Story: The Death of Rachel (all chapters)

Illiana knocked on the batheroom door, "Hey, Rach, you decent?" she called.

"C'mon in its nothing you havent seen before" Rachel was sitting on the toilet drying her long black hair, the only thing she was wearing were her black and red bondage pants. the flat muscle of her chest gave way to four-pack abs and nicely toned arms that bunched as she moved the towel "you need something boss?"

Illiana shut the door, "Rach, your my best friend," She stated, "And I need some advice" she sat dowwn in an almost sinfuly liquid motion, the hint of vamp quickness and grace letting Rachel know she was worried or stressed.

"You know I'm always here for you Illy" Rachel stopped drying her hair and turned so her green eyes were locked onto the vampires.

"I don't know what to do, I want to tell her, I want her to accept me, but god knows what wil happen if she does...." Iliana's eyes clouded with worry.

Rachel wrapped her arms tightly around Illiana "I say you should tell her, she needs to know why she's important"

Illiana was shaking uncontrolably, "But what if she doesn't accept me?" She whispered, "What if my daughter denies me..."

"Can rejection really be worse than an eternity of wondering about her feelings?" Rachel's warm arms enveloped the shaking vampire.

 "I supose not" Illiana said softly. She tried to stand, falling.

Rachel pulled Illiana into her lap and offered her torn neck, she still had May's bites on her, "here this'll steady you"  

Illiana smiled, and whispered, "Thank you Rachel" And bit into her skin softly, letting the warm blood fill her.

Rachel went limp melting into the back of the tiolet as she was fed on, she trusted Illiana, and let her feed as she needed to.

Rachel's blood was sweet and tasted of night. Illiana drank until she felt stable and let go, dropping back and almost hitting her head on the sink.

Rachel's head rested on the top of the toilet tank, her breathing was shallow and her face was slack like she was unconcious. she was basking in the sexual glow of the feeding process.

Rachel made her shaky way out of the bathroom after putting on a black tank top, blood still dripped from her marked neck but she looked satisfied. she sat between Imogen and May running her fingers through the big cat's fur

May nudged her head into rachels hand purring lightly but with her ears back, showing her mixed emotions. With caution due to her size she felt the need to be close to someone, anyone and rachel just happened to be their, she pawed at the girl.

Rachel smiled and playfully wrestled with the big cat "I guess you're still feeling weird arent you? dont worry I'm sure the master will find a way to help you"

May lay their after their play fighting, panting on the floor..the fur in her huge cat form made her very hot. I remember as a child things were terrible. but i suppose this time i have more control and more people whom i trust to take control if i lose it
Her huge ears pricked forwards and she fell silent, looking alert. Blood. I smell fresh blood moving this way when she had mentioned blood she meant people, new people being new blood.

Rachel tensed scenting the air, her senses werent as good as May's but she could still smell the new scent of colouge and sweat. her sword was all the way upstairs, these men were approaching to fast for her to grab it, and there were no weapons in this room. "shit" she hissed turning to May "we gotta get out of here tonight, they're starting to figure out where we are"

May snarled baring her teeth in the direction of the door. They'll be here soon, go..take imogen and our master and i'll hold them off the fur on her back stood on end and she growled again like any animal would defending their pack.

Rachel shook her head "no we're gonna go as a group or not go at all, lets get upstairs we'll be able to hold them off better." the demoness stood scooping Imogen up in her arms and waiting for May

May hesitated They'll trap us upstairs rachel..they'll catch us if we run she was torn between following her submissive side and her feirce instincts.

"they wont trap us up there, there's an escape route on the roof if we need it now hurry" Rachel's demonic side was fighting to come out again. her green eyes were now solid black and the runes pulsed rythmically on her arms

May nodded her muzzle and followed rachel quickly not murmering a sound. Her ears flickering as she picked up the fast approaching sounds.

Rachel led them to Illiana's room and grabbed her shotgun "May you and I can hold them off at the stairs, Illy if we get in trouble run with the girl"

May snarled flashing her claws out and baring her fangs Yes Rachel, anything May didnt know why but she was willing to do anything for the women in the room, they had saved her life.

Rachel loaded her gun and braced herself as the door burst open, evil monks like the ones from the game Resident Evil weilding scyths. magical fire balls tore through the house as three harpies broke in through the windows

May spun round as harpies tore through the windows. she growled loudly lunging for the beasts and tearing at one savagley.
 
Rachel open fired on the monks the bullets ripping deep into is chest but the others just kept coming

May yelped in pain as a harpie snapped at her but she refused to be beaten and refused to let her master and the other women get hurt because she failed in her duty. 

Rachel cocked her gun and fired into the harpie attacking May reciving a gash in return, a gash showed from her shoulder to her stomach. "Illy run" she yelled knowing the vampire would go to her home. But Illiana took Imogen out of the room ad into another part of the housr, not wiling to leave Rachel compleatly alone

May leapt at another beast tearing into it without mercy. she seemed to be running on auto and her usually amber eyes had red flecks in them. She was foaming slightly at the mouth and snarling savagly blood covering her usually pristine white and black spotted fur coat.

Rachel took a spear butt to the chest and fell pulling the trigger as she did, it hit a man in the crotch blowing his legs off. "May go with them" she yelled pulling men down and fighting hand to hand

May growled lunging for the men attacking rachel never, i will not leave you alone she didnt really care that she had just tore the huge harpies down and hadnt registered the blood being spilt but she was still foaming at the mouth and her eyes held more red.

Rachel grabbed a fallen sword after her gun was kicked out of reach

May looked up from her fallen victim, blood and skin hanging from her muzzle. Every step she took left blood red paw prints, she was panting harshly as she took a swing to the left hind leg and snarled in responce, going for the weapon wielding hand.

Rachel swung the sword wildly blood leaking into her eyes from a cut on her head, the blood was making it hard for her to see. she could tell by the yells of pain that she was hitting her targets but it seemed like they kept coming

May had morphed into her human in a flux of anger and was straddeling the dying man on the floor stabbing him repeatedly like a crazy woman. She had truly lost it. She rolled of the long dead man and spat a mouthful of blood on the floor moving and surprising the next beast who didnt expect her, she sliced his troat. The number of attackers was rapidly dropping and neither woman showed signs of giving up.
 
Rachel slew the last man and fell against the wall leaking blood "May its ok they're dead" she panted heavily to get her breath back. 

Illiana was holding Imogen away from the fighting, she semlled blood and felt her whole body catch fire, NO! She cried at herself, You can't lose control now. But her instincts were winning, she snarled at Imogen to stay put and hissed to herself as she melted into her vampireic form and dashed down the stairs faster than anyones eyes could follow, she saw them, bleeding on te ground, and Illiana was gone, now there was only bloodlust.
 
Rachel saw the monster that was Illiana's bloodlust decend from the stairs in a dark blur, acting on instinct she pounced the beast. her bleeding body pinned the vampire to the floor "May protect Imogen I'll deal with her" her strength was almost gone but she fought. "damn it Illy take from me"
 
Illiana sw he blood adn she sank her fangs into Rachel, but unlike the many times she had taken blood from her, this time there was no love, no kindness. She was a monster. She hadn't lost control this way in ten years and now she was lost. She shifted adn bit down again and in the back of her mind a voice was screaming, but so softly it was barely heard, YOUR KILLING HER!
 
Rachel whimpered as agony burned through her with every swallow, she had already lost alot of blood in the fight so she was on the edge. darkness blurred at the edge of her vision and she went limp on top of her friend, the gashes on her body stopped bleeding as she started to die
 
Suddenly a wave of hate washed over Illiana and she screamed as she shook away from Rachel, she huddled in a corner, her pale nightgown now prefectly maching her skin, blood dripped from her lips and she cried, sending eyeliner down her face. She looked at Rachel, lying there adn screamed, starting off as selfloathing and ending in a wail of pain
 
Imogen ran down the stairs hearing the commotion. She saw the mess, and rachel laying on the floor. She stopped and looked in dismay

Rachel coughed weakly "Imogen dont, you dont understand" her voice was soft showing that she was almost dead "you guys need to get out of here. those guys probably had others ready to help, go to my place Illy you know how to get in" she passed out with a thud

Illiana was huddled in the corner still, "Rachel..." She was trying not to move, she was weak with pain adn she couldn't risk Imogen fighting her. But Imogen jsut stood there not really knowing what was going on. she looked abot the rom trying to make sense of the situation while Rachel laid there unconcious only the sharp rise and fall of her chest showed she was still alive

Illiana slowly stood up and walked over to Rachel, "Imogen, i need your help" She siad softly. She hadn't ment for her daughtr to find out this way, bu they had t save her. Imogen looked at her blankly wating for the request as the sound of approaching vehicals filled the night, they needed to get to Rachel's apartment and hide 

"Shit, no time, here," She stod, and took Imogen's hand, "Hold on to me, adn hold on to Rachel, May, you take my ther side. I don't know if I can warp with this many people, but i'll try, hold on." She closed her eyes adn willed, adn opened them, "Yes!' they were in

Rachel's apartment was just as trashed as the one she had in the human realm but this one was three bedroom and had a kitchen. high tech gadgets and weapons were scattered all over the place along with money and papers, the shape of a counch could be seen under a pile of cloths in the living room. she hadnt been home in 18 years and obviously no one had cleaned the place

Illiana bent over rachel, Imogen, I didn't want it to be this way, but to get you to be able to help me there is something I need to tell you" 

"Imogen i'm your mother, your a half human half vampire. You can do things no vampire can do, and I can't save her without your help, please. Help me save her." She pleaded.
 
"Well what is it i need to do?" She looked at the person who claimed to be her mother with confusion

"I know it's a lot to ask, but i need you to bite her, just enough to break the skin, your vampire vemon, because it is mixed with human, heals instead of kills. If you bite her it will spread, and in about 30 minutes, she wil be well" Rachel's breathing slowed and her heart nearly stoped, so Illiana peaded "Hurry"
 
Imogen paniced, she didnt have fangs like the typical vampire she saw...

"i... i..." She flustered as Rachel started to die, her body convulsed reaching out to Imogen helplessly

"Imogen, you don't need fangs, bite her Please!" Her bitter tears stung as they ran down her face, she loved Rachel, more than anything in the world.And she had killed her. Imogen had to hurry, itwas almost too late . She prayed as Imogen quickly bit into rachel, breaking the skin of her friend
 
Rachel went into violent convulsions as the venom worked its way through her system forcing her body to heal far faster than its natural pace. she gasped painfully and rolled on her side in a little ball
 
May remained sitting passive after the porting. In rachels old home, covered in blood and eyes hazed over after her rampage. She was in her usuall human cross breed form, her spotted ears twitched but she remained unmoving, staring at rachel as she woman convulsed and curled up.
 
Rachel eventually went limp on the floor sticky with blood and sweat from her near death experiance, it wasnt the first time she nearly died but each time it was harder to come back
 
May moved forward in an almost animilistic manner as rachel fell limp and stroked the womans head softly, still just about functioning. Rachel looked up at May, her normally bright green eyes were dull and cold but she managed a weak smile "you look like hell kiddo"
 
May laughed, her voice rough from the growls and savage attacks "I look better than i feel rachel. And yet i do not remember what i did" she smiled sheepishly "But your all ok so im okay to"

"you killed people kid" Rachel said simply "same as me" she tried to sit up but couldnt because of the pain

Illiana was curled up in a back corner of the room, not wanting to see or hear anything. She wanted to stake herself. She had almost killed Rachel.
 
Rachel made her slow way across the room and laid down next to Illiana with her head in the vampire's lap like nothing had happened
 
"Rach," illiana muttered, "I..I"
 
"no need to talk Illy" Rachel closed her eyes relaxing  

Illiana stopped tlaking and laid her head on Rachels. She drifted to a state half awake and half aslepp, she looked around and thought she must be dreaming. It had been years since she'd been to Rachels place. "I love you rachel," She muttered

"I know Illy" Rachel said softly, But Illiana was already asleep, she loved to dream, it was the only time she was really safe. She had a huge amount of pian in her soul for one so young, but you'd never know it
 
Rachel slept peacefully letting her body heal and Illiana wrapped her arms around her in sleep, subconsusly comforting her friend .Rachel nuzzled into Illiana as she too sought comfort
 
Illiana woke up, but stayed still,not wanting to brea the soft silence. Then, Rachel woke with a groan of pain and looked around "holy fuck this place is a dump"

"Eh, I've seen worse" Illy chuckled, "Welcome back"

"Good to be back beautiful, hows about helping an old demon sit up for a second?" Rachel's body was in overdrive as she healed and she was hungry for some real food
 
Illiana smiled and help Rachel sit up, lettig her lean against her as she swore "Oh fuck that hurts" Rachel said as she put pressure on her scythe wounds "you think there's any food left in this place?"

"Fridge" Illiana sid, slowly standing her friend up, "want me to dig up something?"
 
Rachel leaned heavily on Illiana "if you can find something I havent been here in 18 years, good luck finding anything edible"
 
"They shopped while you slept, there's plenty" She said smiling, sitting Rachel down at the table.

Rachel grinned "I'm sure they didnt have any trouble finding money around here" she reached under her and pulled out a 100 dollar bill
 
May's blonde curly hair lay limp around her bruised face. She hadnt healed much in the days they'd been there but that was mainly because she had been working so hard to control her animalistic urges and blood cravings. When rachel awoke May ran about getting some of the fresh food they had brought together and handed it to her master silently so she could hand it to Rachel.

Rachel smiled at May "Hey kiddo, you put up one hell of a fight against those monks" she patted the girl's head with a shaking hand  

"She's a hell of a fighter," Illiana smiled, "I'm sorry about the post shift headache, I figured it was worth it." Most creatures weren't able to shift, and whn they did it was murder
 
"Hey if I remember right a certain someone promised to make food" Rachel looked at Illiana expectantly, few things could dustract a combat weary demon from a meal
 
"Haha, sorry love" She walked to the fridge and pull edout a carton of eggs, and some bacon, and then she got a box of flour and a bottle of whiskey from a cabnet.

Rachel grinned and snatched the bottle off the table before Illiana could stop her "you always did know the way to my heart" she purred taking a swig

Illiana laughed, 'And that's through your stomach." She started mixing things and snached the bottle, she took a swig before pouring some in the batter. "You and my whiskey biskets. I swear, you eat more of them than some trolls I've met" 

"What can I say delicious food combined with good ole fashioned alcohol is the ultimate kryptonite for a humble demon like myself." Rachel chuckled then stopped when a fammilar ache shot through her body "oh fuck" she whispered feeling her second hunger rise despite her body's state
 
Illiana didn't flinch, she knew what was Rachels problem, but couldn't help at this moment. "Humble, hmm, that's a new one to me" Illiana giggled. Se loved their childish banter

Rachel laid her head on the table feeling the runes on her arm pulse with need "I'm not up to it Illy but it wont go away"

Illiana was begining to feel the effects of Rachels need, her mind began to dip into the dark desire Rachel made her feel. "May, keep an eye on those, don't let them burn please." She stood next to Rachel adn the feeling intensified. "I can help with that" she whispered, her voice husky and yet smooth as silk.

Rachel put her head on the vampire's shoulder before taking Illy's hand in her's, slowly she pushed her friend's hand down her own pants. "touch yourself, please, let me feed for a little bit" she wasnt up to pleasuring anyone herself and she couldnt feed off her own release

Illiana nodded, she laid her lips against Rachel's ear and whispered, "Come with me," Then lead her friend to the rooms they had once shared, and did her best to help ease the hunger. Rachel put her head on Illiana's thigh feeding as the master vampire touched herself, it wasnt as good as feeding directly but it was all she could do
 
Illiana's mind was far from easy as she attemted to help her friend. She was worried about what she had done. She had almost killed Rachel. Whom, though she would never admit it, she not only lusted after like a high school boy, but thought she might have deeper feeings for. She decided such things were best left for later and began to just enjoy the moment of pleasure

Rachel was panting heavily against the vampire, her skin was hot to the touch and the runes were not only pulsing but moving as well. sharp fangs protruded from between her lips as claw tipped fingers gripped the vampire's hips
 
As a wave of heat washed ove her Illiana felt Rachels clawed hands bite into her skin. And, instead of bothering her as it would most, it brought her higher into her passion. Between Rachels lush for her lust and her lust for rachel, it was getting very hot in the room.

Rachel's dark power enveloped the vampire heightening the sensations as she fed and soon Illiana was lost in thier world of passion.

When Rachel finished feeding the power disolved leaving the two of them alone. So, lliana laid still, enjoying te lingering sensation.

Rachel looked much healthier than before, the gash from the scythe was now nothing but a scar along with the deep fang holes in her neck. "thanks Illy" she said softly, she leaned over and kissed the vampire's neck submissively. Illiana smiled at her rejuvinated state, "Anytime Rach." She nuzzled the deamons head tenderly

Rachel stroked Illiana's hair for a moment then they went back out into the kitchen to finish the food
 
Illiana ate silently, she was feeling kinda out since she had thrown up all the blood she had drunk from Rachel. Though she tried to hide it the evr pbservant and perceptive Rachel commented through a big mouthful of biscut "you dont look so good Illy"

"Meh, I'm fine" She lied a little too quickly 

"You know you can lie to me master" Rachel said from across the table, this was the first time she acknowledged that the vampire owned her. it was a great honor to have a high ranking demon willingly admit who their master was

Illiana humbled at Rachels addmittance of her power, "I am very weak dear heart." She said final, "I threw p your blood and the rest that was in me, so it is as if I hadn't feed in alomost a month"

Rachel moved to offer her neck knowing the vampire probably wouldnt take it. She was rihg and Illiana shivered, her mind flashing bck to the night and she tried not to cringe away, "Rachel, I..I c.." SHe stammered, her eyes takig a faraway loook
 
"Then go hunt like you used to, you need to feed" Rachel said sounding despret

"I can last a few more hours" She siad softly, "I can, I've gone a long time before" She stood up and knew she looked paler and thiner than she had a moment ago. She was waneing fast

Rachel shook her head "your strength is my strength master you need to feed" she laid her head on Illiana's back between her shoulder blades and Illiana tried not to fall, the small pressure almost knocked her off her feet. "I almost killed you Rachel. I see your dying face everytime I try"
 
"I'm fine Illy dont worry" Rachel offered her neck once more hoping her friend would give in Illiana tried to say no, but the smell of Rahcels blood, plsing just below the surface was too much 

Rachel sat on the floor with Illiana at her back feeding from the opposite side of her neck, the demoness was completely passive under the vampire's hands leaning on her

Illiana took only what she needed and pulled away, "Thank you Rachel" she said
 
"'s no prollum Illy" Rachel slured pleasurably still leaning on the vampire comfortably
 
Illiana sat down with a fluid grace, her arms around Rachel so she didn't fall while the deamoness dozed happily on the vampire for about 5 minutes while her body recovered. Illiana enjoyed Rachels presance now that she felt whole

Rachel opened her eyes after 5 minutes and smiled at the vampire "I hope you didnt use up all my whiskey angel fangs because after that I need a drink"

"Haha, would I do that to you?" She asked smileing like a schoolgirl

"the first month we lived together you made me stay sober" Rachel reminded her laughing

"Ok true" She laughed, "But besides that"
 
"I still dont understand why you did that" Rachel said slowly sitting up

"To be quite honest, i forget" Illiana lauhged at herself as she slowly stood

The two went into the kitchen once more to find it empty. Rachel found some tea and brewed them both a mug. They sat side by side on the floor, backs to the sink with mugs in hand. Illiana leaned her head on Rachels sholder adn sighed

"we havent sat like this in a long time eh" Rachel chuckled taking another drink of tea

"Not for...god...10 years at least" Illiana sid, "Damn, now I feel old. Or I would If I were human anyway" She giggled

"you feel old, I'm fast approaching 500 I was seasoned long before I met you" Rachel laughed pouring a second cup of tea

"This is true, but you live a longer life than me too" Illiana said feighting annoyance

"not really, I'm supposed to be dead five times over by now" Rachel said facting a matter of fact attitude

"Well then, even?" She asked extending a hand
 
"I still say I win" Rachel said sticking her forked tounge out with a smile
 
Illian laughed, "Sure sure"

Rachel shifted closer to to Illiana enjoying the contact brought by the fammilar vampire and Illiana wrapped her arms around Rachel and held tight, she missed this, the playfulness 

"its been too long Illiana, Imogen was worth it but I've still missed this" Rachel nuzzled into her lover's neck purring happily. few succubi had one mate to feed their hunger but she was happy with her arrangement

"I missed it too, I missed how carefree we used to be before we got caught up i working" She sighed, "Rachel, I hate to ruin a moment...but..." she took a deep breath, mentally prepering herself and Rachel turned and looked at Illiana recognizing the suddenly serious tone  

"I won't make you choose" Illiana blurted, abandoning the well thought out words in her head
 
"I choose you, always and forever" Rachel replied without even having to think

Illiana was shoced, she had thougt Rachell was in love with Imogen. She knew Rachel was probbably refrering to their friendship, but she was still surprised

"I think of that girl as my kid I'd feel guilty feeding off her" Rachel nuzzled into Illianas's arm

Illiana didn't speak, she dared hope that maybe she had a shot. "You shouldn't feel guilty"

"I pretty much raised her while you were off securing your power here, not even a lust demon will feed from its young" Rachel kissed Illiana's cheek
 
Illiana smiled, She might just get her wish. "I'm still sorry I left you"
 
"dont be sorry they needed you here" Rachel smiled, true she had been lonely while Illiana was away but she wasnt mad at the vampire

Illiana smiled, "You know, Rachel. Theres something I've kinda always wanted to do...." Illiana looked at the floor, not makeing her eyes

"whats that Angel Fangs" Rachel said using her high school nickname for the vampire

Illiana smiled, and slowly leaned forward a bit, "I want to know.." Seh leaned more, "What it's like," she was a breath away, "To kiss you with love, not passion" and she gently and hesitantly brushed her lips against Rachels, as nervious and hesitant as a first kiss

Rachel pressed back filling the kiss with all the love her lust filled heart was able to produce, love was a rare emotion in her kind that wasnt highly valued
 
Illiana knew it was hard for Rachel to feel love. Her kind didn't base much on it. But she did, and with all her heart she wanted Rachel to love her
 
Rachel held Illiana close and for the first time she kissed her without thinking of sex

Illiana let her body relax into Rachels arms. She felt better than she ever had. She felt a sence of belonging. She hadn't a single thought of sex, or blood, on her mind.

Rachel pulled away sightly breathless "so thats what its like to kiss without the hunger, it feels more real and meaningful"

Illiana nodded her agreement. "I don't know what that feeling was, I've never...never had that before" She sighed, soft and sweet. "Rachel...I..."
 
"I like it Illy" Rachel reached over and took a swig of her long forgotten tea

Illiana stopped, her words half out of her mouth, "I like it too Rach" She said softly and kindly, not lettin gon what she was really about to say

Rachel sensed Illiana wanted to say something more but she was scared that the vampire was going to confess her love, being a lust demon she knew nothing of love and didnt want to lie

Illiana kept her voice silent and her eyes warm, she didn't want to hurt the deamon she cared for,and she didn't want to make her uncomfortable. She knew how she felt. and Rachel...well...Rachel could find out in time
 
Rachel tried her best over the years to feel love for the vampire but love was hard for her, she thought she felt it but she wasnt sure and didnt want to lie. But Illiana just leaned her head on Rachles shoulder, feeling content
 
Rachel leaned her head on Illiana's sighing "how long are we going to be hiding here Illy? the realms are ripping further apart each day"

"We'll have to do something soon" Illiana sid, wishing she could just forget the realms andthe wars and the responsability and just sleep ,sleep safe for a hundered years
 
"we can get Imogen to the temple in about two weeks but getting there without being noticed wont be easy" Rachel sighed

Illana agreed ad tried to think a way out of this, like she had countless times

Rachel took her cup of tea into the living room throwing the dirty cloths off the couch so the two of them could sit and watch tv together. SHe sat and Illiana curled up with her head in Rachels lap, a massive migrane coming on. Rachel rested the palm of her hand on top of Illiana's head turning the tv onto one of the music stations that was playing light classical music. Illiana closed her eyes and let the music and contentmnt fill her

Rachel slid down the couch so she was sleeping against her lover 

No rest would come to Rachel that night she was too busy thinking of her fast approaching fate and what was going to happen to her. surely she would be going to the hells for the crimes she has commited in her long life but that scared her
 
Illiana was deep in sleep, but she spoke words she would never know she said

<i>I love you...Rachel..take your place...if I could... </i>

Rachel kissed the top of Illiana's head smiling softly "no dear it wont work the spell needs the soul of a demon high gaurd to work"
 
Illiana tossed and turned, her mind filling with images of Rachel adn her death to come, she stopped breathing as she saw it, then she cried out in sleep

"shh Illy shh" Rachel rocked the vampire slowly to soothe her tortured mind
 
Illiana woke up adn looked into Rachels eys, in a pained voice she whispered "I love you Rachel"

"I love you too Illy" Rachel said her voice matching the pain of her lover's

Illiana wrapped her arms around Rachels neck, burrying her head in the hollow between neck and shoulder. Finding a small amount of comfort there. Rachel clung to Illiana until it was daybreak; they had to move on there was still alot of ground to cover in not a lot of time

Illiana slung her sword back on her shoulders adn help rachel break camp. Then they were on tehir way again. Rachel marched silently with her head down and her sword over her back leading the group like a proud demonic general while Illiana followed behind Rachel, a proper second in comand. Imogen as safe between her and May who brought up the rear of the group.

 In the distance Rachel could see a set of cliffs that marked the halfway point through the desert, things would get easier once they got back on a more traveled road

the hot sun beat down on the group as they walked through the shifting white sands of the desert, sweat dripped from Rachel's head only to dissapear when it hit the ground

Illiana wiped the sweat from her brow. It was amzing how the freezing cold could turn to blistering heat as Rachel trudged along miserably thinking only of her fast approaching death

May could sense Rachels sadness in the air but had no idea why Rachel was so sad when they had come this far and this close to completing what needed doing. She stayed trotting up behind the group alert for any danger.

Rachel stopped the group when they reached the cliffs a little after sundown "we can rest her for the night and start bright and early tomarrow. we should be able to buy an animal to ride on from one of the farmers we pass" 

May flopped to the ground as soon as the group stopped, her ears flat to her head and panting heavily. She lay spread on the floor as flat as she could get trying to cool herself down more and relax her tired muscles. <i>Rachel</i> she said directly to the others mind <i>why are you so sad </i> 

Rachel sat by May gently stroking the big cat's fur as she thought of a way to word her thoughts "this is my final journey. I wont be returning with you guys when this is all over"

Mays ears perked up as she listened to what Rachel was saying but then they pressed flat to her head in sadness and confusion. <i>Why not rachel? </i>

"the joining of the realms requires the will sacrifice of a demonic soul, I've done alot of bad things in my life maybe this will make up for them." Rachel's voice sounded tired, despite her young apperance she was almost 500 years old

May whimpered, the sound coming out like a whine from her muzzle <i>I would die for it..But im only partly demonic in my blood</i> She rested her muzzle upon Rachels lap and lookedup at her through large sad amber eyes. While thge spoke Imogen stood by he temple doors, the sky growing into a strange deep purple colour. the time had come.

Illiana walked to Rachel and Imogen. She kissed Imogen on the forehead adn said, "This will be over soon" Then she turned to Rache. "Rachel..."  But Rachel stood beside her, a grim resolve in her green eyes, it was time to set things right once and for all despite the risks. slowly she approached the stone altar sheading her cloths as she did, nude she pulled out a stone tablet and a dagger from under the altar. "goddess protect us" she wispered laying on the cold stone

Illiana didn't move, she wanted to run, to stop this. But she couldn't move, she couldn't breathe. "Rachel..." SHe said softly. "I love you....' She began to wepp, "Don't do this..."

"I love you too Illiana, I'm sorry this needs to be done" Rachel said sadly going silent when the knife cut into her

Illiana lurched forward as teh red blood swelled over Rachels chest. She was beside the alter in half a heartbeat. She pressed a hand to the bleeding skin after pulling thre knife away. "There has to be another way" She said sobbing. SHe tried to apply preasure to slow the bleeding

Rachel pulled Illiana's hands away from her chest and laced their fingers together one last time "speak the words of dismissal my master. you own my soul it cannot go without your consent"

"I, Illiana, do..." Illiana stuttered, her voice shaking adn breaking. "do release you from...from the..." She took a deep breath, trying to calm her voice. "I, Illiana, do free you Rachel, from the power of my bind as your master" She sobbed. Then she whispered, "Goddess, forgive me..." She her knees buckled and she was left kneeling before the alter that held her love. She cried as she hled Rachels hand.

Rachel held Illiana's hand as her blood coated the altar in a thick red flood, the world outside began to quake but inside it was eerily calm. "I love you" she said with her last breath and then fell limp effectively removing her dangerous blood from the world

Illiana burst into a fresh wave of tears, unable to move, unable to breathe. She clutched at Rachel until she had no strength left. She flet the world around her shifting, ut she didn't care. She laid Rachels hand on her cheat and took a lonmg roll of red material from a wall. She laid it over rachels naked body and lifter her up into her arms. When may gave her a questioning look she simply said. "I won't leave her here."

The slow poisoning of the Earth, that had started when the barrier was put up to block the realms, was at last stopped and the sun was out once more. no one knew why this was happening or that a lone demon gave everything to save them all they knew was something had changed. Rachel's body was still increadably warm but she was lifeless with a peaceful smile on her slack face

Illiana walked for miles with Rachels body in her arms, and her loves sword strapped to her back. She carried her through the city, past her home at the outckirts of town, out into the feilds of the outer country. She gently laid Rachel on the soft earth, adn she sobbed as she built a pyre out of brush and hay. She carefully re-wrapped Rachel in the red cloth and laid her down gently--as though she was mearly aslepp and Illiana didn't want to wake her--on teh pyre. She brushed a few strands of hair from the face that now looked so much more peacful than it ever had in life. She kissed her soft lips gently, She whispered the lines--from the human play Romeo and Juliet--that now ment so much

"Death, that hath suck'd the honey of thy breath,
Hath had no power yet upon thy beauty:
Thou art not conquer'd; beauty's ensign yet
Is crimson in thy lips and in thy cheeks,
And death's pale flag is not advanced there."

She wiped away her tears and said, "I love you too Rachel. Rest well my love"

She stepped back from the pyre as she cover Rachels face with the rest of teh cloth and used a single match to light the flame. As the flames grew Illiana kneeled and pulled Rachels sword from her back. She planed the sword blade down in the soil. The funeral of a true warrior, one who gave her life, that the worlds might live.