Raven

[Spotify]

Alec phased into a vulture and exited the room with a furious caw. He didn't know exactly where he was going, he just knew he had to get away from his family. He flew fast and hard, making his wings ache. He slowed and than landed once he realized where he was. He was in the heart of Strigoi territory. His gaze narrowed and phased back into his human form.

Ember nodded,"Yes, sir."she said, holding her head proudly. She bowed to her father and than whipped around to face Jai, her gaze narrowed."I'm more than pissed. I gave you an order and you disobeyed. Do you know what you did? Do you?"she snapped, her eyes flashing. She tilted her head, a snarl wanted to rip through her throat, but she held it back. She defiantly didn't trust Jai after he disobeyed her and put her in harms way. Her brother was ruthless and he would find a way to make Ember pay for Jai's mistake.

[Cloudy]

<sub>"Made is worse?" Jai guessed. "Look, Ember, I've got a job to protect you. Last time I was supposed to protect my lady she was murdered. I'm not gonna let you get hurt, okay?" His green eyes were tired with pain and he sighed, letting his head slump back and tap against the wall. "I just... I'm sorry. But I couldn't stand there and let him hurt you." His gaze was fixed tiredly on the ceiling, and the pain that still existed from the death of his mother echoed in his voice. "Do I know what I did? Yeah, I do. But I have orders, and I have moral obligations. So don't try to use the 'you only do your job' crap. I have a heart you know, and it gets hurt just as easily."

"My, my, if it isn't the Schimba Prince," a voice purred.</sub>

[Spotify]

Alec whirled,"Who's there?"he snarled, his body tensing. He phased into a black bear and reared up. A roar broke the silence that was the forest. The Schimba prince was not one to mess around with. He was vicous and ruthless and he would do whatever it took for him to get on top.

Ember stared at Jai,"Since when does Jai Templar have a heart? I've known you all my life. You trust few and love fewer if any. Why do you care, Jai? Like Alec said this is family buisness. It's none of your concern and before you ask. No, I don't enjoy being toyed with and beaten, but if it keeps my people out of Alec's war path than I'll take it. You may think you know me Jai, but you don't. If you know what's best for you, you'll leave me alone and stay out of my buisness."she said, her arms crossed over her chest and her tone icy.

[Cloudy]

<sub>"Don't know you?" Jai scoffed. "I was there the day you were born, Ember. I watched you grow up. And your brother doesn't have the balls to attack his own people," he snarled. "He wants the throne too much, and you and I both know it." In a burst of power he'd shot before her. "And perhaps I don't have a heart," he spat angrily. "But when you watch your father murder your mother than have him sell you into slavery, you tend to get a bit moody." His eyes flashed with anger and pain.

"There are few who do not know my name," the voice hissed and Costin slunk from the shadows, "and even fewer who do not recognize me on sight." His black eyes bored into Alec's. "You're on my territory, Schimba. What are you doing here?"</sub>

[Spotify]

Ember's temper rose to match his, she didn't have the nickname spitfire for no reason, she slapped him not finding the words to voice her fury and anger. She hurled her body at his, easily taking them both the ground. Ember became a blur as she used her speed to pin Jai to the floor, fury bright in her eyes."Do you expect me to fill pity for you? If so you are sadly mistaken, Jai."she snapped, peering at him through narrowed eyes.

Alec roared once more and than phased back into his human form. His body relaxed and he peered boredly at Costin."Well well.. Hello there Costin."he said, feigning a yawn. He walked over to the nearest tree and leaned against it.

[Cloudy]

<sub>Jai moved easily as he drove his knee upward, shoving her off of him and spinning them both around to pin her. "No," he snarled, "I don't need your pity. You can hate me all you want, but I'm not going to let anyone hurt you." He bared his blunt human teeth, cat-like eyes narrowed. He met her gaze, his own pain and frustration anger glowing in the depths of his eyes. In a blur of movement and power he'd leapt off of Ember and drug her to her feet before he slunk back to the shadows. "Your father wants you," he pointed out quietly, tiredly. "I'll wait outside the door."

Costin chuckled. "Daddy deny you your position, little one?" he purred, amused by Alec's attempt to act bored. Nah, Costin mastered that. Everything bored the lord Strigoi.</sub>

[Spotify]

Ember grunted as he drove his knee into her gut and she yelped as it hit one of her fresh bruises. Her anger flared once more and she snorted as she was dragged up to her feet."That's not needed. You know very well that my father can protect way better than anyone."she snarled and than she turned stalked out of the room. She headed towards her fathers office. She paused just outside of her father's old office door, she took a deep breath and entered the room."You wanted to see me, daddy?"

Alec snarled,"Of course I didn't. I'm not daddy's little girl."he snapped, bristling."He would give that whore the world if he could. I mean nothing to him. I'm just his little pawn."he said, through clenched teeth.

[Cloudy]

<sub>Costin shrugged. "You're all pawns in Unole's plan. I know what he wants. He wants to control everything." That was complete BS, of course, but Alec didn't need to know that.

Unole spun around on his chair, smiling at his daughter. "You should trust Jai," he said. "He's got your best interests at heart, even if he's an annoying little Schimba," he chuckled. He was quiet for a moment. "I raised Jai after he lost his family. The kid was destroyed, Ember. He... he lost everything. But he dealt with him, and he's such a strong kid for that. He doesn't complain, and he'd give his life in an instant to guard you. That's why I made him your bodyguard. Sure, I've got other Schimba who look stronger, but they don't have the speed or determination Jai has. He's a cold bastard, sure. But he still cares about yo." He stood up, hugging his daughter. "Don't be mad at him for too long, okay?"</sub>

[Spotify]

Alec snorted,"You got that right. He would rule all of Raven-kind if he had his way."he said, nodding his head in agreement. His blood began to boil at even the slightest thought of his father or his sister. His eyes flashed,"I hate to say this Strigoi, but I need your help."he said, grinning now.

Ember sighed as she leaned slightly into her father's embrace,"I know, Daddy, I know, but its so gosh dang hard. I don't know, sometimes he acts like a kick puppy dog and it annoys the crap out of me and than other times he acts like he's totally cold and better than everyone. He infuriates me."she sighed, shaking her head as she broke away from dad's embrace."Ugh. Why did you have to assign to me of all people?"she whined.

[Cloudy]

<sub>"Oh?" Costin responded lazily. "And how might my assistance be needed?" The Lord Strigoi looked bored as he leaned back against a nearby tree, tilting his head downard so that his glowering gaze rested on Alec. His face was a mask of disinterest and he feigned a wide, fanged yawn. "Why would I be interested in your affairs? You're on my territory. By the law, I have every right to rip out your heart and eat it right before you."

"He doesn't know how to socialize right," Unole said. "He's had a rough life, daughter, much more difficult than yours, given the circumstances. I'm sure you infuriate him, too. He's a hardheaded bastard, sure. But I trust him. He won't let a single hair on your head be harmed, as long as he's breathing." He ruffled her hair affectionately.</sub>