5 years later

Kealeer

Jaenelle sat back looking at her tangled web. A storm was coming but it was still too far away to know where it would hit.

She let out a sigh. Her life hadn't been what she thought it would be since she had came to Kealeer. She had the family that she had always wanted. Loving, caring but more importantly, a family that knew who and what she was.

But more than that she had Daemon. A man that could infuriate her one minute and completely irresistible the next. If the flesh was older she would show him what being irresistible does to a person but she would have to wait for that.

Then there was Lucivar. Her pain in the ass brother who thought just because the sun is up then everyone else needs to be up, dressed and in the practice circle. Of course do so for the past 5 years had given all of her sisters time to learn ever skill that he had to offer and were better trained then most adult males serving in courts.

But this was her life and because of Daemon it was hers to live.

"Sweetheart? Karla and Morton will be here shortly. Don't you want to get cleaned up before they do?"

"Did you hear how they're doing? I mean before they left."

"The jackass Hobart hid his tracks well but not enough to escape my web Darling." Daemon stepped away from the wall that led to the garden where Jaenelle had been morning the mother of her friend. "And Karla… well she knew about the web my dear and why it was there."

"She didn't die in the carriage did she?"

A lie would be so easy. "No darling. She was very much alive when the carriage went over the cliff. Actually she had no wounds at all if that helps matters." His web had saved her. They should be getting rid of Hobart's followers not grieving the loss of a queen.

"The why is she dead?" It was a mix of tears and anger in those words.

"Darling I didn't know. And father won't discuss it with me." No that wasn't true the High Lord had said that he would discuss it when Hell froze over and if he told Jaenelle that then the demons would be begging for warm weather.

Jaenelle sniffled, "Is Lucivar coming to greet Karla?"

"Darling who do you think is driving the coach?"

"Oh. Oh but he didn't need to cut his and Marian's …time … short."

"it's called a honeymoon which you very well know. And once he heard… well you know how he is when he gets something in his mind."

"Yes well… that is Lucivar for you." She paused then asked, "Does this mean you have to put off your monthly trip?"

"Only if Karla doesn't want to come with me. I'm sure she could help with some things."

"And there's a reason that she can help and I can't."

"Yes. And no I will not tell you."


Hayll

Five years and she was no more able to break through the borders of the defected territories now then she had when they first closed themselves off to her. But she had devised a plan to make the High Lord pay for what he had done…

… Now only to set it into motion.


a/n and this concludes book 1. The second story will be up shortly. But here is a sample.

Arachna

Daemon sat back on his heels and rubbed his face. He had been coming here every month for the past 11 years to work on this web. In that time several queens and black widows that could be trusted had came here as well to add to the web. This was a gift for Jaenelle if she ever should need it. A web that would destroy the taint and keep all others safe. She wouldn't lose her black jewels when she triggered this web. The demon dead family members wouldn't fade into the dark. And he wouldn't lose three months of not seeing her.

He blew out a sigh. This web wasn't needed yet but it was complete and that was something to be thankful for. However the strain of placing these last few strands to the web had taken their tool. He could feel the strain on his chalice as he worked adding threads that were at his furthest reach of black jewel strength. He could feel his jewels draining too near the point of breaking… but he would heal. It would be years before this web would be used and he had more than enough time to ready his body for the back lash that would be felt by so many.

Jaenelle of course would feel some of it but most of the backlash would be spared out over those who had created the web… and the ones who had already passed on were now the threads that would save the innocent.

A faint smile formed on his lips. Only one fore command was to be given to this web and that one couldn't be added till it was time.