[h1][center][color=ed1c24]Medusa Bloodrose.[/color][/center][/h1]
[hr]

Medusa felt regret as the sound of Lorelai's steps moved out of earshot.  She remembered years ago when Lorelai had first come to the Castle.  The 'Bloodrose Coven' wasn't even a real coven in those days,  it was just her and Alexina before Lorelai arrived.  Then came Lorelai,  basically carried to the Castle by Alexina.  The girl was near dead, fresh from the destruction of the legendary Hector Digard, but between her and Alexina they managed to nurse her back to health.

Medusa and Lorelai became close companions after that.  Friends even, she added mentally.  Lorelai settled into the castle,  she could hardly go anywhere else,  the demonic taint in her veins made it impossible to hide from hunters or rival covens.  They'd talk at length about a vast variety of topics,  from magical theory to swapping stories of romantic conquest.  Medusa and Lorelai worked together, binding Pit Lords and lesser demons alike into the walls of the Castle,  making it the safest haven a witch could ever want.

Soon more witches came,  as the Elders told her they would,  and their happy little family grew.  With growth came responsibility however,  and her and Lorelai spent less and less time together,  as Medusa was busy managing the logistics of a growing coven, Lorelai catalogued the new additions to the library, and they both were often called on to help the newbloods hone their abilities.

Then the Ruvinas arrived,  Vespa specifically.  Lorelai and Vespa hit it off almost right away,  and Lorelai started spending what little free time she had with her.  Medusa would never admit it out loud,  even in private, but she was a little jealous.  Not of their blooming little romance,  but that she'd been left alone.  Once again someone she'd cared for had found someone else,  and moved on without her.

So the tension grew between them,  in private,  until it was where it was today.  Sometimes Medusa felt that if she pushed the other witch any further she'd attempt a coup.  Fortunately Lorelai wasn't as foolhardy as her imagination sometimes made her out to be,  challenging Medusa would be suicidal,  even for her.  Lorelai might have slain Hector Digard,  but she'd find Medusa was a far tougher opponent.

She laughed,  letting out a little tension as she arrived in her room.  Sitting down she noticed the shadow in the corner,  an Elder.

[color=ed1c24]"What is it?"[/color]  She asked respectfully.

[color=8493ca]"It wouldn't be wise to be as confident as your are about your position Medusa."[/color]  The phantom spoke in her mind,  sending chills up her spine.

[color=ed1c24]"What do you mean?  Surely things between me and Lorelai haven't gotten so bad she'd risk death."[/color]

[color=8493ca]"Vespa can empower herself through sacrifice, lifting herself to great heights.  She can also draw power from intimacy.  Do you think we're the only ones that have wondered if she and Lorelai might be able to reverse one of those?"[/color]  The phantom chuckled ominously  [color=8493ca]"Could you face the power of House Ruvina and Von'Strauss in one witch?"[/color]

With another chuckle it dissipated.  Medusa still doubted it would come to that,  but it might be wise to make some contingencies.

[h1][color=f26522][center]Lorelai Von'Strauss[/center][/color][/h1]

[color=0072bc]"Kill the bitch."[/color]  Sousiel spoke from the seat across from Lorelai.  [color=0072bc]"Then you could rule the coven with a bloody fist like you deserve to."[/color]

[color=f26522]"I'm not going to do that Sousiel."[/color]  Lorelai sighed.  Sousiel had a tendency to get offended when she was offended,  often she got more offended than Lorelai did.  

[color=0072bc]"Why not?"[/color]  Sousiel tilted her head.  [color=0072bc]"I can see it now,  Castle Von'Strauss,  the Von'Strauss coven, and you on a heap of bloody tithes paid to you by your subjects."[/color]

[color=f26522]"It's called loyalty Sousiel.  The woman saved my life,  I'm not about to end hers."[/color]

[color=0072bc]"It doesn't sound like she's being all that loyal to you.  It was your magic that bound the guardian demons,  not hers."[/color]

[color=f26522]"She's just under a lot of stress right now.  She says something's coming,  and what reports we've gotten on Seren's Folly haven't been good."[/color]  Lorelai closed her book.  [color=f26522]"Once this blows over I'm sure we'll repair our friendship and things will be fine."[/color]

[color=0072bc]"If you say so Mistress,  but you know my vote."[/color]

Lorelai stood and headed towards the section of the Castle that housed the sleeping quarters.  Supplies were running low,  and Lorelai was in no condition to gather them at the moment.  She winced as a shock of pain ran up her leg,  she'd been querying the lower planes lately for anything that might illuminate Medusa's otherwise vague vision,  and maintaining the conduit between the realm of man and the inferno wreaked havoc on her weakened body.

Lorelai was headed to Genoveve's room.  Genoveve had an affinity for spirits like those that infested the Glow Wood,  and she needed fresh deer blood from a deer that had partaken of the enchanted flora that grew there.  Genoveve might also be possessed by a spirit of some kind,  she often seemed distracted,  as if someone was talking to her.  That was a discussion for another day however.

She rounded the hallway where Genoveve's room was located.

[@agentmanatee][@Rune_Alchemist]