Out of the Clear Blue Skye

Author's Note/Disclaimer:

I don't think there's much here to offend anyone. Let's tie up some loose ends. Somewhere out there, Skye has a human mother. Who is she? And of course, a breeding season implies, well, breeding. 'Nuff said. Read on. As always, feedback is welcomed and appreciated.

Part Six: The Finding

Dr. Casson returned after several months to examine Angela and Skye. Angela was ecstatic to find that she was pregnant. Skye however, took the news of her own pregnancy in silence and refused to speak of the matter to anyone. The doctor took Elisa aside to discuss Skye's reaction.

"I don't know doctor. She was doing so well. She was really starting to come out of her shell."

"Well, keep an eye on her if you can. If you need me, you can call me at my office."

"Doctor, there's something else I wanted to talk with you about."

"What is it?"

"I think I'm pregnant. I've missed two periods in a row and I test positive on a home test. I'd like you to examine me."

"Now?"

"How about tomorrow at your office? I want to keep this private until I know for sure."

"Very well, I'll see you at five in the afternoon. I should be finished with my regular patients by then."

"See you tomorrow."

"Good night."

The next day Elisa kept her appointment. After the doctor performed her examination, Elisa waited anxiously to hear the results.

"Are you sure the only possible father is this gargoyle, Goliath?"

"Yes. I'm sure. There's no one else."

"Well, Elisa, had you asked me before I ran these tests, I would have said that becoming pregnant by a gargoyle was so physiologically unlikely as to be impossible. But, you do test pregnant."

A simultaneous wave of fear and joy surged through Elisa.

"Elisa, in this situation, I have no true idea of how to advise you. My professional opinion is that it is unlikely that you will carry this child to term, if it is properly a child."

"Are you telling me to terminate the pregnancy? I can't do that. I want this baby." Elisa was surprised at herself. She'd never seen herself as the motherly type.

"What I mean is that there is a serious risk of miscarriage. I can't say how much risk, but human and gargoyle physiology are very different."

"Don't tell Goliath about this. I would like to keep this to myself a while longer."

"I'd like to run some more tests. I'll see you in my office during regular hours.

"Yes. I think that would be best."


Elisa brooded, about her pregnancy, about Skye's, about the clan. She wasn't used to keeping secrets from Goliath and it felt disloyal. The only members of the clan she wasn't worried about were Angela and Brooklyn. The pair was thrilled at the prospect of hatchlings. Some of their enthusiasm spilled over into the other gargoyles, but their joy was tainted with worry. Worry about Skye and the eggs she carried.

The old rookery was being cleaned and refurbished. Every member of the clan, save Skye spent time there, imagining the cavernous room filled with eggs. Skye would not even pass the threshold, would not even acknowledge its existence. The gargoyle spent most of her time studying in her tower or playing with the dog and Alex, or sometimes with Broadway. What was most disturbing to Elisa was that Skye was acting less like a teenager than a child.

Elisa redoubled her efforts to find Skye's mother. Hopefully, contact with her family would help her. It also served to distract Elisa from her other worries. Angela and Skye were just beginning to show their pregnancies when the detective finally located Skye's mother. Just to be safe she checked the woman out before contacting her. The woman had divorced her husband, the one with the roving hands, and had given birth to a son a little over a month previous. She had tried to locate Skye, but hadn't had much success. She came from a small town in Georgia and had no reason to think Skye would have fled so far from home. Elisa gave her a call and arranged for the woman to come to New York to the Eyrie Building.


Marion Brown was just that, brown hair, brown eyes, brown (camel colored) pantsuit, plain and still heavy from the birth of her son. The baby was a rosy checked ball of pink dressed in a blue sailor suit. The woman looked tired and carried an aura of guilt with her. She listened gravely to Elisa's questions.

Elisa had arranged to use one of the vacant offices to talk to Marian. When she asked Marian to identify her daughter's picture, not only did she recognize the photo, she produced its twin from her purse along with a tattered letter. She offered the letter to Elisa.


Dear Mom,

I just wanted you to know I'm O.K. I'm sorry about running away, but I can't live with Gary. I know you don't believe me about him. That's O.K. I guess. I wanted you to know I have a new life now. I even have kind of a family. I don't think you will ever see me again. It's probably best that way. Please don't try to find me. I'm sorry I won't get to see the baby.

All my love,
Skye


"Her name is Lindsay, but she started calling herself 'Skye' a couple of years ago. I don't really know why. I feel just awful about Gary. I thought he was a prince. I didn't find out what a toad he was until after Lindsay left. I thought she was lying about his making passes at her. I guess I just didn't want to believe it. Then I caught him with the neighbor's daughter. She's just a year older than Lindsay! He said the most terrible things about Lindsay when I confronted him. I kicked him out, but I had no idea how to find my daughter. No offense detective, but the police were just no help at all."

"I'm really sorry Marian. The truth is runaways can be very hard to locate. Especially when they run across the country. Skye wouldn't tell us even her first name, so I had a hard time finding you."

"Is she here? Is she all right? Who is this 'family' she wrote about?"

"I want to explain what happened to your daughter. Some of it will be very hard to believe, but I do have proof. First I would like to show you something." Elisa ushered the older woman out into the private elevator which whisked them to the top of the building.

When the doors opened, Marian looked around curiously at the interior of the castle. Elisa led her through the corridors and up into one of the towers. She opened the door to one of its upper rooms. Afternoon sunlight poured through the windows. Books and papers were strewn over a simple desk, some of them spilling to the floor. Cushioned window seats were tucked under the windows, on one was a stone figure.

The statue sat, forehead resting against the glass. Its sightless eyes seeming to watch the courtyard below where other stone figures could be seen, frozen in playful poses. One four-fingered hand was raised to the pane, its fingers out-stretched as if in entreaty. The other hand rested limply in the statue's lap. Wings and tail drooped listlessly behind. Even to someone who had never seen a gargoyle before, it was a figure of sadness, loneliness. Elisa watched as Marian examined the statue, even venturing to run her fingers over the stone braids in the gargoyle's hair.

"I don't understand. This is a statue of my daughter. It's her, but it's different. Not human."

"Marian, this *is* your daughter. She is a gargoyle now. When the sun sets she will come to life. In the meantime, I have a lot to tell you."

Marian looked skeptical, but allowed herself to be coaxed into sitting down and listening as Elisa joined her. The sun's light gradually faded from the room as the detective spun a tale of magic and betrayal. As the light grew dim, there was a scratch at the door. A pale form slipped through and padded into the room.

"That's Cloud. That dog follows her everywhere. I half expect her to sprout wings one day just so she can fly with Skye."

The dog looked at the statue, then at the women. She walked over to greet Elisa and sniffed curiously at Marian and the baby, wagging her tail lazily. Then she padded over to the statue and sat gazing at her mistress' face.

The women sat in silent anticipation as the last of sun's light faded from the windows. Only a single desk lamp illuminated the space. The dog's ears pricked and the tempo of her tail-wagging increased as the stone skin of the statue began to crack. A brief shrug and a shower of dust followed. Instead of a roar, there was only a sigh. The dog scrambled up into the gargoyle's lap, much too big, legs hanging awkwardly.

"Hey girl." The gargoyle whispered as she hugged the dog close, unaware that she wasn't alone. Below she could see the others stretching and talking. She would have to make an appearance soon or they would search for her.

"Lindsay? Is that you?" The gargoyle stiffened.

"Mom? Don't look at me!" She hunched smaller, wings cupped around her like a shield.

"Lindsay. Come on it's me. And I brought someone with me."

"If it's Gary you better get him out of here before the clan sees him. I told them everything. They want his liver on a stick."

"No honey, it's someone else." Marian walked around trying to look at her daughter's face.

"Lindsay...Skye...Look at me."

"I've changed Mom. I'm different. I'm... I'm not even human anymore. I don't want you to see me like this."

"I've already seen you. Turn around. Turn around and look at your brother."

"My brother?" Skye turned slowly, absently pushing the dog out of her lap. She rose from her seat.

"This is Cameron. He was born six weeks ago. Here, why don't you hold him." Skye held the baby carefully, as if she was afraid he would break.

Elisa left quietly, coaxing the dog to follow her. She left the family alone, while she went to tell the clan what she had done.

*********************************************************************************

At midnight, Broadway ventured into Skye's tower with a tray of fresh-baked cookies and milk. He found mother and daughter lounging on a blanket on the floor with the baby between them. The baby held the tip of the gargoyle's tail in one chubby fist and was waving it back and forth. He cleared his throat. Skye looked up with a welcoming smile.

"Mom, this is Broadway. He's my clan brother and a great cook. Are those cookies for us?" Her voice rose hopefully. Skye's mother turned to look at Broadway. Her eyes widened a moment, but she gave a friendly smile.

"I thought you might be hungry so I made some cookies. Would you like some Ms. Brown?"

"Call me Marian. Why don't you sit with us? There's plenty of floor."

Broadway carefully sat down after handing the tray to Skye. They spent some time chatting and watching the baby sleep before Marian begged off, yawning so often that she no longer made sense.

"We can put Cam in the nursery with Alex. Chances are Owen will still be up and I'll ask him which guest room to put you in." She led the sleepy mother and child to the nursery, while Broadway left to take the dirty dishes back to the kitchen. They found Owen reading a book to a restless toddler.

"Hey there Alex. What are you doing up?"

"Wanna story."

"Well sweetie, we brought somebody to keep you company. This is my Mom and this is my little brother, Cameron. He's going to borrow your old crib tonight if that's O.K.?" Skye looked at Owen for approval. He nodded. "I tell you what. I'll finish reading the story to you while Owen shows my Mom where she can sleep tonight."

"O.K." Skye took the toddler from Owen's arms and sat down to read the story to the little boy. Alex cuddled up to her while she drew a wing over him like a blanket.

"This way Ms. Brown. There's a nanny's suite just next door." Owen showed the woman through the connecting door and left them to put the children to bed.

"Don't worry Owen, Alex will sleep for me. Won't you big guy?" The child was already yawning. One of Skye's best spells was her "sleeping baby" trick. So far little Alex hadn't caught on. With so many of his friends being nocturnal creatures, the toddler hated being left out. By the time Marian said good night, Alex was tucked into bed sleeping peacefully. Skye watched the two boys sleeping for a while before leaving, venturing to stroke each little face with a gentle talon.

"See you tomorrow night. Sweet dreams." She closed the nursery door quietly behind her before returning to her tower. Cloud was already curled up under her desk. She began to shuffle her books and papers into order and sat down to do some research. The dawn caught her with book in hand.

The next evening she woke to find her mother sitting on the window seat overlooking the courtyard. She was feeding the baby while waiting for her daughter to awaken. Cloud was curled up under the seat with her head propped on Marian's foot.

Skye yawned hugely and stretched.

"I must say I'm impressed. I practically had to lock you in your room to get you to study last year."

"Huh?" Only then did Skye realize she was still holding the book she had been reading last night. "Well, Owen's a pretty tough teacher. I'm getting kind of a late start at this gargoyle stuff, not to mention I never finished high school. Did you have a nice day?" She closed the book and set it down on the desk.

"Well I would have slept until noon except that Cameron had other ideas. The Xanatoses were very cordial. Mrs. Xanatos took us shopping this morning. I think she spent more in an hour than I make in a year." Marian shook her head.

"One of the advantages to being related to some of the richest men in the world I suppose."

"I had to put my foot down after the third store. She kept buying things for Cameron. I didn't want to be rude, but really it was too much."

"Well, Fox does enjoy spending money."

"I'm still not sure how this arrangement with the clan and the Xanatoses works."

"It's kind of complicated, but it boils down to Xanatos feeling he owes the clan a big debt. I guess they feel like that includes you and Cameron too. Or maybe Fox just really likes Cam. He is pretty cute." Skye walked over to look at the baby.

A tap at the door interrupted them.

"Come in." It was Elisa.

"The clan would like to invite you to dinner Marian. They're dying to meet you, and Cameron too."

"Mom?"

"Sounds like a great idea."

"Follow me, everyone's in the suite."

Dinner with the clan was an interesting affair. Marian was glad she had already met one member besides her daughter. The leader, Goliath, was especially intimidating, but by the end of dinner she was comfortable enough with them to allow them to take turns holding the baby. Once she got used to their unusual appearance, she found she liked them. They asked her questions about Lindsay and her life in Georgia. It was Hudson who finally explained their way of life in terms that made sense to her.

"Gargoyles protect. It is what we do. In the past we protected castles or villages, small groups of humans, or our own dwelling places. But, the world has changed much in a thousand years. Now we protect all of Manhattan, as much as one small clan of gargoyles may."

"I'm still confused about your relationship with the Xanatoses."

"That is... complicated." Goliath spoke.

"We were released from a spell when Xanatos placed this castle atop this building. For a time Xanatos was our enemy." Hudson continued.

"Xanatos was a criminal." Elisa added.

"He's not anymore." Skye added hastily, wide-eyed.

"The clan stopped... someone powerful... from taking Alexander away. The near loss of his son caused Xanatos to have a change of heart, or at least that is what he says. So far he has acted accordingly."

"I see, I think."

The clan chatted with Marian for a while longer before splitting up for their patrols. Marian and Skye left to put Cameron to bed. Then they took a walk in the courtyard. The night was quiet except for ticking of Cloud's toenails on the flagstones.

"You know, when I came here, I thought I would be going home with two children. Now, I don't think that's going to happen is it?"

"I don't see how I can go back Mom. I'm a gargoyle now. I belong with a clan, this clan. Mom... What did they tell you, about me? About what happened?"

"Elisa told me about the... attack." Skye was silent for a long moment.

"Did you know I'm pregnant?"

"Yes, I know."

"Then you know I have to stay." Skye sat down on a bench, as if to illustrate her point. Marian sat down beside her. Cloud sat close resting her head on her mistress' lap. Skye stroked the dog's head automatically.

"Do you? Can you really live here, with them, after what happened? It wouldn't be easy, but I'm sure we could figure something out."

"No Mom. I'm staying. I want to stay, it's just that sometimes I'm scared." Marian could hear the tears in her daughter's voice. She turned to embrace her daughter for the first time since her transformation. She'd thought it would feel strange, but it didn't. This was her daughter. She let Skye cry herself out and listened to her tell her own story for the first time. She held her daughter tight and didn't let go until it was almost dawn.


*********************************************************************************

Marian stayed for almost a week, getting reacquainted with her daughter and getting to know the rest of the clan. She even convinced Skye to show her the rookery. Finally it was time for her to leave. If she stayed any longer she would risk losing her job.

"Won't you stay a while longer Marian? We've really enjoyed having you and little Cameron." Fox protested her decision to leave.

"No, really, I have to go back home, or I won't have a job to go back to."

"Would you consider working for me? You are a registered nurse are you not? It is hard to find trustworthy people to work with gargoyles. With two of them pregnant, I think it's time to think ahead." Xanatos offered.

"No really, I can't. That's too much like charity."

"It's not charity Marian. As Skye's mother you are welcome to stay here as long as you like and not lift a finger. But, I don't believe in wasting good people. Please reconsider."

"I'll think about it, Mr. Xanatos."

"David, please."

"David. It's not just the job. Even if I were to accept your offer I would need to wrap up some things."

Marian, true to her words, left on schedule. The whole clan gathered to say their farewells before Owen whisked her away to the airport. Afterwards, the clan dispersed, some to patrol, others to their various activities. Before he could leave, Broadway was surprised by a light touch on his elbow. It was Skye.

"Let's go somewhere private."

"O.K. Sure. I know a place." Puzzled and nervous, Broadway led her through the castle corridors to a section of the castle she had never visited. Broadway explained that these rooms were originally the ones used to cook and store food a thousand years ago. Skye smiled in response.

They came to a window with a ledge. Skye stopped him with a feathery touch on his arm. She perched on the ledge and peered out into the night. Then she looked up at him.

"Broadway... I have something to ask and I don't really know how."

"That's O.K. Whatever it is, I'll probably say yes."

"I know... I know that it's customary for female gargoyles to have mates. To protect them when they are carrying eggs and all. I haven't asked anyone to be my mate because I can't, I mean I'm not ready to..."

"That's all right. We understand." Broadway's voice was kind.

Skye looked out the window again, then back a Broadway. "What I'm trying to say is that I can't offer a... physical relationship, not yet, maybe not for a long time. But, I would like it if you would... act as my mate."

Broadway took a long moment to consider. Skye, shy again, looked out into the night.

"Skye, why are you doing this? Why me? You don't have to have a mate to protect you. The whole clan would protect you." Broadway had fantasized about this moment, but that was just fantasy. This was real. This was important. It had hurt to lose Angela, but it hadn't hurt as much as it should have. He had come to the conclusion that he never truly loved Angela. But, Skye was a different matter.

"I'm not saying this right. It's coming out all wrong!" She was crying, he wanted so much to comfort her, but he didn't dare touch her. He waited awkwardly for her to continue.

"I want you to be my mate, no one else. I wish I could have a normal relationship with you. I... I'm afraid that Angela will figure out she made a mistake or that some other gargoyle will show up and snatch you up before I get my act together."

Broadway was speechless.

"Or.. Or you might even find some human girl. That's not so far fetched. Look at Elisa and Goliath."

Broadway finally found his voice. "Angela didn't make a mistake. I know now that I wasn't really in love with her. And I haven't met anyone - human or gargoyle - that I like as much as you. I just want to know if you mean it. Because I do." Broadway was himself close to tears.

Skye gave him a long look. She stood and wrapped her arms around him, hugging him tightly. He froze for a moment before carefully returning her embrace. She spoke, her head resting on his chest. "I mean it Broadway. You can think about it a while if you want. There are some things I need to do before we make any announcements."

She let him hold her a few minutes more before she broke away. They spent the rest of the night talking.

*********************************************************************************

Elisa couldn't stop grinning. She'd just come from Dr. Casson's office. The baby was fine. Elisa was fine. Everything is fine. The words formed a little tune in her head. Of course, this uncharacteristic display of good humor was not lost on her partner, Matt.

"You look like a cat licking cream from her whiskers. What are you so smug about?"

"None of your business, nosy."

"Hah! I'm your partner, that makes it my business."

"Not this time." Elisa grinned wider.

"Watch out. Your face is gonna crack." She stuck her tongue out in a childish display.

"I'll figure it out sooner or later. That's why they call me a detective."

"Let me know when you do. It should be good for a chuckle."


Goliath was thrilled. His shout of joy rang through the castle, bringing the rest of the clan to hear the news. The gathering turned into an impromptu party. In the excitement, no one but Owen noticed as Skye gathered up her dog and prepared to glide.

"Miss Skye? I would have expected you to join the others." Startled she turned. Her eyes glowed crimson for a moment, then faded.

"Owen."

"I did not mean to startle you. May I ask where you are going?"

She seemed to consider his question. The dog, growing restless began to struggle. She put the animal down.

"You may ask, but I may not answer... I should be gone for about three nights, no more than four. If I haven't returned by midnight on the fourth night, I probably won't be coming back. In that case, I've left a letter in my desk. Make sure that Broadway gets it."

"I don't understand. Where are you going?"

"I've made my peace with one mother. It's time I made peace with the other." She picked the dog up and launched herself from the castle walls in one fluid motion.

Owen called after her. "What should I tell the clan?"

"I've gone to visit a friend." And she was gone.


Skye rode the winds hugging Cloud tight close to her chest. She'd flown with the dog often enough that they were both used to the routine. Her heart pounded. What she was doing was stupid, dangerous, possibly suicidal. Some sense of justice or maybe it was just stubbornness drove her onward. She couldn't commit to her new life, to Broadway or the eggs she carried until she put the worst of her demons to rest. Or more specifically, Demona. The broken trust was like an open wound that wouldn't heal.

She knew where to find Demona. She would not have changed her routine. The moon was full and bright; Demona would be in her workroom making good use of the lunar power.

Skye was unarmed, untrained. She made no pretense at stealth as she landed on the balcony outside Demona's workroom. She set the dog down and turned to look out at the night, to gather her nerve and maybe to savor one last look at the starry sky.

The door opened behind her, the dog growled. Without turning, Skye soothed the animal with one hand.

Surprised, Demona rose from her battle crouch to study the figure before her. Skye stood silhouetted against the moon, white T-shirt glowing in the light. She looked exactly as Demona last remembered, even down to the faded bell-bottom jeans and pink polished talons.

"Skye?" Slowly the figure turned, as if reluctant to look away from the bright moon.

"Demona." Her tone was flat, expressionless.

"What are you doing here? I cannot make you human again."

"I haven't come for that."

"What do you want? You haven't come to fight me alone. That would be suicide. Or have you brought the others?" The elder gargoyle looked around suspiciously; the moonlight glinted off a laser rifle in her hands.

"I am alone. If it was revenge that I wanted, I would have sent the clan after you months ago."

"Why have they not come for me?"

"I asked them not to. I want no more vengeance. Look what vengeance has done. To me, to you, to the clan. No more."

"You owe me Demona. I acted in good faith. I did everything you asked. Everything!" The younger gargoyle's voice cracked. "It wasn't just because you offered me what I wanted, but because I trusted you. I cared about you. I thought you were my friend." She sounded weary, much older than sixteen.

"You set me up. I never once hurt you or any gargoyle. Ever. I never even believed gargoyles existed before I met you. Did you really hate me so much? Do you really hate humans so much?" Skye's eyes flashed crimson as she turned again to look at the moon. The dog at her side whined and pressed close.

Demona sighed. "No. I don't hate you. I didn't mean for things to happen the way they did. Something went wrong with my spell. I don't understand. Perhaps you or one of the others has latent magical abilities. It was supposed to give you an edge, make you more enticing, not to..."

"Turn my friends into monsters? Get me gang-raped by my clan?" Skye turned to face Demona, her features lit by the glow of her eyes. She advanced on the older female. "What did you think would happen? Tell me. Tell me!" Demona backed away in the face of Skye's rage, weapon forgotten.

"I know them, they were my clan once. They wouldn't, couldn't..." Demona trailed off. "You were supposed to distract them, put them in competition with one another. If it didn't work the worst thing that should have happened was that you looked like a fool. That's all." Demona's sounded sincere. Skye backed away again.

"I've lost Angela forever. Not even she could forgive this. I've lost you too. You could have been a daughter to me. I was the fool." Demona was bitter.

"Yes. You have lost us. Both of us." Skye's tone was hard and unforgiving.

"I cannot undo what I have done."

"You can make good on your promises to me."

"I don't understand."

"You owe me a debt Demona. I've come to collect."

"What do you want?"

"Will you give up your vendetta against humanity?? I wouldn't expect you to help them, only to keep from trying to harm them or control them."

"You know I cannot."

"I had to try." Skye paused, seemed to gather her thoughts.

"I want to... make peace with you. If you will not give up your fight against humanity, you will do these things for me."

"What things?" Demona narrowed her eyes.

"I was born human, then reborn as a gargoyle. By your hand, your will, and your magic. For this, I will consider you my mother. I said that I have done everything you asked. That is true. Your spell triggered a breeding season. I am pregnant, so are Angela and Elisa. You will do nothing to endanger the children of the clan, born or unborn, hatched or in the shell. Nor will you try to subvert them or control them in any way." Skye paused before continuing her speech, waiting for a response.

"Agreed."

"Second. If you can change a girl into a gargoyle, you can change a dog into a doggoyle. You will make Cloud here into a doggoyle."

"You must be insane. Why would you ask me to do such a thing?"

"You promised me a lot of things Demona. You delivered very little. Friendship, family, security, those were the things I was promised. Instead I got fear, violence, loneliness, chaos." Her voice faded to almost a whisper, then she spoke again, forcibly. "You *will* give me this. Cloud has been a faithful companion. She's one of the few parts of my new life that I'm willing to thank you for. It is not fair to her that I'm stone all day. It's not fair to me that she will soon grow old and die. If you are really worried about saving the gargoyle race, shouldn't you save our companions too?"

"And if I refuse?"

"I will do nothing. I'm not like you. I don't make threats, Demona. But, was everything you told me a lie? Everything?"

"I could kill you now." Demona lifted her weapon slightly, her tone thoughtful.

"You could have killed me anytime you wanted. Are you going to kill me now?" Skye stood as close as she dared.

Demona looked away, looked at the moon, at the damned dog. Anywhere but those huge grey eyes. Finally, she met the girl's gaze. "No. It wasn't all lies. The dog, that seems a small thing for so large a debt. I agree."

"Consider it a... gesture of good will."

"It will take several nights to prepare."

"I remember. I have time."

"Do you? Won't the others come looking for you?"

"They won't."

"I will do it then, if it will satisfy my debt to you."

"I have one more request." Skye dug in the pocket of her jeans. She pulled out a roll of paper tied with a blue ribbon. Demona regarded it with suspicion as Skye offered it to her. The paper gave off a faint aura of magic.

"You were right. I did have some latent magical abilities. I have learned a few simple spells. This one is merely a geas to make certain you keep the terms of our agreement." Demona took the scroll and opened it. The moon was bright enough to read by.

"Read it for yourself, there are no hidden surprises. I said I would never betray you. I haven't and I won't."

"You expect me to sign this?"

"I *ask* you to sign it. Of your own free will." Demona examined the scroll with a practiced eye. It was written in elementary Latin, by a girlish hand. It spelled out Skye's requests in simple terms. No surprises.

"I thought you couldn't read Latin."

"I can. Now."

"You may as well come inside. I will need something sharp."

"No need." Skye produced a package of pins, unopened. She handed it to Demona. She watched as Demona extracted a pin from the package and pricked her thumb. Demona used the pin to scratch her name in blood on the bottom of the scroll. Taking another pin from the box she offered it to Skye. Skye wasted no time scrawling her own name. The scroll glowed briefly before going dim.

That finished, Skye relaxed. She returned the scroll to her pocket and walked into Demona's lair.

To be continued...