I dance.

The energy is too intense not to harvest, just like the night before. And so... I harvest. I use what I am, and siphon the overflow, spindling it as it were, to be used later. Just like the night before. Lost in the spell, I feel a familiar gaze. 

How long he watches, I don't know. How long I dance... I don't know. What I do know is that when I finish, the power is wound tight, a force to be used as we deem fit.

My skin is shining from a fine sheen of perspiration, my stance arched backwards as I hold the energy. I feel the smile in his voice even though the tone is his usual polished modulation.

"Impressive."

I smile, my dark almond shaped eyes finding his dark piercing gaze. "The sexual energy they expelled is awsome. I will feed some back to him as healing when he sleeps. Just as last night." I move to loosen tight muscles, undulating my torso in my lover's direction. "The rest..." I shrug. "I am sure we can find a use."

I glide to him and run my fingertips over his silk shirt. Others would find him impassive, I can feel his smile and the surge of desire. I lick my lips and give him a lazy, sultry look. 

"They have made me... hungry."

He lowers his lips to mine, taking a kiss that some would find disturbingly intense. It is a possessively devouring act, one that sets me on fire. I stroke a hand across his neck, feeling heated flesh under my palm, where others would see, feel, his hood. I moan softly, leaning into his crushing embrace, knowing it is his will alone that lets me feel the real man, instead of the illusion.

The touch of his breath teasing my throat sends lightening through my veins. The damp silk of my halter top is replaced by the warm silk of his gloved hand as it claims the breast he has bared. The rough weave rasps over sensitized flesh, perking my nipple into a hard peak. His teeth nip at the now arched curve of my neck and I moan. No soft sound, but a true groan of surrender.

His thigh presses between my legs and I ride along its firm muscled length. I press into his embrace, grinding wantonly. My own thigh rubs his crotch. The evidence of his own arousal making me shudder. I slide down his body, and he lets me. One my knees, my nimble fingers deftly undoes his trousers while my lips tease and nip at him through the cloth. His fingers clench in my hair, tugging hard, and I whimper, even as my teeth, scrape along now bared flesh.

The tight control pulls me back, and I growl. I pull against his grip and feel the wetness of my own need soaking the lace covering my crotch. I stare upwards into his smouldering gaze.

Only two words slip from my lips, heavily accented by my near loss of control.

"Herrre, Now."

He pulls me up by my hair, knowing I am his to use as roughly as he wants. Or is that as roughly as I want.....

The footsteps stop. My hands hover over the grips of my twin blades, ready for a cross draw. I stand still, listening for any movement, There is the slide of metal through leather. Fried or foe? I extend my senses, scenting that which doesn't belong. Tanned leather... Suede... Oiled metal... I smile and flex my hands.

My voice is a low hiss, a singsong cadence. "Velcome to my Vorld, Come dance vith me..." My blades slide from their sheathes, loud in the following silence. "I sssssmell dragon..." I breathe deeply. "I sssssmell... Fae... Show yersssselvessss."

The tip of a blade appears past the far corner. It disappears, then reappears, twirling in and out of sight. The blade whistles, betraying the speed of its spin. I tense, easing into a balanced stance, awaiting my foe. The blade begins to weave back and forth, a snake charmers pattern. I smile. A snake pattern for a Dragon?

I hiss, a slow exhale and hear... laughter. Very familiar laughter.

K'thyri glides around the corner, dancing with the movements of her blade. Raina follows, shaking her head. I breathe in, out, slowly letting my guard relax and the scales dressing my skin to fade back into human flesh. I sheathe my blades and smooth the tips of my fingers along my temples.

"Ladies... Give me a moment to make Keon aware you have come to relieve him."

I tap on the door, opening it at the scratch of claws. A large HellHound pads into the hallway. It looks back once, then sits, head thrown back, eyes closed, as a dark mist envelopes its body. The mist rises, thickening, then collapses in on itself until it reveals a tall, lithely muscled, very nude, High Court Fae. He bows to the women and holds the door open for them to enter.

K'thyri lets her appreciation be known as she moves past Keon. her fingertips slide along his waist, dipping down to stroke over his shaft. He gives her a small smile, eyes smoldering when she licks her fingertips. She presses close for a moment and kisses the very corner of his lips. "Not bad for a Highborn."

He growls softly and she shivers. She wraps her hand around his thickness and murmurs, "Yeah... Gooooood Boy."

Raina laughs and shoves her through the door. "Coming to our party?"

Keon smiles, leaning close to growl in Raina's ear. "Wouldn't miss it."

I bite my lip as the door closes behind the women and breathe deeply. The tastes of Lust and Desire are exquisite. I swallow hard, reach up and pull Keon into a deep kiss. His dominant posture disappears the moment I take control. This time I growl and he moans softly. The kiss ends and he licks my lips.

His words are soft as he kisses my cheek. "Mistress... anytime you and the Master have the Hunger, just call."

Moments later The Lord of Hounds has reshifted and trots away through the nearest shadow.

Guunnar rests quietly. In all the eons I have known him, I have never seen him this quiet. On missions, he moves silently. Asleep, he puffs his moustache out with each exhale. Stone drunk... Come to think of it, I have never seen the Viking that drunk. I smile, and smooth the sheet over his large muscular form.

Keon arrived during the surgery. He had been at the houseboat, but cut Eite's lessons short to hurry here. 

Eite had asked to learn sword work and archery. Smart woman. Of all of us, she knows the capabilities of the Drow's assasin guild. She also has a need to be her own person, and not just a refugee, as she sees herself. Currently she and Ron were watching the woods near Star and Erik's cabin, with air support from the Night Glider.

Lines mar the usually perfect planes of his pitch black face. His eyes are fathomless pits of bleak despair. Only once before have I seen this expression. I had hoped to never see it again. He moves to his friend's side and touches his arm. Words of Elvish brush the air as he weaves a prayer for his friend's speedy recovery. He plucks two strands of hair, one black as silken thread of midnight and one the brilliant blue of pure joy. Twisting them around the big man's I wrist, I hear him implore, "Cassie... If he wanders toward the Evermore, greet him as you would a beloved brother, and keep the fool from causing too much trouble." 

He kisses the tips of two fingers, touching them lightly to Guunnar's brow and moves back a foot. Black mist envelopes the Dark Lord. The vapors swirls, twisting tighter and tighter until they coalesce into the compact, wiry form of a HellHound, red eyes blazing. With a nod to me, Keon slips beneath his Second's bed, the first to guard our jolly giant.

I slip from the room. In the center of the hallway I pause, listening with senses beyond the normal. Far away, I hear voices but no one close. I close my eyes and call my magicks. Away go the clothes I wear to aide mi amor. They will arrive in the laundry ofcourse. In their place are my leather "work" clothes, and my weapons. I pull a dagger and check the edge. Scales shimmer as I flex my hands.

Gone for the moment is Silk. Lady Leather is royally pissed. Death's Handmaiden is close to the surface tonight. Someone tried to kill one of my Brothers. I hear footsteps and slowly look up. Behind narrowed lids, reptilian eyes watch for the one approaching.

The tent is up. The dark green roof, and side drapes striped in pale and medium greens, help it blend in to the surrounding trees. I set the box inside, the one Keon had hand-delivered to me, and set up a camp chair. The weather is just cool enough that I don't need the flaps open to stay comfortable. 

As I settle in with a book, I think over what still needs to be done. Ob and Stoney should be up, Ike and Tori have a few more hours. Keon had already set up chairs, arraigned an alcove to sit in with his guitar, and seen to the decorating of the small clearing. The Demifae and street kids had helped string the trees with ribbons and lights. As soon as the shadows lengthened enough to cast shadows among the trees, the lights would blink on, giving a nearly fairytale ambiance to the area.

I turn another page and smile. Irony, I think... to set a seasoned warrior to guard a dress. But this one... Tori would have a fary tale wedding.. helped along by true Faeries.

The stunned look on Pandora's face is enough to bring a small smile to my lips. I think she forgot I am more than human, more than Gypsy. The sadness in her energy is heart-wrenching. I sit on the edge of her bed, crossing my ankle.

"Mi Cooza... vat is wrong? Vat bothers you so veery much?"

I listen quietly as she tells me her fears. I understand. Josephito has deep-seated issues with his father's treatment of his mother and himself. I take her hands, making her face me.

"The babee... it ees Dragon, not Deamon... si?" She blinks and I know I have given her something else on which to dwell. "Long ago, our cheeldren were born with signs of what they would be able to sheeft into. Perhaps twas not Deamon, but the Sheefter... the Beast that showed?"

I can feel her energy start to ease, the fear turning into tension, yet not the depression it was edging into. I draw her gently into my arms and just hold her. Alise makes to leave and I motion her to stay. The Frenchwoman settles in a chair and watches. A small smile curls her lips as she feels the change in the room. The tension is gone, eased into a softer sadness.

"Ve mourn the passing of a child. But you and Josi... You have chance to breeng heem back ven time is right."

We sit and talk, I explain the Romanavich Death Rites, our reasons for giving the flesh to flames. One last promise I make... to be there when they offer leetle Connor's flesh to the Goddess. I give both women a farewell and take my leave. I think I will ask Re'mi to create a stone mi amor and I can set in the Manse' cemetery in memorium.

A final check on Tannr and I head for the courtyard. Ob is sitting on a bench leaning forward across a table someone has moved in front of him. I touch his twisted horns, stroking gently.

"Cooza, are you still with us? I need to look at your back."

Ike has arrived, landing softly on the gravel drive. The sound of her step reaches Ob, making him lift his head slowly. he mutters and I realize he is talking to Pandora, telling her to stay with Tori for the moment so she can let him know Tannr's status. He nods, and there is a grinding sound. Ike frowns, stepping behind him.

Her gasp makes me aware something is definitely wrong. I watch as she slowly shifts his wing. Ob throws back his head, reptilian face clenched tight in pain. He opens his eyes, staring at nothing as Ike shifts his wing again. it comes away in her hands and she stumbles, nearly dropping it.

"No... oh Goddess bless me! No!" Her eyes are wide, panicked. "We need sand. But... I know there is no time to send someone for sand from his homeland.... not even time to send someone to the Tavern."

"How much do we need?" I shake Ike. "How much sand do we need?"

She blinks, thinning her lips. "Not much... enough to fill the cracks, then we let him go to stone and it will bind him back together." She stares at the wing in her hand. "What do you have in mind?"

I whisper a word and a gnome is suddenly at my side. I explain to them my idea. Ob nods, panting from the pain. The gnome hurries off and Ike begin to carefully collect up the stone grindings he has been losing.

The gnome returns, but he is not alone. Several of his compatriots are with him and they set about putting my plan in action. They work quickly, using chisels to chip away at Ob's curling horns. Once they have shortened them to a mere ten inches, they drop the pieces into a pile and begin to hammer the mutli-hues stone into fragments, then pebbles, finally sand and dust. Taking water from the rain barrel, we mix the sand into a slurry.

I check on Ob. He is far away, listening intently to his wife, as she listens to Rowan. We layer the thin clay into the wing cavity and slowly ease the wing back into place. Ob groans, fighting not to scream. He talks softly, using verbal words to help him focus on his link with her. I can feel him throw up a wall to hide his agony from Pandora.

 Ike leans on his back, forcing the wing deeper, making clay ooze out of the wound. I collect the excess and put it in a container, securing an airtight lid to keep it wet. The gnomes work fast, binding the outstretched wing in place. Once we are sure it will not move. Ike steps away.

"Where will you sleep Cooza? Here or at the Tavern?"

He turns his head slowly, blinking wearily. "Wherever my wife sleeps, so will I."

The Manse is quiet. The children are sleeping, as are their parents and guardians. For once mi amor is not taping his show, nor does he need to review any movies. I wait in the shadows as he hangs up his cape. He knows I am there even before I slide my hands along his chest.

His hands cover mine, stilling their movement. He watches my tongue as it slides along my bottom lip. I burn for him, and it isn't the Succubi in my bloodline. My nails lengthen as I slip my hands from under his. I pluck at the buttons of his silk shirt, slipping them open one at a time. The sight of his bared flesh pulls me forward until I lick a slow line along the tantalizing strip.

He says nothing, but the rippling sensation in his muscles tells me he is not unaffected. I nip lightly, tugging at the wealth of chest hairs until a low growl rumbles and his hands sink into my hair. He grips tight, twisting the unruly curls into a hard knot. I moan softly and scrape my nails along his waist. He pulls my head back by the handful of hair and tugs me upwards. His mouth finds mine and there is no gentleness in the kiss.

We feed at each others mouths, bodies pressed close together. I can feel his mounting excitement as he nudges a leg between my thighs. It isn't until the wall presses into my back that I realize we have moved. I slide a leg up his, wrapping it over his hip. The position presses his bulge against my own heat. I smile as his breath hitches. Thin silk disguises nothing. I am as wet as he is hard.

His hands slide under my thighs, lifting me. My lips curl, eyes slitting as he rubs against me. His words are low, intense. "You are a dangerous woman."

"Then ve are a mated pair, mi amor. For you arre just as dangerous, if not more."

There is more purr than syllables, but he understands and heat fills his eyes.

He thrusts, making us both moan as the fabric between us rubs. My hands grip back of his shirt and there is a ripping sound as my nails shred it. He laughs, not the laugh that makes people shiver in fright, but the low husky chuckle of a man who has what he wants, just the way he wants it. The kind of laugh that sends a shiver along my spine and heat rushing to my core. I arch, writhing against him.

He steps back, letting my feet hit the floor. I look up at him, my breathes shallow and panting. He stares at me a moment, then down at himself. The sign of my excitement is as obvious as the wetness staining his trousers. The touch of his hands at my waist has me closing my eyes, only to open them with a start as I find myself flung over his shoulder as he strides down the hall.

The grip on my thighs is bruising. I moan as Magnus shifts a hand.  He slides it up over the curve of my ass as he takes the stairs. I gently rake sharp nails through the rents in the back of his shirt. He growls something and slaps. The sting makes me writhe and he kicks a door shut behind us. It isn't until he drops me on the bed, that I recognize our room. I push my hair out of my face and push myself up to watch him rip off the last of his shirt. His muscles ripple and I lick my lips.

He is on me seconds later, shoving me down on the bed and I fight him for dominance. Well, I don't fight hard. Just enough to stir his hunger. My skirts are forced up my thighs and I feel him grip the fabric of my panties. One hard tug and they are nothing but silken scraps that he holds high. I twist and he is pressed between my thighs, rubbing against me. I moan, arching into the roughness of the fabric. My hands slide down and he pauses as I undo his zipper, I reach inside and grip his hard cock in my hand, pulling him from the tight confines of his pants. I stroke, sliding from base to tip. He jerks in my hand, body stiffening. He wraps his hands around my legs and pulls hard. My skirts bunch up at my waist, baring me to his eyes.

He thrusts his hips, forcing his solid length through my tight grip. I can see the control it takes to let me hold him like this. I know it won't last long. Magnus forces my legs wide, pressing forward. His hand covers mine, guiding his cock until the tip brushes against the wet folds of my slit. He flexes his hips, rubbing his head along my wetness. I shudder, arching my hips. It is all the invitation he needs. Pulling my hand away, he shoves forward, thrusting into me as hard as he can. I moan and buck up, taking every inch. I arch, shuddering and cumming as his pelvis slams into my clit.

He leans over me, hands holding my shoulders down as he pounds into me. I writhe, rolling my hips under the welcome assault. He shifts, forcing my legs upwards until he can shift them over his shoulders. The change in position has him gliding over different nerves. It isn't long until I am panting his name, begging for him to bring me again.

He slides down my body. I whimper at the loss of his hardness, only to moan as his mouth covers my clit in gentle kisses. Teeth scraping over sensitized flesh soon has me moaning again. I rock my hips, wanting more, needing more. His tongue begins to lap, delving deep into my wet slit. One finger, then two press into me. I moan as he begins to slide them in and out in time to his licks and nips. It isn't long before I am shoving my hips at him, begging.

He urges me to turn and I crawl to my knees, offering myself. His talented tongue explores my exposed sex, fingers pressing, teasing, until I mutter over and over, "Fuckme. fuck, me, fuck me....."

He growls something that sounds like "My Pleasure" and I find myself being pounded into the mattress. My muscles clench around him, milking him on each stroke and I buck back, slamming into him. He begins to shake, hands gripping my hips as he takes me hard and fast. I reach beneath myself, reaching back to play with his balls. With a roar, Magnus rams deep. I feel him pulsing, throbbing as he cums, and it tumbles me over the edge. My vaginal muscles clench around him, milking out every drop as I melt around him.

He wraps an arm around my waist and rolls, keeping me well impaled. Shifting, he rolls us to our sides, I moan softly and wriggle back. Magnus moans my name softly, "Nadji... Nice homecoming...."

There are still clothes to remove. They are tangled around my waist and his legs, but right now... who the fuck cares....

The sylphs have cleaned away dinner and the families have gathered in Raina's room, with Rowan's permission. I lean against the door frame, sadly watching the visit. Raina has not woken since being brought here. It seems all we can do is watch, and pray to whatever Gods we follow.

Chloe and Tara have worked their way up the bed. Almost as one, they reach out and lay a hand on Raina's face. I feel all the little cousins in tandem, as if they are channeling their thoughts to Raina through the two girls. I look at all the little faces and see concentration. Mera's eyes are closed, Tomas and Grace stare intently at Raina. Star's little man, what was the name Tomas gave him? Ah yes, Robin. Robin stands close to Tomas, eyes glued to the girls. Even Ruarc seems intent on what the girls are doing.

Surprise seems to bloom slowly as the others finally catch on. They are not talking to Raina. The girls are filling her mind with the love all the children feel for Tante Rain, images of their favorite times with her, her stories of being a little girl, being a warrior. Ob leans close to Star and Erik telling them what the children are doing. Keon nods as Mera reaches out and lays a small hand on Raina's side, Soon Tomas and Robin are also touching Raina.

Ruarc starts to squirm in Star's arms, and I offer to take him. She seems startled at first, but gives him to me. I kiss the little man's forehead and nestle him in the crook of our sleeping beauty's arm. Ru beams at me and snuggles in. I breathe deep of the love the children are enveloping around Raina, remembering when they did something like this for their adopted Gran, Grace.

It takes only minutes, but feels like much longer. Chloe and Tara look at each other and slowly remove their touch from Raina's face. The others also move away and I pick up Ru, handing him back to his mother. As the children reach for their parents, Tara's soft voice is heard by everyone.

"Tante Raina is sleepy, but she not going away now."

This place is worse than any brothel or alehouse it has been my pleasure to destroy. I watch the patrons with a detachment that seems to be attracting attention, and not just by males. Everyone emits a telltale aura. I see humans' rainbows, the heat pulse around shifters, and the assorted mix of Others. Only three have the telltale shifting green of ghouls. Thank you Brothers Grim, for allowing me to hone my vision on your own auras. There is a small difference to these auras though. Sweeney and Moke have good solid tones, evergreen to spring green. These auras are a sickly tone, more yellowish than pure greens.

I am not casting any spells tonight, not even projecting my Succubi talents. I am not known in this place, so I am not even disguising my features. My hair was styled by one of the shifters. It lays perfectly, not a hair out of place. My pantsuit is navy blue silk, jacket opened just enough to reveal the lace of my lace cami. I tap the toe of my spiked heel shoe as I lean back against the bar. What did Guunnar say when he saw me..? Oh yes. All I need is a riding crop. I smile and give a nod to the bartender as he slides a white wine to me, nodding in the direction of two of the ghouls.

Gareth sits in a booth nearby. I wouldn't have recognized him, except for his aura. In his place is a very hot, very muscular young college student. His blonde hair falls in a shock of bangs over his forehead, while short and spiked up in the back. His shirt does nothing to hide the bulging muscles of his chest and arms. The jeans leave absolutely nothing to the imagination. No wonder both Raina and K'thyri exude lust when he is about. The ghoul female draped over him slowly drags her nails over the top of his thigh and over his zipper. I feel the shudder in his emotion from where I sit. If she keeps touching him so intimately... It is all I can do to control the rage I pull off him.

My pair finally come over to me. They chat me up and it is obvious they have done this before. It is also obvious they truly want me to dominate them. I slide from my stool and hook a finger at them. They follow like well-schooled puppies.

Twillon sits right outside on a Harley. His personal glamour gives him that badboy biker look... blonde hair loosely tied back, leather vest open, revealing a wealth of chest hair, bare arms covered in tattoos, worn jeans skin tight. The four fighters with him don't need glamours. They just look like street thugs. Twillon watches as we stroll by. He whistles and one of my "boys" turns to glare at him. I add a swish to my strut and Twill leans back grinning.

I tell the ghouls there is a shortcut to my condo through the Park. I can feel their anticipation as we walk the gravel pathways. Turning to stroke the cheek of one or my "boys", I catch a glimpse of Gareth on another path. The female ghoul acts as if she is drunk, but we all know better. Red eyes glimmer from the trees and high grasses of the more wild plantings. Twillon and his gang disappear into the dark shadows of the trees.

I open my jacket and it slides along my arms. I let it fall, noting one of the ghouls scoops it up and brings it to his face to inhale my scent. The other grabs it from him, snarling. There is a tug of war over the silk and it tears. I turn at the sound. My voice is cool, yet it snares their attention. They stop fighting immediately.

"You boys have destroyed my jacket. I will need to punish you for that."

They both grin and begin advancing on me. They growl softly, faces changing to their other forms. Instead of screaming or cowering, as they expect, I hold out my hands palms up. The pair laugh, a horrible hyena like sound which cuts off as they find themselves surrounded by silent Shifters in various states of change, and equally silent HellHounds. There is a crunch on the path behind the ghouls and they spin into a defensive position, back to back.

Dmitri twists his head and the crack of his bones is loud in the silence. A scream wails not far away. I smile as I hear Twillon's battle cry. The ghouls look around frantically, staring into shadows. We hear them, smell them, more ghouls are close, but we cannot see them. Three Shifters are down before we can respond to their threat. It dawns on us that all three are in human form, something they weren't moments before.

Chaos erupts, shifters morphing uncontrollably. The shifting seems to be keeping the ghouls off balance as they spin to attack one helpless human, only to find it has shifted, or a HellHound is suddenly between it and the intended target. Of the three first casualties, one lies still, the other two are suddenly covered in fur and back in the fray.

My blades sing as I dance among the foe. I get mere glimpses of Dmitri as he hacks into the ghouls that have come from seemingly nowhere. There is a ferocity in the Greek that burns bright, often hidden by the casual personality seen at the Tavern. Something swoops in from above and I feel my hair being yanked as I am lifted off the ground. I roar as my form changes and the vultures are forced to let go. Talons scrape along scale and I barrel roll, flame strafing the sky. Two go down immediately, burnt to a crispy finish. Another streaks away into the night.

Much as I want to follow, I see the battle on the next path. Glancing at my group, I see the battle well in hand. A Shifter is cuffing one of my "boys" as Dmitri cleans his blade on the remains of the other. One of Tori's kids is taking a head count and logging injuries as unharmed fighters clean up the scene. I roar and Dmitri looks up. He salutes and I dive into the next clearing.

My turn to take reports. Their have been several run-ins with the ghouls. Unfortunately, those trapped perish before any intelligence can be gathered. If we don't kill them, the ghouls find a way to take their own lives. I sigh.

Ob has taken Pandora upstairs to rest. This pregnancy is riding her hard. Mi cooza is concerned about her discomfort and how short her temper has become. It isn't just Pandora's mood. The taste of Exton is one spiced with anger and unease. Monty slides a mug of Earl Grey before me. I smile and sip at the mug gratefully.

Ob returns. As he slides into a chair her tells me Miko is watching over Pandora. Absynthe guards Chloe's nap time. He looks worn, tired. He mutters something I have been hearing all over town,

"This eclipse is going to be a harbinger of trouble."

How do you answer that, when you feel the same way?

I make the jump, landing lightly on the balls of my feet. The crow on the chimney cocks its head, blinking at me. It flutters upward, and shifts. He lands just as lightly and unlocks the roof door. Bowing, his shaggy black hair drifts over his glittering eyes. Silk hides a smile and lowers her lids in a smokey glance. He presses a hand over his heart and sighs.

As my foot touches the first step he murmurs for my ears only, "Guunnar is inside with a new recruit. He cleared the blade room of anybody else."

I smile. I know exactly where I am going. The Viking can just suck it up.

I hear the crack of steel on wood, and the oof of someone landing hard. The hallway is empty. No one loiters near the room to watch. I smile and step soundlessly through the doorway. The girl is slender, her movements are flexible. She looks scared out of her skin though. I watch as she moves in under a swing and pokes the giant Viking in the stomach. He harrumphs and changes his swing to block her next strike. the mere force of his swings sends her stumbling.

"Guunnar, vat ees theese. You teach her fight vith sword, but not dance vith sword?"

I tsk at him and move past, hips swaying. I sheathe my blades and take hers from her hand, turning the blade and measuring its balance. I nod and hand it back, moving to pick up an identical weapon.

Guunnar grins at me. He sketches a low bow and introduces us. "Nina, dese ist Mistress Leather, better known to her friends as Silk." He raises a hand to the side of his lips, feigning secrecy. "Sie vill tell du ven ist ok to call her dat."

I heft an estoc and spin. The tip of its blade flicks across the man's left arm. He is instantly on his guard. The young girl hides a laugh, but you can see it in her eyes. I motion for him to come and he follows me.

"Vatch leetle vone."

The girl hunkers down where she is, eyes wide and eager. Guunnar comes at me, swinging. I lean back and the blade swishes harmlessly by. I twist as I right myself, spinning to roll under his next cut, and score a nick to his thigh. I could have hit higher, but I was proving a point to the girl, not Guunnar.

He growls softly and feints. I sway away from the blow, twisting in to strike. Capturing his arm, I use it to propel myself around him. The girl is laughing and Guunnar's gaze narrows. As I glide closer, he blocks my first strike, nearly missing the next. The third takes him in the side. He jumps back, and bows.

I flourish the blade, and motion to the girl. "As much as men vould like vomen to fight like men, sometimes ve do theengs our own vay. Come. I teach you to dance vith blade, si?"

It takes her a few moments to realize I am offering to help her learn to hold her own against someone as big and intimidating as Guunnar. She rises slowly, looking doubtful.

"I'm fast and I'm agile, but I'm nowhere near as graceful as you are."

I laugh and the girl jerks. "Practeese, mi amora, Ees lots un lots of practeese."

I can taste her unease. Much as she admires what I can do, the kid is scared of me. I wonder what she senses from me. She comes closer and I have her mimic my movements with the sword. "Ven you fight, feel the rhythm of each movement like feeling music ven dancing. Ees a dance of living, child."

As Guunnar strikes I begin to move and she follows my lead. His blow passes us, and she keeps her feet by letting the breeze flow over her instead of blocking it with her body. I think it amazes her. Guunnar laughs as she twists upward, surging into his personal space.

"Vell done, leetle vone!"

She stares at the broad plane of Guunnar's chest as it dawns on her that she is inside his swing zone. She blinks up at Guunnar.

"I did it? I did it. I DID IT!!!!!!!!"

She bounces on her toes and is suddenly vaulting past his reach. I blink and slowly smile. She glances my way and stills instantly.

"Uh-oh...."

I grin at Guunnar.

"Can you do that again, mi amora?" The kid nods slowly. "I theenk ve find sometheeng to vork vith..."

For the next few hours, we dance. I teach her how to see the beginning of each move, to judge how her body needs move out of strike range. She catches on, bouncing around almost faster than the eye could follow. Less often she finds herself on her ass. More often, she is bouncing up and away before Guunnar can make a grab for her.

I warn her that there are those out there faster than she. She doesn't wield the blade nearly as fast as she can move. We start drilling with that as Guunnar catches his breath. When I let her take a break, the kid is drenched in sweat. I don't know who recruited this kid, but she has potential. Guunnar tells her to call it a night and hit the showers.

As she heads down the hall, Guunnar looks at me. "Vell, vas tinks du?"

"I theenk she ees fast. Lots of... energee." I tap a finger to my chin. "She ees deetermeened." I smile, lips twisting in a wry grin, "But maybe no long range veapons. Vith her energee, she may not hold aim vell."

I sit back and sip at the emotions churning around me. Lunar Eclipse has retaken the stage, freeing Montenegro to celebrate the new conception. Stoney is telling Alise no more children. They have three already and it is time to let the rest of the Kith catch up. Ike swats him with a tray, which she takes from one of the waitresses as she walks by. Their teasing shows that shyest of the Nestlings have come a long way since they came to Exton.

Tori and Tannr are deep in conversation. For once she hasn't risen to her brother's baiting comments. In fact, there is a sexual tension between them that is spiraling higher and higher whenever they are near each other. And just as obviously, the rest are giving them the time to figure out exactly what they have.

There is a young she-were at the bar,  who has been watching Ob since he howled out his joy. I can nearly taste the lust rolling off her. Jeb is watching her carefully. So is every male shifter in the room. That's when it dawns on me. The little bitch is in heat and is ignoring every male who is attracted. She literally licks her lips as she watches our table.

Monty leans across the bar to retrieve a glass and the girl turns, locking her arms around his neck. He tries to remove her hands, but she resists. As he tries to duck his head out of her grip, she locks her lips to his. He freezes as Ike slides her arm around his waist and purrs. Her voice has a soft rumble as she speaks loud enough to get the girl's attention.

"Sweetheart, if you wanted to bring a pet to our bed, you only had to ask."

The girl breaks the kiss and glares at Ike. Tori leans against the bar next to the shifter. "So bitch? What do you think you are doing? You do know, the man is taken?"

Monty removes her fingers from his neck and turns to put the glass in the sink. Ike smiles as he claims his Gargoyle's mouth for a deep kiss. "Most definitely taken... and working."

Tannr leans against the bar on the girl's other side. "I think I told you that if you kept up the antics, you would be thrown out."

She smiles, baring her teeth in a near grimace. "You wouldn't dare."

He smiles and looks at the woman on her other side. Tori flashes retractable fangs, eyes glittering dangerously. "Oh, I think he would. But as my sister-in-law owns the place... I think the pleasure is mine."

A hand grips the girl's mass of teased hair and yanks her off balance. Tori laughs, backing off slightly. "No... I do think, since it is my little sister's lover you were mauling, it is HER pleasure."

Ike's green eyes bore into the girl's as she drags her from the bar. No one moves as she is dragged, fighting every step, toward the door. Jeb opens is and bows as Ike drags her onto the porch, Tannr and Tori on their heels. Letting go Ike watches as the girl finds her balance. Within seconds, the girl has launched herself at Ike. Effortlessly, Ike catches her and tosses her to the sidewalk.

"Get out. Go find a Were to get laid. You teased enough of them tonight. I bet there are still a few waiting around for you to make good on your promises. Come back here again when you are in heat and I will be the one to fuck you up."

The girl gathers herself, growling in challenge, Ike descends the stairs, skin going grey, nails becoming claws. Her features flatten, broaden, becoming cat-like. Fangs glisten in the dim light as she opens her mouth to hiss. The girl takes one step, then two, backwards and darts down the street to her car.

Tori grins. "Does this mean Monty is getting pussy tonight?"

Ike tosses her head and concentrates on shifting her features back before shooting Tori a haughty look and stalking inside.

Leaning on the railing, Tori dissolves into laughter.

I sit, stunned that Pandora has not put things together. Taking her hand I give it a squeeze. "Cooza, When did the dreams start with Chloe?"

Her eyes widen as it finally dawns on her. Along with the surprise, I catch the rising spike of fear. "Si,,, you are already pregnant. Perhaps these dreams, they are a warning? Josi does not know, then you have been shielding very tight and he already knows something is going on. If you do not open to him soon, I know mi cooza... he will lose patience and ask outright."

Tears well in Pandora's eyes, she closes them and the tears slip down her cheeks. I taste her energy, feeling the absolute fear. "Cooza, what do you fear more? That the baby may show more signs of his Daemon heritage? Or that Josi would not want him?" I shake my head, pressing her shaking hands together. "Do not fear Josi will want the child destroyed. He is Romanavich. Children are life. They are miracles from the Goddess, a seed that there is always Hope. And we, your familia... we are here, even those half a world away. Besides... a boy..."

I smile. "Josi was vera destructive as a child I hear. Liked to experiment with the edges of pain and destruction, and look how well he turned out?" I turn and look up at the stage, making a face to make Pandora smile. "Perhaps not such a good example?"

Pandora's shields slip a little as she relaxes and laughs. At the next table Alise's head turns and she half rises, a yelp of surprise escaping. On stage there is a commotion as Ob stops in mid-song. Alise looks at Pandora, concern following the smile that started on her face. She excuses herself from Raina, Gareth, and Tannr. Her arms come around Pandora from behind and both women cry silently.

Moments later Ob is on his knees beside his wife. He cups his wife's face and kisses her gently, speaking to her in a way only the Gars and their kin can. She nods and he throws back his head and HOWLS!

Ike leans close to the mic, murmuring to the astonished crowd.

"I think my brother just found out his wife is having a boy."

My patrol is finally done. It has been a long, extremely uneventful, evening.

Pausing in the kitchen side alley, I take a moment to send the twins home for safekeeping. My leathers mist, shifting with a little Djinn magic, into silken skirts, embroidered choli, and sari. My Rider's cloak covers me in darkness as I make my way to the front. I flip open my cell, leave a message for my love, Magnus, and open the door.

I enter the Tavern during Tori's performance. I am impressed. She has a lithe body, a dancer's flexibility. She has aroused so much sexual tension in the room, I could easily get drunk off it.

Jeb kisses my hand. The werewolf is always a force of muscle and strength, and yet whenever I come in the front door, he greets me like a lady. I kiss his cheek, making the beast-man blush. I move to his side, observing the room as he helps me remove my cloak. Such a gentleman. He does growl softly in my ear, telling me I smell exotic. I stroke his cheek, kissing it gently.

"Grazi Jeb. You know how to warm a woman's heart."  I wink slowly, adding, "among other things." He chuckles as I move into the crowd.

Pandora had asked to speak with me. She sounded worried, and as Josi had not mentioned anything, other than the fact they were trying for another child, she was obviously hiding it from him... and doing it well.

I find her among the crowd and scan her energies. Worry emanates from her as sex does from Gareth and Raina. I lay a hand on her shoulder, startling her. I kiss her cheek and lean close.

"Peace Cooza. We will speak when Ob is back on stage after this break, si?"

I step into the room and am immediately bombarded by the joy of happy children. Sometimes I wish I could read them as well as their parents, other times, I am glad to just listen to their babble, picking up a little from the emotions that simply flow from them. Tomas is immediately looking past me to the doorway. I smile and pick him up as he opens his arms to me. He places his hand against my cheek and thinks hard. An image of mi amor pops into my mind.

"Ah, He is at work. It may be several hours before mi Morte' joins us."
Again the scrunched face, the deep concentration. An image of Mortuis among test tubes and beakers appears.

"No, Tomas. Tio Mortuis is at the TV studio. He is working on his show."

The little boy's eyes light up, excitement radiating off him. Images begin flooding my mind, mixed with distinct words among his happy babble. Batman... fight... crimals.. Tio Morchis... I laugh at an image of Mortuis swordfighting against a comic book villain.

"No, Tio Mortuis' show is not like Batman. Tio Mortuis shows movies."

Tomas sighs and rests his head on my shoulder. He stares at the doorway for a few moments, then touches my cheek again. No images this time, just the feeling that I am wrong.

The little man is closer to the truth than he knows.

My hand gently strokes his back and he whimpers when I touch a bump on his back. Alise meets my eyes, along with a feeling of protection from Tara. I speak softly to him, my accent slipping deeper. "May I see, my leetle man?" He looks up at me with big eyes, shaking his head. "Ees ok. I look when you want my thoughts, si?"

Tomas nods, resting his head back on my shoulder. I stroke his back gently, avoiding what I now feel as two ridges along his back. Tara watches until she is sure I do not lie. Chloe distracts Tara and I catch Alise's eye. I can feel the worry over her son, and smile. It is nothing that is not natural, but like teething, it will be uncomfortable, even painful at times.


His hand grips my hair, pulling as he leans to look around me. He suddenly drops his head, burying his face in my shoulder with a painful thump. Instead of crying, he is giggling. I turn and Stoney strides into the Solarium, Ob on his heels. Chloe squeals and raises her arms to be picked up. Tara is up and trying to run to her pa'pan. He scoops her up just as she stumbles. Her giggles and Chloe's laughing screams wake Star. Erik shakes his head, muttering about some things being the same, no matter what century.

The library is the biggest room open to guests. I see everyone comfortably seated, standing or however they take their ease. Tannr has an arm around Tori and is watching his brother carefully, as is Raina. Stoney rocks Gracie, the soft sound a comfort to both father and daughter. By the vague look in his eyes, I know he is speaking mentally with his wife, giving her strength while she waits.

The Wyldfae are sizing me up. Keon dropped to his knee, kissed my hand, and waited until I bid him to rise. While the others have accepted refreshments, only Erik and the two newcomers have refused. Erik... I understand the emotional stress that emanates from him in waves. The two Wyldfae have stationed themselves near him, so much like personal guards.

"My friends, I dare not interrupt Rowan and Mortuis, but I do have a servant waiting to alert us as soon as they can speak to us. Unfortunately, for now, we wait."

Ike talks to the waitresses, giving each a pad of paper and a pen to collect the names, numbers, and emails of individuals willing to walk patrols. Surprisingly, several of tonight's patrons are also on the town's police force. The chief himself is among the small group. He takes a moment to tell the people about individual safety measures. He finds himself with five new recruits for the K-9 unit. He just hasn't figured out how to explain them to the Mayor as yet.

Sweeney and Mole find themselves in an unaccustomed situation. Solitary men, groups make them slightly uncomfortable. They are approached by a Rider who is accompanied by a small group of people who work in the area around the Mortuary. Several ride the bus late, or walk to work. The Rider asks if the Ghouls know somewhere that would be safe for these people. The gentlemen surprise even themselves, offering an unused wing of rooms at their establishment. It is soon agreed that the Rider and his partner, along with some of the more honed warriors among the Shifters, would also stay with the Morticians.

Pandora soon finds her Tavern being booked up. The rooms downstairs find occupants who prefer to sleep during the day, or are willing to take night patrols. Some rooms end up with teams who will rotate sleeping hours. Traeger's empty rooms find many willing to learn metal crafting, and offer to help at the forge in return for a place to stay. Tori gets word from the Crows to expect an influx as well.

The florist and shoemaker enlist other merchants with backrooms and lofts to supply sleeping areas around the town for patrols. They promise to speak with Others who have properties in the poorer side of town as well.College kids begin to organize patrols of the campus in their Other guises. Keon informs the group to remember that red eyes in the night are Hell Hounds, not ghouls, and are watching from just inside the Shadow Paths.

Jeb cracks the door open just enough and a troop of Human Realm demifae are soon winging their way across Exton. They carry messages and warnings to seasoned Clan leaders, seeking aid and safe havens. Being what they are, many just ignore them as nothing more than insects. Tonight they prove that no matter how small, every person helps.

Miko buzzes about, sending his own messages to Truant and his corps. He watches as the Nanny finds a quiet corner and makes a call. She speaks softly to someone and he darts into a hideyhole to listen. After a moment he flies away. The woman is checking on her sister who lives in the poorer side of town and usually walks home from work. She hangs up when there is a promise to wait inside until she gets there.

She returns to the family, worry etching fine lines along the grim set of her mouth.

Getting Ob and Pandora alone for a few moments, she explains the situation and Ob opens his mind to his Kin. Silk glides up beside him, She touches the nanny's arm gently. The woman jumps when she notes the sheen of scales on the human face.

Silk smiles. "No worriessssss. We go now?"

The nanny thanks her employers and leaves with Silk. On the porch there is the click of nails and a large Hell Hound steps to their side. "Come." The Hound falls into step as the women hurry into the night.

My hands itch to clasp the grips of my twins. The energy tonight is nervous, bordering on action. There is a stirring among some of the kids when they realize what creatures are going to speak to us tonight. I am not surprised to see our four friends moving among the group. Their mere presence has a telling effect. The taste of the emotions turns from angry and scared to a more detatched academic essence. I hear our Tiger telling one hothead to view the "Ghoul Brothers", as he calls them, as visiting professors.

Guunnar leans close. His voice is quiet, yet his sharp eyes miss nothing in the crowd. Tonight, we add our skills to Jeb's might. Just in case...

"I miss das silks. Das black ist gut too."

I shake my head at the blonde giant. I almost forgot what it was like to stand guard duty with him. Keon glides past, stopping for a moment to glare at his second-in-command. He nods to me and moves on to where Twillon and Torrent watch from the bottom landing of the stairs. Others of our combined Corps are scattered around the room. Still others walk patrols, watching the streets and alleys from just within the Shadow Paths.

There is a small stirring as people move aside, making way for the two cadaverous men who rise from a table against the wall. I hear comments as people recognize them. The murmur ripples around the crowd as others ask who they are. Many know the local Morticians, and many it now reveals, had no idea they were anything more than gaunt, reclusive men.

I tap the hilt of the scimitar strapped closest to Guunnar. He gets the message. I see others catch the tell as well as necks stretch, blades loosen, and hands find an easy rest for quick draws.

As I said... just in case....

I look around the Tavern, feeling mi amor and his companion wink back inside the wards. Nearly everyone is assembled, at least those who are adept at this type of situation. Guunnar nods, knowing I have felt the return. Dmitri has returned from Greece, bringing news that he is holding until Ramji can join us.

Ike had been commenting to Tori about a striking charm she is wearing when we all feel Ob's silence touch our minds. I see Stoney and Alise turn to watch him. Their little ones turn, food half eaten. Ike and Tori turn also, Erik's brother glancing at Monty, who shrugs but points to where we all are looking. Patti slips behind the bar and says something to the two, then the waitresses who start to mingle, talking quietly to certain tables.

Mi Cooza rises and makes his way to Byte, who murmurs into his headset. One of the guitarists acknowledges him with a head movement. As the song ends, the guy tells the band it is time to take a break. The group moves aside as Ob mounts the stage. Obsidian thanks them, turning his attention to the crowd.

I check my scimitars. The Twins ride in their accustomed places, an allowance that Pandora has graciously granted. Tonight, Pandora has rescinded the weapons for all of the Hunters, be they Riders or Dark Lords. Just something about us armed seemed to ease the feelings of the locals who crammed in here.

His voice is rough gravel. I know that tone. He is close to turning. I can feel it in all his nestmates. If it comes to a fight tonight, they are ready.

"*Escuzi, mis amigos. We will return to our usual... distractions... " He gives that charming grin that has gotten him out of so much trouble as a youth. "shortly."

The smile slips away leaving a more somber expression. His eyes are so pale they almost gleam in the stage light. Those of us who know him are aware he has shed the Rake for the Warrior. His accent is deeper, rolling r's and lengthening his e's.

"You all know that something is stalking our streets. So far all that have fallen are human. First, those many would not miss... but this is Exton. We aren't your typical townspeople. The disappearances WERE noted. A few weeks ago, a college girl went missing. Many thought she just dropped out and went home, until her parents came looking for her. Very early this morning, a couple went missing. This time a mistake was made. This couple has friends among Our people. While searching for them, their murder site was found, along with the site of the previous student. The killer left behind a telltale trace. One that can be traced by Ones who know how."

He steps to one side, making room on the stage. "Almost everyone in this town knows there is one person who can be turned to in this type of situation. Everyone knows of him, at least by reputation. ^La Main Droite De La Mort, Death's Blade, The Good Doctor... and by names that strike deeper in the souls of those who are his enemies. I am lucky enough to count him as Friend. I give you Mortuis."


*Apologies, my friends.

^The Right Hand Of Death

The night is fleeing quickly. Dawn touches the edge of the skyline. Southside has been quiet. The eyes on the street notes nothing unusual; unusual for Southside.

From where I crouch in the shadows of a chimney, I can see people beginning their days. A Crow lands by my side. It cocks its head, jerking towards a larger space. I follow, waiting as it turns into one of the street kids. She settles her black cloak around her shoulders, shivering in the cool morning. Her voice cracks, still almost a croak after being in her animal form most of the night.

"It's morning. Whatever is happening is gone before now." She shakes her head, staring out over the city. The alley that was bathed in blood is just visible from where we sit. "None of our people are missing. Claw just reported in after checking under the overpass. Everyone is there...." She cocks her head, dark hair sliding over her shoulder. "Something evil walks our town Demonkin. We will do whatever we can do to help Mr. Right."

I raise a brow. My own words are heavily accented. "Meester Rright?"

The kid grins. "Darklings call the Doc The Right Hand of Death. We just call him Mr. Right. They may fear him, but we respect him." Her grin gets wider. She stands, spreading her arms wide, the cloak already moving to cover her, turning back into feathers. "Gotta go. Ol' Mag tapes his show for us. If I want breakfast, and a place to sleep, I better scoot. She can only take in so many of Us."

The crow is swallowed by the still dark sky. I look out over Southside one last time. Moments later, I am running over rooftops, heading back to the Manse. I sooo need a cup of Earl Grey.