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