Blood Ties

Astarion

I glared at the handsome man that appeared suddenly in a swirl of blue flame. He was holding a woman firmly against his big body.

He set her gently onto her feet but didn't release his grip on her shoulders yet.

Shadowheart cried and rushed towards the pair.

It was only then that the man let the smaller woman go.

"Aida oh my gods, Aida is that you?" Shadowheart said emotion filling her voice.

I watched the smaller woman run into Shadowheart's open arms.

This was the sister they had been searching for. This meant that Minnara had done it, not that I doubted her ability. She was a very intelligent and resourceful woman.

What had me actually begin to panic was that fact she wasn't with the pair that had appeared in the camp.

I approached the big man who was still watching the girls reunite with some interest.

I growled at him,"Where is she? Where is Minnara?"

The big man didn't answer me, he just glared back at me his own red eyes sparking.When he grinned at me it, flashing sharp teeth it had me on edge.

Aida cleared her throat stepping up to me. I looked down at the small mirror image of Shadowheart.  There was no mistaking their familial relationship.

"You're Astarion correct? Minnara asked me to share a message with you, with both of you actually."

She said this nodding at her sister as well.

I glanced over to Shadowheart, who  frowned meeting her sister's worried expression.

I was relieved that Shadowheart spoke because I was finding it difficult to speak.

" What is it? Where is she Aida and what is the message?"

I eyed the big man who was watching this unfold with smug amusement. I wanted to stab him and had to take a calming breath to not act on the impulse. If he had hurt her he'd die screaming.

My hands clenched as anger filled me.

" She says she's safe and will return soon. She needs to get some information and asked that you both stay put. She doesn't wish for either of you to come for her."

Shadowheart and I competed for the louder protest.

" What?! What the hell does that mean?" Shadowheart yelled

" That is absolutely bullshit." I growled

Aida seemed to close in on herself under our combined fury. I felt for the girl, she had been through enough and my anger wasn't for her anyway.

It needed to be directed to the right target.  Right now it was the man standing stoically, arms crossed. He seemed unbothered by our squabbling and distracted by something he was thinking about.

" You.. answer me." I growled as I advanced on him.

He looked ready to laugh which only caused my anger to spike higher.

" Little vampire you need to learn your place. I am not someone you want to anger. Minnara is safe and that is all I'm going to tell you. Now if you'll excuse me I have more important matters to attend to."

When he started to draw his power around himself to teleport away I felt a sense of desperation that I hadn't felt in a long time."Please wait a moment.."

Something in my words had the man falter, he watched me curiously. He seemed to take measure of me and it made me suddenly self-conscious.

" You do care about her don't you? I hear it in desperate way you speak, the way you thought you could attack me. I can clearly see why she fell for you,as you are so much like I was when I was a younger devil. When the cruelty of my people hadn't caught up to me. What I can promise you is that I will keep her safe.  You will need to accept that you cannot do anything to retrieve her, she will return to you once I permit it. She has made a bargain with me and she will see it met. Do not come for her. I do not wish to cause her any pain. I will not save you if you try and trust me you are not enough to save her. She is safest at my side. Do not disrespect her honor by trying to take her from me sooner than our bargain has outlined. You are long lived, a week is nothing for someone like you."

"Why are you keeping her? What answers does she need from the likes of you. Devils never deal fairly so why should I believe you are different than the rest of your ilk.?" I seethed at him

" Because I love her more than you can ever comprehend. I will not tell you more since as she deserves to be the one to speak to you about this. Give us the week, do not come for her. Do not make me regret putting my faith in you and your feelings for her."

My eyes widened, this devil loved her? How did they even know one another. What the hell was going on? This created even more doubt in me? How could I trust this devil to keep her safe? Devils were self serving and only cared about their own desires.

Realizing now where she was made this even more difficult for me.She was alone in the hells with Devils and other awful creatures.

A week, she bargained for a week with this devil for whatever reason. Was this the only option she had to free Aida? Had she tried everything in her ability to free them both?

I sighed realizing I had little options.

I growled at the devil," If she is not returned to me within the week and if she comes to any harm in your care, I will destroy you understand me devil."

The bastard winked at me and vanished in a cloud of blue flame.

I looked to Shadowheart and I could see she was just as furious as I currently was. We needed to come up with a backup plan, because to hell if I was relying on that devil's word or honor.