New Empire

Cain laughed and watched her eat. Those he had dig up the strange thing under the floor of the Confrence Room still had not come back with anything. He had taken the shard with him just to see if Anubis' people could determine what it was. The flight was uneventful as a flight of fighter jets escorted them out and Anubis' picked them up and guided them the rest of the way in. The landing was smooth as he had promised. Anubis and Raven was there to greet them as the rear of the aircraft opened.

Raven stood proud by Anubis as the plane opened up, but she didn't really know what to expect. The Dowenger had told her much of what she remembered of Sanura and her flock, but the last contact had been millenia ago. When they emerged, the first thing she noticed was their feet. The extra two toes that she had looked utterly redunant on the others. Tree life had forced them to evolve differently. Sanura came to her first and greted her in a soft and familiar manner. She hugged her. Raven hugged her back and smiled, "That's a relief." She said, "I thought you might have greeted me in the old way." Sanura laughed and shook her head. Sanura then moved to Anubis and gave him the same greeting. "It's nice to finally meet you." She didn't know if he understood the old Angelus tingue."....

Anubis had been learning the language of the Angelus from Raven, over the months they had been together. He had not mastered it quite yet but he could speak and understand it fairly well. He spoke in their language. "It is an honor to have you and your flock here. The others are waiting for you back at the Palace. The Dowenger is so eager to great every one of you."

Sanura smiled brightly and nodded, "I've missed her so." She said, then curled another grin at him, "You've been studying our language. Impressive. Perhaps you could give Cain a few extra lessons. Having to speak Sumarian all the time makes my jaw ache." She laughed lightly and looked back to find Afrika limping off the plane. "What happened?" Raven asked. "sanura smiled, "She gripped the floor too tightly and got her claws stuck. She'll be fine in a day or two." Raven nodded, but still looked concerned and turned to one of her guards. "Have some crutches or something brought to help the female walk, please." The guard nodded and quickly went to find something....

Cain came to Afrika's aid and put an arm about her so she could lean on him. Then he nodded to Artemus, "I have brought my Egg, since it is close to the time that it should be hatching."

Raven nodded and smiled to him, "I'll have it taken care of." she said....

The last to leave the plane was the two slave girls of Cain that would be taking care of the egg. Cain turned to Raven and spoke, "They will need transportation to the Palace. These are the ones I have assigned to protect and care for the egg." They were much like Sophia and Katylin.

Raven nodded, "I will have my girls meet them and settle them in." She said warmly, then looked away to the flock. She smiled at them and then looked back to Cain. "It's good to have you back."....

Cain smiled and said, "Thanks. I think you know Afrika." he still had his arm about her.

Raven smiled and nodded, "It's nice to meet you." She said with respect. Afrika smiled and nodded back, "And you." Without word, the pair then linked arms and Raven led them away from the group. They had much to discuss.....

Cain raised a brow as Raven lead Afrika away from them. He looked at Anubis and he shugged his shoulders. Arrangements were made for the two slaves to be transported to the Palace and to Cain's chambers. When all was ready Anubis called to Raven. "We will fly back to the palace. Him and Cain launched themselves into the air.

Raven nodded and waved over her shoulder. She was deep in conversation with Afrika.....

Anubis and Cain looked at each other. He wondered what the two were talking about. Anubis and Raven had talked at length about not keeping secrets. He hoped that she would keep that in mind. As he climbed higher into the air with Cain and the others, he looked down to see if they were following.

There were now around fourteen Angelus and now seven hybrid Angelus in the city. There were the eggs of the LA coupling and Cain's egg now withone newborn. This was probably the most Angelus that had ever been in one place for a very long time. Anubis was elated that the two groups had found each other.

He circled above the tarmac waiting for Raven and Afrika.

Raven and Afrika took their time. They spoke about many things and Afrika was eager to hold the tiny Evangelina. Though they had never met or spoken before, it soon became apparant they acted like sisters. It was nearly two hours before they joined the rest of the flock and they flew close together so they could still talk.....

Cain looked over and wondered what Raven was telling his new Mate Afrika and if she had told Raven that they were now mates. He had no idea of what reaction Raven would have with that. They flew to the Palace and waiting for them on the roof, being careful not to mess up Ravens little garden was the other flock and the old Dowenger. Most perched on the edge of the roof. The old Dowenger looked up with a smile.

Raven and Afrika landed together and then joined hands as they met witht he Dowenger. They both bowed and then kissed either cheek of the old female. The Dowenger smiled warmly and then held out her hands. Raven handed over the infant to her namesake and then smiled at Anubis. Afrika smiled at Cain and then fluttered her winngs.....

Cain landed and came forward and knelt on one knee and put his forehead to the old Dowenger. "It is good to see you." he said and motioned for his egg to be brought forward.

The Dowenger smiled and shifted the hatchling on her arm a little before meeting her head with Cain's. "It's good to see you too." She told him and then beamed with pride at the new egg. "You have done well." She told him and then cast her eyes between Afrika and Raven. "My family is finally complete."....

"Two flocks and now more to be able to mate with those that I can help create." Definately a good start to rebuild the Angelus. The others were introducing themselves to the others and embrasing each other. It was an inspiring sight to see. "He looked to the young Dowenger and then to Afrika, and back to the Old Dowenger. "I have taken Afrika as my new mate." he told the old one.

The Dowenger nodded and smiled, "A good match." She said, "I feel she will help brighten your disposition." She looked the young female up and down and then back at Cain, "As well as produce some interesting offspring. How long will you be staying with us?".....

"As long as they wish to stay." he told her. "I think they want to get to know the others and talk over many things." He smiled at her. He then stood up and went to Afrika and brought her to the old Dowenger. Cain remembered to again come down to her level and brought Afrika down as well.

The Dowenger smiled at Afrika again, "I can already see the changes you've made in him." She said in the ancient Angelus tongue, "And I know you wish to adventure in the city." Afrika nodded and smiled brightly. "Then go." The Dowenger said warmly, "Go play." Afrika squeeked with excitement and put her forehead to the old one's before running off, grabbing Raven on the way. The Dowenger laughed softly and turned her attention back to Cain. "She is a very playful one." She said to him, "Raven will finally have someone to adventure with while she's here."....

Anubis saw the look in Raven's eyes and laughed. "Oh Raven will take her into the city to do some 'shopping.'" He told him. "She will come back with loads of packages. Clothes, jewlery and the like." Slowly the others took off to fly down to the additions to the building here they would be shown to quarters and around the Palace. Anubis, Cain, and Sanura were left on the roof top, along with a few slaves to help the Dowenger down the stairs and to the rooms below. Once down into the Penthouse, Cain tookout the strange piece of metal. He handed it to Anubis and said, "Perhaps your people here can figure out what this is. Mine don't have the same knowledge as yours does."

Once the Dowenger was settled in her chair and the precious hatchling back in her arms, she waved Sanura over and had the female sit by her knees. Sanura did so and leaned over to kiss the Dowenger's feet. The show of submission was to hand over the title back to it's true position. One nest, one family and one Mother as it should be. When Cain handed over the strange object, the Dowenger furrowed her brow, "Let me see that?"....

Anubis handed her the shard of metal. "That came off of a larger piece that had been almost covered with concreate. That piece got stuck in Afrika's foot."

"I see." The Dowenger said as she looked at the piece carefully. She felt the weight of it in her hand, sniffed at it, even licked it before handing it back. "It is a piece of Genorra." She said with conviction....

"What?" Cain asked. "What is Genorra?"

"Genorra is an asteroid we found in Earth's orbit several million years ago. At first, it was thought it belonged to the asteroid that destroyed the world 60 odd million years before, but Genorra was a seperate entity. When it broke apart, the Elders ordered that as much of it as possible was recovered for study. You are lucky to have it; there are not many left.".....

"You are talking about the metorites that landed in various places and changed some of us?" he asked. If it was indeed a piece of that asteroid then he had something that scientists could study to see just how it changed him and his brother, and make it possible for him to create others like him as he had Anubis. "I will have it sent here to be studied more throughly.

The Dowenger nodded, "It was Earth's second moon until 11 thousand years ago when it was hit by a comet. The vast majority of it fell to the ground while the rest was fragmented and sent out into the stars. The Elders spent hundreds of years collecting and rebuilding the celestial to study its secrets. Raven collected many of them herself."

"Now mankind has the technology to unlock it's secrets." Cain chuckled as he sat down across from the old Dowenger. On never knew what they could find out and put to use one day. He could see that the old Dowenger was not long for the world. She had seen the first hatchling and he hoped she would see the rest of the hatchlings and his before she surcomed to the raveges of time.

The Dowenger lifted an eyebrow, "Would you really want the human world knowing about Genorra?" She asked cautiously, "To live hundreds of years past their tie, to be stronger than their rivals? Humans have waged war for centuries of far less than this." She pointed at the shard. "Genorra was one decision the Elders had right, my child.".....

"Aye it is something that I would not want them to get ahold of. But it's study might help us. I know Anubis and how he would have this done only by a few human scientists that would not devluge anything upon fear of their own deaths and those close to them. But.... if you think it is to dangerous we will not pursue it." like Anubis he would revere her counsel.

The Dowenger nodded, "Genorra is best left to those that know her best. She's as dangerous now as she was in the heavens. I will however have Mathaius give you what I documented about it. You can make your studies from that." She then looked down and started cooing at Evangelina in her arms....

The little one was growing. In came Seth and crawled up onto the Dowenger's lap. He looked at Anubis and Cain and then turned to his sister "Evie." he said and grinned.

The Dowenger smiled and nodded as she kissed the top of his head, "That's right." She said warmly. Sanura looked a little confused and the Dowenger laughed, "Raven's adopted son." She said, "Long story and I will tell you over supper." Sanura nodded and then got to her feet. "I have need of rest." She said with respect, "I feel out of sorts from the flight." The Dowenger nodded and dismissed her before turning her eyes back to Cain. "Be careful of the metal in Genorra." She warned, making sure they couldn't be overheard....

"I know. It is powerful and can change those still in the womb. I think there is more to it though. When Afrika got her feet stuck in the floor, nothing we did could free them. I think it has something to do with it." he told her


The Dowenger nodded, "And not just within the mother, but outside her too. Before Genorra came into orbit, we had a lifespan relative to the Turtle. A few hundred years, maybe more if we stayed healthy. Genorra changed all that. You can do the math." She smiled back down at Evangelina and started cooing at her again, "Which isn't such a bad thing when it leads to you, is it my darling."......

Anubis smiled let his daughter take hold of his finger and hold on to it. He looked at Seth who couldn't be happier. He was still learning how to be a father but he was learning quickly and enjoying it. Cain could only smile and nodd his head at his adoptive son's ways. Soon he would be having to learn what he had learned.

The Dowenger smiled, but then grunted as the pain returned. Her slaves came quickly and Evangelina was handed over to her father. "Time to rest." She said, then waved them away. Seth began to cry as he was plucked from his 'Nanna's' lap and shooed away. The Dowenger tried to smile, but the pain was getting too much. "Tine for you to leave now." One of the slaves said boldly, "The Lady Dowenger needs her medication and rest. You can come back tomorrow.".....

Cain and Anubis with his daughter Evie, as Seth had called her let the old Dowenger be and Cain scooped up Seth and carried them back to where they could talk and relax. That was to Cains chambers where his egg was now in the care of his two slave girls. Their eyes went wide when they saw Evie. Anubis smiled "My daughter Evie." he looked over to Seth, "and my adopted son Seth." Both smiled and nodded. "Looks like our family will be growing." Cain chuckled. "And I see that your empire has grown quite rapidly." Anubis shugged his shoulders. "The humans are tired of the government bullshit that they have had to put up with for so long. Simple laws, Severe punishments to those that break them. That they can live with and want to be apart of the empire. Yours has also seemed to prospered." Cain shugged his shoulders as well. His was just starting and again the people liked it where one religious sect was not in control. To Cain there was no religion, only him. He had gotten rid of the religious fanatics, clerics and the like. Began the rebuilding of the cities and their cleanup. "It is getting there." he grinned as Seth began playing with his wings and their feathers.

Evie snuffled for a little while and then started sniffing at Anubis' chest. She was getting hungry and was looking for food......

"Ahhhhhhhh time for the little one to feed. Come, time to find one of the female Angelus. Since Raven is not here I have found that they all can produce the food she needs." They came to a part of the palace where both flocks had gathered to eat and talk. Sanura looked over and came over immediately and took Evie.

Sanura smiled warmly and cradled the hatchling. "You are a rare beauty." She cooed as she opened her clothing and put the infant to her. She then left the males without a word and went back to her roost to finish grooming with the other females....

Cain watched and saw how she cared for the little one as if she was her very own. "You should see them around the eggs. Each and everyone of them constantly checking on each other's eggs to make sure all is well." He then left and returned up to his own place and Seth was taken by Katyiln. "Well here in a little bit, Raven and Afrika should be returning."

Not long after Seth had been taken for his supper, a guard came running down the stairs and leaned on the doorway, "Sir!" He said breathlessly, "Sir, you gotta see this!" He pointed up to Raven's garden, "I've never seen anything like it, I swear."......

Anubis and Cain both went up to the roof. "Looks like that little shard has alot of power in it yet." Anubis told Cain.

The guard pointed up at the sky and in the distance, it looked as though two large birds were fighting or playing. The birds seemed to shimmer as they moved and they covered enormous distances in their supposed game. It was in fact Raven and Afrika playing chase with each other. They moved with such grace and speed, it seemed impossible!....

The garden itself had also grown. The plants were three times the size they had been and had spread all over the place. When they looked up Cain laughed. He saw both Raven and Afrika playing in the sky. "Looks like Raven has found someone that likes to play." Cain said. He recalled their fun at his palace. "I can tell you that Afrika loves to play chasing games. Oh and keep coconuts away from Raven and the others. They call them goo goo fruit. Makes them drunk." he laughed.

And as if to prove that point, the pair flew over with lightening speed and two empty coconut husks hit the deck. The pair could be heard laughing and calling to each other as they danced in the skies. It drew much attention from down below also.....

"Oh no, they got a hold of coconuts." Cain shook his head. "They are going to be impossible for a while." he chuckled.

The laughter continued until finally, the pair flew over again and made to land. They landed in a tangled heap on the grass and were both hysterical with laughter. When they saw the men, they laughed even harder and rolled around with each other. By this point, both had lost all notion of decency and what little was left of their clothing was thrown ay Anubis and Cain without care. "You two have got to try this!" Raven said as she howled with laughter....

Cain chuckled. "Already have." he told Raven and looked at Afrika. "I won."

The pair of females started laughing anew and happily rolled around on the grass with each other before Afrika staggered to her feet and over to Anubis. "You're handsome." She told him, "But I have my own tree to climb." She licked her lips and looked at Cain. Raven howled with laughter at the comment and sat up. Her wings hung limp and she then grinned at Anubis. "Think you can catch me?" She asked him.....

Cain moved to Afrika and helped her to her feet and held her in his arms. He looked over at Anubis and laughed. "Good luck." he told him. Anubis raised a brow. Now this was a side of Raven he had not known. He reached over and tapped her on the nose. "Well the thing is, you have to catch me first." he grinned and launched himself up into the air.

"But that isn't how the game works!" Raven called to him. "The male always chases the female. That's how he gets what he wants." She laughed and launched herself in the air. She caught up to him quickly and put her hands on her hips and grinned at him....

"Ahhhhhhhh get what I want eh." he circled around her "So I have to chase you now."

Raven flapped her wings and then blew him a kiss before she literally vanished ito his blindspot.....

He quickly turned and reaquired a visual on her and began to chase her, flapping her wings with powerful strokes.

From the rooftop, Afrika whooped and shouted before falling into Cain's arms and laughing. Raven shot off at a tangent as Anubis started his chase. She darted this way and that, making him work for his prize....

Anubis had learned in the last few months how to fly and manuver. It was one true joy that he had. It never got tiring. Where Raven had more experience he was just learning. But he had learned fast and had learned a few tricks of his own. As she darted one way then the other he was able to follow and gain on her. Their chase went around buildings and skyscrapers. Humans could be seen peering out of the windows at them.

Raven laughed as she led him a merry chase around the skyscrapers of Los Angeles, but eventually, she began to tire and made her way back to the palace building. There she landed quickly and laughed as she ran past Cain and Afrika, blowing them both a kiss as she went....

Anubis was right behind her and as he ran past Cain and Afrika, he shugged his shoulders and ran inside and caught up to Raven and put his arms around her.

Raven laughed and tripped as Anubis caught up with her and quickly turned herself around. It was clear she was drunk, but it wasn't just that that made her wrap her wings around him. "I like coconuts." She said with a giggle, "Much better than alcohol.".....

Anubis laughed. "I can see that. Goo Goo as Cain called it." he shook his head. "Guess I am going to have to watch it if I see Coconuts around here."

Raven nodded, "That's what Afrika called them." She then leaned up and kissed him deeply.....

He returned her kiss and pulled her even closer. Cain came in helping Afrika. Both women were now completely naked and Cain had a look in his eyes that held a desire.

Raven sighed as the kiss ended and she pulled him towards the penthouse door. "You're gonna like this." She cooed at him. She spotted Cain and Afrika briefly and knew the look in Cain's eye. Anubis had it every time he laid eyes on her. Afrika smiled back and then laughed as she lost her footing, then hissed at her still bandaged toe. To remove the problem, she made a bold move and swung her legs up into Cain's free arm. "My foot hurts." she told him....

Anubis grinned and went with her and Cain easily held Afrika in his arms. "Well now I think we had best check out our quarters." he grinned and carried her to the elevator. Within minutes they were in their own quarters and he was taking her into the bed chamber.

Afrika kicked the door closed with her good foot and grinned at Cain. "I like it so far." She said....

He sat her on her feet making sure the injured one was not put down hard. He then ran his hands over her naked body. He then kissed her again deeply.

Afrika kissed him back just as deeply and started pulling at his shirt. Buttons were still a mystery.....

Cain undid his shirt and wrapped his wings about the two of them, as he took her tits in his hands and squeezed them. This was going to be a night that he wanted her to remember. Even though she was tipsy from the coconuts, she would sober up fast enought once things began to heat up. He wanted it to be slow and loving.

Anubis followed Raven back up to their quarters and he pulled her to him. "I see you have found a friend that is showing you the fun side of things." he grinned and kissed her deeply, as he moved his hands slowly over her naked back and down to her ass cheeks.

Afrika moaned softly as Cain began touching her body. It had been so long since she'd felt such affection and she revelled in it. Once his shirt was gone, she ran her claws gently down his warm skin and kissed him back with passion. Upstairs, Raven grinned and nodded happily, "I was the only female of my age in the nest." she told him, "I've missed the friendship and fun."......

Anubis kissed Raven's neck, nipping at it and moved down to her neck as he brought his hands up to her lovely tits. "Well then I guess we will have to make visits to their empire as well." Cain eased them down to the bed where he sat them on the edge of the bed. He moved his head down to her tits and kissed them and flick his toung over their hard nipples, as a hand slowly moved moved over her stomach down to her pussy.
Miles away, the American Government was working 24 hours a day to build a wall, several feet thick and as high as a ten story building. They were doing everything they could to stop the growth of Anubis' empire. To the south the Mexican government was trying to do the same, but was not having as much success as the American Government.

Raven sighed in lust and smiled, "Oh absolutely." she told him as her fingers made light work of his pants and shirt and then reached in and around his hips to pull the pants down.

Afrika almost yelped in shock and pleasure when Cain's hand went below her belly. She lifted her hips to allow him better access and kissed and nipped lightly at his neck.....

"You have learned quickly to rid me of my clothes." Anubis chuckled. His hand snaked down and around to her pussy and began rubbing her clit as he continued to squeeze her tits with his other hand. Cain gently bit down on one of her tits, as he squeezed it. As she moved her hips to meet his hand, he slipped a finger up inside her. "How does that feel?"

Raven grinned, "Lots and lots of practice." she told him and then sucked in her breath as he rubbed her clit. She tenderly slipped her hand around his cock and started rubbing that in time with his motion. Afrika let out a small but strong sigh as she felt Cain's finger slip up inside her. "Tight." She breathed....

Indeed Afrika was tight. It would make for a very pleasurable time for both of them. He continued playing with her tits, one then the other, enjoying the feeling of the soft but firm orbs. He shifted a bit so he was behind her right shoulder. He had learned from his former mate that his mark was needed to claim her. He let his fangs extend and bit down gently and drank a sample of her blood.

Anubis knew his lovely mate well and knew what turned her on and what she liked. He knew she liked her necked kissed and a few other things. He slowly incerted a finger up inside her and began moving it back and forth as his thumb played with her clit.

Raven let her head fall back and she sighed quietly and moved her hand over his cock just that little bit firmer and pressed her belly to the end of it, "I want you inside me." She breathed. Afrika let out another cry as she felt his fangs in her skin. She tilted her head to the far side of him and pulled her hair forward. She then tensed the muscle in her neck to tighten his bite.....

"Now all can see that you are mine." he whispered as he pulled his fangs from her. He licked her blood from the wound. It had tasted good. Anubis grinned and shifted her around as he sat on the bed and drew her up onto his lap and impaled his cock up inside her.


Afrika breathed deeply and then slowly turned around to face him. She reached back and firmly took a hold of his wings at the base muscle. She kenw he would find incredible pleasure from it and leaned her head up to kiss him passionately. Raven placed herself carefully astride her mate and kissed him again deeply. She took a sharp breath as he entered her and then sighed loudly as she rested her hips on his......

"You are incredabe." Anubis whispered into her ear and growled out his pleasure of feeling her pussy surrounding his cock. His hands moved up her back to the base of her wings and he ran his fingers over them.
Cain took in a deep breath as he felt her hands at the base of his wings. He growled deep in his throat and returned her kiss with equal passion. When he broke the kiss he drew her up on his lap and slowly began to slide it up inside her, feeling her tight pussy suround his cock. Again he growled his satisfaction and pleasure and drew her down to him again to kiss her as he wrapped his wings about them.

"So are you." Raven replied smoothly and then shuddered in pleasure as his hands on her wings and his cock inside her made her climax instantly. Afrika sucked in her breath very sharply as Cain entered her. She gripped his shoulders tight, digging her claws in, "Gently!" she choked. He was very much bigger than her previous mate....

He felt her climax and smiled. He kept going knowing she would do so again in a bit. Ah how he loved her. She had changed his life so much and so fast. Cain took his time, easing her down over his cock. She indeed was tight and he was enjoying the feeling. "Slowly my dear, take your time."

Raven smiled too and kissed him deeply as she began moving her hips in a slow easy rythm. She had never imagined she could feel such affection and love for a male and she did love him with all her heart. Afrika indeed took her time, but he was so big, it began to hurt. A cool wet feeling began to spread over Cain's cock and when Afrika tried to move, the wetness was revealed to be blood. She shook her head and carefully lifted herself up, "I think I'm bleeding." She said apologetically.....

He lifted her up off of him and grimised as he saw the blood. "I guess we are going to have to do this a little at a time." he told her. He caressed her face. "He was very hard and would have loved to have completed the coupling, but he guessed it was not to be. Anubis kissed her tits and squeezed them hard and brought them one at a time to her mouth to suckle on and kiss.

Afrika nodded, but her face showed she was as disappointed as he was. However, it didn't last long. "Do you have any oil of some kind?" She asked.Raven let her head fall back again as he kissed and suckled on her breasts. After a few times though, he suddenly got a mouthful of her milk and she blushed, stopping her rhythm briefly, "Sorry." She whispered, then laughed.....

Cain had no idea of what was around the quarters. He eased himself up and went into the bathroom and looked around and found something that might work and brought it back out to Afrika.
Anubis chuckled as he licked his lips of the substance. "Tastes good." he told her and flicked his toung over her nipples. "Just an added bonus." he laughed.

Raven laughed again and slapped his shoulder lightly, "That is not for you." she told him before returning to the matter at hand. She kissed him deeply and then moved her hips once more.Afrika looked at the bottle of liquid and then pulled the lid off to smell it. "Smells sweet." She said then poured some in her hand. She nodded in satisfaction and then poured a very generous amount over his cock. She then poured more on her hand and rubbed it over her womanhood. She then moved back to him, "Let's try this again." She said.....

"Are you sure?" he asked her. "I don't want to hurt you." He had seen the blood and knew she was hurt already a bit.
Anubis laughed and grinned. "The little one has a tasty meal." he whispered and returned her kiss. He began moving his hips to match her movements.

Raven smiled as he matched her motion and gradually quickened her pace, tightening herself around him as she did.
Afrika nodded, "You are twice the size of my previous mate, Cain and I haven't had a male near me for more than 300 years." She told him, "I'm not about to turn you down for the sake of a little blood.".....

He again pulled her up onto his lap and slowly incerted his cock up into her pussy. The oil made it a bit eaiser. He watched her face for any sign of pain or distress."Oh yes my love. That is the way to do it." he whispered in her ear, a growl in his voice. It was not long after that he felt himself getting ready to fill her pussy with cum. He began thrusting up harder as she came down on him and finally held her down on him as he pumped his load up into her. He knew though that it was too hot for her and she would have to move off him, so he let go of her hips.

Afrika gritted her teeth as he stretched her open. She swallowed the pain and slowly dropped herself to the hilt. There she stayed for a while to allow her body to become more accustomed to him. After a few moment, she began to move. The oil made things much easier, but he was still very large.Raven held on to Anubis tightly as he forced her down and filled her. It was incredibly hot as always, but she didn't move from him this time. Over the months, she had trained herself to handle his heat and she remained impaled on him. She smiled lovingly and kissed him, "I love you."....

"He held her close, "As I love you my sweet angel." She looked like one and called her that often. In a sence she was his angel, that had come and turned his life around. When she began moving on him he growled his pleasure. Oh how it felt good. But he watched her for any sign of pain or discomfort.

Raven relaxed her hips and simply sat on him after that. There was something to be said for lingering, she thought.
After a few moments, the pain became simple discomfort and a few moments after that, she began to feel the pleasure of him. It showed in the way she moved and as her confidence grew, she began to move much more freely. One by one, her feet gripped the edge of the bed and level with his hips. It opened her much wider, but she was still very tight on him. Her hands went around his shoulder and she took hold of his wings again to anchor herself to him. She remained incredibly close to him throughout, letting him bite and kiss where he chose...

Cain's hands again found her tits and began squeezing them as she moved her hands to his wings again. He let her move on him and continued to kiss and bite at her neck and shoulders. Anubis just held her to him enjoying the feel of her body against his. "So did you take her shoping." he whispered. Eversince Sophia and Kaitlyn had taken her months before, it seemed she enjoyed it and went often to see what else she would like.

Raven shook her head, "Not yet." She replied softly, "I'll take her when she's ready to face it. She's never seen that volume of people all in one place." Afrika kept her motions simple and smooth and sighed her pleasure. After a while, she quickened her pace and tightened herself on him as she climaxed. She cried out in passion and held him tightly before her body seemed to relax and regain the motion of before. "Will you seed me?" she asked in a husky voice....

Cain could not hold out against her tight pussy and her movements. Just after she climaxed so did he. He grunted and growled out his satisfaction and held her tightly. "It is to bad you are not in your cycle." he whispered. He would love a child by her. He looked forward more hatchlings. It seemed he longed for a true family.

At first, the body shock of him coming inside her masked the heat from it and she relaxed to begin with. "soon." She promised with a smile, but then her face paled and she shot from him at sucha speed that she hit the far wall. she screamed in shock and pain and grabbed at her sore womanhood. "I'm burning!"......

"Anubis told me that we mammals were a bit to hot when it comes to our seed. But I guess one gets use to it." he told her, "You will have to talk to Raven about that I guess. He stood and caressed her face, looking down at her with softness in his eyes.

Tears rolled down her cheeks as she grabbed for anything to take the heat away. "You could have warned me!" She cried at him. Her sex was an angry red colour and very painful. She moved away from him into the bathroom and tried to fathom the taps to get some cold water running. She figured it out quickly and filled the sink to overflowing. She then literally sat in it and cried.....

He tried to dry her tears. "I am sorry. It seems all I have done is cause you pain."

Afrika sniffed lightly and shook her head. "You didn't mean to." She said. she was much calmer now as the cold water did its work. "Does it hurt Raven like this?" A few seconds later, a guard came running in and looked into the bathroom in shock before turning his head away. "Forgive me!" He said quickly, "I heard screaming.".....

Cain spread his wings to cover her and him. he turned his head and looked at the guard his eyes not to happy. "It is all right. Leave us." he told the guard and he nodded quickly and one could hear him moving out of the quarters fast."

Not long after that, Sanura entered. She looked at Cain and Afrika and her eyes turned angry. "What did you do?" She demanded. She didn't know abut the heat, but she knew they had mated. The whole nest reeked of it.....

Cain turned his head again and looked at Sanura. "Mammal seed is a lot hotter then that of a male Angelus. It was too hot for Afrika." he said in a soft voice. She was not an intrusion as the guard had been.

Sanura came forward and looked to Afrika and then back at him. "So this is a trial run for later?" She asked.....

Cain grinned. "You could say that." he told her and helped Afrika out of the sink. Water was now all over the floor. "I think one gets use to it after awhile. Of course Anubis and Raven would know more on that."

"Then I will ask her." Sanura said and looked Afrika up and down before looking Cain up and down. Her eyes went wide at his size, "Are all you mammals that big?".....

He had to chuckle at that. "Not that I am aware of." he told her. He grabbed a towel and handed it to Afrika.

"I suppose that explains the blood I can smell everywhere." She said, then looked at Afrika again, "are you sure you're alright?" She asked. Afrika nodded and took the towel.....

Cain gave Sanura a look to say that he wanted to be alone with Afrika. He took her chin in a hand and put his forehead to hers. "Still it hurt you and I don't like that." he said softly then kissed her forehead and held her to him.

Upstairs Anubis sat there with Raven in his arms on his lap. He chuckled when she said she had not taken Afrika shopping yet. "Oh now there is going to be an expeience for her. I know how you love to go out and look for things." Like most women it was hard to resist finding new things that made them look good.

Sanura cocked an eyebrow at Cain and folded her arms, "I'll be in the nest across the way." She said to Afrika and then gave Cain one last look before leaving. Afrika looked up at Cain and offered a small smile. "The first time always hurts." She said. "For the females anyway, the first mating always hurts and you're hardly....... well.... small, are you." She waved at his cock and sighed. "The first time I ever mated, I bled for two days and he wasn't half as gentle as you were." She dabbed at herself with the towel again and picked up a hand mirror to have a closer look. The bleeding had stopped and she was already healing. She smiled and put the mirror back.

Raven smoothed some of Anubis' hair away from his face and smiled at him, "I have no doubt." She said, "Once I let her loose in Sears, it'll be all good, my love." She shifted her weight slightly and let her wings drop down and she savoured the peace. Sadly, it only lasted a moment. Seline arrived with a screaming Evie.

Raven moved herself from Anubis carefully and then pulled the sheet across hsi lap as she moved. Seline offered a nervous smile and then looked away as Raven clipped a small dress around her neck then hip, and then moved over to Seline. "She wanted her mother." She said as she handed over the tiny hatchling. Raven smiled and curled Evie to her. Evie immediately latched on and gently pawed at the breast to bring her milk.
"Thank you Seline." Raven said and she turned back to Anubis. Seline nodded and left with a smile.

Evie had grown a bit since she hatched. She was a hand full now and "And how is my little girl." he asked her as he bent down and kissed her head.

Evie let her mother's breast alone long enough to grin and gargle at him before attatching herself once again. She was still tiny by comparison, but she was much stronger. At the base of her wings, there were the makings of her first feathers. Soon enough, the limbs would be covered in a silky white down and soon enough, she would be able to take her first adventures on the floor....

"Going on a year here soon." he told Raven. Seth was up there as well and learning fast. he was talking more and giving Kaitlyn a run for her money. Being a nanny for that one was hard work. But she seemed to enjoy it. Again as if on que he came running into the bedroom and jumped up on the bed. Anubis began tickling him, making the boy squirm and laugh.

Raven laughed as Seth joined the fun and she moved aside to let the boys tussle a little. She smiled as Seth laughed and giggled about as Anubis tickled him. Seth being human made absolutely no difference anymore in the family. The entire nest had accepted him and he had gone from strength to strength. He'd even gained a taste for the Angelus milk and that made him all the stronger and smarter for it. "Daddy stop!" He yelled through his laughter, "No tickle! No tickle!" Raven simple sat on the edge of the bed and laughed. Evie wanted to join in too, but Raven was unsure about letting her loose on the bed while the biys were still tussling.....

Anubis laughed and was surprised at how strong his son was becoming. He would be a fine young man someday. He would soon though begin to wonder why he had no wings and he didn't want him feeling as if he was different or left out. When he stopped he looked up at Evie who wanted to join them. "Evie!" Seth called out and grinned. He held out his arms to her.

Raven put her on the bed carefully and let go. "Be careful now Seth, she's still only little." She warned. "I know, Mamma." He replied and Raven laughed as Evie stumbled and half crawled across the massive bed to him. Raven shifted her weight slightly and then put her wings right back so she could sit more comfortably. On the bed, Evie and Seth began to wrestle and play together before she moved to her father, "Da!" Seth laughed and moved to Raven and sat in her lap to take a quick meal. "Mummy?" He asked over her nipple, "Giah story, Mummy." Raven kissed the top of his head. "At bedtime, Honey."....

He watched the two play and laughed. They got along good, and he could already tell that Seth would protect his sister how ever he could. When Evie came to him he picked her up and held her up in the air grinning. "Some day you will be out there flying." he then brought her back to him and hugged her, as he looked over at Seth. "What stories do you tell him at bed time?" Anubis asked.

Raven played with a growing lock of Seth's hair as he suckled on her. She smiled and half turned her head to Anubis, but kept her eyes on Seth. "I tell him about Giah." She said, "The oldest and greatest story on earth." She finally looked up. "Why don't you sit in with us and listen tonight? You might recognise some of it."....

"I just might." he chuckled and looked down at Evie. "Do you like mommies stories?" he asked the little one. She grinned and here eyes were bight and cheery.

Raven smiled, "I think she will when she understands the words more." She said. In the living room, the clock began to chime and Kaitlyn arrived with a bright smile. Seth detatched himself from Raven and ran over to her. "Bath time, big guy!" Kaitlyn laughed. "I want duckies!" Seth demanded. Kaitlyn nodded and looked to Raven and Anubis. "Master. Ma'am." She said with respect....

Anubis grinned and nodded back to her. She had become a very important part of the family. When she left, he turned to Raven, still holding Evie. "You know I have been thinking about those two. They have done well and have served us well also. I have been thinking of giving them their freedom and if they wish to stay make them paid servents. What do you think?"

Raven turned on the bed and lifted her brow. "Paid servants?" She asked then looked back to the door. "They've been free unofficially since before Evie was born." She looked back to him and turned on the bed once more. "If you think that's what they want.".....

He had to shugg his shoulders and agree with that. Both had more freedom then they ever had when he owned them. They did everything they could to help Raven with the young ones and help keep her well. "Well I think they should at least then have more of a social life. More normal if you like." He knew that humans had needs and the two might have more that they had been pushing behind them. Sophia had been going to collage again, and surely had caught the attention of several men. Though he would scrutinize any man that would take intrest in them.

Raven considered his thoughts carefully, "I'll have a think on it tonight." she offered, "And we can talk about it with them tomorrow, see what they say." In his arms, Evie gave a long yawn and dug her sharp claws into his flesh so she could get comfortable....

Anubis was use to her digging her claws into him now. He rocked her gently in his arms, letting her fall asleep in his arms. "Ah my sleepy little girl. I guess it is time for you to be put into your own little bed." he grinned boradly and stood up and then frowned, as he had no clothes on. He looked over at Raven.

Raven laughed and carefully took Evie from him. "Might wanna find some clothes before story time." she said with a giggle. Evie gave a little snuffle as she latched on for her supper and Raven began to sway as she walked out of the room. She hummed a soft lullaby as she entered the nursery and when Evie let her loose, Raven put her in her crib tenderly and put her favourite blanket on her. After a few minutes, Seth arrived and jumped into his own bed and grabbed 'Boo boo', his favrourite bear. "Ok, settle down." She said quietly as she crossed the room. "Giah story, Mummy." He said. Raven smiled and sat on the edge of the bed. She pulled up his blankets and tucked him and Boo Boo into bed. "Ok." She said, "Are you all snuggled in?" Seth nodded and smiled. "Then I shall begin.".....

Anubis got dressed and crossed over to the spare bedroom that had become the nursery. Another room had been built out of a portion of the very large living area. That had become Sophia's and Kaitlyn's room while they were there. He had assigned them rooms on the floor below so they could have time to themselves as well. He took a seat in a comfortable chair and looked over at Raven as she began her story.

Seth grinned and cuddled his bear up to him and settled down. "Long, long ago." Raven began, "When the stars were still very young, one star called Solaris felt lonely. 'I want a family.' He said to the other stars. The other stars laughed at him, 'You don't need little ones to show your light to.' They said to him, 'You have all the light in the sky.' Solaris still looked sad and turned away from the laughing stars. After a while, he had an idea. 'Why don't I make my family instead.' He said and made himself burn so brightly that he lit up the whole sky and then he flung out his great arms and cast out millions of little bits of dust. Slowly but surely, those bits of dust began to group together until finally, one bright day, he discovered his dust had created a whole family of planets that he could call his own. Solaris smiled and was very proud of himself. He had nine wonderful children and he loved them all." Seth yawned and snuggled down further. Raven smiled and curled a lock of his hair around her finger. "But there was one planet he loved most of all. The others were either too close or too far away to grow, but this one was perfect. He called her Giah. For many years, he burned brightly so she could grow and one day, he discovered she had given life to children of her own. All across her, things began to grow and flourish and Solaris was very proud. 'Giah.' He said, 'I am so very proud of you. You have created your own life. Now you must grow strong so you can show your brothers and sisters how much you love life.' Giah turned proudly and gave life to everything she touched. Then, a long way aways, another star grew jealous of Giah. He grew so jealous that one day, he threw a big rock at her and cracked her wide open. Giah was badly hurt, but she didn't die. Instead, she picked herself up and started all over again, but this time, she made herself stronger and she made her life stronger. Eventually, she grew so strong that to her amazement and to her father's suprise, she gave life to the most amazing creature that had ever been born." Seth gave a gentle snuffle and smiled dozily. "Me." He said, "And Evie." Raven leaned over and kissed his forehead, "That's right." She whispered, "You and Evie. Good night, my little monkey."....

Anubis grinned as he listened. Another spin on how the earth had been created. It was more interesting then having a god or gods creating life and then trying to control it. Seth snuggled down and was soon asleep. "He is growing fast and getting smarter and smarter.

"Yes he is." Raven said quietly as she moved to Anubis and pulled him out of the chair. She led him out and then silently pulled the door shut. "And he's only going to keep growing. We should think about sending him to school soon."....

"School?" he nodded, "We will get him schooling." he told her, "It will be a very different enviornment for him. He will be with those of his own kind but yet he will be differnt to them."

Raven chewed her lip slightly, "I know." She said quietly, "And he's starting to know he's different. He asked me yesterday why Evie's wings are coming through and his aren't.".....

He sighed and put an arm around her. "I had a feeling he would begin to notice. He will soon be noticing more and we will have to tell him. All we can do is love him and make sure he knows he is loved as much as his sister is."

Raven nodded and offered up a small smile. "The way he's going though." She told him, "He could be one hell of an Angelus by his teens if he allow the change."....

"Oh I think he will want it." he smiled. "He will want to be like the rest of the flock and his sister. He already sees them as part of the family. The Downeger is Nanna, Mathiaus is Uncle." he chuckled. "When he is ready, he will ask and it will be my honor to bring him into the fold fully."

Raven nodded, "And not a moment before, understood?" She said, then looked to the bedroom door and smiled. "And when his wings are strong enough, I'll take him to the place he dreams about."....

"Back up north?" he asked

Raven nodded, "Yes." She told him, "I'll take him into Pandora and let him see the magik for himself."....

"Pandora?" he had never heard her call it that. Or was it the Sanctuary in the north she was talking about.

Raven smiled, "It's a long story." She told him, "And one that Dowenger knows infinitely better than me. She's been there a thousand times and back."....

"Well I have time, and you don't have to make it a very long story?" he grinned and turned her to face him slipping both arms about her. "I guess there is a lot I don't know about your people. Something I guess I should know."

Raven kissed his shoulder and then moved to the couch. "It's the story of Giah." She began, "It goes way back to my ancestors. Pandora is a crater at the most central point of the dead zone in the arctic. My ancestors believed Genorra hit there and bounced, leaving the crater before it fell into the close orbit it had. It left a huge hole in the earth, like the culdera at Yellowstone. Underneath that culdera is Pandora. Inside, you can feel the pulse of earth and you can see it running in rivers around you, like the veins under your skin. It's the most beautiful, terrifying thing you've ever seen or imagined. Pandora is believed to be the actual lifeblood of Giah, or earth."....

Life blood of the Earth. In his own education through the many years he would say that would be the lava flows that was prevelent throughout the world. But he had never known about a crater in the Artic. The astoriod that had hit and careened back into space had probably left huge crater. "So you think that could have been the start of your race. Like the pieces that fell to earth later and changed Cain and me."

Raven nodded, "So the story goes." She said. "Before Genorra, we were like any other reptile. If and when she bounced, we changed, lived longer and longer, grew stronger and wiser and we evolved far quicker than any other. Simple logic states, when she finally fell to earth again, she changed the mammals."....

He grinned as he sat on the arm of the couch. "So that makes us even more like family then ever." he told her. He wondered how many more out there might be like them. The smaller pieces that had fallen to earth had changed him, Akasha, Set and Ra. How long would they have lived if Cain had not come along. Perhaps not as long as the Angelus or Cain, or as long as he had lived. Some of the stories of his family may have been right. It spoke of their long lifes. "I would like to go see this place as well." he told her.

"More than likely." She told him, "40,000 years ago, the average lifespan of your ancestors was 25 years. Today, I've seen humans live beyond 100." She nodded again to him, "I will take you." She said, "When you wish to go is your choice."....

"Probably when Seth goes. We will make it a family excursion." he smiled and kissed her lips gently.

Raven nodded and kissed him back with a smile...

He looked out the window at the lights of LA, the New LA as it was called. His empire was fairly secured. The Wall was never finished as his empire had grown so rapidly. He heard that on the other side of the mountains a great wall was being built to try and stop his advancement. He shook his head. "Do you think we are expanding to quickly?"

Raven followed him to the window and looked out as he did. "Perhaps a little." she said, "But it has not been in your control to stop it. You cannot halt the mob mentality and the mob demands you lead them."....

What she said was true. The humans had decided they had enough of the American government garbage and wanted a strong and decisive leader. One not afraid to get rid of the rif raf and bring order to things. "They think that building a wall will stop our advance to the east. To the south the Mexican Government is trying to build their own wall but meeting some resistance in that."

Raven nodded, "I've read the reports." She said, "But walls crumble and fall. Jericho, Troy, Berlin are just a few examples. Walls aren't what you need to worry about. It's the folk on the other side of it that need watching."

Anubis chuckled. "Aye That is true." He would let them build their wall and he would circumvent it by going south to the troubled Mexico. There the people were tired of the drug lords, the killings of innocent people and those trying to stop them. The government was ineffective, because the police force of most of the cities and towns were riddled with corruption as was the army.

Once that country was under his control, he would have the sea route needed to hit the southern part of the United States. The people though would be the key to his success. The more that turned against their government the easier it would become to take control.

Again he took her into his arms and kissed her, "You see you make the perfect adviser and queen."

Raven smiled and kissed him back again, "I know enough to vent my opinion once in a while, my love, but I'm no advisor."....

"MMMMMMM I would have to differ on that. Your advice have gotten this empire growing." he told her.

Raven lifted an eyebrow, "What makes you say that?" She asked curiously.....

He put a finger to her lips. "You were the one that said to get rid of all the junkies. That and the dealers gone, their bodies thrown over the wall for all to see. Now that started something."

"I was merely protecting my own." She told him, "That woman nearly killed me.".....

"But your advice sparked something in the humans and they now seem to want us." he chuckled. "So you see you are a good advisor. Plus there are other instances, but the list is to long to repeat. He put his fore head against hers. "And a suprerb mate and mother."

Raven closed her eyes and sighed lightly in comfort, "As you are a wonderful mate and father."....

He smiled and placed his hands on the sides of her face. "We make a good pair. But I fear what our young will become knowing how we have been." he chuckled.

"With a little hope, better than we were." she replied smoothly.....

He chuckled then turned them from the window and back to their bedroom. He had finally learned how to sleep up on the beams, especiall after having cusions put up there to make it more comfortable. "Ahhh and now that both our little ones are asleep, I guess we can relax."

Raven smiled and hopped up to the beams. She put herself in her usual position and then let her wings drop completely vertical so Anubis could lay on her if he wanted......

He moved up to the beams and laid facing her. He sighed and laid his head on his crossed arms looking at her. "I wonder how Cain has faired with the typsy Afrika. Then he thought and his face grimised. "If they have not done it yet and this is their first time. Remember ours?"

Raven gave a look of pain, "If they have, I hope he warned her first." She said.....

"If not, she probably will raise a comotion for sure." he shook his head.

Raven laughed softly, "If she doesn't, I'll be disappointed."....

"Well we will surely hear about it in the morning." he reached over and tapped her nose with a finger and then closed his eyes.

Raven smiled and played along by snapping her teeth at his fingers in jest then settled down to sleep....

In the morning Anubis got the full report on what had happened. What the guard saw and it made him laugh. "Sat in the sink." Oh that must have been a sight to see. But she was alright and now aware of what to expect.

In the morning, Raven met up with Afrika, Sanura and a few others on the roof to basque. She got a full and rather detailed account of what had happened between Afrika and Cain and Sanura's rather scathing opinion on it. Raven could only sit and laugh for most of it and then apologise for laughing, but she couldn't help it. She recounted her own first experience with Anubis and told Afrika that things would get easier as she got used to him....

Anubis took Cain about and talked to him. He had to Laugh at what happened. "I tried to tell you you should have informed her about it." Cain could only shake his head. He only knew that he had hurt her and he didn't like that. He could only hope things would get better and she would get use to it. Both Cain and Anubis went to his quarters to check on Cain's egg. He heard the scratchings and felt the egg move about. Anubis smiled. "I think it is time to get Afrika, and Raven down here." he sent word up and to the old dowenger as well.

The word arrived a few minutes later and Raven and Afrika came back downstairs quickly. Afrika was nervous and held Raven's hand tightly. "I don't know why I'm so nervous." She said, "The hatchling isn't even mine." Raven smiled and shook her head, "Seth isn't mine by birth." she said, "But I still love him just as much. I bet you, you'll melt and go all mushy the minute you lay eyes on it." Afrika nodded and entered the nest, followed by Raven with the Dowenger being wheeled in behind them. Raven took her place with Anubis while Afrika went to Cain and smiled at him nervously.....

Just like Anubis' and Raven's egg the little one inside began trying to break out of it. They were strong and powerful scrapes and the rocking was intense. About an hour later the crack appeared.

Afrika took Cain's hand and held it tightly. When the crack appeared, she gripped it tighter and moved a little closer to look. She wanted to curl around it and keep it close, but she din't dare move.....

Cain moved to the bed and sat with the egg and pulled Afrika down to the bed as well. The crack got bigger and a hand could be seen as it emerged and then went back inside the egg. A big piece of the egg fell off onto the bed and the crack seemed to go all the way down to the bed. Soon the hatchling broke free on to the bed, the stinking goo flowing from the egg. This one was larger then Raven's and Anubis', a good six pounds and it was longer.

Raven smiled and leaned against Anubis. Afrika couldn't stand it any longer and once the hatchling had broken free of the egg, she literally threw herself in there and started wiping away the stinking fluid from its face. She didn't need to check the sex, she could see it was a boy very clearly. "You're so handsome." She cooed. Once the boy's face was cleaned, he opened bright blue eyes and stared at Afrika before he screwed up his face and gave that first almighty scream. Afrika did exactly as Raven had predicted and melted....

Anubis grinned as he saw how Afrika took to the little one. Cain also grinned broadly as he saw his son. His eyes were alight with pride and love. "Now to name our son. I have no name that I can give him." he looked to Afrika. He surely would not give him his father's name.

Afrika looked down at the boy and cocked her head to one side before carefully picking him up. The hatchling's head dropped back and he suddenly cried, so Afrika put him back down again. "I'm sorry!" she said quickly.....

Anubis, spoke up. "They will all be like that at first. Mammal children are not as strong as the Angelus at birth. Just hold his head when you hold him. He will get stronger and be able to hold his head up in due time. Evie was the same way."

Afrika nodded and carefully picked up the hatchling again, supporting his head this time. He stopped screaming and started snuffling at her chest. Afrika dropped the shoulder of her shirt without thinking and smiled as he latched on and took his first meal. She then looked at Cain, "I have no name to give him either." She said....

Cain looked to the old Dowenger. "Have you any suggestions?" he asked.

The Dowenger leaned her head to one side as she thought about it. "Let me see him." She said quietly. Afrika came over and dropped to her knees before the old female. Dowenger stared at him with a smile. "What about your father's name, Afrika?" She asked. Afrika screwed up her nose, "He'd never forgive me." She said, "Even my father hated his own name. My grandparents had a cruel sense of humour to call any hatchling Leviticus." The Dowenger looked at Cain, "And I suppose Adam or Abel is out of the question?".....

Cain nodded, then looked at Raven. "What about your father's name." he asked.

"My father's name was Marcus." She said with pride....

"Would you mind us calling him Marcus?" he asked.

"I'd be honoured." She replied, "And so would he." She smiled honestly at Cain and bowed her head to him. "Congratulations..... Father." This was a big step for her to say something like that, but Anubis was his son and by pairing, she had become his daughter.....

Cain smiled at her. "Then Marcus it will be." he said. Word had spread quickly and before long there both flocks were wanting to see the new hatchling. Cain looked at the old Dowenger. "Soon I think the other's will be hatching."

"They are due, yes." She said with a slight cough and nodded.....

Cain could see her health was not that good. At least she had seen Anubis' and Raven's child born and now his. The next generation of Angelus was now well on its way. "I think we need to show him off to the others." He helped Afrika to her feet and then out to the large living room where most of the others waited.

Afrika went with Cain, but Raven stayed behind with the Dowenger. She urged Anubis to go with them and then told the old female's slaves she would take her to her nest herself. They left through the side door as the old Dowenger didn't want the others seeing her so weakened. In the main room, Sanura was front and foremost, waiting to see her new grandson and she clapped and cheered with the others before moving forward. She hugged Afrika and then touched Cain's forehead with her thumb. "Congratulations." She said warmly.....

"Thank you." Cain said and did the same to Sanura. He then looked down at his son suckling on Afrika breast. "A son." Now he had two. Like Raven and Anubis, one adopted and one of his blood. "I give you Marcus." he nodded to his son. and looked at the others.

((written with questor's permission))

The flock cheered and applauded Cain and Afrika and then, in a very orderly fashion, they all came forward to see Marcus and touch his forehead to welcome him to the family. Sanura took her place beside Afrika as the proud grandmother and Mathaius, after greeting Marcus, took his place beside Cain as his brother. All in all, it was a momentous family occasion and Marcus was welcomed in style. Hours later, word of a second hatching spread and the flock then invaded that nest to welcome the hatchling. Word was sent to the Dowenger and Raven gave the message to her personally, but told the messenger regretfully that the old female would not be able to make it.

In the Dowenger's nest, Raven had dismissed all the slaves on the old one's orders and had carefully put the old female in her bed. The beams above had gathered dust as she hadn't been able to climb up there to roost and sleep. Her cane lay idle against her favourite chair and beside her bed, there were a mariad of machines that gave her pain relief, clean air and measured amounts of vitamins and minerals to keep her going. Some liquidised fruit and fresh water had been put out and Raven dutifully helped the old Dowenger eat and drink and then use the bathroom. By the end of that day, the Dowenger was back in bed with fresh sheets and a fresh boquet of flowers that had been delivered earlier that afternoon. While the old one slept, Raven went about cleaning up the room and making it as bright and comfortable as possible. Time was finally catching up with the Dowenger and Raven felt it was unlikely she would leave this nest again. It was her duty to make her death as comfortable and pleasant as possible.

Over the next few days, varying members of the flock came and went and they left farewell gifts for the Dowenger. During that time, three out of four of the eggs had hatched and the hatchlings were brought to her for a brief cuddle. The Dowenger smiled at them all and gave her congratulations to the parents and she was asked to name them out of respect to her. The fourth egg would come too late. During that time, Raven stayed with the Dowenger exclusively. Seth and Evie were brought to her for an hour or so, but otherwise, she was left alone with the old one. Cain, Anubis and Sanura were the last to visit. Raven told them she wouldn't last much longer and told them that if they wished to stay, they needed to remain at a respectful distance and not crowd her.

In the fourth day, shortly before dusk, the Dowenger fell into a deep coma. Raven remained with her the whole time, brushing her long silver hair and holding her hand tenderly. An hour later, she had gone. Raven allowed her tears to come finally and she put her head onto the Dowenger's hand and then kissed it lightly. "Good journey, Great Mother." She whispered and kissed her hand once more. After that, she rose quietly and looked to Cain, Anubis and Sanura. She wiped away her tears, but they fell again as soon as she blinked. "The Dowenger has gone." She choked. "Father Cain, Anubis; if you would please tell the others and send for Mathaius. Sanura will stay with me and help clean her body."

At Cain's side, Sanura let her tears now fall and she sat down with a bump on the arm of the Dowenger's favourite chair. She picked up the pillow and hugged it to her. A few minutes after, two Angelus arrived with the fourth hatchling and were mortified to learn they had been too late. Sanura saw them out and then came back to Raven. The females held each other and allowed themselves to grieve.......

There was great celebration with the hatching of the eggs. The Hatchlings were strong and perfect. The new generation had been born and Cain and Anubis had discussed the matter of creating others for the new flock. But with the good came the bad. The old Dowenger was slipping away fast and Cain and Anubis stood by with their mates to watch. All knew she was close to death but hoped that she would continue to live on.

When the time came and she finally slipped away, Raven cried as die Afrika and Sanura. Cain moved up to the bed and leaned down and kissed her forehead and then Anubis did the same. "Your wisdom, humor, and counsel will be missed." he said as he went back to Raven, his eyes filling with tears as well. She had helped him with her motherly ways and counsel.

He gave the orders that the news of her death was to be spread among the rest of the Angelus. The humans in his empire only knew of her but had not known her. But they to would be told and a day of mourning would be made. He looked down at Raven. What is the Angelus' funeral procedures?" he didn't know if they burred their dead, or built funeral pyres. If they buried their dead, he would have a great tomb made for her, where all future generations of the Angelus could go to honor her. Her coffin would be made of glass and she would be placed within it and it sealed and the air removed. That way she would be preserved as she was.

Cain looked to Sanura. "You were once the Dowenger of your flock. Now you are needed to be The Dowenger of both and for the new hatchlings." He placed a hand on her shoulder.

It took Raven several minutes to compose herself when Anubis asked her what was to happen. Sanura took Raven's arm and moved her over to Afrika before returning to Anubis. "Angelus burn their dead." She told him. "The body is cleaned and preened and then dressed in something fitting before being put on an open pyre to burn, usually at dusk." She looked towards the bedroom and closed her eyes before turning back to Anubis....

"Then that is what will be done. But I will have erected a monument to her so that all may know who she was and that the future generations of Angelus will also know her. There her ashes will be placed."

Sanura nodded. "I will gather the females to help clean the body. Raven and I cannot do this alone. If you would gather the males to help build the pyre. That is how we have done it for millenia."....

Anubis nodded and took Cain by the arm and lead him out. He gathered all the males and they began building the pyre. They found the wood in the scrap piles that had been formed when they cleaned up the city. Slowly but surely it was all being processed to be shiped to various places. But now the wood would be used for something else.
All were saddened by the news of her death. To her flock she had been the mother of all of them and more. Many were the stories Cain and Anubis heard about her. The things she had done and the advice she had given. The humans gave the area a wide berth, not wanting to intrude. Like Anubis had ordered, the news of the Dowenger's death was made known to all.

Sanura sent a slave to bring all the females to the Dowenger's nest and once there, they began to prepare her body. She was washed with dignity and care and Raven picked out an impressive ballgown that the Dowenger had had made for her, but had never been able to wear. Her hair was preened and then styled lightly with heat to give the old woman the curls she had once had in her youth and then the attention was put to her barren wings. "This will not do." Raven told the others, "Females. Shed some of your feathers for her." And to lead the trend, Raven pulled out a handful of her softer feathers from each wing. The others quickly did the same and then Seline sent out word to the males for a few handfuls of theirs to add. The Dowenger would be seen in all her glory and a miriad of
beautiful colours. She was then placed carefully on a stretcher that had been lined with white silk and then covered in her favourite flowers. As this was happening, something else was happening. The word had spread throughout the city of her death and suddenly, the streets below began to glow. Seline had been stood at the window when it happened and she quickly started waving the others over to look. "Females!" She called, "Quickly! Come and look at this!" Below, there were thousands of tiny lights moving towards the palace. "Every human in the city must be here." Raven said. And the numbers certainly reflected that. They had come out in their droves with candles and flowers to pay their respects. It seemed the Dowenger hadn't just made a difference within the palace, but in the entire city. She had brought kindness and caring to the people and they had loved her for it. The candles stayed there all night and well into the next day. By mid morning, the front doors of the palace were covered in flowers and letters of respect. The palace guards didn't have a clue what to do so simply left them to pile up....

Anubis was surprised at the humans reaction to the death of the Dowenger. They had never really seen her and only here and there was a mention of her. But it seemed that all knew that she was a very important part of the Angelus and well honored by them. They were there to show their respect and honor her memory as a leader and an intrigal part of the race that now was in charge of the Empire.

By late afternoon, the Dowenger was ready and Sanura came down, tired and in grief to find Cain and Anubis. "She is ready to be brought down." She said to Anubis and then looked out of the window. People were still milling around with candles and flowers. "Is her pyre ready and where have you placed it?"......

There was a small park near the Palace. He had it cleared and the Pyre prepared there. He took Sanura by the arm and lead her to the park. In a clearing surrounded by trees, and flower beds the pyre stood. The humans surrounded the park all holding their candles.

Sanura looked around the park and smiled. "She could see this place from her window." She said as she looked back to the palace. She then nodded in satisfaction. "A fine style." She told him, not really knowing any other word for it. She then looked up at the sun. "It will be a few hours yet before dusk." She said, "We females will need some time to preen and dress. Do you have some strong and trusted guards to carry her here?"....

Anubis nodded. "They will be sent and ready to bring her down." he assured her. He already had the park surrounded by troops. Once he was done insuring the area was secured he returned to Raven and Cain went to find Afrika.

Sanura nodded and then went back to the palace. Once there, she collected up the females and started a preening circle in the spa. They all bathed and had dresses brought down. None would be as beautfiul as the Dowenger's, but they were respectful and unique nonetheless. When Anubis came back, he found six lycan guards stood waiting for him. They bowed their heads and looked as sad as the Angelus. "May we beg an audience, Master?" The first one said....

"Of course. You know you can come to me anytime." he told them. "What do you wish?"

The guard looked around at his cohorts and they nodded to him. "This last year, my pack has taken it upon ourselves to watch over the Dowenger. Wherever she needed or wanted to go, we offerd to take her. With your permission Master, we would like very much to take her on her last journey?".....

He smiled and nodded. Placing a hand on the lycan's shoulder, "I think she would have wanted it that way. Stand by her quarters and Sanura will let you know when it is time."

The guard nodded and lowered his head and then the pack moved off. Throughout all this, there seemed only one that had not been seen. Since the birth of Marcus, Mathaius had simply disappeared somewhere in the palace....

Anubis found Raven getting dressed. "Have you seen Mathaius? He was not with us when we built the pyre."

Raven half turned to face him and shook her head, "I haven't seen him since he stood by Cain." She said honestly, then looked to the other females, "Have any of you seen Mathaius?" They all shook their heads and Raven looked to Anubis again, "No-one has seen him."....

That was strange indeed. He thought that Mathaius would want to oversee everything. He thought a moment and then went to the Dowenger's quarters. Perhaps he was there with the body of the Dowenger. He had been with her for some time and even though he had been released from her service, he might be there to be with her.

Outside the door, the six lycan guards had taken up their position to wait. Inside, slaves were moving about within the room, cleaning up and generally making sure the Dowenger wasn't touched or moved. There was no sign of Mathaius.....

He asked the lycans and the slaves to see if they had seen Mathaius.

All but one shook their heads. The one that didn't looked up, "I saw him early yesterday in his apartment." The girl said quietly.....

Anubis sighed and left and went to Mathaius' quarters. He knocked on the door and waited."

A young slave opened the door and bowed her head, "Master." She said quietly, then backed away to let him in.....

"Is Mathaius in." he asked the slave.

The girl nodded, "In his bedroom, Master. He went in there yesterday with a crate of liquor. He hasn't come out since.".....

He raised a brow at that and went to the bedroom and opened the door. He looked at his friend and shook his head.

There were several bottles lying around the floor and Mathaius was clearly the worse for wear. Perched up in the rafters, he emptied another bottle and let it drop to the floor as he hummed the old tunes. "Don't shake your head at me." He said quietly, "I am grieving as much as you."....

Anubis nodded, "I know my friend, but soon we will be taking her down to the funeral Pyre. Do you not wish to be there?"

Mathaius moved across the beam and had a look in the crate for another bottle. Not finding one he tossed it down and sat with his head in his hands. "I will lead David out with her." he said, "Assuming he came to you already."....

"He already has and is standing by." he looked up at his friend again. "You know you do not have to greve alone."

"I'm not." He replied, "The whole nest is grieving." He rubbed his forehead slightly, "I'm just building up the courage to see her off with the respect and dignity she deserves."....

"Not just the nest. The humans are outside grieving as well. They know that she was some one very special to us and wish to honor her as well." he told him


Mathaius nodded, "I've seen them milling around." He said, then lifted his head slightly. "Hey, Girly!" He yelled. The slave arrived instantly. "Find me the best pair of pressed trousers I own." He ordered, "And a shirt and waistcoat and find me my best shoes." The girl bowed her head and ran into the dressing room. Mathaius looked down at Anubis once more, "I've grown accustomed to your human clothes." he said, "And I want to look my best for her." A few minutes later, the girl arrived with a suit that looked incredibly stylish and even more expensive. It had been made specially to fit his size and shape. "Mr Armani made a fortune out of me that day. I was saving it for a special day.".....

Anubis smiled. He would not be that well dressed, nor would any of the other males. Though they would be dressed approriately. "I will be there to walk with you." Being an Elder now he figured that it would be something he would be required to do. Besides he wanted to.

Mathaius nodded, "Yes you will." He told him, "You are... were her favourite son." He turned his head to the door again, "Girly!" She came. "Get the shower going and find me some fresh towels." She did. Mathaius then dropped down from the rafters with a loud thud and staggered a little. "Make me some coffee too!".....

Anubis raised an eyebrow at his comment about being her favorite son. He wondered if there might be a problem with that. He had been the Dowenger's right hand until they arrived in LA. He could not beleive that Mathaius would be like that. "I will wait for you at her quarters." he turned and made his way back out to the hallway.

Mathaius nodded and went into his bathroom, shutting the door behind him. In the hallway, many of the Angelus were now ready. The females were all dressed in their fine gowns and the males were all dressed in smart suits. The guards were the same. Sanura came forward in a stunning sapphire blue gown and lowered her head to Anubis. "The slaves have grouped together to look after the hatchlings for the night and we have left them enough milk and food to keep them going. All but Raven and Mathaius are ready."....

"Mathaius is getting ready." was all he told her. It looked like he was the only one not in a suit. He quickly excused himself and went back to his penthouse and found a suit he had made since he had grown his wings. One he liked to wear to the meetings with the American envoys. He looked to see if Raven was ready.

Raven sat at her dressing table in a simple black gown with a silver thread stripe down one side. Sophie had been able to curl her hair up and pin it and around her neck, she wore a collar made of black diamonds. Her head was low and her tears fell freely. She wore no make-up or the like. When she was done, she stood up and glided into the living room, looking at Anubis sadly. "Is the flock ready?" She asked....

"They are." he told her and moved up to her taking her into his arms and putting his fore head to hers. It was hard on them all and everyone was handling it in their own way. He then moved to her side, and arm about her waist and moved them to the door and to the elevator.

Raven wiped her tears away and lifted her head as she walked into the hallway and then into the elevator. On the ground floor, Mathaius waited with the rest of the flock. The Dowenger was brought down a few moments after that. Mathaius stood proud before her and bowed, kissing the bootom of her slippered foot before he pulled out one of his feathers and placed it on her chest with her posie. "You look magnificent, my beloved Dowenger." He told her and then moved to Anubis. "Brother." He said, "You and Raven, Cain and Afrika, Sanura and I will lead her. The others will fall in behind." He then looked to Sanura and Raven. "If you two will please lead the songs." Both females nodded in silence. Mathaius then turned to the rest of the flock and the guards that would accompany them. "Our Dowenger was not born here and her time here was short. But that doesn't make her presence here any less important or loved. So let's see her on her final journey with the respect, the honour, the love and the dignity she inspired in so many." The guards took their position with the Dowenger and Mathaius made his way up front. Raven, Sanura and Afrika followed and stood beside him with their heads high.....

Cain and Anubis fell into place where they were suppose to and the procession began. The sea of humans looked on, all were quiet and as the body of the Dowenger moved by, they bowed their heads in honor of the great lady.

Once the precession had left the palace, Raven and Sanura began to sing the old Angelus songs that the Dowenger had loved so much. After a while, the others began to join in. As she sang, Raven looked on at the crowds they passed. A pin could have dropped and made more sound than the people. Flowers were thrown as they walked, blanketing the ground they walked on. Eventually, they made it to the park and Raven moved aside with Mathaius as the Dowenger was brought forward. All around the park, people had gathered closely to watch and more flowers were thrown towards them. Afrika moved from the precession and started picking them up in handfuls. The others joined in and once the Dowenger was placed on the pyre, they came forward and covered the base of the pyre with them. Then, each
in turn moved forward and kissed her feet....

Anubis and Cain both took their place in line as well and did the same. It was all new to them but they did as everyone else did. Anubis listened to the song they were singing, he could understand some of it but it seemed that those he had created for the Angelus had already learned the ancient language quite well. This pleased him greatly, for it made them more Angleus then they were before.

Everything was orderly and respectful and when they had paid their respects, Mathaius lit a torch and put it into the base of the pyre. The flowers caught easily and helped spread the burn evenly. "Safe journey, Great Mother." He said. "Safe journey." The others all said in unison. From somewhere in the crowd a bright flash, then another. Raven turned and scowled before moving to one of the guards. "Find them." She ordered quietly, "Relieve them of their toys." The guard nodded and then waved at a few others before they disappeared into the crowd. They returned minutes later with a collection of cameras....

The fire began to take hold and soon the pyre was ablaze. Cain and Anubis now stood with their mates and watched the fire consume the body of the Dowenger. The fire burned for some time, lighting up the entire area and smoke climbed into the sky. "We will meet again someday." Cain said in a low voice. "Perhaps your soul has already found its way to a new body, one that will grow up to be a wise one again."

Once the fire had taken true hold, Mathaius moved back and stood with Cain. He heard what the male said and smiled. "Our ancestors once believed that when we died, our souls returned to Giah to share the knowledge we had gained in life." He then took a hold of Cain's shoulder, then Anubis'. "We need to step back now and let the females work their magik." He said quietly....

Cain and Anubis moved back and watched to see what he was talking about.

All the original females began to circle around the pure. Sanura and Raven took opposing sides to balance things out and they all began to sing. The rest of the flock backed up a few steps. The fire began to dance and move in time with their song. Their song grew louder and so the fire grew higher and brighter. One by one, the females lifted out their arms and began to turn as though dancing. The fire did the same, creating a tall vortex. Mathaius took another step back just to be sure. "And now they let her soul free." He said to his brothers. From within the fire, a small but bright orb rose into the middle of the vortex. "Perhaps the one and only thing your religion ever had right." Mathaius said as he kissed his fingers and then blew it towards the orb. The females continued to dance and sing and make their magik....

Cain and Anubis watched in facination. Cain smiled and wondered where she would go to find another body to inhabit. He knew that the old Angelus would not want to miss out on what was happening in the world now. Where ever she went, he had a feeling that some day in the future she would some how seek them out.

The orb rose higher into the air and then finally broke of the flames. As the crowd stood in awe, the bright orb shot away from them and headed North. "She's going home." Mathaius said proudly. The singing and dancing slowly calmed and the fire returned to normal again. Throughout the precession, the grief seemed to lift and fade away and a sense of peace and happiness came over. The songs changed also, becoming happier and they began to celebrate instead of mourn....

Anubis smiled now. He could feel the change in the Angelus. "Pandora." Anubis whispered. "Returning to the begining." He would have to remember that to tell Seth when he asked where Nanna was. Telling a chiled that young that she was dead was something that he would not be able to understand.

The next Ten years passed with many things occured. The monument for the old Dowenger was built. A large pyrimd, not as big as those in Egypt, but on a grand scale. Her ashes placed with in it and a great statue of her was made of marble that stood before the entrance of the monument. Many people passed it everyday and many laid fresh flowers at the base of the statue.

The empire was thriving. Trade was established with other countries and diplomatic relations had been established. Up and down the west coast, the drug dealers, addicts, murderers, and rapists had all been executed in one way or another. Mostly in hunts that the Angelus participated in. It was a deterant for those that wished to try and get away with it. But like humans will be, there were those that tried. Their trials were fast and there were no appeals. Depending on the hunting practices of the Angelus, the dates of their execution varied. Even from the countries that they had diplomatic relations with, sent their murderers and rapists via prison ships to the Empire, Angelopolise. Oh how these criminals begged not to be sent.

Human, lycan, and vampire officials were placed, to run the everyday needs of the cities and towns that Anubis now controled. They were placed in positions of power with a very strict and dire warning. Any corruption would not be tolerated and those responsible plus themselves would pay the consequences, immediate execution. Cities and towns were cleaned up. Public involvement was mandatory. The people would serve so many hours a week keeping the cities and towns clean and maintained along with those paid to do those jobs. Work went on, and it seemed the people were happier and more productive.

Anubis had taken control of Mexico, and had fought a hard battle with the Drug Lords and their followers. They were well armed and had military support. This Anubis did not mind in the least it made the conquest only the sweeter. Besides his lycan soldiers he had normal soldiers, navy, and air force personnel that had deserted the American Forces for a better life. The military installations in California and the State of Washington now were under his control. Those military personnel that did not wish to join him was escorted to the boarder and let go. He had sufficient forces however that stayed and maintained his boarders. Small outposts were built in the mountains to oversee the great wall that had been built. In the end the Drug Lords were defeated and were publicly executed and it was also televised. A clear signal of what his feelings about the Drug Lords, Dealers and Users were.

Mathaius was the prime leader of the army that invaded Mexico. It surprised Anubis when he he returned and asked that a certain very lovely woman be turned. She had been a leader in the resistance that helped Mathaius and the army fight and defeat the Drug Lords and military of the Mexican government. She was strong willed, intelligent, and definately a fighter. He learned that some of the Angelus from the north thought she looked amazingly like his former mate, and even bore her name. Anubis was more then happy to turn her and soon after she sprouted her own wings and the two seemed to be insepretable. Anubis loved to see his friend and brother with someone and happy.

Cain had returned to his own empire and had with the help of Jordan and Syria, attack Israel. They devestated its army and executed its leaders. Both Syria and Jordan joined his empire. The leaders of both countries continued to rule them but under his laws now and with the same warnings Anubis had given the civil leaders.

Afrika had come into her cycle and bore Cain another child, a girl this time, that they named Emerald, because of her emerald green eyes. She grew as did Marcus.

More hatchlings were born and now they ranged from a few weeks old to ten years old and numbered about thirty. All were healthy and strong. Those of school age were being taught by teachers, but not in normal schools. Not yet anyways. They learned the basics, Reading, writing, Math, and the history of the world. They were also taught things not learned in normal schools. Anubis and Cain both wanted them trained in Leadership, the ancient language of the Angelus and the use of old and modern day weapons. The Angelus had never tried to rule over mankind. They were superior in many ways to the humans and yet they never tried to rule. This Cain and Anubis changed. The Angelus, both old and new were placed in charge of certain areas of the empires, with the human civilian leaders reporting to them. They seemed to take to it as if it was a second nature to them. They in turn reported to Cain and Anubis.

Seth had grown and showed great promise. He was strorng, tall, and lith. One could tell he envied the other fledgelings that had wings. But that did not stop him. He learned with them and played with them, since they could not yet fly. He became a leader among the fledglings. Not because he was Anubis son but because of his strength, intelligence and cunning. He was also very protective of his sister Evie. As all young ones do there are quarls about various things. Fights would break out and he would come home bloodied but victorious. No one hurt his sister and got away with it. Evie, who was growing tall herself was looking more and more like her mother every day. She was no weakling and like Seth would come home bloodied at times from getting into fights with the others. Just because they were the children of the Rulers did not mean they were treated any different. Evie had the stubbornness and strong will of her mother. She also would not put up with any bad mouthing about Seth, about him not having wings. He was her brother and she loved him as much as he loved her. Anubis could not be prouder. His children were growing up and learning.

Seth had asked about why he didn't have wings and was different then the others. Anubis had to tell him that he was a human child. That he had been abandoned and Raven had found him and adopted him and that he himself had adopted him as well. He told Seth that he was his son and would always be his son and loved as much as any of the fledglings. Also that when he grew into manhood that if he so desired at that time, that he would be changed. Because once he was he would stop aging and remain looking as he was at that time. Seth accepted it and told Anubis right out that at the right time he wanted to be like the others, him and his mother.

Before she could blink, Raven had seen ten years pass and so many things had happened in that time, it was hard to track them all. The biggest changes were her children. Seth and Evie had grown strong and proud and so had the rest of that year's hatchlings. A small, yet incredibly mischievous flock of younglings and soon, some of them would begin to fledge. Evie would probably be the first to attempt it, she was as fearless as they came. Raven would have cause to worry then. She remembered her own time trying to fly. Many bruises, scrapes, even a few broken limbs. Still, she had time yet and she simply enjoyed the bruises and scrapes that came with childhood. Seth was the worst for that and it was getting rare that he wouldn't come home without a black eye or a bloodied lip, scrapes on his hands and knees and covered in all manner of dirt and grime. Kaitlyn had a real job on her hands keeping up with them.

Outside family life, Raven had seen many changes too. Anubis's reach had extended far and wide and Los Angeles was no longer a minor thorn in America's side. The entire region had been renamed Angelopolis and it was even altering modern maps. Mexico had fallen and even Washington had bowed to him. At this rate, Anubis was likely to rule the entire continent! Raven stood by his side through all his endevours with pride and stubborn determination. And it seemed that had made her some friends along the way. She had been present or nearly present in many a meeting between Anubis and President McClain and had come to know his wife, Sharon. She had two children also around the same age and they found a common understanding. After that, they became friends and Sharon often flew down with her children for a visit.

Across the globe, Afrika had seen many of her own changes. Cain had waged war on those that defied him with such brutality and determination, his enemies would often turn tail and run or yield to his demands. Israel had all but been wiped off the map and what remained of the Arab nations knelt before him. Afrika watched and learned much at his side. She didn't agree with all his rulings and that often led to heated arguments about his lack of compassion or mercy. However, after all was said and done and the bloodshed had lessened, he seemed to mellow somewhat and enjoy what he had gained. And, with the help of a slave nurse, she now had her own hatchling to tend. Cain's oldest had grown quickly, but Serene's name was never mentioned. In fact, Cain had made a point of removing her from everything and Afrika had agreed, seeing no point in the youngling knowing his mother had died of her own stupidity. Besides, Marcus had known only her as his mother and it made life easier for things to remain as so.

All in all, the last decade had been a good one and both flocks were hoping the following decades and centuries would be just as good to the new Angelus race......

Mexico was his which gave him access to the Gulf of Mexico. Raven's friendship with the President's wife made it difficult to try and take more land there so he set his attention on Brazil. It was another country riddled with drug lords and problems. It seemed it was up to him to rid the hemisphere of the drug lords, pushers and users. It would be another hard battle since there was considerable jungles, and such, but he would not give up until it was his. Across the world, Marcus asked his mother, "When will I be allowed to try and fly. I want to be able to fly with you and father."

Afrika smiled at her son while her second son, Suri played with some building blocks between her feet. "Not yet, child." She told him, "You've got to build up your wings good and strong first, like your father." She smiled and ruffled his hair. "Why don't you go playfight with the others, you always have fun with them."....

"Yes mother." he sighed. He was doing everything he could to make his wings strong and his muscles even stronger. He saw his mother and father fly every day and he longed to be up there with them. He went to the courtyard where the others were sparing. They were being taught martial arts, something the Angelus had not been taught. He squared off with one of the other flegelings and they went through the practice. He was good, the best in the class and he did enjoy the training. Cain came out of a meeting and stood with Afrika watching Marcus and His other son Suri. He was proud of both of them. "He asked about flying again didn't he?"

Afrika nodded and sighed, "He's so eager to fly with you. Suri will be the same when he reaches that age." She watched the younger male laugh and clap as the older ones sparred and played and then smiled as Suri got in the middle and they calmed down so he could play too.....

"When do you think he will be ready?' he asked Afrika. Cain was also eager for his oldest to begin flying. Then he could join his mother and him on their daily flights about the city and to other places.

"He's a hybrid, so I couldn't rightly say." She told him, "It took me about three years or so and I was fourteen in human years.".....

He chuckled and smiled, putting an arm around her. "His wings are fully developed and he has been working hard at building his wing muscles. How did you begin trying to fly?" he asked her. Here again he was in unknown territory.

"I didn't, exactly." She replied as she kissed his hand lightly, "Mika threw me out of the tree."....

Cain laughed. "Fly or hit the ground."

"A little of both. I managed to hold my wings long enough to glide down. Still broke my wrist though, so I made sure Mika suffered the same." She said....

"I don't think we will do that, but perhaps doing something simalar to what humans do with their children. They have what is known as bicycles. Two wheeled, peddled powered vehicles. When their children begin to ride them, the parents help by holding on to the bicycle as the child peddles it to keep it going. They hold on to it to help keep the child and bicycle steady until the child learns to keep their own balance on it. Perhaps we can do some very low level flying and hold on to him while he gets the feel for it."

Afrika nodded, "I know what bikes are now." She told him, "I've seen human children riding them outside the compound. Marcus wants one for his birthday."...

Cain smiled. "Would you mind if I try to help him begin flying."

Afrika shook her head, "No." she told him, "Just be careful though and don't take him over the bay. His wings are still too heavy in water."....

Cain nodded and kissed Afrika, then went to collect Marcus. He tussled the boys hair and told him the good news. He was excited and came running back to Afrika to tell her.

Afrika had to brace herself as Marcus came running at her and launched himself into her arms. "I'm gonna fly!" He yelled. Afrika laughed, "Yes, I know." She replied, then touched his forehead with her thumb. "Just you be careful though, ok? Promise?" Marcus laughed and nodded, then stuck out his fist with his pinky finger sticking out. "Pinky promise." Afrika nodded and hooked her pinky around his. "Ok then, off you go." Marcus kissed her cheek and ran back to his father.....

Back in LA another child was inquiring about flying. Evie stood with her arms crossed and asked Raven. "Mother I think it is time for me to learn to fly."
:
Raven lifted her eyebrow and folded her arms as she perched on the back of the sofa, "Oh you do, do you?" She asked.....

"Yes I do." she was very stubbron about it. "I think it is time and also it will be an inspiration to the others."

Raven bot her lips to hide the growing smirk. "Ok." she said, "And how do you propose to go about it? You can barely hold your wings up long enough to glide down from your bed."....

Evie smiled, "I thought I would try low, may be at ten feet, from the roof of a building that hight and build up my strength."

Raven gave half a nod, "That's a start." She told her daughter, "What about the blood supply to your wings? How do you intend building it up enough?"....

"I have been exercising them daily, flapping them briskly to get the blood flowing through them." she told her mother. She needed only to get her mother's permission to try. She was egar to fly. She wanted to show her mother she could do it.

Raven nodded, "Fair enough." she said, "Can you lift yourself off the floor?"....

It was hard but Evie beat her wings as she turned them a bit and slowly lifted herself off the floor, and stayed there for a couple minutes then returned to the floor, smiling.

Raven nodded and smiled, "Very good." She told the youngling, then moved to the table and picked up her phone. "Bring me up a blood pack." She said, "One of the iron rich ones." she hung up then looked at her daughter. "A few mouthfuls of that and you should have enough energy to give it a real try.".....

The blood pack was brought up and Evie took it and drained it, licking her lips. Then she tried again and rose from the floor and she bent her legs to put more distance between her and the floor.

Raven watched intently, "Square off your shoudlers." She said, "Straighten your back and neck."....

Evie did as she was instructed. She smiled and continued to keep her self up off the floor.

Raven moved around her and nodded, "Try moving a few feet forward." She said, "And then come back.".....

Evie moved her wings to let her move forward and did so and turned around came back. She was breathing a bit harder now but she was happy with what she was doing, it felt great and she was loving it.

Raven nodded, "Ok, I admit it." She said with a smirk, "I'm impressed."....

Evie slowly lowered her legs and landed back on the floor. She was beaming and then asked "Do you think I am ready?"
Lady Raven says:
Raven smiled and gave a nod. "Follow me then." She said, "And shout Seth while you're at it. Can't have you flying without him. That's a fight I'm bored of beraking up."....

Evie ran and got Seth who came out with a questioning look. "What is going on?" he asked.

Raven smiled at him and got on her knees, "We're gonna watch your sister hit the deck." She joked, "And maybe fly a little in the process. Wanna come with?".....

He turned to Evie and embrased her, hugging her. "Finaly, you will learn to fly. This is great news sis."

Raven smiled and parted her wings. "On you get then, son." She told him....

Seth took his place on his mother's back. "Ready." he said with excitment.

Raven leaned back once Seth was on her back. "Right you." She said to Evie and then opened her arms, "You get to ride up front.".....

Evie took hold of her mother smiling and giggling. "Lets go." she said.

Raven walked over to teh study window and stepped up to the ledge. This was her favourite exit just lately. "Hold on tight, younglings!" She said with a laugh and dropped herself out of the window. She spread her wings quickly and turned away from the palace.....

Raven couldn't fly very far or very well with both younglings on her so she made for a nearby park. There were other children there and their parents quickly grabbed them when Raven landed. However, once they saw it was her and they saw the younglings, they smiled and bowed their heads and allowed their children back to play. "Go and climb up the jungle jim." She told Evie....

Evie ran to the metal bars of the jungle gym and climped up to the top and gripped the top bar with her feet. She streached out her wings which was impressive and the humans stood back and watched. "You can do it sis, I know you can."

Evie turned her head to him and smiled. She took a deep breath and then moved her wings again to begin flapping them with powerful down strokes. One could feel the air moving as she flapped them. Soon like in the penthouse she was rising off the jungle gym.

Raven beamed with pride as Evie took her first flight. The junglejim wasn't very high, but high enough to give the youngling some space to move. "Ok, now start movoing towards me." She said, backing up a few steps. She spotted the humans staring and grinned at them, "My daughter's first flight." She said with pride.....

Evie slowly moved forward, lifting her legs up. It was a bit harder then she had thought but she was determined to fly and join the others when they would fly about the city. She moved towards Raven and then began to slowly move around in a circle. She laughed and here eyes were bright with excitement.

Raven nodded and smiled with pride, "You don't need to duck your legs under." She said, "Just relax your body and concentrate on your wings. when you're ready, we'll go higher and for longer so you can start building up speed."....

Evie flew over the heads of the humans and then came to land infront of Raven. She was breathing a bit hard but she was happy and content. Seth came up to her and hugged her. "Told you that you could do it."

Raven hugged her too, but she noted how out of breath her daughter was. "Keep moving your wings for a little." She said, "Just gently or they'll sieze up." She turned Evie around and gently massaged the main joint at her shoulder to keep the blood flowing. "Breathe slowly. You'll find you'll get breathless quite quickly for a while."....

"Yes mother." Evie said and began moving her wings and got her breathing under control. "Practice makes perfect, right?" she asked with a big grin. Seth laughed. Above flew a couple of the other Angelus with thier fledgelings. They landed and the two young girls came running up to Evie hugging her. The Adults looked at Raven broad smiles on their faces.

Raven greeted her flock as she always did and then smiled as the younglings gathered around Evie to trade tips and such as younglings did. By this point, the humans were starting to leave the park, intimidated by the winged children now running around the playground. Raven narrowed her eyes somewhat and chewed her tongue. "Something wrong with our children playing together?" She asked. One human mother smiled nervously, "Not at all Ma'am." She said with respect, "Only, your children can play rough, that's all." Raven lifted an eyebrow, "I see." She responded calmly, then turned to the younglings. "Play more gently please, younglings." She told them, "So the other children can join you." She then turned to the nervous mother. "Satisfied? The President's children find no bother with them, so why not you as well." The mothers brought their children back and they began playing together. At least a child's innocence removed prejuduce....

The human children gathered around Evie and asked her what it was like to fly. They were all excited as was Evie. Soon they were all running around the park playing tag and climbing everything. Trees, Jungle Gym, you name it and having fun. Seth was right there in the middle of it and kept an eye on his sister. He was still her big brother and was very protective still of her.

Raven nodded and smiled and then motioned the others to move back to where the other parents were. She regarded them carefully, watching their movements and body language. She then turned to her fellow females and gave half a smile in sarcasm, "Isn't it amazing how children can remove all notion of prejudice?" She asked, "Their curiosity and innocence is bliss if you think about it. Not like us adults. Once we have that notion of fear and jealousy, it destroys us really."....

"Yes, but their fear will fade over time. We are all still strange and new to them. I think that once our children and theirs grow up, we will see less and less of the fear and see the prejudice fade." One of the Female Angelus said. The mothers of the humans seemed to relax some as they saw how all of the children played.

Raven nodded and looked at the other mothers, "I think most of them have managed that." She said. She smiled as Evie and a human girl sat in the grass. The human girl was playing with Evie's feathers and Evie was plaiting the girl's hair. It made her smile. "It's a pity Anubis was away for your last cycle." One female told her, "I think Evie and Seth would have enjoyed looking after an egg between them." Raven gave a small laugh, "Perhaps." She said, "But unlike most of you, I have two already barely two years apart. They have been hard work enough without caring for another as well.".....

As they were talking Sophia came up, with a young child of her own. It seemed that the lycan that had gotten into trouble that night long ago had appologized to her and in the end began seeing her. Anubis knew that she was Raven's slave and talked to her about it. Since both slaves had been given much more freedom because of the trust that both had in them, Anubis had not thought it a problem. The young boy about eight years old, ran off to play with the other children. It seemed that Sophia was now also doing a study on the lycans.

Raven smiled brightly as Sophie joined them and greeted her as she would any of her family. She hugged her and kissed her cheek and welcomed her into the group. She watched her her son ran to the others. He was a strong one too thanks in part to his father's genes. "He's growing so fast." Raven said, "You and your mate must be proud.".....

Sophia nodded, "That we are. He already can change his form and he goes out on patrol with his father alot." She was indeed proud of the boy. He was learning fast as well in the normal schooling and was being taught soldiering by his father. "Was that Evie flying earlier?" she asked Raven.

Raven lifted her brow. She was impressed, "So soon?" She asked, "I thought they had to reach puberty first, relase the hormones needed for the change." She then smiled, "Yes it was her. she made it a good ten feet as well. I'm very pleased with her, but there is still a long way to go."....

Sophia shook her head. "I am not sure why he is ahead like this. But I plan to study the matter." she grinned. "Oh Evie will do well. She is such a fast learner in everything. It will inspire the others to strengthen their wings and muscles and do their exercises so they can follow her."

Raven nodded, "Blows previous theorum out of the water then." She told her friend, then nodded again about Evie. "She's been ahead of the curve for a while, thanks to you and Kaitlyn helping me out." She then half turned and smiled, "By the way, I heard from the University this morning. They've offered you an internship with the Dean, or something along those lines. He'd like to know what you've decided by the end of the week."....

Sophia looked down at the ground. "I know. But that would mean leaving you, Anubis and the children. I have grown quite attached to all of you." she looked back up at Raven. "Though the offer is tempting, I think I would rather stay here. I think this is where I belong."

Raven turned fully to her friend in utter shock, "You would prefer to remain with us?" She asked, "You've told me often how much you've dreamt of having such a position at the school and your work on my species has granted you more than we could have hoped. You wold turn all that down to remain at my side?"....

She held her head up proudly, "Yes I would."

"Well now." she said with a smile and a hug for Sophie, "A human that wishes to remain bonded to her owners." She passed a quick look at the other humans, who seemed as much in shock as she had just been. She gave a small laugh and shook her head. "Well, after more than ten years of unquestioned obedience, loyalty and friendship, you're hardly a slave anymore, are you."....

Sophia hugged Raven back and just smiled. "It has been an honor and a privilage really. I have learnd so much and have been free to do more then I think I would have befor Anubis made me one.

Raven leaned in close with a grin, "Maybe these females would benefit from a little of yor thinking." She whispered....

Sophia chuckled. "They will learn. They already are on your side for what you have done to this city. They no longer even fear the hunts, since the criminals of the world seem to have been shipped here for that purpose." She remembered the day the Dowenger had died and how the people had responded. "Ten years has seen alot of changes and the people of the empire have great respect for the Angelus.

Raven breathed in deeply through her nose and fluttered her wings somewhat before she looked at the other women again and the children playing happily, "And yet, their fear still rules them." She said with a sigh. "I had to be a queen and order their respect before they would let their children play with mine." she turned away from the group and perched herself on the edge of a bench by the sand pit. "That was something I wished I didn't have to do."....

"Well our children are stronger, more agile then theirs. Some of them do not know their own strengths yet. Then to the fledglings have wings and one day will fly. What human parent would not be worried. But I think you did the right thing. This will show them and they can tell others about it. Plus our children do not come here that often to play. Perhaps that should be changed."

Raven gave half a nod, "You are probably right. Thus far, we have kept them mostly seperated from the human offspring and perhaps that was not a wise decision." She sighed again...

One of the female Angelus spoke up. "Yes perhaps we should have them interact with them more. They need to see how humans live and play and theirs need to see how ours does."

Raven looked up and then nodded, "I agree." She said, "But I do not wish to force it on them." she sat back on the bench now and let her wings fall behind it. "You know, when I was young, my mother used to tell me of her childhood among humans. Angelus did not rule them and enslaved only those that would bring war on us." She looked around at the humans and the Angelus and she even spotted a few lycans wandering for whatever reason. "I never imagined I would one day be ruling them. Well, ruling them so much as I happen to be the wife of the actual ruler. You know, I never actually wanted this. I never wanted to rule humans or be part of history like this. My only wish once upon a time was to observe them and learn from them to better my own people. It's almost ironic that as I watch my own offspring play, like my mother did me, I've gone against every spark of my soul simply being here."....

The other Female, one from the flock that came from Africa, Mira spoke up. "My mother told me that long ago the humans and Angelus co inhabited and got along with each other. But some began to fear us and waged war on us. Our fierceness in battle frightened those that lived along with us and made them turn on us as well."

Raven nodded, "I was told the same stories." She said. "I was even honoured enough to witness the peace for myself once. Where we lived in ther Arctic, we used to come across the Syberian Inuits over the Tundrah every year or so. We would trade with them and arrange gatherings in the summer months. That was until hunters arrived from the south searching new trophies and adventures. They didn't understand us and what they didn't understand, they killed. Our vengeance on the southern people destroyed our peace with the Inuits." She sighed deeply....

Mira nodded. "Another reason to get the children to interact. They will see us in a differnt light." she smiled. "They will see that we are not monsters but much like them in many ways."

Raven nodded, "You are right." She said, "If we can eliminate the fear, we can forge a peace. Obedience will only go so far."....

"I see Anubis has not done what alot of the humans have when they have taken over countries. Martial law, curfews, denying them rights and the like. He has actually given the humans civil power." the other one said.

Raven nodded, "Oh I agree completely." She replied, "In ten years, we have treated humans better than they have treated themselves for millenia. For example, white humans would pack black humans in crates and ship them across an entire ocean without food, water or even a place to deficate simply because they had different coloured skins. It's barbaric."...

The one that was with Mira was one that Anubis had changed to mate with one of the three brothers. "It was." she said, "That period of human kind is time I wish could have been erased all together, or prevented." she was no longer human but she had been one and it made her feel extremely bad that her ancestors had done such things.

Raven regarded the hybrid with a sad look, "I don't wish it had." She said, "But I do wish they had learned from it.".....

She nodded. "They have, slowly. But there are those that still are prejudice." At that time her daughter came running up. "Mommie when can I start learning to fly." She smiled down at her daughter and caressed her face. "Soon. Keep up your exercises, to strenghen your wing muscles and to get blood to your wings. Evie will be able to help with that I think."

Raven looked around, "I think I will have a sit down with Anubis and discuss this matter in more detail with him, for I see little change here. I have yet to see a coloured male or female for that matter in service beyond that of a pot washer or street vendor." That much was true in fact. She hadn't seen a single coloured servant in the palace that didn't wash the dishes or clothes and she certaily hadn't seen one in any position of authority thus far.....

Anubis had just returned from a visit to Mexico City. Things there were progressing well. Plans for industrial plants had been formed and with the help of Cain and his oil rich empire there would be plenty of jobs for the people of Mexico. There was a gold reserve in Los Angeles that had been a bonus when Anubis took over the city. Also the gold mines that were in the mountains were now his.

From the Air Port he flew on his own to the Palace. He had left Mathaius and Mina to Oversea everything in Mexico. Mina loved her country and wanted to make sure it was going to be able to come out of it all. Mathaius was not about to leave her side. He left the two to their own ends which made Anubis extremely happy.

When he got back to the palace he didn't find Raven or the children there, which he thought strange. Kaitlyn emerged from her room and told him that Raven had taken Evie and Seth down to the park for Evie's first flying lesson. He laughed and his heart swelled with pride. He launched himself from the Window entrance and glidded down to the park. He saw Raven Mira, and Kathy standing there watching the children play with some human children. His shadow on the grown alerted Seth first who came running back to his mother, as he pointed up to him. "Father is back." he cired out.

Raven looked up and smiled as she saw those familiar wings. "I can see him." She said as she stood up. The humans began to panic which made Raven growl in frustration, "Why are you running away? Does he look like he's hunting you, sheesh, you people are fucking morons!" The other females went about clearing a space large enough for him to land and Raven shook her head and sighed as she moved onto the sandpit and smiled to her husband. The humans stopped scattering, but they still moved to collect their children. This made the Angelus children upset and they went to their parents and Evie came to her with Seth....

As Anubis landed he saw the situation and shook his head. "You have nothing to fear from me or the other Angelus." he said in a calm voice. He greated Raven with a kiss and then a hug for both Evie and Seth. "You are my subjects. With out you there is no empire. The only ones that need fear us is those that seek to harm you and yours or us." he moved forward to them. They still shook with fear, except the children who broke away from their mothers and ran to him. They surrounded him and looked up at him, smiling. He chuckled and squatted down so he was on the same level with them. "I think you can teach your parents something about courage and how not to be afraid. He touched each of them on the forehead with his thumb. He then looked up at their mothers, "I ask you to spread the word, that you have nothing to fear from us." He reached around and plucked a few feathers from his wings. He handed one to each of the human children who took them and smiled even broader. Seeing their children being treated so kindly by the one that ruled them, made the women more at ease.
"We are sorry. Even after ten years it is hard to get use to seeing you and the others flying above us, let alone coming among us like this." The one that spoke looked over at Raven. "We come to the park often. We would welcome the chance to get to know you and your children, all of them. Perhaps when others see us like that they will come as well."

Raven nodded in agreement to the human female, "I would like that." She said openly, "And this is one of a few thigns I wanted to discuss with you Anubis."....

He turned back to his mate. "Oh? It seems I have missed more then the first flight attempt of Evie." He looked down at her and tussled her hair. "How did she do?"

"You didn't miss too much." She said, "She managed about ten feet from the top of the jungle gym. She's been busy making new friends since." she then nodded and looked around at the other humans around the park...

Looking at the children, "Go play." he said in a soft voice and they ran off to gather Seth, Evie and the two other Angelus children and again ran off to play. He stood and walked back over to Raven. "Now then what else did I miss?"

"Not much really." She said, "Just a few ideas I've had and some that have been passed on from the other females and some of the humans. I was hoping we could discuss them once you've relaxed from your trip."...

He raised a brow and smiled. "Any time is a good time to hear your ideas. I welcome them. What have you on your mind?"

"Fair enough." She told him, "It would probably be better if these humans heard what I have to say anyways. Less twist and politics if they can heard it from the horse's mouth." At this, the other human mothers turned their attention to her. Raven moved back to the bench and perched on the back of it. "There's three ideas to begin with and then whatever these humans put forward as well."....

He joined her on the bench but his feet were ont he seat not on the back of the bench. His feet were not like hers. He sat on the back of the bench his wings relaxed on his back. "Lets hear them."

Raven looked around at the evesdropping mothers and gave a small shake of her head, "I think our children should star attending the same schools." She said, "Mira and some of the others think it would be better to integrate all the children together and I agree with her. Obedience has brought us this far, but peace would be infinitely better and the best way to do that would be through the offspring. They don't have fear or jealousy like we do."...

Going to the same school as the human children. Now that would be a big step. But he could see how well both human and Angelus children were playing together. "We will try it. Though the children may not fear each other, the parents will. The school we select will have to be talked to along with the parents of the children going there." He grinned. Another thing it seemed all parents feared, sending their little ones off to school with a bunch of strangers. He had learned this from some of his lycans that had children attending school, unknown to the parents and teachers of that school. "What else?"

"Well, even you have to admit, the schools here have improved ten fold since we cleaned out the drugs and guns. I don't see why we couldn't start integration from next simester." she moved around on the bench to sit as he was and looked out at the children playing. "There's been a couple of things that have been brought to my attention regarding racial tensions in Angelopolis.".....

"Racial tensions?" he had not heard about anything like that. "What have you heard?"

"White people are being given the jobs over the more ethnic varieties." She said, "For example, name me two black or native servants in the palace that you've seen this week."....

She had a point about that. There were very few slaves or paid servents in the palace. But those willing to work for him were all mainly white. It seemed the Hispanic and Black races were not as forthcoming to accept the jobs. This he told to Raven. As for the slaves, he had not really bothered to look at their race when he picked them, just their desireablilty, looks and inteligence. "But I think this encompases more then just the palace. Right?"

Raven gave a small nod. "Look around." She said, "Tell me what you see." Around them, there were many white humans going about their business as usual, but very few others doing the same. They were either street vendors, cleaners or car washers.....

He looked about and nodded. "This section of the city is predomainately white. There are other sections of the city that are Hispanic and Black. There businesses and everything is run by them. When I took this city ten years ago, those areas were rundown and discusting. That was one of the first things I took care of, the slums, run down buildings and places were tore down and new ones built,and the people stayed there. With out the gangs the areas have prospered. I have felt that people should live where they want to and not force them to live where they didn't feel comfortable. But if you think we need a diversity in the Palace I will see what can be done."

Raven nodded, "I agree." She said, "Why don't we offer a meeting at city hall, make it an event for everyone to get involved in. The human calendar has something called Independance Day coming up on the 4th. Perhaps we could use that?"....

"Thats sounds like a grand idea. The civilian leaders of the city and the other cities and towns in the empire must be envolved in this as well. For what is done here should be done throughout the empire." he leaned over and kissed her cheek. He loved her advice

Raven smiled and lifted her cheek as he kissed it. "Then we have a lot of work to do." She told him and hopped off the bench. "You deal with the politicians, I'll deal with the humans." She laughed lightly and moved over to the human parents at the park and the other Angelus females....

He laughed, "Oh yes, give me the hard part of the business." he stood up and called Seth and Evie over to hug them and give them a kiss on their fore heads. Then he sent them back to playing and launched himself into the air. He met with the Mayor and then having him get in touch with the other civil leaders of the empire he began to arrance for the big 4th of July celebration, even though in the empire that would have been obsolete since they did not belong to America anymore. The now empty sports arena where they had played the game foot ball would be the logical place to hold such a conclave. It had the room for the civil leaders and also for entertainment and festivities.

Raven first asked the park mothers what they would like after she told them what she wanted to do. They had a miriad of ideas and quickly relayed them. Once that was done, Raven sent out her females to collect more ideas. By the end of the day, the list was a long one and it had everything from arcades to ethnic carnivales and all were very popular ideas. She hoped Anubis would find a big enough venue to hold everything that was wanted. Late into the evening, Raven made it back to the palace with her list and the children that were now exhausted from their eventful day. She got them both bathed and fed and then settled into their beds with the help of Kaitlyn who also had a few of her own ideas for the event. They were added to the list along with the rest and Raven put the stack of paper on Anubis' desk before flopping down in his chair....

Anubis had his day quite full as well. Besides talking with the Mayor and to all the other civil leaders in the Empire he made a visit to the closest public school to the Palace. He looked the place over under nervous administrators and teachers. He could see that it need some work. He had a long talk with the administrators and told them what he expected. His children and the other Angelus children were to be treated as the others in the school. If there were problems he gave them his private number to call and that of Raven. They were surprised and astounded at his simple desires. "The children of both races are the future of the empire. They need to learn about each other and interact as well." This was totaly 180 degrees from what he had started off with ten years before. At that time it was total domination of the humans and he didn't care about what they wanted or cared for. Now that had all changed. He had a complete different outlook on the empire. When he returned home he was exausted. He found Raven in his study and the stack of papers on the desk. "I will look those over in the morning." he grinned. "Also I have found the school for the children. A bit of renovation and some needed equipment and such and it will be perfect, and it is not far from the Palace." he told her.

Raven opened her eyes and smiled, "That's good news." She replied with a yawn, then leaned forward with a small groan. "These are just some of the ideas I've been given for the event. I hope you've found a big enough venue for it."....

He sat on the edge of the bed. "Yes. The old football Stadium. Since there is no longer a team for it, the place has been unused. It is big enough for all the civil leaders that are coming and representatives of the general public as well.

Raven nodded, "That's a big place." She said, moving over to him, "One thing though that I never really got a handle on. Why did they call it football when they didn't actually use their feet?".....

He laughed. "I think it was taken from the old game of football that they call socker now. It was changed I think to give it more flexability and roughness so it would appeal to people. Almost like the gaditoral games of ancient Rome.

Raven lifted an eyebrow, "In the UK, they call it rugby." She said, "And they don't wear all that padded nonesense over there." she laughed lightly, "Personally, I find many American past times rather boring."....

"Most yes. I prefered the Gaditoral Games back in the days. Now that was exciting to see. But I don't think that would go over to big now days." he said.

"Why not?" Raven asked as she moved into the dressing room to remove her clothes. The sound of the shower was heard seconds later.....

"I don't think the humans are that blood thirsty any more." He followed her. "They are more civilized, even though they have a war like nature, a good many of them don't like war that much."

Raven gave a short sharp laugh from the shower, "That's the biggest wad of horse shit I've ever heard!" She called....

He cocked his head to the side. "Is that right?"

"It is!" She called. A few minutes later, she came back into the bedroom, drying her hair with a towel and her wings wrapped in more to stop them soaking the carpet.....

"Well the civilian populace at least. The governments and their troops now that might be a different story." he chuckled. "Also we are trying to calm their fears about us. If we brought those type games back they would fear they would be put into them."

Raven nodded, "I know." she said, "I just find the idea of being civilized about violence and the like, total crap. Especially when it comes to humans. But of course, the goody goodies would have us demonised all over again, so I'll let that slide."....

He chuckled and moved up to her. He kissed her and then moved back to remove his battle armor. It looked like leather armor of old but reinforced with kelvar and weaved material to stop bullets.

Raven dropped the towel and moved forward with him. She helped him remove his armour, "I'll enjoy the day I won't have to do this anymore." She told him as she removed the backplate and dropped it....

It was another item that would go with his other items that he had collected over the centuries. He had swords, armor, shields, spears, bows and arrows and more modern day weapons that he had used. The armor now was vastly improved over the rest he had and it also was modified to fit around his wings. "Same here." he told her.

Raven smiled and took the rest of his armour. She put it on the maniquin and then moved back to him. "Anubis." She gave him a small smile, "After this festival thing, I'd like to take a few days to myself."...

"Oh?" he asked. That was something she had never asked for. "Planing on going somewhere?" he asked.

"I thought I might visit some old friends up North." She told him, "Rub salt into old wounds if you like."....

He sighed. He knew who she was talking about. He was the one ten years ago wanting to do that but she would not tell him where they were. "I know you would prefer to go alone, but with all those that would still like to see us dead, I would prefer you take one or two of the male Angelus with you, armed with modern weapons to keep you safe. I don't want to lose you."

Raven cocked her head to one side. "An entire human army tried to kill me once and failed spactacularly, remember?" She told him, then sighed, "Fine, who do you suggest I go with?"....

"Your choice, and give the Elders my regards." he grinned. Then he took her into his arms and pulled her to him. "You know there is always one that gets lucky." he caressed her face.

Raven nodded and kissed him lovingly. She had no intention of taking anyone with her, but he wouldn't know that until she'd already left. "Let's get some sleep." she said, "And go over those ideas for the festival in the morning."..

He nodded and leaped up to the beams above.

Raven joined him quickly and then snuggled herself under him and laid down....

"MMMMMM now that feels good." he whispered.

Raven grinned, "You should try making love this way." She told him with a sly grin, "One hell of a rush."....

He laughed, "If I don't break my neck from a fall." he kissed her.

"That's the rush." She told him with a laugh....

While they talked, across the ocean in europe trouble was brewing. What remained of the Church was trying desperately to keep things together. The Pope rallied the Itallian Army and like popes of old began to wage a war to bring others back into the fold.

And it wasn't just war they waged either, it was total erradication of the Angelus from the Middle East. Deep within the Vatican, a meeting was taking place. Many ideas for killing Cain and his abominations were put forward, but one priest, an American, had given the best idea so far. "Poison their water." He said openly. "We know of chemicals that can kill Angelus. It may kill a few thousand or so as well, but it would definitely kill the Angelus."....

The pope looked at the young priest. "What poison is this you taking about?" The few cardinals that had stayed and had not thrown away their vestments in discust after learning that their whole faith had been based on lies and half truths, leaned forward to listen.

"Heroin." The priest said. "Some people in the American Government tried to keep their lines open through Los Angeles after Anubis took over. They experimented by giving some hard users a pure form of it. It very nearly killed his female. She had one, maybe two mouthfuls of the user's blood and within a week, every user and dealer had been executed and thrown over the fence. Interesting, yes?"....

"How do you propose to get it into the water supply. His empire has nothing but wells and those that are used to pump water to the cities are under tight security." one of the cardinals asked.

"Then we make it rain." The priest said with a smile, "The US Government has been working on a project for years in an effort to lessen the force of hurricanes and to bring water in times of drought. They call it
cloud seeding."....

"How will that help? Once the rain hits the ground it has to drain through sand and bedrock to the undergound rivers. Its a natural filter that would filter out the heroin we could put into it. Plus it would take a great amount of it to even give a chance to get to them. Where do you propose we get that amount and pay for it?"

"Because it would do more than just soak the ground." Came another voice. This one was wearing a very sharp suit and carried all the arrogance of a government official. "It would contaminate the gulf and the ground and would poison their entire food source.".....

The pope turned to the man in the suit. "Who are you sir and how would contaminating desert help. Like the Cardinal said, it would take an amount of the drug that is unimaginable to do contaminate the water of the gulf. More then can be produced in the short time we have."

"Who I am right now isn't important." The man said, "What I am offering is. Cain, Anubis and their abominations have made them many enemies across the globe, inlcuding many of the world's rather more insidious businessmen and for the last ten years, certain people have been studying our enemies very closely. What we can offer is a business partnership that will quickly put the human race back where it should be. I assume you want to be a part of that."....

The pope did not like the idea of dealing with those that delt with drugs or as the man put it were more insidious businessmen but he needed help and the destruciton of Cain and the other demons would help his cause. "It would take tons of the stuff to do any good and it has to get into them other then their water supply, that would just delute the stuff, make it useless. Any other ideas on howto get it into them?"

The suited man came forward and removed a small box from his pocket. He opened it and pulled out a small white pill. "Ten years of study and definition." He said and put the pill on the table. "This small pill hold the most cencentrated dose of Heroin anyone has ever achieved and it has been almost as easy to replicate it. To date, my superiors have amassed 300M tonnes of these little white pills. One pill alone can kill an entire city of people."....

The pope leaned forward now. "So how do you get it into their drinking water? Making it rain is a chancey thing and it still will not get to their water supply?"

The suited man came forward to the table and put a business card on it. "Call this number." He said as he began walking away. "Tell the operator that you're interested in attending the Rain Cloud event. I'll see you there." He left the converence room.

The American priest picked up the card and turned it over. He memorised the number and passed it on. "I think it would be wise to consider this." He told the other clergy. "These people have the backing and the determination to help us. And this wouldn't be the first time our beloved church has had to um...." He had to choose his words carefully. "Forget our standards temporarily for the greater good." He bowed to the Pope and then the cardinals. "I will take your leave to discuss this further." and he too walked away.....

As the Pope and the cradinals discussed the offer of the man, in another room another priest was listening in on a head set that was attached to the other end of a bug that had been planted. The priest looked up as he heard the other priest leave and a snarl curled onto his lips. Ten years had passed since he learned of the lies the church had been based on. Oh he had a faith, a faith tha there was a creator out there. Things were to complecated to have been just random.

Plants, animals, humans and of course the Angelus could not have just evolved without somesort of guidance and of course who created everything. Yes the tora, the bible and the Koran were all based on stories of one family line that tried to make itself look important, or to convey a point. He had went to Los Angeles had learned from one called Sophia, a slave of the one called Anubis, about the Angelus. The stories of angels with in the bible and other texts, it resembled them. They were no demons, no spawns of hell.

From what he learned he came to admire them. He had stayed with the Church for he knew that they would not stop until they were all destroyed and could some how come out on top. He had been a part of the secret organization with in the church that sought out and destroyed those that were not human. Now he had a very different outlook, and thought to serve mankind in a different way. It was good that he had for now he had knowledge of a plot to destory the Angelus. He put the head phones down and closed the roll top desk and locked it. Many a times he had listened in on the Pope and the Cardinals but they had done nothing until now that was creditable.

He knew that he had to get a warning to the Angelus. But to do that would be hard. You just didn't pick up a phone and say "Hey Cain old man, got some information for you." he was going to have to go there and talk to him directly.

The Pope had decided and took the card and picked up the phone and made the call and followed the mans instructions and waited to see what happened.

The suited man was half way to Cape Town on a private jet when he got a call from his office. He smiled as he was told the Pope was on the phone. He nodded with a snap of his fingers. His champagne glass was immediately refilled. "Send them the location of the meeting and make sure everyone that attends is checked and double checked. Yes, even the Pope." He hung up and slapped his thigh, "And that's how you coop the hens." He said as he sat back and enjoyed his champagne.

On the phone, the operator spoke again. "Holyness. The location is the National African Museum in Cape Town. The meeting will begin at Noon on 10th July. Other information will be given on the day." The line then went dead......