WITHOUT

Coming Together.

Amara grinned, Rhys had a thoughtful look.
"I still feel we are to be on guard. Lucian's interest in this one (Rhys flicked a finger at Ethan) is intense. I feel he has good reason - And, he's not sharing why, we all should be very careful - A case of "Never turn your back!". Your being too causal, Amara.."

"Rhys. We have the upper-hand. You saw what the young man did. A raised hand, I wasn't even going to touch him, and he already knew! Maybe fear, or he just knows - I am his superior!    Lucian is just plain old and crazy.   He is one of us.    He is not a problem..."

Rhys nodded. He feared Lucian, but knew his fellow Archangel wouldn't over step his mark in anything. God would smite him.

Ethan stood silently.   He looked to Amara, then to Rhys - The two Archangels were lightly chucking to themselves.   Hector kept darting his eyes between the two men, waiting for his punishment.     Then, he peeped at Ethan, inched closer to him....Slide his hand close to Ethan leg, lightly touched - Looked up at Ethan.    Ethan glanced down at him, they shared a brief look.

"Now, Rhys! We must present all information to Lucian. Everything..." Rhys shot his friend annoyed look. "Yes. I know exactly what your thinking, and what your about to say! But, we can't at present follow through on our other deals. Lucian knows of the boy. And his friends! Our debt will have to be sorted in other ways, we don't owe too much....The ones from down below will never enter God's lands to collect. This "Ethan" would have kept some good secrets getting out, but any way....Enough!.."

Amara pulled out his book. Laid some pages on a table.

"We leave him intact. No blinding of eyes, silencing of ears. He can't communicate effectively - There's still the usual sounds but that not actually words. So we may be safe on that front. We can't alter vocal cords. We were going to "reverse" the other boy. The witch, we were going to drain. Her blood would've sold well.   We are at a loss there.  And, the other female - She could have been added to our stock..."      Amara shot a look to the arch-way.     "Dam, Lucian! The plans he has ruined!.."

"You know we can only hold those below for so long. They want "prizes". Big ones..." Rhys looked at Amara, then glanced at Hector. There was a sudden grab towards Hector. He was stood up, and soundly back-handed. Blood seeped from Hector's nose.

"Never! Go near him! Never touch him! I ever see you do that again. You will be reverted, and you will be even stupider than when we found you! Do you understand?! Show you do!.." Rhys was gripping Hector so tightly, shaking him with every first word. Hector only looked at Rhys when he heard the word "him". Amara pulled Hector from Rhys's hold, made him stand up straight. Smoothed out his simple top.

Amara then looked at Ethan.

"Your pet has been naughty. Should we beat him, and you watch. We'll hit him so hard, his bones will never mend. Or. We beat you. The pet watches, he doesn't like sad things. It distressed him. It takes him days to get over it..." Amara kept staring at Ethan. Ethan didn't break the look, his eyes went wide (His teeth made an odd grinding noise)

Before an answer could be gained, another archangel came to the door-frame (Firm tapping knock) A tray was handed to Rhys, the fellow angel gave a slight nod and left.

••%£€¥%••

It became a thing of sorts. Every time there was a moment of quiet, three small forms would greet her - They didn't greet with words, but a small squeal (They were careful never to make it too loud)      The boldest of the three, EB had started calling "Leader"....The other two were Reef and Pixie.    Reef was a boy like Leader, Pixie was a girl.    She was the smallest, most timid.    Reef had cuts on his small arms.   Leader seemed to be the most bruised.