"Ahh, gods, oh my head," I moaned softly. Slowly, I forced my eyes to open. I wasn't entirely surprised to see that I was once again in the opulent bedchamber I'd occupied when I'd been Emerald Vex's captive. I rubbed my head and slowly, the pain subsided. I remembered everything--the battle with Red and Blackie, then Emerald Vex dragging me back to his demesne in Oblivion. I smiled grimly at the memory of Kriella and I slaying Red and Blackie, but my smile faded as I considered Lord Vex's reaction. They had been his favorite minions, and he would not look kindly upon their deaths. I pulled back the covers and I wasn't a bit surprised to discover that I didn't have a stitch on. Emerald Vex no doubt had confiscated everything, leaving me with not so much as a hairpin. I wrapped the silken bedclothes around me and shivered. I didn't have long to wait before the door opened and the daedra lord who'd haunted me for so long stalked into the room. His handsome features were arrogant and smug as he said, "Welcome home, sweetness." "This is hardly my home, Lord Vex." He only smiled, his green eyes alight. "I have missed your sweet pressence terribly. Did you not miss me?" He caressed my cheek. I smiled mirthlessly. "I missed Zerith, My Lord." His full lips quirked. "Ahh, yes. Zerith. He is well, and shall remain so as long as I have your...full cooperation." The sensual light in his green eyes left me with no doubts about his meaning. I shuddered, and much to my shame, it was not entirely from fear. He brushed his mouth lightly over my lips. Before I could stop myself I responded to him. He laughed wickedly and drew away. "But that is for later. We will get...reacquainted later, my lost love." His smile was cruel, and this time I shudddered in genuine fear. "Right now," he continued, there's someone who would like to say hello to you." Zerith, oh please let it be Zerith, I pleaded silently. Still smiling, Emerald Vex opened the door. "*You!*" I cried, terror and horror overcoming me. "No! You're dead! You have to be!" "Who told you that, lovey?" Red asked as he and Blackie moved into the room. "We killed you!" I cried. I moved to the center of the bed, shaking all over. Blackie smirked. "Reports of our deaths have been wildly exaggerated," he taunted me. He turned to face his master. "Amazing the things that magicka can accomplish, yes, my Lord Vex?" Emerald Vex smirked. "Indeed. You see, sweetness, Red and Blackie informed me of what was going on. I couldn't very well just leave them there to be hacked to bits by those tinsuited iron for brains warriors, now could I? So I removed them back to my realm and sent two magickally disguised Vermai in their place." Red nodded. "We would never be as stupid as to let anyone get behind us, least of all a Shadow Walker," he said. Emerald Vex said, "Well, I leave you now to spend a little quality time with your old friends." He spoke next to Red and Blackie. "Enjoy her as you will. But I want no scars, no broken bones, and no insanity. You know the penalty." "Yes, my lord. Aye, Lord Vex." Emerald Vex smirked at me. "Fear not. I will return to comfort you." and he departed the room. Red and Blackie closed in on me. Well, they wouldn't get me without a fight! I hooked one hand into claws and dug them viciously into Red's face, drawing his bluish-black ichor. The other hand I tangled into Blackie's hair and yanked it. Hard. "OWWW!" screeched Red. "You'll pay, you little--" The rest was drowned out by Blackie snarling in wordless pain. The black haired spider daedra slapped me hard upside the head, so hard that my ears rang. I cried out in pain of my own and let go. They pounced on me, knocking me out of the bed and onto the floor. I fought and struggled madly but to no avail. 'Some Dreadknight I'd make,' I thought wryly as they pinned me to the floor. "You'll pay now, pretty one," Blackie growled. Red leaned forward, exposing his venomous fangs. He sank them into my shoulder and as the paralysis overtook me, I snarled, "Do your worst!" Red laughed viciously. "Oh, don't worry, lovey. We plan on it."