Kel's lips pressed tighter against each other and she stopped behind Janine. Her stance and her voice was filled with an odd feeling for Kelterra. Confidence.

~"You've taught me everything I've ever known Janine. And certainly there are things you've not taught me, simply to kill me if you had too."~

She continued walking and moved to face Janine. Her eyes were red now and looked far angrier than the rest of her which was still quite calm.

~"But there are two very important lessons I have learned from my Mistress. How to love, and the power of a sire."~

She closed her eyes, but they were glowing so brightly her eyelids did very little to stop the glow.

~"Ridell, you are Janine's Grand-sire. As I am her sire. Therefore...the only power she has over you is the power you let her. Choose to be her Mistress as you are mine...and you can control her."~

Janine broke from her unseen binds, dove towards Kel, grabbed her by the neck..

"Rid is weak.. She cannot take over her own body.."

She grinned widely staring into Kels eyes

"Thanks to you.."

Kel closed her eyes as she felt Janine's hand close about her neck. She breathed slowly and carefully and slowly opened her eyes. She made no move to stop Janine other than looking back into her eyes and saying quietly.

~"Let me go, Janine."~

Her voice was commanding despite it's whispered tone. Her eyes blazed with the curse they all shared.

Against her will, Rids hands unclasped from Kels neck, and Janine growled

-"This.. isnt.."-

She growled louder, and suddenly threw herself at Kel, knocking them both down, but as they fell, Rid seemed to go very cold, and shivering against her, muttering

"C-Cant.. take this.. much longer.."

Her voice was back to normal, as Janine had retreated

As Janine withdrew and Ridell returned, Kel put her arms around her and held her. She felt the warm sand press against her bare back as the dress had no back. Her fingers gently brushed hair from Ridell's face as she whispered softly.

~"Then don't Mistress...she only has power over you if you let her...She knows your body well...but the curse has rules...rules even she has to follow..."~

Rid slowly pushed herself up, shaking, feeling very weakened from the switch.

She looked at Kel, and said quietly

"What were you hoping to accomplish.. pulling her out like that?"

Kelterra sat up slowly but didn't let Ridell move away from her arms. She still gently rubbed Ridell's back as she spoke quietly.

~"A few things...one of which to see if you're strong enough to fight her back...another of which was to give her...a chance, one last chance to be the lover I wish she could be...but it seems...she is lost...."~

Biting her lip a little, Kel looked to the sea.

~"I don't have very much luck with the things I do...or those I love..."~

She smiled sadly at Ridell.

~"I only hope Mikal and Kas have better luck then I..."~

Rid blinked at her last comment, but tried not to ask what they were doing or what was happening.

She moved a hand to gently stroke Kel's cheek, and whispered to her

"Kel.. I will always love you.. but I had given Kas my heart a long time ago.."

It had been a long time since Kel felt that pang of hurt deep in her chest and when it rushed up to hit her it almost brought her to tears. She reached up to press Ridell's hand against her cheek and she fought to keep her calm and precise manner.

~"Mistress...you needn't lie to make me feel better...I know what is in your heart....there is still hope for you and Kas...and I may fail but...he is the one you love...he will find the way to save you..."~