Kaeleer – SaDiablo Hall

Shaina walked into the large room where the party was being held and smiled to see Morton running from one person to the next.

Arianna walked over to her and linked their arms, "How are you? Haven't seen you in a while". Arianna was the daughter of Kalush and Aaron, two years older than herself. They began walking around the room towards the refreshments.

"I'm good! Morton's been so excited about this".

Arianna laughed, "I know! It's great when we all get together like this, even if it does stress out Uncle Saetan". They both looked over to where Saetan stood talking with Aaron and Chaosti, looking very elegant in a formal black suit with red trimming.

"Hey sugar, not going to say hello to me?"

Shaina turned and hugged Surreal, who grinned and hugged her back. Surreal was one of her favourite people, she was strong and tough and gave Uncle Lucivar as good as she got, plus she had a wicked sense of humour.

"Surreal! I've missed you!!" The three of them continued around the room, greeting the other people and handing out hugs. There was Morghann and Khardeen with their 17 year old son Chaise. Gabrielle and Chaosti. Kalush and Aaron with their children Arianna and 15 year old Alex. Karla, Sabrina and Tersa, along with many others from around the Realms.

Shaina ended up beside Saetan and wrapped an arm around his waist; he put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close to his side.

"Having fun witchling?"

"Yup, but I decided it was time to talk to my favourite Grandpa"

He humphed, "I'm your only Grandpa".

She grinned at him, "Which makes you that much more important".

They looked over the room together, Shaina noticing Karla talking with Kalush.

"Do you ever think Aunt Karla will find someone Grandpa?"

He looked at Karla for a second before shaking his head, "she's never been interested in anyone that way, male or female, and as far as I can tell she's happy".

"I wonder if I'll ever find anyone" Shaina wondered, looking down. Saetan kissed her head, "one day, I'm sure".

"But everyone I know well is like a brother or cousin!!" She protested "and anyone else gets scared off by Papa, or Uncle Lucivar, or Daemonar!! If not all three" she grumbled.

Saetan laughed, "When the right one comes along, the males in the family won't be able to scare him off, although they will try their best".

Shaina grinned wickedly at Saetan, "Surreal says she'll introduce me to some men if I want".

Saetan paled, "NO!! No way!!"

He looked around frantically, "Where is she?" Shaina watched as he stalked off, grinning as she imagined the conversation that would occur.

"May I have this dance Lady?" Shaina turned to see Chaise grinning at her, hand out. She put her hand in his, "You may". She allowed him to lead her to the dance floor and sweep into the movements of the dance.

"So what did you do to distress the High Lord? I saw him leaving with a very worried expression".

"I told him that Surreal offered to introduce me to some guys".

Chaise missed a beat, stared at her, then quickly picked up the steps again. "That was mean, that was very very mean. Besides, you're too young to be worrying about meeting guys!!"

"That's what all the males say".

"Well, that's because it's true" Chaise said firmly. Shaina, knowing she would get nowhere, (why do the males in the family have to be so stubborn and snarly?) decided it was time to drop the subject and continue enjoying the evening.

****

She was in a room. Dark, cold and dirty. She shivered. Her head flew up as the door opened and a shadowy figure came into the room. He was going to hurt her, she didn't know how she knew, but something in her recognised and feared this person.

"It's time for another lesson girl, I'm sure you're sufficiently healed from the last one" he laughed nastily. He grabbed her arm hard and pulled her to her feet. She resisted and was slapped for her troubles.

"Come along now, be a good girl and you won't be punished. Only bad girls are punished".

She started to cry as he dragged her out of the room.

"-aina".

"Shaina".

Someone was shaking her. Groggily she opened her eyes. Daemon was looking down at her, Saetan watching from behind.

"wha-" she started to ask as she sat up. She wiped her eyes, then stared at her hands as they came back wet.

"You had a bad dream." Daemon said softly, stroking her hair.

"Oh, I think I remember it". She recounted the dream to them as Daemon sent calm through her. "But it was just a dream right?"

Saetan kissed her forehead then headed for the door, "Yes, I'm sure it was just a dream". Daemon stood up and followed him, "Good night sweetheart".

"Good night" Shaina said as the door closed behind them.

Saetan watched as Daemon closed the door and walked down the hall to him.

*A problem?* he asked.

"Maybe" Daemon replied aloud, "you know Shaina used to have bad dreams but never remember them?"

"You think they've started again?"

"Yes, but now she is remembering what they're about". Daemon ran his hand through his hair and sighed. "I'm afraid that whatever wall she had up blocking her memories is slowly coming down".

This was reminding him too much of Jaenelle. The worry he went through when her memories began to return and he had no way of knowing how it would affect them.

"Well boyo, tomorrow we'll have a chat with Jaenelle, see what she thinks. I think the only thing we can do though is wait and see what happens." They turned together and made their way towards their suites. Saetan was staying a couple of days at the hall for Morton's birthday and was in his old suite in the family wing.

"Father, she's my daughter, I hate not being able to help her with this" Daemon growled. Saetan patted his shoulder, "I know son, I know. All we can do is hope that this was an isolated incident and that she'll be alright".

****

Terreille

Malcolm ran a hand through his greying hair and paced the room. When there was a knock at the door he growled, "enter", and watched with narrowed eyes as three men entered.

"I have a job for you" his voice was gravely and harsh. "There is a witch living in Kaeleer at Sadiablo Hall called Shaina. I want her disposed of. Quietly. Watch her. Do it when she's away from the Hall and make it look like an accident. Understand?"

The three men nodded and silently left the room. Malcolm sat down behind his desk. Hopefully this would tie up the last loose end and he could continue his plan without any more problems.

[Author's Note] I hope everyone's enjoying it so far!! Remember to review, I always like input! I'm going to try and get a chapter done each week. I already have the story all planned out so it should work alright depending on what's going on in my life at the time I guess. Anyway, happy reading!!