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[Ceinwyn ab'Arawn]

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Her own violet eyes peered back at her from the mirror. Was it possible to look any more pale? Dark lines edged her eyes, giving hint of restless nights. If Sid had noticed her unease, he showed no sign. The toll this child was taking on her was not to be believed. Gorging on blood was often not enough, she had taken to eating normal food in an effort to stave off the enormous hunger she harbored. It was becoming increasingly difficult to maintain a semblance of the woman others knew her as.

The raised eyebrows and cautious inquiries about her condition gave evidence that they were all aware that all was not right with their matriarch. But, if any thought her weak, they voiced it not. To utter such bordered on treason and disloyalty and also called into question thoughts better left forgotten. Who could forget that the Matriarch, when she chose, could peer into the darkness of your very mind and pry such dangerous ideas free? She knew how they all felt. They wanted their old Matriarch back. She only hoped their unspoken wish was granted. As she stood, staring into the mirror, she felt that Karma might have other plans.

She turned away from the mirror, done with lamenting possibilities. She glanced around the room, studying each brick. She had overseen the placement of each stone. Had marked the backside of each with a specific rune, so that when complete, the building itself was a fulfilled ritual. The Sepulcher, a life's work, yet completed within a fraction of the time. So many had come, so many loyal Umbrans paying homage to the darkness that dwelt within. She had stood within the very walls watching her winter sister, Merci, offering sacrifices after sacrifice to the pit. And little Demetria as well, discarding her precious rubies in tribute. The Sepulcher craved blood. Though most thought the pit another opening to the Void, it was in fact a one way door. A mouth of darkness that provided the most expedient way to feed the dark building.

Ceinwyn would never disillusion young Demetria, though. The blood colored stones she offered to the Void (or so the young elf thought) still both fed her ego and confirmed the child's faith. Tokens of such loyalty did not go unnoticed. Let them dump whatever they like in, the result was the same- a demonstration of loyalty, when they thought none was watching. Worth countless more than ten such donations made in front of an audience.

Would she, too, become such a sacrifice one day, offered up to her own creation?

It was inevitable. But she had prepared a placed for herself on the other side of Death. There was still work to be done over there. Even if it meant never completing work on this side. And if any needed to speak with her that badly, well there were always the bells.

Placing a hand over her abdomen, she sighed. What manner of being was this child, to affect her so? She, who had rised above so many, to feel final Death so nigh and brought about by so small and fragile a creature. She must take the risk and find out. Closing her eyes, she sent a querying energy to her womb. Already, she could feel the precious energy drain impacting her system. She would need to feed immediately for this selfish action. Concentrate, that this effort be not in vain. Auspex can be a useful tool when used properly. The energy dissipated as the aura she sought within herself burned brightly. The shape she saw with otherworldly eyes materialized within her, the gentle motions of the unborn child. It was the shift of a second aura beside it that ushered forth an exclamation of surprise. Was it coincidence or Fate? She pondered these possibilities as blackness claimed her vision and the floor rushed up to meet her.