Ethan had shouted her name, but was completely unaware that another had done the same. He knew he should be worried about the body that lay behind him. His second wife, and former step daughter, but he was more worried about the living. He rushed forward nearly falling down the stairs himself as he slid through the blood and fluids on the floor, laying on the floor, unconscious, was Alyson. Angela was already hunched over her, trying to wake her, when she pulled her hand away from Alyson's head, there was blood. They both looked at one another, the same fear on both of their faces.

The ambulances came, the police quickly followed. He answered questions, honestly at that, holding nothing back. He didn't care anymore. Angela went with Alyson, while he brought the children out through the lift and out the back. Bringing them all to his mother. Where he knew they could be safe, and they could unwind from what had happened. The babies cried and cried and begged for Meme. Alyson. He knew they were more like her daughters than his own. They viewed Alyson as their mother, and he knew she felt the same about them.

He rushed to the hospital once he was sure all was well with the other children. He wanted to rush with Angela there immediately, but he knew someone had to take care of the others. When he arrived a nurse directed him to where he needed to go, and he rushed there. He found Angela crying in the waiting room.

"Why are you in here?" He asked breathlessly, "Why aren't you with her?"

Angela sobbed. "They . . . they had to take her . . . to do . . . some tests."

"But she's alive?" Ethan asked sitting down beside her taking her hands in his own.

She nodded as she broke down more. "Yes, but they, they don't know, what damage was done. They said something about a concussion, and possible brain damage."

Ethan pulled Angela into his arms and did something he never thought he'd do. He closed his eyes, and prayed. Please Divines, please, please don't take Alyson from us. Please heal her so she may a part of our lives still. Please, I will do anything you ask of me.

Then he remembered, he remembered when Alyson was still a child, how her paternal grandmother had something about Alyson being born on the day of the Divine of Insanity. Alekzandor. If anyone could save Alyson, perhaps he could. Once again, he closed his eyes. Alekzandor, I don't know if you can hear me, much less if you will listen to what I have to say. I will light your candle later to make for not having done so at the moment. But please, she was born on your day, she loved your candle so much we became scared. I can sit here and justify myself all night, but please, don't let her die or be damaged for my mistakes. Please, help her.

Ethan opened his eyes with a sigh, and then froze. Standing at the other door the waiting room, was a young man. His hair was a rather unorthodox color of blue, he was dressed in all black, even down to the combat boots. His dark eyes were locked on Ethan's own. He stared at the young man, at first unnerved that such an odd young man would be so fixated on me, then, it connected.

Alekzandor?

The young man gave a nod of his head.

Please! Please save her!

Did it ever occur to you that I would be doing just that?

Ethan gave a sigh of relief. When he looked back toward the door, the strange looking young man that he now knew to be Alekzandor was gone. Angela was still sobbing in his arms. He took her face in his hands and rested his forehead against her own. "She's going to be alright my angel. She's going to be alright."

"How can you know that?" She asked tearfully.

"Because I have faith." He said with a smile, adding further. "I believe someone we once feared is going to save her."

"Once feared? Who?"

"Let's just say we shouldn't try to stop her, or any of the other children, from worshiping any of the Divines for any reason. No matter what."

- - - - -

Alekzandor wandered through the hospital unseen. There was the woman he loved, laying the hospital bed, a bandage wrapped around her head, obscuring his view of her beautiful hair. Thick, slightly curled, mostly brown with a hint of burgundy among the locks. Her pale blue eyes were hidden behind the closed lids that showed sign of bruising. He didn't need his powers, or the doctors to tell him that things were bad. He could see it. The crack on her head was bad news. But thankfully, he did have his powers.

He wanted so much to touch her, but he knew if he did, nothing good would come of it. So he merely held his hand above her head and allowed the healing magic to flow through her entire skull. Healing the parts of the brain that were damaged and most of her skull. All she would have was a bruise, a slight concussion, and one hell of a headache for a few weeks. He stayed with her as she was wheeled from one hospital room to the next, finally to a room where she could rest in comfort until she was well again. Two floors up the ER and ICU.

Minutes after she was admitted into the room, her parents came through the elevator. Her mother was looking panicked, and was frantically asking questions. Ethan, he had to hand it to the man, had one hell of a poker face. The man kept his face as blank as a fresh sheet of paper. He watched as the parents rushed to the room, and the events that followed.

"Oh my God! Alyson!" Angela sobbed with relief as she came in.

The bandage had been removed upon realizing the wound was closed, and not nearly as bad as they thought it was. Her hair was spilled out over the pillow, and Alyson merely looked like she was sleeping.

"Please wake up baby! Please!"

"I would let her sleep if I were you."

All parties in the room looked toward the doorway and found a woman with graying hair standing in the doorway with a long white coat on.

"While I'm sure you are very worried about her, considering the fact that she's unconscious, it's best we let her be and let her wake up on her own." The doctor said walking into the room. "I'm Dr. Beatrice Grant, and I am in charge of taking care of your daughter. Or this one at the very least, my colleague Dr. Bruce Demtry is currently in surgery with your other one, and I promise, the man is the best at what he does. But onto the facts at hand. Alyson suffered a blow to the head, as a result she has a slight concussion, but we've determined that it's nothing serious." She turned to Ethan. "You said she fell down a flight of stairs?"

Ethan nodded as he rubbed Angela's shoulders, "Yes, she hit her head as she fell."

Dr. Grant nodded. "I see, well all of her injuries are consistent with a fall down a flight of stairs. Most of the damage was done to her legs and arms. Bruises mostly, she has a fracture on one of her ribs, but it's not as bad as it sounds. All in all, I'd say your daughter is very lucky."

Ethan smiled a bit at that. Alekzandor knew the man was thinking it wasn't luck, but Divine intervention. "You could say that."

"Why won't she wake up?" Angela asked tearing up again. "If it's not as bad as you say, why hasn't she woken up?"

Dr. Grant sighed. "I wondered that myself, so I asked the psychologist on call, the best theory we have is the brain shut down to the shock of it all. From what I gathered from the police and my colleagues, she witnessed a rather horrific scene, and then suffered a very painful injury. The mind shut down so as to not deal with it right away."

"So, she'll never wake up?" Angela asked breaking.

Dr. Grant shook her head. "I believe that she will. It may not be tonight, it may not be tomorrow, but she will wake up soon. She responds to every test we have, and her brain functions are working properly, she just refuses to wake. It's a coping mechanism to my understanding. She just needs time to come around."

Her parents nodded and they went back to worrying about everything that had happened to them. Alekzandor had only eyes for one. He knew that Magdalena was down stairs in the ER. But it wouldn't do them any good. While they were trying so hard to save her life, it would all prove in vain. Her mind was not there anymore, even Ethan knew that when he saw her. The child she carried within her body was pronounced dead before they were even able to remove it from her. Alekzandor felt guilty about that, but knew his grandmother currently had the babies soul in her hands, and was fixing to put it in a new mother. One who would love the child, and care for it properly.

It was time, he supposed, to put his other plan into action. He moved toward Alyson putting the spell he needed into the tip of his finger, then rested it for just the briefest of moments and against Alyson's forehead. Once the spell was absorbed, he quickly retracted his finger. He skin didn't really touch hers, it was just the spell, but still his heart pounded from the contact. He took a deep breath, and quickly left. Returning to his realm. Where he saw to some of his work, and waited for her to come to him.

- - - - - -

Ethan sat with Alyson in the room. They were both sipping on coffee, but even with the added caffeine in her system, Angela was still nodding off. Dr. Grant had left, leaving them to be with their daughter when she woke, but nurses came and went. Making sure everything was alright. Another doctor had come in shortly before dawn, the Dr. Demtry that Dr. Grant had spoken of. He went in there with a look of acceptance, regret, and perhaps even a little guilt. Ethan already knew what the man had to say, but still he listened.

Magdalena had stabbed herself, and through herself to the infant she carried. The infant was lost before Magdalena was even brought to the hospital. Magdalena herself was gone. The body remained, but the mind was gone. They had done everything that they could to save her, but even with their efforts, the damage to her organs was irreversible, and with the mind gone, there really was no point in even trying. Ethan dealt with Magdalena's remains and allowed Angela to stay with Alyson. When he returned, he found her exactly where he'd left her.

"What are we going to do with her?" Angela asked in a very calm voice.

He didn't know if it was just she'd already cried herself out, if it was shock, or she'd just accepted that Magdalena was lost without issue, but still he sighed. "I suppose we can bury her with her father, if you want. Or we can find a place in my families cemetery."

She nodded. "I think we should have her cremated, have her ashes scattered."

"Where at?"

"I was thinking the gardens at Serenity's temple. So that she can find peace in her next life."

He nodded. "I like the sound of that, I'll see what I can do."

"What do you think happened to her?" Angela asked him looking up at him. "To us?"

He knew what she meant. A few days ago, they all had a one tracked mind. Getting the Lordship, having more sex so they could have more babies, and everything they did was for that purpose. Added to that, Ethan greatly wanted to find a way to get Alyson into his bed. He wanted her to accept him much like Magdalena had. He realized now the insanity that all of that was. They'd woken up to not only the horror Magdalena had created, but more sane than they had been two days ago.

"I don't know." He said honestly. "I can speculate, but I don't know. All I can say is, we're better off."

Angela looked at him horrified, "How can you say that!?"

"Because Magdalena made you sterile." He saw the shock on her face and continued. "It's not impossible, but how she got her hands on the drug without us knowing is something I'm looking into. I think, she had this planned from the moment she knew she was going to be my second wife. She wanted to the first one, wanted to be the most important. She told me so herself. I know it wasn't just a mental break having her say that, even if it was, she really truly meant those words."

Angela shook her head. "No more. I don't want to hear anymore. Magdalena is gone, end of story. I am mother who lost a daughter, and I'm sitting at the others bedside while my babies are somewhere else."

Ethan said nothing, merely offered silent comfort as he sat down and took her hand. He knew nothing more would be said on the matter.

"Where is she!? Where's Alyson!?"

Both of them jumped and looked out at the reception as a familiar face looking furious demanded answers from a panicky looking staff. Rick didn't wait for the answer he wanted, he looked up, spotted Angela and Ethan and knew that was the room he needed.

- - - - -

Rick woke up like he usually did. He brushed his teeth, he combed his hair, he choose his outfit, and then he sat down to the coffee that had been made by his mother and opened up paper. Ah, that was the life. He wouldn't deny that he'd lived a rather privileged life. His father was clergy man for the Divines. He was in charge of over looking the temples In the area. As a result, he'd wanted for nothing, and his mother was able to stay home and look after things.

That's what Rick truly wanted. He knew if he pushed Alyson toward a job she didn't want, the more she would rebel away from it. He wanted a wife who would stay home all day waiting for him. Looking after the Jr's. Keeping the house clean, and perfect, no matter what the situation. He wanted a hot meal for when he came home, a cold beer, and a game on somewhere. He wanted his wife to be up, dressed, and have coffee and breakfast waiting for him when he got up.

Alyson was perfect for the part. Course it helped that his grandfather had seen to it this woman was his since childhood. He'd hoped he could break her down and be what he wanted over that time. It hardly worked. He used to think he was smart, that he was cunning, that he could break her down and rebuild her to be the perfect woman for him. Nothing he did over the years had worked. . Now if he did a reverse thing, pushing her onto something she didn't like, she would take the road that was leading to the breaking and what he wanted.

There was still a whole list of things that needed done. He needed to get her to quit her projects. To change her style in clothes. Her style of hair. Wearing it long like that, and that color, it was all wrong for Alyson. She needed it shorter, and she needed to be blonde. He had a weakness for dumb blondes. The first woman he'd had sex with was a blonde.

Alyson didn't know, and he would deny it even to the Divines should she confront him about it. But what was a man to do when his wife to be had denied him several times, and even pushed back their wedding another two years. Two years! There was an unspoken rule that a man with a wife, to be or already married, should not remain a virgin past sixteen years old.

It was a matter he could take up with her later. In the mean time, there was the wedding to plan. He could worry about the rest after they were married. They would have the rest of their lives, so he had the time, and there was no chance of Alyson escaping from him. He wondered if he could convince her to move in with him early. He could argue the convenience of time and wedding planning she needed to do with his mother. Her reluctance was a thorn in his side, but that's something he could deal with. She couldn't run from him, she was his. She would have to accept that sooner or later.

As he got his second cup of coffee, he set aside the paper and turned on the news. The paper lacked a few things that the local news could provide. The news anchors came on, announcing the latest in the headline news. He was about finished with the mug when a video came on with the image of a house. A house that he knew all too well.

"Last night reports say that the choice for the district Lord, Ethan Rivers, suffered a tragedy at home when his second wife Magdalena Rivers had a psychotic break and went on a short, but bloody, rampage. Magdalena, herself, did not survive the incident and is currently being transported to the local funeral home. Meanwhile, Lord Ethan and his wife Angela are at the hospital with their eldest child who sustained injuries during the incident. More on this story as it develops."

He registered the mug falling from his hand, but he paid it no mind as he dashed to the counter where the car keys were kept and hurried out to his. He didn't pay any mind to the traffic laws as he drove, he didn't care about anything in that moment. All he cared about was getting to the hospital and quick. The news anchor had said the eldest. The eldest of that house was Alyson. Alyson was in the hospital.

He had to get there and fast. He could use this to get Alyson to move out of that house early and into his with him. Ethan and Angela had let Magdalena hurt her, what made her think she would be safe there anymore? She would probably argue about the children, the babies that she cared for. Screw the little brats, it wasn't like they were her babies. However much the idea of getting her pregnant at a young age pleased him. She needed out and in with him, and he would use this to make that happen.

Also, he had to work up anger. How dare Ethan and Angela not contact him intermediately. He was after all, her fiance! He should have already been there, already been at her bedside. Whispering things into her ear about the people who let this happen to her, showing her that he was the only one who had her best interests at heart.

He stomped through the hospital like a man on a mission. He didn't care whose toes he stepped on. He didn't care who he upset or annoyed. He didn't care about the nurse he'd left crying in the ER. He needed to get to Alyson now.

He arrived at the floor and immediately began shouting at the nurse behind the reception desk. "Where is she!? Where's Alyson!?"

The nurse said nothing, merely stared up at him in shock and a bit of fear. He turned away from the pathetic little snot and looked around. He saw Ethan and Angela standing in a room looking at him positively horrified, and in Ethan's case, with a bit of fury. He didn't care about that. Why the man was given a Lordship he'd never know, he had fantasies about taking that Lordship away from him. He would too, with Alyson by his side, they would cease to be fantasies, they would be plans.

He entered the room and rushed to Alyson's side, squeezing her hand hard for a moment he thought he felt bones snap. He eased his grip a bit but kept her hand tightly in his own. "Alyson!? Alyson!!! Can you hear me!? Answer me!"

Ethan stepped forward as Angela sat down. "Shouting isn't going to change things Rick, you need to calm down so we can explain the situation."

"I don't want to listen to your shit." Rick spat at him. "I need her to wake up. NOW. And then we're leaving. I won't permit her to stay with you anymore. Not when you let her get hurt this way!"

Ethan sighed, and crossed his arms over his chest. "I won't sit here and justify myself, because you're right. I didn't see the signs, and if I did, I ignored them. I let this happen with my inability to protect my family. But I can't let you force her awake. Though I doubt your efforts would work regardless."

"Why's that?" Rick asked. He got the feeling he was missing an important piece of information.

"She's in a self induced coma." Rick stared at Ethan confused. "She witnessed a horrific event, and then she fell down a flight of stairs, hitting her head on the way down. The doctor thinks she's retreated into her own mind for a little while till she can cope with what happened."

"In any case," Ethan said stepping forward. "I will not stand here and let you harass me, threaten me, to get what you want. You want to be with Alyson, that's fine, I won't stop you. However, you will do as the doctors and nurses tell you. You will not rush her awake, you will not hurt her anymore than she already has been. You may be her fiance, but Angela and I are still her parents, and we still have the power right now. I can have you thrown out and have the security know to not let you back in no matter what. So sit down, be quiet, or leave."

Rick sat down and kept his hand on her own. He wasn't going to let her go. He was going to stay there until she came out of this coma. He sat staring at her, trying hard not to grimace at the sight of her. Yes, she needed to be blonde, maybe loose a few pounds, and needed to stay far away from the hospital from now on. Housework would need done, meals cooked, and her husband to please. Being stuck in this place would keep from all of that.

So he sat, and waited like he was told. He didn't like it, but he knew it would be worth it in the end.

- - - - -

Alyson had laid there in the dark, she'd felt the pain for a brief moment, then felt nothing at all. She was just floating in the blissful black. Neither fully asleep, but neither fully awake either. She just floated, and as she did, she heard words, almost whispers, when she focused on them, they got louder. She heard the diagnosis for herself, she heard what the fate of her sister and the baby. She heard her parents talking and making arrangements, then she heard nothing for awhile. She just floated once more along the current that was carrying her.

Then she heard him.

"Where is she!? Where's Alyson!?"

Her insides froze, no. No. He shouldn't be there! Still, she knew that Rick was there, she was grateful that she couldn't feel her body because she knew he was probably squeezing her hand too hard as was his habit.

"Alyson!? Alyson!! Can you me!? Answer me!"

Really? What did he expect her to just magically come out of her coma, or whatever this was, just because he told her too? That's not how these things worked. Even if she wanted to wake up, she didn't see anyway out of this black current. Now that Rick was there, she was sure she didn't want to wake up. Thankfully, she didn't hear anything after that. She was pulled into the black. Deep into the darkness, she was falling through the element landing on a watery substance. She could hear music as she stepped. She danced around listening to the tune it made as she did. She danced and danced moving forward with the current of the water as she did so. Singing words she didn't understand as the music flowed through her.

The further she traveled across the water, the more the black waters colored and rose up as she moved. As if trying to touch her hands as she extended her arms and twirled. The dark retreated and there was a spiraling stair case appeared on the beach that was just within her reach. She danced to the sandy ground, and stepped toward the stairs. looking up it seemed to go up to the sky. She took each step with care. She ascended into the heavens, stopping occasionally to look around the place where she was. The world seemed to be this endless ocean surrounding a tiny island. So she kept going up. Soon she could see the ground, and she was surrounded by the clouds. Strangely, she didn't feel cold, she didn't feel tired as she kept climbing.

At the top of the stair case, there was a platform of onyx. She stepped on to and looked around to see columns also made of onyx, with deep red stain curtains billowing in the slightly breeze all throughout the place. The place was open, airy, and dark expect for the light that came through the curtains as they swayed. In the back, leaning against one of the corner columns, was Alekzandor. He looked up at her and smiled.

"Welcome to my home."