turns away to go back to Justinian coughing up a few more. He's been putting them all in his pocket, which looks to be bewitched depthless. Suddenly he turns back around and walks forward. But he passes right by me and stand before Dawn.

Nikko leaps off my shoulder and to the ground, changing instantly and ready to pounce on Dimitri. But the pale-skinned man simply holds out a gloved hand, a soft blue colored orb in his hand. Dawn blinks at it for a moment, holding tight to his puppy. The puppy, in turn, is still and looking at Dimitri, little nose flaring as he sniffs.

"What...is it?" Dawn asks hesitantly.

"Yours," Dimitri croaks, in a gravelly voice, pushing his hand closer to the other. He brings up his other hand to cough some more. Timidly, the auburn haired boy reaches out and takes it from Dimitri, who drops his hand instantly and walks away back to Justinian. The demon had been watching Nikko, looking ready to tear my familiar off Dimitri if he attacked.

Dawn watches him for a moment before dropping his eyes to the little sphere in his hand. "How...how do I put it back in me?" he asks, looking back up. Dimitri turns his head and just shrugs. Dawn frowns, looking back to it.

"Try eating it like the golem voice," I suggest gently.

"You can do whatever you want with it, but let's just get the fuck going already!" Rhian hisses, fisting his hands at his sides. "And I swear if we stall any longer I'll put a fire ants pants hex on the lot of you!"

"That's a very childish threat, Rhian," snorts Rathius, crossing his bulgy arms and looking down at Rhian. I can swear my twin is pouting.

"Can we, please, get going?" he asks quietly, though his teeth are gritted and his eyes show he's seething. Rathius regards him for a moment before nodding.

"We'll take the runic portals, this way," he says, walking off towards the back of the mansion. I turn back to Dawn, who is looking at his voice silently.

o-o-o-o-o

"...you think a demon would rape your nostrils?" Toulouse suddenly asks as we sit on the stone steps leading up to the manor ten minutes after they left. I just sort of pause before tilting my head back to look at him sitting on the topmost step. "...what?"

"Well, Justinian said the demons would 'rape any available orifice' and nostrils are considered orifices, right? And in Monty Python and the Holy Grail, the Brave Sir Robin song has this line-"

"Toulouse, just shut up," I say, dropping my head back down and rubbing my face. There is silence for about two minutes and then he huffs to himself, "I'm not useless."

"Really? Then what would you do against a demon? Huh?" I am a bit peeved by this whole damn situation to say the least. Toulouse actually thinks about it for a moment, elbows propped on his knees with his hands holding up his head.

"Hmmmmmm," he says, "I'd have to say I'd just let Rathius eat it."

"What if Rath was busy?"

"I wouldn't put myself in that situation."

"But what if you did?"

"I'd exorcise it."

"Do you have anything to exorcise it with?"

He blinks and turns to his messenger bag. I watch as he starts digging, arm disappearing. He starts muttering to himself, arm up to his shoulder. My eyes widen when he sighs frustratedly, zips it open wider, and stick his entire upper body in it. That bag...is not that big.

"Uh...Toulouse?" I say before he suddenlt disappears entirely into the bag. Okay, either Tou is, on top of everything else, a contortionist, or I'm missing something.

"Tou?" I crawl up the steps and hestitantly reach for the bags opening. I yelp and jump back, nearly landing on the puppy, when a hand and an arm came back out. It flails in the air a bit before groping around. A second arm, this one with a black velvet sack, comes out. It drops it and grasps the sides of the messenger bag and Tou pulls himself out. The puppy yips and scrambles down the stairs.

"Crap, lost my shoe," he says, looking back inside. He takes off his other flipflop and drops it in. Content with being barefoot, he starts rummaging through the much smaller velvet sack. I just stare at him as the puppy clambers up the steps awkwardly to sniff Tou's feet.

"Okay, first I use this crystal-"

"Toulouse...how...the bag..." I manage to say. He looks up and blinks at me a few times before dropping his eyes to his messenger bag. It takes him a second but then he exclaims, "Ooooooh! You've never seen a bisbag?"

"A what?"

"Bewitched infinite space bag. It's basically a magical hammerspace."

"Hammerspace?" I repeat. He sighs exaggeratedly, "Okay, you aren't the sci-fi-slash-fantasy geek I thought you were. It basically has a spell on it that lets me stick as much crap as I want, as long as it fits through this opening-" he stretched out the zippered part. "My brother got Morgan to make it for me. I kept sticking loads of stuff in my pockets: magic eight balls, kneadable erasers, my syringes, glucose tablets, stuffed manatee dolls..."

"Oh," I say. "...and exorcism kits?"

Toulouse nods, grinning. "I also have a Wii down there with a TV. Want to play?"

"You have a what down there?" I ask, blinking.

Tou just blinks back, no longer smiling. "Um...Dawn. Your puppy's running away."

I look down and my puppy, is in fact, running away.

"Puppy!" I call, running after him. He runs in a straight line before abruptly turning around the corner of the house. I hear Tou clamber up and follow. We bother run after him as he ducks and dodges around shubbery, not even panting.

"I thought you said he was blind!" Toulouse yells, scaling a hedge as I run around it.

"Half-blind!" I pant. He's running really, really fast for such a small thing. I can barely keep up. Toulouse seems to have unlimited stamina, leaping over things like a gazelle with his long limbs. Suddenly, we turn the corner again, just past that faerie-infested forest thing, and I nearly crash into a low stone wall. Tou catches my arm before I fall, hauling me back up with an 'oof!'.

"Shins are not to be used as brakes," Tou admonishes, letting me go."They're for finding furniture in the dark."

The wall is surrounding this immense cemetery, full of monuments and rather interesting gravestones. There's coins on the wall with little etchings and a set of stone angels guarding the gate. Though anyone could step over the wall, even me in my shortness. There's wildflowers galore but the whole place seemed melancholy. I see a flash of black tail and hop over the wall to chase after him in the maze of above ground graves.

"Puppy!" we call. Though Tou is alternating to French as we try and find him. Five minutes in and Tou lets out a startled gasp. I turn to look and he's pointing to an angel statue. Sitting before it, looking at the name etched in stone was a small boy with dark hair. A...familiar if the ears were any clue. One ear is erect while the other twitched. His good ear flick back as we step closer, Tou with his hands curled under his chin.

The familiar's fingers are tracing the name, which I can't read from here. Then, he turns to look at us, still on his knees. His eyes are cloudy, one barely hidden beneath his hair.

Wait.

"Chiot?" Tou hesitantly says. He smiles, standing up with a bit of a teeter from his spot.

"Mmhm," he said, clasping his hands in front of him. "You can call me Biko, though."

o-o-o-o-o

A/N: I know, "FINALLY...WTF, ANOTHER CLIFFIE?!" right? "AND NO REVIEW REPLIES?! YOU ARE TEH SUXORZ!"

Well, let me put it this way. It was either a cliffie and no replies NOW...or a semi-cliffie and replies in three weeks. I'm leavin Friday morning for Crumpets-a-Gogoland and Frogs-legs-a-gogoland. Translation: England and France. I can't update there. Obviously.

Thank Rachelmorph for posting and setting up the winners of the writing contest in my bio on Friday. Go there. Be supportive.