The fires beneath the surface sat still and silent. The same way they had for several thousand years. Deep within the chasm, under layers of molten rock and char, Ogun, horned cavernous troll like creatures mined away at the stone.

The short trolls, hairless and just as rocky as the dark landscape around them had little issue mining the obsidian that grew within the stone. Few races in the depths could get so close to the blazing hot liquid. The Ogun though had little issue.

Obsidian was hard to come by and many races paid high costs for the material. As the rocky trolls dug and hammered away at the stone, none of them felt the ripple of energy. Their attention stirred though as bubbles popped at the surface. Activity along the magma pits were uncommon, almost rare all together.

Any disturbance, even slight, could mean trouble. In a troll tongue that was similar to goblin, snarls, barks and clicks; they spoke to one another. Their tiny orange eyes watched the bubbles appear and after several moments, they went back to work. Had they looked just a little longer, they would have seen the dark shapes that drifted up to the surface.

*****

Maalceus and Lucian stood over Kelly and observed her resting. The same way she had for nearly a week. Her pale skin had changed drastically. Her pigmentation had changed to a dark tan. The dark black of her hair now had colors of bright red and ginger orange.

Her transition had taken hold and there was nothing either of them could do to stop it. The door opened and Melanie walked in wearing a low dress of dark black with a subtle hue of purple. Her hair had lost all its black. Only a few pieces remained near her roots. Her blue eyes had become a full sapphire and amethyst color that glowed both in the light of day and in the night.

"I shall take her to the east. The mountains are as good a place as any." Maalceus replied to his brother's unspoken question.

"No. You are safer here. Within the walls of the palace." Lucian said.

"Brother. They will come. You felt that ripple as surely as I did. If we did, then they shall too." Maalceus shared the same concerned expression that his brother did.

"This is on me."

"So what? You'll go off and fight them yourself? Our father barely survived and he had an entire army at his side." Lucian replied and slapped a hand upon his brother's shoulder. "You won't be going anywhere. You'll stay and we shall fight this. Together."

Melanie looked down upon her friend. Kelly hardly looked recognizable anymore. Her hair and skin had changed so much it made her look like a different person altogether. Melanie still had a hard time understanding what was really happening.

Lucian's half brother, was obviously half dragon but another half daemon. A powerful and ancient race of beings that once sought domination over the realms and all its inhabitants. However, they only rouse when they feel daemon essences beyond their own. Like a beacon they will be drawn to it. Melanie looked at Maalceus and scrunched her face in contemplation.

"Are they drawn to the spot or to her?" Melanie asked.

"To Kelly. Her daemon essence will be free and wild for awhile. They'll be able to track it. No matter where-" he looked at Lucian as he finished, "-we hide out."

Lucian ignored his brother though and turned his attention to Melanie.

"What are you thinking?" Lucian asked.

"Nothing. I just needed some clarification and-" Melanie's head snapped when she saw Kelly's arm move to the side. They all eyed her cautiously as she opened her eyes and looked at them. Her bright yellow and red eyes gleamed like gems freshly picked from the mines.

"You all talk so loudly." Kelly smirked and sat up. She noticed the stares of concern that drifted her way.

"What's up?" Kelly asked and then noticed the black hair that swung across her face.

Handfuls at a time she grabbed at her hair and stared. Her eyes went from Maalceus to Lucian and then to Melanie who rushed in to offer her comfort.

"My hair looks like...like...fucking candy corn." She laughed and cried simultaneously.

Melanie embraced her friend and hugged her.

"Wait till you see your eyes."

Kelly shot up and hurried over to the bathroom, oblivious to the fact that she was naked though that wouldn't have stopped her anyway. As she got to the mirror she stared into the reflection and nearly screamed.

"Holy fuck! Who is this?" She pointed at the mirror. "I look fucking sick!" She smirked.

"I've got like...demon eyes and tan skin."

Melanie looked back at Lucian who shrugged. They had anticipated a far worse reaction from the woman.

*****

Leo stood beside Brandi as she slapped the last book into place on the shelf. The guard had seen her work through several books, reading and taking notes. On occasion he had assisted her in research. While it wasn't active work, he found it more entertaining than standing guard at a post for ten hours.

"How many books is that ma'am?" He asked.

"Twenty...two-" she tossed the ladder to the side and climbed down. "-and I am pretty sure that will get me by for now."

Brandi looked at her personal guard. His large fluffy lion mane was well groomed and the bronze of his fur brought out his emerald green eyes. 'I wonder what he looks like under it all?' She thought silently.

Leo arched a furry bronze brow at her in suspicion of her unspoken thoughts.

"Where to now ma'am?"

"To town. I want to see if anyone has picked up the flyers. Perhaps we could stop for a bite to eat too."

Leo let loose a low growl of agreement to that statement. Brandi smirked, finding his natural demeanor a little arousing.

*****

Lynx walked down the jade hallway and ascended the stairs just as Maalceus walked down it. His brown and white tipped ears perked up attentively.

"Ah! Lord Maalceus how fairs-" Lynx paused when he caught sight of Kelly and her yellow and red eyes.

"Lucian needs your council." Maalceus growled as he passed the advisor.

Lynx didn't reply as he walked up the stairs and hurried toward Lord Drakkon's chamber. The door was open to his surprise and both his King and Queen were inside speaking.

"What do you mean?" Melanie asked.

"She is my friend, practically my sister but I don't know if we can keep them here. The entire city could be at risk."

Lucian pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed.

"I will not send my brother and your friend out to die."

"Neither am I." She replied. "But they can't stay in...the city."

Lucian furrowed his brows and noted her tone. Understanding dawned upon him like a cloud burst in summer. He wondered why he hadn't thought about that earlier. At that moment he also realized just how profound of a Queen she was going to make.

"Pardon me my lord and lady." Lynx interjected, finding a pause between their conversation.

"Sorry Lynx." Melanie replied, "we were just discussing options."

"As I see and I would like to point out that your very perceptive lady has in fact placed a viable solution though I still worry."

Lucian narrowed his garnet gaze upon his feline advisor. He knew what his worries were. He understood them well for they too had been rattling around in his mind.

"They will not be tossed out of the kingdom. I agree with my queen and sending them to one of our many safehouses is a grand idea but I won't send them out of this kingdom."

Lynx wanted to argue the point but he saw the conviction in his King's eyes and knew well enough when not to press on a debate.

"So be it my lord. To which safe house then?"

Melanie pulled out a scroll which she had found earlier in the library. Laying it out on the large black table, she weighed the curling corners down with nearby objects.

Lynx and Lucian both looked at the two foot by two foot parchment.

Vervania was a large kingdom that crested two others to the north and south. To the east was a wide territory of unclaimed forest which belonged to the Fae. To the west was a peninsula that was a peaceful territory for all. A single strip that was unclaimed and yet claimed by everyone. At the edge of the peninsula was a small detailed drawing of a house.

"That one." Lucian pointed to the house in a forest and pushed against the border of the peninsula of peace.

"That is a near week ride in fair conditions. Even if the path was clear, which at this time it isn't. It'll take at least five days, straight ride. If they make stops It could be nearly ten days." Lynx replied and pointed to a house closer to the southern border which was only a three day ride though with stops it would take a full five days.

"But that puts them in line with the Selatan doesn't it?" Melanie asked.

Both Lynx and Lucian looked at her with an inquisitive expression.

"What?" She shrugged. "I've been reading up. Those books you keep laying at my door are paying off."

"What books?" Lynx asked.

"You...haven't been leaving me books on the kingdom?" Melanie asked.

"No." The feline advisor replied, looking as bewildered as she felt.

Lucian leveled a gaze at him that put the furry feline into actions without words.

"I will look into this matter at once." He turned on his furry feet and hurried away.

"Tomorrow we will tell them of our plan. The sooner the better. I know my brother well enough. He won't do anything until we figure this out together." Lucian smiled at his servant queen pridefully.