_____She had seen the reddish blur against the greenery from quite a distance away. At first it had startled her, because how often was it that something just exploded from the forestry and grass and headed off like they were hellbent for leather? Then a mix of panic and anger had filled her as she had given chase, though hardly as quick or limber as the four-legged figure. There was something familiar about that sight and something that struck Corona as a reason to investigate it. Whoever it was, they had better have had a good reason to come tearing through Inferni like they had.


_____The caverns came up and it was there that she heard the woman's voice calling out for Gabriel and at which point her chase had come to an abrupt stop. Her breath in her throat, her lungs burning, Corona was very much surprised to decide that voice and figure belonged to no other than Faolin. Coming up to the den, she placed one hand on the sloping entrance and tried to pick out the red-haired in-law through the darkness. “Faolin?” she called after her, ready to be surprised if it was her and ready to get nasty if it wasn't.

_____She was anxious and that was one thing that Corona expected out of her when she whirled around to face her. But at least it was Faolin and at least she was okay; bits of relief flooded her like many other emotions. The smile on her face came in to play, but it was brief. “They're both here, they're both okay and there are some things that have happened,” she said, wanting to her to calm down before she got anywhere in depth with what had gone on. Telling her all that she knew and all that would have happened right on the spot would have probably put her into even more of a panic. If Talitha was anywhere nearby and noticed the commotion (as Corona had been trying to keep an eye on her in the days since she had returned), and came upon them all in a panic, well… “But are you all right? No one gave you any trouble on the way here, did they?” She looked all right at first glance, which certainly meant there was one less thing to worry about.

_____“I've only been back a couple of weeks,” she said, quite sure that was roughly how much time had gone by. She had honestly lost count because there had been a lot going on. “But as for the ‘something’ that happened, your bad feeling isn't entirely unfounded… Dahlia de Mai had a hold of Talitha for a while.” This she knew would be a blow to the red-haired mother, because it had been a blow to her. It had been the thing that had gotten her to stay, knowing that there was family that had been trapped.


_____“Apparently Andrezej had turned up again as well, although we haven't seen him so far. Before we got Talitha back, he attacked her. He…” and she didn't know how to put it. Being blunt was one way to put it, but she wasn't sure how else to put it. There was no nice way to say it, no easy way to do it. Even Gabriel had put it to her bluntly and she felt the fire boil in her veins at the memory. “He raped her. I wish I could put that into better words but that's what Gabriel has gotten out of her since she's come back.”


_____She let that settle for a moment, redrawing her gaze to Faolin's face apologetically. A strange place to note it, but Corona remembered that they were roughly the same age, yet there were many differences to them that put a gap. “Both of us have been caring for her but it's you who she's been wanting the most. I don't think she's been able to eat very much and aside from giving her things to settle down her stomach and comforting her, I haven't made much headway either.” Her timing was absolutely perfect, all things aside, maybe she would be the major key into rebuilding things.

indent The pace he had chosen was a fast one. Since visiting Esper Hollow, he had realized that there was nothing he could do. If his sister chose to assist their father, he would not object. Gabriel was the fighter, not the healer, and he knew his place. He had run most of the way, chasing away the laughing man and the accusatory glare of his half-sister. He ran because he needed to run, because he needed to escape the thoughts that were rising. As he ran, the sun had begun to set, and by the time he broke the borders his fur was set aflame. It was only then that the scent hit him and he balked—Faolin was here.
indent His momentary pause was kicked into overdrive and he rushed towards the scent, found it mingled with his sister’s, and heard his mate let out a yowl. She knew. The doggish hybrid slowed his pace and lowered it to a trot, panting as he advanced and managed to catch the rest of Faolin’s speech. “I’m here,” he said, pausing to take a great breath of air. “Where is Ezekiel?”

_____Her ears pinned back sharply and apologetically when Faolin more or less screamed—that hadn't been the reaction she had been expecting at all—and frowned momentarily. It was about the time she was going to open her mouth and said that she'd call for him when Gabriel turned up on the sight. She traded glances between the pair for a moment and then simply decided bow out of their conversation, knowing that first and foremost any other questions Faolin had would be for Gabriel, and not her.

indent As long as Fatin had Ezekiel, everything would be all right. She could care for him, especially if she had found her brother. Gabriel had complete trust in that woman, more then he had ever granted any wolf (except, for perhaps, his father). Leaning his head onto her neck, he turned his ears and heard Corona take her leave, and then spoke. “Okay, baby, okay,” he said, reassuring her as best he could. “Everything Corona told you is true. The clan is looking for Andre. When we find him…” The fury rose in his voice and he had to stop speaking, feeling his chest shake with rage. “She keeps asking for you. Even when she sleeps.”

indent “Of course,” he said, and pulled back. The two made their way off, and for the first time in a long time, Gabriel felt like maybe things were going to be all right in the end.