Recovery

Unexpected Visitors

Urdu moved through the hallway silently, sensing more than hearing her mates talking in the kitchen. She had woken up in the middle of the night to find them both gone, which was abnormal as it was. There were other voices speaking as well, though it was all in hushed tones, an indistinct murmur from the people she was most familiar with over these past months. Urdu could feel that it was still dark, though it only allowed her to move unseen easily through the shadows as the murmur became distinct voices.

"Something has changed. She is moving through the realms, with a great deal of power, though we've only heard rumblings."

"From what I have heard, it's possible that it's not even her anymore."

Carbry's voice answered those of Tiamat and Shamash. "Whatever it is, is it a threat?"
"I would be incredibly surprised if it was not." Tiamat answered, her voice grave.

"But she hasn't attempted to come close to anywhere we frequent. And we have no proof that there is anything substantial to the other Ancient One's fears. Plus, it's Ferie."

Samantha's voice superseded that of Ishtar, the witch sounding stubborn.
"I don't believe in-"

Urdu interrupted Carbry by stepping into the kitchen, frowning in the direction of the voices. "What has happened to Ferya?"

"We don't know it is her. A being of immense power, who seems to have the form of Ferya, has been moving across several realms. They don't seem to be hampered by any sort of rules, though they aren't doing anything more than spooking the others enough that we've heard of it. It's out of place and we need to find out why."

"If something had happened to Ferya. If something had taken over her body, Lucifer would not be far behind." Urdu shook her head simply.

"There has been no word of... anyone... following her. And the amount of power being reported could mean that she has covered her tracks." Tiamat offered stubbornly. "But the fact that this has happened in the months since our children were born is what concerns us."

"You've hidden your children's presence from the other ancient ones." Urdu shrugged, turning toward Samantha, who approached her. Her witch wrapped her arms around her, and Urdu returned the embrace, holding the woman firmly. "But they will find out, and possibly already have. It could possibly be a trap, to draw one of you out to investigate."

"We've thought of that. Probably the safest thing is to continue observing and wait for the next move." Carbry's voice was a low rumble of concern, though the man didn't seem sure.
Not that inter-dimensional superpowers were something that an earth bound vampire would have a lot of experience in, but even Urdu knew Carbry wasn't unsure very often.

Or he hid it well, usually.

"It is Ferie though." Sam murmured. "Ishtar and I searched with a spell. It's Ferya, but it's different. What if she is in trouble?"

Urdu nodded and kissed the top of Sam's head. "I will go-"

"Absolutely not." Shamash interjected from where he was pacing through the kitchen.

"If it is my friend, even if there is a small part of her in there, I will be the only familiar face we have to show. Not to mention that if she is using a spell, it's one I've taught her, or one I could identify from the other's teaching her. I know how they work. If Ferya is in trouble, if she's lost and afraid, I will not leave her alone, hoping she passes us by." Urdu kept her voice calm, though she could feel a frustrated indignation building in her.

She didn't have the power to go on her own. She would need them to agree to send her, and she was incredibly aware of how protective her mates were of her. Not to mention how much they disliked everyone and everything from the world she had left behind. Sam's arms around her tightened, holding her close for a long moment. She knew her lover was worried, could sense it in the way that Sam held her as easily as she heard the sharp breaths of Tim.