Vetus Tutela moved towards the tigress slowly, not wanting to make undue noise. Once she reached the barricade, a lock made itself visible through the firelight. "I need something to break it with," she whispered under her breath. Wanting to help, Alana noticed the key around Raju's neck. 'I'll get you out mama,' she said. 'No. Alana it is too dangerous for you,' Cloud and Circe ordered. The young tigress did not heed her parents' warning. She crouched low to the ground and slunk noiselessly over to the sleeping hunter.
She clamped her strong teeth around the chord and bit. The chord broke with ease and the key slipped from around his neck. With the key safely in her mouth she rushed back to her mother. Unfortunately a small twig had been broken in her haste. The dark red haired man sat up and his hand flew to his throat. Panick overtook him and he glanced around. He locked eyes with the tiger and grabbed a poison dart. "She didn't say anything about the mate or cubs," he said maliciously. The commotion woke Helenai and Serena. "What is---" Helenai and Serena asked in unison. The two women had no time to speak for Alana and Lily had pounced. They would not give in to these lesser beings. Cloud faced Raju alone. Vetus Tutela had managed to get the key from Alana. She moved quietly to the barricade and unlocked her captive mistress. 'You will be forever in my debt Vetus Tutela' Circe said. "No mistress, I am forever in your service," she said. "That alone is your debt paid."
Raju prepared to send the fatal dart at the graceful tiger when Cloud struck. 'You have caused me much grief human,' Cloud snarled. "I fear not the graceful predator nor the raging goddess," Raju spat. 'Vetus Tutela, please get him to cease,' Circe requested calmly. The young guardian convinced Cloud to move away from the man. 'Lily. Alana. Do not harm them,' Circe ordered her cubs. Reluctantly the two cubs joined their mother's side. The three hunters stood together in a clump. 'They were merely doing the bidding of the sun goddess Demia,' Circe explained. 'I grieve your weak wills humans,' she continued, now addressing her captors.
At these words, the firelight cast Vetus Tutela into view. "You have a guardian?" Helenai inquired of the tigress. 'Of course. Though Demia recognized her as a threat and restrained her,' Circe answered the tall woman. "You have been falsely led to believe your acts were done in good service," Vetus Tutela said. "For that I grieve you," she added. Raju turned to the women by his side. "If this young woman speaks with a true tongue, then our purpose would anger the gods," he said. The three humans bent down in front of Circe. "Please enchantress, we ask of thee to give us your grace," they said in unison. 'Stand for I do not accept pleas from those who fear me,' Circe said. At this, they stood. 'I have no intent to harm you,' she continued.
Just then, the sky was alight with fire. Demia appeared and her eyes burned with rage. "Vetus Tutela, for not heeding my warning, you shall be---" she began. 'You shall give her no such punishment Demia,' Circe said. Demia turned on the hunters. "You have not done your job!" she screamed. "I fear not the graceful predator nor the raging goddess," Raju said for the second time that night. Demia raised her clipeus staff and made to end his life. 'Demia. Look at yourself. The sun goddess does not unleash her wrath on humans,' Circe said. Demia lowered her staff and fell to her knees. "You are right enchantress," she said through tears of anger. "I have failed in my duty as the sun goddess. I am sorry for the pain and anguish that has been caused you," she finished. 'Cease your tears Demia. You are forgiven,' Circe said.
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