Raef: Sealed

**Setting: Morning after killing Immanuel**.

**Sealed**

Lightning.

               Fire.

               Smoke –

               “Aren’t
you a bleak one, little elf.”

               The
flames froze in place, their warmth no longer felt; the dream stood still once
more.  When Raef turned his head he wasn’t
surprised to see the man lounging back beside one of the burning tree trunks.

               “You’ve
interrupted me again,” he said, turning on his heel and sheathing his
sword.  There were no orcs this time, but
dreams were fickle things.

               “More
like I saved you from a tedious night.”
The man tossed a – red – apple from hand to hand.

               “Get the
fuck out of my dreams.”  He didn’t have
time for this shit.

               “I beg
to differ.  You have all of the time in
the world, little elf.”

               Raef’s
breath hitched and he narrowed his eyes.  This fucker –

               The man
rose up – he didn’t really stand, it was more of a *rising* – to his feet…his…Raef
didn’t know. “This fucker is going to help you kill a god, little elf, or did
you forget?”

               Raef
tightened his around around the pommel of his sword.  He remembered.  How could he forget?  This-this *man* had stolen into his
dreams the night Griffin had died, heard his pleas, promised to help him.  To keep – to keep – to kill a god.

               The man
smiled, a wide smile.  Too wide.  A shiver wormed down Raef’s back.

               “Get on
with it,” Raef hissed out through clenched teeth.

               “Impatient.”
He tsked as he walked (*slithered*) closer.  He was tall when he stopped and had to bend at
his waist.  “All good things come in
time, little elf.”

               “I’m out
of time.” Raef glared up at the man, at the creature. “Are you going to help or
do I need to find someone else?”

               Another
smile, another wide, wide smile.  “Oh,
yes, I will, little elf.”  He hooked one
finger, one long, pointed finger, beneath Raef’s chin.  He tilted it up. “As long as you continue to
help me.”

               “You
said after –”

               “There’s
been a change of plans.”

               Raef
jerked his head back.  “You don’t get to
change the rules.”

               “I get
to change whatever rules I want, little elf. Remember…” He tapped a small vial
resting against the dip in his collarbone.
It flared silver before fading back to black. “…besides, do you not want
a god killed?”  The man straightened. “I
can take my offer elsewhere.”

               Raef
grit his teeth, his hand tightened further – he could just - he released the sword.
 He couldn’t, and the beast in front of
him knew that. “What do you want now?”

               “I need
you to just kill a few more people for me.”

               “Why?”

               “They
have something I want.”

               “Something
you want…”

               One more
smile, one more sweet, promising smile that was as beautiful as it was deadly.  “Yes, something *I* want.”

               “Where
is it?”

               “Hidden.”

               Raef
gave the man a flat stare. “And you expect me to find it?” He scoffed.

               The man
chuckled, cold and warm; there was amusement and something else. “I do, little
elf, if you want my help.”

               “You’re
fuckin’ needy.” He had half a mind to tell him to fuck off.  The lightning flashed overhead and thunder
rumbled distantly.  He knew he couldn’t.  He needed this…this man. “I’ll find you
whatever the fuck you want.  What is it?”

               “You’ll
know.” The man settled back down once more, leaning over.  He reached out, sliding out a hand to stroke
back the dark strands of hair clinging to Raef’s forehead.  He cupped his chin. “Do we have a deal,
little elf?”

               “Yes.”

               “Good.  Now, say, shall we *seal* it?”

**Why?**

               Raef stared
at the book resting on the nightstand.
It was leather wrapped and in the center was a stone – a silver stone that
swirled and danced in the light pouring in from the thrown open window.  He grabbed it and pulled it into his lap.  The hairs on the back of his neck pricked.

               Distantly
he could hear Az outside talking with Jonn.
They laughed and soon the sounds faded away.

               The
leather was soft under his touch.

               He opened
the cover.

~\*~

               “What
the *fuck*, Raef?”

               “Fuck you,
Az!” Raef glared at Az and Az glared back. “I can do whatever the fuck I
please.”

               “Not
this!” Az pointed. “This is fuckin’ stupid!
Why the *fuck* would you *fuckin’* go and do something like
this?”

               “Don’t
fuckin’ lecture me.  I’m old enough to
know what the fuck I’m doin’.”

               “Obviously
not.” Az crossed his arms over his chest and his gaze softened. “You can at
least tell me why you thought it was a fuckin’ good idea.”

               Az
seemed to melt, to fold, to lose his anger.
It was fuckin’ maddening, but Raef sighed.  He dropped to the edge of the bed. “It’s
complicated.”

               “Try me,
my love.”

               He didn't feel guilt, didn't regret his decision, but the words stuck in his throat. Az didn't understand, couldn't understand. He swallowed, opened his mouth, closed it, and finally said, "I don't want to lose you."