Title: Catalyst: Part Twenty-Three Authors: Brenda & Jo Disclaimer: Never happened. Karl waited patiently as Liv stopped a nearby servant and asked him to tell her assistant to arrange for rooms for the group. When she turned back to him and offered her hand, he took it, noting, as always, the contrast between the delicateness of her bones and the strength of her spirit. "You still seem troubled," she said quietly, leading him to a small courtyard overrun with too many flowers to name. "As you say, this isn't without considerable risk." He took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled. "And I worry for Harry." "I see." "If he loses Orlando so soon after Lauren..." She nodded, pulling him down to a bench. "Years ago, I would have said your love for each other could counter any grief. Now, though..." One shoulder lifted in a delicate shrug. "He has changed so much since I last saw the two of you." "I know. But for the better, I think." "Yes. There is no tinge of shame in his love for you now." Her smile was bright, but faded quickly. "Is this your pet's influence?" "Partially. He and I have also dealt with some things that had been starting to come between us. We'd started to take each other for granted." "Understandable, considering the nature and length of your relationship." She patted his hand in a comforting gesture. "You both seem lighter of heart these days." "We are," Karl assured her. "But we both need Orlando. Whatever you can do..." Her lips were soft on his, the kiss brief. "You know I will do everything in my power to ease the way. Even if he wasn't precious to you, he's still one of us." "If this works, I will forever be in your debt," Karl said, as he stroked her jaw. "It will change him. The unmaking process is painful and long. And it could be years before he's physically ready to be turned again." "We'll take care of him." Karl looked down at their joined hands. "We made vows, and you know we would die before we let anything happen to him." "He'll need that," she said. "He's going to be fragile for a while. It probably won't be easy for any of you. And all of you need to be in complete accord on this." "We are," he vowed, as certain of that as he was his own name. "Harry and I have made many mistakes in the beginning where he was concerned...where Dave was concerned...but our only desire now is to put this right." "Has Viggo talked to you yet about suppressing your bond with Orlando when it comes time for him to be remade?" Karl shook his head, confused. "What are you talking about?" "Perhaps I should let Viggo tell you." She started to pull away, but Karl caught her hands again. "Liv, please." He tried to decipher what she had said, but the only way it made sense was if... "You don't mean... I don't want to give up –" "No, you wouldn't be," she said, rushing her words, looking flustered for the first time he could remember in too many years to count. "Is it possible? To suppress it?" "Only if you agree to it," she said, "and only with the help of Viggo or myself." "How?" "Just a slight nudge for both of you," she said, tapping his temple. "Not much, but enough so that Harry's claim will be the alpha one. As it should have been." "And you swear..." "Karl, look at me." She squeezed his hand until he did as asked, falling into the perfect blue of her eyes. "You love Orlando, and it's clear that the child loves you. Not even I can undo that bond." He nodded, unable to speak, emotion clogging his voice. She opened her arms and he went into them gladly, laying his head against her chest, allowing himself the luxury of weakness in the sanctity of her arms. "All will be made right," she quietly said. "I promise." "Anything you ever need," he said, after a long silence, the slow beat of her heart comforting him. "Anything at all –" "I know," she whispered and pressed a kiss to the top of his head. "I know, my love." *** Orlando was so lost in his own thoughts that it took him a minute to realize that Harry was standing and holding out a hand. He looked at it dumbly for a minute, then up. "We going somewhere?" "You said you wanted to do a little sightseeing. Viggo's agreed to show Josh around, and Karl will most likely be awhile with Liv." "So you get me by default?" Orlando asked, as he curled his hand around Harry's. "Sounds like you got the poor end of the deal." Harry's return smile was warmth personified. "Not from where I'm standing." No one stopped them as they made their way out of the gates. It still didn't stop Orlando from glancing backwards as they left. The guards were still there, standing sentry. "Would someone really try to do Liv harm?" he asked, pressing close to Harry's side as they made their way along the crowded sidewalk. The heat once again slammed into him like a fist. Vendors hawked their wares from every corner, all of them speaking in rapid sing-song voices. Laughing children ran past them, followed sedately by women covered head to toe in traditional Islamic robes. The air was heavy with the competing scents of incense, roasted meats, and exhaust. "The protection isn't for Liv, but for those under her care," Harry explained, moving through the crowd with ease, despite his size. It was a skill Orlando admired. Orlando pondered Harry's words, then nodded. "To keep people from using them against her," he said, knowing it was true. After all, he'd had Sean and Viggo keeping watch over him for the past few years when Harry and Karl were away on business. "Exactly. And you can tell me why someone would want to use them against her?" "Um..." Orlando's forehead wrinkled as he thought, and he looked around again. The sights and sounds were overwhelming, and he had to force his attention back to Harry's question. "For her power?" "For her knowledge," he clarified. "She is the oldest of our kind and the keeper of all of our history. For all of the peace that vampires and humans have enjoyed for thousands of years, there have always been factions that have sought to bring that alliance down. Someone with intimate knowledge of all of our tactics and strategies would be a prime target." Orlando stopped dead in his tracks and stared at Harry in shock. Tactics and strategies...Harry was talking about war. "They would use her," he said, horror creeping into his voice, "to destroy us?" The very idea made his stomach churn, and he took another, closer look at the mortals flowing past and around them. "Why?" "Why do fanatics do anything?" Harry shrugged. "War is a profitable enterprise and a means to power. History is littered with those who have exploited humans and vampires alike for their own ends." He squeezed at Orlando's hand. "But perhaps now you realize why pets are so protected, even those who are bonded with vampires who aren't in a position of power." Orlando took another shaky breath. "Would you really...if one of those factions you speak of...if they were to take a pet...?" "Then we would do whatever is necessary to ensure the safe return of said pet," Harry finished softly, his gaze faraway. Whatever is necessary... Orlando shuddered, conjuring up all sorts of gruesome images. He stepped into the circle of Harry's arms and hugged him tight. Right now, he needed the contact, and something told him that Harry did as well. //Why are you so sad?// //It's a long story.// "Well," Orlando said, with a smile that felt a little too bright, "I think we've got time. That is...if you want to tell me." Harry placed a light kiss to Orlando's forehead, and took his hand before walking again. "Did Dave ever tell you any of our history?" "A little," Orlando said, trying to figure out where this was going. "Why?" "Did he ever tell you about Marton Csokas?" "Marton..." Orlando thought hard, but could only come up with a brief mention from one of his early conversations with Dave. "He was the head of the Council before Viggo, right?" "That's right," Harry said, a pleased smile curving his lips for a brief moment. That smile warmed Orlando, and he pressed closer until Harry released his hand and draped an arm over his shoulders. "Anything else?" "Um...he died centuries ago." Try as hard as he could, Orlando couldn't think of anything else. Dave hadn't offered much information on Marton, and Orlando had always had the impression that Dave hadn't known a lot about him. "That's right." Once again, grief pulsed through their bond before Harry spoke again. "He died trying to save his pet from vampire hunters." "What happened?" "I think that's a story best left to another time," Harry replied, gently. "It's not an easy tale. Although, it is one I think you and Josh need to hear when the time is right." Orlando debated arguing, but the urge quickly left him. The past few days had been hard enough without hearing a tragic tale. "I'm going to hold you to that," he said, and managed a smile for Harry's benefit. "You can consider it your first task as my Sire." Just like that, the mood shifted again, becoming even more serious, more intense, and Orlando had to remember how to breathe as Harry's eyes caught his. "Harry?" "Are you absolutely certain you want to do this?" The words were soft, filled with too many emotions for Orlando to name. "I've been at the ceremonies where vampires have been unmade and it's not a torture I would wish on anyone, let alone you. You'll be powerless, weak..." Harry's breath caught as he visibly swallowed. "Some of them never fully recovered from the trauma." "I'll be mortal," Orlando said, hands coming up to cup Harry's face. "I've been there before." Warm hands covered his, held them in place. "It won't be the same." "I want to do this," Orlando said, every muscle in his body tight with the effort to keep from trembling. "For you, for me...I can't...I won't undo my bond with Karl, but I am yours." "Oh, Orlando." Once again, Orlando found himself swept into a tight embrace. "You are mine, in every way that matters. You don't need to do this to prove anything to me or to yourself." "I'm not doing it to prove anything." He pulled back just enough to look into Harry's eyes again, overwhelmed by everything he saw there. "I'm doing it to set things right. And I trust you and Karl to keep me safe and not to let me die. Now," he added, with a smile, "you promised to show me around, if I remember correctly." "So I did," Harry said, and they fell in step as they started walking once more. "Any place you'd like to go first?" "Well...you said you and Karl used to live here, right?" "A few centuries ago, yes." "Let's see what's changed in your old neighborhood, then," Orlando said. He knew he'd said the right thing when Harry just smiled back. "Sounds like a plan." *** Easing open the bedroom door, Karl stood there for a while. He couldn't help but admire the picture that Harry and Orlando made, curled around each other as they were, talking softly. Part of him didn't want to interrupt, didn't want to intrude, so he stood there until Harry lifted his head. "Planning on standing there all night, old man?" "No," Karl said, then strolled into the room and sat on the edge of the bed. He reached out to ruffle Orlando's curls when Orlando rolled to look at him. "Just enjoying the view." "It would be better if you were a participant," Harry said, and held out a hand. It was an easy enough invitation to accept. Karl settled between them, Orlando immediately plastering himself to Karl's side. His gaze met Harry's, who returned his enquiring look calmly. "You seem troubled," Harry finally said. "Not troubled, just..." Idly, Karl's hands drifted along Orlando's back. "Liv gave me some... Perhaps I shouldn't say anything..." "Out with it." Karl looked from Harry to Orlando. "She seems to think she can suppress my bond with Orlando so yours can be the alpha one." Orlando bounced up to glare down at Karl, the perfect picture of indignation. "I'm not giving up my bond with you!" "Orlando." Something in Harry's voice made Orlando pause. Karl had to admit he was impressed at the abrupt change as Orlando mumbled an apology and laid back down, pressing his face against Karl's arm. "Now, what's this about?" Harry asked. "She said that she can suppress my bond during the unmaking so that your bond becomes stronger." "Wait a minute, Viggo told me something about that a few days ago in London," Orlando said, still frowning slightly. "The night we all went to Dave's. I mean, I was sort of drunk at the time, but I definitely remember him talking about it." "Is that something you want?" Harry asked. "Don't," Orlando said. He pulled away to sit up, drawing his knees to his chest and wrapping his arms around them. Karl's heart went out to him. "Orli --" "Please don't. Don't ask me to choose between you. Because that's exactly what I'd be doing." "No one's saying you have to choose," Karl replied, hating the wounded look in Orlando's eyes. He should have never brought up the idea. "Remember what Viggo said?" Harry added, quietly. "Meant for both of us. You know it in your heart." "I know. I just..." He shrugged, and Karl couldn't resist the urge to stretch out a hand and curl it around Orlando's wrist. "If you think this thing with the bond is for the best, then that's fine." "Come here," Karl said. He didn't even have to tug. Orlando seemed to melt, sliding easily against Karl, tangling himself with Karl's limbs even as he reached out to catch Harry's hand. "Never doubt that I love you, Orlando, because I do." "I know," Orlando whispered, holding tight to Karl as he squeezed Harry's fingers. "But we all know I should have waited for Harry to claim you first before I put my claim on you," Karl continued, still trying to soothe Orlando with both his touch and through their bond. "This doesn't mean I love you any less than I did the moment I laid eyes on you on that dance floor." "And if you don't want to change anything, then nothing will change," Harry said. "It's a choice. You don't have to take it. Neither of us is suggesting you should." "It's not just my choice." "That's why I wanted to discuss it with the both of you." "Alright then, Harry, what do you think?" Orlando lifted his head and gave Harry a no-nonsense look. "If you could change it so that your bond was the alpha bond...would you?" "If you're asking if I would go back and stop the ceremony before you and I could have bonded, the answer is yes," Harry answered. "But I don't need more than what I have with you now." Orlando fixed his gaze on Karl next. Karl held up his hands in a gesture of surrender. "I agree with Harry. If I had to do it over again, I wouldn't have rushed into the ceremony before giving you and Harry a chance to fully bond." "I still think some part of you did it on purpose." "Possibly," Karl conceded, offering Harry an apologetic smile. It was an old discussion, one they'd had before. "I've never denied that I'm selfish where you're concerned." Orlando frowned. "I wouldn't have tried to take him from you." "I know." Karl chuckled, pressing a soft kiss to Orlando's forehead. "Just as I know that what Harry feels for you has nothing to do with what he and I have. But that doesn't change that I am selfish." "Daft cunt," Orlando mumbled against Karl's arm, and Harry laughed. The look he gave Karl calmed him more than any declaration ever could. //Forever, puppy.// //Longer, if I have my way.// Karl buried his smile in Orlando's hair. "I'm willing to wait and see what changes happen naturally now that I have Josh, and once you and Harry have your new bond when he gives you the Gift." Orlando twisted his head to look at Harry. Harry just smiled. "What he said." "I like that plan." He pressed a quick kiss to Harry's lips, then turned back to press one to Karl's. "And now that we've got that settled..." Karl watched as Harry drifted his hand along Orlando's chest, down to his stomach. "I definitely think a reaffirmation of our bonds is called for," Karl concurred, and bent his head to nuzzle at Orlando's neck. If he lived another thousand years, he knew he would never tire of this. "I like..." Orlando gasped, fingers tangling deep in Karl's hair. Another gasp escaped before he clenched his jaw, and Karl tried harder to get that sound again. Karl could see Harry's smile as he drifted his fingers over the ring. "You like...?" "The way...you think...please..." "And I like the way you beg," Harry said, winking at Karl before taking the ring between his teeth and tugging. Orlando's back instantly bowed as a quiet whimper escaped, and Karl swallowed it with his kiss, threading his fingers through Harry's hair to keep the connection. He thought they all might need this tonight. Just the three of them, completing each other. Onto Part Twenty-Four main Catalyst page If you enjoyed this fic, please leave feedback here. Thanks!